Hilary Platt's favorite photograph took three years, some Prozac and lots of loving patience to create.

At first glance, you see a happy person and her cat sharing a sofa and staring back at the camera lens. A closer look reveals the true dynamics: Platt's smile is one of relief. Vera the cat conveys a look of tolerance as her body leans away from Platt.

"This marked the first time in nearly three years that Vera allowed me to get close to her. This photo marks our major breakthrough," says Platt, who lives in Meridian, N.H., and had been the target of Vera's hissing, growling, scratching and biting attacks since she rescued the cat as a frightened, starving stray kitten along a rural roadside near her home.

Desperate to stop these unprovoked attacks, Platt contacted Myrna Milani, DVM, an animal behaviorist in nearby Charlestown.

"It was to the point that Vera was clawing me [all the time]," Platt says. "Yet she adores and worships my husband, Jim. I never encountered a cat like this."

Dr. Milani's solution: put Vera on Prozac temporarily and give her the cold shoulder. Ignore her. Other than feeding, watering and cleaning the litter box, the Platts were instructed to even avoid eye contact with their temperamental feline. Gradually, they gave Vera small doses of affection as her temperament softened.

"Dr. Milani taught us leaders initiate and followers react," Platt says. "I stopped being a follower and took charge of the situation. When she growls or hisses now, I don't yell. I don't say anything. I just walk away. Vera will never be a perfect little kitty, but each day she shows improvement."

Do you have a problem cat? One you love and adore, despite its drive-you-batty behavior? Does your cat create more mayhem, mischief and madness than you care to tolerate? Are you running out of options?

CAT FANCY solicited the help of leading national cat experts to resolve the 10 most common feline problems. The challenge, they said, is to find out what triggers the behavior and treat the cause, not merely the symptoms.

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