Going to the vets

silversurf it can be a bit of a kerfuffle negotiating some of the rules, regulations and guidelines, but hopefully your boy is now happy to be back at home with you.

I’ve been to the vets with my cat several times recently, as she has a lymphoma so hasn’t got long left sadly (she’s 14). I felt the same, but I can understand why they have to do this, the other branch of my vets had to close for two weeks recently because a member of staff had tested Covid positive - it’s hard for them to socially distance at work because many animals need at least two staff to deal with them, so they have to reduce the risk by excluding owners - it’s really hard, but I don’t think there’s any other option.

Yes, its harder right now because as Casdon says, the surgeries have to be covid secure. Our vets aren't allowing humans into the surgery, the vet comes out to discuss the problem. Your pet is then taken into the surgery to be weighed and examined before being returned.
We had a sad week in the summer when our 12 year old dog suddenly collapsed. Four vet visits that week, she seemed to be improving then she collapsed again and it was clear she was in the final stages of life.
No vets are allowed to come to the house to euthanise, the pets must be taken to the surgery. Our usual vet wasn't working that day but luckily, we know the other vet well. He and the nurse did the necessary with our girl peaceful in the boot of my car, where she always travelled. Heart breaking but the best that could be achieved currently.
The following day our usual vet phoned me to say how sorry she was not to have been there when we needed her.
These are tough times aren't they. Silversurf, I hope your cat is ok

So sorry to hear that Iam64. Our DD had a similar experience with her elderly cat. She was allowed to cradle it on her lap in the car while the vet administered the lethal injection.
I hope your cat is happily curled up at home now and that the medication works.

No, still not very happy as we have to give him medicine on his food and he won’t touch it. He’ never been a lap cat and doesn’t like being picked up, so putting a syringe in his mouth is nigh on impossible.
But I think he’s glad to be home.

Our vets' surgery allow 2 people into the waiting room, so it could be 2 separate animals, not just 2 people with 1 pet. I had a dog put to sleep recently and both my OH and I were allowed into the consulting room. We and the vet wore masks.

During the last lockdown if we wanted medication or pet food we had to go to side window to say what we wanted and then to pay and the assistants then either handed the stuff through the window, or if it was a sack of food, took it to the car.

Our vet says that animals are more relaxed when their owners aren’t with them and that not having to chat to the owners means they can concentrate totally on diagnosing the problem. I think I agree with him to be honest. I haven’t been anywhere for 8 months other than several emergency trips to the vet (and to Boots for my flu jab) and each time my dog has happily trotted off into the vets with a nurse. A couple of times the vet has come out and spoken to us. It seems to be working quite well. I must point out though that I do understand how awful it must be when it’s at the end of a beloved pets life and I’m not sure how I would cope with that.

Silversurf, my cat will only take medicine mixed with some tuna or sardines. I think that they're so strong smelling (and tasting) that they disguise the medicine well.

Im so sorry you had this upset silversurf, and I’m glad you fur baby is ok.

My daughter is a vet nurse, and she gets so upset with having to part owners from their pets. In her practice, the owner speaks to the vet on the phone, then the nurse goes to the car and collects the animal, and then returns with any medication etc.she says it’s really upsetting, just this weekend a cat Was brought in and was so poorly, the owners were distraught.

On a side note, I do know she says the best way to get cats to take medication is with a squirt of primula cheese. They shouldn’t really have it, but just a little amount on a pill really works

We drop our animals at the door then go back to the car. The vet phones us and we chat, then they bring them back out and payment is done in the car park. I much prefer to have face to face discussion, but it is how it is.

Try pill pockets, www.greenies.com/products/dog/pill-pockets just a tiny pocket of food that you pop the pill in, though if the medicine is in liquid form, I am afraid you are back to wrapping him in a towel and applying the syringe!

Sorry, these ones for cats!
www.greenies.com/products/cat/pill-pockets

Only one person allowed in the waiting room at our vet's as well. When our JR was put to sleep last week we were both allowed in the surgery to be with him, a little compassion is so important,

Condolences sodapop. You are so right, compassion is so important at all times but, especially during this difficult period in our lives.

Thank you Iam64

Can¨t you get the medicine in tablet form? I have long since given up trying the syringe in the side of the mouth caper.

I hold the cat firmly between my left side and arm, open his mouth with my right hand while holding his head with my left and put the tablet as far back on his tongue as possible, then hold his mouth shut until he has swallowed, open his mouth and check that he did actually swallow his medicine and if he has tell him he is a good cat and let him go.

It's a horrible kerfuffle, isn't it?

He is perfectly capable of eating all the way round the pill if I try putting it in his food, then stalking away in a huff.