VCA Healthy PAWS Medical Center

Busting Cat Myths

On average, cats visit the veterinarian less than half as often as dogs. Many cat owners hold the belief that cats don’t require the same routine care as dogs or don’t get sick as often—and this cat myth is just not true! The natural behavior of cats is to hide disease and this is why one or two routine yearly visits to the veterinarian are critical to maintain your cat’s health.

While cats are healthier and tend to live longer when they live indoors, it is a common cat myth that indoor cats do not get sick. While outdoor cats are more susceptible to predators and trauma, both indoor and outdoor cats can be affected by infectious diseases. Insects carrying disease can come inside through open
windows and doors; soil and other debris carrying
disease may be tracked inside on an owner’s shoes
or from other pets that go outdoors. Additionally,
indoor cats can develop metabolic diseases
—meaning internally developed disease that
has nothing to do with exposure to the
outdoor environment.

cat training cat myths
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Specialty Care

Sometimes sick or injured pets need the care of a veterinary medical specialist. When that happens, VCA specialty hospitals work closely with the general practitioner veterinarians who refer cases to us in order to provide seamless veterinary care to your pet. When your pet is facing any kind of serious illness or injury, our specialty referral hospitals will provide the compassionate and expert care your beloved pet needs.

Our goal is to make sure that when you and your pet are in need that you have access to board certified specialists who are up to date on the very latest developments in their field. In our state of the art hospitals, our specialists also have access to the most sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools and techniques from ultrasonography and endoscopy to CAT scans and even MRI.

We have over 40 specialty hospitals across the US so there may be one near you. Our specialized services include: behavior, cardiology, critical care, dentistry, dermatology, integrative medicine, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, rehabilitation, reproduction, and surgery.

Find a VCA Specialty Care Animal Hospital near you:

 

See all VCA Animal Hospitals >

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Emergency Care

At VCA Healthy PAWS Medical Center, we understand how frightening and stressful it can be when your pet requires emergency medical attention. If your pet has a medical emergency during business hours, please bring them in right away. You do not need an appointment and your pet will be triaged immediately. It is helpful if you call to notify us that you are on your way so that we can prepare the supplies needed for your pet's care.

If your pet has a medical emergency after hours, please contact one of the Veterinary Emergency facilities below.

VCA South Paws in Fairfax, VA 703-752-9100

The Life Center in Leesburg, VA 703-777-5755

Prince William Emergency in Manassas, VA 703-361-8287

VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital in Alexandria, VA 703-751-2022

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