By Susan E. Campbell
The single-species animal clinic is a trend
that has hit Saratoga with the July 8 opening
of Just Cats Veterinary Clinic at 3258 South
Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
This is the second such clinic operated by
Susan Sikule, DVM, who has provided specialized
cat care at her Guilderland clinic since
1994. Catering to cats, both friendly and finicky,
allows Dr. Sikule “to be very good in handling,
diagnosing and treating” her patients, she said.
Sikule and practitioners like her, including
Theresa Tommell, DVM, who alternates with
Sikule to cover both clinics, believe that it is
prudent to use a specialist in cats for the same
reason it is prudent in humans.
Photo Courtesy of Stock Studios Photography
“When I opened the clinic nearly two decades ago, I just preferred cats,” she said. “But now I have far higher medical acumen” in caring for felines.
“The practice also allows us to bring in board-certified surgeons to perform surgeries on site,” said Sikule. “The animals are less stressed that way.”
In the absence of barking dogs and the scent of other critters, cats can be treated in a more calming environment, experts say.
Sikule opened her second clinic in the southern part Saratoga to serve existing clientele around Clifton Park, Malta and the Capital District. “Cats don’t travel well. So we are going to them,” she said. “Route 9 offers very good visibility for us. And our clients will have greater access to us without concern for traffic.”
Just Cats has some 3,500 clients who are having their pets treated through internal medicine, surgery, dentistry and holistic medicine, including acupuncture.
Sikule describes her approach as “minimalist.” For example, she said she may be less likely to vaccinate animals than another veterinarian, especially since two-thirds of the cats she sees are kept indoors.
“Geriatric cats do not need vaccines and if there are problems, such as with the kidneys, we don’t want to stimulate the cat,” she said. “Vaccines are much less necessary that the veterinary practice used to believe.”
Sikule said she may add staff within the next six months. Meanwhile, Just Cats in Saratoga will have summer hours between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The website is www.justcatsvet.com or call 869-5779 to learn more.