A very good client of mine went on a 10 day vacation, leaving her 15 year old cat home alone. The neighbor was to check on Kitty daily, offering fresh food and water. But, the worst thing happened: the neighbor forgot. Kitty went without food OR water for at least 7 days. When her owners arrived home, Kitty was alive but dehydrated and listless. With medical attention, Kitty was able to recover from this episode, but the owner was heartsick about what her beloved cat had endured. Kitty inspired me to cover this topic today. Here are 5 things to think about before your next vacation.
Keep in regular contact with your pet caregiver while on vacation. In this day and age of twitter, facebook and gmail, daily contact is easy and convenient and reassuring. A daily "doing great today" or quick camera picture of Fluffy sleeping on the bed is proof positive that things at home are going well.
Notify your veterinarian of your plans. If a stranger needs to bring your cat in for a medical problem while you are away, this advanced notification will streamline the process.
Put all of your pet care instructions in writing each time you go away. Include how much to feed and how often, how often to scoop the box, what to expect as far as appetite and activity level, what to watch for that would indicate a call to the vet is needed (and leave the clinic name and number).
Consider a professional pet sitter, or a boarding facility- especially if your cat is geriatric or has medical problems. There is much less risk of an unnoticed problem developing if a professional is watching your cat. For example, at our boarding facility we document the appetite, urine and stool output twice a day for each boarder . A professional would be able to identify a problem early, before it became serious.
Have a back up plan in place. If a problem develops with your pet, what will you do. What if your pet caregiver can't follow thru with care while you are gone. It is essential that you leave an emergency phone number no matter where you are going. Perhaps leave a phone number of a close family member in case you can't be reached, or aren't able to return early if necessary. Have the pet caregiver contact your veterinarian if they have questions about care while you are gone. These plans may not be needed, but are much easier to put into place before you leave on your trip.
We all deserve a vacation, but it is so important to know that our pets are healthy and happy while we are off traveling!
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic
Version en Español (Spanish Version) http://wp.me/piXX1-1d
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing in spanish!
ReplyDeleteGood day to you all from United State,I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last eight years and had constant pain, especially in my private parts. During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulate all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B diabetes) by this Man Dr MAGGI and she also gave the email address of this man and advise me to contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr MAGGI telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man, few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as Dr MAGGI assured me ,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed, behold it was TRUE, email Dr Dr MAGGI on : (drmaggieherbalhome82@gmail.com) whatsapp him : +33753179743
ReplyDelete