I actually go to a cat-only vet and they are awesome. They do cost more than the mixed pet vets, although two of them are ABVP feline certified.  They meet all your criteria above, although better as far as waiting room.  It is very rare that a cat has to wait in the lobby.  We are whisked to a exam room pretty much as soon as we get there.  I'm sure that isn't possible for the larger clinics, but even cats don't like to meet strange cats so it works well. 

Jenny May 14th, 2009 11:19:26 AM

We have about as perfect a world as you could hope for at the new hospital our Vets built.  Upbeat, friendly, spacious, comfortable, pretty outside, everyone is sharp and know the pets by name.  It's almost like a family.  Hard to beat a situation like this.

Evet May 14th, 2009 11:29:09 AM

I am currently using a vet teaching hospital for more of my cats' needs and one reason is that my former vets do not run a particularly cat-friendly practice. The waiting room is often full of barking dogs and the wait is often a long one (20 minutes + is not unusual). Although the staff is friendly, the "great room" where procedures are done and the kennels are located, are busy, noisy and full of strange sights, sounds and smells. I took one of my rescues in for an ultrasound and xrays (retained placenta). On the next table was a cat being declawed (another day for that whole issue), another cat undergoing a dental, and numerous animals kenneled, some just coming out of anesthesia. When I asked about the set up I was told they just don't have enough space to do it differently. That was the deciding factor for me! So now I'm looking for a new vet. There are two cat only practices, but one is 30 minutes away and the other has a vet I'm just not comfortable with. So what to do? I'm still looking - and paying the big bucks at the teaching hospital.

dottie May 14th, 2009 11:37:42 AM

Interesting article!

In addition to the notes about canine odors, I have heard that since most cats are pretty territorial that FELINE odors can bother them even more - any info on that?

Barb May 14th, 2009 11:55:54 AM

Great article - I wish more "mixed" vet hospitals would pay attention to what it takes to make the veterinary visit less stressful for their feline patients.  The practice I managed was wonderful in terms of excellent medical care and a compassionate and caring staff, but the facility was awful in terms of being cat-friendly.  The waiting room was too small to have separate waiting areas, and the same was true for the kennel area.  We did the best we could with what we had, but I always cringed when I saw scared and stressed kitties come through, knowing that they would be doing so much better in an environment that catered more to their special needs.

I now take my cat to a wonderful feline only practice, and the difference is amazing.  The practice is so quiet, it has an almost "zen-like" feel to it.  While my cat still doesn't enjoy her visits, she's much calmer than she used to be - due in no small part to the fact that I'm also calmer as a result of not having to worry about the dog in the waiting room trying to stick his face into my cat's carrier.  Animals do pick up on their owner's stress and many vet visits could be made less stressful for the pet if the owner tried to stay calm herself.

Ingrid King May 14th, 2009 12:18:44 PM

I took my cat into the Vet ER when he partially blocked up. They kept him overnight to observe him, but I was very distressed to see that my cat was not separated from a room full of barking dogs. One big, loud dog was kenneled right below my guy. It was really hard to leave him so frightened and stressed out, but they didn't have separate quarters for cats. It will be a cold night in Hades before I take him back to that ER, no matter how good they are supposed to be.

Elizabeth May 14th, 2009 12:26:47 PM

Can't we flip this around too?  I've seen plenty of cats stress out and cause dogs to be over-aroused in a vet situation, yowling in cat carriers, hissing, etc.  Shouldn't we be worried about the creature comforts of our canine friends as well?  I get that cats can be easily stressed out by dogs, but plenty of dogs get stressed out or overaroused by cats.

That cat next to that large barking dog might have ultimately been the cause of the dog's continuous arousal.  It can smell the cat.  It knows it's there.  But it can't get to it and it expresses its frustration in the only way it knows how -- by barking.

At our vet's office there is an office cat that I've seen cause more than one dog to go nuts over.

Crysania May 14th, 2009 01:14:04 PM

Territorial felines - we had that problem at our first vet.  The exam walls stopped about four feet from the ceiling and the office cat would stroll around on top of the walls checking out his territory.  That stressed our cat out even more than the dogs in the waiting room - and she hates dogs with a passion!  Now we go to a calm, quiet cats only hospital (moved to a big city with many more options) and while she still doesn't like visits, she's much calmer about them.

Meri May 14th, 2009 01:28:29 PM

Separation is best--for the dogs as well as the cats. Point well taken. As to the territoriality of felines. Honestly I don't see that it should be much of a stressor (beyond the fact that they're out of their own territory as opposed to being in a new one). All the cats are out of their element here--and contained--so there's no cat to exert dominance over them in this regard. As to the clinic cat--well, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax. I could see where that might be extra-stressful for those not on their own turf.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 14th, 2009 03:23:16 PM

I go to a general vet practice, and they don't separate cats/dogs in the waiting room.  I wish they did because even good dogs get curious and want to see what's in the little boxes and the kitties don't like this.  And with one small packed waiting room, I'm always amazed that I haven't seen any major confrontations (between dogs, let alone cats).  I do try to get a first appointment to minimize problems, but that's not always possible.

I have gone to a cat only vet as well as while its quieter, its much further away. And my cats get extremely agitated during the car ride to the vet.

So....its a tradeoff and for now I've chosen the closer vet.  They are a very well respected practice, but I'd be much happier if they had a separate area for cats.

2CatMom May 14th, 2009 03:52:43 PM

I live on an island with not a lot of choices as to where to take my cats, but have found my vet hospital of choice is quite sensitive to the needs of their feline patients.

Their waiting room is very small---it is not a large clinic---but they are quick to whisk both cats and dogs to separate treatment rooms, where they can wait in privacy and quiet. There are times when they are backed up and the treatment rooms are full and the waiting room is chaos...that is just life in the veterinary practice world! In those types of scenarios it is just easier to leave my cats in the car until it is their turn.

I have visited the surgery and housing areas. Nothing fancy, but it seems like they try to keep the loud dogs in different areas than the cats. And the cats always seem to have plenty of heated towels and lots of attention and TLC. Everyone there clearly loves animals and it shows!!

I'm sure a cat-only hospital would be great, but I have neve been unhappy with my little clinic and how it treats my cats.

khatti May 14th, 2009 04:06:18 PM

Ultimately the goal should be rarely if ever having to come to the Vet but we obviously have a long ways to go before that Utopia is acheived.

Evet May 14th, 2009 04:48:07 PM

We live in an area that is still in the dark ages--cats loose in a veterinary office that sees both dogs and cats--I always am concerned about their exposure to disease and misbehaved mutts.

The other facility is larger but no special arrangements...so we drive two hours to see a feline only vet.

The feline practice has a cage for spring kittens in the lobby and one cat that meanders into the waiting room at times but mainly stays in back.

The place is calm (and uses Feliway) and the scheduling is such that it means that the lobby is usually empty since the clients go into the exam room quickly after arrival--if not immediately.

The place is clean and comfortable. Behavior videos are always playing and the lobby is filled with cat specific products for sale. Tuft's Catnip is in folders for reading for anyone in the lobby.

In the back, the treatment area for blood draws is clean and towels or blankets are used for the feline's comfort. Plus the boarding and recovery areas are on seperate ventilation systems.

It is clean, clean, clean with very savvy feline vet techs. We got a tour during our first visit and find that the long drive is worth it because they really do provide great care and specialize in keeping those felines calm despite the stress.

Find me blogging at Ark Animals

Ark Lady May 14th, 2009 04:52:55 PM

My now deceased dog loved going to the vet largely because of the opportunity to watch cats.  She had bad intent but excellent self-control in vet's offices and never hurt a cat there.  She loved to stare intently at any kitty within eyeshot, though, which probably was rough on some of the cats.  She would not have been in favor of species segregation!

kabbage May 14th, 2009 05:13:52 PM

Can I pipe up with a request? For all cat owners, PLEASE use a cat carrier in a cat and dog waiting room. I cringe everytime I see one in a towel or an owners arms. Trust me, your cat CAN get away from you!! I once saw a client lose their cat when going back to their car. I cannot even imagine the guilt. It was so preventable. My favorites are the top loading carriers with the plastic dome. Easy to get the cat into and and out of.

Dogs owners aren't off the hook either, use a leash for your vet visit. I don't care how well trained your dog is, in a stressful environment like a vets office anything can happen. And do you really want your dog socializing with a potentially contagious dog? You are at a vets office remember. People will not always know if their pet is contagious before they see the doctor.

Tail wags, Marie

http://k-9solutionsdogtraininginc.blogspot.com

Marie May 14th, 2009 05:51:34 PM

Marie: Cats brought in towels are taken out of owners arms and temporarily housed in the hospital ward until we can fix up a carrier for them. Not fun for anyone. But people always leave with the $10 cardboard carrier. It's the price they have to pay for safety. 

Dr. Patty Khuly May 14th, 2009 06:25:49 PM

A fish tank with fish would entertain the cats while at the waiting room.   Even live birds would be nice, if they were caged.

Colorado Transplant May 14th, 2009 06:52:59 PM

The first clinic I was employed at (albeit as a kennel person) was a cat-only clinic...it influenced my views on feline medicine tremendously.  The current practice I work in has ZERO of the above-mentioned niceties...and I hate it.  We also have a few on the staff that obviously do not like cats (and they're quick to admit it) and do not know how to handle them, which usually makes things worse (i.e., the newer nurse whose only response to a freaked cat is to grab it tightly by the scruff and lift it partway off the table in an attempt to keep it from scratching...wrong move!).  Cats are NOT small dogs - they require a wholly different approach.  While I currently take mine to work with me when necessary for simple health concerns (I voluntarily place them in the isolation ward because it's much quieter - we rarely hospitalize very ill or contagious animals b/c we're not a 24-7 facility), I firmly believe cat-only vets ge to practice higher quality medicine...by virtue of focusing on one species as well as by examining their patients in a more relaxed situation.  A lot of the cats that come into my clinic get the short end of the stick when it comes to the physical exam - difficult to auscult and palpate a cat that's terrified it's about to become some dog's lunch!

anna May 14th, 2009 11:58:36 PM

@Marie:

I can't understand anyone who would bring their cat to the vet without a carrier. The only animal I've ever taken to the vet without a carrier (caveat: I don't have a dog, that's a bit different and they'd be leashed if I did!) was a rat - a very placid rat who liked being on a ferret harness and wrapped in a towel - and I wouldn't have brought him into the waiting room to sit if there'd been an insufficiently controlled dog or other concern.

With cats, they've always been in carriers and often with a towel over the top so they feel safer. My mother's cat Scampa often traveled in the car without a carrier, sitting in the back window - which isn't the greatest idea either - but never went to the vet without one; and my cat Shredder once traveled in the car cocooned in a sheet on my lap, but that was because she'd just lived up to her name on the old cardboard carrier I had at the time.  :)

"You want to put me in this carrier? I don't think so." *Paw shoots up between the flaps, pulls one down into the carrier, cat vaults to freedom*

"You want to put me in this carrier, and you're holding the flaps together? I don't think so." *Cat claws internal flap away from the side of the box, squeezes out between flap and box side like a bar of soap*

"You want to put me in this carrier, you're holding the flaps together, and you've taped the internal flaps down? I don't think so." "Two claws come out one of the air holes* *RRRRRIIIPPPPPPP!!!!* "Try putting me in there NOW!"

"Oh, you're wrapping me up in a sheet and holding me close? I quite like this." *Cat behaves like an angel for the whole drive to my new house*

Mel Redcap May 15th, 2009 04:01:29 AM

The only time I brought a cat to a vet without a crate was when I took my dear Zora to be euthanized. I couldn't bear the thought of going home with an empty crate.

However, by that point she could barley walk, and I still put a cat harness on her, just in case. We did wait outside for the vet to arrive (the vet who did the euthanasia doesn't work at the clinic anymore, and came on my request).

It worked out pretty well- since we where outside in the grass the vet gave Zora the first shot there, saving her the stress of the clinic.

In general, the clinic tries to separate cats and dogs by time, but that isn't always possible.

Xslf May 15th, 2009 06:08:29 AM

Anna: Did you find, as I did before happening upon my current place of employment (11 years here, now), that in some hospitals cats are all teeth and claws while at others they're infinitely more placid? (And I've never worked at a feline only hospital.)

That fact should be internalized by all owners who worry that their cats are unduly stressed. And personally, I would beware any place that does not allow you to see how their cat is handled for basic procedures. Transparency is everything, IMO.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 15th, 2009 09:34:26 AM

I'm writing a story on this topic for a veterinary magazine! I'd love to hear comments or stories of lousy feline service at your clinic ... or EX-clinic.

Brendan Howard

Senior Editor, Veterinary Economics

bhoward@advanstar.com

Brendan Howard May 15th, 2009 09:49:47 AM

I think it best to prepare a list of questions we have ahead of time and bring them to the vet along with the animal.

However, I think the vet should ask what symptons the cat is experiencing when we go for a check-up--which doesn't always happen in my experiences, spanding over 50 years.

I will never again go to a vet that doesn't let me stay in the same room with the animal, if I want to.  However, I must admit, when it goes too "squeamish", I might distance myself a bit.

One thing that irks me is that the vets do not give me credit for how much I know about my animal--after all, I live with he or she everyday.  Vets--please listen carefully to your patients' caretakers!

Colorado Transplant May 15th, 2009 10:18:51 AM

Thank you Brendan. Thought you all should know that Brendan inspired this post. I second his request for specific stories.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 15th, 2009 10:52:51 AM

What many people do not understand is that the littlest thing can stress out a cat, whether we notice it or not, and that can cause a whole slew of problems. Cats are stubborn, bratty creatures, and though I love them dearly, I sometimes wish they'd knock it off already. 

I have had cats stop eating for a day or two (and one wound up with Fatty Liver in under 24 hours - but we saved her thankfully, since I monitor their every move!), all because of small changes in the household. I've had cats refuse to use litter boxes because we switched litter. My one cat even refused to enter my bedroom for an entire month after I had my other cat put down because her cancer was just making her life terrible. 

Cats are sensitive in a way dogs are not. Unfortunately in South Jersey, most of the vets are not very cat knowledgeable. The one vet we use for my cat rescues has told me countless times that in vet school, not much is taught about cats the way it is about dogs. Cats are the least understood, and so she takes seminars and classes constantly to learn more to better help her patients. 

Cat-only vets or cat-only waiting rooms really are a good idea for the health of the cats.

I'm also not saying that dogs don't get stressed, because they do. But they are better able to handle it than a cat. Dogs are pack animals and cats are solitary. Dogs look to their owner or others to help in the situation while cats deal with it themselves. 

RHz May 15th, 2009 11:06:43 AM

I think the most helpful aspect of my current mixed-species vet's practice is the extra hour that they're open on weekdays (until 6 p.m.).  It makes all the difference for me to be able to schedule back-to-back apointments for my two cats at 5 p.m. Things are winding down by that point and there typically aren't a lot of people waiting. The waiting room is quiet and big enough that I could escape into a corner if something got out of hand.  Usually the only person/animal who is at all stressed is me because 30 lbs of cat (15 lbs each) is reaching the limit of what I can heft easily.

I felt bad, while we were waiting for their last apointment an old old grandpa golden retriever wanted to make friends so badly.  I have no idea how my cats would react to a dog so I just put my handbag in front of the wire part of their carrier.  The last thing I wanted was for him to get an unexpected claw to the nose.

Anne May 15th, 2009 01:30:45 PM

Brendan: I'm not much help to your article; when my cats were alive--they did not appear stressed at all, except by the car ride---which they were clearly vocal about, never drooled or eliminated. I did have to put them in the carrier backwards.

My cats were used to multiple dogs & never backed away from them. I love it when there are cats in the waiting room, even far to the other side. My dogs are always mesmerized by the cats & don't make a peep. A bunny or guinea pig works just as well!

Everyone is swooped into a room pretty quickly anyways. I'm sure if someone voiced a concern, other arrangements would be made, such as alternate entrance or time of appointment, etc.

Barb A./NH May 17th, 2009 04:55:32 PM

Our vet has two waiting areas and two doors but neither are very well marked as to what they are for. If we have a stressed cat and the outside temp allows it, we leave the cat in the truck then go get it when they call.

I never let out dogs sniff cat carriers at the vet's office. That's kinda rude. I don't let our dogs interact with other dogs, either.

Everytime we are at the vet's office, someone comes in with a cat not in a carrier or a dog not on a leash. Both are disasters that have found a place to happen.

We  have been to not-cat-friendly places and it showed. Rough handling, simplistic exams, shots given without an exam (one didn't even bother to take the cats out of the crate, just injected and gave us a bill for a 'wellness check'). Here in the Asheville area, we have several cat only vet places and a lot of the vet offices have two different waiting rooms or, in the case of two vet's, they actually are a cat only place and a dog only place attached to each other. I've never gone into the back to see how much they mesh there but I'm thinking they don't very much.

PaulaO May 17th, 2009 05:08:24 PM

Dr. K - I've only worked at three practices (including the one at which I'm currently employed), so I don't know if I can generalize based on just those three, but cats were definitely calmer at the cats-only clinic.  I'd say at least 50% of the cats we see at our practice get seriously stressed, sometimes to the point of needing Telazol to facilitate exams or blood draws.  I honestly think most of the cats wouldn't act that way if they were in a different hospital - our set-up is efficient as far as workflow is concerned, but the treatment area is one large room with work tables and kennels right next to each other...which means most cats are within six feet of very loud, barking dogs...definitely not helpful.  Even when we separate cats into one bank of kennels facing a wall (instead of facing more kennels likely filled with dogs), the noise level and constant flurry of activity is enough to shake even the more laid-back cats. 

anna May 17th, 2009 10:28:11 PM

For anyone interested, I have a 480 page book with 1600 photos and 3+ hour DVD showing techniques to improve cat and dog handling (and showing common mistakes). It's called Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats (www.AskDrYin.com or www.nerdbook.com/lowstresshandling). Forward is by Dr. Bonnie Beaver.

Here's what people are saying (i've only included a few cover quotes but there are many more--I"m just to lazy to type them):

Holy Cows, Cats and Dogs! What a massive undertaking this book and DVD project must have been. Honestly, I have trouble imaging the amount of work and proofing that went into it.I just spent 5 minutes looking at it and it has to become a staple in every veterinary practice in the world!!! I practiced vet med for 16 years and learned important new techniques within the first 2 minutes of opening it.

Jim Wilson, DVM, JD

Priority Veterinary Management Consultants

This books is excellent. Itis not just great traiing for veterinary students, but shoudl be read by veterinarians, no matter how many years they've been in practice.

Laurie Begman, VMD, dip ACVB.

This book on low stress handling and restraint is revolutionary.  It is the mechanism by which vet hospitals can finally make the vital paradigm shift to animal-centered practices. These techniques allow those working in an animal hospital to consider the entire animal, not just its body parts. GroundBreaking!

ginny Price, MS, CVT

Animal Behavior instructor

Saint Petersburg College

Vet Tech program

Sophia Yin

Sophia Yin May 18th, 2009 05:29:39 AM

Sophia (Dr. Yin): As an owner of your book, I have to agree that it's been highly useful. The photos are excellent and make the book especially accessible (and worth every penny). I also recommend your other book, How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves, to my clients.

I really need an Amazon affiliate program so I can capitalize on all my recommendations. ;-)

Dr. Patty Khuly May 18th, 2009 05:42:44 PM

I always bring enough towels to cover up the carriers. And one of my kitties likes to crawl under a towel to hide, so gets an extra towel inside her carrier.

The only time I brought a cat to a vet without a carrier was when my Fuz decided to liberate himself from the makeshift carrier I put him in as a starving student and make a dash for freedom in the middle of 86th street and 1st Avenue in New York City (a large intersection of two 4-lane streets). Lucky for him, he ended up on the same side of the street as I did. He went home in one of those cardboard carriers but I'm sure he would have destroyed that as well if we hadn't gotten him the airline-approved plastic crate for our move to another city.

Fuz was a great cat - he lived with us for over 20 years after wondering in off the streets of Spanish Harlem one rainy February evening and ruled the household with a velvet paw.

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ddddddd June 1st, 2009 02:49:49 AM

I go to a "Cat Hospital" and it is great. 

A few weekends ago my cat didn't seem right and had been throwing up intermittently since he caught a gecko the day before. He was walking around the house and hanging out with me.  Not hiding. He just seemed weak. 

It was after hours so I took him toan emergency animal hospital in Broward County, FL to make sure he was ok.

The first thing I told them is my cat never has been away from me. The tech said she needed to make sure he was stable and took him from me ... knowing nothing about him. 

The tech came out without my cat. At that point I was ready to call the police. She said he was deydrated, needed oxygen, and would not make it through the night.

 They put me in a room and brought my cat to me. The vet came in and offered three levels of care ranging from $500-$1800.

To this point there was still no discussion about my cat's medical history.

I had a bad feeling about the situation so I opted for fluids for the dehydration and nausea meds thinking it would get him through the weekend until I could see my own vet. I asked the vet if the fluids would be bad for his heart (murmur) and she said no.  I then took my cat home which was 10 min away.

When I got home my cat's respiration rate was 120, pupils dilated, his rear end was spine up while the front of his body was on it's side with outsretched arms. He was able to move just his paws.

 I called the animal hospital, spoke to the tech, and brought him right back to be euthanized because he seemed to be in such distress.

 This is a loving cat who was treated gently all of his 17+ yrs. He would rub noses when I said "kisses". He watched TV and read the paper with me. Every night he would go on the patio until I came out to give him hugs and bring him in for the night. I feel sick that his last hours were so traumatic.

The vet only knew he had CRF. That's all I was able to tell someone before they ran off with my cat. The rest of his history is heart murmur (which is why he did not get fluids for CRF) and he was hyperthyroid.

 I still don't know what happened.

 After some research on my own, I suspect the stress of the animal hospital along with the hyperthyroid condition was too much for him. 

When they brought my cat to me he hid under my arm. I should have known not to let them take him again. But I let them take him for fluids anyway. I should have tried to give him fluids orally at home. I should have paid more attention to what my cat was telling me.

I feel the animal hospital should change their procedures so this does not happen to other cats. There is no reason they could not have done an exam in a quiet room with me there to tell them my cat's medical history.  

I think I should let someone know what happened.  I have not done anything yet because I just cry when I think about it.

Carin June 4th, 2009 10:22:26 PM

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