Saturday 3 November 2007

Selecting a Cat Veterinarian

Some veterinarians are trained better, caring and treating cats or felines. Also, certain facilities or clinics cater exclusively for cats. Preferably, select a cat veterinarian, before purchasing or adopting a cat and, not during an emergency. Foremost, best method finding a cat veterinarian, asking for referrals, from cat -- breeders, coworkers, neighbors, friends, relatives or people you know. Contacting your local shelters, and human societies, and cat rescue organizations, are good sources. Also, contact American Association of Feline Practitioners, by city, state or zip code. Members of this association are professional veterinarians, have increase knowledge of feline medicine, and surgery. Furthermore, association promotes feline research. E-mail Address: Info@aafponline.org. Address: 203 Towne Centre Drive, Hillsborough, NJ 08844-4693. Telephone#: 800 - 204 - 3514.

Once, you have chosen a veterinarian, contact your local better business bureau, and State licensing board, determine any complaints filed, against the veterinarian or clinic. Next, visit their facility, for your cat's first 'checkup.' When calling the office, request extra time with veterinarian, to ask questions, and request tour of the facility. Questions, you should ask the veterinarian:


How many veterinarians are on staff? When your cat needs to be examined or treated, always available a veterinarian?
Will the veterinary facility provide emergency care? Beside normal hours, should be an emergency number to call. Will any member of the staff, open the office for emergencies or provide information to alternative emergency clinic.
Requesting referrals from current cat owners. Often, in many offices, posted cards and letters, from happy clients.
Sometimes, comments are posted, on a website.
Over night staffing, available for sick cats, recovering from surgeries and / or providing kennel services? Critically important to have a trained staff member, available for observation, and provide any necessary care, when veterinarian facility is closed. Also, available to clean and feed cats and other animals. Determine if cats, and other animals are kept separate or in the same area or room.
Will the veterinarian, provide alternative forms of medicine or supplement forms of vitamins. Sometimes, over the counter vitamins, minerals, holistic medicines, and acupuncture effective, treating ailing cats.
Does the veterinarian, offer and accept pet insurance? Certainly, medical insurance for cats, and dogs, offset costs for pet care.
Will the veterinarian, accept credit payment and provide financing or installment plan? This question can be asked over the phone, when speaking to the receptionist or office manager. Remembering cheap or inexpensive services may not always provide, best care. Also, any discounts offered for multiple pets, from the same home, and do senior citizen pet owners, get any discount?
Does your veterinarian sell cat food? Sometimes veterinarians, sell special types of cat foods, more nutritional or healthy, and may not be available, at most pet stores.
Does the veterinarian facility provide, grooming for cats.
Ask the veterinarian, opinion on declawing a cat. Some, cat owner's object and others, favor this surgery, for different reasons.
Is the location near your home, and provides adequate / convenient parking? During an emergency, want to arrive, as soon as possible, and plenty of parking places.
Does the veterinarian or staff, provide any special treatment, including geriatric, and behavior treatment for cats?
Also, staff should be friendly and courteous to pet owners.
Inquire, if pet microchip identification is available. Best method, identifying your cat, when lost or stolen.
Does the veterinarian, offer house calls? This happens rarely, but certainly convenient.

When visiting a veterinarian hospital or office, observe if the entrance, waiting area, and private rooms are kept clean.. Request, tour of the facility, including were cats and/or dogs are kept or care wards, and observe, cages are kept clean. Also, animals are provided plenty of clean water, food, and kept in dry comfortable temperature areas, and no odor is present. Inquire, if air-conditioning and heating is provided, when necessary. Some clinics or veterinarian offices, allow cats freedom to play, and move around, without restrictions. Observe, if each cat, has their own litter box or shared, among other cats, and litter boxes are fresh / clean, for good sanitary effectiveness.

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