Thank You, COTHers

[FrittSkritt]

@Rackonteur, I’m so sorry you went through with all of that, but I am PROUD of you for standing up for yourself and protecting your kitty. The vet’s office should have kicked that owner out immediately for that behavior, and I would be raising it to the clinic head if you can.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get some pepper spray and have it on hand for your next appointment or any other situation where there’s a dog with a f*ckwit owner on the other end of the leash. One hit and they’ll back right off.

[Fiesta01]

@chestnutmarebeware

I’m constantly amazed at what dog owners let their pets get away with in vets’ waiting rooms. Years ago in Colorado the vet I used had separate waiting rooms for cats and dogs, and that was so much less stressful on everyone.

My cat’s vet practice is called “The Cat Doctor.” Only kitties are welcome. Much less stressful!!

[Fiesta01]

So relieved that both you and your kitty are safe. Hugs to both of you.

[colorfan]

Wow!! I am so glad you and kitty are ok! Irresponsible dog owners!! I have seen kitties come in to the vet’s on a leash in owners arms. Another good reason for a carrier. I hope the clinic made it clear to the dog owner that wasn’t acceptable.

[endlessclimb]

@FrittSkritt

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get some pepper spray and have it on hand for your next appointment or any other situation where there’s a dog with a f*ckwit owner on the other end of the leash.

Please do not do this in an enclosed room with other people that aren’t f*ckwit owners.

I’d be PISSED if my dog got a whoof of pepper spray at the vet, for any reason, period.

[chestnutmarebeware]

@endlessclimb

I’d be PISSED if my dog got a whoof of pepper spray at the vet, for any reason, period.

Lol, I’d be pissed if I got pepper-sprayed by default (that stuff hangs in the air and spreads!) by someone aiming for a dog in a confined space.

If anyone sprays that stuff in an enclosed ROOM, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre-er better be in there swinging his chainsaw at all of us. There’s no other excuse…

[endlessclimb]

I can easily flush my eyes out, after giving the spray-er a piece of my mind. The dog wouldn’t know WTF happened or why!

Screw that, please don’t spray pepper spray in a vet clinic. If nothing else just ask to wait in the car. Stupid owners can not be fixed. I despise going to the vet, mostly due to the waiting room. People letting their dogs try and go sniff other dogs - we are at the VET. You don’t know why I’m here, what if my dog is sick? Get away from me!

[OverandOnward]

Agree on withholding the pepper spray, even though I get the urge to use it …

But I think the situation is another layer to the ‘waiting room’, and that’s after the exam is concluded and the owner is going through the checking out procedure.

My last vet had modified that as well, to make use of portable payment devices and have owners check out in the exam room, away from other animals.

Because that’s a whole other awkward scene, depending on the owner & pet being back in the waiting room at the front counter to review the bill and pay, or doing that at a counter elsewhere. Other pets are coming and going and/or, of course, back into the waiting room scenario.

The most awkward part is that it’s not usually feasible for the owner to first take the pet to be stashed, alone, in a now-hot car. While the owner then returns inside to review and pay the bill. Where I live a car sitting in a parking lot will be an oven even on many winter days. And of course leaving the pet alone may not be a great idea, either.

I think the conveniences of modern check-out options, and continuing to use exam rooms to keep animals separated, is likely the best way to go, at this point. Hopefully clinics are thinking about this as well.

[endlessclimb]

Agreed, and that’s a great idea from your vet!

[Christa_P]

I haven’t had very long waits in the waiting room at my small animal vet, I go in and usually are put in an exam room in a few minutes to wait. When we’re done we go out the backdoor of the exam room and checkout is in a separate hallway from the waiting room.

[SusanO]

I know the OP could not do this since she didn’t drive a car to the vet’s office, but I always keep my cat in the carrier in the car until they are ready to see the cat. If it is hot I go outside to the car, get inside and run the AC until the car is cool. And before I pay for services I put the cat back in my car. I have never had one attacked like this but there seems to be some obsession with a few dog owners that everybody loves their dog and it must be allowed to run all over the place. Even if it is friendly I find having a dog eyeballing the cat inside the carrier does not make the cat feel safe and secure. And even with the cat in the car I have seen some big dogs that the owner cannot handle get loose and create havoc. So I was glad the cat was safe from all of this. I think separate waiting rooms or waiting in the car is a good idea.

I would have kicked too. You don’t mess with my kitties if they are behaving themselves.

[Rackonteur]

Everybody, thank you so much for your care and concern and sympathy.
Velvet kitty is fine. I seem to have suffered some sort of delayed stress reaction: pain all day yesterday and a feeling like I’d chugged three mugs of coffee. This morning was so good to just sit here playing word games on my phone while Velvet slept in her bed by the patio door. She loves her sunbaths.

I’ve read all y’all have said and y’all have given me a lot of good ideas to think about. Our next vet visit isn’t until November thank goodness! My new neighbor and
her kitty use another vet in town. There are only three animal clinics here and i believe I’ve got the best of the lot.

They told me Tuesday that the crazy dog and owner had never been there before and were walk-ins. Hopefully they won’t come back. I almost always hold Velvet in my lap in her carrier but on Tuesday i put her in her carrier on the floor to get my phone out. I will never do that again! The cat side was unusually full that morning; otherwise i would have set her in a chair beside mine.

I appreciate so much your support of my kitty and me and your advice!

[FrittSkritt]

Well, I’d like to think you’re a responsible owner whose dog wouldn’t attack another animal, so I think you’d be safe. But in other situations - e.g. outdoors with an off-leash dog trying to kill my (non-existent dog) - I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. Rather that than get injured myself trying to break up a fight.

[endlessclimb]

Outside be my guest! I still wouldn’t, because in a fight you’re going to nail both dogs. My luck I’d be down wind, too.

[FrittSkritt]

I think if it hits both dogs and they both retreat, that’s better than trying to drag one off the other and getting a nasty bite in the process. But yeah, you better have good aim lest you hit yourself and the dogs keep going at it.

[endlessclimb]

Could you slide the carrier under the chair? That might “hide” it well enough she’d be less likely to be noticed.

[endlessclimb]

I think it would be best used if a dog is on approach. Put your dog behind you, spray approaching dog. And be upwind!

I can’t think that fast, so I’ll just stick with my “get my dog behind me, get big and growl/scream”, followed by telling off the owner with no recall on their dog.

[Rackonteur]

Good thought.

[shiloh]

OMG. Glad you and Miss Velvet got out okay. If that had been me, the dog would have been a grease spot on the floor when I got done with it. And the owner not too far behind. It drives me crazy when people can’t/won’t control their dogs.

[Cat_Tap]

I take my cats to a Cat Clinic, cats only no dogs which makes life a lot easier. Since they specialize in cats I have found they are much gentler when handling the cats.