An American domestic shorthair kitten that was struck by a car is Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Critical Care Case of the Year. Cletus' owners, Tom and Elaine Lawrence of Auburn, rushed him to the college's Small Animal Teaching Hospital in August.

"When Cletus arrived, he had numerous injuries--including a severely torn muscle, a broken leg, multiple soft-tissue wounds and a torn bladder," said emergency and critical care veterianarian Mitch Potter '98. "He was in shock and rapidly decompensating from the extensive trauma."

Over the next several weeks, Cletus underwent a series of surgeries to repair the damage. The Lawrences report he's recuperating well. "It was really difficult to pick the case of the year," said Douglass Macintire '88, P.B. Griffin Distinguished Professor of Acute and Critical Care Medicine.

"We had so many great patients who fought so hard to survive and owners who sacrificed so much to help their pets. This little guy, Cletus, though, really stole our hearts. He never stopped purring or trying to play no matter what we did to him or how badly he hurt. He was very lucky to be adopted by such a wonderful loving family. Cletus and his owners represent what this award is all about--perseverance, hope, and love."

Auburn's Critical Care Program is a same-day referral center designed to serve the needs of veterinarians in the Southeast. AU's veterinary program is the oldest in the South and the seventh-oldest in the nation.