When it comes to feline care, we're grateful to have experts like Dr. Melissa Mustillo, DABVP, in our NVA community.

Dr. Mustillo is the Managing Veterinarian at A Cat Clinic in Maryland, a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (DABVP) certified in Feline Practice, and one of only 80 board-certified feline specialists in the U.S.

She was also recently elected to the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) Board of Directors.

We asked her 11 rapid-fire questions about feline care, her passion for veterinary medicine, and what she's most thankful for in her practice.

1. Ultrasonography 🔬 or geriatric medicine 👵🐱? I fell in love with geriatric medicine because one of my passions is rescuing senior cats and assisting them in their golden years. Helping families navigate their cats’ senior years gives me great purpose and joy even though it can be complicated and bittersweet.

2. Pumpkin pie 🥧 or pecan pie 🥧? I am definitely a pumpkin pie and everything pumpkin person! This goes along with my love for the fall - I love this season and all the food.

3. Internal medicine 🩺 or surgery ⚕️? Definitely internal medicine! I will gladly see complicated medical cases all day over performing an ovariohysterectomy. I love the challenge of working through a diagnostic plan to determine the best course of treatment for my patients.

4. Paperback books 📕 or e-reader 📱? There is nothing better than getting cozy, with a good paperback book, and having 2-3 cats in your lap.

5. Autumn leaves 🍂 or first snowfall ❄️? Autumn is hands down my favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures and gorgeous fall foliage. My hatred for winter is a huge reason for leaving NY!

6. Behavior consultations 🧠 or nutrition counseling 🍽️? Behavior cases can be extremely challenging as cats are dynamic creatures, and their home environments are out of our control. However, I have an expansive set of tools and knowledge to help families learn to understand normal cat behavior and how to bring peace back into the home.

7. Sunrise hikes 🌅 or sunset hikes 🌇? I am not a morning person, so sunset hikes are preferred. While I am a feline expert in my professional life, I love taking our two dogs out for an evening stroll.

8. Playful kittens 😸 or cuddly senior cats 😻? Senior cats are my passion, and I would love to have a schedule full of senior cats instead of kittens. Aging cats are beautiful, wise, and somewhat fragile. I love being there for them through their geriatric years to offer them quality care and comfort.

9. Purr machines 🎵 or biscuit makers 🐾? Purring cats! Every cat has a different purr, and it is so wonderful getting to hear each cats’ unique sound.

10. Fiction 📖 or nonfiction 📚? Reading a good fiction novel is my escape from this chaotic profession. While I am open to any type of fiction, fantasy is definitely my go-to genre.

11. Hiking on mountain trails ⛰️ or forest paths 🌲? A quiet forest path with nothing but trees and nature is the ultimate escape. But even better is a quiet forest path that leads into the mountains!

More about Dr. Melissa Mustillo:

Dr. Mustillo grew up in Buffalo, New York. She completed her undergraduate studies at Canisius College in New York and received her DVM from The University of Tennessee. Following graduation, she moved to Maryland and joined the staff of Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg to complete the hospital's intensive one-year internship program in medicine and surgery.

Dr. Mustillo always knew her true passion was feline medicine. She joined the team at A Cat Clinic following her internship. Dr. Mustillo has a strong interest in ultrasonography, complicated internal medicine cases, and geriatric medicine. In 2020, Dr. Mustillo completed the rigorous requirements to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Feline Practice. She is one of around 80 board-certified feline specialists in the U.S. and is a member of multiple local and national veterinary and feline organizations, including the FelineVMA.

Dr. Mustillo is also a passionate advocate for the FelineVMA Cat Friendly Practice program. This certification program is designed to help veterinary practices create a more comfortable, less stressful environment for feline patients while also supporting staff in providing optimal cat-centered care.

Dr. Mustillo shares her home with five cats (JoJo, Lilly, Danny, Sherman, and Eddie Spaghetti), two dogs (Elliot and Penny), and her husband. In her spare time, Dr. Mustillo enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling back to Western New York to visit her family.