We are a team of feline health advocates caring for cats and the people who love them. The Cat Doctor & Friends adheres to a code of ethics and the following principles for excellent feline veterinary care. In addition, The Cat Doctor & Friends standards of care are set forth by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), Cat Friendly Practice - Gold status (CFP).
1. To offer state of the art veterinary care while minimizing patient discomfort and stress.
2. To serve our Clients in a courteous, professional and kind manner, to let our Clients know they are valued and to develop long-term relationships with our clients and their cats.
3. To promote regular preventative care in our office and at home so our patients can enjoy a lifetime of good health while educating our clients on how to be the responsible pet guardians they want to be.
4. To have highly motivated and productive employees who enjoy a safe, positive work environment.
Pet Health & Safety
As an AAHA accredited practice, we adhere to all of the American Animal Hospital Association safety standards for our patients, staff and clients.
Onychectomy (Declawing)
The Doctors here at The Cat Doctor & Friends do not perform the onychectomy surgery. This is considered major surgery and should always be discussed with your veterinarian to help you make the very best medical decision for your cat. Even though we do not perform this surgery here, our doctors would love to discuss helpful ways to encourage appropriate scratching behavior in the household. We would like to share with you the American Association of Feline Practitioners statement below.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) strongly believes it is the obligation of veterinarians to provide cat owners with alternatives to declawing (onychectomy). Declawing is an elective procedure that is highly controversial. The following points are the foundation of the position statement:
- Feline declawing is an ethically controversial procedure.
- Declawing is NOT a medically necessary procedure for cats in most instances.
- Scratching is a normal feline behavior--both inherited and learned. Cat owners should be educated on feline scratching behaviors. Veterinarians should provide behavioral recommendations that allow cats to express these behaviors and reduce those undesirable to the client.
- Declawing is an amputation of the third phalanx (P3).
- It is the veterinarian’s obligation to educate cat owners and provide them with alternatives to declawing.
- Veterinarians should counsel cat owners on alternatives for declawing such as:
- providing cats with scratching posts/pads
- regularly trimming the claws to prevent injury or damage to household items
- considering temporary synthetic nail caps
- using synthetic facial pheromone sprays and/or diffusers to help relieve anxiety or stress
- providing appropriate feline environmental enrichment
- There are inherent risks and complications with declawing that increase with age such as acute pain, infection, nerve trauma, as well as long term complications like lameness, behavioral problems, and chronic neuropathic pain.
Submitted by: Nancy Suska DVM; Gerry Beekman DVM; Paula Monroe DVM; Carlye Rose DVM, CVA, DABVP (Feline; Canine & Feline)
Fees
Our fees are set in accordance with the level of service and professionalism that we provide for clients and patients. Fees are due and payable upon presentation. For your convenience we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Care Credit. Although we will provide you with a written treatment plan, it is just that: an estimate of what our experience tells us it will cost to provide the services you have agreed that we perform. In cases where an emergency situation presents itself we will provide the level of care that you have indicated you wish us to provide. This may incur additional charges. We will endeavor to contact you as soon as possible to determine your wishes.
We do offer financing with "Care Credit" which can assist clients in difficult circumstances to extend payments up to 6 months without interest on approved credit rating. See our tab on "Financing" for more information.
NOTICE FROM THE CAT DOCTOR WEBMASTER We're sorry! PLEASE do not write Dr. McFarland asking for a diagnosis of your cat's problem. In the opinion of Dr. McFarland, it is not responsible to diagnose feline illnesses via the Internet. PLEASE go to your local veterinarian who can diagnose hands-on to provide you with what your cat needs.