Page 32 - Harnett Life Spring 2019

A Cat’s Purrrr.......
By Dr. Janet Batker-
Lillington Veterinary
Hospital & Boarding

Greetings pet lovers. As we transition from winter to spring lax and contract the vocal chords through a signal from the
you may see more kittens around, and who doesn’t think a brain called a neuro-oscillator. People do research on this
kitten is cute! They are sweet and cuddly, and their purr is stuff! Cats purr almost from the moment they are born,
designed to cement the bond between people and cats. The possible as a signal to their mother, and they purr when
cat purr has been an eternal mystery to mankind but is one they are happy, but they also purr when stressed. It may be
of the qualities which usually makes us love kitties. Cats, a self-soothing mechanism. The sound frequency of their
oddly enough though, engender warm affection or real dis- purr is within a range that literally promotes healing and
taste in humans, depending on their preferences; many cat increases in bone density-what if they purr during periods
owners have told me over the years that they never liked of rest to manage their muscle and bone strength so they
cats until they had one. That’s a mystery too. Cats almost can remain at rest but ready for action! This suggests we
always purr in contentment when they are caressed or pet- should all employ a lap cat when resting, perhaps then we
ted by their owners, and it has a soothing effect on their too can experience nine lives. Most species of felines pro-
human caretakers. The most remarkable aspect of the purr duce a purr or reasonable facsimile, but I suggest we stick
is that it happens non-stop during inspiration and expira- with the domesticated ones.
tion, and I defy you to try to reproduce that! It appears to
be related to vibrations of the laryngeal muscles that re- Regards from Dr. Jan Batker at Lillington Veterinary Hos-
pital
Page 32 Harnett Life ~ Spring 2019