Is this how a typical annual vet visit goes?

[kouie]

I brought my semi-feral cat to the vet for an annual exam. The first time I brought her was a year ago. Because I told them she was a feral, they decided to purrito her. No weight check or oral exam. Just a physical and they took her temperature. They didn’t say much in regards to her health.

During this second visit, the assistant asked if I can reach into the carrier to take my cat out. I declined as I didn't think it was a good idea to touch her when I clearly knew she was extremely scared and didn't want to be touched. As soon as she saw the vet (this time male), she squeezed herself into the corner of the carrier. I've never seen her do that before. Unlike last time, where the vet did the exam in the room, he took her to the back instead. He advised on administering some due vaccines and gave me the price breakdown, which I appreciated.

Around 30 minutes later, the assistant comes in with my cat in her carrier, telling me they are done with her appointment. She asked if I had any questions. I basically only asked if they took her weight and if she was under or over weight. I was a bit confused at this point because I was expecting a briefing about the examination. They basically told me nothing and that the doctor didn't comment on her weight.

Never saw the vet again after he took my cat to the back for the exam.

This is my first time having a cat, so I'm unfamiliar with vet visits. Does a vet usually brief you on your cat’s results after the exam? Or is it normal to just disappear and no one tells you anything unless you ask?

 

[NY cat man]

I brought my semi-feral cat to the vet for an annual exam. The first time I brought her was a year ago. Because I told them she was a feral, they decided to purrito her. No weight check or oral exam. Just a physical and they took her temperature. They didn’t say much in regards to her health.

During this second visit, the assistant asked if I can reach into the carrier to take my cat out. I declined as I didn't think it was a good idea to touch her when I clearly knew she was extremely scared and didn't want to be touched. As soon as she saw the vet (this time male), she squeezed herself into the corner of the carrier. I've never seen her do that before. Unlike last time, where the vet did the exam in the room, he took her to the back instead. He advised on administering some due vaccines and gave me the price breakdown, which I appreciated.

Around 30 minutes later, the assistant comes in with my cat in her carrier, telling me they are done with her appointment. She asked if I had any questions. I basically only asked if they took her weight and if she was under or over weight. I was a bit confused at this point because I was expecting a briefing about the examination. They basically told me nothing and that the doctor didn't comment on her weight.

Never saw the vet again after he took my cat to the back for the exam.

This is my first time having a cat, so I'm unfamiliar with vet visits. Does a vet usually brief you on your cat’s results after the exam? Or is it normal to just disappear and no one tells you anything unless you ask?

Our cats- we currently have five- also started life as ferals. In every case, during their trips to the vet's office, whether for annual checkups or other times, exams shots, and weighing were done in our presence. The only exceptions are if bloodwork is necessary or for nail clipping. Also, our vet always discusses any findings; good, bad, or indifferent. Too, we are only asked to remove a cat from its carrier if the vet or tech has difficulty, but that doesn't happen very often.
Maybe we just got lucky with our vet, but it sounds to me like yours doesn't care about cats in general or ferals in particular. If it is feasible, perhaps you should b looking for a different one.

 

[Norachan]

It's not how my vet does things either. The only time the cats are taken into the back is if they are having an x-ray or a surgical procedure. Everything else is done in front of us and our vet is always happy to talk about what ever he is doing and discuss alternatives with us.

If you have a cat that is very difficult to get in and out of the carrier try getting one of those XL zip-up laundry nets and putting the cat inside of that, then inside of the carrier. It makes it a lot easier for the vet to get them out of the carrier and things like weighing, blood work and vaccines can be done through the netting. Much less stressful for the cat and safer for everyone else too.

 

[di and bob]

No, my vet talks to me about everything. They draw blood in front of me too. They should have weighed the cat and looked in the mouth too. It's nice to have annual exams, but I don't take my outside cats into a vet unless they are sick or injured.They get neutered/spayed and vaccinations and that is it. It is way too hard on them and me to trap them. My inside cats are strictly indoors and have leukemia so they don't go anymore either unless one of them gets bad. I guess what I am saying is you have to weigh going to a vet against how stressful it is for the cat. If they are indoor cats I would discuss with my vet about how often to bring them in......

 

[happilyretired]

All my annual wellness visits have been similar, and everything is done with me in the exam room, except for taking blood--which is only done every 4-5 years).

My first cat was rather 'difficult', but either the vet tech or the vet removed her from the carrier. I was never asked to do it, although I usually offered.

The local hospital is an area ER for animals, and they have many vets. Only once did the vet NOT come back to explain things to me, and I never used that vet again.

 

[lisahe]

Our vets have always done most everything -- with the exception of x-rays and ultrasounds -- in our presence. Our vet is wonderful with explanations, too, and even brought out a vet school textbook to show that our cat had a textbook example of something. I love her!

I always bring our more difficult cat in a carrier that can be taken apart (just unscrew the screws so the top lifts off) on the exam table. It takes a couple minutes to dissemble but is the best thing for everybody! It's surprising how much can be done while Ireland is still sitting in the bottom of her carrier. And of course she lightens up when she's just sitting there getting attention. When the exam is done, the vet, tech, and I put the top back on. If I remember correctly, the clinic's appointment reminder notes now even suggest bringing cats in carriers with removable tops.

I hope your next appointment goes better. You might want to check into other vets in your area (if that's an option?) to see if there's someone who specializes in cats and is more capable of handling skittish cats. We've also found that taking daily calming treats seems to help Ireland during appointments -- she now gets good reviews for behavior.

 

[BellaBlue82]

I think kitty senses something they didn't like about that vet. Only once did I take one of my previous kitties to a vet and they took him in the back, and it ruined his vet experience from then on. I don't know what they did that affected him so much, but he became a terror to deal with at the vets after that.
I don't really trust any vet who wants to immediately take a pet "to the back" unless it's an emergency like other folks have indicated. There's no reason, feral or not, for them not to have an annual check up in the room with you.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Our vet does almost everything in the exam room. Also always ask for we have any questions before she leaves the room . Weight is always done without fail.Izzy is not the easiest patient ( she is very fussy ) but they do a very complete exam of her each and everytime. They are a very cat friendly practice.

 

[lisahe]

Our vet does almost everything in the exam room. Also always ask for we have any questions before she leaves the room . Weight is always done without fail.Izzy is not the easiest patient ( she is very fussy ) but they do a very complete exam of her each and everytime. They are a very cat friendly practice.

Yes, our vet also asks if there are any other questions -- she's wonderful about making sure I have all the information and ideas I need. I also love that they have a pre-appointment form to fill out, asking about current diet, medications and supplements, changes, and concerns. And they read them before I bring the cats in!

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Yes, our vet also asks if there are any other questions -- she's wonderful about making sure I have all the information and ideas I need. I also love that they have a pre-appointment form to fill out, asking about current diet, medications and supplements, changes, and concerns. And they read them before I bring the cats in!

Mine does that as well, makes things go smoother. Reading is important. Don't you love filling out forms places and then their not read?

 

[stephanietx]

The only time my vet takes my kitty from the exam room is to draw blood or do an x-ray. The thought is that I'm the "safe person" and they are the "mean people" so they want to keep negative experiences away from me. However, I have had vets draw blood while I was in the room and I've helped soothe my kitty.

 

[lisahe]

The only time my vet takes my kitty from the exam room is to draw blood or do an x-ray. The thought is that I'm the "safe person" and they are the "mean people" so they want to keep negative experiences away from me. However, I have had vets draw blood while I was in the room and I've helped soothe my kitty.

I have also been enlisted to help calm during blood draws and blood pressure checks. This works best when they tell me exactly what to do!

 

[Twylasmom]

I have had one cat that was very hard to handle and once or twice they had to sedate her to get bloodwork in the back room, but other than that my vet always does bloodwork, ultrasounds, and anything else in the room with me helping to calm my cats.. They have even had me go in the back when my cat was getting X-rays. My vet is a certified Fear Free practice and is feline only. They will also prescribe gabapentin to calm the cat prior to the vet visit.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

I have also been enlisted to help calm during blood draws and blood pressure checks. This works best when they tell me exactly what to do!

Izzy was a two tech kitty to get her blood pressure taken! She very anxious, gabapentin helps her not to really freak out.

 

[lisahe]

I have had one cat that was very hard to handle and once or twice they had to sedate her to get bloodwork in the back room, but other than that my vet always does bloodwork, ultrasounds, and anything else in the room with me helping to calm my cats.. They have even had me go in the back when my cat was getting X-rays. My vet is a certified Fear Free practice and is feline only. They will also prescribe gabapentin to calm the cat prior to the vet visit.

How nice that they have even let you go in the back!

Izzy was a two tech kitty to get her blood pressure taken!

Ireland has generally been similar: usually vet + tech + me. Though lately, after we started her on calming treats, she has been doing much better. I think she also loves the new vet, who is incredibly calm and gentle. Last time we also had the tech who kisses and sweettalks the cats so she didn't even mind her manicure. We'll see how she does with her next pressure check! Those are even harder for her than blood draws...

 

[amethyst]

The vet I mostly go to they do the weigh in when you check in at the front, the scale is right by the front desk. For cats that are skittish or hard to get out they just weigh the carrier with the cat inside, then once in the room you can take the cat out or when they take the cat out to do stuff then they weigh the carrier alone to figure out how much the cat weighs. I've also just gotten the weigh of the carrier alone before hand and wrote it down on the carrier so there is no need to remove the cat for weighing at all if that is a problem.

The only times they take them into the back is if they are super busy and and it's an emergency but don't have an exam room (small clinic with only two exam rooms) or to do nail clipping, x-rays, or stuff like that. I've never had a vet not come back to talk if they are doing tests or something, but I have had a different vet come in instead because the other was dealing with an emergency (though they did ask if it was ok or if I would rather wait for the other vet). When you pick up a cat after spay/neuter you don't see the vet again though (I'm guessing unless something went wrong), it's a vet tech that goes over everything with you and answers your questions, but they will go ask the vet if you ask something they don't know the answer to.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I am so sorry you had such a horrible veterinary appointment for your cat, who, I am sure is not going to be looking foward to the next visit.

Veterinarians wonder what they can do to get more cat owners to bring their cats in. Well, this right here is why they don’t.

Of course, I am not talking about all veterinarians. But, many treat cats a second class citizens, and don’t have any desire to do better.

The way your cat should have been treated is that prior to the appointment you should have been prescribed a medication like Gabapentin for you to give her the night before and the morning of the vet visit. You should have been instructed in the most stress free way to get your cat in the carrier and transport to the vet. They should have asked you all the questions and history pertaining to the cat and had you fill out as ll your records prior to the visit. You should have been instructed to call from the parking lot.

When and only when the veterinarian was ready to see your cat, should you have stepped inside, and only to go right into the exam room, where the vet should have already been. The opening and closing of doors and the addition of people and voices frighten cats, especially ex- feral cats.

In the exam room pheromone infuser should be run, the lighting should be low and there should be a fish tank or birds in the room.

You never pull a cat out of a carrier. The vet could do the entire exam with the cat feeling more safe by taking the top off the carrier and allowing the cat to stay in the bottom of it. Churros or treats could be offered but feral cats won’t want them usually.

Unless the cat was sick, the temperature should have been skipped. Weight is taken at the end.

The cat should have remained in the room for everything. Moving cats room to room frightens them.

Below is a link for better veterinary experiences and vets that are certified in feline friendly practices.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1098612X221128760

Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines | American Association of Feline Practitioners

 

[kouie]

Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely not be going back to that vet again. Any advice for choosing a new vet other than looking through the reviews? I ended up with the current vet because an SPCA volunteer recommended them and said they were experienced with handling ferals.

 

[silent meowlook]

On the second link I sent you can do a search of feline friendly practices in your area.

 

[misty8723]

I go to a cat only clinic. I was there recently with Cricket for a blood/urine check follow up to her previous visit because something was off in her urine. This is how visits typically go.
I call when I get there and a Tech comes out and escorts us to the exam room (this procedure was put into place during covid and they have continued it). I have the option to go in with Cricket or to wait in the car. I always go in. The Tech puts the carrier on the exam table and takes the top off and picks her up to weigh. Tells me the weight, this time she was "stable." Then puts her back in the carrier to wait for the vet.
I have already filled out a pre-exam questionnaire online, but the Tech will ask questions, make sure what I'm feeding her, etc. The Tech then leaves and we wait for the vet, never a very long wait. She comes in, greets us and starts the exam. She always has a Tech with her who sooths Cricket while the exam is going on, while also helping hold her, turn her over, etc. The exam consists of everything from taking her BP (on her tail), listening to her heart, pulse rate, the vet feels all around to check her organs, checks her teeth. Gently manipulates her limbs to see if she might be having issues like arthrits. If it's time for vaccines, she uses an ice cube on the area to numb it and they also hold the ice cube on the forehead (I guess that helps). They do the same thing with the ice cube when they are taking blood. At the end of the exam, she clips the nails. She will explain as she's going but also see if I have any questions. She knows me and knows I am inclined to fret about things and she is very reassuring. The last time I had Cricket there for her exam, she did take her in the back to check her eyes because she thought one was dialated more than the other. She took her in the back because the lighting was better back there (she said it was slighly larger and if I should notice it getting very much different than other other to immediately give her a call). Otherwise, all exams are done in the exam room with me there watching.
I love this place, overall, and this vet. I did have one problem with her once when she had student in there and was demonstrating on Austin how to wrap them in a towel, had the student feel around him, and just generally a lot more than usual going on. Austin is such a laid back cat, I didn't think this would bother him too much but it did. We started for home and he started to hyperventillate. We rushed him back and they took him in gave him oxygen and watched him for awhile until they were sure he was okay. The vet came out herself to talk to me about it. I told them that I believed the reason he had those issues was because of all the goings on in the room, just scared him too much. So I just hope next time we take him for his vaccine and exam he doesn't remember that incident. Normally it's not like that and if they do have a student in there they usually just stay off to the side and watch.