Hazel Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP, refers to herself as “one of the oldest living cat-only doctors left in captivity” because for more than 30 years she has treated only cats for both behavioral and medical problems. Her love of cats began early, on the lower right sidebar you may see a photograph of her at age 15 months alongside her beloved family cat.

She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University. She holds a Master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics. In 1982, she opened the thirteenth registered cat-only practice in the U.S., here she served as the senior clinician for thirteen years.

In 1986, she worked as an adjunct professor at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and a founding member of Louisiana Veterinary Nuclear Medicine group, which provided I—131 (radio-iodine) therapy to cats in Louisiana and Mississippi. Dr. Carney has treated hyperthyroidism in cats with I—131 for more than 25 years.

Dr. Carney is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) and is a specialist in Canine and Feline Clinical Practice. She and her husband, Dr. James J. England, DVM, Ph.D., met in veterinary school and have been married for 36 years. Dr. England worked as a professor of Production Animal Veterinary Medicine at the Caine Veterinary Teaching Center in Caldwell, Idaho. They collaborated on research often and co-authored a paper about the discovery of the first reported case of warts in cats.

Their amazing adult daughter is raising natural Hereford cattle. In addition, the furry family members in their home include four cats, one cow dog, and two horses.

In 1995, Dr. Carney moved to Idaho, joining WestVet’s predecessor clinic in 1998. She has published numerous articles in textbooks and feline medicine journals as well as in magazines geared toward cat owners. Locally the Idaho Statesman, Boise Weekly, and Urban Liasion Magazine have featured articles on her work. In addition, she shares her expertise through local, regional and national Continuing Education conferences.

In June 2014, Dr. Carney was named the Idaho Veterinarian Medical Association (IMVA) Veterinarian of the Year.

PUBLICATIONS

1975  LB Eddy, RJ Morgan and HC Carney, Hearing loss due to combined effects of noise and salicylate, Biomed Science Instrum 11:51-56

1976  HC Carney-Strout, A restraining device and oral dosing technic for the Chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger), LAS26(4):  610-612

1989  HC Carney, Feline Behavior, in National Animal Control Association Training Guide, 85-96, Garrity Printing, Harahan, La.

1989  HC Carney, J.J. England, E. C. Hodgin, H. E. Whitely and J. P. Sundberg, Papovavirus identified in aged Persian Cats, J. Vet. Dis. Invest. 2(4):294-299

1992  HC Carney and K.A. Moriello, Dermatophyte Control in Catteries, Current Veterinary Dermatology, Mosby, 34-43

1993  HC Carney and J. J. England, Feline hemobartonellosis, Vet Clin N Amer-Sm Ani, 23:79-90

1994  HC Carney, Serum chromium values in obese and normal weight cats, Proceedings Academy of Feline Medicine, 26

2000  HC Carney, Inappropriate Urination, Feline Internal Medicine Secrets, MR Lappin ed. Hanley and Belfus, Philadelphia PA, 245-255

2001  HC Carney, Significance of calcium oxalate in the urinary tract of senior cats, DVM Best Practices, Sept: 22-25

2004  Overall, Rodan, Beaver, Carney, et. al, Feline Behavior Guidelines, JAVMA, 227: 70-84

2006  HC Carney, Cat heat cycles, Pet Friendly Magazine

2007  HC Carney, Kitten socialization, Pet Friendly Magazine

2008  HC Carney, Feline personality selection, Pet Friendly Magazine

2011  HC Carney, multiple chapters in Rockett, J Christensen, C, Case Studies in Veterinary Technology, Clifton Park, NY, Delmar Learning

2011  Rodan, Sundahl, Carney, et.al, AAFP and ISFM Feline Friendly Handling Guidelines, Jour Fel Med Surg, 13:364-375

2012  Carney, HC, Little S, et. al, AAFP and ISFM Feline Friendly Nursing Care Guidelines,  Jour Fel Med Surg, 14: 337-349

2013  Rodan I, Ellis S, Carney, H et.al, AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines, Jour Fel Med Surg, 15:219-230

2014  Carney, HC, Sadek TP, et. al, AAFP and ISFM AAFP and ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats, Jour Fel Med Surg 16:579-598

2016  Carney, HC, Gourkow, N, Impact of stress and distress on cat behavior, in ISFM Guide to Feline Stress and Health, ICatCare, England

2016  Carney, HC, Ward, CR, Bruyette D, et. al, 2016 AAFP Guidelines for the Management of Feline Hyperthyroidism, Jour Fel Med Surg, 18: 400-416

Dr. Hazel Carney

Certifications

• American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP)
• American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Idaho Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA)
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (ASVAB)

American Association of Feline Practitioner’s (AAFP) Guidelines

Dr. Carney serves as a panel member and co-author of the AAFP Guidelines. Cat owners and veterinary professionals may access her work below:

• Guidelines for the Management of Feline Hyperthyroidism
• Feline Behavior Guidelines
• Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines
• Feline Friendly Nursing Care Guidelines
• Guidelines for Meeting the Environmental Needs of the Cat
• Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House-Soiling Behavior in Cats

Dr. Hazel Carney, aged 15 months. 

A patient referred to WestVet for feline medicine or behavior services will begin with a consultation with Dr. Carney. If you are a new patient, please complete the questionnaire located HERE with details about your cat’s behavior and bring it to your consultation appointment.