*COURTESY LISTING* Gary is not at HSoP. If you are interested in knowing more about him, please contact his current owner at: (310)795-0131, or by email at: st.margelia@gmail.com. Born May 1, 2019. Neutered and up to date on shots. Gary has special needs and needs someone who understands this and be vigilant about his diet restrictions. Please note that all his health issues predate his obesity. They are not caused by his obesity. More history is available if needed. GARY CAN NEVER HAVE WET FOOD OR WET TREATS. Health: • Laryngeal paralysis indicative of nerve damage. Nothing prevents food/water/etc. from going down his windpipe instead of his esophagus when eating/drinking, so he regularly chokes on water and if given wet food he is at VERY high risk for aspiration. His breathing is noisy all the time but this is exacerbated by exercise and stress, and when sleeping he snores noisily. HE CAN NEVER HAVE WET FOOD OR WET TREATS, they can literally kill him. • He has a congenital birth defect of his sternum (Pectus carinatum) causing it to stick out, but it doesn’t affect his health. Visible on x-rays. • Feline herpesvirus infection of his eyes. Gary is allergic to some medications for it, more information will be provided to adopters. Lysine supplement can help keep flare ups at bay as long as it isn’t the liquid kind. • Obese. Needs to lose about 5 pounds. • Irregular gait that has a neurological cause of unknown origin. • Lack of balance, also neurological, same unknown origin. He can only jump onto surfaces that he can reach with his front paws first. • Developmentally delayed Personality: • Affectionate • Sweet • Enjoys laps but not being picked up • A bit dim • Loves meeting new people • Good with children, but they must understand his special needs and not give him wet food, wet treats, or try to pick him up, as stress can cause him to struggle to breathe. Ideal Home: • Ideally with his mother, Mishka • Would be ok with other cats, if not Mishka, maybe? • No dogs • Indoors only • CAN NEVER HAVE WET FOOD OR TREATS