By Binky
Listen up, cats. I live at a vet hospital and I can tell you, these people really like cats. They like cats so much that I have to hide in the afternoon so they quit loving on me, telling me how handsome I am and wanting to pick me up for hugs. Argh! Too much love can really cramp a cat’s style.
I watch many of you come in here, hiding in your carriers with wide eyes. I am here to explain to you how to be chill at the vet and maybe even have a good time.
First of all, make sure you know about your carrier. Ask your human to get it out a few days before your appointment and put some catnip or treats in it so you kind of like the place. Then ask them to go the extra step and rub it down with a Feliway wipe or even just spritz some Feliway on a towel to put inside. Make sure you get those yummy feline pheromones all over. I love that stuff.
Next, ask your human to be chill. If they can be chill, it really helps us realize that we are not going to the dog park — just to the vet. Not a big deal.
Did you know that The Drake Center is a Cat Friendly Practice? That means that while the front staff, techs and doctors love getting their feline fix (see above), they also realize that cats require a more sophisticated level of care than our simple-minded canine counterparts.
The VIC (very important cat) treatment starts with a feline-only exam room filled with kitty delights, including catnip, treats, toys, soft bedding, a Feliway diffuser and best of all, no dog smell. The humans will never rush you out of your carrier (if you’re really worried, they can even perform the exam with you in it!) and thanks to me, are well-versed in how cats liked to be talked to and handled. Learn more about feline care at The Drake Center here.
A good physical exam every year (or twice a year for those of us over 10, like me) and regular lab work are very important. Earlier this year, my human servants discovered I had an abnormal blood count during a routine exam. I felt kind of crummy for a few days before, but we cats are very good about hiding our illnesses. That exam saved my life and now I’m happy to report I’m back to my strikingly beautiful old self.
We're celebrating Take Your Cat to the Vet Day with free gifts for our feline patients all day Saturday, August 22. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact The Drake Center at (760) 456-9556 or [email protected].