Mancat Monday with Nurse Evan

Today, for Mancat Monday, you all get a dose of Nurse Evan.

Once a year or so, an old injury to my neck and shoulder likes to flare up. That happened this weekend. When this is going on, I have to take a muscle relaxant for a day or two in order to be able to properly move again. Between the inability to move and the overall side effects of the muscle relaxant, I'm not much use. So, I usually end up spending the day on the couch. When I do so, Evan always keeps me company. He gives me lots of cuddles and never leaves my side. He's pretty much the best nurse in the world.

Nurse Evan and all of us here wish you a magnificent Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

How about another Poe-inspired flashback doodle? This one of course again stars his kitty Catterina, and a certain haunted house from my favorite Poe short story, that being "The Fall of the House of Usher".

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Tip of the Day

We hope you're not getting bored with our tips on feline vet visits, because we still have some more for you. Today's tip is to, if needed, take precautions for the safety of both yourself and your kitty, namely when it comes time to load a kitty up. We're primarily referring to how to safely get an anxious or aggressive kitty into a carrier. We've already given tips on using methods such as leaving the carrier out, putting treats or toys in it, using Feliway, and even using sedating medications if needed. That all being said, for some cats, some or all of the aforementioned methods simply won't work. Even sedatives can be overridden if a cat becomes agitated enough. In such cases, it is important to take precautions to keep you and your cat safe when it comes time to get said kitty in a carrier.

When getting an anxious or aggressive cat into a carrier, a simple towel or blanket could potentially be your best friend. Wrapping your cat in a towel, and putting them in the carrier when they are thus confined, can potentially keep those claws and teeth in check. At the same time, make sure that you have the sufficiently sized carrier placed in a way that loading the cat is as easy as possible. This may mean using a top-loading carrier, or placing a front-loading carrier on its back side so that the door faces up. If a towel or blanket is not enough protection, then you can also look into using thick gloves specifically designed to keep kitty teeth and claws from penetrating, thereby keeping your hands and arms safe.

Some cats are simply less willing to visit the vet and are overall less amenable than others. Differences in personality are part of what make kitties so unique, after all. That being said, if your cat is one who is anxious, aggressive, or otherwise difficult to handle, always take precautions to keep everyone involved safe when vet appointments roll around. When in doubt, of course discuss with your veterinarian the best options for handling your cat.