Veterinarians, vet technicians, practice managers, rescuers, behaviorists, nutritionists, trainers, volunteers, and other animal professionals are the backbone of pet ownership. Helping pets and their families live in harmony and health together.

Catster wants to highlight some of these underrated champions of the animal world—who we like to refer to as Heroes of The Pet World.

We will interview some of the most inspiring vet clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and rehabilitation organizations around the world to share all the wonderful and oftentimes harsh experiences they face while working to help, heal, guide, revitalize, and protect our furry family members.

These are the stories of unsung animal superheroes!

Meet Professor Chris Tan, a Specialist in Surgery at SASH Alexandria and Hospital Director.

Mission

In your own words, what is the Small Animal Specialist Hospital’s mission and purpose?

SASH’s mission is to help pets and their families live their best life. This is achieved through our unique combination of multidisciplinary 24/7 emergency and specialist veterinary care, world-class facilities and total commitment to our patients and their families.

What is your individual mission or goal, as a vet professional and as a person?

I am passionate about all areas of veterinary surgery, especially orthopaedics and education. My goal is to develop the next generation of highly skilled specialist surgeons in Australia and across the world and to improve patient outcomes.

Day-to-Day Experience

What is it like being a vet professional in Australia and at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital?

Being a vet is something that I had always wanted to do and brings new challenges everyday. There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing sick or injured patients being returned to their owners after making a full recovery. Here at SASH I feel very lucky to work alongside experts in a wide range of disciplines. So I feel comfortable that we are always providing the highest level of care possible.

How big is your team?

The SASH Alexandria team is almost 100 people strong. This includes our amazing veterinarians, nurses, client services, and support team members who work around the clock to make sure the hospital runs seamlessly.

Do you have staffing shortages and how do you deal with them?

In general the veterinary industry in Australia, and many parts of the world is experiencing staff shortages. However, we are fortunate at SASH Alexandria to be in a very strong position. We find that many talented people within the vet industry choose to work for SASH because of our reputation and proven track record of high quality of veterinary care.

How many animals on average do you help on a weekly basis?

We see between 100 and 200 cases per week at SASH Alexandria.

Challenges & Rewards

What is the hardest part of your job? How do you handle euthanasia and patient loss?

The hardest part of my job is balancing my busy schedule of being a Specialist Surgeon while also providing leadership, as Hospital Co-Director to an exceptionally high performing team. Euthanasia and patient loss is never easy. However, I am thankful that as a surgeon, outcomes in my field are generally positive.

What are some of the biggest challenges that your organization faces?

For a relatively new hospital like SASH Alexandria, our biggest challenge is awareness of our services. Lots of local pet owners don’t know we’re here 24/7.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you guys do?

The most rewarding part of my job is sending home a mended patient to their loving family. We’re really fortunate to be able to work with some of the loveliest and very dedicated owners.

Future

What are SASH’s main goals for the future?

One of our goals is to always innovate and focus on ways to improve patient outcomes. This means investing in our people, facilities, and looking for opportunities for

How can the general public help make your lives easier?

We always recommend making sure your pet gets veterinary treatment in a timely manner. Delaying veterinarian care can be problematic, especially if you notice something isn’t quite right. Regular check ups with your local veterinarian are essential for picking up any issues that may be present and for keeping your pet up-to-date with preventative health. If you are concerned about something after-hours, a 24/7 facility like SASH Alexandria is always available to see your pet.

Stories

What are some of the funniest or most outrageous pet names you’ve encountered?

One day we had a “Harry Potter” and “Hagrid” in the hospital with us at the same time so it felt more like Hogwarts!

How to Support

If someone wants to visit, join, support, or volunteer at the SASH Australia, where can they find more information and get in touch?

If anyone needs emergency or specialist veterinary services, we are open 24/7, 365 days of the year. Our contact details can be found on www.sashvets.com. There, they can also find information about career opportunities within SASH.

Anything else you’d like to tell the pet community?

SASH Alexandria has been growing its services and offerings greatly since we first opened in 2023. We are now proud to offer 24/7 emergency & critical care, surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, oncology, and reproduction. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to find out more about any of these specialist veterinary services.

The post Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) Vets Australia: Heroes of The Pet World by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

As a cat lover, can you think of anything more awesome than a parade dedicated to cats? If I’ve already piqued your fancy by using “cat” and “parade” in the same sentence, you might want to start planning a trip to Belgium.

The Kattenstoet (which literally translates to “the Cat Parade”) occurs in a small town named Ypres on the French border of Belgium on the second Sunday of May every three years. While this beloved festival celebrates cats, it’s based on a rather horrific tradition of the townsfolk of Ypres once engaged in annually.

Read on to learn more about this unique festival, including its history and what to expect if you plan to attend in the future.

What Happens During the Festival?

The Kattenstoet parade operates much like any other parade—the participants build elaborate floats, hand-sew costumes, and put on performances. It’s not unusual to see modern depictions of cats in this history-focused festival, either. For example, there’s one particularly popular float with a humongous Garfield cat peeking out from a cardboard box.

While most of the festival is feline-focused, some aspects of the parade have nothing to do with cats. Attendees may spot knights in chainmail walking around with spears or folks dressed in medieval garb clutching pieces of fabric. This is just part of the tribute to the town’s history and humble beginnings in cloth manufacturing.

The townspeople of Ypres participate in the festival by decorating their shops with cat displays or baking cat-shaped buns or cookies.

After the parade procession, someone dressed in a jester costume tosses stuffed kitties from the belfry to the eagerly awaiting townspeople below, who hope to catch one of the plushies.

After the jester has run out of cats to toss, a mock witch-burning event occurs, in which the crowd sets a puppet witch aflame.

The festival is a popular tourist event in Belgium, bringing in thousands of visitors and strengthening the local tourism economy. Event organizers expected 50,000 spectators to come from near and far to watch the 2024 parade.

How Did the Parade Come to Be?

While the parade celebrates our adoring relationship with our cats, it wasn’t always this way in Ypres.

During the Middle Ages, the town’s primary industry was cloth making. Cloth makers would use cats to keep their warehouses free of fabric-destroying vermin. These cats were free to roam Ypres as they liked during the winter months, but when they started reproducing too quickly, the town officials realized they were in over their heads. Cats were overrunning the town, and they didn’t know what to do to address the sudden overpopulation. They soon decided it only made sense to get rid of them.

Instead of shipping them off somewhere or dealing with them humanely, they decided to toss cats from the belfry tower to their deaths. They would do this annually during the second week of Lent on a day they referred to as “Cat Wednesday.” This tradition continued for hundreds of years into the 1800s.

It’s also important to remember that, at the time, cats were associated with witchcraft and evil, so getting rid of them was much celebrated, and many looked forward to the event.

Thankfully, the last time a live cat was thrown off the belfry was in 1819.

Ypres officials decided to reignite the tradition in 1937, except they chose to toss stuffed cats from the belfry instead of real ones. The goal was to acknowledge the town’s complicated history with cats and also celebrate them. The tradition was put on the back burner during World War II but was back in full swing by 1946 when town officials added a parade to the fun.

When Is the Kattenstoet?

The Kattenstoet is typically held triennially on the second Sunday of May. The most recent festival was in May of this year, so if you’re hoping to book a trip to attend the next one, you’ll have to wait until 2027.

Final Thoughts

The Kattenstoet parade is something for cat lovers to add to their bucket list. Being surrounded by thousands of other feline-loving humans sounds like a great afternoon to me.

The festival is an excellent way for the town of Ypres to acknowledge its complicated history with cats while also recognizing how much they love and admire them today.

Featured Image Credit: Piqsels

The post Kattenstoet (The Belgian Cat Festival) : Origins & Celebration Facts by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years; at least as far back as 300 B.C.E. when Chinese emperor Huangdi wrote the text known as “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine”, but possibly even earlier.¹ The 5300-year-old mummified remains of a man found in the Italian Alps showed tattoo markings and corresponding bone impressions that archaeologists believe may have served as markers for needle treatments, meaning that acupuncture is not just ancient, it may also have multiple origins.

Until recently, most Traditional Chinese Medicine practices were treated with derision by the modern medical community, seen as old fashioned and outdated. So what has changed?

Apart from the thousands, if not millions, of anecdotal success stories, a greater understanding of how acupuncture actually works has allowed this non-invasive technique to find a place in mainstream medicine.

The Basics of Acupuncture

In the briefest possible terms, traditional acupuncture uses ‘dry’ needles placed at certain locations along meridians to manipulate and unblock ‘Qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’) – the body’s life force energy. These meridians correlate to different parts of the body, though not every point along that meridian affects those body parts.

We now appreciate that meridians may actually link back to tissue differentiation during embryonic development, while Qi could be another way of describing nerve pathways, tissue planes, and energy transfer. From here, it becomes easier for dedicated scientists to appreciate how this ‘alternative’ therapy might actually work.

Embracing Holistic Treatment for Pets

After attending a course on veterinary acupuncture, I became obsessed with using this technique in practice. Although the majority of my acupuncture patients were of the canine variety, feline acupuncture arguably has a greater potential for success. Cats have been found to respond more strongly to acupuncture, and there have been promising results in its use in managing feline asthma.

I have been using acupuncture at home on my Labrador, Bailey, whose joints are feeling their age. Recently, I decided to introduce Zazzles, our timid tortie, to this treatment and I was astounded with the results! When we rescued Zazzy eight years ago, we became aware of a poorly healed fracture on one of her hind legs. She has coped with this very well, but recently she has started to limp, so we decided it was time to get started on a pain management plan. Being quite a nervous girl, I wasn’t sure how she would respond to this unusual form of stimulation, but far from being afraid, she actually rolled over purring!

It’s a little too soon to know how well the treatments are going to work, but at least I know that there’ll be no problem repeating them!

Don’t Try This At Home!

Obviously, acupuncture isn’t something you can do at home on your own pets, but you can try some acupressure and massage.

As the name suggests, acupressure involves using targeted pressure over specific areas, such as those used for acupuncture, to achieve similar results without a needle. It is a technique that just about anyone can use to help relieve tension, provide pain relief, and soothe their pets at home. In addition, if you have a cat that suffers with respiratory issues like asthma, there are a couple of pressure points you may like to try:

Massaging a cat is pretty straightforward, with very little difference between it and regular stroking. The main thing to be aware of is applying firmer pressure either side of the spine with the palm of your hand, as well as focusing on the neck and shoulders. The only trouble you’re likely to run into is when you try to stop!

If you think your cat may benefit from acupuncture, talk to your vet. Not all vets and veterinary practices will offer this service, so you may need to look around. Rest assured that, far from being a stressful experience, most cats find acupuncture to be quite relaxing!

The post Acupuncture for Zazzles: Dr Karyn & Holistic Treatments for Cats by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Veterinarians, vet technicians, practice managers, rescuers, behaviorists, nutritionists, trainers, volunteers, and other animal professionals are the backbone of pet ownership. Helping pets and their families live in harmony and health together.

We want to highlight some of these underrated champions of the animal world. Who we like to refer to as Heroes of The Pet World.

We’ll interview some of the most inspiring vet clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and rehabilitation organizations around the world to share all the wonderful and oftentimes harsh experiences they face while working to help, heal, guide, revitalize, and protect our furry family members. These are the stories of unsung animal superheroes!

For this post, we interviewed Paddock Park Animal Care Center‘s manager, Vicki Bennett.

Mission

In your own words, what is Paddock Park Animal Care Center’s mission and purpose?

I feel that our mission at Paddock Park Animal Care Center is to do our very best to service our patients, clients and community with compassion and competence. We are committed to caring for and helping all pets in need.

What is your individual mission or goal, as a vet professional and as a person?

As a Practice Manager/Technician, I am very committed to helping to provide the best patient care for all pets. I am very passionate about my job and I love the reward of helping the clients and their pets.

Day-to-Day Experience

What is it like being a vet professional in Florida, and at Paddock Park Animal Care Center?

I came to Paddock Park Animal Care Center 42 years ago and have been so blessed to have worked with some of the most amazing and talented veterinarians and technicians in this profession. Another wonderful benefit to this job is building lasting relationships with our clients. My staff here is my family and am so thankful for every one of them. Their love and desire to care for animals is beyond comparison.

How big is your team?

My staff consists of 15 people.

Do you have staffing shortages and how do you deal with them?

There have definitely been times when we have had staffing shortages and it is difficult to get through that. I am very fortunate to have staff that will step up and fill in when needed.

How many animals on average do you help on a weekly basis?

On average, we see between 200-250

Challenges and Rewards

What is the hardest part of your job? How do you handle euthanasia and patient loss?

The hardest part of my job is definitely losing a patient. I know realistically that we can’t save them all but it’s so difficult to lose one. We try our best to make our clients as comfortable as possible when they are saying goodbye to their loved ones. Sedation is given to the pet so that the client can be with them while they go to sleep and then the final injection is given. The client is welcome to spend as much time as they like afterward. We also send sympathy cards signed by each staff member to the client.

What are some of the biggest challenges that your organization faces?

In today’s world, pricing has become so difficult for everyone. Products that have to be purchased by the clinic have increased by such a large percentage and unfortunately increases have to be passed along to the clients. Pricing certainly has an effect on whether or not the client comes into the clinic.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you guys do?

To me, the most rewarding part of what we do is becoming a part of the team that takes care of the pets. It’s so wonderful to see a client with a new puppy and then take care of that pet through its entire life. We become part of that family and they have so much appreciation for what we do here. It’s such an honor to be part of that.

Impact

What are some of the accomplishments or specific animals that have made a big impact on you as a person or on your team?

Being a part of this team at Paddock Park for so long, I have had the honor of helping so many pets. We rescued an entire horse trailer full of dogs from Hurricane Katrina. They were brought here, examined, and taken care of and we were able to find new homes for all of them. During other hurricanes, we made Hurricane Animal Relief t-shirts to sell and donated the proceeds to organizations that were rescuing pets. On 9/11, we also made t-shirts to sell and donate to the rescue dogs that were injured at the Twin Towers. Recently, there was a post on Facebook asking for someone to help a dog that had been abandoned in a neighborhood. I answered the post and told her to please call me at the clinic and I would see if there was anything that we could do to help. She brought her in on Monday and she was in really rough shape. They had named her Lila and she was such a sweetheart. After examining her, we found that she was positive for heartworms, and hookworms, infested with fleas, needed to be spayed and had a broken leg. Between some of our wonderful clients and our staff, we were able to raise money to help her. As of today, Lila is happy and healthy and is living with a beautiful family in her forever home. Her new name is now Nala Pickles!! This is why we all do what we do!

Future

What are Paddock Park Animal Care Center’s main goals for the future?

We will continue to strive to help animals in need and also educate people on caring for pets.

How can the general public help make your lives easier?

We would really appreciate it if people could please try to understand that if there is a bit of a wait for your appointment, we are helping take care of someone else’s fur baby who is in need of immediate care. I know it’s frustrating to wait but sometimes there is someone more critical to help.

Stories

What are some of the funniest or most outrageous pet names you’ve encountered?

These are some of the funniest pet names over the years: Meatball, Alley Mcsqueal, Gordon Hamsey, Bar B Cue, Blinky Blinkerson, Broccoli, Cat Benatar, and Canada Dry.

How to Support

If someone wants to visit, join, support, or volunteer at your organization, where can they find more information and get in touch?

They can find our information on our website at paddockparkvet.com

Anything else you’d like to tell the pet community?

It has truly been our pleasure to serve our community by taking care of their pets for the past 42 years and we will continue to do so.
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The post Paddock Park Animal Care Center: Heroes of The Pet World by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

It seems canines get all the attention when it comes to the various breeds. No one really talks that much about the different cat breeds. Sure, you might know what a Sphynx is, or have a pretty good idea about a Maine Coon due to its size and voluminous fur. But do you know what a Scottish Straight Longhair is?

If you are familiar at all with the Scottish Fold, you’re not too far off from that. In fact, Scottish Folds and Scottish Longhairs can be born in the same litter! In this article, we aim to explain exactly what a Scottish Straight Longhair is all about.

Breed Overview

The Scottish Straight Longhair is exactly what it sounds like. It is a cat that is originally from Scotland that has straight ears and long hair. The Scottish Fold, on the other hand, could very well be a sibling of this cat, but instead their ears are folded over. When it comes to personality, these cats are very similar, but it’s their looks that are different.

Scottish Straight Longhair Kittens

When you have one of these adorable kittens, they will be full of energy and ready to play! But don’t think it’s going to be overwhelming. These cats tend to have a very good balance between play and downtime.

If you have a Scottish Straight Longhair, you’re going to have a very playful interactive kitten on your hands. These cats are very inquisitive, so even at a young age, they will be hyper aware of their surroundings.

These cats will adore being on your lap, up in your business, and on the windowsill, checking out anything and everything around them. This curiosity doesn’t dwindle much as they age.

These cats grow up with a very carefree, kitten-like essence, even as adults. They are no doubt purebred cats, so their price definitely reflects that. It’s very important to search for a reputable breeder that can provide health guarantees and answer all your questions, since these cats are related to Scottish Folds that are prone to health problems.

You might get lucky and find a Scottish Straight Longhair cat at a rescue or shelter. If that’s the case, you might pay a much lower price and give a cat a second chance at a forever home.

Scottish Short Longhair Origin & History

The Scottish Straight Longhair is just one of the extensions of the Scottish fold. These cats can be traced back to one singular cat—a white, long-haired barn cat named Susie who had folded-over ears. Susie was discovered in Scotland in 1961. Breeders worked hard to develop the Scottish Fold breed to create more cats with folded ears.

However, the only way to guarantee folded ears is to breed two cats that both have folded ears. This comes with health concerns and severe genetic disorders in the kittens, and is considered unethical. So, the only way to get Scottish Folds is through breeding a cat with folded ears with a cat with normal ears. This results in some cats in the litter having folded ears (Scottish Folds), and some having regular ears (Scottish Straights). Scottish Straight Longhairs are just Scottish Straights with long hair.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Scottish Straight Longhair

This particular breed is known for their award-winning personalities. These cats tend to be agreeable with just about anyone or anything. Their temperament serves them well, as it makes them amazing house cats that can acclimate to just about any lifestyle.

If you have a cat-loving household, you will be impressed with the breed’s agreeable nature, willingness to learn, and affectionate qualities. Even though they tend to have a pretty relaxed nature, don’t let them fool you!

These cats are incredibly intelligent and capable of learning a variety of training concepts.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

This particular breed makes an amazing addition to many families. They tend to get along very well with children and seniors. These cats make great additions to smaller living spaces like high rises or apartments, and equally make great additions to larger family homes.

If you want a loving house cat that will pal around with the entire family, this is definitely the right breed for you! These cats will form a bond with every member of the household and even warm up to strangers and other pets!

These cats will make lovely playmates, emotional support buddies, and free forms of entertainment. They will amuse you daily with their antics and fill your lap full of fluff.

Because of the nature of the cat, they are best left indoors. So if you plan on having an indoor-outdoor cat, this might not be the right breed to have. We highly recommend getting them spayed or neutered and letting them sleep on all of your favorite fabrics.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

This particular breed will get along exceptionally well with other pets. They make wonderful additions to an existing feline pride, or they will make exceptional brothers and sisters to a newcomer on the opposite end.

You’ll have far more luck with these kitties than some other, more independent breeds. They can integrate well into any situation, but the earlier you get them acclimated, the better!

Things to Know When Owning a Scottish Straight Longhair:

Food & Diet Requirements

Your kitty will require a high-quality, protein-dense recipe to help them sustain. As kittens, you should purchase a very high-quality kitten formula to nourish their growing bodies. They will need the proper building blocks to ensure success in their adult years.

Once they reach roughly a year of age, you can switch them to a high-quality dry kibble that will nourish their adult bodies, helping them maintain their health. You might have to switch the recipe a few times in their lifetime to accommodate for any sensitivities or preferences, or as your cat ages.

The type of cat food you select will depend on your preferences and budget. Some families choose dry kibble, others turn to wet canned food, some people opt for fresh food subscriptions, and others make their own recipes from the comfort of their kitchen.

Always speak with your veterinarian before you make any final decisions on diet.

Exercise

The wonderful thing about kitties, for both themselves and for their owners, is that they are extremely low maintenance when it comes to exercise. On average, a house cat will need roughly two 15-minute intervals of exercise to stay perfectly healthy. These cats don’t have an exceptionally high prey drive or desire for physical activity.

For this reason, they tend to be pretty easy to exercise. You can get a series of toys to see which ones your cat likes the best. It won’t be any secret. You will soon find out exactly what they love to play with you.

Training

When it comes to simple concepts, such as training your cat to go to the litter box, these kitties will impress you with their natural capabilities. You should really only have to show them the litter box once before they have it down pat.

However, when it comes to advanced training, the sky’s the limit. These cats are capable of learning a variety of concepts, but they need a patient enough person who is willing to teach them.

You can easily train your young cat to walk with a leash and harness so you can take them on daily walks or go on traveling adventures!

Grooming

Because of the Scottish Straight Longhair’s coat length, grooming is going to be essential. Don’t get us wrong. This cat can most certainly take care of itself, as they are master groomers, like most other breeds.

However, they will definitely get mats and tangles if their hair isn’t appropriately brushed. This is especially true along their underside, as this is where they lay, flop around, and get tangled up.

While baths are generally unnecessary on a regular basis for cats, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have one. You could bathe your cat up to once every 6 weeks, if they needed it.

Scottish Folds are notorious for getting ear infections due to the shape of their ear canals. The Scottish Straight Longhair doesn’t have the same genetic complication. Still, it is important to make sure their ears are dry and free of any moisture, as it could still contribute to infection.

Health and Conditions

The Scottish Fold has a very bad reputation. Because of poor breeding practices, many kittens and litters have been highly unhealthy and lacking in the lifespan department.

However, thanks to responsible breeders, these cats have really recovered over a course of time and Scottish Straights don’t have the same complications. Still, things like appropriate vetting are crucial to your cat’s overall health. It is imperative to take your cat to the vet quite frequently when they are kittens, and annually thereafter.

If any health issues develop in the meantime, always get your cat to the vet to ensure that they are taken care of. Your vet can get ahead of any developing health issues and develop the treatment plan as needed.

If you bought your Scottish Straight from a licensed breeder, the parents have already likely been genetically tested. However, that doesn’t mean some environmental factors wouldn’t flare up an unknown illness.

If you think that your cat has changed in temperament, always mention notable differences to your vet.

Male vs Female

It seems that across the board, canines and felines are a little bit different in terms of sex. Most female cats, for example, are terrific hunters. That means that they will make an incredible mouser if you need to get rid of a couple rodents around the property.

They also tend to be a little bit more independent than their male counterparts. Males, on the other hand, tend to be more relaxed and lackadaisical, especially after they are neutered.

That is not to say that any Scottish Straight Longhair will fit into this box. You might have a female that’s overly lovable while you have a male that’s very aloof and prefers to go alone. It’s very hard to pinpoint actual personality traits based on sex alone.

However, when it comes to other factors relating to sex, there are things to consider. For example, every female will go into heat cycles, but they do not bleed like canines. When they go into heat, their behavior might change tremendously, causing them to become overly lovable, excessively vocal, and even erratic sometimes.

Males that reach sexual maturity, often start to become slightly more aloof and might even try to escape every time you open your door to seek a mate. Both males and females can spray, but they do so for different reasons.

A male might mark his territory to ward off other males who are potentially encroaching on his space. They also use their urine to let females know they are around. Females will spray to attract a mate to her, using all of the pheromones she possesses.

Either way, this behavior can quickly become problematic. Most vets recommend that you fix your cat as soon as possible, generally before sexual maturity at 4 months of age.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Scottish Straight Longhair

1. These cats are under the Scottish Fold umbrella.

Essentially, the Scottish Fold and the Scottish Straight Longhair are the same exact breed. The only difference is the coat length and shape of the ears. However, their overall care and personality qualities remain the same.

2. The Scottish Straight Longhair sits like a person.

If you’ve ever seen pictures of a Scottish Fold, you will take note of how they sit sometimes. The Scottish Straight is known to sit the same way. Often, the back legs are far apart and out while the two front paws are held up like hands. These cats are very notorious for sitting like humans. We love them!

3. Many rumors lie around the Scottish Straight Longhair’s health.

As we mentioned earlier in the article, these cats get a very bad rap in terms of health. If you have read at all about their potential health complications, it might deter you from choosing this particular breed.

However, if you buy from a reputable breeder, the parents will be genetically tested to avoid any of the potential concerns that come along with them.

Final Thoughts

Now you understand more about the Scottish Straight Longhair. These cats are Scottish Folds, but their ears remain straight instead of being folded over like the traditional look of the breed. These cats can be born into litters with Scottish Folds, and almost always are. However, they are still from the same lineage and are considered purebred cats.

Featured Image Credit: Oleksandr Volchanskyi, Shutterstock

The post Scottish Straight Longhair: Info, Pictures, Care, & Traits by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Like most veterinarians, I think it’s likely that cats get headaches, and I will demonstrate why; however, it’s not something that has been scientifically confirmed. When asked about headaches in cats, one case always comes to mind.

A middle-aged cat was brought into my clinic for lethargy and anorexia. Bloodwork and imaging tests were normal, and physically, the cat seemed fine, aside from a slightly withdrawn demeanor. We gave him some fluids, pain relief, and anti-nausea medication, and within a day, he got better and went home.

It wasn’t until months later that the same cat became very unwell again, eventually developing neurological symptoms. An MRI scan showed that, to everyone’s dismay, this kitty had a large brain tumor. I immediately knew that this was the cause of his mysterious illness so many months ago. What was he experiencing at that time? Was it a headache?

While this is an extreme and sad example, it highlights some challenges we, as vets, face while trying to diagnose and treat animals. The main problem is that they can’t communicate their symptoms to us. Another issue is that their survival instincts prevent them from showing weakness, so some illnesses can fly under the radar.

Since there is no test for a headache, we can only make assumptions based on our observations and what we know about biology.

What We Know About Headaches

In humans, headaches are one of the most common forms of pain. Our headaches have a spectrum of severity, with the more serious ones being extremely debilitating. The brain does not contain any sensory vessels, so headache pain arises from the nerves surrounding the brain.

People can suffer from primary headaches, which can be triggered by stress, or secondary headaches. Migraines are severe headaches accompanied by light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.

Cats can suffer from each condition listed above, so at least some of these issues may manifest as a headache for them. Rats and mice are used as models for studying migraine headaches. Pain receptors in the trigeminal nerve innervate the tissues surrounding the brain, and stimulation of these nerves has been used to induce migraine headaches in rodents.

The fact that animals have these same pathways suggests they can also experience migraines. In one study, the nerves were used in cats to test a migraine drug. A 2013 case study documented a possible case of naturally occurring migraines in a dog. The dog in question was a female Cocker Spaniel who was 5 years old.

She had unusual episodes that lasted up to 3 days and occurred every month or so. Extensive testing, including an MRI scan, showed no abnormalities. Various pain relief medications were not successful until topiramate, a human migraine medication, was tried.

This medication drastically improved her quality of life. This is an unusual presentation in animals but provides strong evidence for animals having migraines. Then again, the human brain is an incredible thing. 200,000- 800,000 years ago, there was a rapid increase in brain size among early humans.

While our increased intelligence gave us an evolutionary advantage, it has a price that we still pay today. Our brain is 2% of our body weight but uses 20% of our blood flow and oxygen. Human-accelerated regions of DNA are areas that evolved quickly, and some of them are involved in brain development.

They are thought to be associated with psychiatric diseases seen in humans; for example, genes associated with schizophrenia are associated with these DNA sequences. Do our unique brains cause us to experience headaches differently from animals or more frequently?

How Can You Tell If Your Cat Has a Headache?

One study investigated the role of neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraines and used it to induce pain responses in mice. The mice developed a “grimace,” which involved eye squinting. The feline grimace is a well-known sign of pain in cats, so it’s likely that cats with headaches display this grimace.

How to Help a Cat With a Headache

If you suspect your cat has a headache, you could be right. However, it’s important to remember that your cat can’t communicate with you. While you or I might not always go to a doctor for a headache, it’s important to have your cat checked over by a vet.

Your vet can examine your cat, take their vitals, and assess the situation. This will ensure that nothing serious is causing your cat’s behavior. Remember that cats instinctively mask signs of illness, so if you notice a change, your cat needs help.

Finally, they will make a treatment plan for your cat. If your cat is dehydrated, they may be hospitalized and placed on a fluid drip. Medications could involve pain relief or anti-nausea drugs. You should follow your vet’s instructions carefully.

If your cat is given the all-clear to recover at home, you can set up a comfortable area for them to recover. Since headaches can cause sensitivity to light and sound, your cat may prefer a dark and quiet environment.

You should provide tasty, plain food like boiled chicken and encourage drinking. Offering the water the chicken was cooked in is an excellent way to increase their water intake. Keep a close eye on your kitty as they recover, and report any additional signs to your vet.

Final Thoughts

Headaches are not commonly diagnosed or thought about in animals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. Lack of specific tests, masking tendencies, and an animal’s inability to describe signs could all contribute to headaches being underdiagnosed in animals.

There is a fair amount of evidence to back up cats experiencing headaches. If your cat is showing signs of being unwell, it’s important not to anthropomorphize them by projecting our experiences of headaches onto them. Although headaches are common in people and usually not dangerous, this may not be the case for cats. Cats showing signs of headaches could be experiencing other, even severe, illnesses and should be assessed by a vet for the best outcomes.

Featured Image Credit: art nick, Shutterstock

The post Do Cats Get Headaches? Our Vet Explains Facts & Info by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Your loveable feline friend was curled up on your pillow with you. They got up and left a surprise: blood-tinged fluid on the pillowcase. You know your cat is fixed, so that’s not it. Why is your cat’s butt bleeding?

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons and treatment options.

If your cat’s rectal area is bleeding, it’s essential to have your kitty evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will need to determine if the bleeding is coming from the skin around the rectum, rectal tissue, the anal sacs, or something internal.

The 5 Possible Causes for a Cat’s Butt to Bleed

1. Anal Sac Disease

Your cat has scent glands located in the rectum called the anal glands or anal sacs. These glands fill up with pungent material that cats usually express as they defecate. For different reasons, the anal sacs can fill up and become inflamed or infected.

Sometimes, the anal sacs will rupture, leading to a bloody discharge. You might see a visible hole when you lift up your cat’s tail on one of the sides of the rectum.

2. Trauma

Traumatic injuries to the rectal tissue can contribute to blood around the rectum. Cats can get scratches or bite wounds around the rectum. Foreign body injuries, such as punctured intestines or trauma to the colon, can occur secondary to eating bones and other materials.

An injury from being hit by a car can also cause rectal bleeding in your cat. If you suspect an injury, call the veterinarian immediately.

3. Rectal Prolapse

Some cats experience a rectal prolapse when a portion of the rectal tissue comes out of the anus. It is most common in younger cats with severe diarrhea, such as kittens with intestinal parasites.

4. Tumors or Polyps

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, rectal polyps are uncommon in cats. If they occur, they’re usually benign. Tumors or widespread cancer can occur within the anal tissues. Some cats develop anal gland tumors that can become large and block their anal opening.

Lymphosarcoma is typically a metastatic cancer that can spread mainly through the lymphatic tissue found throughout the body, including the intestines.

5. Parasites

Parasites can also cause bleeding around your cat’s rear end. First and foremost, fleas can make cats so itchy that they scratch until they bleed, often around the tail. Intestinal parasites, such as hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms, can cause intestinal upset and diarrhea.

Combined with that, or even with just the parasites, your cat may have blood in their stool called hematochezia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Tell if a Cat Has Worms?

You might see intestinal parasites in your cat’s stool. Roundworms typically resemble spaghetti noodles, while tapeworm segments resemble grains of rice. Cats with parasites often have diarrhea, and some kitties will also vomit.

They sometimes even vomit up worms. Some affected cats will also lose weight and might have dull coats.

Can Cats Bleed From Straining to Defecate?

If your cat is constipated and straining very hard to defecate, they could start to pass a little blood. Your veterinarian will likely want radiographs (X-rays) to confirm this. They might give your cat an enema and place them on a stool softener. Some foods, such as a fiber-response diet, may also help.

Conclusion

If your cat starts to have blood around their rectal area, contact your veterinarian. If your cat is actively bleeding, it is a medical emergency. Your veterinarian will perform an exam to try and narrow down the possible causes and develop a treatment plan to help your cat and alleviate your worry.

Featured Image Credit: Hanna Taniukevich, Shutterstock

The post Why Is My Cat’s Butt Bleeding? Our Vet Explains Causes & Treatments by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Considered the largest of domestic cat breeds, the Maine Coon holds a special place in the hearts of feline lovers worldwide. They tend to be laid back, intelligent, and friendly, and they share their warmth and joy with friends and family for their entire lives.

How long can you expect your Maine Coon to fill the home with their infectiously friendly and adoring aura? We’ll discuss how long Maine Coon cats live on average and what you can do to give them the longest, happiest lives possible.

Maine Coon Cat Average Lifespan

Maine Coon cats live an average of 10–15 years, which is slightly less than the average cat. Though generally healthy, Maine Coons are more prone to some health conditions that may limit their lifespan, including obesity and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Still, with proper care and healthy genetics, a Maine Coon can live well into their teens and even over the age of 20. Several Maine Coons have been the oldest living cats at various points, including a Maine Coon from England named Rubble, who lived to be 31 years old!¹

How to Care For Your Maine Coon Cat for a Long Lifespan?

Maine Coon cats are hardy, but their longevity primarily depends on their health care. Promoting a long lifespan starts with ensuring your breeder does comprehensive screenings for common health issues. Cats from breeders who offer necessary testing and exceptional care will have the best chance of leading long, fulfilling lives.

After acquiring your Maine Coon, your feeding, grooming, and care routine will affect not only their lifespan but also their quality of life. With thoughtful care, your cat will likely be happier, and you’ll save time and money by preventing avoidable health problems and vet visits.

Feeding & Diet

Maine Coons need high-quality food rich in animal protein and low in carbs, with healthy omega fatty acids to support their organs, joints, skin, and coat. Adults should eat 20–30 calories per pound of body weight. Monitor your cat’s body condition frequently, as many owners don’t recognize their Maine Coons are overweight and fail to adjust their diet and exercise accordingly.

Environment

Maine Coon cats need space to roam and play, which may include supervised outdoor areas like gardens if you live in an apartment. An outdoor catio is even better, providing space to play outdoors while avoiding the risk of interactions with other animals or escaping the yard.

Making your Maine Coon an indoor-only cat is appropriate if you worry about outdoor hazards. They should have plenty of shelves and climbing furniture, cat trees, scratching posts for exercise, and enrichment devices like puzzle feeders and crinkly animal toys to avoid boredom.

Care

Maine Coons should have a clean space and an active lifestyle. Encourage daily play to keep them in shape and build your bond, using toys like feather wands and balls to engage them. Always ensure they have fresh water to stay hydrated and keep hazardous items or off-limits areas inaccessible.

Cats can be very particular about many things, including the water they drink. The right water fountain can provide your cat with clean, fresh water.

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Cleaning

Brush your Maine Coon’s plush coat two to three weekly to reduce mats, remove dead hair, and strengthen the skin and fur, and bathe them every 1–2 months with a cat shampoo to keep their skin and coat clean. Nails need clipping every 2–3 weeks, and teeth require brushing every 1–2 days. Check and clean the ears weekly to prevent infections.

Breeding

Breeding Maine Coons should be left up to responsible breeders only. These are people that are willing to have their animals screened for genetic illnesses that can be passed down to offspring. They are also people who are in the business for the love of the breed, not profits.

Healthcare

Maine Coon cats should visit the vet at least once annually as adults, while senior cats benefit from going every 6 months. Spaying and neutering at the appropriate age can be a critical step in preventing several health issues and extending your Maine Coon cat’s lifespan.

The Life Stages of a Maine Coon Cat

Due to their relatively slow growth rate, Maine Coons don’t fully mature until roughly 4 years old. Males generally take the longest to reach full-blown adulthood.

Kittenhood (0–6 Months)

Kittens need stimulation and attention. To engage your cat mentally, maintain a cat-proofed environment and rotate toys and enrichment devices. Socialization is critical, as is introducing a routine with grooming and care tasks.

Adolescence (6–18 Months)

The adolescent phase consists of activity and stand-offishness. Maine Coons still need loads of exercise and food to fuel their growth but may also test boundaries and become more independent.

Be patient as they work through this challenging phase. Training may require a trip back to basics, and you’ll have to find creative outlets for their energy and mischief.

Junior (1.5–4 Years)

Maine Coons grow fast in the first couple of years. Their development then slows but continues until they reach their mature size at 3–4 years. They can transition off kitten food after 18–24 months.

Adult (4–10 Years)

Adult Maine Coons are typically easygoing, affectionate, and more relaxed. Take them to the vet at least once annually, and provide ongoing enrichment with a rotation of toys and devices to keep them in shape and docile.

Senior (10+ Years)

As your Maine Coon ages, talk with your vet about their routine. They may recommend specialty diets or supplements to aid your cat’s aging body. Monitor changing habits, as older cats may need environmental adjustments if they have issues feeding, eliminating, or sleeping.

How to Tell Your Maine Coon Cat’s Age

Teeth

Permanent teeth come in at 4–6 months. Younger cats will tend to have whiter teeth, while cats with stains are likely in their older years. Keep in mind that cats that don’t receive proper dental care may have large amounts of tartar accumulation that could make you think they are older than they actually are.

Coat

A kitten’s coat will be voluminous and plush, while older Maine Coons may have more graying and coarser fur without as much fluff or density. Self grooming will also decline as cats lose flexibility and develop painful conditions like arthritis due to age.

Muscle and Activity

Young cats are active and toned. As they age, they become less energetic, often taking on extra body weight and areas of sagginess.

Eyes

Between 4-8 weeks, a kitten’s eyes change from blue to their final color. Adults gradually show a changing look to their eyes, with seniors often developing cloudiness and frequent tearing or discharge.

Conclusion

Maine Coon cats live around 12.5 years on average, but the breed only has a minor impact on any pet’s longevity or quality of life. Breeding practices and upbringing are more critical than anything, giving owners the ability to add years to their pets’ lives. By following these insights on how long Maine Coon cats live, you can set them up for many years of happy, comfortable companionship.

Featured Image Credit: pix-l passion, Shutterstock

The post How Long Do Maine Coon Cats Live? Vet-Verified Lifespan & FAQ by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Losing our cats can be incredibly heartbreaking. You have this unsettled feeling in your chest, knowing you have no way to tell where they are or what has happened.

You’re also well aware that cats can disappear for long periods of time that can go from horse to years and then show up on your doorstep again one day, so you can’t stop holding out hope. But how long is too long? Is there an appropriate length of time to wait? As a general answer, only you can decide, but here you have some advice to know when to stop.

How Long Can Cats Disappear?

The reality is that some cats can go missing for days, months, and even years before resurfacing. While it isn’t necessarily a common thing for them to disappear for long periods without turning up, it is certainly a possibility, so it’s very hard to give up.

There is probably a part of most pet owners that still hold out hope even for years after their kitty wound up missing. So, we want to clarify that there is no definite rule, length of time, or way to tell when it’s time to give up.

Your intuition will tell you more than any article can, and not every opinion counts. If you have been diligently looking for your cat, you can back off some, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to completely give up.

There’s only so much you can do to try to find your cat and then you have to leave the rest up to the universe. Below, we’re going to go over exactly how you can look for your cat and other valuable information.

Why Do Cats Go Missing?

Our cats can go missing for a variety of reasons. Here are a few different circumstances when they might lose their way or refuse to come home.

Hunting

Some cats are natural born hunters. If they get out there, they might be exercising their primal and instinctual behavior. Cats that are just out hunting may only stay gone for a few hours to a few days at most, unless they get lost and can’t find their way back.

Mating

If your cat is not spayed or neutered, they might be running off in an attempt to find or connect with a mate. Most cats that leave home for mating will be found within 500 meters of the home, but that doesn’t mean they can’t travel farther. ¹ Again, they may only be gone for a few days in this case, unless they travel too far and can’t find their way back.

Living Elsewhere

Your cat might have made friends with a neighbor or person living down the street. If so, this other person might assume that your cat is homeless and take them in as their own.

Once they get back out of the house again, they might come back to you or even stay at the other place for the remainder of their life, especially if the person they’re living with doesn’t know your cat is missing.

Prowling

Cats are real adventurers. They’re capable of traveling great distances to expand their territory. This is another situation where they could only be gone for a few days, or longer if they can’t find their way back home.

Home Circumstances

If you have recently moved residences, your cat might have gotten all mixed up once they step outside. After all, everything around them will be completely new. Some cats that have gone missing after a move have even found their way back to their old home if you haven’t moved too far away.

However, cats can also avoid coming home if something around the household has changed recently. Whether you have welcomed in a new family member or you have a new pet, they might disapprove and leave the home for quite some time if they get the chance.

Injury

Unfortunately, in any of the above circumstances, your cat can become injured while out exploring or searching for a mate. In those cases, your cat might be gone for a few days while they recover. Some cats will make their way back home when they feel better, but depending on the extent of the injury, some may never make their way back home.

The 6 Ways You Might Be Looking for Your Cat

You have probably come up with your own ways of looking for your cat. Here are some methods you might have tried, or maybe even some you haven’t quite thought of yet. If you’ve tried all of these and still come up empty after several months, it may be time to move on, but again, the decision is up to you as to how long you want to look for your cat.

1. You’ve Posted Your Cat Everywhere

The day you lost your cat, you frantically started looking for them. You were likely posting all over your social media and other places to ensure you got the word out. You have diligently been searching lost pet groups and letting your friends and family know to share the word. You may have even put up missing pet posters with a picture of your cat along with your contact information.

2. You’ve Put Your Cat’s Belongings Outside

You may have put some of your cat’s belongings, such as their bed, blanket, litter box, or food, outside on your porch so that your cat can smell it and find their way home. Cats have stronger senses of smell than we do, after all. You may have even put some of your own clothing outside to help your cat find their way home using your scent.

3. You’ve Looked Online

You may have checked animal shelter and rescue pages in your area to make sure no one found your cat and brought them in. Many shelters that take in new animals are required to hold them for a certain period of time, such as 7 days, before they can be adopted out, and they will often post the animals on their social media or website to help get the word out

4. You’ve Looked In-Person

You’ve told your neighbors; you’ve told the people down the street. Everyone’s keeping their eye out for your precious kitty. You’ve even asked your neighbors to tell their neighbors. Still, your cat hasn’t turned up. You may consider looking in animal shelters and rescues in person to see if your cat is there also. If nothing else, you can drop off your missing pet posters and the shelters can call you if your pet turns up.

5. You’ve Called Vet’s Offices

You can always ask around at different vets’ offices to see if someone has possibly come in to report or turn in your pet. While vet’s offices are not necessarily the most common place for people to take stray pets, it is possible, especially if someone found your cat and the cat was injured. The vet.

6. You Relied on the Microchip Database

If your cat has been microchipped, there is a very good chance that someone could find your cat and take them into a vet’s office or shelter to be scanned. Unfortunately, if all of your information isn’t up to date on the microchip, it can be impossible for someone to get a hold of you. So, someone could have had your cat and taken them in but had no way to really contact the true owner.

Only You Can Decide What’s Right

If you feel like it’s been a really long time, or you just have a sneaking suspicion that your cat isn’t coming back, only you can decide when it’s time to give up the search. Also, just because you give up the active search doesn’t mean that you’ve given up in your heart.

You will probably always still hold out hope that you get some answers about what happened to your precious kitty.

However, you can only put effort towards it for so long. Maybe one day your cat will wind up on your doorstep, looking a little worse for the wear, but still home, nonetheless.

Conclusion

If you have been searching for your cat day in and day out, it might be time to ease up on that just a little bit. However, just keep in mind that cats can disappear for long periods of time before resurfacing again. This is especially true if your cat has never been spayed or neutered.

Cats have extremely good memories and exquisite senses of smell. Even if they find themselves a long way away from home, many of them can find their way back. We will keep our fingers crossed for you!

Featured Image Credit: StockMediaSeller, Shutterstock

The post When to Stop Looking for a Lost Cat: Signs It Might Be Time to Move On by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Veterinarians, vet technicians, practice managers, rescuers, behaviorists, nutritionists, trainers, volunteers, and other animal professionals are the backbone of pet ownership. Helping pets and their families live in harmony and health together.

Catster wants to highlight some of these underrated champions of the animal world—who we like to refer to as Heroes of The Pet World.

We will interview some of the most inspiring vet clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and rehabilitation organizations around the world to share all the wonderful and oftentimes harsh experiences they face while working to help, heal, guide, revitalize, and protect our furry family members.

These are the stories of unsung animal superheroes!

This week’s interview is with New Era Veterinary Hospital

Meet Dr. Maja Platisa DVM MRCVS, working at New Era Veterinary Hospital in Jersey, Channel Islands, as a night/out-of-hours veterinarian. Of course, you might recognize her from Catster too!

Mission

In your own words, what is New Era Veterinary Hospital’s mission and purpose?

The mission of New Era Veterinary Hospital, as well as most veterinary clinics in my opinion, is to help as many animals as possible, both those owned as pets, farm or working animals, as well as wildlife, ensuring their utmost health and quality of life at all times, through the hard work of a skilled and dedicated team of professionals, while providing the best veterinary care there is and being recognized for this unique role by the local community.

What is your individual mission or goal, as a vet professional and as a person?

My goal as a veterinarian is to ensure I always provide the best possible care to my patients and meet the expectations of their owners in a kind, professional, and compassionate manner, keep up to date with the newest developments and trends in veterinary medicine, and strive to always continue to improve my skills and knowledge. On a personal level, one of my biggest challenges and goals thus far is to maintain a good work-life balance, to find time for family and friends and hobbies outside of work, while leaving work “at work”.

Day-to-Day Experience

What is it like being a vet in the Channel Islands and at New Era Veterinary Hospital?

For me, being a vet in the United Kingdom and more specifically Channel Islands still feels like a great privilege, although I have worked here since graduating in 2015. It’s very different from being a vet in Croatia, where I am from, due to differences in the level of veterinary medicine, the financial constraints of pet ownership, and the lack of veterinary pet insurance. Working at New Era Vet Hospital leaves me feeling proud to be a part of such a great team of very knowledgeable, ambitious, and skilled individuals, who are always finding new and innovative ways to help animals and stop at nothing.

How big is your team?

It’s a big team and a well-oiled machine where each team member has an important and irreplaceable role to play! There are more than 20 vets, some of which work part-time, and they are spread across two branches and the main 24-hour hospital. We also have more than 15 veterinary nurses, which is equivalent to veterinary technicians or techs in the U.S.A., several veterinary nurse students and support staff, 9 receptionists across all three sites, around 12 administrative staff and accounting, a veterinary physiotherapist, and more.

Do you have staffing shortages and how do you deal with them?

Being a veterinary hospital located on an island, there are common staffing shortages and it’s challenging to recruit staff for more permanent positions. Part of the reason for this is also accommodation limitations and requirements for specific working and housing licenses, making it expensive for new people coming in. Burnout and poor mental health are also some of the reasons people tend to leave the profession early, which leads to ongoing staff shortages.

How many animals on average do you help on a weekly basis?

We see probably around 100 animals or so on a daily basis, from dogs, cats, pet rabbits, guinea pigs, and others, while visiting vets attend to farm animals and horses every day. The consultations run from the morning until early evening, with two vets consulting at the same time, alongside scheduled surgeries for every day and there are dedicated vets who only attend to emergencies. I would guess we may have around 100–130 small animals come through all the branches in a day, but I may be wrong.

Challenges and Rewards

What is the hardest part of your job? How do you handle euthanasia and patient loss?

The hardest part of my job is failure, in every sense. This is not always the loss of an animal’s life, which is the worst possible outcome for everyone involved. It could be a mistake we or another team member made. It may be frustration at a lack of diagnosis, poor response to treatment, or needing to give the client bad news. A challenge many vets experience at some point in their careers, generally in the first few years, is the infamous imposter syndrome. Dealing with insecurities and uncertainties regarding a difficult case can also leave me feeling drained and unaccomplished.

Euthanasia is always hard, but what makes it particularly difficult is knowing the animal and being alongside them during their illness and health, knowing the clients, losing very young animals due to various circumstances, and just seeing the love their pet parents have for them at such a difficult time at the end of their life. As vets, we have to learn how to protect and somehow even distance ourselves during euthanasia procedures, mentally and emotionally, as otherwise we may experience emotional burnout and depression. This is not always possible and many cases leave us almost as devastated and sad as they do the owners.

What are some of the biggest challenges that your organization faces?

The veterinary profession as such faces several big challenges, such as declining mental health, staffing shortages, and people leaving the profession, variable and often insufficient compensations, and generally challenging work-life balance. The job entails a lot of dedication and ongoing personal and professional development, for both vets and nurses, from the very beginning of veterinary studies, and this does not change after graduation.

At New Era Veterinary Hospital, one of the biggest challenges is staffing shortages, as already discussed. Next are the stress levels and mental health as a veterinary practice is a high-stress environment with continuously increasing expectations, and this often exhibits both individual and whole team stress levels.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you guys do?

The best part is of course sending an animal home to their owner, after a successful surgery or medical treatment and seeing them recover and get back to normal. The look of relief, happiness, and gratitude on an owner’s face alongside a waggy tail or a content purr makes it all worthwhile. However, sometimes it’s also small victories as well, on a daily basis, such as getting a very sick patient to eat something, getting a spinal patient to take their first steps or move their legs voluntarily, and seeing an animal we have treated weeks ago, come back for a recheck, with their health issues much improved or even resolved. As professionals, we also find establishing definitive diagnoses for our patients very rewarding, giving us a sense of accomplishment.

Impact

What are some of the accomplishments or specific animals that have made a big impact on you as a person or on your team?

It’s difficult to point out a single case, as there are many animals on a weekly basis that leave an impact on the whole team. Usually, these are the patients who spend several days or longer at the hospital, or who come in frequently for ongoing treatment, such as chemo, and the team will quickly form a bond with each one of them. In the last year, one dog that left a mark on many team members was a Border Collie called Alfie, an older dog suffering from a complex kidney and endocrine illness. Alfie spent many days hospitalized with us and was a very sweet boy, afterward visited the practice regularly for checks and treats from our receptionists. It was difficult for all team members when his condition declined and he passed.

Future

What are New Era Veterinary Hospital’s main goals for the future?

The goal of New Era Veterinary Hospital remains to provide the best possible care to all of our patients, through the hard work of an experienced team of highly skilled individuals, while maintaining a positive and stimulating working environment, with a great focus on the mental health of all the staff members.

How can the general public help make your lives easier?

Educating pet owners through vet-approved media and reputable content, raising awareness on the best care for their animals, in order to avoid some of the more easily preventable health issues, understanding the importance of regular preventative healthcare, as well as sympathizing with the frequently challenging position their local vet is in, trying to balance expectations and financial particularities of each client with the best possible and necessary care their animal deserves, are just some of the ways that the general public and pet owners can make our day-to-day jobs easier.

Sometimes words of kindness, understanding, and acknowledgment are all it takes for the vet team to feel valued for all the hard work and long hours they are putting into the care of animals.

Stories

What are some of the funniest or most outrageous pet names you’ve encountered?

Some of these are cats called Coco and Chanel, a dog called Dolly Parton, a cat called Jesus, and so on.

How to Support

If someone wants to visit, join, support, or volunteer at the New Era Veterinary Hospital, where can they find more information and get in touch?

It’s best to contact either the practice manager or one of the clinical directors, through the email and contact forms available on the website.

Anything else you’d like to tell the pet community?

Thank you for this opportunity to share with you some of the aspects of our job, which for most of us is a calling and without which our lives would not be the same. Together with you as pet parents, through an open conversation, we can set the basis for improving animal health and welfare worldwide.

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