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I am in search of recommendations for a vet in the Raleigh area. I adopted a 1 year-old cat a few months ago and have noticed that when she plays with her toys vigorously, she pants. It doesn't last long and her tongue/gums are not blue when this happens, but I'm told this is never normal in a cat.
I have been taking her to Carefirst Animal Hospital on Glenwood. They are very nice and professional, but I do have a few concerns. The appointments tend to be rushed b/c they are such a busy practice and have many pets to see. I am also worried b/c they recommended an echocardiogram fairly soon. I'm not a vet, but I am a healthcare provider and it seems as though some steps may have been skipped, like bloodwork or respiratory parameters. Again, I'm no expert in animal healthcare so this may be totally appropriate. The main issue that worries me is that I was told I would have to leave her there all day for this test, as they only have a vet who can read echos one day a week. She gets pretty stressed when I bring her there because it's loud and they aren't quite as gentle with her as I am, so the thought of leaving her there all day is kind of tough.
I would feel more comfortable if I had a second opinion to verify that we are going down the right path. She's my baby and I want the best for her
If you know of a great, trusted vet in this area please let me know!
Also - if you are familiar with these symptoms in a cat and can offer any insight, it would be much appreciated
Wendy Simpson at Morrisville Cat Hospital (on 54 near Cary Pkwy) is excellent. She is well known and amazing. She spends almost an hour at a time with us, not to mention when we drop in with questions about any of our rescues.
I've always found Dr. Gene Bailey in Apex worth the trip. Read a little on his background here: Company History, Company Information, Dr. Gene Bailey, Animal Hospital Of Peak Plaza, Apex, NC (http://www.apexanimal.com/page3.html - broken link)
The office is not crowded, he really works to reduce my cat's stress (she's diabetic) and he talks through his treatment approach.
It has been my experience, however, that unless you want to go to NCSU Vet School (which requires a referral) or the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary, you are going to find that most vet specialists are on a "rotate through the vet office" schedule. I've run into it with other kinds of scans too. So the scheduling challenges for an echo may happen with the majority of vets in this area.
The Vet hospital at NC State is a great place to take pets when there is an acute or hard-to-diagnose situation. They are a teaching hospital, so many emergency cases go there anyway. I like my normal vet well enough, but she has also known when to refer my sick kitty to NC State.
So, I think almost any vet is good for the normal visits/spays/dentals/shots/yearly checkups, but I do really, really like having the vet hospital right here in our town. If you don't like the pace of rushed visits where you are now, you are probably right to look for a transfer....but you also don't want to drive too far since there are a lot of good options. I'm in Wake Crossroads area and use Mitchell Mill vet.
My pet sitter recommended The Magnolia Animal Hospital to me and I could never go anywhere else. Dr. Jon is my fave but I've had the female veterinarian and she was good, too. Dr. Jon has 10 cats at home and 1 at the vet.... so you know he loves them! I also love that he will tell you what he would do if it were his cat rather than saying "here are your options... good luck" as some other vets have done. Magnolia also has very reasonable prices compared to other vets I've been to. I've been there three times so far and have never even had to wait. Once I checked in I have been immediately taken to a room, which is nice so my cats aren't around other animals.
As a side note, my kitten pants after playing hard (and she plays HARD). I've been told it's not abnormal if they are really riled up, but I guess it's possible that I was told wrong.
We second Dr. Jon. We love Dr. Jon and Magnolia Animal Hospital. He loves dogs as much as he loves cats, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sowk09
My pet sitter recommended The Magnolia Animal Hospital to me and I could never go anywhere else. Dr. Jon is my fave but I've had the female veterinarian and she was good, too. Dr. Jon has 10 cats at home and 1 at the vet.... so you know he loves them! I also love that he will tell you what he would do if it were his cat rather than saying "here are your options... good luck" as some other vets have done. Magnolia also has very reasonable prices compared to other vets I've been to. I've been there three times so far and have never even had to wait. Once I checked in I have been immediately taken to a room, which is nice so my cats aren't around other animals.
As a side note, my kitten pants after playing hard (and she plays HARD). I've been told it's not abnormal if they are really riled up, but I guess it's possible that I was told wrong.
Wendy Simpson at Morrisville Cat Hospital (on 54 near Cary Pkwy) is excellent. She is well known and amazing. She spends almost an hour at a time with us, not to mention when we drop in with questions about any of our rescues.
Y E S! "Dr. Wendy" Simpson is wonderful!!! I am EXTREMELY fussy about the vet I select for my "only child" (a Siamese/Tabby mix!) Fussy to the point of wanting someone that understands my reasoning for a grain-free diet, and certain dos/don'ts when it comes to handling, etc. My cat had a bad experience long ago of having been roughly handled by a vet, and is now very vicious whenever going to any vet. In the past, she has needed to be anesthetized in order for any vet to get close to her. However, Dr. Wendy is the first vet ever to get my cat onto a scale and handle her without drugging her, by being patient and soothing with her. She has also made other concessions concerning my cat's particular level of comfort. I am living here in the Triangle area temporarily, and will be VERY disappointed and stressed about having to switch vets again... because we just found such a good one!!!
We second Dr. Jon. We love Dr. Jon and Magnolia Animal Hospital. He loves dogs as much as he loves cats, too.
Drs Jon and Cindy at Magnolia are the cat's meow. We've used Dr. Jon for 12 years.
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