The vet called me just now and said Suki looked very timid and fearful. She also looked very pale. The vet asked me if Suki is normally a very fearful and timid kitten at home, and I said she is actually the opposite.
But to be on the safe side, we got a blood test done, and her readings are within the normal range. So we shall proceed with the spaying. I went to see her just now and she was hiding in the corner of the cage. Didn’t even dare make a sound…poor thing.
Here are some photos taken this morning:
This is Suki’s favourite place in the house. It is beside a “no fear” standing Buddha and the Chinese laughing Buddha, plus two guardian dragons. On top, on the wall, is a picture of a Buddha, Angkor Wat-styled. Certainly a place with lots of “fearless” and positive vibrations! She sleeps here most of the time, unless she is confined in the cage (only when necessary).
11am…Time to go to the vet’s for her appointment. Indy is guarding her. I’ve put her favourite toy dog in the carrier too.
Indy tried to get her out.
He bit the handle and the lock as well.
Yes, that’s the lock. Get me out! Get me out!
Poor Indy…he did not understand now matter what I said. When we left the house, Indy was giving out his classic distress calls. Breaks your heart, doesn’t it? Yet, we need to do the needful.
I’ll be checking in on Suki soon.
I’m nervous too….sobs.
We may have done close to 80-90 neuterings/spayings by now, but with each case, I get nervous and I monitor closely.
Comments
2 responses to ““A timid kitten””
I talk to my pet before going to the clinic. I hang out with them as well. And at the clinic, I ask a zillion questions on the procedure (though is not my first time) and interview the vet and nurses (though I already know them for years). I don't leave my pet until they are sedated. (I understand your situation Dr. Chan).
I think I am more nervous than the pet. Dogs are fine. Especially my latest dog. He is as always excited for anything new. BUT cats, yes I have experience my own cats, 3 of them at different occassions – cats do freak out.
Even though they are mafia at homes but at the vet for such matters THEY KNOW. It is also the new environment which cats dislike alot, the coldness in the vet, the strange smell and surrounding. My cat shed alot of hair when was placed at the table for examination.
I requested my last cat to be place (boarded) next to another cat cage so that they can both keep each other company. It didn't really work out – all they did was hide at the corner of the litter box and peep and stare at each other.
I worry with you.
It is perfectly normal for Suki to be fearful and scared, the vet should understand this. No need to do blood test as Suki has been acting normal and eating well up to the point when you put her into the carrier. Only then did she start getting stressed at the confinement.
Normally I follow what good overseas vet clinics advise clients to do in order to reduce the stress of transporting the animals to the clinic and while they are there where, as YenLing rightly says, they freak out because they are unsure of their security (new place, new smells, strangers, strange sounds and a lot of frightened noises from other animals at the clinic as well as the body language of other frightened animals).
Always cover your carrier with a thin piece of cloth like curtain or sarong to subdue the stressed animal. I have often seen many insensitive humans bring their trembling pets in open wire cages not even lined with clean newspaper to cushion their feet or keep them warm in an air con clinic.
The cloth will also keep the pet warm at the cold clinic as well as all the way home after the operation on a cold, cold surgery table, besides shielding it from the glare of strangers and the sun all the way home. It really does make your frightened animal more comfortable.
Cats like Suki and my strays will always be terrified at clinics and sensitive vets understand this well, and they usually handle the pets better giving them a much more pleasant experience compared to vets that are less sensitive.
I always scrutinise the way the vet and other staff at the clinic approaches and handles the animal. It is very, very revealing.
And like YenLing, normally I stay with my animals while waiting so as to assure it of its safety (I am the only safe assurance it has in the strange environment – studies on animal behaviour revealed that endangered kittens are always less frightened when the mother cat is within sight and to the cat, its owner is perceived as the mother cat.
This assurance is necessary to reduce the level of stress for the animal undergoing any operation, just like humans who are going in for surgery or are ill, you certainly will want to reduce its mental stress for good recovery.
I even step in to handle the animal myself if I feel the clinic is not doing it well and causing unnecessary stress.
Take care, KY, and get well Suki ….
Love,
MarC