HomePetsCats: Progress with the *Ahem* Problem

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Cats: Progress with the *Ahem* Problem — 2 Comments

  1. You are like an angel to these kitties, and as a pet “owner” I’m vaguely aware of the time, money, and thought it takes.

    We took our two dogs and one cat in for their annual “well pet” visits a few weeks ago, and the bill was just shy of $800.

    One of the dogs–the big boy–enjoys going for car rides. (When you get a dog, get a lab or a lab mix. They are cooperative, willing, and loving.) The little dog shakes so badly at the mere THOUGHT of getting into the car–I’ve worried for her just on account of her nerves. And the cat–she’s an independent, garage-dwelling, property-guarding, hard-a$$ed little outfit, and she doesn’t like car rides, either. Nor does she like getting into her carrier.

    But everybody survived. Well–okay, the animals went one-by-one. While the lab was out, the little dog shook and cried at the door to the garage. While the little dog was out, the lab whined and whimpered at the door to the garage. While the cat was out–the dogs were more relaxed than I’ve ever seen them. Yes, that 11 pound manx tabby is the Big Dog of our place.

    With humans, she’s sweet as sugar. Unless you want to take her for a ride.

    • Dr. Val isn’t cheap, but she’s reasonable and fair. Boarding is nearly $14 a day with her, but she has always given me a very reasonable discount for the eight of them (it will be nine this year). She cut me a very reasonable break on the spaying/neutering for the seven ferals I’ve had done, most of which I ended up keeping (wasn’t my intention, but nobody was looking for kitties when I had them with her for adoption, so I wound up keeping them). I protested, but they insisted. She’s also a damn good vet, and we’re lucky to have her here in our little town. She was at the top of graduating class in vet school, so I’m sure she could have chosen to set up a practice somewhere else, but she’s here. When she tells me she suspects something, I trust her.

      Revolution was the killer. I think one package of feline Revolution is $75 for six doses (and they throw in two free if you buy six). I was looking at about eighty-five dollars a month for flea and parasite preventative. She suggested I get the big dog version and a syringe and apply it that way. I get eight doses from one big dog tube, and I use two individual doses for the remaining two cats, dropping my cost to $18 a month for everyone. Whew! THAT was a budget-saver. And the cats hardly notice when I apply it with the syringe (minus the needle — that stays in the tube) — no air sound.

      I love how cats run the house no matter the size of the dogs. We have two that are very difficult to get into the carriers. Several others are problematic. I have about four who give me no trouble at all. I joke that I have to have a Navigator L (an Expedition El would work the same) to transport the cats. I bought the L when we had two medium size dogs, because the space behind the third seat was very comfortable for the dogs to travel with us. Now I fold the third seat down and line the back with carriers. Since Daphne has joined us, someone gets to ride up front. We rotate that. Just like with kids. My truck has remote start, so if I’m traveling with the cats and need to run inside a store for a minute, I get out, start the truck with the remote start, and leave them in comfort and security.