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(but my cat doesn’t think so)
Last Thursday I took Cole to the vet for his annual visit. Although I didn’t get many more answers there than I did when Chrestomanci had his trip, I left much more satisfied. I’m just continually reminded why I love my vet.
I brought up my questions about Cole’s behavioral antics and, unfortunately (though I suspected as much) the vet didn’t really have any advice for me. She said many cats enjoy being in high places, and that there’s not a lot to do to deter them. I asked whether he would be happier if I put him outside.
The vet said he might, but then I told her how uncertain he is about the yard, how he’ll run for the door right away when it opens, but immediately changes his tune and cries to be let back in when the door shuts behind him. My vet said that many cats born and raised indoors (as Cole was) aren’t very comfortable outside. They’re curious about it, but not as curious as they are frightened.
At least my most successful countertop deterrent technique—-putting Cole out on the deck for a few minutes (not in the rain) if I catch him on the counter—-has discouraged him from jumping up on the stove when I’m around. This way I don’t have to worry about him burning himself on the hot stove. The times he does go up (overnight, when I’m away), the stove hasn’t been used recently so it’s cool.
Even though my vet didn’t have anything better to tell me than the doctor at the office to which I took Chrestomanci, she took my questions seriously. Perhaps I framed them more seriously than I did in February, in which case I am responsible for the tenors of the answers I received. But there is another reason why I like my vet better than the one that’s closer to our house.
The reason is cost. When I took Chrestomanci in February I left around $300 lighter. A large chunk of that was for the treatment Chresti needed for his ear mites, but even removing that charge I still spent twice the amount at the nearby vet than my usual one.
The main difference is that my vet asks before performing additional veterinary services like blood and fecal tests. The close one didn’t. I realize that if I wanted to keep an eagle’s eye on my pet’s health such things are necessary, or at least helpful, but at the moment I’m not particularly concerned for them.
My vet office does push these procedures, but only through a mailing they send to the house before the appointment. I’d be more annoyed, but they do want to care for our animals and they need to make money. After my experience with the other vet, who just went ahead and did the tests without asking and charged me for them, I appreciate my vet’s less pushy approach.
It was good to hear from the vet that I’m doing the best I can in regards to the multiple cat feeding situation. She was pleased to hear that we keep close track of our pets’ weights, weighing them at least once a month and charting the results in a spreadsheet. She said Cole seems more adventurous than hungry, but if he starts losing a lot of weight to bring him in again.
Every time I go to my vet I’m reminded of how much I love it. Now all that’s left to do is to transfer Chrestomanci’s records there.
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