A trip to the vet isn’t much different than a trip to the doctor. You want to make the most of your time with minimal hassle. Your vet also wants to use their time effectively to address any issues you and your animal are facing. After all, taking a cat to the clinic is never an easy task. Cats can often find the whole vet trip process very stressful, so being as efficient as possible and being prepared for the trip can make a big difference.
Cats aren’t always easy on owners. They’re very good at hiding signs of ill health, so by the time owners realise there’s a problem, their cat is often actually quite ill. To make your vet visit as smooth and efficient as possible, we’ve put together some tips to help you get the information you need and ensure your cat gets the treatment they need.
11 tips for working efficiently in a veterinary clinic
1. You don’t necessarily need to see a vet
Throughout their lives, cats will need annual vet visits for vaccination renewals and necessary health tests, and in-person visits are essential for these. But any cat owner understands the stress their cat can feel when it’s time to go to the vet, so it’s helpful to know that an in-person visit isn’t always necessary. Thankfully, there are remote triage sites, such as: Pangobet There are services that allow you to book an online appointment with a vet, which can be really useful if you have a nagging question about your cat’s behaviour, for example, but can also help you determine whether your cat’s problem requires an in-person visit to the vet.
While an online virtual visit is not a replacement for an in-person visit, it can be very helpful in some cases. You will need to take your cat to the vet (or an emergency clinic) if it needs hospitalization or surgery, has a medical emergency, or needs testing, but for basic questions about your animal, sites like PangoVet can be very helpful. Keep in mind that in most countries and states, your animal must be “under the care” of a veterinarian to be prescribed medication, meaning your pet must have been seen in person by a veterinarian within the past six months. Still, a virtual visit can be a viable option for getting veterinary advice in some cases.
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2. Make a list of your cat’s signs
Your vet will use your observations of your cat to deduce what is going on. Bringing your pet to the clinic puts your vet at a disadvantage because your cat will obviously behave differently when away from home. Your cat will be extremely stressed, so any information you can provide to your vet is crucial. Many signs, such as loss of appetite or lethargy, are non-specific but can help your vet begin to paint a clinical picture with valuable details.
Plus, you know what is normal and what is not for your cat. Write down any concerns you have and give your vet as much information as possible. It will save you time at the vet and ensure no details are overlooked. Knowing all the details from the start will help your vet make a diagnosis and treat your pet faster.
3. Anticipate questions your vet will ask
Appetite, activity levels and litter box habits are things your vet will definitely ask about in detail. Having answers ready will make your vet’s job more efficient. Anticipate other questions based on the complaint. If your cat is vomiting, record how often and how badly. If your cat has lost its appetite, record how long this has been going on and whether it’s not eating at all or just eating its favorite foods.
4. Write down your questions
You probably have questions and concerns. Write them down so you don’t forget anything important. Remember, your vet’s full attention is on you during the appointment. Make the most of your time. No question is silly. It’s better to have all the facts so you understand what’s wrong with your cat and a plan to remedy the situation.
5. Gather necessary medical records and medications
Your vet needs to see the whole picture to understand what’s going on. Be sure to have your cat’s vaccination records and, if your cat is on medication, know which medications he or she is taking, how much and how often. If it’s your first time seeing a new vet, it’s a good idea to call them before your appointment to make sure they’ve received your cat’s medical history from your previous vet.
6. Get your cat used to the carrier before appointments
You will need to transport your cat to the vet in a carrier. Cats are generally very suspicious of carriers, so the best way to reduce this suspicion is to get your cat used to the carrier before it is needed. Place the carrier in the living room so your cat can sniff and investigate it on its own time. Feed your cat treats in the carrier on a regular basis to make the carrier less stressful. If you plan to transport your cat in a carrier to the vet, we recommend putting something that smells like your cat’s favorite blanket or towel in the carrier to make it seem familiar. There are also pheromone sprays that will help your cat relax.
7. Buy a quality cat carrier
Cat carriers come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure you get a hard plastic carrier that is large enough for your cat and offers greater safety. Carriers with removable lids are ideal as they allow your cat to be examined while remaining comfortable inside the box. A removable lid also means you won’t have to drag a scared cat out the door of the carrier to be examined.
8. Make your cat use the litter box before you go out
Before your appointment, give your cat time to use the litter box. If your cat soils the carrier, it may lead to an unpleasant and time-consuming situation for everyone. Remember, cats are clean animals, so sitting in a dirty carrier will definitely be unpleasant and unsettling for your cat. You can avoid this situation by giving your cat time to use the litter box before getting into the carrier.
9. Consider using pheromone sprays
Cats generally don’t like being out of their routine and don’t like car rides – noises, smells and unpredictable situations make them very anxious. study It has been found that using synthetic cat pheromone products can reduce stress during transport, allowing your cat to arrive at the vet’s office in a more relaxed state, making it easier for your vet to perform a useful clinical examination. Cats that arrive at the vet’s office already stressed are much more difficult to handle.
10. Pre-fill online forms
If your vet has an app or online system, check their site to see if there are any forms you need to fill out before your appointment. Some clinics ask you to fill out forms before your annual checkup to ensure their records are up to date. Filling out forms before your appointment and having paper documentation ready if necessary will save you a lot of time; the office staff will appreciate your efficiency.
11. Arrive early for your pet’s appointment
Office staff strive to schedule appointments with ample time depending on the problem, so there may be little leeway between time slots. Make the most of your allotted time by arriving a few minutes before your appointment. This allows your cat a chance to get acclimated a bit before the appointment begins. If you have time, veterinarians will often give your cat some time alone in the exam room to help them settle after the trip to the clinic, so take advantage of that.
lastly
Being prepared before your trip to the vet will make you much more efficient and enable your vet to do their best job. While you can’t completely eliminate your cat’s anxiety and discomfort, there are some simple measures you can take to make treatment go as quickly and efficiently as possible. Some vets make the most of the vet’s time by providing information and anticipating questions, while others prepare your cat for the ordeal – either way, making the most of an uncomfortable situation.
Featured image credits: Stock-Asso, Shutterstock
