Berkeley Veterinary Center Blog

In our previous post we discussed catering to your furry feline family member with tips on making vet visits a little easier.

But what happens once you finally get your cat to the vet?

In the second part of this two-part series on low-stress cat visits, we will discuss how a Cat Friendly Certified Practice, such as Berkeley Veterinary Center, can further benefit your cat’s veterinary experience.

Our Staff Knows Cats

Our Certified Cat Friendly team members receive training in cat behavior and strive to understand how a cat’s needs differ from their dog counterparts. We use lower stress handling techniques during exams and create an enriched environment that will peak a curious cat’s interest or calm and comfort a nervous or fearful cat during each visit. We also empathize with the concerns and needs of cat owners because we own cats too!

Meet our Cat Friendly Advocate

Meet Kyle, our designated cat friendly advocate! Kyle is a great resource for our clients and staff as she is our resident cat expert. Her job is to make sure that we are following all procedures as outlined by the American Feline Practitioners. Kyle loves dogs but has a very special bond with cats and is a certified master cat groomer. Kyle is available to answer any of your cat related questions.

We Aim to Create A Less Stressful Visit For Your Cat

From our waiting area to our exam rooms and treatment area, we consider each area of the hospital and the effect it has on our feline patients. Here are some of the ways we work to accommodate our feline patients during their visits:

• Cat only waiting area with a focus on minimal wait times
• Minimal restraint with use of towels and/or kitty cuddles when appropriate
• Window available in our cat-only exam room
• X-rays that are viewable in exam rooms
• Use of Feliway, a calming pheromone therapy for cats

We Have Reached the Gold Standard

We’ve gone for the gold! We strive to practice the best feline medicine possible and we have achieved that through reaching the Gold Standard Cat Friendly Practice Certification.

The certified Cat Friendly Practice through the American Association of Feline Practitioners recognizes two levels of cat friendly excellence: silver and gold. We have invested the extra time and training and updated our facility to reach the highest level of certification. Some of these items include:

• Feline specific medications available in hospital
• Proper pain management when needed
• Quiet and calm cat only ward for recovery and hospitalization
• A veterinarian who attends at least 18 hours of feline exclusive continuing education per year
• Exam rooms equipped with all items necessary to complete an exam and minimize movement in and out of the exam room
• 30 minute appointments to be able to acquaint your cat with the environment and work slowly. This time also allows for a thorough history and examination

With a little bit of time and persistence, it is possible to cultivate a less stressful, comprehensive veterinary visit for your cat.

Picture this… You start off your day by chasing your cat around the house, after about 45 minutes you finally corner her, scoop her up, and attempt to push her into the carrier. She sprawls out her legs and protests, you shed a tear and think it’s never going to happen, but eventually, you pry her little legs from the side of the carrier, drop her in, and slam the cage door before she can back out. You now catch your breathe before calling the vet’s office to let them know you finally got your cat in the carrier but will be late for the appointment.

You start on your way to the vet, hands and arms riddled with battle wounds, listening to your cat’s heartbreaking meows while trying to keep your on the road. The 10 minute car ride seems to last for eternity.

Finally, you make it to the clinic, and as you take your seat, you breathe a sigh of relief as you feel the worst is over. But upon arrival, there are ringing phones, people bustling around, and a dog investigating your cat’s carrier. Your poor cat cowers to the back of her carrier and trembles in fear.

You are then called into an exam room and spend 10 minutes attempting to get your cat out of a carrier that earlier she refused to go into. .The veterinarian makes his way into the room and whips out several scary instruments and probing devices. Your cat feels like she is in the middle of an alien abduction and fights with all her might in the battle to stay alive during the white-coat invasion.

The whole ordeal has stressed both you and your cat out. You decide not to schedule her next exam, because you just can’t handle all the stress again!

Sound familiar? Believe it or not,there ARE ways to reduce your cat’s stress level when it is time for a visit to the vet!

Here are a few tips to get your cat to the vet with minimal stress:

• Leave your cat’s carrier out in a familiar area and add soft bedding or clothing with your scent on it for a day or two prior to your appointment
• Place treats, catnip, or toys inside the carrier at home
• Cover your carrier with a towel or sheet when transporting your cat
• Spray or wipe the inside of your cat’s carrier with a calming pheromone such as Feliway Choose a Certified Cat Friendly Practice that specializes in low-stress handling and environments for cats
• Remain calm – your cat can sense that a situation is stressful by how you react
• Watch this video for more ways to make your cat’s visit to the vet low stress or stress free.

Our Commitment to You and Your Cat

Providing your cat with a veterinary team that is committed to a low-stress visit is something that you may want to consider when choosing a veterinary practice. At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we are committed to providing you and your cat with the most stress-free visit possible, which is why we recently became a Cat Friendly Practice through the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

We have taken the extra steps to become a gold status Cat Friendly Practice which means that we have met a comprehensive checklist of performance criteria to verify that our team members are especially qualified and dedicated to making every visit as pleasant and beneficial as possible for you and your cat. We are the only AAHA Accredited {insert link} and Cat Friendly Certified Practice {insert link} in Ocean County.

To learn more about scheduling an appointment for your cat at our facility visit our website or call us at 732-269-3600