Cats Only Veterinary House Calls is a veterinary practice devoted to the care of cats. It serves the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County and adjacent areas. Cats Only is owned and operated by Matthew J. Ehrenberg, D.V.M., a graduate of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, class of 1984. Since then he has practiced primarily in the west San Fernando Valley.

Why house calls for cats? While cats are very tough they seem to deal poorly with certain kinds of stress, enforced travel specifically. Putting a pathologically reluctant cat into a box and driving him/her to the hospital frequently results in a cat who is withdrawn, aggressive, difficult to examine, difficult to assess, difficult. Some of these cats are easier to treat at home. It is also useful to observe cats in their normal surroundings. One sometimes picks up clues to the nature of the problem when seeing them at home.

Why house calls for people? While people are very tough they seem to deal poorly with certain kinds of stress, transporting a pathologically reluctant cat to the veterinarian specifically. Naturally, it is also more convenient for the doctor to come to them than the reverse. For cat owners with demanding schedules there is no travel time involved, no waiting-room time and appointments can be scheduled more flexibly. People who have the feeling that they are being rushed out of the exam room before they can ask their questions sometimes feel better attended. For people with multiple cats the savings in time, energy and exasperation are multiplied.

Services Offered by Cats Only Veterinary House Calls

House Calls - During a house call we routinely perform examinations, vaccinations, collect blood and urine samples for general lab panels, geriatric panels, kidney panels, Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus testing. Some abbesses, dental and urinary tract problems can be treated at home. Diabetic cats and debilitated cats with chronic conditions are often more easily treated and monitored at home.

Collective House Calls - If neighbors, family members and nearby friends can gather at one person's house then routine exams, vaccinations and testing can often be done at one time and less expensively.

Telephone Consultations - Consultation need not be constrained by distance. It is as easy to speak with someone in Boston as it is in Sherman Oaks. Arrangements for the consultation and scheduling a time may be done by e-mail or telephone 818-884-0500

Cattery Visits - Catteries are potentially the greatest beneficiaries of house calls. Often the greatest problems experienced by catteries relate to husbandry and management and require on-site consultation.

Hospitalization - Some services require hospital facilities. Surgical procedure, intravenous fluids, endoscopy, X-rays, extensive dental treatment and critical care require a hospital and staff. Hospital care and the services of veterinary specialists are available as needed.