Elvis and Cat Transport

                              In October 2008, Delphos Animal Hospital said good-bye to its 15 year old mascot, a cantankerous, white cat named “Elvis.”  At six weeks old, Elvis was deposited behind our office in a box with a note pleading for her care.  While Elvis never really appreciated a lot of handling as our pet, during her wellness exams, she was even more ill-tempered.

                                Fast forward to December 2008 when yet another box appears behind our office.  This one strategically possesses yet another white cat.  Still grieving the death of Elvis, a fixture at our practice for 15 of our 22 years, I was not prepared to open my heart for another “dumped” orphan…but I did.

                                I strongly discourage abandonment of animals, especially outside veterinary facilities.  Typically, these deserted pets are young, confused, and terrified by their un-chosen plight.  Such was the case for “Clarisse,” our newest white “fluff-ball.”  She was, in short, not a very nice kitten when we first met her.   Clarisse’s namesake is not Rudolph’s girlfriend, but rather “The Silence of the Lambs” Clarisse.  With patience, and a lot of handling, Clarisse has come a long way, but still rightfully earns her name. 

                                To improve Clarisse’s social skills, I began taking her home on weekends for what my husband dubbed “step-sister” visits with our house cat, “Ruthie.”  From these round trips with Clarisse, I discovered just how stressful veterinary visits are for cats.

                                Over the last 20 years, cats have surpassed dogs as the most popular pet in the United States, yet they are twice as likely not to visit veterinarians.  Clarisse revealed to me why these observations ring true.  My Monday morning repeated attempts to corral her into a carrier for the return trip were topped off by a wailing serenade in the car.  Upon arrival at the office, both Clarisse and I were totally harried.  If this naïve kitten is this way, imagine what an older cat would do when whisked from all the peaceful comforts of home!

                                I realize that cats are not dogs, especially when visiting veterinary facilities, and that it would be nearly impossible to eliminate their stress entirely.  However, Clarisse showed me the need for educating cat owners about cats’ anxieties associated with veterinary visits.

                                From the cat’s perspective, things might appear as follows:

                                First, you are chased around the house by your owner whom you love and trust.  Then you are shoved into a carrier, only to endure an unfamiliar, stressful car ride to a place with other animals and smells that you don’t care to be around.  You are on “high alert” when a strange person dumps you out of your carrier and begins handling you in unfamiliar ways.  Your fear becomes so heightened that you urinate, defecate or vomit all over yourself.  Finally, you are so afraid, you decide to defend yourself by biting or scratching, which is not like you at all.

                                To this day, it still troubles me to see cats carried into our office in their owner’s arms, without a pet carrier.  When frightened, cats will flee--- even from the comfort of their owner’s grasp.  If the cat is not declawed, the owner will feel the cat’s terror as its toenails dig into flesh just prior to launching.  Lesson one…always transport your cat in a safe container.

                                Cats may be trained to view pet carriers as a comfort zone by leaving the carrier visible in the home, containing toys, blankets, and treats for an extended period prior to veterinary visits.  Carriers with both top and front openings work best, as cats may be more readily extracted from these carriers or examined while remaining in the bottom half.

                   To accustom your cat to car travel, take your cat for regular car rides, beginning with very short trips to places other than veterinary facilities.  Avoid feeding your cat for an hour prior to travel to prevent vomiting.

                                When leaving home with your cat, take preferred cat toys and treats and line the cage with a favorite blanket or towel.   Covering the carrier with cloth during transport will decrease stressful visual stimuli upon entering the veterinary office.  Once at the veterinary hospital, speak to your cat calmly and softly, and reward desired behaviors with treats, praise, massage or play.

                                Finally, if your cat has had previous negative experiences at a veterinary office, please discuss the need for a short-acting sedative to be administered to your cat prior to the visit.

                                “There’s no place like home,” especially if you are a cat, but regular preventive health care visits are a must.  Cats are “masters of disguise” when it comes to hiding illness, and your veterinarian can detect your cat’s health concerns early, when they are most treatable. 

Author: Dr. Bonnie Jones