Bernadette

In April 2012, an employee’s daughter found an injured stray cat near her house. The poor brown tabby kitty could not bear weight on its left hind leg. The cat was brought to Cat Sense Feline Hospital for evaluation and it was soon determined by x-rays that this kitty’s femur was broken in four parts.

Dr. Anne Sinclair immediately eased the poor cat’s pain with medications. It is unknown what caused the cat’s injury, but it is thought that she probably was struck by a car. The cat was incredibly sweet and Dr. Sinclair decided Bernadette, as she was named, would be a great clinic cat at Cat Sense. The health of our two hospital cats, Chaucer and Ashleigh, was failing and they had pretty much withdrawn from daily visits by clients.

Bernadette, or Bernie as she is sometimes called, was referred to Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC). She had an echo cardiogram done at Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates (CVCA) to be sure her heart was okay for anesthesia. She was then transferred to Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists (CVSS) where Dr. Anders performed surgery to fix Bernadette’s broken leg. Bernadette had a String of Pearls plate, a rod, and cerclage wire placed to hold her femur in place. After surgery, Bernadette underwent eight weeks of cage rest and physical therapy.

Recovery was a long process. Clinic cat Chaucer passed away and Bernie sometimes comforted and snuggled Ashleigh until Ashleigh passed the next Spring.

Bernie’s “sweetness” was soon attributed to her having been in heat when she first came to us. Bernadette was not so warm and fuzzy and she did not invite pets and attention from clients as her predecessors had. She was much more independent, but soon learned the protocol of a clinic cat. With the cooperation of clients, her petting aggression has eased. She likes attention, but still prefers that clients “ask” first if they may pet her and then limit the amount of petting.
Bernadette shows no sign of her injury. She is happy, healthy, and maybe a little too smart for her own good. She is loved dearly by staff and returns the attention and affection. If you encounter Bernie on your visit to Cat Sense, please limit the petting and never, ever touch her belly!