To Vet or Not to Vet -- What Do You Think?

Last month we published an article addressing the health situation at cat show. The author, who asked to remain anonymous, suggested that every cat have a health certificate to be shown. They would produce the document at check-in the same as when a cat is flown. The author felt that this would reduce the number of health risks significantly while not increasing show fees astronomically. The alternative mentioned in the article was to increase show fees to cover the cost of a veterinarian for the show and for all cats to be checked prior to entering the show hall. Readers responded:

Dear Editor:

I'm not sure where you might live, but a health certificate from my vet, a cat clinic in Northern Virginia, costs me $40.00. If I go to 20 shows a year, which I probably do, that's $800 or more. I don't think I'll be doing that.

And you could say, well, would I be willing to spend $800 in vet bills? Sure. But to look at an additional $800 year after year just in case....no, I don't think so.

Plus, a standard health certificate is not going to include looking for ringworm; nor will it catch a nascent URI if done 10 days before the show.

Teri Matzkin
SaraJen Maine Coon Cats

Dear Editor:

I just read your article about the health certificte before a show. If I had to do this I would have to quit showing as I could not afford to take two cats to the vet eleven different times through the yr.. Not a good idea

Judy

Showing cats is not exactly a poor man's hobby as we all know. And the cost of veterinary care can quickly outstrip our pockets. Time at a cat show is always at a premium first thing in the morning since we are busy trying to set up and perform those last minute grooming tasks. When you stop and consider everything that goes into showing a cat, what is the real cost of attending a cat show? How much value do you place on your cat and his health? Is our current trend for non-vetted shows the best option? Or do we need to look for other solutions to the problem of cat health in the show hall? What do you think? We would welcome your response to this situation. You can email your response to the editor.