As a cats-only hospital, we’re often asked to evaluate patients on a second opinion basis. We welcome these visits and make use of all of our resources to help treat patients with challenging medical or behavioral conditions.

Our doctors have been feline-only practitioners for many years and focus our continual education on feline medicine, which is often very different from canine medicine. This experience and training provides a unique perspective in evaluating and treating cats. While our doctors focus their education and skills on cats only, we are not “specialists”. Specialists are doctors that have advanced degrees beyond a veterinary degree and are board-certified in an area of expertise (see “specialist referrals” below).

When scheduling a second opinion evaluation, we will need a copy of your cat’s complete medical records, including all examinations, test results, treatments, radiographs (x-rays) and ultrasound examination reports. We need to receive these records at least 2 business days before your appointment (unless it is scheduled on an urgent basis), so our doctors have adequate time to review them and complete any necessary research prior to the appointment. This way, during your appointment, the doctor can focus on examining and evaluating your cat and developing a new treatment plan. If you are unable to get your cat’s medical records, you can still schedule the appointment; however, we may need to repeat some of the tests that have already been performed. A second opinion examination is scheduled for a longer period of time than our other appointments so we can spend the additional time such a visit needs. For that reason, we do ask for a deposit, which can be refunded with at least 48 hours notice. After your visit, you are welcome to continue your cat’s care with us or continue with your current veterinarian. For further information, and to schedule your cat’s appointment, please call us.

Specialist Referrals
We work closely with several specialists on a consultation and referral basis in an effort to provide the best and most comprehensive care for our patients. We try to make these referrals as convenient and stress-free as possible for both, clients and patients. We have a board-certified internal medicine specialist visit our hospital every week to conduct ultrasound examinations and evaluations. In addition, they are available for consultation and referral visits. All of our digital x-rays are sent electronically for rapid evaluation by a board certified veterinary radiologist.

We are fortunate to live in an area with many specialists available (within a 1-2 hour drive) for consultation and referral. When a cat needs specialized care or evaluation, we refer our clients to these specialists, just as your primary care doctor will refer you to a specialist. Some of the specialties include neurology, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, oncology, orthopedic/specialized surgery and radiology (for advanced imaging, such as an MRI or CAT scan). We work closely with these specialists to coordinate the care your cat needs after your referral visit. If you would like more information about a referral to a specialist, please call our office.