Went to the vet today!

I'm sure some of you remember my last vet experience (it was horrible and Zissou HATED it example: he tried to convince me that an indoor cat needs the FeLV vax and that it's totally safe) so I found a new vet.

I ended up borrowing a car, and off we went. Zissou was okay until we got into the exam room, when she got really scared and did the standard hiss/growl routine. Only a couple of swipes that didn't make contact.

It was AMAZING The vet tech treated this angry ball of fur more gently than I might have managed to. It's their standard practice to wrap cats in a towel for the whole exam, and both the tech and the vet were fantastic, and nice, and super patient, and the tech stayed for the entire exam to help control Zissou.

I'm so glad I went to a cat-only vet! She tried to bribe Zissou with Chicken baby food before her shot (she was too scared to eat it), and could tell I was worried that Zissou was particularly difficult to handle and tried to reassure me.

It wasn't really any more expensive that other vets around here, either, and she does the 3-year vax.

Everything was fine... except... WE HAVE FLEAS
My next-door neighbor managed to bring some home from her parents yard, she borrowed my diatomaceous earth and got rid of hers, but I must have tracked some in. Just a couple, I haven't noticed any at all.

I reluctantly let her do the Advantage thing, and now Zissou has a little flea-killer mohawk.

Well, all right!! The right vet makes all the difference in the world. Maybe her next visit will go even smoother!!

I'm glad you found a vet you like.
Just be glad that you found the fleas before you got a major infestation! A few fleas are much easier to treat than a whole house full.

YAY for a better vet!!!


BOOOOO for fleas!

Thanks guys! I am excited.

Advantage smells like industrial waste. Gross.



I was just reading the little pamphlet thing, and I was surprised at this.

Supposedly, the rabies vaccine this vet uses is not linked to any of the vaccination site cancers, some kind of new vax that the FDA has only approved for 1-yr boosters. It's listed as called "Merial Purevax"
Anyone? I've never heard of it before.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

Thanks guys! I am excited.

Advantage smells like industrial waste. Gross.



I was just reading the little pamphlet thing, and I was surprised at this.

Supposedly, the rabies vaccine this vet uses is not linked to any of the vaccination site cancers, some kind of new vax that the FDA has only approved for 1-yr boosters. It's listed as called "Merial Purevax"
Anyone? I've never heard of it before.

Click to expand...

Yes, I have used the purevax since I researched vaccines and learned about it 3 years ago. It is the only vaccine my cats get now since rabies vaccinations are mandatory here and they all probably have enough immunity from the years they did get annual immunizations. I have to request it specially and I wish it was approved for 3 year boosters especially since my vet says that it is probably valid for several years, but it is only approved for annual re-vaccinations. The Purevax is non-adjuvanted which means that it doesn't have some of the chemicals added to preserve the vaccine that others do. I wouldn't use anything else now

Finding a vet you like is the greatest.

Bijou is going in for his annual this Saturday and I don't know this new vet very well although he came highly recommended. I'm glad to hear about the rabies vaccine. I'll ask if he uses the Purevax.

I hope your vet visit goes as well as mine!

The only other time Zissou has gotten a rabies shot (as she's not even 2 yet) her leg got kinda warm and she seemed lethargic, not like a reaction but like when you get a flu shot and just feel kinda Bleh. This time, her leg wasn't even sore and she seemed happy as a clam, playing as usual.

My vet charges the same 15$ for the rabies vax as is usually is, so I don't understand why anybody uses the old kind!

It was given in the same syringe as the distemper etc booster, in the leg still.