Vet tech restrained my can and shook her today ...

[5KidzRUs]

My kitten has had shots three times before at the pet shop that we bought her from. The pet shop was quick and efficient - we held the kitten and it was over in a flash.
Today we took her to a clinic for the first time - she did not like the (rough) tech and freaked out - hissing and very scared.
This is so unlike her - she is sooooooo docile and sweet and even though she is almost full grown she still nurses her 'mommy-blanket' every night :p
Anyway, the tech grabbed her roughly by the scruff and put her in some kind of immobilizing restraint position and took her out of the room.
There was a tiny pinhole scratch in the window on the door and we could see her stretch the cat out in a retrained postion, while roughly shaking (jerking) her. A second tech gave her the shots. My poor (part siamese) kitten was screaming so loud it sounded like a toddler being hurt and screaming.
She was brought back in and the tech told me not to touch her until she calmed down. I scooped her up and comforted her immediately and cradled her upsidedown (her favorite position) and then let my son take her to the car.
On the way out I asked the clerk at the front desk if this was common restraint/shaking and she said yes. She also said that I had the option of putting her in a bag they use and pull a leg out for the shots.

How on earth am I going to put her through this once a year - she is still tramatized and it is so sad to see.

Is this how vets treat noncompliant cats?

[Claire]

I would absolutely change vets. We have three cats, and none has ever been treated like that!

[Night Elf]

I've owned cats for 25 years and have never seen that behavior. My vet has techs that will hold the cat by leaving them laying on the table and putting the cat's back end under their arm. I don't know if I can explain it but it's never been rough and it's never been anything that made my cats unhappy. I'd change vets.

[Tammy]

and of course....change vets!

Tammy

[Cindyg]

Years ago, a dog trainer snatched my precious, gentle, sensitive Sheltie's neck so roughly that he yelped. Not only did I tear up then, I can almost tear up now remembering it. So, I'm truly sorry. But animals live in the moment. If your kitty is happy right now, he's happy.

[Tammy]

nt

[GothicGyrl]

Not only would I find another vet, I would march right in to this Vet's office, demand to speak to the VET and explain why he will NOT be getting my business ever again.

That is flat out animal abuse. I have a pit bull and when I walk in to the vets office, he actually wags his tail!! That's how it should be, not like this. I would also follow up the in person with a hand written letter describing the situation and why I am leaving.

I do NOT take kindly to people hurting my babies--animal or not.

[Laurie]

I'd take my cat to another vet ASAP to make sure that the shaking didn't harm it and I'd send a letter to the other vet to let him/her know about it. I'd probably send that letter with a cc to the local Humane Society or other animal welfare agency. I'd make sure that my concerns were documented, and if my cat started having seizures or something they'd be hearing from me again!

I've had cats all my life and no vet/tech has ever treated them roughly. They've always gotten their shots in the exam room, and some have complained more loudly than others but not because anyone jerked them around or shook them.

I'm sorry this happened to your kitty.

[5KidzRUs]

I heard him say something (good humoredly) to the effect of there being people in the lobby - something like that and he jingled his keys in our cats face to distract her.

This is a military vet clinic and the vet and most his staff are verrrrrrrrrrrrry sweet and just amazing with animals and people.

I am relieved to hear that this is not some hidden ritual that cat people have been dealing with for years - unbeknownst to me.

I am so mad at myself for not stopping her - my 16 yo daughter said she would have demanded it stop immediately if she had been in the room.
What happened to me - I used to be so on top of thing! Having 5 kids has worn me down ... or maybe Classical Ed. has worn me down lol!

Thank you all for your reassurrances and opinions!

[Jean in Wisc]

I've had two to three dozen cats--most being barn cats that we took in to neuter/spay, but some house cats. Most cats relate really well with the vet. Lots of times they have a 2nd person there to hold the cat while the vet does the shots or whatever needs to be done. They are always gentle.

I've had a couple cats, however, who got quite nasty. The vet explained that she was going to establish dominance by grabbing the cat by the scruff and giving him a bit of a shake--if that did not work, they would restrain him. The scruff shake mixed with the 2nd person's help has always worked.

So, yes, your vet appeared to use excess force. And yes, find a new vet.

[Needleroozer]

I would absolutely change vets. We have three cats, and none has ever been treated like that!

DITTO!!!

[Jean in Newcastle]

I changed to a new vet after I saw him chase my frightened cat around the room with a salmon net (he was mad at her because she had scratched him). She was so scared she had diarhea all over the exam room floor. The only reason I saw what happened is because I got suspicious when they started to insist that I couldn't be present during my cat's shots. I picked up my cat and never returned. My present vet let me hold her in my arms during the shots so that she would not be scared.

[Kris]

I've never seen the like -- and hope I never do. Ditto on the "find a new vet."

You shouldn't beat yourself up over not reacting immediately and being unsure of yourself. While you are supposed to be on top of things, you're also supposed to be able to trust the professionals you have to deal with in your life.

[Quiver0f10]

My 19 yo Dd is a vet nurse and works at a large animal clinic and she was shocked when I read her this. She said to change vets asap!

[Rhonda in TX]

This cat did NOT respond well to being examined. She was just awful, yet they did not treat her like that. They were firm, but gentle.

I would definitely find another vet.

We've had cats our whole married life and have never had one treated that way. I'm sorry for your kitty and for you. :(

[Pajama Mama]

We had cats in the past(and now a dog) and I've never experienced that behavior in a vet's office. When the person at the front desk said that it's common to treat animals that way-they were right. It's normal AT THAT OFFICE. The person at the front probably sees it alot so they think it's normal practice. That is a big red flag. I would never take a pet there again.

[momofkhm]

I have a housecall vet. She comes to my house (duh) by herself. Usually I've sealed the cat in the downstairs bathroom. The cat hates people! I'll get the cat wrapped up in a towel so she doesn't scratch me and bring her to the vet. Even my vet with my wild cat doesn't do what you describe. Yes, she holds the cat behind the nape of her neck but there is no shaking. The vet does it all by herself and does it quickly so we can let the cat go.

The vet see my dogs at the same time. She is very gentle with my old dog, talks to her the whole time in a soothing voice. (oh, she talks to the cat too, in a matter of fact voice.) She deals with my young dog very well too.

It's obvious to all that my vet loves animals. It sounds like you tech doesn't love animals. I would switch!

[Lisa at Home]

File a complaint at wherever is appropriate. That is appalling behavior, and it is NOT the norm. They sound very unprofessional. I'm sorry you and your kitty had that traumatizing experience.:(

~Lisa