A Newcastle veterinary hospital is the cat's whiskers with a new £150,000 clinic aiming to help to transform the care of feline patients in the region.
Westway Veterinary Group, which has its main hospital on West Road in Newcastle, has opened its first clinic dedicated solely to the care of cats.
The new clinic has been opened following £150,000 of investment from VetPartners, the larger veterinary group of which Westway Vets is a founding practice.
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After taking over the lease on a neighbouring premises, the practice has expanded to create a new facility that aims to meet the unique nature and needs of cats, many of whom can become stressed when visiting the vets.
Dogs are not allowed in the new clinic, ensuring a much quieter and relaxed environment for cats and their owners. Dogs instead use the main entrance at the hospital, one of the biggest of its kind in the North East.
As well as two consult rooms and a treatment room, the whole design of the new building is tailored to suit cats and their individual personalities, with softer lighting and pheromone sprays to create a chilled out vibe.
Their main West Road hospital also boasts a state-of-the-art cat wing, with theatres, isolation unit and cat ward, all set apart from the rest of the practice.
Practice manager Mark Turnbull said: "Opening a cat-only consulting clinic is part of our commitment to the health and welfare of our feline patients. Cats can be very sensitive to their surroundings and our new clinic will provide the perfect calm, serene atmosphere they prefer, away from the noise and smell of dogs.
"Cats can become stressed when they visit a vet practice and by creating a cat-only clinic it will help to keep more cats happier and healthier as understandably sometimes owners are reluctant to bring their cats in if they're concerned about them becoming stressed.
"We would encourage cat owners to call the clinic if they are worried about transporting their cat as we can give advice and guidance on how to make the trip as stress free as possible.
"If cats feel more chilled in themselves, it's much easier for our vets and nurses to handle them, so they can be examined properly and given the care and treatment they need."
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