Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Preliminary Preparation for Parker

My foster-cat Parker went to the veterinary hospital yesterday. This was a preliminary visit to his dental procedure. The hospital wanted to provide an estimate of what would need to be done. Parker goes to a different hospital than do the perma-cats, and the procedure there is different, as well. The estimates for the work to be completed on the other beasts are often done when they are brought in for the procedure; if they come in for a check-up and work is seen to be done, an estimate may be made then. In Parker’s case, he has to make two visits: this one and another for the actual procedure. This one did not bring him happiness.

He cried on his way there, was uncomfortable while present and cried on his way home, when most cats are relaxed and know that the worst is behind them. It was a stressful time for the orange boy. But it was necessary, and is now finished for a month. He returns for his dental at the beginning of August.

When he came back home, I put him in the library to relax. I didn’t feed him right away, in case he was too upset to keep food down, and gave him half of his dinner thirty minutes later, the other half a little while after that. But, though he was anxious, he was also hungry and all went smoothly. The day’s events tired him out and he was happy to snooze during the evening.

I wish I could explain to the animals what is happening during doctor’s appointments, and why they are necessary. All I can do is try to calm them as much as possible. I am astonished that they not only continue to trust me after such ordeals, but look to me to protect them during the event itself. I feel inadequate at such times, and am glad that cats seem not to experience their fears and anxieties until faced with them. I’d like to think that humans could learn from that attitude, but the fact that we worry for them about many things is often why cats need not. I believe Parker would agree that it’s a good arrangement - until his next veterinary appointment.

11 comments:

  1. Oh, Parker, Nicki sympathizes with you. (He was just at the vet this AM for his regular anal glands, etc. Fun times.) We'll keep our paws crossed that all goes well re: the dental next month. In the meantime, we're glad you don't know what's coming!

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  2. I feel the exact same. When mine have been stressed and cried and sometimes howled at the vets office, I would give anything to make it all go away as I know they, and now Katie, trust(ed) me totally and expect me to protect them from harm. And here I am delivering them up to unpleasantness and anguish. But you have to and as you said, you wish you could just explain why and how they will be feeling better later.

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  3. poor Parker....it is a shame that people can't explain the process to alleviate some fears

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  4. Oh, poor Parker. I go through the same thing with my cats, but I have to take them on the bus, and sometimes they cry during the entire ride. (The looks I get from the other passengers!) Then there's Alex, who gets too frightened to move. I don't know who I feel sorrier for - the ones that cry or the one that gets catatonic. But we do it for their own good, and lucky for us, we're eventually forgiven.

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  5. dood....we R sorree ya had two go... N will hafta go two de eeeeeeevil place; for what itz werth; eye, me, toona, sing a song oh sorrow on the way two and frum de eeeeeeevil place az well.... we hope when ya go bak yur in N outta ther in like 38 minitz topz ~~~~~~ 984 pawz crossed ☺☺☺♥♥♥

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  6. I feel the same as you, if we could only make them understand it will be okay. Glad he got thru that visit okay.
    I always chuckle at Parker leaning on something. I have never seen a cat do that!

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  7. Poor Parker. Maybe he really doesn't care for his vet or has had handling there that he didn't care for. Not all cats like or tolerate every person. Several years ago, one of my cats was always upset going to and from the vets. (I was new to the area and this was the closest vet). Since veterinary care will be a life long experience, i searched out and found a wonderful vet that the cat totally accepted. All my cats loved him and I trusted him totally. Could Parker see your vet instead?

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  8. Poor Parker, some cats do get more upset than others.

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  9. Poor Parker! Flynn would yowl at the top of his voice from the moment he was put in the car until we got home again, although he was very good when we actually got to the vet. Eric though would fold his arms and sit quietly all the way. He really was laid back and took everything as it came.

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  10. Poor Parker! I hate the dentist too. :p

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