Tag: Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA

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Living

The trouble with dog flu

The dog flu can leave vets and pet owners guessing as to whether a vaccination is necessary. File photo

It’s flu season for us humans, and the advice really couldn’t be more simple. Get your flu shot this year and every year. We are social animals who spend most of our day in relatively close physical proximity, and it’s very easy for us to get each other sick. Vaccination may provide an imperfect defense, but any step taken to reduce the total misery inflicted upon the population every year is just being a good neighbor.

Canine influenza shares much in common with its human counterpart. It brings the familiar symptoms of coughing, sneezing and fever and almost always resolves without treatment. Just like human flu, it can leave behind a stubborn cough for a few weeks and can become legitimately dangerous for an unlucky few.

There are currently two common strains of canine flu. The first one (charmingly dubbed H3N8) jumped over from horses around the turn of the millennium and a vaccine has been available for several years. The second strain (H3N2) may have come from birds or pigs and was responsible for a large outbreak in 2015 in Chicago. A new vaccine was released for this strain last year. Despite originating in other species, these viruses have not yet been observed to infect people, although the newer virus may have some ability to infect cats.

Without specific testing, the flu is indistinguishable from any of the other kennel cough infections that we see in dogs on a regular basis. But that testing is rarely performed. Since these cases all progress similarly regardless of the underlying cause, patients are usually managed conservatively, with more aggressive options reserved for unusually severe disease. This makes it very difficult to get a handle on local outbreaks and what might be causing them. We are, more often than not, guessing.

Given the similarities with human flu, you’d think it would be easy to recommend blanket vaccination of the entire population against canine influenza. But that isn’t the case. There are important differences to consider in the way the flu spreads in people versus dogs and in the way available vaccines work against them.

For one thing, human influenza strikes a significant fraction of the population every year. If you didn’t get the flu this season, you almost certainly know someone who did. It is everywhere. Even a partially effective human vaccine can spare millions of people from illness and days of lost productivity. In contrast, canine flu tends to pop up unpredictably in small, isolated outbreaks. The benefits of population-wide vaccination simply aren’t as clear.

People also have more compelling options for vaccination than dogs do. The human vaccine is designed to protect against a broad number of flu strains, and is periodically recalibrated to keep up with the virus as it shifts and evolves. Some years it is more successful than others.

Canine flu vaccines are less sophisticated. We have individual vaccines against each of the two strains, but we can’t really predict when or where either one might pop up. Dogs that get one flu shot remain vulnerable to the other strain. You could give both vaccines, but the next big outbreak may well be an entirely new strain.

This is not to say that these vaccines are worthless. The old strains will always be out there, and they can still make dogs sick. Even flawed protection may be justified in high-risk situations like shelters and kennels, but our expectations should be tempered and people need to know the limits of what canine influenza vaccines can accomplish.

Maybe our tools will improve in the future, but, for now, I only recommend canine flu vaccines on a case-by-case basis. As for us humans? I plan on keeping myself covered.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

ASPCA_web

Up for adoption

You can meet us at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, where we’re all available for adoption. 3355 Berkmar Dr. 973-5959, caspca.org, noon-6pm, daily.  

I’m Burly, and my personal history is as mysterious as my big brown eyes. What you should know about me, though, is that I understand basic commands and I love treats…a lot. Kong toys, pork knees—you name it. I’m also a little shy, but I love attention.

I’m Dory and, even though I look fairly sedate, a fun time is never lost on me. I love the shelter’s A-frame scratcher—for climbing, sitting and, I’ll admit, stalking my cat friends (in a friendly way!). A home with other cats would be fine with
me (and them, I promise).

Hey there, I’m Julia. I’m a TV junkie (fur real), a cuddler and a toy enthusiast—anything from balls to towels thrills me. I’m also an introvert, so we need to start our relationship slowly. Once I get to know you, though, I’ll purr as loudly as you’ve ever heard.

Hi, I’m Irene, and I’m so excited to meet you. In fact, often I get so excited that the whole back half of my body wags uncontrollably. It’s adorable (everyone says so). One thing, though: Kids kind of scare me, so I’d like to go to a home without any little ones.

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Living

How to live with animal epilepsy

Witnessing a seizure is an alarming event for pet owners, but in some cases it’s a manageable condition.

The first time you see your pet in the middle of a seizure, it’s like time has stopped. You feel helpless, not knowing how long it will last or what will happen next.

Seizures happen when electrical activity in the brain becomes disorganized, slipping free of the coordinated circuits that usually keep things running smoothly. Sometimes this is the result of an underlying problem like a toxin or brain tumor. But many cases have no underlying cause—or, at least, not one that can be found—and are called idiopathic. These animals have epilepsy.

A variety of symptoms can be seen during a seizure. Some animals are completely possessed by the episode, losing consciousness, stiffening up, twitching and urinating or defecating. But many will suffer partial seizures, with milder tremors limited to the head or a few limbs. In some ways, these can be even more upsetting because the animal may be alert enough to grow frightened or upset.

Whatever kind of seizure you observe, it is important to react without panicking. It may be hard to believe in the moment, but things will probably be fine. If this is the first time, it is wise to seek immediate veterinary care. Be careful moving your pet—even gentle animals may bite while in the throes of a fit. There is a very good chance the episode will have passed by the time you make it to the vet, but, if not, at least you’ll be in the right place.

The first step is to make sure this really was a seizure. This is especially vital in cats, because they are rarely epileptic compared with dogs, and almost always have something else brewing. There are several conditions that can effectively mimic seizures, and it won’t do any good to treat the wrong thing. Heart disease is one of the most common, capable of starving the brain of oxygen long enough to produce similar convulsions.

After the initial examination, your vet may recommend lab work to begin screening for underlying causes. Although frustrating, it may not be possible to rule everything out at once. Hidden causes such as brain tumors may require advanced (and expensive) testing like spinal taps and MRIs, and these are not typically pursued right away. But in otherwise young healthy dogs, it is often safe to presume they are genuinely epileptic.

It is not a foregone conclusion that epileptic animals require treatment. If the symptoms are mild and sporadic, affected pets may do just fine without intervention. But as episodes become more frequent and severe, medical management can be of great help. Control is rarely perfect, and even treated animals may have breakthrough episodes here and there. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks with your veterinarian before deciding what is best for your pet.

In the long run, it’s not generally necessary to seek veterinary help every time you see an episode. Regardless of how terrifying that first one may have seemed at the time, owners of epileptic animals grow surprisingly accustomed to seeing this happen now and then. It is worth taking another look, however, if seizures start lasting more than a few minutes or begin happening more than once every month or two. Keeping a journal of seizure activity can make it easier to identify broader trends. And although it may not be your first concern at the time, obtaining video of an episode may help your veterinarian to better understand what is going on.

Epilepsy can be frightening for sure. But the good news is that its bark is frequently worse than its bite, and most epileptic animals live full and normal lives.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

spca

Up for adoption!

You can meet these animals from noon-6pm daily, at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, where they’re all available for adoption. 3355 Berkmar Dr. 973-5959, caspca.org   

I’m Brandy, and I may be 2, but there’s nothing terrible about me! Like everyone I know, I enjoy cozy places, long naps and a good back scratch. Since I’ve lived at the CASPCA for 200 days, the thing I’d enjoy most, though, is a forever home.

Yo, I’m Bubba. And I arrived as a stray, but it didn’t take me long to become best buds with the shelter’s
staff and volunteers. I’m housebroken, and I like my chew toys, going for walks and lounging in bed—not necessarily in that order.

Sugar Plum’s the name, and affection’s my game. Alas, I’m currently sans family (mine moved and couldn’t take me along), so I have nobody to shower with love and warmth. I’m also a cool, versatile cat who’s happy both indoors and outside.

If you’re a big-dog person, Magnus (that’s me!) is your man. I’m a polite, handsome, calm dude who needs a pair of strong hands to take me on adventures. Oh, and cats aren’t really my thing, so I’m best-suited for a home with other dogs.

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Living

The necessary chore of clipping a pet’s nails

Trimming a dog’s nails can be a painless experience for both owner and animal with the right mindset and approach.

It starts innocently enough with some faint clicking as your dog trots across the kitchen tile. It can wait, you figure. She hates having her nails trimmed and another week won’t hurt. Until she climbs into your lap and eight dull knives dig deep into your thigh. Reluctantly, you admit to yourself that this is overdue and pick up the clippers.

You lead her to the porch and give her a treat. She wags her tail, but seems suspicious of your motive. You remember the last time you clipped one nail too short. That tragic yelp still echoes in your mind. Was it pain? Betrayal? You set the clippers back down and pretend to clean the house instead.

Nobody likes to do this. I certainly don’t. But this isn’t optional. It needs to happen on a regular basis and it only gets worse otherwise.

Overgrown nails aren’t a cosmetic issue. They can get snagged in carpet or stuck in cracks. These nails often splinter, crack or get ripped right off, which is as traumatic as it sounds. I see claws growing full-circle, stabbing right back into dogs’ toes to create bloody, infected wounds. And with time, overlong nails will cause the toes to deform, twisting them sideways and making it harder for animals to walk at all.

Many people are paralyzed by the fear of trimming too far back, cutting into the sensitive quick that lies at the core of each nail. This is a valid worry, and it’s bound to happen now and then. Even if you’re well-practiced, sometimes an animal squirms at just the wrong moment. Don’t panic. Offer some treats as a distraction, and stay positive. If the nail is bleeding, you can calm it down with some styptic powder or corn starch.

Unfortunately, as a nail grows longer, so does its quick. And that means that any delay only compounds the fear and anxiety next time around. If you make a habit of trimming your pet’s nails weekly (yeah, I said it), you’ll likely find that the experience gets more pleasant each time.

For many dogs, the anxiety still escalates rapidly during a nail trim. In these cases, you may have better luck with a stealthier approach. Try trimming just one nail every morning before breakfast instead. You’ll have to do a bit of bookkeeping to remember which toe you’re up to, but it ensures that nail trims are brief and promptly rewarded. Plus, the daily routine helps prevent each trim from feeling like a big, ominous event.

Another option is to file the nails back rather than clipping them. This is perfectly fine and easiest to accomplish with an electric rotary tool (like a Dremel), but it comes with a few caveats. There is always a risk of stray hair getting caught up in the rotation, causing significant injury. Fur should be trimmed back with scissors first, or the nail can be poked through a small hole in a nylon stocking to keep hair out of harm’s way. Some devices (like PediPaws) are designed specifically for this purpose, and have built-in guards and motors that cut out with any resistance. But that safety measure also causes them to seize and fail against the tougher nails of larger dogs, which can be frustrating.

Regardless of what technique works best, regular nail trims are something we sign on for when we adopt pets. It’s annoying, and it’s tempting to do it some other day. But done correctly, it should be a genuinely painless experience. More often than not, the anxiety is far worse than the event.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

SPCA Spotlight

spca You can meet us at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, where we’re all available for adoption. 3355 Berkmar Dr. 973-5959, caspca.org, noon-6pm, daily.

From left:

Elena: I’m a spunky young kitty who gets along with other cats (as long as they give me space when I’m playing). I can get a bit riled up, so I’d be best in a home with adults and older children who can read my body language.

Copely: Hi! I’m one hyper little dude who just loves to have fun. I enjoy running after toys and chasing balls. I’m a little unsure when people pet me at first, but with the right family, and with a little time and patience, I’ll open up.

Ryder: I’m the strong, silent type. I like having other cats around and will even give them a bath before we curl up together. If you take me home with you, all I’ll need is a cozy place to sleep or maybe even a comfy lap.

Moa: You don’t have to tell me twice—I know what a pretty girl I am! I prefer to be the only pet in the house-
hold and to be left alone during dinnertime. I’ve already mastered several commands, and I’d love to keep learning new tricks.

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Living

The uncertain science of purring

Cat owners will argue the incomparable joy of snuggling with a purring pet.

Sharing my home with both a dog and a cat, I’d be hard-pressed to say which one I prefer to keep as company. They bring such different kinds of joy, and feel like two halves of a lovely whole. But my cat does have one clear advantage that no dog can match. She can purr. Is there anything more comforting than the gentle thrum of a contented cat atop your chest while you lie down for a midday nap? In that moment, it’s as if the universe has singled you out to be deserving of the deepest kind of peace.

We should feel lucky to enjoy this unique feline trait, because it is not universal to cats as a whole. Most of the larger cats such as lions and tigers have no ability to purr, having apparently exchanged it for the privilege of roaring instead. It just turns out that the felines that eventually came to live with humans were of the purring persuasion.

Despite several millennia of domestication, we still don’t know exactly how cats do it. They don’t appear to have any specialized anatomical equipment that we don’t. It is primarily thought that their vocal folds are induced to vibrate under direction of a central oscillator in their brain, although it seems that the diaphragm and rib muscles may play some role as well. Whatever the mechanism might be, it is capable of engaging on both inspiration and expiration, allowing cats to purr essentially nonstop for extended periods of time.

The purpose of purring seems clear at first glance, communicating that a cat is pleased with the current state of things. That can certainly be true, but doesn’t tell the whole story. Cats will likewise purr under adverse circumstances, when they are severely ill or afraid, or even near death. That may seem counterintuitive, but it makes sense when interpreted as a peace sign. A purring cat, for better or worse, is letting you know that it doesn’t intend to fight.

Under normal circumstances, you can presume purring to be a good thing. As a veterinarian, I’m generally glad to have a cat purr its way through a visit, except for one problem. That otherwise endearing rumble makes it all but impossible to hear their heart with a stethoscope. If you’ve ever seen a vet carry your cat over to a running faucet in the middle of an exam, this is the reason. The water gives them just enough of a fright to halt the purring for a few moments, allowing a proper listen. Happily, most cats get back to it once the tap is off again.

Beyond communication, there are a few bits of evidence that suggest purring may come with unexpected health perks. Contact with purring cats is known to reduce stress and blood pressure in people, and it is thought that cats might be able to soothe themselves in a similar manner. Some have even suggested that the particular frequency of feline purring is able to stimulate physical healing, although this may be more fancy than fact.

In the end, I suppose it doesn’t matter. Purring is one of the most delightful benefits of living with a cat–one that I intend to go enjoy as soon as I finish typing this sentence.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

Ready to adopt from the SPCA!

spca_cats

Bob (top left)

Everyone needs a Bob—that guy who sticks by your side. Bob doesn’t let his one bad eye hold him back, either; he’s the first one to greet folks who come to visit him. He’s a happy cat who is most content when he has a best friend—human or feline—to hang out with.

Robin (top right)

Sweet, sleek, soft and jet black, Robin is one special girl. She loves to run and play, and sit up high where she can check out all the action. This affectionate and active gal would be happiest in a home with other feline friends or a human who is home during the day.

Uma (bottom left) 

Uma was adopted as a kitten from the CASPCA three years ago, but was returned when her family moved to a place that did not allow cats. All the activity at the shelter has been a little overwhelming for this mellow girl, but she quickly warms up to friendly new people.

Buffy (black-and-white male) and Buster (gray-and-white male) 

Buffy is the small, agile, outgoing one, while Buster is a bit more cautious. These disparate bros are a bonded pair and need to go to a home together, where they could potentially be the stars of their own buddy-cat YouTube series.

Categories
Living

When dogs and cats have diabetes

Pet owners who cope with a diabetes diagnosis have a challenge that will eventually become part of routine care.

I hate diagnosing diabetes. It’s a frustrating disease, made worse by the fear that washes across people’s faces when they hear the news. I see them hoping I won’t say anything about insulin injections, then watch them deflate when I finally do.

Diabetes is a hormonal disorder that comes in a few varieties, but always results in the same basic thing—a reduced ability for insulin to do its job. Most people know insulin as the hormone that regulates blood sugar, which it is. But it does so much more than that. At the risk of oversimplifying, insulin is responsible for announcing when energy is abundant and when it is not. After a big meal, insulin levels go up. This informs the body that there’s plenty of energy to go around, so it can fuel itself with blood sugar and store the excess as fat.

Conversely, low insulin signals that times are tough and that it’s a good time to dip into emergency savings, breaking down fat and muscle for energy. In essence, a diabetic patient exists in a permanent state of starvation.

And this has two main consequences. The first—the one most people are familiar with—is that all that unused blood sugar needs to go somewhere, and it starts to spill into the urine. Because of a phenomenon called osmotic pressure (remember science class?), that sugar drags extra water along with it, accelerating urine production. To replenish that wasted water, affected patients have to drink more. This accounts for the most recognizable symptom of diabetes—a pet that is drinking and peeing all the time.

Fewer people are aware of the second consequence which is, in many ways, the more serious one. When fat is burned, it produces nasty compounds called ketones (which are chemically similar to nail polish remover). Ordinarily, this is no problem. Fat is usually just burned in small amounts when necessary, and the body can handle a trickle of ketones with no trouble. But because diabetics are functionally experiencing starvation, they burn fat way too quickly, flooding the bloodstream with ketones that quickly reach toxic levels. This ultimately results in a life-threatening state called ketoacidosis, and requires emergency medical treatment to correct.

Cats and dogs can both become diabetic, but they tend to develop different forms of the disease. The canine version is akin to Type 1 diabetes in humans, in which specialized cells in the pancreas lose their ability to produce insulin. It is thought to have a strong genetic component, but may also be linked to factors like obesity and other underlying diseases. These patients absolutely need insulin injections to replace the missing hormone, and will need them for the rest of their lives.

Feline diabetes is more like human Type 2 diabetes, and is closely associated with obesity. It begins when cats’ bodies become resistant to the effects of insulin, but eventually progresses to include decreased production as well. They usually require insulin to get the disease under control, but unlike dogs, they stand some chance of eventually being controlled with proper diet and exercise. That sounds promising in writing, but it doesn’t always work, and I’d rather see cats lose weight before they get sick to begin with.

When faced with diabetes, pet owners are immediately concerned about the difficulty of administering insulin shots to their pets. To be honest, that’s almost always the easy part. Especially with cats, most people find that giving shots is a whole lot easier than trying to wrestle pills into their mouths. But insulin can be expensive, and it can take weeks or months of experimentation and careful blood monitoring before we get the dose right. In cases where that process drags on for too long, I find a lot of owners grow dispirited.

But it’s worth hanging in there. Once controlled, most diabetics do well. Before long, those dreaded shots will be as routine as breakfast.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

Pets of the Month

Visit the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA to meet these pets, as well as other adoptable animals.

Bella So I’m not gonna lie: I’m on the large side for a cat. But please don’t call me Miss Piggy; my kitty curves mean there’s more of me to love! I also have an awesome, sweet personality, and I enjoy a good nuzzle from time to time. I know I might look like a regular old black-and-white feline who can put away her share of groceries, but looks can be deceiving. Take me home, and you’ll discover I’m the jewel in your crown.

Balto I’m a big guy with a lot of love to give. Once I’ve had my fill of adventures, I like to lean in and give you doggy smooches and hugs. I walk pretty well on leash with a harness, but I need someone who is strong enough to handle my size and strength. My person will also have to pamper me in the way I deserve. Is that person you?

Bessy I’m a sweet, curious little girl who is about 3 months old. I was very scared when I first came to the shelter, and I’m still a bit nervous. I just need a little patience and a lot of love. I enjoy being petted and having my neck scratched, but I prefer not to be held.
I also get along great with other cats, and I might even like gentle dogs. I dare you to meet me and not fall in love.

Scooby I know, I know, everyone tells me how handsome I am. And I love it when they speak baby-talk to me. I’m a happy, people-oriented dude, but I’m often unaware of my extra-large size and tail. I’m also well-mannered and I know some cool commands. Someone must have loved me very much, and I’m not sure why my owner didn’t come for me after I arrived here. Could you be my new person?

Categories
Living

The many causes of animal ear problems

Most ear infections are luckily caught early, and can be managed simply enough with a quick course of drops squirted in the ears, but that’s not always the end of the story. File photo

I’m sure we’d all agree that animal ears are absolutely adorable. Unlike our inert curls of skin that only seem weirder the more you think about them, cats and dogs have delightfully expressive ears. They perk up when we talk to them and flop all over the place, and are generally just fuzzy and fun to play with. But all those lovely perks do come with a price. For some animals, those things can be a nightmare to take care of.

For one thing, pets can have horrible creatures living in their ears. If your cat is furiously scratching at the sides of her head, there’s a solid chance she’s harboring ear mites. These little arachnids—basically microscopic spiders—chow down on ear wax and reproduce quickly, causing ample misery in the process.

Luckily, they aren’t that hard to treat if you do it right. There are plenty of over-the-counter products that kill ear mites, but they don’t always kill the eggs, allowing the infestation to return if you don’t treat for weeks on end. And if you have multiple pets, they may keep bouncing the bugs around unless you treat everybody at the exact same time. Newer prescription options work much faster, and keep you from wasting time and money trying to solve an otherwise simple problem with obsolete tools.

The other frustration with over-the-counter ear mite treatments is that you’re apt to find yourself treating the wrong thing. This is especially true in dogs, where ear mites are comparatively uncommon. I see frustrated owners come in all the time after blowing through three or four different ear mite remedies to no avail. The truth is that dogs are far more likely to have an infection caused by yeast or bacteria (or both). It’s really important to have your veterinarian diagnose the problem before attempting to treat it.

Ear infections can be pretty nasty business. Unchecked, the opening of the ear swells up while the canal fills with foul-smelling discharge. They hurt and itch, often resulting in additional injury as the animal fusses with it. Apart from self-inflicted abrasions, overzealous shaking and scratching can rupture blood vessels within the flap of the ear, causing a hematoma—the whole thing puffs up like a blood-filled balloon. If it reaches this point, surgery may be the only way to get back to normal again.

Most infections are luckily caught early, and can be managed simply enough with a quick course of drops squirted in the ears, but that’s not always the end of the story. Even after multiple rounds of treatment, ear infections have a frustrating habit of returning. This isn’t because your dog is infected with some kind of superbug. In most cases, it’s the same run-of-the-mill bacteria and yeast as usual. It’s because most ear infections piggyback on top of another underlying problem.

Unfortunately, those problems aren’t necessarily the easy ones to solve. Some breeds have an inherent predisposition due to quirks (and outright defects) in the form and structure of their ears. (Owners of cocker spaniels and bulldogs are reflexively sighing.) Cats can have recurring infections because of polyps growing deep within the ear. And lots of animals deal with ear infections resulting from underlying allergies. A full list would go on for pages, but the short version is that ear infections can be unfixable until the underlying cause is identified and eliminated.

I’m often asked about preventing ear infections, and the answer varies case by case. If needed, you can gently wipe away ear wax with a cotton ball once or twice a week. But never go in with a Q-tip —you’re likely to just pack the wax in deeper. Having the ear canals plucked free of hair can be useful in animals with unusually dense fur, but it also introduces bleeding and inflammation that can foster bacterial growth, so I don’t advise it without good reason. By and large, if your pet has healthy ears, my preference is to leave well enough alone. Unnecessary intervention may cause trouble where none existed before.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

Clockwise from top left: Brad Pitt, Darcy, Calliope and Lima
Clockwise from top left: Brad Pitt, Darcy, Calliope and Lima. Courtesy Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA

Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA: Pets of the month

You can meet us at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, where we’re all available for adoption.
3355 Berkmar Dr. 973-5959, caspca.org, noon-6pm, daily  

Darcy

It was kind of a blow to my confidence when my owner left me at the shelter after hours, but I’m working on my trust issues and am ready to find my forever home (for real this time).

Brad Pitt

As my name suggests, I’m cool, confident and enviably handsome. Not to boast, but I’ve been named “Sexiest Tomcat Alive” three times, which is more than the human Brad Pitt can say.

Lima

Like the capital of Peru, my personality climate can be cool to mild—
I play hard to get at first, but warm up quickly (with treats). Unlike Peru, loud sounds and fast motion irk me.

Calliope

Greek muse Calliope is often portrayed wearing a crown, which is fitting for my personality, as I prefer to observe from my throne. (But if you offer a head rub, I won’t turn it down.)