Herschel visits the vet
Our cats do not like visiting the vet. We have had cats in the past who have relished it, but Herschel and Jellicoe are averse. They make a lot of noise, but don’t follow it with any action.
Anyway, on Thursday it was Herschel’s turn to be checked over. It was raining and the cat basket is made of mesh, allowing the ingress of the nasty wet stuff. We haven’t got a custom-made cover so have to improvise with bin liners.
Herschel yowled all the way to the car and continued making piteous noises until Barry realised the poor cat couldn’t see him and lifted the cover. Herschel then settled in the car.
He was found to have a heart murmur, which is very common in cats, affecting about 40% of them. Herschel’s is quite a soft murmur, but as he is now thirteen years old and so considered elderly, it will be checked regularly to determine whether further steps need to be taken.
The vet said that ticks and fleas are making a much earlier appearance this year. Normally, they are seen from March onwards, but have been seen since January in 2026.
My Susie enjoys going to the vet. She's an inside cat and I think she enjoys the whole experience. Herschel is very handsome!
ReplyDeleteHerschel says, 'Thank you!'
DeleteI did not know that heart murmurs are common in cats. I don't think Lola has one. She will be 18 in July and I am noticing signs that she is slowing down. Eating less and reluctant to jump up unless it is onto the bed where the covers allow her to grab.
ReplyDeleteCats don't show their age in the same way as dogs.They don't seem to go grey, for example. Lola is doing well.
DeleteCats do go grey, "no-one's" cat Missy was all black until she was around Lola's age then started to get grey around the nose and later some grey hairs appeared in the rest of her coat but not many. She died a week before her 21st birthday.
DeleteAging is no fun all the best to Herschel. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSome days ageing seems to be harder than on other days.
DeleteNo body enjoys going to the vet! I had one cat, the only one of many, refused to go , no way! Never had kitten shots or anything else in his long life- he outlived all of the others - going to the vet will shorten lives , they reckoned.
ReplyDeleteGoing to the vets is stressful and that cannot be good, for pets or owners!
DeleteThat is a most reproachful look you are getting!
ReplyDeleteThat is a well-practised expression.
DeleteI will have a cat blog tomorrow, not pictures this time.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to it.
DeleteThat is interesting - I did not know heart murmurs were common in cats. My eldest two are 11 & 12 now so are considered "senior cats". I truly hate taking them to the Vet (or anywhere) that might involve a cat carrier - I bring it out & they hide instantly!
ReplyDeleteI've only just discovered about heart murmurs in cats . . . learning all the time.
DeleteI've had so many cats but never knew that about heart murmurs. I hope Herschel continues to be well.
ReplyDeleteLikewise...
DeleteThank you both.
DeleteMy last cat develped a heart murmur as she got older, plus breathing problems due to liquid in her lungs. For the last two years or so of her life, she was on daily medication and we went for regular checkups. I hope Herschel has several more years without too many health issues.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meike. Herschel has been healthy to this point, so we cross our fingers and hope.
DeleteMollie my cat is probably 23 years old and sleeps most of the day, not all night though! A rescue cat, she is skinny, though eats well and called by the RSPCA 'A golden oldie'. But has never been to the vet yet whilst in my care, she would probably need a sedative.
ReplyDeleteMollie has had a charmed life with you, Thelma.
DeleteGlad the murmur is mild and he settled once reassured, though it sounds like a stressful trip for everyone
ReplyDeleteI don't know who suffers most - human or animal. 😳 It's a short trip, though, less than five minutes.
DeleteLilly dislikes the vet and has been know to have her claws out, she is due her check up in a couple of weeks, she hates the carrier as she often goes to the cattery in it, another place she does not like. Hope Herschel stays well.
ReplyDeleteSome animals loathe vet visits and aren't afraid to show it.
DeleteIt's a shame that the parasites like ticks and fleas are out so early for you. Over here Lyme disease is just getting rampant. Herschell's a brave Kitty has none of them like to get out to go see the doctor, at least in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteLyme disease is nasty. It's not so prevalent round here - I hope it stays that way.
DeleteA vet appointment is due for our Jass, but sorry guys and Jass, my medical appointments are more important.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't have to be 'either or' . . . 😀😂
ReplyDeleteWhat a traumatic day for Herschel. Nothing worse than flea and tick season.
ReplyDeleteHe was glad to reach home again and was extra cuddly.
DeleteI remember the trips to the vets. It was never well received by our fur baby, no matter how we tried to make it as pleasant as we could. All the best to Herschel.
ReplyDeleteThere's no telling how animals will react. It is a shame when they get so stressed.
DeleteThe Great Tuxedo never liked going to the vet but once there he would stand on his hind legs and wrap his arm around the neck of anyone checking checking him out. He became the cat that hugged people at the vet's office.
ReplyDeleteAww, how sweet.
DeletePoor Hershel. He deserves some extra treats and cuddles.
ReplyDeleteHe's quite a spoilt boy.
DeleteMy dog Sammy (10) feels the same way as Herschel. However, he cannot tolerate going to the vet so now our vet comes to us. She left the regular practice because she got tired of the corporate garbage of having to see x# of animals per hour, plus being forced to push products, etc. etc.. In the US it seems everything is owned by corporations these days--from regular doctor's practices to veterinarians, so our vet opened her own mobile pet practice. I have to medicate the dog before the visit because he gets so twisted the vet worries about his heart. She comes in and sits on the floor in the living room and lets him come to her. She feeds him small treats. Talks gently and then leisurely examines him as he'll allow. Gives him vaccines quietly. No other barking dogs or yowling cats around to send him frantic (he used to howl pitifully at the practice hearing other crying animals). Not cheap, but worth it. Glad Herschel managed to make it through his visit without too much distress.
ReplyDeleteCorporate greed is paramount in everything, it seems. How lucky you are to have such a compassionate vet and how lucky Sam is to have such a caring owner.
DeleteThat's interesting about fleas and ticks. In all the time we had Olga, I don't ever remember her getting a flea or a tick. Of course we treated for them, but they seem much less aggressive here than they do in the USA. In Florida, all my animals had fleas, no matter how much we did to stop them.
ReplyDeleteLyme disease is the big danger here. My son-in-law had it a few years ago - it's not nice.
DeleteMy cat hated going in the car period and was ok with the vet. She was are one and only cat and has been gone now for over 15 years. She was a pretty white cat but not very friendly. In retrospect I think we just didn't understand cats ( we had always had dogs). We now have a grand cat and have a much better understanding of cat behavior. I do get nervous about ticks.
ReplyDeleteTicks are horrible creatures.
DeleteI had one cat (some years back now) who liked going to the vet. In fact he just liked going anywhere. He liked adventure and attention full stop. Our current feline family member, Bella, is a more typical traveler/patient. She hates it and does not hesitate to make her feelings known, yowling all the way there and all the way back.
ReplyDeleteUnpredictability is a cat's prime characteristic! 🐈
DeletePoor Herschel. I didn't know cats were prone to heart murmurs. I like cats, although i never owned one.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't know there's anything wrong, so he's quite happy.😀
DeleteOh poor Herschel, yowling all the way to the vet, cats really know how to make a dramatic entrance! I’m glad he settled once he could see Barry, what a relief. A soft heart murmur sounds manageable, especially with regular checks, but I can imagine it worries you a bit. Are Jellicoe and Herschel extra cuddly after these stressful trips? Wishing both of them a calm, cozy weekend. I’ve just shared a new travel post too, you’re warmly invited to read it: www.melodyjacob.com
ReplyDeleteThey are quite demanding cats, wanting cuddles for much of the time.
DeleteAww such a sweet photograph.
ReplyDeleteGlad the murmur is mild though.
All the best Jan
Cats are very photogenic.
DeleteOh boy, I bet that was not fun. And ticks and fleas already? Yuck!
ReplyDeleteHorrible things, ticks.
DeleteWhat a sweet photo of Herschel, but he is very photogenic, after all! I hope the heart murmur does not progress very quickly and he has some good years to enjoy yet. I'm not sure we ever had a non-stressful trip to the vet, although some were definitely worse than others.
ReplyDeleteTaking the dogs to the vets is definitely preferable.
DeleteAh, I do hope he's recovered from his ordeal!
ReplyDeleteBack to normal now - until next time.
DeleteHelloooo, Herschel. You are a very pretty kitty. I'm sorry you had to visit the vet. What a terrible, traumatic event for a beautiful boy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Cats really are dramatic, sometimes.
DeleteThat's a nightmare to take a cat to the vet ! they all sing Operas the whole way long. All (except Arthur) behaved like angels while they were on the vet's table. I let them free in the car on the return trip. Arthur was so aggressive it was impossible to take him out of the cage and our vet had to give him a shot to calm him down. He looked like a furious white tiger, all claws out the teeth too and the ears on the head ! I had never seen that. Because usually he likes our vet lady who is very soft and friendly and let him watch the poor victims on the table. We both couldn't understand what he had, because he had nothing. In the car he did his show for the kids and behaved completely normal. Fortunately he had to go only 3 times to the vet. He died on my kitchen chair, peacefully sleeping and never woke up again. He was 19 and it was in 2019. Such a special boy !
ReplyDeleteNone of our cats have ever been aggressive with the vets, luckily.
DeletePoor Herschel is so brave for going to the vet in the rain, even with the funny bin liner cover, and I really hope his heart murmur stays nice and quiet since he is such a sweet senior boy. I hope you have the most relaxing weekend ever with your adorable kitties.
ReplyDeleteAll quiet and peaceful here, thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh poor Herschel. I am glad that he made it to the vets and got his check up, at least the heart murmour can be monitored now. Just don't tell him that means more car journeys and vets to visit. Wishing him many more healthy and happy years with you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you. 😊
ReplyDelete