Cat of the Month Contest!

In the past, we have had an annual photo contest for cats to be included in the Exclusively Cats Calendar Contest. We sold the calendars to help raise money for cats in crisis, or charitable cases that we take on, such as everyone's favorite cat with a congenital esophageal stricture, Foxy!

Unfortunately, the cost of the calendar production has continued to rise, and the number of calendars sold has dwindled, and this does not seem to be a good way for us to raise money for these charitable cases anymore. Instead, we have now partnered with the Veterinary Care Foundation to establish an official 501(c)(3) fund for our patients in need. One hundred percent of any donation to this organization in the name of our hospital goes directly into a fund from which we can then request:

• To provide charitable funding for emergency medical care for sick and injured animals brought in by “Good Samaritans”
• To provide support to qualified clients in need of financial assistance by providing emergency grants to help supplement the cost of care
• To provide support to pets of families in crisis
• To provide care for pets harmed or displaced due to local disaster (such as weather, fire, etc).

We love how excited people get about the photo contest, so while the calendar is currently not in publication, we would like to continue the photo contest on a monthly basis with the same submission guidelines we previously had for the calendar. We now request that each submission be accompanied by a short (or long) biography of the cat (or cats) in the photos. Instead of a calendar, each cat will become the Facebook header on our Facebook page for the month and will be honored with a post on our blog, so that everyone can continue to meet and appreciate all of the amazing cats that we see as patients! We hope to honor our first Cat of the Month on January 1st,  so send your photos and bios in ASAP so we can start the voting!

If you enjoy the Cat of the Month and are making a photo submission, please consider donating to the Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital Fund (affectionately and unofficially referred to as "Foxy's Fund" by some of our staff) at the Veterinary Care Foundation. It is not required, but humbly appreciated if you choose to make a contribution towards the care of our less fortunate patients.

Meet Mr. December!

Julian

 Age: 3 years

 Breed: Domestic Medium Hair

Gender: Neutered Male

Weight: 12.5 lb 

Demeanor at the vet: Cooperative, but headstrong

Marley and Curie: buddies. Gone but never forgotten

 In 2012-2013, I lost two cats to cancer within 7 months of each other - one to Hodgekins-like lymphoma, and one to an adenocarcinoma of the lung. Both had been battling cancer for over a year. I had two other elderly cats at home, two small children, and I was emotionally and financially drained. The last thing on my mind was  adopting a new cat. But as these things generally happen, an innocent kitten from Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue found his way into my heart - before he had been officially put up for adoption by the rescue. (This was not Julian...)

Chillin' in a basket

Once the new kitten, Miles, came home, all he wanted to do was play with my older cats. Mina and Serendipity would have nothing to do with him, and I felt bad for him. Two months went by. Meanwhile, a "teenage" cat had been brought into the hospital for Trap, Neuter and Release into a feral colony. Trisha was hopeful that she could find him a home so that he did not have to go back out in the cold October weather, because he was so friendly. I wasn't sure, at first, because he was a little older and seemed shy, but I agreed to take him home and give it a try. 

When I first got him home, he and Miles hissed and growled at each other and it didn't look promising. I isolated Julian from the other cats for a gradual introduction, but he launched out of the isolation room and an hour of "chase the cat" ensued before I could get him back into his isolation room again. In contrast, Miles had submitted to isolation with grace, which was helpful, since he had intestinal parasites that needed treatment before he could join the rest of the cats in the house.
After a week or two, however, Miles and Julian became fast friends. While they do not sleep together,

they play constantly. The sound of gallumphing cat paws echoes through the house as they leap and dance and chase each other up and down the cat trees and up and down the stairs. Despite this friendship, relationships between the young cats and elderly cats in the house have been strained. My cats participated in two behavior studies offered by Dr. Deporter at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services testing the response of Intercat Aggression to different pheromones - one which seemed to work, and one that did not. Over time, with the use of pheromones, calming treats and positive reinforcement, relationships between the cats have improved, and they all seem to tolerate each other, if not enjoy each other's company.

Snoozin' after surgery

I have started clicker training Julian to keep his mischief at bay. He is responding well to clicker training, and has learned "come", "sit up" and "spin", so far. He is easily bored, and will alleviate that boredom by chewing on books, rugs or, more recently, my three-year-old's toys. Miles, in contrast, enjoys gnawing on wood, eating stickers, setting his tail on fire and stealing the food out of your hands at the dinner table. In Julian's defense, the toy he ate WAS shaped like food - a carrot - but unfortunately, he had to have surgery to have it removed.

Julian is a joyful cat - he loves to play, and will bring various toys to play fetch up and down the stairs for hours on end. He follows me around the house, right on my heels, and tries to anticipate what piece of furniture will be nearest my stopping point in the house, so that when I reach my destination he can already be there, waiting for

affection.

His eyes say 'I love you' every day.

He is not a quiet lap-sitter, but rolls on your lap and head-butts any book, magazine, electronic device, craft or other item held in your hands until you find yourself sitting with your arms in the air and he is standing on his hind legs on your lap, trying to head-butt whatever is out of his reach (including your chin!). I have placed bird feeders near the windows in our house, and he can often be found holding long, in-depth conversations with the birds and squirrels that visit them. He has a deeply satisfying purr and his tail is always flagged straight up in the air. He is a little bit of a bully towards the other cats in the house, but mostly because he seems to have become the self-appointed leader, and wants to keep everyone else in line. Overall he is an amazing cat!

Snoozin'

Kinsey Leigh

Kinsey  aka Kinsey Leigh
Breed: Silver Mackerel British Shorthair
Age: 1 1/2 years
Gender: Spayed female 

Weight: 9.0 lbs - great body condition 

Demeanor at the vet: Super sweet girl!

Kinsey is our Southern Belle.  Originally from Arkansas, she moved north to Michigan and has never looked back.  She spends her days chasing after her brother Bentley and leaping on to anything and everything.  She is definitely a Momma's girl and enjoys evenings on the couch giving and getting love.  
Never wanting to be left out, and true to her breed, wherever you go...she goes.  Whether it's folding laundry or making dinner, Kinsey is always there to give her own kind of special help. 

Helping with luandry
 

She has made our lives, and her brothers, all the better.  As all cat lovers know, our pets are truly a part of our family.  Kinsey is our "little girl" and thanks to the love and care she gets from ECVH, we look forward to many, many years of love to come!

Enjoy these lovely photos of sweet Ms. November!

Kinsey is queen of the mountain!

Meet Mr. September!

Crash

Crash was an unexpected blessing to our home.

A meeting scheduled with Ellen from Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue to adopt an adorable kitten named Sushi who had been brought into Exclusively Cats for a wellness exam. The plan was to adopt one little kitten. The meeting went well and Sushi was coming home.

Before leaving, Ellen said "I thought you might want a friend for Sushi." She stepped aside so Crash was visible in his cat carrier. He looked scared and Ellen said he had been overlooked for several months by others seeking a pet. He was not a kitten and he had lost his tail in an accident. It looked like a very strange, mangled stump. It was love at first sight and the deal was sealed. Crash and Sushi were instant friends and inseparable.

Crash is a dog in a cat's body. He comes running when he is called (his run resembles a deer prancing), he greets people at that door, he is always friendly and eager to please. He is the favorite of many family members and friends, as he is very generous with his love. 

Our cat family has grown since that meeting and Crash Nubbins is always the first to welcome a new member. We are so happy that we took him home, that day. Love this cat!!!!

Meet the Cats of August!

Emme - Emme - aka Emmers, aka Emme May (when she is in trouble)

Age: 23 months

Gender: Spayed female

Weight: 9.4 pounds

She loves belly rubs, and if you can't find her, she is probably on TOP of a door!! 

Frankie - aka Franks, aka Frankenstein, aka Franks N Beans, aka Beaners

Age: 16 months

Gender: Spayed female

Weight: 9.45 pounds

She always has a guilty look. She loves hand-knitted toy mice, and she walks around carrying them in her mouth.

Milo - aka MoMo, aka Giant, aka Mike Tyson (because he loves to bite ears!)

Age: 3 years

Gender: Neutered Male

Weight: 13.80 pounds

Emme proving that "If I fits, I sits"

Emme is a very happy girl!

Emme's favorite hiding place!

Tiny Frankie

Pile of friends

Bath time!

Nap time!

Milo is such a gentleman, letting the girls hog the bed

Everyone loves a box...

Milo wasn't always a giant...

Meet Ms. June!

Daisy

Why hello there! My name is Daisy, but according to my family I have many other names too: Chubby Cheese Noodle, Maisy, Doo Doo, Daze Daze, May May, and many others. My family has some issues, I think.

I am 14 years young and I still have a twinkle in my eye like I did when I was a baby. I was always an old soul says my human Mom, Carrie. I live with two other cats who I did not ask for, who think they run the house. I'm nice and let them think they do....they are boys, so go figure!

I love the simple things - pets from my humans, my perch, a slice of sun to lay in. The Dad human, Jeff, likes to follow me around with an enormous camera and snap pictures of me which is how I wound up in this calendar. I'm sure the boys are jealous. My family loves me and even though the my Bengal brother looks like a supermodel, we all know who's the star! (Hint: Me. It's me. I'm the star.)

Meet Mr. May: Sarge

Sarge

 Age: 12 years

Weight: 11.05 pounds - good body condition

Demeanor at the vet: Nice cat!

On 3/25/05 we got a call from Oakland County Animal Control. They thought they had a cat with Cerebellar Hypoplasia, and adult, possibly 1-2 years old.   I went to see him.  What a sweetheart.  Though he walked strangely (walked on the hocks of his rear feet, and crossed his front legs when he sat upright), I didn't think he had CH, but certainly, the rescue would take him in.   We named him Sarge because he walked flatfooted and sat at attention. 

Sarge sits at attention

He was a part of Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue for the next year and a half, joining my father and I up at his cabin for company.   October of 2006, he officially became a Stephenson.

His condition worsened very slowly, to now where he won't walk unless it is carpeted or a rug put down. So he spends his day watching the world go by, and napping, on the couch. He comes down by use of a small carpeted staircase, to his cage with his litter pan and waterproof mattress covers.  Occasionally he is joined by one of his furry siblings for a nap.   He talks to us all the time and comes to lean against you if you sit on "his" couch.  He will chat with you for 15 or 20 minutes, responding to each statement or question you make to him.  He doesn't have a normal cat life, but he is very content in the life he has.  We enjoy his company and his furry grandmother makes it a point of visiting with him when she comes over. 

Meet Mr. April!

Ernest is a 4 year old Devon Rex. For those unfamiliar with his breed, they are characterized by their oversized ears and wavy hair coat. The Cat Fanciers' Association  describes their personality as a "cross.. between a cat, a dog, a monkey, and Dennis the Menace." Ernest pretty much fits that description to a T. He was found by animal control about 2 years and rescued by Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue. He came to our home because of my love of all things Rex. It was love at first sight. He fits in great with his 2 feline housemates. He quickly became the favorite cat for my son because he tolerates a lot and loves to be carried around.  Although, He is half the size of our largest cat, I don't think he knows it. He frequently provokes WWE style wrestling matches.  He spends his days following us around demanding attention. His favorite thing to do is be carried on your shoulder like a baby.  He's also quite sure that rules such as , stay off the table do not apply to him.

His favorite food is Temptation treats. He has been known to eat an entire bag when no one is looking. We now have to keep the treats in a kitchen cabinet, which he regularly tries to open! Ernest is not a finicky cat, he will eat pretty much anything. From Coffee, taco sauce, bananas and cookies, if he sees us eating, then he must try it. He will steal the food right off your plate, if you turn your head, like the entire steak!

Ernest is the second Rex cat that has come my way. I never thought he would be able to live up to his predecessor, but he has!

Meet Mr. March, 2015!

Devo

Age: 11 years
Breed: Domestic Shorthair
Gender: Neutered male
Weight: 12.2 pounds
Demeanor at the Veterinary Office: Cranky, but cooperative
Other feline friends: his sister, Sadie, an 11 year old black and white domestic shorthair

 Devo's mother says:
 Devo came into my life when he was just a few months old. He and and his sister Sadie were adopted from a local pet store. Devo has mainly been a laid back, silly, goofy, easy to care for boy. He has moved with me 5 times and has gone through many trials and tribulations with me! He is my best little buddy that I will love forever! His favorite things to do are lay and have his belly rubbed, sleeping on my lap and finding the most impossible places to rest (like the top of the China cabinets and above the refrigerator). His favorite treat is tuna fish on rare occasions. He likes looking out windows and the fresh air in the spring and summer.

Devo was just screened for the high blood pressure study that we are participating in as the 653rd cat screened since we started the study!

Meet Mr. November!

RAZR

Age: 20 months

Gender: Neutered Male

Weight: 13.7 pounds

Breed: Bengal

Demeanor at the vet: Sweet but WIGGLY!

Feline Friends: Hudson, a 14 month old neutered male domestic longhair

 

Razr, being a man of few words, has decided to send us a selection from his modeling portfolio instead of a bio. His agent is willing to discuss scheduling potential upcoming shoots. 

Meet Mr. October!

LEO

Age: 17 months

Weight: 10.65 pounds - Good body condition

Gender: Neutered Male

Demeanor at the Veterinary Office: Very cooperative boy!

Leo's mom reports:

Leo was born in April of 2013. He is very adventurous, and likes to climb everything. Whenever I am coming home, he is always sitting on the kitchen window sill. When he was a baby, he was so small, I had to build him stairs to get everywhere. Now, he is able to jump from the ground onto the top of the refrigerator! Quite fussy, Leo does not like to be held, and yet, demands attention. He contorts and stretches his body as he sleeps, and his favorite toy is a brand new cardboard box to jump around in.

 

 

Meet Mr. September!

SMEAGOL

Age: 3 years

Breed: Devon Rex

Gender: Male

Weight: 9.6 pounds - excellent body condition!

Feline friends: Spaz (12 year old DLH)

Smeagol is a white, male devonshire rex of about 10 lbs.

He enjoys Whiskas temptations treats, cardboard boxes, playing fetch, stalking, and snuggles.

Sometimes he is where he is not supposed to be such as: the top of ladders, up on shelves, or on the kitchen counters. He refers to these places as “the land of above.”

He is a snuggle cat and he will make multiple attempts and whines until he gets a lap or can burrow under a blanket.

He likes to help whenever work is being done. As condo repairs happen here and there, Smeagol will always be near. He inspects everything, and anything new must meet his high standards.

Boxes are his favorite thing to play with, when a new package arrives he is there waiting for it to be opened. Sometimes he cannot wait and will assist in the opening of the package.

 

 

 

 

 

 When you meet Smeagol, he will take a while to warm up to you but once he is happy with you he will climb to the top of your shoulder and sit there. This is now his spot and he is your friend.