<idontmind@gmail.com> wrote in rec.pets.cats.health+behav:

I have a group who will support that.  They've seen boths sides of
Kami.  What?  Did they think I was joking about the good, sweet,
beautiful princess kitty?

This is true. And another good reason while those yearly exams will
give you more chances to observe their reactions at exams as well as to
different people.

I've been very pleased with both of my vets. I've had to leave my dog
at the one vet on 6 different occasions. She had mange and required a
special bath applied just above her eye. She is a rather shy dog from
previous abuse, and she will bite during grooming sometimes (she has
bitten me a couple times if I snagged her hair). So, I know she can be
difficult. They loved her, and she came out with a waggy tail.

Maynard had to stay the day once when he got a bad abcess. It was a
really busy day with several emergencies (at least one dog hit by a
car), so he was there awhile. They said he was a perfect gentleman, and
so well behaved that they didn't have to drug him when they shaved him
and cleaned out the abcess.

And JayJay, my newest boy. He went in with severe diarhea about a week
after I got him. Basically, a gentle giant, but not so happy when I
tried to clean his butt. He bit me, didn't cut the skin, but did rip
the vinyl glove I was wearing. So, while they he was there at the vet,
I asked them to shave some of the longer fur so it wold be better for
both of us. The vet came back and said it took 3 of them to do the job.
I've had to do a few trims since then, and I agree. He kicks hard, so
it takes at least one person holding him well while I do the trimming
and risk the  kicks. He's not as bad before, but he's 18lbs of muscle,
and he can kick hard. I haven't had to trim him since we had our lesson
on nail trimming and kicking. So, he may not be so bad about trimming
now that he has had some lessons on kicking and how it is NOT allowed.

All of them were handled well, both in front of me and, from the
reactions of my animals as well as the people, while they are in the
back room as well.

I do admit that I have been lucky. Most of them are nervous and want to
hide in their carriers, but none of them have ever bitten (except Jenny
when getting groomed). Nobody freaks out and attacks. Kira is extremely
well behaved when she is sick. Really the only time that she doesn't
bite. She's always been a biter, but never at the vet's office. She has
let me do exams on her, and she will grumble when I find the spot the
hurts. She seems to understand that I am trying to fix the problem. The
only one that struggles at the vet is Jay Jay, and that is more of an
attempt to escape. He tries to push his way out of your arms. And he
kicks. He also makes some really lame growly noises that sound more
like a whine.

Knowing what they are like on a regular basis will help me know in the
future how they are doing. Just like I test a potentially sick cat by
offering them their favorite food. If they pass up a favorite, it's an
automatic vet trip. Unfortunately, Jay Jay jas no favorite. He just
eats kibble. On very rare occasions, he might eat one bite of chicken,
or couple pieces of shredded cheese. He won't eat canned food, tuna,
shrimp, or anything else you would expect. He's hard to test. Maynard
was easy. When I saw him show excitement for his favirite food and then
turn away without eating - that's when I knew his liver failure was too
far advanced. As their owners, we still know them better than anybody
else.