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Vet help!
Hello all! I've phased in & out of this group for cat questions and you've all been so nice & helpful! I am serious your thoughts on this:
My 3 yr old cat is a bigger orange boy. Not a fat cat, just a big boy, who does NOT like the vet. The past months he's been weezing pretty bad when he breathes. Not all the time, but sometimes it gets pretty loud. (I remember having an orange tabby growing up who also weezed for years, never took him to the vet and he lived to be about 20, dying of old age) I've been reading things online and getting somewhat worried, especially since I know cats are really good at hiding symptoms. He's a very happy boy, very active, drinks lots of water & eats his regular meals.
Again, he does not like the vet. I don't see him biting or scratching, but he gets mean and growls and is very good and keeping himself from letting you get him out of the cage. He just liked to be in the comfort of his own home. Also, he's my husband's baby. My husband who does not agree with modern medicine and has his own views on doctors and vets already has a problem taking him. Last time we took him for shots (which my husband is incredibly against) he was probably just over a year old, they had to hold him by the scruff and my husband basically lost it. Every time the vet walked out I had to calm both of them down and I was completely stressed. Not to mention he's much bigger now and I just have a feeling it might go bad. It's just not fun for anyone.
What do you think of weezing? Have any of you experienced a difficult vet visit with a cat and what did you do? How about a husband that doesn't agree with it all and insists on being there??
Re: Vet help!
My cat has no issue with the vet/ vet office/ getting shots. She does have anxiety on car rides after she got spayed. To her getting cut open and drugged = car.
Have you tried any herbal/ homeopathic/ holistic things for your cat? There could be something you can try first to help and if your cat is still having problems take him to the vet.
Maybe when going to the vet only you and the cat should go. Animals can tell when people are sad/ sick/ stressed and their emotions can feed off of that. Having no stressed or scared H may make the trip to the vet a bit more pleasant.
I just recently started working at a Vet as a receptionist, so I don't know everything in fact I don't know much about cats at all. I will say though, that I have seen cats die on the table b/c their owners decided not to have them vaccinated just b/c they live inside.
Cats face a lot of issues, and like you said they are very good at hiding their symptoms. Some cats will never show you that they have heartworms, until they die suddenly. I would also be very concerned about feline leukemia, and FIV.
Also, how did your husband expect them to restrain the cat? There aren't a whole lot of options considering cats have claws and will use them, no they probably don't like having a thermometer put up their rear but if that's what will save them, a little discomfort is worth it.
IS there a particular reason your husband doesn't agree with vaccinations?
Thank you all who have replied! I think I will try and take some advice from everyone. Look for a holistic calming something, call and explain to the vets the situation, and try and leave my husband home.
I can't figure out my husband's logic. I mean, I get it because I'd rather not use medications and such either, but what are we going to do when we have kids?! He even said if he had cancer, he'd rather die naturally than go through all that. Ayy yi yi. Thanks for the advice!
I was mainly curious y'alls thoughts on the wheezing & calming my kitty! It's like night & day with that cat. He's a sweet teddy bear cat at home, but he's a monster when he's uncomfortable!