Conference misery::feline_v1

    Bonnie:
    
    I'm always present when my cats receive their injections and the shots
    are not given under the neck, they are given in the area sort of below
    the scruff/between the shoulders - the skin there is loose and the vet
    lifts it up and injects the needle and I've never felt a scab or
    anything as a result.  They did take the cats back to the lab to draw
    blood for the Felv test and for other procedures but booster shots that
    are part of a yearly check up have always been administered in our
    presence.  
    
    This is the first time that I've heard of an injection being given
    under the neck and am interested to hear if other cats are being given
    their shots there.
    
    Giudi +3

    opps, I forgot to mention this in .1, maybe it's from where they draw
    the blood for the Felv test and not from the shot.
    
    Giudi

Bon,

The area that you describe sounds like the area that a vet would use to extract
blood for a Felv test. They pull it from the jugular in some vet offices.  It is
also more likely that that is what happened since you mentioned that the area
was wet with alcohol when the cat came back out.  Most vet will usually scrub
the neck with alcohol before drawing blood, but most vets will not scrub the 
area with alcohol when giving routine vaccinations.  Routine vaccinations are
generally given at the scruff, between the shoulder blades, unless the vaccine
is supposed to be given IM (in the muscle) like some rabies shots.

As for what this is on your cat's necks, if your cats did have blood drawn
from their jugulars for Felv testing, it could be a hematoma.  A hematoma is
a small  swelling filled with blood that can occur after a blood is drawn from
a vein (or is it artery or is it both?).  Anyway, call your vet and ask him.  He
may not know what it is cuz he may not have noticed that one formed.  Generally
a tech will press on the spot after the needle is extracted to help prevent
a hematoma from forming, but if the cat is wiggling all around it is difficult.
I usually have the vet extract all blood from the inner thigh of my cats.  It 
seems to be easier to restrain them for that kind of a draw, and if they get a 
hematoma it is in an unnoticeable place.

Just keep bugging the vet about it and I am sure he will figure out that this 
is important to you and get to the bottom of it.  Sometimes you have to remind
them that they are here to help us. :^)

Jo

    Bumpytail just had blood drawn for a routine kidney/liver series and
    they shaved the area under her neck and drew the blood from there.
    (And I helped!  - Actually I just helped hold her but it was
    interesting).  I suspect Jo is right and all it is is a hematoma.
    But I agree - bug the vet if you are worried.  That's what the vet
    is for.
      Nancy DC
    
    

    Giudi & Jo --->
    
    Thanks for your replies! Now that you mention it, we WERE present when
    Tabitha had her Boosters, & the DID in fact inject that pink stuff into
    the back, sorta between the shoulder blades. The sore must be from
    where they drew blood for the leukemia test. Also, I'm sure that when
    they gave her the test they weren't able to prevent the hematoma, cuz
    she was SCREAMING her little head off! It was amazing how loud she was!
    I'm sure she was pretty wiggly too!
    
    Jo-->You say you have blood taken from an area that will not be
    as noticable if hematoma occurs. From this I gather that it isn't harm-
    ful to the cat (provided that it doesn't get infected) & I'm just being
    a worrysome mom?! I hope that's true!
    
    If they were outdoor cats, I could understand a cut or scrape now &
    then, but they're strictly indoors, so I worry! I'm still going to take 
    this up w/ my vet & make him realize that I WANT TO KNOW FOR SURE, DARN
    IT! It's really a shame that sometimes I feel as though my vet thinks
    I'm a pain. (I only go on scheduled booster visits, flea dips, & if
    they're sick.) I SPEND BIG BUCKS at the vet, EVERYTIME I go there! I
    feel like saying to him (He clearly DOES love the critters, but I can't
    help but feel rushed, I forget my questions, etc..)"Hey, buddy for the
    MONEY I'm spending here, you could explain things to me better, or take
    the time to check out the things I've pointed out to you!"
    
    Maybe I should...
    
    Bonnie

    Let's face it, there are plenty of doctors, dentists and vets who
    have fabulous technical skills but are a bit lacking in the "bedside
    manner".
      You have a right to know. Just be polite and persistent and chalk
    his attitude up to lack of people skills.
      Nancy

    Sometimes I've got a whole list of things in my head that I want to ask
    and then I only end up getting to one or two because we end up chatting
    about other things (our vet is also a personal friend).  So by the time
    I get home I remember what I forgot - now I write out a list the night
    or morning before and bring it in with me - if my husband goes on his
    own he takes it with him or I tell him t have Scott call me.  Actually,
    I think he appreciates it as I can get it all out of the way in one
    shot rather than be calling him back with an "oh, I forgot to ask
    you--"
    
    You have the right to ask and be properly informed.  If you don't
    understand something then ask them to explain it again - I've even
    asked my vet to write some things out.