A Trip to the Vet

The cats don't like going to the vet.  They don't like going in the car either.  But as a good cat owner, I make sure they go in for annual exams and get the shots and treatments they need to stay strong and healthy.  Yesterday both Curry and Willie were due for annual exams.  I took the camera to the vet with me, and Curry shares the story here.

"It was that time of year again.  The time when I have to go in the car, see the veterinarian, and get poked and prodded.  This time mom scheduled Willie and me for the same day.  As if going to the vet with Willie would make it all better - not!  So, mom gathers us up and shoves us into our respective carriers and then throws us in the car.  (OK, she didn't really rough-handle us, but she may as well have, for as unpleasant as it all was.)  As she's driving, both Willie and I are silent.  Mom keeps talking to us, saying stuff like: 'you guys are so good, no crying at all, I'm proud of you.'  Are you serious, mom?!?  We're silent because we are seething.  You just can't see it from the driver's seat.  We are not being good for you, we are just doing what we need to do to endure this trip.

We get to Ballston Animal Hospital and have to wait for what seemed like an eternity.  Mom says it was really only 10 minutes or less, but to us it was awful.  The kind people at Ballston Animal Hospital are good to us, but still, we don't want to be there.  When Dr. Gallitz comes in, she examines me first.  I hate-hate-hate having my temperature taken, but at least I didn't have to get any shots.  Then I get my claws clipped.  Here is a picture of Dr. Gallitz and the vet tech clipping my claws.  Yeah, they had to hold me down.  Do you think I'd let them do this voluntarily?!?  I'm not very proud of this photo.  It shows me in an undignified light.  But I include it here for one reason: to tell you all that I have claws and I'm proud of them!  If you ever consider having your cat declawed, please educate yourself about it.  I'm so glad mom let us keep our claws.

So, Willie was up next.  I got to go sulk under the examining table while he had his exam.  Willie was only 1 year old when he went to the vet last year and at that time he wasn't fully grown.  Now, Dr. Gallitz said that he is a little overweight at 12.8 lbs.  So, mom has to watch that.  Willie also had to get his vaccinations, which will last for three years.  (Lucky me, I got mine last year.)  Dr. Gallitz also took a real close look at Willie's ears and eyes because mom told her that Willie is uncoordinated for a cat.  Turns out there's nothing wrong with his equilibrium.  He's just a clumsy cat.  Sheesh, I could have told her that!  Willie growled and hissed while he was being handled at the vet.  Mom said, 'wow, he's usually so easy-going; he never growls like that at home.'  Well, get a clue, mom!  At home he doesn't have to endure a rectal thermometer, needles, and being held against his will.  Even a cat like Willie is likely to get stressed out at the vet.

Well, it's over for now.  Both Willie and I made it outta there relatively unscathed.  We each have a clean bill of health.  As much as I hate going to the doctor, I know it's for my own good.  Preventive veterinary care is very important.  As an educated cat, I can tell you that it is much better to see the vet when you are well than when you are sick.  So, all you cat owners out there - make sure you get your cats (and dogs, and other pets) to your veterinarian for regular check-ups.  They may fight you on this, but you know it needs to be done."