Do cats get less medical care than dogs?
Dread that vet office visit with your kitty? You’re not alone.
Statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association -- kind of like the AMA for dogs and cats -- show that while the number of cats in households is growing, the number of overall veterinary visits for the same has decreased.
Dr. Kimberly May, AVMA’s assistant director of professional and public affairs, says there may be several reasons. Cats hide the fact that they are sick better than dogs, for one. And I can speak to how much fun it is to wrestle Dolan or Franny into what they consider The Plastic Box of Death.
At the February CATalyst Summit in Palm Springs, vets and animal experts from around the country gathered to discuss the problem. Some suggestions included developing feline lifespan wellness guides for vets and owners, and creating cat-friendly vet practices.
But if we don’t want kitties to become second-class citizens, we cat people need to suit up and get our animals the medical attention they deserve.
Having said that: Any good tips on getting a fractious cat into a carrier? Don’t tell me about the blanket trick. I already tried it with Franny and it didn’t work.
(photo from the American Veterinary Medical Association)
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
The "follow the Pounce" trick usually works.
Also, I got a cat carrier that opens on the top and has viewing areas all around. It's not as scary as the into the dark hole kind with either face or rear entry.
I love this blog
Posted by: steph | April 9, 2008 3:01 PM
Hi Steph -- thanks for the advice. By "follow the Pounce" -- I assume you mean putting a treat in the carrier? If so, I have to admit, I tried it. I put Franny's favorite treat, fresh tuna, in the carrier and did not feed her for an entire day. She wouldn't touch it. It is a huge carrier for a cat, and does have a top loading as well as a front entry door. I agree, the top works a lot better. There is a fair amount of visibility out, although there could be more.
Even the vet was impressed by how cunning Franny is. I used to think she had been abandoned right before the Hurricane Frances, maybe by someone who had to go to a shelter. But I wonder if she was outside for awhile. She does not like to be picked up and seems to have this ungrained fear of people trapping or catching her. But she really is very sweet (when she wants to be) and loves being petted (on her terms).
Anyway, I am glad you love the blog. I love doing it! And feel free to have anyone else give me cat carrier advice. I ended up using a giant cardboard box for the last vet visit -- I lured her into it only by gradually moving her food into it over the course of a week. If we have to flee when a hurricane is coming, I have no idea how I am going to get her in a carrier. But I wont leave her behind.
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