- Attend puppy classes when your dog is young with a certified trainer using positive reinforcement practices
- Come by frequently for “happy” puppy visits and let our staff spoil them
- If they are able and it’s not too hot, take a long walk before you come (exercise has a calming effect)
- Bring a toy your dog loves
- Park on the side of our building, away from traffic
- Keep your dog’s collar and leash secure
- Accustom your dog to a mat or bed and bring it with you when you come
- Bring a stool sample to the appointment
- Have your dog wear a Thundershirt™
Low-Stress Cat Care in Charleston
Cats benefit from compassionate handling before and during their veterinary visit. At our clinic, cats can enjoy their own waiting room, exam room, treatment area, and hospital area.
Our cat examination rooms have cat-friendly beds and Feliway™ pheromone diffusers for a calming effect. Our technicians perform low-stress holds for blood draws and treatments, and we encourage the use of comfort packs for anxious feline patients. These medications are very safe for almost all cats.
- Using treats as positive reinforcement
- Keeping cat cages covered
- Having Feliway™ pheromone diffusers in every exam room
- Allowing cats to roam around in the exam room so they can become acclimated to their environment
- Implementing gentle and minimal handling/restraint
- The use of box houses for hospitalization
Our Position Regarding Declawing
In 2016, our practice (following our sister practice) collectively decided to eliminate feline declaw surgery from our practice unless it is deemed medically necessary. This elective, painful amputation procedure has, in recent years, been scrutinized by many veterinary and animal health organizations. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and Humane Society have all taken the stance that elective declawing should not be performed.
The veterinarians and staff at West Ashley Veterinary Clinic feel a moral and ethical imperative to embrace this movement. If you would like more information about alternatives to declawing, please visit the following sites.
• AAFP’s Declawing Position Statement
