How often do my cats have to go to the vet...?

I got my 2 kitties from the humane society. Right away I signed them
up for the Banfield Health and Wellness program. For $25 a month both
cats get two 6 month check-ups, I guess a general exam, and booster
shots.

They are 4+ now and in perfect health. I am asking this question
because I am not thrilled with how this all works. They are indoor
cats, so they pretty much only see my wife and I and the inside of our
house. When I take them to Banfield at Petsmart, they have us drop
them off all day.

One...I have no idea if what they say they are doing, they are really
doing.

Two...this causes an incredible amount of stress on the cats. The
cats are fixed males, very sweet, and have been together their whole
lives. Sleep together etc...However every time, the vet calls or
tells us what an awful time they have with them, hissing etc...The
cats never hiss at home and if they do they seem as suprised by it as
I am. Always when I pick them up and try to put them in the big
carrier, they hiss at each other and the vet's scared they are going
to get in a fight. They are fine 2 minutes after we leave. I know
it's the stress of being there that cuases them to be that way. I
assume they prob keep them in the kennel around dogs also, so that
can't help. The vet acts like our's are the only cats that do this.
Needless to say it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Banfield.
This has happened at two different places.

Then, I assume they are getting their shots because they act sick for
3-4 days, and usually puke upp their food for a couple days. I worry
that I am putting them thru a lot of uneccesary stress.

Of course, I get impatient (they are the profesionals), and am like
can't you just do the exam, do you need me to come down and hold them
for you. And he is like...no sir we have a policy of not doing
anything when the animal doesn't want to...hmmmm. So next time...he
want's me to bring them in on seperate days and he says he might
sedate them....sheesh...this all seems very extreme. So I am thinking
of dropping them, but I have no idea if i need to find a vet, where to
find an honest reliable one, or even how much it will cost, how often
do I need to take them? I live in NW Phoenix, AZ if anyone has some
suggestions...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

On 20 Feb 2004 14:26:03 -0800, (cokekiller)
wrote:

I got my 2 kitties from the humane society. Right away I signed them
up for the Banfield Health and Wellness program. For $25 a month both
cats get two 6 month check-ups, I guess a general exam, and booster
shots.

They are 4+ now and in perfect health. I am asking this question
because I am not thrilled with how this all works. They are indoor
cats, so they pretty much only see my wife and I and the inside of our
house. When I take them to Banfield at Petsmart, they have us drop
them off all day.

One...I have no idea if what they say they are doing, they are really
doing.

Two...this causes an incredible amount of stress on the cats. The
cats are fixed males, very sweet, and have been together their whole
lives. Sleep together etc...However every time, the vet calls or
tells us what an awful time they have with them, hissing etc...The
cats never hiss at home and if they do they seem as suprised by it as
I am. Always when I pick them up and try to put them in the big
carrier, they hiss at each other and the vet's scared they are going
to get in a fight. They are fine 2 minutes after we leave. I know
it's the stress of being there that cuases them to be that way. I
assume they prob keep them in the kennel around dogs also, so that
can't help. The vet acts like our's are the only cats that do this.
Needless to say it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Banfield.
This has happened at two different places.

Then, I assume they are getting their shots because they act sick for
3-4 days, and usually puke upp their food for a couple days. I worry
that I am putting them thru a lot of uneccesary stress.

Of course, I get impatient (they are the profesionals), and am like
can't you just do the exam, do you need me to come down and hold them
for you. And he is like...no sir we have a policy of not doing
anything when the animal doesn't want to...hmmmm. So next time...he
want's me to bring them in on seperate days and he says he might
sedate them....sheesh...this all seems very extreme. So I am thinking
of dropping them, but I have no idea if i need to find a vet, where to
find an honest reliable one, or even how much it will cost, how often
do I need to take them? I live in NW Phoenix, AZ if anyone has some
suggestions...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

find out if there are any Vets in your area who make housecalls. If
so, that would relieve one stress.

I got my 2 kitties from the humane society. Right away I signed them
up for the Banfield Health and Wellness program. For $25 a month both
cats get two 6 month check-ups, I guess a general exam, and booster
shots.

They are 4+ now and in perfect health. I am asking this question
because I am not thrilled with how this all works. They are indoor
cats, so they pretty much only see my wife and I and the inside of our
house. When I take them to Banfield at Petsmart, they have us drop
them off all day.

One...I have no idea if what they say they are doing, they are really
doing.

Two...this causes an incredible amount of stress on the cats. The
cats are fixed males, very sweet, and have been together their whole
lives. Sleep together etc...However every time, the vet calls or
tells us what an awful time they have with them, hissing etc...The
cats never hiss at home and if they do they seem as suprised by it as
I am. Always when I pick them up and try to put them in the big
carrier, they hiss at each other and the vet's scared they are going
to get in a fight. They are fine 2 minutes after we leave. I know
it's the stress of being there that cuases them to be that way. I
assume they prob keep them in the kennel around dogs also, so that
can't help. The vet acts like our's are the only cats that do this.
Needless to say it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Banfield.
This has happened at two different places.

Then, I assume they are getting their shots because they act sick for
3-4 days, and usually puke upp their food for a couple days. I worry
that I am putting them thru a lot of uneccesary stress.

Of course, I get impatient (they are the profesionals), and am like
can't you just do the exam, do you need me to come down and hold them
for you. And he is like...no sir we have a policy of not doing
anything when the animal doesn't want to...hmmmm. So next time...he
want's me to bring them in on seperate days and he says he might
sedate them....sheesh...this all seems very extreme. So I am thinking
of dropping them, but I have no idea if i need to find a vet, where to
find an honest reliable one, or even how much it will cost, how often
do I need to take them? I live in NW Phoenix, AZ if anyone has some
suggestions...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!


Check around and see if there's any vets that make housecalls. That would help
relive alot of the stress.

Okay, I think if my vet categorically REQUIRED that I leave my cats
there all day - I'd find a new vet, Housecall or not.

I have had a wonderful housecall vet. I presently have a wonderful vet
office. In all cases with all vets I have ever taken my business to, I
stayed with my cats through their checkups. Frankly, my cats think
they're going to a party with our current vet. They get petted and
hugged and handed treats and catnip - AND, their person stays with them
except in situations where it is definitely in their benefit to be left
(such as, they are sick and require care, or involved tests are needed).
They even encourage frequent visits for hospitalized cats and my vet
makes arrangements to be there at all hours, 7 days a week, if her
clients (human) need time with her patients (feline).

I'd be very shy of leaving them in general. Even the cleanest clinic
will encounter animals with fleas, viruses, etc, and by keeping animals
all day, they increase the exposure for EVERY animal. They occupy cages
that should only be taken up by those requiring care. They therefore
cage those who don't require it and for whom it is is undue stress.

Finally, I'd be just plain suspicious that a vet clinic doesn't want me
to know what's going on with my animals. What the hell would you think
of a doctor who had you leave your toddler with them for the day in
order to get a checkup? Sheesh.

Find a vet with whom you can make arrangements - housecall or in office
- for the cats to be examined with you there. Good luck.

johanna

cokekiller wrote:
I got my 2 kitties from the humane society. Right away I signed them
up for the Banfield Health and Wellness program. For $25 a month both
cats get two 6 month check-ups, I guess a general exam, and booster
shots.

They are 4+ now and in perfect health. I am asking this question
because I am not thrilled with how this all works. They are indoor
cats, so they pretty much only see my wife and I and the inside of our
house. When I take them to Banfield at Petsmart, they have us drop
them off all day.

One...I have no idea if what they say they are doing, they are really
doing.

Two...this causes an incredible amount of stress on the cats. The
cats are fixed males, very sweet, and have been together their whole
lives. Sleep together etc...However every time, the vet calls or
tells us what an awful time they have with them, hissing etc...The
cats never hiss at home and if they do they seem as suprised by it as
I am. Always when I pick them up and try to put them in the big
carrier, they hiss at each other and the vet's scared they are going
to get in a fight. They are fine 2 minutes after we leave. I know
it's the stress of being there that cuases them to be that way. I
assume they prob keep them in the kennel around dogs also, so that
can't help. The vet acts like our's are the only cats that do this.
Needless to say it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in Banfield.
This has happened at two different places.

Then, I assume they are getting their shots because they act sick for
3-4 days, and usually puke upp their food for a couple days. I worry
that I am putting them thru a lot of uneccesary stress.

Of course, I get impatient (they are the profesionals), and am like
can't you just do the exam, do you need me to come down and hold them
for you. And he is like...no sir we have a policy of not doing
anything when the animal doesn't want to...hmmmm. So next time...he
want's me to bring them in on seperate days and he says he might
sedate them....sheesh...this all seems very extreme. So I am thinking
of dropping them, but I have no idea if i need to find a vet, where to
find an honest reliable one, or even how much it will cost, how often
do I need to take them? I live in NW Phoenix, AZ if anyone has some
suggestions...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

"The Furrsome (again)Foursome" panda-ov-toes-@sen-nte-xx-dot-com-net
had some very interesting things to say about How often do my cats
have to go to the vet...?:

I have had a wonderful housecall vet. I presently have a wonderful vet
office. In all cases with all vets I have ever taken my business to, I
stayed with my cats through their checkups. Frankly, my cats think
they're going to a party with our current vet. They get petted and
hugged and handed treats and catnip - AND, their person stays with them
except in situations where it is definitely in their benefit to be left
(such as, they are sick and require care, or involved tests are needed).

[Felix's human typing. I once had to take him to a vet who simply
whisked him out of the exam room I was in and did everything somewhere
out of my sight, and this was right after I went to the shelter and
got picked by him, so he still wasn't all that secure yet. That was
the ONLY time that vet ever gets near any pet of mine!

Our current vet is very friendly and kind to his patients, as are
staff members, but poor Felix is so stressed by car rides and dealing
with strangers that the poor kid just cowers on the table and gives me
"can we get out of here NOW, Mom?" looks. When we get home, as soon as
the car door's opened, he's off my lap and running for the apartment
door. By the time either human (DH drives on these trips) catches up,
he's doing the "let me in, let me IN" dance at the door.]

--
Felix, with help from his secretary/Mom