Since March 28th is "Respect Your Cat" Day, I'd like to take a moment to share a little bit about our Cat Friendly Practice with you. The Drake Center is proud to have received the title of a certified Cat Friendly Practice Gold Level status from the Feline Veterinary Medicine Association (formerly American Association of Feline Practitioners). This designation is entirely optional and means that we have proven to have the highest standards of care for our feline patients. A rigorous checklist needs to be met to receive this status and I wanted to share a few items on the list with you.
1) Feline Only Examination Room:
Whether your appointment is at our Main hospital or Annex location, your cat will be placed in a feline only examination room for their visit with the doctor. This ensures your cat feels safe in a quiet environment free from the scents of canine patients which might be scary for them. We use a Feliway diffuser in the exam room to further alleviate stress and provide calming pheromones in the air. Using soft towels and being respectful of the cat's instinct to hide, we try to keep the cat covered or partially in the cat carrier at all times.
2) Ongoing Continuing Education focused on feline medicine and surgery:
Our doctors and staff are required to obtain ongoing continuing education on cat friendly handling and interactions as well as learning about updates in both veterinary medicine and surgery specifically related to cats. This means your cat will be receiving the very best care when it comes to their health.
3) Feline Only Boarding Area:
We are required to have very specific feline-only boarding cages and wards to block the sights and sounds of canine patients while cats are staying in our hospital. The cages themselves are required to have hiding areas, plenty of space for lounging and eating, and a designated toileting area.
4) Lifestage Specific Health Recommendations:
We take pride in offering tailored healthcare to your cat no matter their age and lifestyle. Together we will build a preventive care and treatment plan specifically related to your cat depending on their age, whether they go outside or are indoor only, health status, and whether there are other pets in the home. We do not give broad, across the board recommendations for all cats. We will always recommend the very best and then let you decide what's right for you and your family.
5) Pain Management and Anesthesia:
Strict requirements have been met to ensure the safety of anesthesia for our smaller feline patients. Pain control is of high importance no matter the procedure being performed. This includes pre-op, intra-op, and post-op. Cats will be handled in a manner that provides the least amount of stress as possible.
As you can see, we take cat care seriously and want nothing but the best for our feline patients. Be sure to check out the Feline Veterinary Medical Association's website to learn more about Cat Friendly Practices and if you do not live near us, please search for a Cat Friendly Practice in your area!
The Drake Center for Veterinary Care is an AAHA-accredited animal hospital located in Encinitas, CA. The Drake Center loves being a source of information for all pet owners across the country however if you have any questions regarding pet care and do not live in Encinitas, CA or surrounding cities, we encourage you to contact your local veterinarian.
If you have questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (760) 452-3190, or you can email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.