kittens and vets..

[Catjane]

I think it affects different cats differently - some will never come to accept the vets, whilst others are quick to understand.  Again, it's all down to the individual, although I think most cats get over it even if they have an adverse reaction.  When Meesha last hurt her cruciate ligament, she actually seemed to know, and she limped into the carrier all by herself!  Sabby, on the other hand, will resist to the end, and will be really grumpy and jumpy for a day or so afterwards.  Shanti just doesn't care, either way!  I think she enjoys the change of scenery! 

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Issey spend most of her first year at the vets (cat flu, calici, URI, tumour)
and then when she had her babies she was back and forth again (mastitis)

It has done her no harm at all, infact she is the most loving of my 11

[Sarah (seldom_use)]

thanks for your replies everyone.

gillian - harry is the exact same as gwynnie, jumps at any noise now, which isn't like him

helen - it's strange how as soon as you pick them up they are absolutely fine again, i have to told harry during his vet visits now as he goes crazy when the vets pick him up, (he's not like that with anyone, except the vets ) they had to knock him out to look down his throat bc he put up such a fight

i just really hope that all these visits haven't left a major impact on him, he's had 4 visits now in 2 weeks he's still a little snuggle bum and all the vet nurses adore him

[Tiggy's Mum]

I don't know about affecting personality but I think the more times they go the less traumatic it becomes so it might not bother Harry so much going the next few times. 

When Riley was neutered he had a chest X-ray and they tried to do an ECG/ultrasound after he had come round but he was so uncoperative they had to give up in the end, I kept saying that I could come and hold him and he would be OK but the vet said I din't understand quite how upset he was getting and that even my presence probably wouldn't be able to calm him down sufficiently.  He went back the next day for the tests and when I picked him up the nurse said he was like a completely different cat - they couldn't beleive the change in him 

The boys are also quite thick when it comes to linking the baskets with vet visits, I'm sure they'll learn in time 

[Gillian Harvey]

was wondering, do you think if a kitten has been to the vet many times at an early age it could affect the way his personality will develop?

I've found this with little Gwynnie, since her 4 day stay at the vets, she became reactive to things she wasnt before - the hoover for instance. The couple of times I've had to take her for check ups since her stay there, she's been terrified when I've got the cat basket out. I think she is settling back down again though, and I'm hoping the change in behaviour is only temporary. The last time I took her, I sprayed feliway around/in the carrier and she was a little better.

[unseeliechylde]

Our two were about 5 months when we got them, but were both subject to several vet visits in their first couple of weeks, for jabs and neutering. The only long-term effects I've noticed is a hatred of the cat basket, moderate grumpiness following a visit (until turkey or some other treat is forthcoming), and an enhanced ability to look starved, pathetic and generally hard-done-to while sat in the waiting room 

[Millys Mum]

Taz has been affected by multiple vet visits as a youngster, he just has to hear a basket and his bladder is off 
He is a nutter tho 

[lisa77]

ahh hon I hope he is better after toms visit although i havent a clue your question.. sorry good luck xx   

[Ela]

I can obviously only speak  with my own experiences, some kittens we take in almost live at the vets at first and none have seemed to have a changed personality.

[Sarah (seldom_use)]

hi guys,

was wondering, do you think if a kitten has been to the vet many times at an early age it could affect the way his personality will develop?

i ask this bc since i had harry at the vets the other night, and the following morning, (and he'd been there the week before,) he's been a bit more grumpy than usual and seems a bit more frightnened by loud noises etc, whereas before he definetely wasn't. the vet's weren't rough with him but obv had to hold him tight and then he had injections etc

now i'm worried that i'm going to have to take him again tomorrow, and i don't want to frighten the little angel even more