Help needed for panicking cat.

dan_d · 08-06-2011 5:46pm #1

Once again, I'm having cat health problems...

So cat no. 1 has just got over the skin condition, and now cat no. 2 appears to have an eye infection.

I've 2 things I would like advice on, especially the first question.

We're bringing her to the vet this evening. This cat absolutely hates travelling in a cat box. Loses her reason completely. Urinates, hyperventilates, everything. It is extremely distressing for us and for her. This will be the first time we've brought her to the vet, previous trips were to the cattery. She likes being petted, but hates being picked up or handled in any way. I've no idea how she'll react to the vet's surgery - I imagine that she'll jump out of the box, head for darkest corner possible and just won't come out. I don't know how the vet will examine her, because she just doesn't let you pick her up or hold her in any way at all. She's very gentle, and doesn't scratch but she wriggles and wriggles and panics...it's like trying to hold running water.As for the application of any possible eye drops or anything - well we'll have to ask the vet's advice there, because I've no clue how we'll manage it at all.

So my question is, is there anything at all we could use that might calm her down during trips in the box? The longest is literally 20mins up the road. The vet is only 10 mins up the road. The whole thing is just so stressful for all of us involved. I've been thinking about this since yesterday evening and it's worrying me so much!Any tips??

The second question is - does anyone have any recommendations for pet insurance? Between the 2 of them they've cost us a hefty amount in vet fees so far and we haven't had them a year yet. We did expect vet fees, but not to the tune of 80eur or so, every month or second month. We really need to get insurance at this stage - I've done a bit of searching, but I'm not sure who to go with. Any advice??

spank_inferno · 08-06-2011 6:19pm

regarding Insurance check out 123.ie
their premium cover beats the equivelent offered by Allianz in terms of price.

We may move our guys to 123, though Allianz have been easy to deal with when the need arose.

Regarding the primary issue:
Check out a cat car harness in a vetshop/online
We have a harness we fit to the cat (like a strapped harness for a small dog)
the lead then clips into the back seats seatbelt catch, just like a normal seatbelt!
The cat then can look around and outside.

Apart from that, just keep communicating with the cat, keep reassuring them.

When you get to the vet... well others may not like it, but the cat is just going to have to lump it, don't be afraid to be firm. you can also queeze the back of their neck (the nape) and/or hold their front paws together

When they feel they have a chance to escape they will, if you leave them no option from the get-go, they tend to be a bit more passive.

And dont beat yourself up if the cat freaks out, they all do to a lesser extent.
Just remember to be in charge.

Zapperzy · 08-06-2011 6:29pm

Sounds a bit like my cat, I hide the box until the last minute keeping her as stress free and oblivious to the fact she has to go into it until we are literally walking out the door.
Then in one swift motion (it takes practice which unfortunately Iv had lots of lately) I pick her up and shove her in (as gentle as possible but use as much force as necessary obviously without hurting her). Some say putting them in backwards helps but I don't find it does as they are facing out the way in the direction they want to go so all they have to do is run straight ahead whereas putting them in head first they have to go in, turn around and then run out.
Do whatever is necessary to get her in first time round as trying a second and third time will be 100 times more difficult as the cat will have figured out what is going on. Putting on a thick pair of gardening gloves might help.

In future you could try placing the carrier down as a bed for a few days so she gets used to it, take the lid off it first if she is reluctant to go in, just don't shut the door behind her so she knows she can go in and out as she pleases.

It might be a bit late now but there is a spray called feliway spray you can buy that relaxes them, just spray it on the carrier 15 minutes before you have to put her in. Most vets stock it, can be bought online cheaper either. http://www.vetuk.co.uk/feliway-products-c-1

Covering the box for the journey with a towel so she can't see out usually helps also, just make sure enough air can still get in.

Im at the moment looking into these tablets http://www.vetuk.co.uk/behavioural-training-aids-zylkene-tablets-c-198_427/zylkene-100-x-75mg-tablets-p-2094 for my scaredy cat.

Oh and my cat gets so scared at the vets she literally freezes on the table so thankfully she is easy to examine, but I don't like seeing her in such a state of panic she resorts to this but it is slightly better than turning into a hissing ball of claws and teeth!

dan_d · 08-06-2011 7:04pm

Thanks guys, brilliant suggestions! I'm so glad I'm not the only one, feel so bad for the poor little creature...she's such a gentle little cat and I hate feeling that I'm inflicting something on her that she finds traumatising. I think I'll see if I can pick up a bottle of that spray tomorrow.

Unfortunately the vet trip didn't happen this evening due to the vet closing up shop early for the second day running (another story, but let's just say I'm p*&&ed off with that:mad:). Problem is that I had her in the box yesterday, and rang the vet before I left the house to be told he was just leaving....so I had to let her out of the box again. She won't come near me now, won't come inside when I call her and hides when I'm around, because she's afraid I'll put her in the box again.(even though it's well out of sight...)Sigh....

The harness is an excellent idea - I would be slightly concerned she might pee on the seat though, because she does do it in the cat carrier nearly every time.

Thanks for the insurance advice too, much appreciated.

piperh · 08-06-2011 7:52pm

If its the carrier thats freaking her out how about using a towel wrapped around her? I know you said she doesn't like being held but some find that a tightly wrapped towel comforting and less stressful so it might be easier on her.

anniehoo · 09-06-2011 1:36am

I feel your pain

Cats are ridiculous for handling under stressful conditions ( i have 2 of them). They literally can act polar opposites in a vet situation compared to real life. My generally laid back ginger male was a complete nightmare recently, while my semi-tamed female was actually much better. I would've put money on it being the other way around.

Not all vets "understand" or even "like" cats imho. Every animal is different (spot the obvious i know), but you need to find one that is in tune with how cats react. Shop around!! Vets can be like GPs...some are good, some aren't!

My cats are with petinsure.ie. Reasonable tbh and their policy is pretty standard (basic package in my case) but their excess was fair and ive heard they're decent to deal with.

My trick with the vet is:
-the box should become a treat haven a few days before you go there
-put a towel over the entire box when travelling to keep them from sensory overload
-get a "cat loving" vet (seriously)...this is very important and may sound crazy but believe me there is a difference.
-patience....and more patience

Roll on The Sweepers advice!!!!:p

The Sweeper · 09-06-2011 5:22am

Hahahaha

Anyway, +1 to anniehoo's advice, -1 to the harness. Harnesses can be extremely upsetting to a cat who hasn't been accustomed to them. They feel snared and frightened and can shut down completely in a harness or take off like a rocketship. It could have precisely the opposite effect you want.

Rescue remedy - few drops on the back of each ear an hour before the journey, half an hour, and just before crating.

Also, combine the box and 'wrapped towel' approaches. Don't bring the cat in an empty box. Yes, I know they'll probably wee or poo in terror in the crate. Bring one set of towels on the way and a clean set for the way home.

The more towels, the better. Put two folded on the bottom, and look at providing yet another loose towel for the cat to burrow into or hide under. Every frightened cat I've met has the tendency to squeeze themselves into the tiniest gap they can find, sandwiching themselves into spaces you woudn't believe they could fit into. I'm not sure whether it reflects the psychology around the 'thundershirt' for dogs (a shirt that provides tight pressure to the dogs body when worn, and that feeling of being swaddled reduces anxiety in a thunderstorm).

Swaddling is the best word - if you can tightly wrap or provide padding for your animal to swaddle themselves without making them feel snared, it can help them calm down. Who knows - with enough padding they may not even soil the towels! It DEFINITELY works for cats I've had to move around - I used to do newspaper in the crate, or one folded towel, and I'd pull out a cat wet with their own urine who's been sliding around miserably in terror on the drive. Multiple towels and padding (even in some cases squeezing cat beds into the crate so they form a sort of roll and the cat can be in the centre) appears to be far more reassuring for them.

As for using your towel - charity and op-shops are the BEST places for second hand towels. I have half an airing cupboard full of mismatched old towels and they are SO useful, for transport, for lining beds, for mopping up pukes and wees and whatever else, for drying the just-washed dog, so on. And they're way cheap in the charity shops so I reckon it's worth a look!

audreyp · 09-06-2011 7:32am

I completely understand what you are feeling!! Bringing a cat to the vet is as stressful for the owner as it is for the cat. My cat hates the vet!! To make it worse he can even sense when we are going (no idea how) He has taken to making a run for it out of the cat flap the night before going to the vet and then coming back coincidentally just after we have missed our appointment. So now the night before we need him to go to the vet/cattery we have to lock the cat flap and then deal with a screaming cat all night long. Then get up with no sleep whatsoever to try get him into the cat carrier. Definitely recommend the towel approach and long sleeves and possibly even a fleece because I have been ripped apart by my cat trying to get him into it. Then he cries the whole way there!!

He would be similar to your cat he loves to be petted but HATES being picked up. His last vet visit (he had an infection from a bite) the vet (usually known as the cat whisperer in the practice) needed help from another nurse to control him. And now he is due his annual vaccinations. So we will be faced with another visit very soon!!!

I'll have to try some of sweeper's recommendations too!

Finally, I can't recommend Allianz enough. I know they are more expensive but my cats are a bit illness prone. Well they have been in the past and I had no problems at all getting refunded by Allianz. Everyone on the phone are really nice and so helpful. My poor cats have been poisoned, bitten and had kidney infections. We have claimed a lot of money for only 20 euro a month! I wouldn't be without it!

Good luck with your cat, hope he gets better soon!!

The Sweeper · 09-06-2011 9:40am

If it helps you feel better, my cats behave like we're entering the ninth circle of hell when crated for a trip to the vet.

First the caterwauling begins.

At home: mew! mew! burble, chirrup, mew!

In the car: MIARRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Since the introduction of the 'many many towels' approach, there have been far fewer evacuation of bladder and bowel incidents.

But yes, they make a LOT of noise.

In fact, one of the saddest cat experiences I had was in January just gone, transporting I think 15 cats in cages from the site of the old cat shelter I was helping to the new one - driving up the freeway, fair distance, so on. Each cat was crated separately and I could fit them all in the 4x4. The sad bit? These are cats who've lived at the no-kill shelter for years, unhomed and overlooked.

And apart from one single initial miaow as we pulled away in the car, to which I responded with soothing noises, they were completely silent for the rest of the journey.

I like to think my lot howl because they're not used to such treatment.

ondeball · 09-06-2011 9:41am

<SNIP> No advocating violence/cruelty towards animals.

dan_d · 09-06-2011 10:18am

I know I shouldn't laugh, but some of those responses are very funny:D. Thanks everyone!

I was thinking last night of maybe bundling her in with towels in the box alright. She's very much a hider - dark quiet spots suit her down to the ground. Her sister is a much better traveller, though she does tend to have a conversation with you in the car...which is odd, because she is completely silent at home.Plus when I let her (the sister) out on the vet's table, she usually sits there purring and cleaning herself.:rolleyes: The vet tends to look at me like I'm nuts while I try to explain there's something wrong with her.....:o

Anyway, we're going to see if we can tackle it this afternoon.That's assuming that I can catch her. I think I've been forgiven for putting her in the box 2 days ago, but that's going to end soon!!!

Also thanks for the insurance advice..will do some ringing around. It's very necessary at this stage, they've been in the wars a bit over the last few months.

dan_d · 09-06-2011 3:18pm

All done!!!

Great advice on the towels Sweeper. Big thumbs up!!! Grabbed her in one towel (she was much easier to pick up like that!) and put another one in the box with her....she was certainly a LOT happier. Not thrilled mind you, but at least there wasn't the usual frantic scrabbling around inside it to get out. Nor were there any "accidents". Other than a few mournful meows, it was probably the best journey I've ever had in a car with her, and that's saying something!! Her sister came along for the trip - she's had a dose of the snuffles lately, and although she's absolutely fine apart from some little cat sneezes, I thought I'd kill 2 birds with one stone.

For the record, we tried a new vet today - fantastic guy and WAY cheaper than the other one.50eur for 2 cats to be examined and that included one prescription. I thought I'd be handing over about 110eur, based on the other vet's prices.

So we're all good and hopefully there will be no repeat visits any time soon (I'll make sure of that by going and buying pet insurance now - Murphy's Law states that the minute I pay for it, they'll stop being sick:rolleyes::rolleyes:).

Thanks again for all your advice!

poconnor16 · 09-06-2011 3:22pm

dan_d...I'm a bit concerned by your vet, he/she doesn't seem too cat friendly? Or am I misunderstanding?
I'm lucky, living in Cork I have access to the Cat Hosptial, which is specialised for cats only. The vet and nurses there understand exactly the 'trauma' of bring your cat to the vets. They certainly dont look twice at me when I tell 'my little boo boo that mummy will be back later to collect you, mummy loves you loads' etc....

I use petinsure.ie but haven't used it yet....

Regarding the transportation, I just +1 on all the above comments. You are not alone - come post on here anytime you get stressed. This forum and its members and modsh have certainly has helped me in the past.

dan_d · 09-06-2011 3:31pm

No, they're actually not bad, but they're pricey, and generally acknowledged
to be so.

The problem is that the only clinics near me are small clinics that are off-shoots of bigger clinics which are further away. So they are only open for an hour every evening, or in the case of the one I went to today, an hour mid-afternoon. That suited me for now, because I'm unemployed and free during the day, but it won't always.The other thing is that with the one I usually go to, you can't be guaranteed that you'll always have the same vet. There's been the same girl there 3 times, but on 3 other occasions there have been 3 different vets. It's because they're rotating vets through their main big clinic which is 30 mins away, and also through 3 other small clinics with varying hours in surrounding towns, as well as serving local farmers in situ. It's a bit of a nuisance to be honest.

Today's guy was great - he's under a different clinic though and was a good bit older than the other vets I've dealt with, so he was much more used to handling them. I think after today I'll be travelling that little bit further and using that particular clinic, as I was much, much happier with today's set up.

Thanks for the relief of the transportation stress, have to say today went like a dream after I took all the advice on board:D

Help needed for panicking cat.

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