Dr. Callahan's Adventure

Recently I was blessed with the opportunity to talk to my son's preschool class about being a veterinarian. I've done it a few times before and I really treasure doing it. Especially when the kids are given the opportunity to "ask" questions. Usually the kids are eager to raise their hand and say random things like, "my dog died," or "my cat sometimes likes to scratch." It always cracks me up to hear them. It's so cute to see the excitement in their eyes, especially when I bring out the furry (or feathery!) creatures - usually kittens - that I've brought to show them and keep their attention. This year we were fresh out of kittens at The Cat Practice. The last one had just been adopted. (Yeah!) So as to not disappoint the kids, I took Angel, a one year old slightly chunky female spayed cat. She had recently come to TCP from the Oakland County Shelter because of down-sizing. And we were her best chance to stay alive. I had no idea how things would go with an adult cat that we didn't know very well. But as soon as I opened her carrier door, I knew it was going to go well! She came out on her own, eager to see all the kids that she had heard from her carrier. From that moment on I was amazed by her. She waited in my arms so patiently while 45 four year old kids came up to pet her. She was so sweet. She is the perfect family cat, even with small children. Now I can say that any family would be lucky to have her!

St. Patrick's Day

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up quickly I wanted to post this so you too might be able to enjoy these shirts. I was in Target the other day (the Bloomfield Hills store) and saw these shirts for animals. Can you believe they were in the dollar bin? They come in different sizes based on weight.

Mine needed the larger size. Hopefully your cats can be styling for St. Patrick’s Day as well. The shirts do say “pet me I am Irish” However my cat thought it said “kiss me” What can I say he is only two.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day.

I Hope everyone will have a good day. But keep in mind sometimes on the holidays there can be hidden dangers for our cats. (Yes that includes Champagne)

Caren: of the Oakland Press writes a blogg called Cat Chat. This week she has a great guest blogg from our own Dr. Houlihan that covers many of these dangers in greater detail. Please visit her blogg at:

http://opcatchat.blogspot.com/

Enjoy Valentines day with all your loved ones, furry or not so furry

Peanut's day at the dentist

Remember Peanut the hairless cat? He was here to have his teeth done. He is only 1 year old, and has bad gingivitis (swollen gums, as seen in the picture) and some recession of his gums on his back lower teeth. The doctor and technician are not sure yet if he will have to have any teeth extracted. They will not know until they perform an exam, probe his mouth and take x-rays, just like your own dentist/hygienist does to you humans. Only us cats have to go under general anesthesia.

Luckily his owners brought him in early to have his teeth cleaned and examined, to help lessen his chances of periodontal disease and tooth loss. Due to his genetic make up, he is prone to dental disease. His parents are going to have to work hard at keeping his mouth in good shape. Oral disease is the #1 disease of cats over 3 years. Good news it is treatable and preventable. Also us cats don’t have to do the work! The people have to brush our teeth for us. Sometimes a special dental diet can be fed, as well as a gel they can apply to our gums to keep the gingivitis swelling down. Ask one of our technicians, they would love to help you take better care of your ‘cats teeth.

I, Rufus, had my own teeth done, and I have lost many teeth, and I know from experience having my bad teeth extracted; makes you feel so much better. I don’t have this chronic pain in my mouth; my body organs do not work so hard to get rid of all that bacteria that enters my bloodstream.

Keep in mind February is Dental Health month.

A Preventative dental cleaning can go a long way to help our furry friends live a longer healthier life. Also to go along with our 30^th anni-FUR-sary celebration we are offering special promotions on our dental cleanings.