In its continuing desire to promote increased practice visits for cats, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
has developed the Cat Friendly Practice Program to help practices reduce the stress associated with veterinary visits for
cats. Details are available at http://catvets.com/.
Have you taken steps to make your practice more feline friendly? We asked our Practitioner Board members, and here are some
ways they've adopted a more cat-conducive practice. And we'd love to see what measures you've taken. Share with your colleagues
at http://dvm360.com/felinefriendly.
Dr. Fred L. Metzger Jr.
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Our practice did several things in response to the initiative:
- We joined the AAFP.
- We designated two exam rooms as cat-friendly by adding Feliway (Ceva) diffusers, softer lighting, and cat photos.
- We retrained our staff on cat-friendly handling and examinations, such as allowing extra time for cats to acclimate and remain
in their carriers and doing a cat-friendly blood draw in the exam room.
Fred L. Metzger Jr., DVM, DABVP (canine and feline practice), Metzger Animal Hospital, State College, Penn.
Dr. Mili Bass
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My practice already featured soft lighting, calm music, and no interaction (either visual or auditory) between dogs and cats.
These are things that both cats and dogs appreciate, but they're definitely feline-friendly.
Mili Bass, DABVP (canine and feline practice), Bass Vet Consulting/Animal Acupuncture & Pain Management, Farragut, Tenn.
Dr. Wayne Hunthausen
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We've made a concerted effort to provide optimal environmental enrichment for cats that board with us or have an extended
stay in the hospital. Our staff uses toys, hiding spaces, soft fabrics, pheromone sprays, social interaction, and more to
provide cats an optimal environment.
I've also implemented some of the techniques recommended in Dr. Sophia Yin's excellent book Low Stress: Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats (CattleDog Publishing). I think this has resulted in cats that are happier, less stressed, and more manageable.
Wayne L. Hunthausen, DVM, Animal Behavior Consultations, Westwood Animal Hospital, Westwood, Kan.
Dr. Philip VanVranken
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We have been using a cat-only entrance, a cat-only waiting room, and cat-only exam rooms—essentially a separate practice that
shares staff and equipment. To encourage feline visits, we also send feline heartworm reminders that are nothing like our
canine reminders.
Philip VanVranken, DVM, Dickman Road Veterinary Clinic, Battle Creek, Mich.
Dr. Robin Downing
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We are now a Gold Standard certified Cat Friendly Practice. In our cat-dedicated examination room, we have a Feliway diffuser
(keep the doors closed between appointments) and a digital table-top scale (no reception room weigh-ins). We use a Comfort
Zone towel warmer (Magna Wave HU; looks like a hard-sided suitcase) to keep Feliway-spritzed infant receiving blankets warm.
When a cat enters the examination room, it is placed on a warm, Feliway-laden baby blanket (cats prefer a warmer ambient temperature).
We are simply amazed at how quiet, comfortable, and cooperative cats are when we cater to them in these small ways.
Robin Downing, DVM, Windsor Veterinary Clinic PC, Windsor, Colo.
Dr. Gary Norsworthy
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Cat owners seek feline-only practices like mine because they think the veterinarians are more knowledgeable about feline diseases
and the atmosphere is cat-friendly (we promise a "dog-free environment"). Furthermore, on the first visit, a client wants
to know 1) if you love cats, and 2) if you love his or her cat. Take the AAFP's recommendations, and do not hesitate to be
creative in convincing clients that you offer a cat-friendly environment and that you love cats—especially their cats.
Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (feline practice), Alamo Feline Health Center, San Antonio, Texas
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