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The felid purr: A healing mechanism?

Authors: Elizabeth von Muggenthaler;

The felid purr: A healing mechanism?

Abstract

A current hypothesis suggests the purr indicates contentment, however, cats purr when they are severely injured or frightened. Forty-four felids were recorded including cheetahs, ocelots, pumas, domestic cats, and servals. A Sony TCD-D8 Digital Audio Recorder (DAT) and Statham Radio microphones recorded the purrs. FFTs and spectrographs were performed using National Instrument’s Polynesia. An accelerometer was also used to measure domestic cat purrs. Every felid in the study generated strong frequencies between 25 and 150 Hz. Purr frequencies correspond to vibrational/electrical frequencies used in treatment for bone growth/fractures, pain, edema, muscle growth/strain, joint flexibility, dyspnea, and wounds. Domestic cats, servals, ocelots, and pumas produce fundamental, dominant, or strong frequencies at exactly 25 Hz and 50 Hz, the two low frequencies that best promote bone growth/fracture healing [Chen et al., Zhong. Wai Ke Za Zhi. 32, 217–219 (1994)]. These four species have a strong harmonic exactly at, or within 2 Hz of 100 Hz, a frequency used therapeutically for pain, edema, wounds, and dyspnea. An internal healing mechanism would be advantageous, increasing recovery time and keeping muscles and bone strong when sedentary. [Published with permission from the New Zealand Veterinary Journal; work supported by Endevco.]

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Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
6
Top 10%
Top 10%
Average
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