How do you find a Vet for Raw Fed Cats?

[catmomof6]

I would like to know how everyone finds a vet that accepts feeding raw?  My current vet keeps trying to shove kibble down our throats.  It's Hills at that.  There aren't (that I can find) any Holistic Vets around my area.

 

[tammyp]

Hi CatMomof6,

I'm afraid my reply may not be overly helpful, as I'm not sure where you live.  I'd start with some google searches.  I just did one, and in Australia, we have a holistic vet association that lists 'all' holistic vets (who knew!).  Unfortunately, not many at all in Australia.  Your google search may also bring up other threads from other discussion forums that will give you some trails to follow.  And I absolutely know that there is a site out there that attempts to list all the holistic vets across many countries - unfortunately, Australia was not included, so I didn't bookmark...but hopefully someone out there knows it!

I found our vet by reading journal articles on feline nutrition.  There will be a number of names that just keep popping up as there are always 'leaders' in a particular area.  Then I started googling the names to see if they were still practising.  While the vet closest to me had moved on from that clinic into teaching, her views had influenced the clinic, and it is a good clinic that includes the only feline specialists in my state.  And yes, they still have to 'pay their dues' (its all politics and big business), so they DO sell (and recommend) commercial food.  BUT after a few conversations, I think we have settled into a 'are you comfortable if I ...' type of discussion that allows my vet to bypass the probable requirements that she push some type of food.  AND she is the only vet that kind of knows what I'm talking about when I speak 'balancing' and 'frankenprey'.  It's a workable relationship.

Best wishes finding someone with whom you can develop the same!

 

[ldg]

If you're in the U.S., you can search to find a holistic vet here, if you haven't tried this already: http://www.ahvma.org

 

[peaches08]

Have you talked with other pet owners in your area? My last cat had diabetes that was controlled by diet, so I asked other animal owners what vet they used and why. I ended up going to the clinic that I still use because they try to stay up to date on the most recent information available and they understood why I didn't vaccinate this elderly and immune compromised cat. After her death, I got these new cats and continued with this same practice, and was very pleased with a new vet there that not only approved of raw feeding but said, "I think every cat/dog should be fed raw.". His only concern was if I supplemented taurine, and when I explained Dr. Pierson's recipe he was satisfied and had said that he was satisfied with her recipe. While I got lucky, I think it helped that I looked for a clinic that likesto stay current on veterinary science.

 

[catmomof6]

Thanks for the replies...I am in the U.S.  Outside of Harrisburg PA.  The Dr I took my cats to has left the practice I go to.  I really liked her...and to put it mildly I don't trust anyone else there.  I have heard things, seen and experience things that go on there and since she is not there I am lost and I want to find a new DR and practice.  The Dr my boy saw today looked at me like a 2 headed alien when I told her I feed raw.  Then she said he had mild gingivitis and asked if he had anything crunchy to chew on to get rid of the plaque.  I told her I ground chicken and use Wysong Call of the Wild...then I think I grew a third head.    

 She said he needs kibble to crunch the plaque away.

My problem is...not one person I know feeds raw.  So it's not like I can ask around or ask my friends.  I did a locate and found one in Camp Hill PA.  The problem is the hours and only one DR. which might make it hard to get in.  I can call and talk to her to see if I had an emergency could I get a same day appt., etc.  

I was just re-reading Peaches08 reply and there is a Practice hmmm..like 10 miles down the road that, from what I have read, are up to date on veterinary science.  They also have good reviews.  I have not talked to them, but I think I will call them tomorrow, also.

i wouldn't need one right now except one of my boys hurt his shoulder/arm/paw and he was running a fever.  That's why I went today even though my normal Dr isn't there.  The Dr. thought maybe his collar bone was out of place because when she was checking him out she felt something around his collar bone. But, the x-rays showed nothing wrong.  So he was given a antibiotic and steroid shot.  Poor baby, I feel so bad for him.

PS tammyp, I have wanted to go to Australia so bad, but I am not a good traveler, I get bored easily and I don't think I could sit still on a flight that long!

 

[peaches08]

I am the only raw feeder right now in my area, but several of my friends are about to start. The pet owners that I talked to a few years ago had animals with special needs so I went with their advice for a vet clinic.

As far as chewy things, what about gizzards or chunked meat? Raw meaty bones?

 

[ritz]

I'm afraid I'm not much help either. Luckily I live within 40 minutes from a holistic vet. I would like to take Ritz to the vet, but she doesn't travel well. Still debating the pros/cons.
My current vet has a wonderful rapport, bed side manner with Ritz. But blames upset stomachs on 'bad meat' and believes in treating UTIs with a prescription diets. That said, I would not hesitate to take Ritz to this vet if Ritz suddenly started to limp or her FHS symptoms became much worse.
Interestingly, one of the vet technicians feeds her dog raw. (I know her also through a cat sanctuary where we volunteer.) The vet tech said it's one of those issues she doesn't talk with her boss/vet about--agree to disagree I guess.

 

[tammyp]

Ah CatMomof6...you'll just have to take an extended trip with a few stopovers on the way!!  But yes, it is a terribly long flight.

Re your vet situation, I would actually go for a visit to however many you shortlist - without your cat - just to check them out.  You can ask them a bunch of questions around the areas of concern, to see how they receive someone who is a raw feeder (you don't even have to reveal it is you who is the raw feeder if you want to really test their reactions).  You will at least be able to get a feel for whether you will be able to work with them, and it's also a bit of a confidence boost for when you have to take your cat in, as you already 'know' them, and they 'know' you.

 

[catmomof6]

Thanks tammyp...that is a really good idea (on the vet idea)!