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                      Volume 5, Issue 7                               

Supplies for Cat Households

The information below was taken from Feline Forum as prepared by Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University.  Ithaca, NY.  Copyright 2003.

Preparing for a new cat isn't as complicated as it may seem: 

LITTER BOX AND LITTER: 

Shallow enough for the cat to jump into easily, the sides of the pan should be high enough to contain scattered litter as the cat scratches.  You probably won't have to train your cat to use the litter box, but you will need to show him or her where to find it.

CAT DISHES: 

Each cat should have his or her own food and water dishes.  These must be shallow because cats like to keep their faces and whiskers clean while they eat.

GROOMING TOOLS:

Although cats groom themselves, they usually love to be brushed and combed--they enjoy the attention and the stimulation of being personally attended to.  You'll need to clip their nails, too.  If you have trouble, ask your veterinarian or groomer for advice or a demonstration.

A SCRATCHING POST:

Cats can be easily trained to scratch on a scratching post instead of the sofa arm or table leg.  The scratching post should be untippable and have a rough surface like sisal rope or the webbed reverse side of carpet.  Don't cover the post with the same kind of fabric that you are trying to protect in your home--that will only confuse your cat.

TOYS: 

Many common household items, such as small balls and paper bags, make great cat toys.  Avoid string, ribbon or rolls of yarn.  Cats' barbed tongues make it difficult for them to spit anything out once they begin to swallow it.  Besides the potential for choking, string can cause serious problems if ingested.

                      Volume 5, Issue 7                               

Employee of the Month

Wendy Stevens is our July Employee of the Month.  She has been employed here since early March and has brought years of retail experience to The Silver Collar Pet Boutique.  Wendy has done a fabulous job since starting here and continues to provide invaluable support to our clients and her fellow workers.  Wendy is the proud mother of two--Michael, 20, is serving with the Marines in the Pacific and Bethany, 11, is looking forward to starting middle school.  She and her husband, John, share their home with four dachshunds:  Abigale, Summer, Beatrice and Luna.  Both Wendy and her husband also volunteer with Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue.  In her spare time, Wendy enjoys cooking, reading and beadwork.  We appreciate Wendy's dedication to her job and the great attitude she brings with her each day.  Keep up the good work, Wendy!

A six year old Mustache Parakeet was brought in to Metairie Small Animal Hospital recently.  The owner complained of her sitting on the bottom of her cage, seemingly depressed.  She was not preening as usual and she continuously rubbed her cloaca (a bird's single opening for solid and liquid wastes as well as reproductive cells).  At right is a whole-body radiograph taken at MSAH.  What's your diagnosis?

(Answer on Page 5)

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                      Volume 5, Issue 7                               

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                      Volume 5, Issue 7                               

DEAF STUDENT OVERCOMES OBSTACLES
(Article continued from Page 1)

     When the transcriber left on maternity leave during Dr. Moores' third year, he copied notes and studied with his classmate, Dr. Michelle Davis.
     Dr. Moores said his first real difficulty came in junior surgery laboratories where the students performed common surgical procedures and everyone wore masks.
     "Since I read lips to communicate, it was difficult to follow what was being spoken, but I fully participated," explained Dr. Moores.

     The stenographer attended the surgeries and transcribed the conversations, which would then appear on a television that was set up in the surgery suite.  The method, while not nearly as fast or effective as normal communication, was successful.  Dr. Moores said he appreciated the patience of his surgery partners, Dr. Katie Portacci and Dr. Hal Traxler, along with the surgical and anesthesiology residents and instructors during the labs.

     When it was time to move in to the school's small and large animal clinics as a third-year student, Dr. Moores found himself in what he described as a different world.  With a little creative tweaking and support, he was able to do his job along with his classmates.
     "Because I could not hear the public announcement system in the clinics, I used a pager on which the residents could reach me, and the residents helped fill me in on anything I may have missed during rounds.  I performed ICU duty just like all of my classmates, but I must give credit to those who assisted me with phone calls, especially my classmate Dr. Angie Sanders.  Anything I missed during surgery was written down on a dry erase board by Dr. Karen Romagosa, which was a great help," explained Dr. Moores.
     Finally, he bought an amplified stethoscope that was compatible to his hearing aid and allowed him to hear heart and lung sounds when examining patients.
     Dr. Moores chose to not only focus on his studies, but also to take part in the school's clubs and extracurricular activities.  He was an active member of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA), serving as SCAVMA president during his third year and attend

attending the SCAVMA Symposium in Virginia during his first year.  He was also actively involved in the Christian Veterinary Mission.
      Looking back on his experience at LSU, Dr. Moores feels appreciative to everyone at the school for their support and encouragement during his four years here.
     "I can't think of anyone who didn't help.  I would have to single out Dr. Karen Romagosa and Dr. Michelle Davis as the two who probably helped me more than anyone else, but everyone in my class was helpful," said Dr. Moores.  "Dr. Joseph Taboada, Claire Miceli and Stephanie Johnson were tremendously helpful in student affairs.  All the interns, residents and instructors were wonderful, from the small animal clinic to the barn as well as the staff and administration.  Also, all the class instructors were more than happy to answer any questions I may have had outside of class."
      Dr. Moores also credits his family and his faith for his success.
     "It is hard to limit my gratitude to just the LSU community, as there are a lot of people in my life to whom I owe a lot, like my grandmother who taught me to communicate without sign language, my parents, my wife Celeste and the Lord God who has so graciously provided me with such wonderful people," he noted.
      As for other deaf children who one day dream of becoming veterinarians, Dr. Moores would give the same advice as anyone else with the same aspiration.
     "Work for veterinarians while in high school and college, get experience with both large and small animals, regardless of your preference, and go to an A&M school where you can take animal science classes.  Above all, make sure you like what you are getting into and have fun doing it."
       Dr. Moores will be working at Metairie Small Animal Hospital in Metairie, La.

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                      Volume 5, Issue 7