Home Visit Vet

As a working vet, I have to tell you that the easiest answer is to find a vet who does home visits- though I know this is rare in some areas, and sometimes you simply have to take your cat to the hospital, in any case. I am a home visit vet, and this is one of the reasons why!

If you do have to get your cat to the vet, here are some simple steps to make the whole journey as kind as possible for you both.

Step one

Take a deep breath, and relax- You may be wondering "Why do I have to relax?"- and the answer is that your cat is very, very sensitive to your state! If you are stressed out about getting them into the travel box, they will pick up on this instantly. The more you can relax, the easier it will be.

Step Two

Take a deep breath, and relax.

Make sure your cat is hungry, and preferably locked in a secure room BEFORE you need to get them in the travel box. Believe me, I know this is easier said than done, especially if you have an outdoor cat.

Step Three

Take your cat carrier into the room, put it on the floor, standing up on it's end so the door is open, on top, and then forget about it for a while. Now is the time to make friends with your cat for a while, forget about everything except your cat.

Take a deep breath, and relax.

watch your cat relax in response to you, and make friends for a while- even if they are sitting in the corner, giving you the cold shoulder, go and give them some loving attention. Tell them everything is alright. (and believe it!)

If your cat is ok with it's carry cage, and you can gently get them in with it in the normal position- YOU ARE LUCKY, and go for it!- some cats will even go in for a bit of food. (One trick to prepare for this as kittens is to feed them in their carry cage.)

Do NOT go to step Four until you are totally relaxed, even if your cat is not.

Step Four

Stop! take about 9 deep, relaxing breaths, and totally relax your body.

Take a firm, large handfull of skin on the back of your cats neck, and lift them into the box- if they stick out legs to stop going in, use your other hand to gently untangle them, and then lower your cat into the cage... (Lifting by the scruff does NOT hurt your cat!)
Ideally, you will have closed the door by now, and your cat will be glaring at you through the cracks, and maybe yelling it's disapproval (usually all the way to the vets!)

If you are now bleeding, and the cat has escaped- well, this is a problem- if your cat is sick, maybe it's not sick enough for the hospital? Maybe now is the time to pay that bit extra for a home visit?

Otherwise, try this, as a last resort- get a large thick towel, throw it over your cat, and bundle the whole lot into the carry cage.

Step Five

This is my top secret, last resort method (a client showed me this)- Most people think this is cruel, but I think it is kinder. This was the ONLY way these people could get their cat to the vet- I used it recently with an outdoor cat- he FREAKED in the box, but lay down quietly, like a little lamb, when I used the pillow case.

Use an (old) Pillow case. Put your cat inside, and tie the end securely. I advise then putting them inside the carry cage as well, for safety.

*Special Tips*- get homeopathics, or Flower essences (Bach, or Australian Bush Flower) to help calm your cat. As a LAST, LAST RESORT- get some sedatives from your vet. Make sure they have an empty stomach (and if possible, bowels and bladder)

Happy travels!