Conference misery::feline_v1

    I'm on my first kitten (Tashti) and haven't had any experience with
    vets other than Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Chelmsford, but
    I do want to say that I've been happy with their work.  Tashti has
    been seen by both the owner (Brian Holub, D.V.M) as well as one
    of the other assistants.  Both were extremely nice people, more
    than willing to answer questions and explain problems, alternatives
    etc.  I was impressed, because on my first visit, they gave me a
    questionaire to fill out which asked several questions about how
    I felt about vetinary care (did I want to "understand" and be "part
    of" the process, or did I just want them to take care of everything?
    Did I consider my cat as part of the family [of COURSE!] or though,
    important, still a pet etc.)  I think they use that information
    to try and tailor their administrations to how much you want to
    know/how interested you personally are.
    
    From reading some of the recent estimates of pricing in here,
    Countryside is very reasonable.  Tashti, who will be neutered in
    January, will cost $35.00 (no overnight stay).  They do have an
    office visit charge ($22.00) though for normal visits.
    
    RE:  stool samples... if you have kittens, you should bring in a
    sampleof their stool for the vets to check.  My vet said that is
    EXTREMELY common for kittens to have some kind of worms.  My guess
    is that once they check out negative, and if they're indoor only
    cats, they don't really need subsequent stool checks.  Anyone out
    there know for sure about this?  I'll have to ask the vet next time
    I visit.
    
    Good luck with your kittens.  Whatever vet you decide on, just make
    sure that YOU'RE happy/comfortable with them.
    
    Ruby

    re: FlV etc.  Its only been since we bought our house in Braintree
    (January 87) that the cats have gone out on leashes. Before that
    they were strictly indoor cats - or went out on the second floor
    deck.  
      Regardless of that I have always had my cats immunized against
    everything possible.  My attitude has been that there is always
    a chance that they may get out or in some other way come in contact
    with the various diseases.  For example, one year in our basement
    apartment we had a large mouse which "Hunter-cat" Mao decided to
    catch and play with.  Who knows what the mouse might have been
    carrying.                               
      Also, my vet has always requested a stool sample at every check-up.
      As far as the Feline Leukemia test goes, if the cost is not 
    prohibitive, I'd request it be re-checked prior to immunization.
    I feel it is better to err on the side of caution.  Also, my vet
    informed me that FlV immunization is not a 100% guarantee that 
    they will never get feline leukemia and therefore, you should
    not let them come in contact with another cat unless you know for
    sure that the cat is not carrying FlV.  

      For what its worth - there's my two or three cents.
       Nancy DC

    
    	We just started taking our little one to Nashoba Vet
    	Hospital.  I don't know that much about vets because
    	this is my first kitten.  But the people there are very
    	pleasant and kind to my and Sasha. (the girl at the desk
    	just loves her!)  I was referred to them by a friend of
    	mine who brings her dogs there.  One of her pups had to
    	have one of her front legs amputated and she said the vets
    	at Nashoba were fantastic with Jackie.   
    
    	They charge $20 for the office visit.  All in all I'm pleased
    	with them.  I'll be bringing Sasha in soon to have her fixed.
    	But I haven't talked at length with the vet about it yet.
    
    	Good luck on whatever you decide!!
    
    	JJ
    
    	

    I can't resist answering this question ...though I'm a little
    reluctant.  I am definitely prejudiced in this instance since
    I have been working at Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital in
    Westford since it first opened in the early 70's. Dr. Damitz, the
    original vet, kept my beloved TiJai healthy and happy for 18 years
    beyond the death sentence that was placed on him at the age of two
    because of his severe medical problems. He is one of the most caring
    people I have ever met, both of animals and people. His partner,
    Dr. Lennon, does large animals as well as small and has pulled my
    miniature horses (and me) through all the crisis you are bound to
    face when breeding animals. He is a top notch surgeon as well. The
    third vet, Dr. Rothman, is fairly new. I haven't had a chance to
    work with him much, but everyone speaks highly of him and I have
    found him to be very pleasant. He checked out my new Birman for
    me and I was impressed with the exam and the way he handled her.
    Steve, the hospital manager and a technician, consistantly goes way
    beyond what is necessary to assist with the animals and see to their
    comforts. I believe many an animal that would have been lost was
    pulled through by his persistance in talking to them and keeping
    them interested in their surroundings. ...and he is an endless source
    of information since he is constantly reading the latest articles
    on vaccines and medical techniques.
    Since working for Digital is a time and attention consuming career,
    I now only work at NVVH on Thursday evenings. I continue to do this
    because I consider it a privilege to spend the time with people
    who are such dedicated animal lovers ....and great friends!
    There are several good vets in the area ..and any one of them would
    probably give excellent medical care, but after working with these
    people for many years this animal lover gives them a big vote of
    confidence and all the respect and love a good friend can give.
                                         
    Linda
    

    I have been taking my cats and dog to NVVH for years.  I love them
    there.  They are kind and very helpful.  I tried to save money one
    time and took my cat to another vet and they treated her wrong.
    After a few visits to the other vet I decided to take her back to
    NVVH and they diagnosed lukemia.  I wish I took her there first
    and maybe something could have been done to save her.
    
    I was just there monday with one of my cats.  I live in Ayer and
    bring my animals all the way to westford because they are so good.
    
    I am sure you'll like this place too.
    

    In answer to your question about vaccinating against feline luke,
    I just had my two new additions done and thank God they tested neg.
    I asked if they would have to have the preventative given since
    they would be insiders only.  (My outsiders are given their
    preventative) and the vet just read an article where if the kittens
    were sitting in a window (window open) and a cat that had feline
    luke was sitting outside that window than the cats could get it.
    (it's that contagious), so its off to the vets the 23rd for their
    first of a series of three.  Better to be safe than sorry and it
    is costly when you have 6 cats and 3 dogs to keep up with.
    
    Cindy (who would have more cats if it wasn't for the vet bills)

    
    I use Nashoba Valley Vet and my first experience is documented
    somewhere in this notes file.  I gave it a second try and confirmed
    that the problem was that particular vet who has since left,
    thankfully.  Dr Damitz is very good.  I went in recently for Loki's
    last shots and got someone I've never seen before and was happy with
    him. 
    
    Speaking of Loki, I adopted him from NVV.  He had a broken leg, the
    owners didn't want to/couldn't pay and decided to put him down. The vet
    operated on him anyways and I adopted the over friendly trouble maker.
    :-)  His leg is completely healed, they did an excellent job, and never
    charged me for any of the visits regarding his leg (x-rays, checkups,
    etc).
    
    

    re: base note
    
    I was so glad your appointment turned out to be on a Thursday evening
    and I had a chance to meet you and be introduced to Samson and Sheba!
    I can understand why you couldn't part with either of them. Their
    handsome elegance and shiney sleek coats are evidence of all the
    T.L.C. you have been giving them.   Lucky kitties to have such a
    caring mom!
    
    Linda

    Thanks to those of you who referred me to Nashoba.  Linda, it was
    especially nice meeting you and your babies last nite.  Always a
    pleasure to meet a fellow noter!
    
    Dr. Lennon was very nice and was gentle with Sheba and Samson.  That
    was so important to me since that was their first (but not last!)
    visit.  I thought they'd be scared, but they didn't cry at all in
    the car or at the office.  They were just very curious as usual!
    I was glad to know they were healthy, especially since I thought
    I waited too long to give them their shots.
    
    I would definitely recommend Nashoba.  Thanks again to all of you
    for your referrals!
    
    diane
    
    P.S.  Linda, your babies were absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!
    

    Those of you who are familiar with NVVH and know Dr. "Charlie" Damitz
    might be interested in watching Nashoba Cable channel 30 (6 pm 12/21/88
    and 7 pm 12/23/88). There is a nice article and picture of Charlie
    (with Tripod ..our hospital feline mascot ..another story for another
    day) on the front page of yesterday's (12/20) Lowell Sun.
    
    Excerpts from the article:
    
    	Damitz makes his television debut Wednesday and Friday in a
    play he wrote a half dozen years ago titled "The boy who hated
    Christmas". 
        The characters in the play include the frog, a toad, a monkey,
    a rabbit, dogs and bears.  Damitz, his wife Susanne, and three children
    - Meredith, Brad and Karl - provide the voices for the stuffed animals,
    which they also animate from behind a curtain.
    	Several years ago, Damitz put on plays at the Children's Museum
    in Boston about the immortality of Santa Claus. In addition to plays,
    Damitz has written 15 Children's books. "The Giant Egg", published
    by Weekly reader, is in libratires and classrooms throughout the
    area. More than 66,000 copies have been distributed nationwide.
    	Last spring Damitz, who also teaches creative writing to children,
    joined the Young Authors Conference in Pepperell.
    	Although the bulk of Damitz's literary efforts revolve around
    children's works, some of his professional articles have been published
    by Dog World magazine.
    	The familiar subjects included animal vaccinations, antibiotics,
    steriods and fleas.                      
        
    
    The above are just a few paragraphs reprinted without permission
    from The Sun (Lowell, Ma.).