Attitude of Cattitude is a column about my 5 purrfect cats that gets delivered into your inbox. Some columns are free, while others are for paid subscribers only.
Vet visits are stressful for both a cat and their owners! I wish our area had a vet that did home visits. Luckily, there’s a cat animal hospital with an excellent vet. No woof, woofs allowed.
Rhiannon hates the total experience of feeling trapped in a carrier, the scary car ride, and being at the vet’s office. Honestly, the worst part is when she is in the car because she won’t stop meowing, sometimes pants, and has pooped in the carrier several times.
Our recent visit was for a tooth with a bad cavity, her gums were red, and her teeth had a lot of plaque. Years ago, we had attempted to brush her teeth without success. The idea of putting her under anesthesia for dental surgery scared me because my dad had a cat die during his teeth cleaning. However, she lost weight and wasn’t eating much.
I knew my choices were taking a chance with the surgery. Or the risk of an infection causing her pain while poisoning her body until it killed her. Obviously, surgery was the compassionate route to take.
My twelve-year-old could not eat after eight pm, so the next morning I put her in the carrier while I fed the other four kitties. Meow, meow, meow! Next was the car ride, meow, meow, and then the aroma of urine. At one point, she shook herself, and I got sprayed with pee on my arm and neck. Oh, joy.
Thursday morning is surgery time at the vets and there were kittens and cats ahead of us. I left Rhiannon for a minute to wash off the urine perfume on me. A gracious lady let us go before her because Rhiannon made such a racket! They promised to clean her and the cage.
It was weird coming home without Rhiannon being there. I did my best to keep my stress levels down while working and waiting for the vet to call.
Several hours later, the vet called to let me know the surgery was a success, what she did, how Rhiannon hated the taste of dental paste, and her aftercare. Whew, what a relief!
When I got to the vet’s office, Rhiannon was meowing. She didn’t meow as much during the car ride home for a change.
Once we got home, she rested in a safe spot while the boys sniffed the carrier. I could tell she was mad at me, too.
Today, all is forgiven! Rhiannon is eating better to the disappointment of the boys who want her leftovers.
There will be one more vet visit to check her gum pocket, and then she’s done until her next yearly checkup.
What are your vet visits like? Did they need dental surgery?
Blessings and Purrs,
Pamela Cummins
You are a good Mama 💕 She knows you did what was best for her!
So glad to hear Rhiannon pulled through okay 💜