Vet care for semi-socialized kitties?

david68

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I've been working on socializing a semi-socialized female cat I'm fostering. She's an odd one. She likes being around people, but doesn't like to be touched or handled.

I was curious about how other rescuers have approached things like getting vaccine updates and routine care for cats like this. I'm good at catching cats and getting them into carriers, but I'm having a hard time visualizing how it would work at the vet's office. Or, rather, I'm visualizing it going badly...

I'm sure that the obvious answer is to contact my vet, but do different vets have different policies or procedures regarding cats that are hard to handle?

A neighbor of mine told me that she used to give her cat valium before a trip to the vet. (Her husband is a doctor.) I also recall that my vet in another state gave me something--I think it was klonopin--to give to my cat to take her on an airplane for a cross-country flight (under my seat). She ended up not needing it.

Or would calling a vet that does house calls be a better option?

What has worked for you?
 

ondine

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Some vets handle ferals or semi-socialized cats better than others.  some won't handle them at all.  I'd call your vet and ask - can he handle her, does he have any tips for you, does he recommend medication pre-check-up?

If your vet doesn't seem comfortable, then a house call vet would probably be a good idea.  You may have to call around to find one who is comfortable, though.  House call vets may not have experience with a semi-socialized cat.

I have a cat we used to literally have to trap to get to the vet, yet when he's at the vet's, he a perfect little gentleman.  I have another cat who walks right into the carrier but growls and snarls and acts like he's wild when we get to the vet's office.
 

kittymomma1122

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I would call your vet first and see how comfortable they are with a semi-feral cat.  If they are not contact your local Humane Society. They will have contacts or vets that deal with feral cats.  I take my house cats to my neighbor who is a vet.  I take my semi-ferals to a vet that works with a TNR group and I am amazed by how easily they handle them.
 

Freedom

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I agree star by calling your vet and asking. If they won't take the cat, check with a local TNR group. They will know a vet perhaps even several, who work with them for their feel cats' needs. Keep in mind, when a vet works with a true feral, the cat remains in the trap for shots etc. So which ever vet you use ( even your own) they Amy want the cat in a trap not a carrier. The openings in the trap are many unlike a carrier (just the door has openings) and the trips tends to keep the cat confined, can't move much.
 

ziggy'smom

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All vets should have training in dealing with fractious animals and will have medication to sedate the cat if needed. Many vets also have a "gas box" (can't remember the correct name) which you can put a fractious cat in, often in the carrier, and give them sedating gas which will sedate the cat long enough to give her a shot which in turn will keep her sedated enough to be examined and treated. Some otherwise tame cats will act like total nutcases when they get to the vet so they should have a procedure in place to deal with them. Of course different vets do things differently.

Keep in mind that if the cat has to be sedated it can get expensive so you may want to call ahead for a quote. As mentioned some vets are more willing and better at handling more difficult cats.

I had to have a feral foster vaccinated, microchipped and tested for FIV and FeLV once. She didn't want anything to do with people so I didn't see how a vet would be able to handle her at all. I ended up taking her to a spay/neuter clinic that dealt with a lot of feral cats. I brought her in in a carrier and they transferred her to a trap and put her under general anesthesia. If your girl is as feral as my foster this may be your best option. General anesthesia at a vet's office is expensive but if you live in an area that has a low cost clinic you may be able to do it at an affordable rate.

Since this cat is okay with being around people but just doesn't want to be touched chances are that she won't react with aggression but will instead just freeze. In my experience that happens a lot with fearful cats. Maybe you could try taking her in and see how she does.
 
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