Live Q&A with a cat expert this March!

 If you had a sore knee would you expect your GP to fix it? Maybe, if it was straightforward, but for anything more complicated you would want someone who specialises in knees. Makes sense, right? Yet this is not what we do with our cats.

 

Second class catizens, an afterthought, a small dog. That is often how cats are treated at the vet. Many vets are scared of cats, or do not like them. No judgement, I am pretty scared of horses. Many vets DO love cats, but do not have the additional training required to really know how to diagnose and treat them well.

 

Many vets take longer to make a diagnosis with cats because they do not have the training to know them well enough. This impacts the cat’s welfare, and your pocket. 

 

AND, the VAST majority of pets at the vet are dogs, so vets have much more experience treating dogs and naturally this knowledge spills over to cats - but cats are vastly different to dogs.

 

Many owners are not even aware of this problem and do not know that there is a better way for their cat.

 

Now, it’s not that vets are bad, vets are doing the VERY BEST they can. But they are treating multiple species and can only keep up to date with so much when it involves so many species.

 

I see the consequences of these problems all the time with second opinion cases - I can often pinpoint the problem with just one consult, after the owner has been back and forth to their vet multiple times. Cats like Java, a 16 year old cat who was facing an anesthetic to investigate why she was not eating after 2 weeks of vet consults.

 

I simply tested her Vitamin B12, found it was low and started a plan to supplement it. One visit, one bill, one eating cat. That is because I KNOW the subtle signs of low B12, I see it every day. Give me a dog… I wouldn’t know where to start.

 

That is why I focus all my time and learning on cats, almost 10 years of learning everything I can about cats. Almost 10 years of seeing cat after cat after cat after cat.

 

Imagine what your vet ISN’T telling you, either because they do not have the time or the knowledge. Expert advice can help you to help your cat. It can help you to spot disease earlier, figure out behaviour issues sooner and contribute to a happier life for your cat and an even better relationship between you.

 

I want all cats and all cat owners to have access to a vet who IS a cat expert.

 

That is why I am starting a series of Facebook and Instagram live events in March where you can ask questions that you have about your cat’s symptoms or behaviour. If you are new to pet ownership you can ask any burning questions about how to give your new cat the best possible life. And if you have a cat with a chronic illness, well - I am sure you have so many questions about medication, prognosis and monitoring symptoms.

Submit your question here, and if you do not have questions you are still welcome to join. Sometimes we learn the most from the questions we DIDN’T think to ask.