When Ruth realized that her house felt empty of cats, she reached out to the local shelter to see if there were any older cats that needed a home. Ruth and Bébé connected upon meeting, and now this middle-aged cat has found a second home. Bébé, as it turns out, is a bit of a prankster while also bringing a calm joy into Ruth’s home and life.
Bébé developed a reoccurring sore on her face that needed examination by her veterinarian. At the same time, Ruth was recovering from a serious fracture and, while mobile, still needed to be mindful with her activity. Walking on icy streets while carrying a kennel full of protesting cat would not be a simple or safe task for her during this timeline.
Ruth’s son was assisting her while she recovered, but when this need for a vet exam arose, he was working out of territory and was therefore unavailable to assist.
Ruth’s personal healing had created a limitation for her in regards to Bébé: it is difficult not only to secure a wriggly cat in her kennel, but also to safely carry her to a waiting vehicle, especially in winter conditions.
How do we access veterinary care if we have difficulty transporting a pet to a vet clinic? Ruth’s description of her current realities reminded me that it is not always clear or easy to access health care for pets, whether that is due to transportation or mobility needs. With animals involved, an extra challenge typically lies in convincing them to cooperate (on human terms) once transportation and assistance is found.
Ruth had several options to choose from to help access care. Had Bébé’s need been appropriate for a virtual vet appointment, this would have eliminated the need for travel outside of the home. (As a registered veterinary technologist, I offer to assist the vet during exams.)
However, in Bébé’s case, her health concern required an in-person appointment at the vet clinic, so a virtual exam was not an option and the question of transportation remained. A final option for consideration was for Bébé to travel to the vet clinic while Ruth remained at home and I acted as proxy during the appointment.
Ruth chose the most straightforward approach: I would accompany Ruth and Bébé to the clinic, provide access to the veterinarian and then return them home.
Prior to my arrival, Ruth was confident she would be able to secure Bébé in her kennel, but this is where Bébé’s prankster personality shone through. Bébé is a smart cat who seemed to be aware that Ruth was less mobile during her recovery. On the day of the vet exam, Bébé tucked herself just out of reach behind the furniture, ensuring that Ruth was not able to secure her in the kennel.
While I was sure Bébé didn’t know she was scheduled for an appointment, she seemed to be aware (no matter the reason) that the kennel signalled an experience she was unlikely to enjoy. Once I arrived at the house, and after a brief rearranging of the furniture, I was able to reach Bébé and secure her inside the kennel with minimal fuss. With no further pranks or jokes from Bébé, she and Ruth reached the clinic for the appointment.
On the drive home, Ruth shared her relief in the ability to get herself and Bébé safely to the clinic, and she reflected that she had been better able to focus on the conversation with the vet. Also, knowing that she had reliable assistance, in a way that supported her current mobility requirements while her son was away, had reduced her stress and had brought her peace of mind. With a little support, Ruth was able to get Bébé’s medical concern diagnosed by the vet and was able to pick up the prescribed medication.
Once we returned to Ruth’s, I opened Bébé’s kennel and she rocketed out, returning to her hiding spot behind the furniture. I was certain, after some time to regain her dignity, that she would be back to spending time with Ruth and connecting in her calm and joyful feline way.
Author’s Note: Names of animals and people have been changed to protect their privacy.
