#Cat2Vet Tips For Taking Your Cat To The Vet During Covid-19
Tips for Taking Your Cat to the Vet During COVID-19 By Layla Morgan Wilde
August 22 is the feline awareness holiday: Take Your Cat To The Vet Day and the Royal Canin campaign #Cat2Vet. This year, more than ever, our cats need our help to stay happy and healthy. Cats are masters at hiding illness and all the more reason for wellness vet visits.
An annual preventive check-up can help identify problems before they become serious (scroll down for a purrsonal story with my cat Odin.)
I’m passionate about feline wellness which is why I’m partnering with Royal Canin for their annual #Cat2Vet campaign, which aims to encourage cat owners to not only schedule regular veterinary visits, but to continuously educate themselves on cat health and nutrition.
Here’s how and why it’s important: Living during a pandemic is stressful for humans and pets. Stress causes or exacerbates many diseases. Ironically, cats can develop just about any illness or disease that humans do. There is a reported rise in UTIs or urinary tract infections which is often stress related. Symptoms of illness in cats can be subtle and easily missed.
Cats thrive on routine. Most are used to quiet days to nap or play in peace. Having pet parents suddenly working at home, teaching kids at home, screens dinging and blaring is disruptive. There may be more yelling and tempers flaring from the “Covid crazies”. Seriously, you’d have to be a Zen Buddhist monk not to be impacted from doomscrolling, economic loss, in a volatile election year no less. Cats don’t care about any of it. They just know something is amiss.
The upside of more pet parents working from home is more kitty petting, grooming and cuddle time. According to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Royal Canin, 81% felt the quarantine brought them closer to their pet while 60% noticed a change in their behavior. It’s a boon for snuggly cats and a chance for cat parents to observe their cats more closely.
IF ONLY I’D KNOWN SOONER, I COULD HAVE HELPED MY CAT! If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that. Don’t let that be your mantra. I prefer AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS…
Don’t blame yourself! Cats are notorious for sneaky ways of dealing with stress and illness. They hide. They over groom. They avoid (like the litter box). See more of my tips for easier vet visits.
Other symptoms to look for:
- Changes in appetite or water consumption.
- Changes in urine or stool appearance of frequency.
- Lethargy. Sleeping more. Not him or herself.
- Coughing, sneezing, eye or nasal discharge.
- Drooling or Vomiting
But don’t wait until any obvious symptoms pop up. Remember, symptoms can be subtle. There is no better feeling than a clean bill of health. Goodness knows we all need something to celebrate these days.
How else to help kitty?
- Learn more about their unique ways and specific needs.
- The best way to keep your cat healthy is to Stay Curious about their health!
- Purchase Royal Canin at PetSmart and receive a free vet visit from Banfield.
No one expects you to go to the vet on August 22 but circle the date to make an appointment this week. When you do, this is what’s different this year.
- More vets are offering tele-visits.
- If you are driving to a clinic, take the normal precautions of masking up, and wiping down the cat carrier with a sanitizer wipe.
- If you are taking public transportation, keep the carrier six feet from other riders if possible.
- If you have a mobile vet appointment or house call, most vets and assistants will take extra measures to keep you and your household safe.
- Ask in advance what your vet’s protocol is.
- Curbside vet service is typical now. There is no need to enter a clinic. Vet staff will pick up and return your cat’s carrier from the car or in front of their door.
- I visited our very busy feline-only vet this week and was pleased. Be sure your phone is charged. After the staff picks up the pet’s carrier, the vet will call during or after the exam. Some vets Face time. For those who don’t like waiting in a waiting room or being in the examining room, it’s a breeze. For those who prefer being there during the exam, there is a slight disconnect but well worth it for the service.
A purrsonal story
I’m a big advocate of mobile vet care. It’s the least stressful for all concerned. No stressful car rides or new sights, sounds and smells at a clinic. But I also have a trusted feline-only veterinary clinic. Hello, no barking dogs. If you have a choice, choose a veterinary feline specialist.
Last summer, my one-eyed adventure cat Odin tuned nine. It was time for his annual visit and since he was now officially a senior, he needed the recommended senior panel of blood and urine analysis. He was in good health but the test results showed very early signs of kidney disease.
Had I waited, the disease would have silently progressed, but I changed his diet to a low phosphorus, added supplements and encouraged more filtered water consumption. Odin is 10 now, healthy and happy but I will continue to monitor his health every year. So much can happen in the span of one year which equals about 7 human years. I suggest geriatric cats, 12 and up see their vet twice a year for that reason.
Kidney disease or CKD is the #1 killer of cats over the age of 5, but we can change those stats with a healthier diet. Odin likes Royal Canin 12+ for its kidney support formula. They also have a variety of prescriptive formulas.
I think you’ll find when your cat gets used to wellness and not illness visits, going to the vet can be purrfect! Now that’s something to celebrate. Nou Nou agrees!
FTC disclaimer: This post is kindly sponsored by Royal Canin but my professional opinion remains my own.
26 Comments
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Sadies Dad
Our vet here in San Diego has turned all the employee parking behind the office into numbered patient waiting. When you get to the office, you call from your car. They send out someone to take your pet in the office. They call you from the office with the results of the examination and you tell them if you want to go ahead with their recommendations. They work up the bill which you pay over the phone. They administer the treatment and bring the pet back to the car. It works very well.
Skeeter and Izzy
We spend 1/2 of our life at the Vets! My Vet is also learning that I know a bit about cats/diseases etc. and they are getting so much better about giving me shots etc. to bring home and give my Ferals to reduce the need to trap and transport (SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STRESSFUL!! for both of us.)
I have mastered the art of giving shot to my wild kids all by myself. LOL I would love to have a mobile vet service (must be affordable for the average Joe like me but usually more costly)
We must always be aware of our babies and their normal behaviors so we can recognize issues quickly. I would love to be able to take all of my “kids” for yearly exams but the logistics plus the cost for 35 plus is just too much.
Lots of love nad thanks for the excellent reminder and information!
Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + the Angels >^..^^..^<~
Layla Morgan Wilde
I bet you do! I’m glad your vet trusts your expertise. Re: mobile vet rates have a huge range depending on location. In your case, maybe a wholesale rate, the way farmers do. Any vet schools nearby?
Skeeter and Izzy
We have Virginia Tech college of Vet medicine about 20 minutes from me but I don’t think that they do any of the mobile services for small animals. I do think that they help out at the place where I get my ferals spayed/neutered at. Small rural communities don’t usually rate for mobile vet services except for large animal services.
Luvs Skeeter and Izzy
Layla Morgan Wilde
That’s a bummer but I’d still inquire. Vet students do field work.
meowmeowmans
Terrific post, Layla. We are real sticklers about making sure Gracie and Ava get their regular exams and checkups. It’s especially important for 20 year-old Gracie! 🙂
Layla
Thanks Kevin! Gracie is amazing at 20 and the poster girl for preventative vet care xoxo
Eastside Cats
The PO’M goes to the vet tomorrow; he’s not going to be happy, but I can tell that he’s not 100% healthy. Vomiting and sneezing.
Being a friendly feral, the decision to get him to the vet takes a while, and of course, I must set up the crop trap since I cannot just put him in a carrier. Keep your fingers crossed that I catch him before his appointment!
Layla
Paws crossed xx.
Summer
My annual check up coincides with my therapy cat evaluation, plus I have vaccines this year, so it should be interesting this time around!
Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs
Our vet has a very small office, he does allow the pets to go in with one person, masked, etc. Only one peep allowed in the lobby. So its sort of like normal, but a wee bit different. He does do dogs, but he is very much a feline specialist/lover, he has a rescue/shelter just for unadoptable kitties. All of my furry ones are due to go in soon…Pipo at 15 1/2 seems to be doing pretty well,but we shall see…he does have issues with not wanting to eat…for about the past couple of years. he is on medication to help him not vomit, eat better and to keep his aging joints limber. (At least I do not have to feed him by hand, the way I fed Minko years ago…I did that for three years.)
Layla
You’re lucky your vet allows you inside. Thanks for sharing xo
Ellen Pilch
Great post! Vet care is so important, especially as they age. I keep my vet in business with 10 cats. XO
Layla
Thanks and with 10 cats, your vet must love you!
Memories of Eric and Flynn
The vet we used to use does kerbside pick up too. We sometimes pass when we go to the farm supplies store to collect our order.
They have a large gazebo outside the entrance where one of the vet techs collects the patient. The owner can also wait under the cover if they want to as long as they wear a mask and socially distance.
Marjorie Dawson
Brilliant post. Sharing!
Has Odin tried the Astro’s oil and supplement? We got it for Dot Initially but Jack our oldest takes it now as a preventative.
Dot didn’t have what they said. Not kidneys at all.
Layla
Thanks, Marjorie, I don’t know about Astro oil but curious to learn more. P
Brian Frum
Well, you had to bring that up, I just got a postcard telling me I’m due for my wellness check up. Hey, we used to have a mobile vet service, we loved it, but, hard to believe, they went out of business because they couldn’t get enough business to pay for their high-tech mobile unit.
Layla
Wow, I’m sorry and surprised to hear it. Our mobile vets are busy here. Every State is so different.
Lola The Rescued Cat
Great tips, Layla! Our mom is very grateful that we have been well during the pandemic. Our annual exams will be due soon, and she’s worried about Lexy having to go inside alone.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks so much! I think vets are going over and beyond to keep their furry patients safe. I was nervous about Nou Nou going in alone but the staff was amazing and she was fine.
Sandee
Such great advice. We always listened to our vet and not everyone else. I see lots of babies going to the vet to get the care they need. As it should be.
Thank you for joining the Feline Friday Blog Hop.
Have a purrfect Feline Friday and weekend. ♥
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks Sandee! It’s always a pleasure to join Feline Friday 🙂
easyweimaraner
to offer televisits or to take a first look via photo is a good idea… it maybe can help us to get a solution without following the diffisult procedere…
Layla Morgan Wilde
Right, is that happening with you in France? It gives peace of mind.