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.

We are turning 30!

HAPPY ANNI –FUR- SARY

The Cat Practice is Turning 30 years this year!!!!!!!!

We opened in 1981; it was Michigan’s FIRST cats’ only veterinary practice.

We are all so excited and grateful to all of you for trusting us to care for your members of the family.

In the coming months we are having fun promotions, so check for them on Facebook, and twitter.

I am also working on stories of extraordinary cats and their people who have been clients with us with most of our 30 years!!!

Remember cats can be expected to live 20 years or more!

We are dedicated to provide advanced preventative and medical care, with an emphasis on early detection to help cats live longer, healthier lives.

Thank you everyone, we look forward to seeing everyone this year.

Look for our new logo coming soon.

Bald is Beautiful

Guest blogg from Rufus (The Cat Practice’s house cat)

“What is that?? I never saw a bald cat. Did you technicians shave him? Why is he here? Should I fear him?”

Turns out he is a Sphinx (he is a purebred). Bred to not have any fur. Think Austin Powers Mr. Bigglesworth

He is here today to have his teeth done.

But I will tell you about that in my next blogg.

The Sphynx appears to be a hairless cat, but it is not truly hairless. They have whiskers and eyebrows, also a peach like fuzz hairocat. They can also come in colors. The skin looks like the color they would be. Tabby, brown, black and white. Since they do not have hair coat they like to snuggle next to you to keep warm.

Sphynx's are outgoing cats, that have lots of energy, affection & they are smart.

Many people think since they do not have hair coat to take care of, they are maintance free. Quite the opposite. Since the hair on most cats absorbs the body oils, these cats tend to have a build up of body oils on their skin, especially in the folds around the nail beds. As well as more waxy build up in the ears. Which require regular cleaning of the ears, as well as baths. People also think since they do not have hair, they must be hypoallergenic, but it is not always the case for cat specific allergies. Allergies to cats are triggered by a protein found in the cat Not the cat hair!

Don't let any of this scare you away from these great cats who have wonderful personalities. It is just important to know about this before adopting one.

The breed does have instances of the genetic disorder hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( a heart diease). Studies are being undertaken to understand the links in breeding and the disorder. But again with any pure bred cat you want to check the mother & fathers history, as well as the breeders. Also having an echocardiogram on all pure breed cats is a very good idea.

Now that I got to know my new hairless friend, I am in love.

Thanks Peanut for showing me bald is beautiful.

Great litterbox

Based on our January’s newsletter: The Scoop”. I took Linda's suggestion about the world’s best cat litter box and bought my cats a new litter box. I loved the idea of no corners for all the litter to “stick and clump to” My cats love it too. Here is a picture of one of them enjoying his new box. It is big, and price is right. I bought it at a home improvement store for about $6.00. (In the cement supply area)

Remember: the rule of thumb is 1 more box then you have cats.

You can never have too many clean bathrooms in the house, can you??

Another type cats like are the corner style box.

If anyone has any other great litter box stories let me know.