A Cat-First Veterinary Experience in Newtown Square
NSVH is a Gold Status Certified Cat Friendly Practice — one of the few in the country. Dedicated cat waiting area, separate feline exam room, and a Fear Free certified team.
Why NSVH for Your Cat?
Cats experience the vet differently than dogs — here’s how we’ve built the practice around that.
Gold Cat Friendly Practice
Awarded by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association — a credential few practices in the country hold. It means a dedicated cat waiting area (no dogs), a separate feline exam room, and staff specifically trained in feline low-stress handling.
Fear Free Certified Team
Our low-stress techniques are adapted specifically for cats, who experience clinical environments very differently than dogs. Cats who have historically needed sedation for a basic exam often don’t require it here.
Dr. DiGiacomo’s Feline Focus
The practice was built with cats as a primary patient population — not an afterthought. Clients regularly tell us how differently their cats behave at NSVH compared to their previous vet.
Comprehensive Feline Care in a Cat-First Environment
From the moment you arrive, the experience is built around your cat. NSVH maintains a separate cat waiting area — away from dogs and their noise — and a dedicated feline exam room, so your cat never has to share space with barking dogs or unfamiliar scents that make visits stressful.
Our full range of feline services includes wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care including extractions, surgery, and complete medical diagnostics — all with the 30-minute appointment standard and the Fear Free, low-stress handling cats deserve.
New Patient FAQ
My cat hates the vet. What makes NSVH different?
Most cats don’t hate the vet — they hate the environment: barking dogs, unfamiliar smells, and rushed handling. As a Gold Cat Friendly Practice with a separate cat waiting area, a dedicated feline exam room, and a Fear Free trained team, we remove the things that stress cats out. Many owners are surprised by how much calmer their cat is here.
Is there a separate waiting area so my cat doesn’t encounter dogs?
Yes. We maintain a dedicated cat waiting area away from dogs, plus a separate feline exam room — a core part of our Gold Cat Friendly certification.
Do you handle cats who need sedation for exams?
We can, but we often don’t have to. Our feline-specific low-stress handling means many cats who previously required sedation for a basic exam tolerate it comfortably here. When sedation is genuinely needed for a cat’s safety or comfort, we handle it carefully and discuss it with you first.
Do you perform dental surgery on cats, including extractions?
Yes. We provide complete feline dental care, including dental surgery and extractions, performed in-house with anesthesia monitored by a dedicated technician throughout the procedure.
What vaccines does my cat need and how often?
Core feline vaccines include rabies and FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia). Depending on your cat’s lifestyle — particularly outdoor access — we may also recommend the feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccine. The doctor sets a schedule based on your cat’s age, health, and risk, typically with boosters every one to three years.
Can you see a cat I just adopted whose history I don’t know?
Of course — it’s one of the most common first visits we see. If you don’t have any records, we’ll start fresh with a thorough exam, discuss a vaccine and parasite-prevention plan, and get your new cat fully up to date.
