Read the cat article, "Your Cat's First Visit To The Vet".
Your Cat's First Visit To The Vet
If you have a new cat or kitten in your life, or soon plan to bring one (or
more) into your family, at some point you will find yourself making an
appointment for a first veterinary visit. Regardless of their background or
state of health, new pets should be seen by a veterinarian.
At the very least, an office visit provides an opportunity to learn about
caring for your cat; in many cases it is also necessary for the diagnosis of
potentially harmful problems such as intestinal worms, ear mites, nutritional
disorders and heart murmurs.
If you are unfamiliar with the veterinarians in your area, try talking to
friends or co-workers about their experiences. Veterinary clinics may differ
from each other in a number of ways, and the more you learn about these
differences the easier your decision may be. Consider whether you would prefer a
cat-only practice, or one that sees other companion animals as well. Would you
feel more comfortable in a solo practice or a large, multi-doctor practice? Are
you more likely to trust years of experience, or a recent graduate who may be
more knowledgeable about the newest technologies? Is a general practitioner
preferable, with his or her broad training, or would you instead choose a
specialty practice where veterinarians are board-certified in internal medicine,
surgery, cardiology and other areas? In addition to the referrals of others, it
is beneficial to visit a veterinary hospital before you make an appointment. By
making prior arrangements, you can request a meeting with the veterinarian or
staff and a tour of the facilities, including the examination rooms, surgery
suites, dental equipment and hospital or boarding area.
Prepare a portable carrier for your cat several days in advance of her
veterinary visit. Line it with a familiar blanket and allow her to sniff the
carrier and to climb in and out at will; curiosity can be encouraged by
occasionally placing some catnip or edible treat inside for her to discover.
Practice closing and reopening the door, perhaps carrying it short distances in
the house. Finally, take it to the car and then back into your home. By the time
of the appointed day, she will be much more comfortable. Dont worry if she
vocalizes throughout the short drive; there is usually no need to tranquilize a
cat for a brief trip. The cat carrier is an important piece of equipment;
without it cats can interfere with driving, and are at high risk of escaping
when the door is opened. The den-like carrier also shelters the cat from the
overstimulation of the unfamiliar outdoors.
The waiting room of a veterinary hospital can be a frightening place for
kittens and cats. It is important to keep your cat confined in her carrier, even
if you have to fight the urge to hold and comfort her (being held is small
comfort to a cat barraged with the sights, sounds and smells of other animals).
The carrier should remain closed even in the examination room, until the
veterinarian has entered and is ready to begin the examination. Cats permitted
to jump out and investigate the room often become quite agitated by its odors of
disinfectant and traces of previous animals -- greatly increasing the stress of
the impending physical exam. Take the time to summarize a list of questions for
the doctor. During your brief wait, a hospital staff member may arrive to take
information and perhaps perform a brief pre-exam of your pet, including her
temperature and heart and respiratory rates. You may also have access to
videotapes or reading material about cat care.
The veterinarian will take a few moments to say hello and learn about your
cats background; he or she will then perform a thorough, but efficient, physical
examination. Veterinarians are trained to learn as much as possible without
causing unnecessary stress to an already-nervous pet. Once he or she has
listened to your cats chest, looked in her mouth, eyes and ears, gently felt her
abdomen and examined her skin and hair coat (while simultaneously evaluating the
whole cat and her general health), it will be time to administer any needed
vaccinations or medications -- again, with the efficiency of a professional
trained to minimize stress. Blood, feces or urine may be needed for laboratory
tests. When the examination is over, you will have the opportunity to ask
questions -- be sure to write down the answers if they seem unfamiliar or
complicated.
What questions should you ask? Some examples might include: What is the
protocol for telephone calls if I have further questions? How do you handle
after-hour emergencies? Do you accept walk-in patients or only those who have
appointments? Do you refer patients to specialists in case of difficult problems
and, if so, where? What is your protocol for spaying or neutering? Do you
provide behavioral services?
The services of a good veterinary hospital expand well beyond the initial
physical examination. Your cats first veterinary visit, and that fresh new
folder labeled with her name, may be the start of a lifelong partnership in
which problems both large and small will receive good care.
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