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Clinic Hours
Monday 8am-7pm
Tuesday thru Friday 8am-5pm
Closed weekends
Boarding pick-ups on Sunday at 5pm by special arrangement
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| Did you know that our clinic has a Facebook page?
We use it to post interesting links or articles, as well as news updates regarding food recalls or other important information. We also love to see what our patients are up to at home, so you are welcome to post pictures of your cat there as well. Click on the Facebook icon above to visit our page. |
In Memoriam
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In honor of our feline friends who have recently passed...
Bella S. Boo D. Chocolate Mousse Heidi H. Matt the Cat M. Mozart D. Old Cat S. Spider Man J. Tango P. Tilly C. Uma C.
Moe Lewis 
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| Riverside Cat Hospital Referral Program 
We love it when we meet a new client, especially when they heard about us from a friend or family member. Personal referrals are our number one source of new clients and patients. Help us continue to grow! If you have enjoyed bringing your cat to see us, and are impressed with the level of service that we provide, tell your friends and neighbors about us. For every new client you refer to us, receive a $10 credit on your account!
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Contact Us
| www.RiversideCatHospital.com
phone: 517-347-2287
4632 Okemos Rd. Okemos, MI 48864
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Holiday Boarding, Bark-Free!
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 | | Cat friendly boarding! |
Traveling for the Holidays? We still have boarding space available for your cat! Boarding cats have private kennel suites and access to our large, sunny playroom. Call to make your reservation today! |
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 Spotlight on Toxoplasmosis
Being a cat hospital, we get questions from time to time about toxoplasmosis, usually from women who have recently become pregnant and have been doing some reading. We find that there is a lot of misinformation floating around about toxoplasmosis, the risk of living with a cat while pregnant, and the best preventive measures to take.
What is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a protozoal parasite, toxoplasma gondii. It can infect a large number of different animal species, but sheep, cats, and humans are most commonly infected. Clinical signs of infection can vary, but are usually vague and mild, and infection often goes unnoticed or is misdiagnosed as a cold. People are usually infected through ingesting raw or undercooked meat (especially lamb), exposure to toxoplasma cysts in the soil (gardening), or through organisms shed in their cats' feces in the litter box. Studies estimate that about 1/3 of the US population has had toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is a bigger concern in people when pregnant women are infected. The organism can cross the pacenta and infect the unborn child. When this happens, the child can be born with varying degrees of blindness or other neurological problems.
Prevention
Since unborn children are at greatest risk of severe infection, focus should be on preventing exposure in pregnant women. If you are part of the 1/3 of the US population that has been previously exposed, you are unlikely to ever become infected again and pass the infection to your unborn child. Your doctor can test a blood sample to find out if you have been infected previously.
The risk of contracting toxoplasmosis from the family cat has likely been overstated. Some physicians even recommend getting rid of pet cats during pregnancy, but this unnecessary step can be avoided if a few simple precautions are taken: - Thoroughly cook all meat and wash your hands after handling raw meat. Feed your cats only commercially prepared cat food, not raw meat, to prevent infection in your cat.
- Wear rubber gloves when gardening. Cysts are not killed by freezing, and can survive for long periods of time in the soil.
- Because toxoplasma cysts take 24-48 hours to become infectious, cleaning the litter box one to two times daily will help to remove the cysts before they become dangerous to people. If possible, ask another family member to take care of the litter boxes during the pregnancy.
Studies have not found any correlation between owning cats and toxoplasma infection. Adopting a few simple hygiene habits can help to insure that you reduce your (and your baby's) risk of infection, and keep your cat!
For more information, check out the following resources:
- An informational article from Veterinary Partner.
- An excellent resource for information about a variety of infectious diseases is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can find their section on toxoplasmosis here.
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Ask Izzy
 Izzy is taking a break from her column this month to rest up and feel better. She has recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and has started taking medication. However, the medication is not agreeing with her very well, and she has not been feeling so good lately.
We have ordered her some new medication and expect things to be turning around soon. In the meantime, she can still be found at her regular post on the front counter, and she enjoys it when clients stop by to say Hi! to her or give her a pet.
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Looking for a new furry friend?
We know of several cats here at the clinic who are recently in need of a new home. If you or someone you know is considering a new pet, please consider these kitties. They are all very friendly and come from loving homes!
 | | Tangelo |
Tangelo was a stray cat who has been fully vaccinated, neutered, and dewormed. He has decided that he doesn't want to be a stray anymore and would love to have a home for the holidays!
 | | Minnie |
 | | Linus |
Linus and Minnie are a brother /sister pair. They are very playful and fun! They have been coming to see us since they were kittens and would make great pets for a family with children.
 | | Andrew |
 | | Lance |
Lance and Andrew recently lost their owner, an older woman who doted on them. They are shy with strangers, but would be very personable and lovable with their new family!
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The Last Word
 When we hear about a service or product that interests us here at the clinic, we like to pass along this info to our clients. We recently found out about Voiceless-MI, a non-profit organization offering help to pet owners in the Lansing area. Voiceless-MI is working in partnership with the Capital Area Humane Society to offer very low-cost spay and neuter services to pet owners who would not otherwise be able to afford to have their cats or dogs spayed or neutered. Visit their website here and fill out the online form for assistance. Pet owners can also call 517-993-8600 to request a paper application. Have a stray cat problem in your neighborhood? Voiceless-MI also has a trap-neuter-release (TNR) program for stray and feral cats. You can borrow a live trap from Voiceless, trap the cat, and take it to one of their drop-off locations for surgery. After spaying or neutering, the cat is returned for release. See their website for more information about this program. Dr. Kerry Lewis
Riverside Cat Hospital |
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