Hello all!
After reading about ringworm, I called my vet to see if I could bring them a sample or whatever so that they could test, etc. They told me "not really... it has to be a sterile sample and should be done by the vet." I said "ok, I've been thinking about taking her to the vet for a while now; can you handle a feral?" The vet lady reacted as if I'd asked "do you breath air?" She said "of course we do... we're trained technicians." ANYway, like I said, Soots adopted my yard about 4 years ago and I know she's never had any kind of medical attention and, after being beat up twice by that bully, I just thought maybe it's time. I'm pretty sure I can lure her into a carrier (she loves hay so if I stuff the carrier w hay she'll probably go in the carrier to sleep); if not, she's very sweet and will let me pick her up.
My questions are:
- What are all of the things I should have them do (at minimal expense) which will improve her quality of life? I'm going to have them test for RW, clean her teeth, give her a general check up, treat for fleas and lice... what else?
- Any advice for when I get her home? I'm afraid this whole experience will be so traumatic for her that she'll run away and never come back. Are there any things I could do once I get her back to our yard which might calm her and "ground" her? Maybe release her into a giant pile of hay?
- Any other tips regarding your experiences of taking a feral to the vet would be appreciated (things I haven't even thought of, etc)
Also-
- Should I be treating her for fleas on a regular basis?
Thanks!
Jenna
After reading about ringworm, I called my vet to see if I could bring them a sample or whatever so that they could test, etc. They told me "not really... it has to be a sterile sample and should be done by the vet." I said "ok, I've been thinking about taking her to the vet for a while now; can you handle a feral?" The vet lady reacted as if I'd asked "do you breath air?" She said "of course we do... we're trained technicians." ANYway, like I said, Soots adopted my yard about 4 years ago and I know she's never had any kind of medical attention and, after being beat up twice by that bully, I just thought maybe it's time. I'm pretty sure I can lure her into a carrier (she loves hay so if I stuff the carrier w hay she'll probably go in the carrier to sleep); if not, she's very sweet and will let me pick her up.
My questions are:
- What are all of the things I should have them do (at minimal expense) which will improve her quality of life? I'm going to have them test for RW, clean her teeth, give her a general check up, treat for fleas and lice... what else?
- Any advice for when I get her home? I'm afraid this whole experience will be so traumatic for her that she'll run away and never come back. Are there any things I could do once I get her back to our yard which might calm her and "ground" her? Maybe release her into a giant pile of hay?
- Any other tips regarding your experiences of taking a feral to the vet would be appreciated (things I haven't even thought of, etc)
Also-
- Should I be treating her for fleas on a regular basis?
Thanks!
Jenna