Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
The Dreaded Trip to the Vet!
Dreaded by me not Benji as cats don’t dread, they just live in the moment.
I had to take him to the vet today after a worrisome week. On Monday night I caught him wheezing. The next day he came in late, completely lethargic. I feared the worst (an unfortunate habit of mine) having lost a dear kitty to heart failure some years ago, where the end was respiratory distress.
Thankfully the wheezing was short lived but the lethargy was not. He was not at all himself for the next couple of days. And then I noticed a small matted spot on his belly that he didn’t want me to touch – a puncture wound of some sort I thought.
Today was the earliest I could get him in so that would have to do. But this morning rolled around and wouldn’t you know it? – the spring was back in his step! Regardless, I planned to keep the appointment at noon – already confirmed – and I still worried about the wheezing.
So why the dread? Getting him there of course – I’d rather go to the dentist! Okay, not really, nothing compares to that!
But it’s not easy. It normally takes two of us to wrestle a cat into the carrier and Bob wasn’t available to help – I would have to do it alone.
How was I going to get Benji into that box?
I tiptoed around all morning with the planning and Benji obliged by sleeping quietly on the bed, blissfully unaware.
First I sprayed Feliway – a natural cat pheromone product – into the box. This would help calm him. Then as the time approached I moved the carrier closer to him but still out of sight – if he saw it, game over. I turned out the light and went to where he lay, sweet talking to him as he awoke. Then I gently picked him up and walked backwards toward the box and before he knew what happened he was in it. Hooray! The hard part was over!
After a short ride in the car with only a few pitiful cries from the back we arrived at the vet’s for his exam. Oh what a good kitty he was though scared out of his wits!
He was a gentleman in the office, no fighting or crying, just eyes wide open as he frantically looked for someplace to hide. I petted him as they poked and prodded, wishing I could explain! It wasn’t long before he was released for the drive back home – no need to coax him into the box for that, it was his new favorite place.
The good news is that the blood test ruled out heart trouble and anything else more serious. The vet agreed the lethargy was likely due to the small wound and after it ruptured Benji felt much better. I’ll continue to monitor any wheezing, sneezing or coughing, which is probably due to allergies or asthma. With heart trouble ruled out, we could safely try steroids if necessary.
So all’s well that ends well. Benji is happily resting in his garden bed and has forgiven me – knowing I was trying to help him feel better.
And now I’ll go rest too. 🙂
~ Susanne and Benji
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
A day with lots of cat adventure! I’m glad Benji is OK now. ❤️☺️😻
Yes indeed! A stressful day for both of us! But I’m happy for the good outcome. 🙂
As am I. ☺️
I’m so glad Benji is doing well!
Thank you! Me too!
Whew! The trip was worth it for peace of mind (for you, Benji may not be interested)
Yes, I agree! I feel much better even though it’s always an ordeal for both of us!
I’m so glad the vet found that Benji is on the mend and doesn’t have a more serious condition!
Thank you! Me too! I was so relieved!
Glad to hear he’s doing better. Our old cat used to have a complete meltdown going anywhere in the car, so I sympathize with your trauma!
Thank you! It’s traumatic for me just getting him there and all the rest is traumatic for him!
I’m so happy for the good results. Us humans all get a little PTSD going to the vet, as we know all the possibilities, having lived through a few.
Thank you! So true!
Oh no! Poor Benji! I’m glad he didn’t have anything too serious. Putting a cat in a cat carrier is traumatic in itself, not to mention the stress we feel wondering what’s wrong with them. I’m so glad both he and you feel better now!
Thank you so much!! I really dreaded trying to get him in the box by myself and was thankful he went in peacefully. It was a stressful day but I’m glad the test results ruled out heart problems. He still may have allergies or asthma but at least it’s treatable.
Glad to hear Benji’s issue wasn’t serious. My wife always fears the worst with Ollie, just like you.
I got one of these from Amazon for my step-daughter. It has the option of loading the cat in through the top, so no need to try to get them through the front opening. It has worked well with her very nervous cat.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B092LDT9HY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks Pete. I think you’re right, it would be easier to load through the top. I like what you’ve suggested here, and will look for something similar.
This is another really good one that I got for the other (twin) step daughter.
First of all I didn’t know you were a stepdad to twins! How fun! 🙂 The carrier looks great too! I’ll go do some online shopping and find something suitable for Benji and Tiger. It looks like there’s lots to choose from.
The girls are identical twins with bright ginger hair. They are 32 now, and live in the same street in a town 28 miles south of Beetley. One has two children, the other none as yet. 🙂 I am also step dad to two older boys, 34 and 37. I have known them all for 21 years.
What a wonderful family Pete! I’m a stepmom myself to a beautiful daughter, with 2 grandsons. We are blessed. 🙂
They have their issues and problems, despite being supposedly ‘grown up’. I never had any children of my own, so have done my best with with Julie’s since we met. 🙂
Beautiful cat.
Thanks so much. 🙂
So glad Benji is feeling better.
Thanks so much! Me too! 🙂
Here because of Covid we can’t go into the vet with the animal. In some ways that has made it easier for us, though much harder for our pets.
It was like that here the first year but they now let you go in with a mask on. But I know what you mean, I took him in last year too and just handed him off, easier not to watch. The worse part for me is always getting him into the carrier and I’m happy it went well this time.
Poor Benji! I’m sorry- but so glad he’s getting better!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad it was nothing serious.
Me too. Sushi has an appointment today also- but it’s nothing serious- and with all the wildfire smoke in the air, I think I’ll reschedule!
Sounds good! Too hot and smoky around here today too!
Bless your heart! It’s so awful!
We are so glad Benji is all right !
Thank you so much! Me too! 😻
It’s always a good idea to take our fur babies to the vet when they have to go. I’m glad Benji is over the wound and feeling better, Susanne! Your account of tricking him into the crate is hilarious. Sadly, it’s been three years since I had to take Leon (my 13-yr old big orange tabby) to his very last vet appt, for you-know-what. I’m grateful I was in control of his passing. Your sweet kitties love you and have a wonderful home! Leon lives forever on my desktop 🙂
https://terriwebsterschrandt.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/leon_happy.jpg
Thanks Terri. I was happy Benji got better pretty quickly. I was originally concerned that the wheezing led to the lethargic behavior and could be something more serious. Since he’s doing so much better I think it was only coincidence. I’m going to watch for more wheezing and treat if necessary.
Your Leon is a handsome boy! It’s so hard to lose them but we never forget them.😻😻
Poor Benji. I am glad he is doing better.
Thank you.. He looks so distraught in the carrier, doesn’t he? But thankfully, he’s doing much better now.
Oh I’m so glad Benji is OK, and nice to hear that he was such a good boy at the vets 🙂
Thank you! He’s feeling much better, back to his old self! 😺
😻
Sounds just like me taking Summer Girl to the vet…such a big production to get her in the box, then she yowls all the way there. But we have to do it for their own good, just wish they understood. Maybe they do, who knows?
I think they understand but still want to let us know they don’t like it! 😸
Awww- I’m glad Benji is okay!! 😺
Yes, he’s doing great! Thanks so much!
I’m so glad!!