The Felid Purr: A healing mechanism?

By Elizabeth von Muggenthaler

    Is it possible that evolution has provided the felines of this world with a natural healing mechanism for bones and other organs? Researchers at Fauna Communications believe so. 

    Being able to produce frequencies that have been proven to improve healing time, strength and mobility could explain the purr's natural selection. In the wild when food is plentiful, the felids are relatively sedentary. They will spend a large portion of the day and night lounging in trees or on the ground. Consistent exercise is one of the greatest contributors to bone, (Karlsson et al, 2001), and muscle (Roth et al, 2000; Tracy et al 1999), and tendon and ligament strength (Simoson et al, 1995; Tipton et al 1975). If a cat’s exercise were sporadic it would be advantageous for them to stimulate bone growth while at rest. As well, following injury, immediate exercise can rebreak one and re-tear healing muscle and tendon (Montgomery, 1989). Inactivity decreases the strength of muscles (Tipton et al, 1975). Therefore, having an internal vibrational therapeutic system to stimulate healing would be advantageous, and would also reduce oedema and provide a measure of pain relief during the healing process.

    Unfortunately there is no easy way to test this hypothesis. Strangely, after speaking with several of the foremost specialists on animal bones, it was discovered that there has apparently never been a study on any small cat bones, not serval, caracal, puma, ocelot, or domestic. Only cheetah and tiger bones have been studied, and tigers do not purr. Cheetahs do purr, but they are one of the most unique and specialized forms of the felid family. The cheetah's bones were found to have dense remodelling (growth), which apparently is found in carnivores and in humans. 

    Purring-cat physiology would have to be compared to non-purring cat physiology to test this theory. The study would have to be entirely non-invasive. 

    There are inherent difficulties in discovering whether purring aids in healing, as purring-cat physiology would have to be compared to non-purring cat physiology. The dilemma is that most all cats purr, even under duress. They are even capable of producing a purr following a laryngectomy (Hardie et al, 1981), due to vibration of the diaphragm (Stogdale and Delack, 1985). A naturally occurring, non-purring cat is very rare, and this effect is usually associated with a physical problem. Cats that have physical problems related to purring cannot be admitted to the study because of the possible variables presented by the physical disability. Therefore, any research would have to be non-invasive and observation based.

    Given the data on anabolic frequencies, fracture and healing research, the exact match of the frequencies and amplitudes of the cat's purrs to vibrational therapy research, time proven adages, biomechanical therapy, studies on tendon and muscle repair and Dr. Cook's study, it is certainly not a leap of faith to speculate that the cat's purr is a healing mechanism. Having a natural way to increase strength, and decrease healing time, would indeed be very advantageous and would explain the purr's development. 

    It is suggested that purring be stimulated as much as possible when cats are ill or under duress. If purring is a healing mechanism, it may just help them to recover faster, and perhaps could even save their life.

    We are currently gathering veterinarian case studies and beginning a study to test the cats' purr-healing theory. No cats will, or have been harmed in this study. All of Fauna Communication's studies are non-invasive. We need your help for this research. We thank you for your support!

Please send your tax-deductible donations to:

Fauna Communications Research Institute

P.O. Box 1126, Hillsborough, N.C. 27278 

http://www.animalvoice.com/catpur.htm

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