The Cat Who Couldn't See in the Dark: Veterinary Mysteries and Advice on Feline Care and Behavior [Paperback]

Valerie Moolman (Author), Howard Padwee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1998

Meet Pawline, the tortoiseshell stray who never met an open clothes dryer she didn't like; Pink Floyd, brought to Dr. Padwee's office because he couldn't see in the dark; and Vittoria, a jet-setting Siamese with a mysterious cough. This engaging book, part James Herriot and part Dr. Spock, dispenses practical advice in the form of true-life tales and case histories from a veterinarian.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Cat owners and pet fanciers will appreciate the advice and wry observations of vet Padwell, who provides lively accounts of encounters in his small animal practice in Manhattan. Dr. Padwee gained a reputation for solving feline medical mysteries, which are outlined in a lively blend of science and autobiography. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Valerie Moolman is a scriptwriter and the author of more than forty books. She lives in New York City.

The author of The Live Longer Diet for Dogs and Cats, Howard Padwee, D.V.M., was the former chief surgeon for the New York City ASCA. He lives in Bedford, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395935245
• ISBN-13: 978-0395935248
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,097,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Vet doesn't know what he's talking about, January 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cat Who Couldn't See in the Dark: Veterinary Mysteries and Advice on Feline Care and Behavior (Hardcover)

The author of this book was humorous and entertaining. However, he gives information that misleads many people. He firmly believes in de-clawing, which not only is mentaling disturbing for a cat, but can cause back pains and hurt paws. When claws are removed from a cat, the cat must shift his balance from his toes to the heel of his paw. Which in turn will hurt his balance and grace. The vet also lets cats have kittens, even though he knows that there are 45 cats for every human on the planet. In other words, he condems cats to go without homes.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Disgrace and an Outrage, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cat Who Couldn't See in the Dark: Veterinary Mysteries and Advice on Feline Care and Behavior (Hardcover)

After reading this book, I feel Padwee is a disgrace to the veterinary profession and a disgrace to responsible cat ownership. His advice and comments are totally irresponsible. He recommends declawing among other unbelievably shameful advice.

I find it amazing that this book was even published and I pray that the publisher gets enough negative mail so that this author can never put out another book.

If you want responsible, compassionate, accurate information on cats, there are several good books available. The two best authors on cats are Pam Johnson-Bennett and John Wright.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars dangerous to cats if owners believe this stuff, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cat Who Couldn't See in the Dark: Veterinary Mysteries and Advice on Feline Care and Behavior (Hardcover)

There were no options to give this book NO stars, so one is recorded. I agree with the other reviewer who addressed the declawing issue. Further, the author then condones permitting both declawed and clawed cats out of doors without supervision, in his neighborhood of practice, Manhattan. He speaks fondly of other "patients" - nondomestic animal kept as pets, a pregnant cat who was a "school project" for a group of private school girls (the girls were being taught that indiscriminant breeding is ok, rather than about responsible pet ownership and spaying/neutering), and another cat that was taken back to the farm where she was found as a kitten, so that she could be mated with a feral male from the barn. No discussion of feline leukemia or other deadly and contagous diseases was included here, let alone cat overpopulation, or any concern for the stress and the fright this young cat must have felt being abandoned on the farm for several days until she was mated. He speaks of the humane care this cat received throughout her pregnancy, yet doesn't address the inhumanity that allowed her to become that way. This book is full of offensive ideas to any responsible pet owner. I have asked my public library to remove it from the shelves. For understanding of cat behavior and needs, please look to Pamela Johnson, Roger Caras, or Anitra Frasier - or many other fine authors, but don't look here.