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Visiting Us?
Here are some great tips we advise to prepare yourself and your kitty cat for their visit with us.
- Acclimate your pet to the carrier. Approach this by bringing the carrier into the home a couple of weeks prior or permanently, leaving the door open or the lid removed. Offer bedding, play, encouragement, and treats to create positive interactions and a good overall experience.
- Use of synthetic feline pheromones like 'Feliway', in the household and carrier a day before or day of the veterinary visit should provide a calming effect.
- Keep the carrier warm, covered by a towel or blanket, and quiet in the vehicle. Reduce stress from loud noises, bright lights, strange smells, and rapid changes in environment.
- The bottom of the carrier should have a blanket or towel for cushioning, as well as a pee pad, absorbable material, or raised carrier grate to reduce the chance of soilage.
- Whether your kitty is transported by a car or another mode of transport, it is important to keep driving steady and even, take shorter routes. The temperature inside the car should reflect the cat's needs. Strong smells should be avoided along with loud noises, i.e radios or music unless cat-specific.
- One of our vets may recommend calmative or sedative medications for your cat to reduce stress. Our team will provide information regarding the use of medications prior to a visit.
"Cats are a predatory and prey species with unique resource and territory needs that are easily disrupted by events such as veterinary visits. Disruptions increase protective emotions in the cat, leading to negative behavioral outcomes during the visit."
"Stressor stacking describes the cumulative stress resulting from numerous disruptions to the cat’s routine and territory in preparation for the veterinary visit. These cumulative changes increase fear-anxiety and frustration, predisposing to negative behavioral outcomes during the veterinary visit. Adapted from International Cat Care." Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline Practice), 'From the Cat’s Point of View: Creating a Cat-Friendly Veterinary Environment' Issue: March/April 2024. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/behavior/creating-a-cat-friendly-veterinary-environment/
Once in the clinic, our customer service team will greet you and usher you to our 'cat parking stations' which are up from the ground. We have Feliway spray and blanket covers at your convenience.Â
Dietary History
Please fill this form in if you have made an appointment for your cat to see us. If you are bringing more than one cat please fill out and submit a form for each of them. Thank you.
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20 February 2020
Authorities have told us not to panic! It is highly unlikely that COVID-19, the new human coronavirus, will be transmitted through your cat. Although the human virus seems to have emerged from an animal source it now spreads from human to human in coughs and sneezes. Scientists have not detected any dogs or cats infected with COVID-19. To be on the safe side World Small Animal Veterinary Association One Health Committee Chair Michael Lappin, DVM, recommends that you: Keep your pet with you if you are self-quarantined Keep cats indoors If family or friends become hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection overseas or on return to Australia arrange for pets to be cared for outside the home If your cat has been around someone infected with COVID-19 and becomes ill please let us know when you book an appointment for your cat If you have been in China or around someone infected with COVID-19 please let us know when you book an appointment for your cat Information specific to Australia is found here
9 January 2020
Cats and laser pointers. Name a more iconic duo. Unfortunately for our feline friends, laser pointers are often used in potentially harmful ways.The problem with laser pointers is that they lack an endpoint. Nothing is ever physically caught. Even if the cat is “successful,” there's no reward. Such pointless play can cause some cats to develop a compulsive disorder. Instead of engaging in normal activities like playing with their owners or even eating, these cats will spend a large portion of their day chasing things that are similar to the laser pointer light, such as shadows or reflections. But that doesn't mean you need to stop using laser pointers.They're great for exercising cats and giving them the predatory stimulation they need. Use it in a way that's more effective by adding a clicker. Here's how it works: The cat is trained to associate the sound of the clicker with pleasing its owner and with the promise of a tangible reward. Once it's clicker trained, the cat is periodically allowed to “catch” the laser light, at which point the owner delivers a click followed by a tasty treat. In this way, the cat knows that it's won and that something good is coming.
14 November 2019
Cats are adapted to desert environments. In the desert their fluids come from their foods so they have evolved with a poor drive to drink and inferior drinking techniques and equipment. Fresh prey contains 60-70% water and hunting cats do not naturally drink water. You may have noticed that your cat often misses the surface of the water in the bowl at first pass. As predators, cats' eyes are designed to focus at a distance of at least 25cm so it's difficult for them to focus on the water surface. Many cats gauge the surface by looking at the far side of the bowl. Many prefer to lap from a tap or off the shower floor. Cats are very inefficient at lapping fluids of low viscosity, such as water, because unlike other animals that create suction in their mouths, they must rely on their tongues to pull a column of water into their mouths. They only take in 3/100 of a teaspoon with each lap. To top it all off cats are afraid of attack from predators and would prefer not to have to crouch at the waterhole to take in their fluids. What can we do to prevent chronic dehydration and the dangers of kidney disease and bladder stones, especially in older cats? Feeding a high proportion of wet food - meat, cans or pouches - is the easiest solution. Providing fresh water in a private, quiet place every day and responding to their preference for moving water or water on large surfaces will also help. Avoid a solely dry diet at all costs.
13 November 2019
Canberra Cat Vet was greatly honoured to win the Local Business Award for Outstanding Pet Care last night. A big thank you to all our wonderful clients for your nomination for the award and your trust and support over the last 6 years. We love working with you to optimise the health and well-being of your feline family.
12 September 2019
The common strain of Calicivirus is active in the ACT this spring. Kittens with sore mouths, sneezes and runny noses suffer like humans with colds. Unvaccinated kittens and cats fall victim to Calicivirus and take longer to get over it than vaccinated cats.
Vaccines stimulate the cat's natural immune system to produce defences to viruses. The two viruses that cause 'cat flu' are calicivirus and herpesvirus. Most cats come into contact with them at some time in their lives. Owners can bring calicivirus and parvovirus, which causes Feline Panleukopenia or Enteritis, home on their hands and shoes so even indoor cats are at risk of illness. The vaccine for panleukopaenia is very effective and in adults immunity lasts for 3 years.
The vaccine for the 'cat flu' reduces the severity of flu symptoms and vaccinated cats recover more rapidly.
22 August 2019
The RSPCA ACT is running their Fix Your Feline program again this year. Register with the RSPCA for an $80 discount voucher then call Canberra Cat Vet for an appointment on 6251 1444 or book online with us. Please pass this information on to anyone you know would benefit.
17 August 2019
Isabella had a terrible time climbing up on the basin to supervise the morning wash today. She clambered onto the laundry basket and nearly missed the bench when she leapt over. She wasn't much better when it was all over and she had to run for her breakfast. After pouring herself carefully down the cupboard she landed with a plop and a groan.
At 16 years of age it's not surprising she has arthritis. Her back is not as flexible as it used to be and any leaping is difficult and painful. Her elbows take a lot of weight when she jumps off anything. To reduce the impact - and the pain - she turns her elbows out and almost lands on her sternum.
We suggested placing a sturdy step near the bench so that she could climb up and jump down in smaller increments. Joint foods and enhancers help many older cats but we will probably prescribe some pain relief for Isabella, depending on the health of her kidneys and liver. Then she can get back to work in comfort.
15 August 2019
Does your cat long for the great outdoors? Imagine he's a lion fit for the jungle? But you dare not let him leap from the balcony or roam the neighbourhood...
Have a look at Mr Petman's planning page. With compulsory cat containment mooted for the whole of the ACT now is the time to consider your cat's best interests. Keeping cats entirely indoors is detrimental to their mental health although much safer and ideal for their physical health. Allowing your cat outdoors in an enclosed environment is the ideal solution. They have mental stimulation and physical exercise but are safe from other cats, dogs, snakes and cars.
Mr Petman suggests a variety of enclosures either home built, purchased as kits or planned and constructed for you.
13 August 2019
A Canberra Cat Vet vet and nurse will visit your home to examine, vaccinate or blood test your cats. Mums with young babies, people without transport, anxious cats, senior people, senior cats, and multi cat households love our house call service. Dr Georgia finds it easier to solve cat behaviour problems like urinating around the house and intercat aggression when she sees the cat's environment. If you think that this service might suit you and your feline companions please phone and discuss it with our receptionist on 6251 1444.