www.FURRY PetPages.FELINE com FRIENDS
17
Our furry feline friends (continued)
Another factor that probably plays a role in the decreased number of
feline veterinary visits most likely has to do with the time and stress
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them safely corralled into their carriers for transport. Cats are very
attached to their home territory, and are used to a very predictable
routine, and are not accustomed to travelling away from home. One
of our goals as health care providers is to make feline visits as low
stress and fear free as possible. If you are in need of assistance, call
your veterinarian for some tips but here are some easy ways you can
help to do your part. First, don’t just put your carrier out the day of
the veterinary visit. Take it out several days in advance and encourage
your cat to explore it by placing treats and/or toys within it. An
appropriately sized carrier for the size/weight of your cat is also key.
Carriers with an access door on top often prove very useful as well.
Cats use pheromones to mark familiar objects, and spritzing the carrier
with 3-4 squirts of Feliway®, a synthetic copy of the cat’s facial
pheromone, may help create a sense of familiarity or security in the
cat’s environment.
Ideally, you should have
scheduled your appointment
for a quieter time of the day
if this is at all possible. When
you are moving the carrier
from the car to the clinic, try
not to tip the carrier or bang
it against any doorways on
your way in. If your cat is
overly stressed, your veterinarian
may recommend a
prescription medication before
the visit but remember
this can only be done if your cat has an established medical history
with the veterinarian.
Veterinary medicine has changed and evolved dramatically over time
and it the preference of the majority of practices to make your cat’s
visit as low stress and fear free as possible. For information on this
topic, you can visit www.fearfreepets.com
www.ColumbusPetPages.net 17
Diane Ott, D.V.M.
North Kenny Veterinary Hospital
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