? Advice please on boarding a diabetic kitty

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Hi, we have a trip coming up next month, and for various reasons (I'll spare you the details) we may have to leave Phoebe Squeak at a vet hospital.
My question is this -- if she is so scared at first that she won't eat or only eats a few bites, what's the best way to handle it in terms of her shot? Do I ask them to skip the shot or give a reduced dose? Any and all advice appreciated. Thanks!
Happy weekend!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Is there no chance of finding a petsitter that could come to your home where she'd be more comfortable?

The problem with vet boarding is they have a tendency to do whatever they feel is right, despite what the owner may have told them.

But yeah, I think they should be told that if she doesn't eat a decent amount, they should skip the shot (or greatly reduce the dose as long as they are willing to test)

We usually do suggest lowering the dose a little ANY time the normal caretaker isn't around since most cats don't eat as well with "strangers" around and it's not easy to find anybody willing to test as much as we do.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

I lucked out with getting an in-home cat sitter to the testing and shooting. I have always given a "vacation" dose for the CG to give. The closer you get to your take off, you can post and ask for what people think will be a good vacation dose.

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Is there no chance of finding a petsitter that could come to your home where she'd be more comfortable?

The problem with vet boarding is they have a tendency to do whatever they feel is right, despite what the owner may have told them.

But yeah, I think they should be told that if she doesn't eat a decent amount, they should skip the shot (or greatly reduce the dose as long as they are willing to test)

We usually do suggest lowering the dose a little ANY time the normal caretaker isn't around since most cats don't eat as well with "strangers" around and it's not easy to find anybody willing to test as much as we do.

Thank you very much. You are SO right about vets not following the owner's instructions! I am currently switching vets for just this reason. I'm hopeful the new place will agree with and follow the instructions we leave. I meet the new doctor on Tues, so fingers and paws crossed.

The problem with leaving her at home is that she is currently a 2 person kitty -- one to hold her and the other to test & shoot. I don't have 2 people who can both come at the same time 12 hours apart each day to test & shoot. She is a rescue and lived on the streets of NYC for a long time. We got her when she was about 2 years old, but she still has her street smarts. I hope that as she gets used to this new routine she will become a 1 person kitty -- at this point I can test/shoot myself, but nobody else can. She gets very stressed and will stop at nothing (including scratching and biting) to struggle and get away if anyone else tries to hold her down.
At the vet she is much easier to handle, I guess because she's not as comfortable there, and of course they are pros, but it usually takes 2 techs as well. I have a friend who works as a receptionist at the new vet I am trying, and Phoebe Squeak knows her, so my friend can stop by for petting sessions. Also, they have a quiet boarding area for cats only, so I hope she'll relax a bit without dogs barking right next to her, which is what she had to deal with at our former vet. Sorry for the long story, but I wanted you to know that I totally agree that she would be more comfortable at home and I'm working toward making that possible. Thanks again as always for your help and advice. I really appreciate it.