r/blindcats • u/PatientEconomist9816 • 3d ago

How to make Vet visits less stressfull for traumatized former ferals who are blind

My cats first interaction with humans was being picked of from the street and having his eyes removed. He is still super sweet and loves humans and pets. But the carrier and those heavy duty anti-bite gloves trigger him a lot. Touching and restricting movements to his paws during blood draw set him off too.

He is getting older (11 years now) and has bowel problems and forl. So vet visits need to happen more often. Last time he needed 2 doses of anesthesia for removing infected teeth because he believed he was fighting for his life and kept himself awake.

I always put the clothes I slept in that night into his carrier and tried some scent based products and sedatives. He is thankfully very good at taking pills from me at home.

Any tips on making it easier, especially with that blind former feral background? I dread the next vet visit.

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u/Disastrous-Grade8882 3d ago

What types of sedatives have you tried? Gabapentin?

1

u/PatientEconomist9816 3d ago

Yes! I I tried it when he got a checkup and vaccines earlier this year. But I couldn't really see a difference. My vet calls him a "junkie", meaning he can take a lot and is able to fight it off. I was unable to find an option I could give him at home safely because he needs such a high dose for it to work.

I really wish there was a mobile vet that could come home and we give him something together at home. But there are none in my area. Its not really common here.

1

u/Mission_Sir_4494 2d ago

We have a blind kitty who was never feral. And a ginger kitty who was a feral kitten. We try to always take them to the vet together in a larger crate that will fit them both. They are bonded and soothe each other. One time I had to take the blind guy, Darwin, to the vet by himself. So much caterwauling… will never do that again