Holiday Trip with a sick kitty at home.. what do you do?

Status
Not open for further replies.
cornad

cornad

Member
Our family purchased tickets to go cross-country months ago to see our extended family during Christmas time. I would say mid-November Spence starting getting sick. We found out he has pancreatitis again but a mass was found on palpation by the vet. Not sure if it is cancer but we are starting a steroid trial on Wednesday for a week and see how Spence will respond.

Now we're all unsure what do about Spence and our trip. Usually, when he was healthy we leave lots of food (he was eating dry at the time) and water throughout our entire house, extra litter boxes and he has always been fine. But now he is sick, we can't do that.

Does anyone have any experience with this? One sister votes we take him with us but I don't trust plane pet carriers. I think we should find someone to pet sit but we don't know anyone who even likes cats, never the less knowledge on caring for a sick one. Do pet sitting places even have any knowledge about sick animals? I really don't want to leave him behind but I wish I can stay--my mother and family are protesting.

What do you guys do in that situation? Who will give him his meds? I'm not going to leave him alone, that's not an option of course. Just curious about what others do in this situation.

Thanks in advance.
 
I know a lot of Vet office around where I live actually offer boarding for kitties and dogs... If you can afford it I would recommend you check some out. No better place for a kitty to be if something should happen than at the vets office where the vets are there to try to treat them. Make sure they are very reputatable and dont be afraid to ask for a list of full services and how everything is done. Also dont be afraid to buddy up with one of the vet techs and ask them to do any special favors your kitty might like. Worste they could say is no right.
 
You might check with the local vets and shelters, sometimes they have Vet Techs that will "pet sit" a sick animal and even give shots. At the very least they might have a list of people they recommend.

Also Max flew to Nebraska from Boston Mass, and he did fine. If you decide to take Spence with you just make sure you get him a carrier that is design to be used for shipping. It will need to be big enough for him to sit up or lay down in and have the dishes that fasten to the front of the carrier. Oh yeah if you do take him...remember the pee pads, he'll thank you later :-D

Mel & Max
 
One sister votes we take him with us but I don't trust plane pet carriers.
Click to expand...

If you are flying with Spence, he would be in a soft sided carrier under the seat in front of you. It usually costs about $100-$125 to bring a cat on a plane asa carry-on.
 
You can also try going through

Professional United Pet Sitters
http://www.petsits.com/index.php

and

Pet Sitters International
www.petsit.com

Both organization maintain a database of professional pet sitters. They will come to your home to check in on kitty, clean litter boxes, provide medication if needed. General fee for such types of visits should range from $15-20 per visit.

This time of year it pays to hire a professional sitter, not a hobby sitter. Look for someone who is licensed, insured, bonded and pet first aid certified. In your case even someone with a few years experience.

Draw back is it is the holiday and they are booking for the busy holiday season. Even if you decide to go with the vet...make arrangements very soon they fill up at this time of year too.
 
I guess what I am looking for is an affordable situation that I can trust. I literally just wrapped up nursing school and I'm jobless at the moment. What do you think would be the cheapest situation? I asked my family and they are against someone coming into our home and taking care of him. SO I guess that one isn't an option.

We also worry about Spence missing us. He's been very needy and clingy since he got sick with constipation in April, even after he got better. Poor kitty!

Decisions, decision. We go to the vet tmrw about the steroids I will definitely ask about boarding situations although I fear it will be very expensive.
 
cornad said:
I guess what I am looking for is an affordable situation that I can trust. I literally just wrapped up nursing school and I'm jobless at the moment. What do you think would be the cheapest situation? I asked my family and they are against someone coming into our home and taking care of him. SO I guess that one isn't an option.

We also worry about Spence missing us. He's been very needy and clingy since he got sick with constipation in April, even after he got better. Poor kitty!

Decisions, decision. We go to the vet tmrw about the steroids I will definitely ask about boarding situations although I fear it will be very expensive.
Click to expand...
Well heaven's! Forgive me for being blunt...but what do they expect? To just leave him without treatment while you are all gone? That is animal cruelty and transporting a sick kitty on a plane? Lord the stress alone isn't something I would want on a sick kitty.

I guess your only choice then is to not go on this cross country trip with the family. You'll make the trip another time when your financial situation is better and kitty is feeling better too.
 
Blue said:
cornad said:
I guess what I am looking for is an affordable situation that I can trust. I literally just wrapped up nursing school and I'm jobless at the moment. What do you think would be the cheapest situation? I asked my family and they are against someone coming into our home and taking care of him. SO I guess that one isn't an option.

We also worry about Spence missing us. He's been very needy and clingy since he got sick with constipation in April, even after he got better. Poor kitty!

Decisions, decision. We go to the vet tmrw about the steroids I will definitely ask about boarding situations although I fear it will be very expensive.
Click to expand...
Well heaven's! Forgive me for being blunt...but what do they expect? To just leave him without treatment while you are all gone? That is animal cruelty and transporting a sick kitty on a plane? Lord the stress alone isn't something I would want on a sick kitty.

I guess your only choice then is to not go on this cross country trip with the family. You'll make the trip another time when your financial situation is better and kitty is feeling better too.
Click to expand...

I mentioned above that there's no way I am leaving him alone or without treatment. It isn't an option.. like I said above. This isn't just my kitty, it's our family cat, I'm trying to formulate some ideas and see what we can do as a family. Although my money situation is short because I'm a college student, there might be a way. I'm looking forward to tomorrow to see what referrals the vet may have. This is not animal cruelty, this is a brainstorm of ideas.
 
Bluntness again.

If it were me, I'd just stay home with Spence.

To heck with the family's preferences.

If it were a sick child, then what ?

Spence is a member of the family and entitled to proper care.
 
You have a sick kitty so your options are actually minimal.

A regular kennel won't take a sick animal to board.

That leaves you with a vet or a pet sitter. You said the family won't agree to a pet sitter stopping in while you are gone,

so that means the vet

or you don't go on this trip.

I know I am being very blunt, but I am being straightforward with you too. I am a professional pet sitter in Cleveland. Not a hobby sitter, a professional. Believe me when I say I understand your family's hesitation to turning keys over to a stranger...I get that.

Again, use the sites I directed you too. PSI looks to be your best bet. A lot are listed with the BBB's and Angie's List too. Ask your vet...sometimes they have someone they trust!

But the reality sounds like:

  • Don't go.
    Vet
 
I can choose not to visit my sister in Los Angeles this year.
But I can't choose not visiting my parents once a year (24+ hrs flight away!) and staying with my cat.
Plus my parents are too old for such a long flight over here.
My only and best option is having a pet sitter for now.

Does your family against having someone comes to your house because he/she's a stranger?
We've done that and we found having a full time local pet sitter came over is MUCH BETTER than asking my neighbor---- I do think I can trust her. My pet sitter e-mailed me about her visit everyday, never forgot to give fresh water and clean litter box.
Staying home is more comfortable for my cat.

Or, have new post and see if there's any member in NYC are willing to take your cat?
 
Hi, I live in NYC and when I go out of town I have used "Peter's Pets and Katie's kitty's" this was before Imogen got sick but I do recall they say they have people who give shots etc. I have used a few of their people, 2 retired so I had to get new ones and I have loved them all. They bought presents for Imogen and sent me photos as well as gave daily updates when I needed them. totally trusted them in my home, this is what they do and Peter's has a great reputation. If your family concedes on having someone come over this would be a great place to start.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top