The Cat Doctor CATERWAULER Volume 2, Number 1 187 Watson Rd., Dover, NH (603) 742-MEOW July 26, 2004 ***Hans Adopts the Cat Doctor of Dover!*** Dover, NH: Hans is the latest addition to the Cat Doctor's feline family. Hans was staying at the Cat Doctor looking for a home, and after he interviewed Dr. Young and the entire staff, he considered staying with us. A few details in the adoption agreement needed to be worked out first, such as reserving the upper level of the cat tree in the reception area (however, Gucci still has priority, and Hans must defer to the Master of the Clinic). Hans negotiated well and drove a hard bargain, and won the title of Chief Observing Officer, with a signing bonus of an undisclosed amount of Fancy Feast (Savory Salmon, according to rumors on the street and on Watson Road). Hans takes the responsibilities of his position very seriously, and whenever a kitty has a procedure performed, he will find the highest point in the room close to the action, observing and making sure that everything is done correctly and according to the high standards of the Cat Doctor. Negotiations are still underway between Mistoffelees and Hans concerning the Clinic Greeter position, which may result in a jobshare or flextime scheduling. According to our technician/veterinary nurse Joy, Hans will roll over on his back every morning when she comes in, and will wait to get his belly rubbed. "He's very even tempered, and isn't bothered by kittens, fractious cats, or anyone," said Joy. "He'll lick the skin off your hand if you let him." The Caterwauler will report on the outcome of the ongoing discussions ("Meow, meow!" "Where's my salmon?" "Meow!"). ***The Cat Doctor Welcomes New Veterinary Intern*** Dover NH: Jeff (pictured above left, behind Hans) is a veterinary technician student from Texas, who is interning at the Cat Doctor for a few weeks. We are happy he found us (he liked our website!), and Dr. Young and the Cat Doctor staff have been busy instructing and supervising him in feline medicine. Jeff has recently won a coveted "Pawprint of the Week Award" from Dr. Young after performing his first complete dental prophylaxis, under her careful and watchful eyes. Congratulations, Jeff! ***Macavity Goes on a Diet*** Macavity (the Mystery Cat) had been getting a little chubby, lying around the house all day, doing nothing (and then resting afterwards). He would snack all day at the bowl of dry food that his owner had left for him, but he really looked forward to a full can of moist food in the morning and evening. "My humans would forget about me, sleeping in until 4 or 5 AM and I'd have to go wake them up," he complained, "and then they would leave and not come back to feed me for the entire day!" Even catching a mouse was difficult, as it became too hard for him to move. When Macavity came in to the Cat Doctor for his annual checkup, he weighed twenty pounds! Dr. Young was quite concerned, and told the owner that Macavity was at a high risk for diabetes (sugar too high in the blood) and other problems such as hepatic lipidosis, a disease where fat accumulates in the liver and might make Macavity so sick that he could die. "There isn't one weight that is ideal for all cats," Dr. Young explained, "Mistoffelees looks skinny at 8 pounds, but he's very healthy, and Gucci is a little chubby at 13 pounds. I've seen some big Maine Coons weigh 18 pounds and look great, but over 20 pounds is too much for almost every cat." After a complete examination, Dr. Young assessed Macavity's "Body Score," and gave him a 9 (on a 19 scale) for obesity. She calculated his daily nutritional requirements according to a specific formula, and then discussed his diet. "There are a couple of options," she said, "Hill's w/d (TM) is a good reducing diet, and a lot of cats also like Purina's OM (TM) for overweight management. Their diabetic diet, DM (TM), is highprotein and highfat, and some veterinarians are calling it the Catkins Diet!" This food is caloriedense (just like eating a mouse), and a cat needs to eat only a quartercup (or as little as an eighth of a cup) twice a day to get all of their nutrition. According to Dr. Young, most cats do better without a bowl of dry food for all day (free choice) feeding. Macavity was given a target of losing one ounce per week, which would take 4 months to lose one pound. "Weight loss in cats is a long term problem, and just as with people, there are no simple, easy cures or quick fixes," she said. After deciding on an appropriate diet and amount to feed Macavity, she asked one of the veterinary technicians to talk to Macavity's owner. "Joy and Sara are very good at helping with diets, and answering questions," Dr. Young affirmed. She scheduled monthly "weighins" for Macavity, and after a few months, Macavity was feeling better, getting more energy, and even tried to catch mice again. "I feel great!" said Macavity, after a full year, "but they still sleep in every morning and forget about me!" ***Tacitus Needs a Home!*** Tacitus (from the Roman Consul) is a 6 year old neutered male that is also interviewing prospective owners for adoption. He likes to lick hands too, and prefers staying indoors. He should be an "only child," and prefers men without any other cats, dogs, or children in the house. Please help us find a home for Tacitus, and call 7426369 if you would like to be interviewed by him!