Taking ferals to the vet

We have a couple of feral cats who would benefit from being seen by a vet. They are getting older and we'd like to have a vet check them out, clean them up, etc. Assuming we can get them in traps, will a vet be able to treat them?

The cats are from TNR efforts from a few years ago, but this was done through a humane society, mobile spay van affair. I'm not sure if regular vets will know what to do when presented essentially with a wild animal. Can they sedate the cat through the cage and then go to work on them? Our ferals do not seem particularly aggressive but they sure don't like people touching them

I suppose I will need to call our vet to confirm if they can handle this. If this is not something they can do, perhaps other local vets can help. Has anybody done anything like this before?

You'll want to call and find an office willing to work with ferals. Then you'll have to see if they can get you a walk-in appointment or if you have to make an appointment ahead of time (and cancel if kitties aren't trapped that day). Some will sedate through the cage like you said, some will just use gloves - it seems to depend on their protocol. My Patches is a scaredy feral - she's a good girl at the vet, just terrified and freezes. They tell me that she's better than many domesticated pets. Some ferals will jump up the walls/ceiling.

Good luck!

I agree, you will just have to call around. I know of a vet here that will place the carrier in a bag and then use some sort of gas to sedate them through a tube inside the bag.

I have seen vets do as Pami mentioned or if they are in a trap (its harder in a carrier) they tip the trap on its end and give them a needle sedative through the bars.

Humane societies will generally know which vets will handle ferals so call them and ask for your area

thanks for the advice! I'll try to find a feral-friendly vet if mine can't do it.

now i just have to hope i can get them trapped again! they may be too smart to fall for it again. if so, i may be back to ask where to find tranquilizer darts!

Good luck You'll see I have a thread calling 'Trapping for a 2nd Time?' It took a while but I was able to re-trap a smart feral kitty. It's definitely possible.