http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ Daily Kitten Chat Forum Topic: My Baby Went Ballistic! en Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:17:01 +0000 http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-232117 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:44:10 +0000 anncetera2 232117@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Leeny, it might very well be worth your while to find a veterinarian who will make house calls. I was lucky enough to find one where I live, and it seems to be much less stressful on the cats to have the vet visit my house - at least for routine things like vaccinations. (Surgery and most tests still have to take place at the vet's office, though, due to equipment and materials.)</p> <p>And, as noted by someone else, it could be the specific vet. Perhaps a different vet clinic would make a difference? Or perhaps a vet of the opposite gender (from the one currently treating)? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-231938 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:14:45 +0000 petpntr 231938@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Poor Penny. I agree that she picked up the negative vibes from the new assistant. Next time you might want to try some Rescue Remedy. It is a natural treatment to calm animals down and it works wonders. It is tasteless and you can put it in their water. If there are other pets that drink the same water they are not affected. It is quite amazing stuff and I have used it when I moved and before going to the vet with much success. Health Food Stores and some drug stores carry it probably under the name Bach's Flower Essence Rescue Remedy. </p> <p>If all fails, you can drink it yourself. I kid you not!</p> <p>Lynn<br /> <a href="http://www.tributememorial.net" rel="nofollow">http://www.tributememorial.net</a> </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-228171 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:25:25 +0000 Cat talk rules 228171@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>One time I had to give Spooky liquid medicine. She was usually pretty good about it but one night she didn't want to take it and ran off. I ran her down and gave her the medicine and she was fine but my other cat Patches was furious at me. She sat on the dryer and cussed me out good in cat language but even without that the fury in her face was something to behold. And I didn't do a thing to her. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-228103 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:05:29 +0000 Emma 228103@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Ruggles is a sweetheart. Until I have to give him liquid meds. Then he turns into a furry commando, shrieking and yowling. </p> <p>Three minutes after I've wrapped him in a towel and administered the drops and released him, he turns back into a sweet, good baby cat.</p> <p>And sometimes Ruggles even helps me with the band aids afterwards.</p> <p>Rotley sits nearby, snickering. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227913 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:33:14 +0000 Leeny 227913@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Penny just called me. She both meowed and purred, but she still sounds very groggy. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227895 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:56:15 +0000 KYKAT 12 23 227895@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Leeny, I had a similar experience. For my former cat clueless, she had always been cared for by the junior vet in the office. When that junior vet left to go to another practice, my normally docile, take her to the nursing home to visit the patients, siamese turned into the Tasmanian Devil! She got very agressive toward the vet and made noises I have never before heard! I wondered if it was the smell, if they had changed disinfectants. Turns out she hated the man. After a bad experience with the original vet, I finally found out where the junior vet went and took Clueless to her new practice she was back to being her fine laidback self. Go figure! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227887 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:46:06 +0000 Leeny 227887@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>That's a good idea, CBM, of taking her to the vet when she doesn't have to have anything done to her and giving her treats. I think I'll try that. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227883 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:41:01 +0000 CheetahBoysmommy 227883@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Cats associated things with smells, as well as shapes and sounds. Even though you probably couldn't smell anything the first time she went berserk, she might have smelled a variety of "bad" things: the nervousness of the new tech, a sick/dying animal who had been in the exam room recently, the fear from other cats in the back area, the discomfort of nose drops, plus whatever else. Now any combination of those smells is going to make send her into "survival" mode. </p> <p>If she is okay with traveling, you might try taking her to the vet when she doesn't have an appointment (maybe when Gabe has to go for some reason). Leave her in the carrier and give her a treat or two. Don't even try to open the carrier, just take her home again. That may help her.</p> <p>So far as the young tech goes - the last time I saw my orthopedist, he had an intern with him who looked like a little kid. I kiddingly asked the intern if his mom know he was ditching school. The response was, "I'm actually older than you think I am, but most of our elderly patients think I too young." Since I'm only 56 his retort really discombobulated me. Then I realized he knew exactly how old I was from reading my chart and he was just teasing me back. We had a good laugh. But, I think twice now before I comment on someone's youthful appearance. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227881 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:31:27 +0000 summerjean 227881@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Aww poor baby!! :( I was laughing hysterical the way you described this "kid"... I have seen some young looking people in the vet's office. They are so inexperienced and have no clue how to handle cats. They will learn though. I use Feliway also but not sure if it works. I have it as a plug in. I kinda think it does. I used it when I moved to a new house and I'm using it right now while my 2 cats get introduced to each other. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227809 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:21:22 +0000 Leeny 227809@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Fortunately, Buttercup, she's not afraid of the carrier now. She went into it quite willingly this morning. I don't remember any problems with her getting back into it at the vet's, but I didn't see it because I was paying attention to the injured groomer. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227807 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:17:32 +0000 Buttercup 227807@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Oh I'm so sorry to hear this Leeny,the inexperienced tech set her off so she fears the carrier for now. Maybe you can leave it out for a while and feed her in it. I'm sorry that you got bit,I'm sure she didn't know it was you. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227805 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:16:36 +0000 Leeny 227805@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>There was reason for me to see him that way, WWM. He is quite short--shorter than me, and I'm 5'7"--and I don't think his voice has changed yet. He's probably what they call a "late bloomer"; he'll probably grow two feet within the next year! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227794 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:07:25 +0000 WillowandWindismom 227794@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Leeny, what an experience with Penny - poor baby! And I'm so sorry, but I just had to laugh at your description of "the child"!!!! I was quite convinced once on a commuter flight in New Mexico that the airplane was being piloted by a child. He looked to be maybe 15 years old. Turns out he was 31! I don't know but I'm afraid it's a sign of us getting older when we see these people as children. It's not funny about Penny, but it is funny about the vet tech! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227792 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:05:05 +0000 Leeny 227792@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>It's healing, Karen. I've got small scabs on it and on the back of my hand, and a pretty good bruise on the inside of my forearm that I must have gotten at some time during "Battle Penny." </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227789 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:02:46 +0000 Karenopa 227789@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Poor Penny...I agree that she sensed the young tech's uncertainty and responded in like. I sure hope it hasn't set a precedent that she'll carry with her permanently. How's your poor thumb Leeny? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227788 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:01:50 +0000 Leeny 227788@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>See, I thought that the assistant's inexperience and my anxiety were what set her off. What happened today, though, I wonder? The groomer is very experienced and restrained her confidently, and I spoke soothingly to her from a few feet away. The vet said she'll probably act like this from now on. I'd hate for that to happen.</p> <p>At least she's not reluctant to get into her carrier; I was afraid she'd start avoiding it. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227786 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:01:12 +0000 AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew 227786@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Leeny, I hope that your hand heals rather quickly, and that poor Penny goes back to the nice purring baby that she was. Something clicked in her mind, maybe its like the shapes of foods sometimes they have a bad experience with square shapes and afterwards will never eat them again because they associate all of it together. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227785 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:59:33 +0000 artistabobbi TX 1/17 227785@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I'm sure your own anxiety about the vet trip added to her reaction. Poor girl. 18 yrs old is still a kid in my opinion.<br /> So sorry, leeny. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227780 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:56:32 +0000 cricketsmama 227780@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>awww Poor Penny. I was thinking the same thing about the vet assistant as 2b. I hope you are alright too Leeny.<br /> ((penny)) </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227771 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:52:15 +0000 2bpurring 227771@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>My guess is that the very young, unexperienced vet tech was very nervous himself and Penny picked up on this...poor Penny!! I'm sure she was just scared, she never meant to hurt her mommy </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/8992#post-227764 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:45:50 +0000 Leeny 227764@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>My sweet little Penny, who has never had any problems at the vet's and has never even had to have a tranquillizer before going, has suddenly become very aggressive.</p> <p>Last Thursday, I took Penny and Gabe to the vet, Gabe for his final FIP immunization and Penny for her regular checkup and vaccinations. She had been there three weeks before, when Gabe got his vaccinations, to get the initial FIP dose and had been perfectly calm. On Thursday, though, things were different. The assistant helping to handle her was a new employee. He's a grown man of 18, but he looked to me as if he were 12 or 13 years old. (On Friday I called the vet to ask why he had a child assisting with animal exams, and he told me the young man's actual age.) He had a hard time picking her up to take her to the room where the vet extracts stool samples, and the vet had to demonstrate how to restrain her for the exam. Pen began to hiss and growl during the exam. Concerned for the safety of the assistant, whom I believed to be a child, I was not reassuring to Penny. I told her to quit hissing and growling because it was rude.</p> <p>The real explosion took place when the doctor had finished the exam and began administering the FIP drops. She started lashing out, trying to scratch and bite, and the young man couldn't control her. I stepped in to protect the presumed child and restrained Penny myself. The vet told me they could do it and they didn't want me to get hurt; I told him I didn't want the assistant to get hurt and she was my cat. At that point, she bit my thumb, scratched my hand, and catapulted off the table. The vet said he was going to stop, reschedule her shots, and give me some tranquillizer pills for her to take before coming in for the shots. I put her carrier on the floor, thinking she would dart right into it. She didn't. When I reached down to put her in it, she started hissing and slashing again. The vet had to nudge her into it with a long-handled brush that they use to sweep the floor, while the assistant bandaged my badly bleeding thumb.</p> <p>Today I took her back for her shots, very mellow and purring on the pill--until the carrier was opened in the exam room. She immediately began hissing and growling again. The groomer restrained her this time and kept control of her while she received injections, but after the doctor gave her the FIP nose drops, she bit the groomer! (I'd told him when he first came in that she'd bitten me on Thursday and to be careful, and I apologized when she bit him.)</p> <p>The vet and his staff say that this happens with some cats, not very often but not rarely, either. They can be calm and friendly for years, then suddenly "snap out" like this. She obviously doesn't like the nose drops, which she hadn't received prior to the dose three weeks ago. I'd sprayed her blanket with Feliway before putting it in her carrier that time; I wonder if that made the difference.</p> <p>This, from a cat who, on her first visit as a kitten, purred so much that the doctor couldn't hear her heart and lungs! </p>