Pet Profiles

Otis' Story Page: (1) 2
[Photo of Otis] He was a wary, skittish, hatchet-faced tabby, sandy pale, with eyes too big for his pointy chin. Anyone would have overlooked him at first glance. Luckily, something about him made her pause for a second look.

Joy London never forgets the day she rescued Otis (and his brother Ripley) from the shelter, more than 16 years ago. In the warm embrace of his new home, Otis, the scrawny runt, bloomed into a rotund and remarkable companion, famously handsome with a luxuriant white throat and the wide breast of a comfortable overlord on his roost. From there he called incessantly to his brother, or to Ms. London, in a highly recognizable and “personalized” voice, and played his own brand of Catch, with phenomenal eye-paw coordination. He loved to be groomed; he loved to be handled. He purred whenever his ears were cleaned and claws were trimmed. Otis was a constant, offering more than 14 years of kindness and companionship.

A condition called chronic renal failure (CRF), one of the most common diseases of felines, was first discovered in this extraordinary cat through a routine blood test when he was about six years of age. Even his doctors were perplexed, because Otis had shown no symptoms at all. Ensuring that he would receive the most advanced, up-to-date treatment available, his regular vet referred Otis to Dr. Catherine Langston, the only veterinary nephrologist in the tri-state area, and Head of the Hemodialysis Unit at The Animal Medical Center.

In her 15 years of specialty training and experience, Dr. Langston has published more than 40 articles and book chapters and delivered over 40 lectures and presentations on kidney conditions. In fact, her expertise in renal therapies has made her one of the leading authorities and veterinarians of choice for referring doctors and clinics in New York City for treating renal cases.

When Otis arrived at The AMC, Dr. Langston put him on a special diet, maintained close monitoring of potentially complicating factors such as blood pressure and protein in his urine, and provided an overall excellent regimen of kidney care. This lasted until, in his last year, Otis began drinking more and urinating frequently.
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