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Clinton cat not expected to survive cancer
Socks remains with Currie
Friday, Dec. 19, 2008
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by
REID SILVERMAN
Socks has a snack on the patio in early June as Betty Currie looks on in the background.
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Socks, former First Cat of President Bill Clinton's administration, has cancer and is not expected to live much longer, said Betty Currie on Wednesday. Currie of Hollywood was Clinton's personal secretary during his administration and has been the caretaker of Socks since Clinton left office in 2001.
David Langford, co-founder and a veterinarian at Three Notch Veterinary Clinic, has been caring for Socks for the past seven years.
"He's got a terminal illness. We don't know how much longer he'll live," Langford said Wednesday afternoon, after receiving permission from Currie to speak about Socks.
Langford said Socks has cancer of the jaw. "It's not real common [in cats]," he said. "It causes problems with him being able to eat."
As a result of the illness, his weight has dropped to around 6 pounds, Langford said. If Socks were healthy, he would weigh 9 to 12 pounds.
Socks would turn 20 this April, it is estimated of the once stray cat. That is old for a cat. On average, Langford said he would expect a cat to live between 14 to 16 years.
So, in addition to his cancer, Socks is dealing with some old-age issues. "Like a lot of elderly creatures he has chronic kidney failure," Langford said. He also has hyperthyroidism, which is caused by a benign tumor of the thyroid gland.
At this point, Langford is working with Currie to keep Socks as comfortable as possible. "We're trying to relieve his pain," he said.
Langford said Socks is "a very nice cat … [he has a] very nice disposition."
And he noted that Currie has taken excellent care of the cat. "She's very devoted to him and to taking excellent care of him … She's a very good caretaker." He said he believes Currie has been in touch with the Clintons about Socks' condition, but he has not spoken personally with anyone from the family.
As recently as last spring, Currie was still taking Socks out on public appearances. They visited the Fisher House, a Ronald McDonald-type house for military families, at Andrews Air Force Base, and Socks was a special guest of the St. Mary's County Animal Welfare League's animal fair in May.
In early June, Currie noted that Socks' health was declining. She said Socks had the thyroid condition and had experienced some hair loss, which is related to his condition. And he was showing early signs of his kidney problems.
He'd also lost weight. "And we're a little concerned," Currie said at the time. "It's age."
