Michigan Veterinary Blog

Dog Gone Day - Video Release!!!

2012-01-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

Please visit vmeo at the link below. Paige Erlich is an incredibly talented film maker and this film will be featured at the Mitten Film Festival in Royal Oak on the 7th of February. Please join us and see it on the big screen.

The film tells the story of a cable guy and his adventures with a number of different dogs. Paige really demonstrated her talent and patience by choosing to work with animals. The big white dog is our own Darwin, our family pet and a blood donor at the hospital. The harried business man is my wonderful husband, Peter. They both proved to be talented actors. Maybe they will be discovered along with Paige!
Enjoy....

Dog Gone Day from Paige Erlich on Vimeo.

More Photos With Santa!

2011-12-14T05:49:00.000-08:00

It was a great day and a huge turn out at the Historic Milford Power Station. Thank you to everyone the supported the event. Please remember that we are still in need of donations of food or money to Pet Pantry. They are currently feeding 500 + pets each month.
If you have a donation and cannot get to Community Sharing you are welcome to drop it off at VCS!

Santa Paws Visits Milford Power Station ! Next Visit December 11th

2011-12-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

We had a great day at the historic Milford Power Station, 225 w. Liberty, on Saturday the 3rd. Please join us on December the 11th from 12 PM to4 PM.Santa will return to benefit the Pet Pantry. Bring a cash or pet food donation for the Community Sharing Pet Pantry and receive a beautiful photo of your pet/family with Santa and a digital image on a DVD to share with your family and friends.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

Picture Your Pet With Santa And Contribute To The Pet Pantry

2011-11-27T17:59:00.000-08:00

Get a great photo of your pet(s) with Santa and support a fantastic cause, The Pet Pantry at Community Sharing!

Please join us at the historic Milford Power House 225 w. Liberty on December 3rd from 11 AM-3PM and December 11th from 12 - 4 PM.

Cash or pet food donations will be accepted in exchange for a wonderful photo.

A Lesson Learned From a Tree That Fell In The Woods

2011-11-16T18:26:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we were experiencing an increadible indian summer. It was fantastic, if you don't live in a climate like Michigan's you might not appreciate what this means. It was a few days of warm sunshine and soft breezes, the smell of fall is all around, but the house windows are open, just days before winter. I was reading on one of those warm nights, the windows open and it was still outside. I was startled by the crash of a tree in our woods, it was large, you could hear the groans and cracks of the surrounding tress and when it hit the ground. There was thud that shook my chair. The crash of the tree was a suprise. There was no wind and no recent violent weather that would help trigger such a dramatic event.

Yet there were many forces at work on that tree, maybe the tree had gotten older and weaker, then there had been some type of trauma followed by an infestation of bugs or a infection of a mold or bacteria. Then those infections quietly ate away at what was once a healthy tree. At first the tree had plentiful foliage and stood tall. Then, in imperceptable chagnes over time, it would have fewer leaves and not grow like it used to. It became smaller compared to the other trees and began to loose branches. This process might have taken years. Then, on that indian summer evening, the final straw was placed on the proverbial camel's back and the tree collapsed.

Often clients arrive at our hospital explaining that their pet 'just became ill', but after some diagnostics we learn that perception may not be accurate. Our pets are unable to communicate little aches and pains, changes in vision or hearing, or changes in cognition that humans can articulate more easily. They only demonstrate signs of discomfort or ill health once it has become so severe they can no longer maintain their normal daily activities. Sometimes these signs come too late for us to intervene.

Recently, a client brougt her 10 year old laborador for evaluation. He had epilepsy since he was seven and his seizures were escalating in severity and frequency. Often when dogs develop seizures at less than 5-6 years they suffer from primary epilepsy, a short circuit of the brain that is often caused by a genetic defect. But when the seizures develop in the older dog, we expect to identify an underlying disease process, like a tumor or many other metabolic or intracranial causes that may cause seizures. The owner explained that the dog was completely normal between the seizures, this was great news. However, as we chatted, she told me about a time, recently, that the dog had asked to be let in the house through a door they never use. The dog had to be retrieved and taken in the usual entrance. Afterwards the dog seemed to be fine. This little story was alarming. Our pets are creatures of habit, their days are laden in routine. They follow regular patterns of activity every single day. The dog asking to be let in at a totally new door after years in the house was alarming. I recommended that the pet have a MRI of the brain, based not only on the age of onset for the seizures, but on this telling change in his activity.

As I mentioned animals follow daily routines just like we do. Sometimes we notice the changes in routine. The cat isn't sleeping inthe same spot it usually does, the dog does not meet us at the door when we arrive home, these are easy cues that may indicate a change in your pets health. But as I illustrated, its not always that easy. When I am counseling a client with a pet with a chronic illness I often suggest that they weigh the pet weekly. The trends in the pets weight will aide in knowing they are eating enough, or if they are loosing weight related to their disease. Sometimes this regular monitoring helps the owner become more aware of the pets hair coat, general body condition and comfort level, all of which may indicate a deterioration or (more optimistically!)an improvement in the animals condition.

Regular examinations, annual laboratory testing, blood pressure monitoring, and radiographs (x-rays) can all aide in both monitoring some one with chronic illness or keep us aware of developing disease. Annual examinations may do nothing more than establish that all is normal or provide baseline to compare to in the future.

A veterinarians job is to provide you with the clinical tools as well as knowledge of the signs that you should monitor for at home. When we are successful, your pet never ends up like that tree in my woods.

Calendar Benefiting The Pet Pantry Is On Sale NOW!!!!!!

2011-11-16T16:03:00.000-08:00

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!! Get your copy fast, they are flying off the shelves! Only $6.00 each!

The calendar features 13 months of fantastic photos taken at area businesses, illustrating how important our pets are to each and everyone of us (no, we don't let Darwin do surgery on cats!!!). Please join in the fun a purchase your own copy(they make great stocking stuffers, too).

Copies are for sale at : Veterinary Care Specialists,Carls Family Y, Fitz Squared, Main Street Art, Club Pet, and Pet Supplies Plus to name a few....

Like humans, abused baby birds grow into bullies

2011-10-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Like humans, abused baby birds grow into bullies

Lucky Louie!

2011-08-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Louie had been rescued from an animal shelter, lived with a woman, Meredith , who adored him and he was lost and then found through the kindness of a community. Louie is a very lucky dog. We all got to know Louie almost a month ago when he escaped Meredith’s parents house and began running. Not an unusual of a scenario, but then it got interesting. Meredith and a few friends began a Facebook page, Looking for Louie, and people began to learn of his plight. There were frequent updates of Louie sightings, organized search parties, a discussion of how to best capture him and many folks out with fliers. Louie was definitely on the move, some of the early sightings were miles away from where he began. Then he moved east to an area choked with lakes, parks and dead end roads. There was worry that he might be inside a large wilderness area called Highland Recreation. Then he was seen back in Milford, next he headed north and east. Each sighting was investigated and many people spent precious free time looking for the wayward canine. He was finally found last week. His rescue was challenging, but everyone persevered. He then came to our hospital for evaluation, re-hydration and some well needed rest. He went home with Meredith on Thursday. We all wish Louie well.

I think the thing that makes Louie the very most fortunate is that he was lost in our little community. I realize that it would have been preferable that he had not been lost at all, but if you’re going to need a little help from a group of kind hearted people, well then, this is the place. I grew up in Milford and Highland. Everyone knew each other or at least knew of one another when I was a kid. You were recognized at every shop and everyone made time to attend our parades. I thought most places were like my home ‘towns’. I left for school went on to internships and residencies and lived in a few different places. I am still a little surprised I ended back home, but I am so happy to be back.

Our community has done something amazing, even though we have grown in population, we have managed to stay small and still care deeply about each member’s individual success as well as our community’s success. We have been buffeted by a stunningly painful economic down turn that has left us all reeling. We have lost businesses and friends. But, we all have toughened up and pulled together, not apart. Those are the core characteristics of our little ‘cow town’ (that’s what a prestigious veterinarian told me Milford was when Peter and I announce we were opening our hospital in Milford), that made it possible for Louie to be returned to Meredith, for Community Sharing to reach out to so many families in need, even when times are tough we kept trying to help each other succeed. We were Louie’s lucky star and we should take a moment and reminded ourselves how lucky we all are.

A Note From A Client

2011-07-21T14:43:00.001-07:00

Peter read this note at BNI a few weeks ago and there was not a dry eye in the house. Thought I would share it now...

I just want to say that I am more than appreciative with your clinic and above all Dr. Hass. Even though my true best friend Hunter did not have a good outcome I feel that he was on great hands and that your practice should be the example for all others. I do truly believe that he was in the best hands possible and that if I would have followed my own thought originally and took him to your clinic Hunter and I would be walking around the campground unleashed and right by my side without a care or distraction in the world because he was the perfect dog and you do in my eyes have a perfect practice. I am a small business owner as well and I truly have a ton of respect for the employees and Dr's of your clinic. You guys really set a standard. Thank you so much Dr.Hass, you were the piece of mind that I needed and I feel so much better after the conversations we had and your concern for Hunter...you are the best. Once again...you guys set the standard and thank you.
Jeremy Funke

Trivia Contest to Win A Fabulous Prize

2011-07-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Winner of this quiz will receive one free ticket for this Thursdays drawing of the Wild Joker Raffle that is sponsored by the Milford Rotary and Huron Valley Optimists.
So, here's the question:
What was the name of the first small animal veterinarian (cared for mainly small animals, no farm animals) in Milford and Highland?
You can post the answer on our Facebook wall or email your answer to vcs@vcsmilford.com

Some Fun Pictures

2011-07-19T11:46:00.001-07:00

Pooh Bear and His Doggles

Pooh Bear is 16 years old and recently suffered some head trauma. He was hospitalized for a few days and has been doing very well at home. After his discharge the owners noticed that he was light sensitive. I suggested they consider some tinted goggles, there is a company that makes them for dogs they are called Doggles. Pooh Bear returned for his next exam sporting his new eye wear. Pretty groovy, don't you think?

A Sign That You Have Too Many Cats

Through our kindness we here at Veterinary Care Specialists and VCS Pets First have acquired a few resident cats. But, when you go to the employee's restroom and you are greeted by these two characters, you know you have too many cats.
By the way, we do have two adult cats that are looking for a good home........

To Deny Disease And Fend Against Death

2011-07-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have had a particularly bad week. I’ve cared for many sick animals and some have died. Today I euthanized a friend’s 16 year old dog and sat quietly as my friends and their twenty-one year old daughter grieved. This dog had been a family member to the girl, as much a part of her life as her sisters and parents. It seemed unfair. Yet the dog had lived a full life, rescued from a dog pound, then living with this family who loved her, and who cared for her. Really, can we ask for anything more?

This evening a very young duckling, he had been found in a pool yesterday, died. I was fostering him, envisioning him flying off, in the fall, fully grown, ready for new adventures. That was not to happen. We will bury him at our home and cry a little, sensing the loss of a precious creature. It is a sad time for me, but not for him. That future was never in his thoughts. Sure he got separated from his mom, but someone cared enough to save him, he was cared for by me and my family. He did not die alone and he did not suffer.

I’ve been pondering these events and I have come to realize that my job is to ward off death, cheat it of a few days, hours or years. I realize that some might find this pretentious. ‘My god, she is after all only a veterinarian’, they might say. It is not like I am a brain surgeon or rescue worker. They are, after all, animals. However, to me they are all important. It’s my job and I try to do it the very best way possible. I take the patients success or their passing very personally. I am not very fond of death, but I feel like I know it pretty well.

I see many very sick animals, critical cases, severe trauma and serious illnesses every day. From the moment they are under my care, after the first exam or diagnostic test, the battle is on. Make good choices, pick the right tests, watch all the vitals and take care of the owners. It’s like chess, but for keeps. Even the well pets that I see, every vaccine or medication that I might recommend is geared towards denying disease a foot hold and making sure death waits far in that animals future.

I take losing to death very hard. But, then, after I recover, I have to remember that it is not the amount of time an animal lives, but how they live. Death will win with all of us at one time or another. We must make the best of it for as long as possible. I will try to continue doing that for my patients, by keeping them happy, healthy, and out of pain and try to be sure that they know that someone cares.

Pet Health And Safety Fair At Veterinary Care Specialists This Weekend!!

2011-06-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

The fair is this Saturday from 12 noon to 2 PM. We are focusing on services that are orientated towards keeping your pets healthy and safe in the summer months. We will be offering the placement of microchip identification at a 50% price reduction, this means a one time fee of $25.00. Microchips identify your pet even when collars, leashes, and fences fail.
There will be other pet health care professionals, yard care and invisible fence services represented as well.
We are also excited to welcome Rachel Cullen who will have beautifully crafted collars and leashes that are being sold to benefit a group that provides specially trained dogs for military members recently returned to the United States.

How to Prevent Dehydration for your pets By David Meserve

2011-06-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

This is a brochure that David Meserve, one of our assistants wrote. David is an incredible fellow, he is 14 years old and loves veterinary medicine.I have been sharing some of my old text books with him and, according to his mom, he is reading them cover-to-cover. He obviously learned an awful lot since he composed a document worthy of a college student. Come by on Saturday at our Pet Safety Fair (12 PM-2 PM at the hospital) and meet David and get a copy of his brochure.

Veterinary Care Specialists

want to remind you to

have a cool and relaxing

summer.

Brochure created by

David Meserve

HELP

YOUR PETS

HAVE A COOL SUMMER!

How do I spot and prevent dehydration?

Dehydration is the excess loss of body fluids. It usually involves loss of water and electrolytes. Water is more than 60% of a dog’s and a cat’s body weight. Breathing, salivating, defecating, and urinating can cause your dog or cat to significantly lose water in their body. You can prevent this by giving your pet an appropriate amount of water. For a dog 1 fluid ounce of water per pound, for a cat 7 fluid ounces a day (1 fluid ounce= 1/8 cup) and try putting in some ice cubes every once in a while. If you have an outdoor dog or cat make sure they have a place in the shade to cool down. Symptoms of dehydration include panting heavily, fever, weak rapid pulse, pale gums, and poor skin elasticity.

Skin elasticity is a clear sign of dehydration. Test for this by pulling on the skin between the shoulders forming a tent and let go. If it recedes slowly then your dog is dehydrated.

How do I spot and prevent heat stroke?

Your pet’s normal body temperature is 99.5˚- 102.5˚ Fahrenheit. If it rises to 107˚ Fahrenheit or above your dog or cat is at serious risk of heat stroke! Heat stroke can cause permanent damage or even worse death. Heat stroke leads to nervous system abnormalities like lethargy, weakness, collapse, and coma. It is very important to know that when you leave your pet in a car on a sunny day the car can reach 160˚ Fahrenheit! Older, overweight, short muzzle dogs, puppies and kittens, and cats and dogs with a thick coat are all at risk of a heat stroke so limit their outdoor time on hot days. Symptoms of heat stroke are rapid panting, bright red tongue, red or pale gums, thick and sticky saliva, weakness, dizziness, vomiting- sometimes with blood, diarrhea, shock, and coma. You can prevent your pet from heat stroke by doing as follows…

· Monitor your pet when outdoors on hot, humid days

· Remove pet from hot area immediately

· Exercise your pet in the morning or evening

· Keep your pet in a cool environment in hot weather

· Make sure outside cats and dogs have access to shade

· Allow your cat or dog access to cooler areas of the home

Dogs Playing Poker, June 4th, Starting at the Milford Powerhouse

2011-05-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Third

Annual Dogs Playing Poker Event Takes Place In Milford June 4^th!!

The event begins at 11 AM with contestants able to enroll until 2 PM at the Historic Milford Powerhouse. All the proceeds will go towards the Community Sharing Pet Pantry. The Pet Pantry is the first of its kind in Michigan. They provide pet food and basic veterinary care to the clients of the Community Sharing Food Bank. The Pet Food Pantry feeds 400-500 pets each month. Through their efforts, pets that might otherwise be abandoned can remain with their families and serve an important function of support and companionship to family members during difficult times.

How Does it Work? Each participant purchases at least one hand, this allows them to walk through beautiful downtown Milford collecting cards at participating businesses. When they return to the Powerhouse they then present the collected cards and this allows them to select their hand and, if they choose, they can purchase additional cards to improve their poker hand. The best poker hands win fabulous prizes donated by area businesses. This event not only benefits Community Sharing, but our wonderful area businesses and the Historic Powerhouse!!

Three Animal Stories........with happy endings!

2011-05-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

The Rescue of Templeton The Rat

Our head technician, Dana , was walking her dog last week. They walk along the railway tracks near their house. Greves, her dog, kept sniffing at a container and refusing to move on with his evening stroll. Dana investigated and found a young, very inquisitive, hooded rat in a container. The container was similar to what you would get at the deli counter, small wholes punched in the top. Templeton was quickly taken home and placed in a proper cage with food and water that he ate greedily.
Fortunately, one of our other technicians, Matt, has a teenage son who has always wanted his own pet rat. It was a perfect match and Templeton is living happily in his new digs. Quite an improvement over the plastic deli container. How Templeton ended up at the railroad tracks, in a container, is another story.

Spanky, THE Biggest Looser

Here is Spanky's before photo - he weighed 49lbs.

Spanky is the constant companion of Sister Mary Leonard.Over the winter Sister Mary was taken ill and she could not care for Spanky. We have hopes that Sister Mary will be home soon, but in the mean time we had Spanky stay with us.Spanky is all beagle. He is spunky, curious, stubborn and a hedonist. He loves to eat and since Sister Mary loves Spanky so much, Spanky got to do what ever he loved the most.
When he arrived at the hospital he weighed 49lbs and just the idea of a long walk or playing ball was completely exhausting to him.You could see that spark though, that beagle-like twinkle in his eye.
Since Hills (The Science Diet Company) had donated a pre-measured, 1 month diet program, to the hospital to use as we wish, we thought Spanky would be the perfect project. Spanky was a very reluctant participant, initially shunning the high fiber biscuits (he got 3 a day) and his two meals of kibble. Slowly, though, he came around. By the 3rd week everyone was amazed by the amount of energy he had. Even friends of Sister Mary, who take Spanky for visits to Sister Mary's bed side, were surprised by his enthusiasm.
We are happy to report that today he weighs 39lbs, still about 8 lbs over weight, but boy does he look (feel) good.

Turtle Rescue Season has Begun!

Around our house and the hospital we are all avid turtle rescuers. Really, what possesses people to run over a turtle? Did it dart out in front of the car? I think not. So to all you motorists please watch out for our friends.

Our turtle rescue season began on April the 23rd when we rescued a Blanding's Turtle from our yard. Unfortunately, our dog found him first, but his sturdy shell protected him from her. Last weekend my children helped a misguided newly hatched turtle that was trying to get into our garage. We have had this happen previously. We suspect our house was placed in the midst of a 'migratory ' path. He/she was redirected and sent on its way.

Our best rescue story is of one of our clinics neighbors, Mr. Joerin. A wonderfully kind and gentle man that stopped traffic on the main road in front of the hospital and escorted a very large and very angry snapping turtle to the other side. Yeah!

Dog Owners Have Healthier Hearts

2011-04-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dog Owners Have Healthier Hearts

In the metro-Detroit area the temperature is supposed to be near 80F tomorrow. It's time to get those walking shoes dusted off and take your best friend with you! Just be sure it isn't too long of a walk. Short walks often to build up strength and endurance, otherwise you and your dog will be aching on Monday.

Bunnies? Make mine chocolate - Times-Standard Online

2011-04-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

Bunnies? Make mine chocolate - Times-Standard Online

Those bunnies and chicks are cute, but each one requires care for the rest of their lives. If you would like to consider a rabbit as a family pet, there is a rabbit rescue in the Ann Arbor area. At our hospital, we have some lovely 'Easter cats ' that need homes.

Just say no to the rabbit, adopt an Easter Cat!

Roscoe Finds A Home !!!!!

2011-03-06T13:16:00.002-08:00

Last weekend, due to the effort of one of our friends, Debbie, Roscoe found his forever home. He now lives with two young girls and their parents. They visited him last Saturday and they were so enamored that they took him home for the weekend.
I spoke to Karen, on Monday, and she just kept saying how lucky they were to have such a great dog given to them. Her daughters changed his name to Luigi. I think Luigi also feels quite fortunate to have a new home, fenced yard, two girls to play with and some very kind adults to care for him.
Thank you to every one who helped to find him a home!

Fighting the Battle of the Bulge for Your Pet

2011-03-02T11:43:00.000-08:00

I think we all can agree, for anyone, dog, human, cat, or horse, it is healthiest to be thin, to eat well and exercise regularly. Unfortunately, regardless of this universal agreement, I and some of my pets, are not exercising regularly and are a ‘little’ over weight. In my case, I know this is because I have made certain choices. I have chosen to stay inside, not use my exercise equipment and I have not made the best diet choices .

The frustrating thing about pet obesity is that we have made choices for our pets. We must recognize that, under most circumstances, our pets weight issue is a problem of our making. Our pets depend on us for their food and the quality of that food. If they eat treats it is because they were given to them. If they remain sedentary and don’t go for a walk, it is because we did not take them.

We humans are responsible for the domestication of these animals. We wanted them in our houses, not free roaming and responsible for their own meals. Growing up, I was always told that we were responsible for the care for any pet we adopted, no matter what. I was always challenged with that responsibility each time I asked to adopt a new pet. Back then it meant cleaning cages and stalls and regular feeding. Playing with them and exercising them was part of the fun of living with them. Now, with a slightly different vantage point, I know the responsibility of ownership goes further. It includes regular activity, regular interaction, denying them foods that may make them fat or sick , and providing good quality foods and, of course, regular medical care. Remember, they are completely dependent on you.

Let’s consider the ramifications of a pet being overweight, they are really the same as an overweight person, but again the big difference is that the choice of being overweight or thin has been taken away. They have been ‘made’ fat by the very people that are supposed to care for them.

· 1. Being overweight shortens your pet’s life expectancy.

· 2. Overweight pets are more likely to develop orthopedic injuries – torn anterior cruciates , tendon injuries and soft tissue strains for few examples. It can also aide in creating back problems and slow recovery .

· 3. Over weight animals can develop sleep apnea and exercise intolerance.

· 4. Being overweight can make a recovery from a major illness more difficult or the overweight pet may be more likely to die.

· 5. Being overweight adds stresses to the heart, kidney and liver.

· 6. Eating a poor quality diet will directly affect the teeth, stomach, intestines, pancreas and liver.

· 7. As pets get older, being overweight will aide in accelerating their decline and worsen the course of typical geriatric conditions.

The recently published statistic, 50% of all U.S. dogs and cats are overweight, really illustrates how serious this problem has become. Compounding the issue is the increasing number of geriatric pets. 75% of all US households that have pets have at least one geriatric pet. We certainly cannot expect to be successful in managing the care of this increasingly large geriatric population if they are overweight.

There are some basic things that we can do for our charges. The first is to take ownership of your ultimate responsibility for the pets that our ancestors so effectively domesticated. Next, do things; just that, get up and get you and your pet moving. A dog needs a minimum of 30-40 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. That exercise does not just aide in making them physically healthy, but mentally healthy as well. Dogs and cats that just lay around the house can become depressed, develop compulsive behaviors and become destructive and generally no fun to be around. Cats can be exercised as well, for example, they can chase toys and laser lights. Again, it’s not just the exercise, it is the social interaction. Once you make this a habit, you will be able to more quickly recognize changes in your pet’s behavior that may be an early indication of illness. Addressing illnesses early will help keep your pet healthier longer and may avoid costly hospital stays.

The last thing you can do is to take responsibility for what goes into your pet. Try to feed a high quality diet, ask your veterinarian for guidance. Put your pet on a schedule of feedings. We do twice daily feedings at our house. Don’t free feed dogs and with cats it is best to give them access to a fixed amount of food daily, recognizing that a feeding schedule doesn’t always work with our mercurial feline friends. Having food constantly available, with no regulation, can lead to over eating and it makes it difficult for you to accurately monitor food intake. Whether or not your pet is eating and how much they are eating is one of the first techniques that I teach owners to use to assess their pets well being. Sick animals usually have a decreased appetite before they are overtly ill.

If you really, really, must give your pet the same food you are eating consider feeding treats with their meals and cutting down the amount of their regular food to balance out the caloric intake. Giving treats while you are eating creates a problem in controlling the amount that pet is eating daily and becomes more problematic than a controlled treat with each meal.

If you want to prepare your pet’s food from scratch talk to your veterinarian or consult with a veterinary nutritionist to be sure that you are preparing a balanced meal that does not exceed your pets caloric needs. In the words of my mother-in-law, ‘everything in moderation, including moderation’. Everyone enjoys a little extra treat once in a while, just not every day. One of my clients, who is training a young dog, uses Cherios as a treat. She uses the Cherios as a reward for good behavior. Since the dog is being trained he’s eating Cherios like a kid with a Pez dispenser! However, they are small, given one at a time and are less calories than the more conventional dog treats.

So what am I doing to make myself and our pet’s more svelte? Darwin and Zelda are going for more walks on the weekend and their dog food is being more carefully measured. And the cats? We are trying to increase the younger ones activity and we will be switching to a calorie restricted prescription diet. Baby steps……..

Pet Loss and Bereavement Assistance

2011-02-18T13:57:00.001-08:00

The passing of a pet is one of the most difficult things we can experience. Both as the medical professionals and as the owner and care giver. Coping with a terminally ill pet or a geriatric pet that is failing can also be a very stressful and sad time.

Recently, our hospital has been fortunate to be given the opportunity to add some extra-ordinary people to our already exceptional staff. One of these new comers is Lisabeth Adams, our new ER Administrator. Lisabeth is a veterinary technician as well as holding a masters degree in social work. She received her Master's degree in Social Work from Wayne State University and began working closely with families in their times of need. She later attended the National Institute for Trauma and Loss and became certified specialist in the field. After spending years in the counseling profession, Lisabeth turned her attention to working with Veterinary Hospitals and Animal Shelters. She now focuses on the relationships that exist between people and their pets. Her unique combination of backgrounds allows her to work closely with owners, families and children as they cope with the loss of a pet, are dealing with a terminally ill pet, coping with a geriatric animal, or are forced to consider euthanasia as a humane final decision. She is currently serving as the Administrator of Emergency Services for Veterinary Care Specialists and actively promotes animal related issues throughout the community.

Lisabeth is offering to provide support to area pet owners that are struggling with the loss or illness of their pet . She will be available for appointments on Tuesday's in the evening and she is starting off with a workshop next Saturday. These events and office hours are free to whom ever would like to attend. Please call to reserve a seat.

Saturday February 26, 2011 at 12 noon
205 Rowe Road Milford, MI

The loss of a pet is one of the most difficult experiences we and our families may face. We at VCS recognize the difficulty of this loss and are offering an introductory discussion on pet bereavement analysis and how to cope with the passing of your pet. Lisabeth Adams, MSW will be holding a workshop to discuss some of these topics as well as offer the most compassionate means of assisting you and your family through your grieving process.

Seating is limited, please call for reservations:

248.684.0468

Additional Date offered: 12 noon Saturday April 9^th

Lisabeth will be available for group and individual consultations each Tuesday evening, please visit our web site or call for additional information : www.vcsmilford.com or call the hospital.

Roscoe is Looking for a New Home

2011-02-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

This is Roscoe. He is the most awesome of awesome dogs . He likes people, kids, cats and other dogs. He is just a year old and neutered, heartworm negative and vaccinated. He is strong and energetic and needs a busy home and people that will spend time with him. We will all miss him at VCS, but we need to find him a forever home. Call the clinic, 248.684.0468, for more information and to set up a time to visit him. Prospective owners will need to fill out an information sheet and answer a few questions before he can be adopted.

The Traveling Pet Check List

2011-01-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

Our friend George Hayden of Snowbird Drivers visited the office this week for Pet CPR training. His company moves cars and pets across the country. I developed this list in response to an experience he had at the airport recently. TSA insisted that the cats that he was carrying on board had to be removed from their carriers to go through the metal detector. One of the cats had extremely long nails and freaked out, scratched George (severely) and ran away. Fortunately, the cat was rounded up and got to her destination safely. We started talking about how all the pets traveling should get nails trimmed for everyone's safety.

Traveling Pet Check List

Before your pet embarks on a trip, be sure that you both are prepared!

Veterinary Visit -Be sure that your pet gets a complete physical examination, updated on any necessary vaccines, and you get adequate refills on any medications. Remember that flea and tick control is important since our pets may be getting out at rest stops where other pets have been. Also traveling to warm climates in the winter months means that it is time to start flea and tick and heartworm preventative (if you had stopped administering them for the winter).
Paperwork – Be sure you have copies of your pet’s medical records and documentation of all vaccines.
Make sure all collars and harnesses are well fitting- when animals are scared they can manage to slip out of collars, particularly if they are loose. If you pet does not usually wear a collar or harness get one and be sure they wear it during. Always have a leash on your pet when you are outside of the car or in strange surroundings, even the most calm of animals can suddenly bolt into traffic.
Basic obedience skills are helpful- A dog that will sit and stay and that is used to being outside the home environment makes a far better traveler than an untrained home body. Cats who have experience riding in cars and being on a leash are far easier to handle.
ID Tag – Have a tag made for the trip that includes contact information for while you are traveling. Be sure that tag is attached to the collar or harness!
Microchip Identification – have your pet receive a microchip that will allow identification even if his/her collar is lost.
Pack a ‘suitcase’ for your pet- Pets do best if they are kept on their usual diet and treats. Try to avoid feeding ‘snacks’ like leftovers from meals that could cause dietary upset. It is also helpful to bring water that your pet is used to drinking and to bring their usual bowls. Travel is stressful and you want to try to keep diets consistent throughout the trip. Be sure to bring the pets blanket or bed to help keep them more comfortable.
Have your pet groomed before travel – Dogs and cats shed when they are stressed. Grooming may decrease the amount of hair lost and make your traveling companion smell a little sweeter for that long car ride. Also, be sure that nails are trimmed since they can get caught in upholstery or in crates if they are too long.
Carriers and Crates – Be sure you have sturdy crates and carriers that are in good working order. Pets are safest when they travel in a crate whether it is by car, airplane , train, etc.

Laryngeal Paralysis And A Reminder - Things May Not Always Be As They Appear

2011-01-16T11:16:00.000-08:00

Max is an old dog. He is the constant companion of Nancy, who works at home, and Jake, her husband. Max arrived at my office on New Years Eve. Nancy and Jake explained that Max had been previously diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis.* They said that Max was coping well with this disorder of the respiratory system, but recently had begun to vomit, did not want to eat and would periodically pant and appear upset. Max was up and walking, but obviously not feeling well. He was thin and ‘lumpy’, like so many older dogs, he had many fatty masses all over his body. It was evident that he had peripheral nerve disease and that his laryngeal paralysis was advanced, but it looked like there was more going on.

Most dogs with ’decompenstated’ laryngeal paralysis present to the emergency room, struggling to breathe, not able to walk, loud respirations, blue gums, high body temperatures, generally in dire straits. Max just stood there with pink gums and steady respirations. Although he might need surgery sometime soon, I felt he was presenting today for another, possibly related, problem. Max was admitted to the hospital, we took radiographs (x-rays), checked blood work, and most importantly observed Max closely. He did not have pneumonia; his blood work looked awfully good. Then we took him for a walk, a very short one, outside to urinate. When he returned it was obvious he was having difficulty breathing, but his gums were still pink. Standing, he extended his neck, stood very still and he took long slow breaths. Max looked like he was concentrating hard. As I watched, I began to appreciate that those long slow breaths were barely moving his chest. I sedated Max so I could look at his laryngeal folds and I was amazed when I saw those two doors essentially closed, not moving at all, just a slit of an opening between them. The tissue was not red or swollen like most dogs in this condition, but a very normal pink! Max had so successfully compensated for his difficulty; he had seemingly ‘thought’ this situation through, no panic or distress. He would very slowly breathe, like a person underwater with a straw, through that narrow airway no matter what. I thought this was amazing! Certainly, Max had managed to fool me; he definitely did need a laryngeal tie back, and soon. Max was placed on oxygen and did well through the night. On New Years Day, he had his surgery and a few days later he returned home to his family.

One of the diagnostic tools that I, as a veterinarian (a doctor treating essentially mute patients), rely on heavily is my observational skills. In my estimation, clinical observation and history taking are the key to achieving an accurate diagnosis. It is in our nature as humans to begin cataloging and grouping our experiences and as clinicians we look for certain signs that are associated with particular diseases, fitting our patients into categories whenever possible. But sometimes we are surprised, nay humbled, by the unpredictability of living organisms, like Max. I remain amazed by how he appeared to have given his condition such careful attention and that he had mastered it so capably. While other dogs would have had to be treated far earlier, Max had found a way to manage his illness.

Every day and each patient and client, is a new experience.Each pet and owner comes with their own experiences, their own personal reality. The minute I forget this, or become too self-absorbed, I receive a not too gentle reminder, like my experience with Max. Diagnosing and treating Max reminded me of how things can stay the same and yet be very different. You have to put yourself in the patient’s position, see things from their vantage point because, just like Max, each patient’s coping skills and their perspective is different. Every patient (yes even animals) comes with a different set of experiences and skills that brought them to my examination room.

What I find interesting is this lesson is equally applicable to dealing with people. So many clients come to the hospital scared, anxious, and even angry. No one wants to be in the position of having a sick pet, seeing a family member ill, worried about expenses or outcome. Yet I tend to interpret the way they behave as an indication of the whole of their personality. That is way too judgmental. Just like Max, they have developed their reactions, their coping skills, based on events that I am unfamiliar with. Currently they may have additional factors that are influencing their choices that I cannot begin to understand. Maybe, in the future, I should apply the lesson Max has taught me and step back, observe closely, contemplate and use previous experiences, as well as, being open to new lessons, in order to figure out the right plan or the correct approach to the person before me. Maybe if we take a moment and avoid snap decisions about the people before us we can all be a little more successful.

*Laryngeal Paralysis is a dysfunction of the larynx (also called the voice box). The larynx sits at the juncture of the pharynx, esophagus and trachea, behind the soft palate. It consists of two ‘folds,’ they behave as doors on either side of the airway that allow air to move into the trachea and when they close they prevent food and saliva from going into the trachea. It provides very important protection for the trachea and lungs. The larynx allows us to make noise. In people it is the organ that allows us to speak, in dogs and cats it is what creates their voice, barking and mewing. Laryngeal paralysis is a dysfunction of those important folds or doors. The doors no longer work properly; they do not open and close as they should. As the condition progresses the doors close more and more, eventually cutting off the movement of air into the lungs. One of the first signs that an affected pet demonstrates is a change in their voice and a louder than normal pant. Owners may notice their pet coughing or choking when eating and drinking. As time passes and the condition worsens, the patient has progressively more difficulty breathing and does not tolerate exercise. Patients are often presented to the emergency service because of acute respiratory distress. This happens after the dog has exercised or become excited, or possibly the pet has just gone from the cold to a warm house, or just started coughing. Seemingly small events will serve as a trigger that will create a life threatening situation.As the pet struggles to breath rapidly, the vocal folds hit each other and they become inflamed (swollen and red) then the airway becomes even more occluded. Now the pet’s condition begins to spiral as it struggles even harder to breathe. Obviously, the situation becomes quickly more life threatening. The potential of rapid decline for these patients underscores the importance of the veterinarian identifying the early stages of laryngeal paralysis and their educating the client as to how to manage their pets and what signs to watch for.

Laryngeal paralysis occurs as a result of a dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system. The nerve that makes the larynx work (makes the doors open and close) is the longest nerve in the body, so when the nerves of the body are diseased this is often the first nerve that demonstrates signs of not working. Diseases like Myasthenia Gravis and Hypothyroidism can also lead to laryngeal dysfunction. Often times, in older dogs, laryngeal paralysis is a sign of a degenerative nerve condition that we do not fully understand and does not have an effective treatment. Some animals have laryngeal paralysis as a result of a genetic defect. The treatment for laryngeal paralysis is either correction of the underlying illness or surgery. The surgery is called a laryngeal tie back and it involves tying one of the vocal folds (doors) back, out of the way so the airway can remain open. There are obvious draw backs to this procedure the most significant being an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. This is why we only consider the surgery once the patient’s condition is so advanced we have no other choice than to tie the vocal fold back.

Update On The Cat That Was Shot With A Paintball Gun

2010-12-18T05:23:00.000-08:00

Mr. Pink, as we lovingly refer to him at the hospital (I am confident his new owner can come up with a better name) is doing well. He arrived Thursday, we got him stabilized and treated his eyes. Fortunately, it appears the eye damage was minimal. We had to shave most of the painted fur off, the paint was caked on to the skin. Then the rest we are removing with olive oil. Now its challenging to examine his eyes because his face is so slippery. He is such a sweet cat, just wants to be petted. He purred from the time he hit the door. Amazing how resilient and forgiving animals are!

He will be staying the weekend with us then he will move to his new home to be a strictly indoor cat.

Also, an Oakland County Sheriff did come by yesterday and took the information about the incident.

Pictures With Santa

2010-12-13T17:39:00.000-08:00

2010 Pictures With Santa At The Milford Powerhouse

Pictures with Santa was a great success this year with many generous donations. We do not have the final numbers, but the Community Sharing Pet Pantry received over $ 2,000 in cash donations and at least one truck load of much needed food. The Pet Pantry is the first pet food bank in the State of Michigan to provide pet food to families in need, allowing pets to stay in the home and serve a vital support function for the family. Currently, the Pet Pantry feeds over 500 animals a month! Thank you to every one that helped~ Kathy and Don Hourican(Santa and Mrs Claus), Alex Dehne (our gifted photographer), Peter (the printer), Howard and Carol Dubin (Carol is the reason the Pet Pantry is in existence!), Patty Kutil (always willing to lend a hand and Community Sharing's event coordinator) and Hunter and Isabella - two of the most philanthropic kids I know. Lastly, Rich Harrison who offered the Powerhouse to us. What a beautiful spot to spend a winter day!
We are so fortunate to know such kind and giving people. We will see you all again next year!! Merry Holidays !

A Tribute To The Cats

2010-12-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Clinic Cats

Every animal that comes through our doors has a special story and touches the lives of each doctor and technician they meet. We deeply value these experiences. We also care deeply for the animals that we ‘live’ with within the hospital. They are the ‘clinic cats’. They entertain fussy children and fidgety adults, chase the wayward field mouse and sit quietly with clients that are stressed and sad. Clinic cats have a sixth sense about people that are allergic to cats and they gravitate to them! They know what dogs are friendly and what dogs to give a wide birth. Some of them pick favorite emergency doctors and make sure they snuggle with them when they are resting at night. They can be crazy, running through the hospital halls, or quiet, curled in front of a sunny window. Clinic cats donate blood for the sick cat and compassion to the people that need it.

Help Support Community Sharing's Pet Pantry And Have Your Pet's Photo Taken With Santa!

2010-11-29T16:59:00.001-08:00

It is that time of year again. This is our fourth year taking pet's photos with Santa and helping support the Pet Pantry. This year we will be at the historic Milford Powerhouse. The powerhouse was designed by the famous architect, Albert Kahn, and commissioned by Henry Ford to power the Ford Carborator Plant just north of the mill pond (the plant was torn down, but set behind Krogers). The powerhouse sits on West Liberty, just west of the train tracks from Main Street and on the edge of Central Park. This is a great chance to witness and bit of Milford's history as well as support a great cause.
Photos will be printed on site and digital copies can be made available on DVD.
Bring a pet food or cash donation to help our friends and neighbors continue to keep their family together and healthy. Remember, the pet food program helps keep animals in safe homes, out of shelters and off the streets. It allows pets to continue to offer companionship and comfort to their human companions.

Pet-A-Palooza at VCS October 30th !!!!

2010-10-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

Join us from 10 AM - 2PM at Veterinary Care Specialists 205 Rowe Milford, MI for the first Pet-a-Palooza, sponsored by the Highland- White Lake Business Association.

Bring your pets to have their Halloween photos taken. Proceeds from the photographs will go to Sparks In The Park, our annual community
Fourth of July celebration.
There will be representatives of other area pet related businesses, pets available for adoption and lots of fun for the family

Hives, Allergic Reactions and Swollen Faces

2010-10-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

This poor little gal presented to me while I was working the emergency service last weekend. She is a young Vizsla and her hives and her facial swelling was so dramatic and easy to appreciate that I had to take a few photos.

Even as the fall is swinging into full gear we are fortunate enough to have some really nice days and the stinging insects have been out in full force. Just like people, not every dog that is stung by a bee or wasp develops an allergic reaction. Also, just because they have been stung before and not had a reaction doesn't mean that they will be free of allergic reactions from future stings. We see reactions to bee stings or insect bites infrequently in cats. Possibly because cats immune systems work differently and they are not as prone to hypersensitivity reactions or maybe because most cats are savvy enough to avoid stinging insects.

Hives (called urticaria or, singularly, wheals) and facial swelling (called angioedema) all occur as the result of an acute allergic reaction that is created by a response of the animals immune system to the venom or bite of the insect. Sometimes these can be very focal reactions, like a mosquito bite, or they can be generalized responses, like the patient in the picture.

Generalized allergic responses can be severe and lead to respiratory difficulty, collapse and, in rare cases, death. Also these lesions can be itchy (called pruritus) and the animals will scratch their faces and cause injuries to their eyes and at times scratch so excessively that they damage their skin.

It is best to have any pet that is experiencing what appears to be an allergic reaction evaluated by a veterinarian. Some of these allergic reactions are not related to insect bites, but to medications or other illnesses. Still other episodes, although they may initially appear minor, can become life threatening. Most patient's that we see on emergency receive injections of steroids and diphenhydramine and are observed to be sure their condition is improving and then sent home. Patients that are more severely affected, have had recent recurrent episodes or are found to have other issues on their examination may end up having additional tests done or even being hospitalized.

The patient in the picture went home to rest and was outside playing the next day, free of bumps!

Community Sharing's Pet Pantry Is In Desperate Need!!!!!

2010-09-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Our Task must be to free ourselves....by widening our circle of compassion to
embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.
Albert Einstein

Community Sharing continues to have new families coming to their doors for help. Each day they are open they add 5-8 new families to their already long list of people in need. Along with providing food and other services to the two footed members of the family, The Pet Pantry at Community Sharing is providing food to the four footed family members. This is a desperately important service to families, children, elderly persons that rely on their pets for solace during difficult times. The food provided to these pets is an important humanitarian outreach that prevents the pain and suffering of all living creatures.

The Pet Pantry's shelves are empty ! We need your help. Please bring donations to Apollo Center or to VCS and the food will be greatly appreciated.

We are all very fortunate to live in this great community. Thank you in advance for your help.

Our Little Duckling Is All Grown Up!!!!

2010-09-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

A week ago Saturday we released our little duckling that we had raised over the summer. My children named her, Rex (it is very difficult to tell a female from a male duckling), because she looked like a T-rex with her short little 'arms'. When she first came to us she was yellow and fuzzy. Over the summer, through the help of my kids and all the staff at the hospital, we were able to raise her to become a fine young Mallard hen.

Friends of ours, that have a beautiful place on a quiet lake, allowed us to release her there. It was a cool and blustery day. My family and Joe and Linda all walked down to the beach. My son set down the carrier on the beach, opened the door and without hesitation Rexy walked out of the carrier. She calmly evaluated the situation and then flew. Simple as that. It was breath taking. We were all a little surprised it happened so fast. She had never flown before, but she immediately new what to do and what a beautiful job! We were pleased that she did not try to stick next to us or act scared. We had done our job well. She was a WILD duck.

Afterward, we stayed and visited, hoping to catch a glimpse of her before we left. Linda was concerned that she had not seen any Mallards in the area for at least 2 weeks. But, before we left we spotted her with two other Mallards! Since then Linda reports that they are sticking in the general area, but Rex has never returned looking for her carrier.

What Makes VCS Pets First Special? Learn About Our 5 Core Values

2010-09-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

VCS Pets First was developed after Veterinary Care Specialists, a 24 hour emergency, critical care and referral hospital, had been in existence for over 12 years. Over those years we had developed a facility that provides the most current equipment, experienced doctors and skilled support staff. Veterinary Care Specialists cares for critically ill and injured animals 24/7. Now we are taking our commitment to our community to a new level. As Veterinary Care Specialists and now VCS Pets First we have developed five, fundamental core values that serve as the foundation of our exceptional facility

 Compassion
 Honesty
 Education
 Expertise
 Community

Read more about VCS Pets First Core Values…
Every veterinary clinic says they care about animals and they respect your pet as a family member, we do too! But you want more from a hospital. You want it to provide, consistently, the highest quality medical and surgical care, regardless of the hour. So why consider VCS Pets First for your pet’s veterinary hospital?
Consider our five core values:

 Compassion
o Each patient that visits our hospital, whether on a well visit or if they are hospitalized, is treated with the respect and care that they are entitled. We spend time with our patients and their owners, we are attentive to both of your needs. Most office calls are 30 minutes in length, making sure that we listen to your observations as well as giving your pet a thorough evaluation. Each pet is cared for, whether it is a spay or a complicated orthopedic surgery, in our intensive care area, where we can spend time with them, monitoring and interacting with them. Regardless of the severity of your pet’s health concern, they will be supervised and treated in a compassionate manner 24 hours daily, 7 days a week.

 Honesty.
o Treatment plans will be based on thorough history taking and complete examination. You will receive the optimal treatment plan every time. We will take the time to go through the plan, offer you options and explain the pros and cons of each choice. Other facilities may make choices for you, but at VCS Pets First you will receive an honest and thorough assessment. Then YOU will be given the tools to make choices for your pet. Also, our choices regarding medication and treatments will not be influenced by potential profit for the hospital, but on what we feel is best for your pet. Being sure we do the right by your pet and your family may take extra time, but we feel that is time well spent.

 Education.
o We believe that by educating you we will create a situation where we will be able to work together most effectively in devising a plan for your pets care. Whether it is flea control or exploratory surgery, we will spend the time to answer your questions and be sure you understand the choices you make.
o We will be sure to share with you the most current information regarding your pets care. New vaccines, vaccine protocols, new medications and alternative forms of therapy are just a few examples of areas on which all our doctors remain current.
o All of our doctors receive continuing education yearly, allowing, them to provide your pet with the most current veterinary care possible. Our technical staff also receives continued training. VCS was one of the first veterinary hospitals in the country to have a veterinary technician accredited in Emergency and Critical Care.

 Expertise.
o Patients at VCS Pets First have the benefit of the specialists and specialized care available at Veterinary Care Specialists. All of our doctors have access to veterinarians that are either specializing in certain areas of veterinary medicine or have received additional training beyond their DVM degree. Along with continuing education we also have access to additional specialists within other institutions that we can either consult with or provide you with a referral. Ultimately, our goal is to always be sure that your pet gets the very best veterinary care and we will use all the resources available to achieve this goal.

 Community.
VCS Pets First is locally owned. We actively support many local organizations, like the Pet Food Pantry at Community Sharing. We are also active members of the Highland Business Association, the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Milford Rotary Club, the Huron Valley Optimists Club, the Livingston County Veterinary Medical Association, and the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. We believe strongly in the value of our local community and all of its members. In order for us to succeed, our towns need to be successful as well. We plan on continuing to be active participants and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our community.

Your family and pets are part of our community as well and are members of the VCS Pets First family. When you visit our office you all are treated like a member of our family. Customer service is a major focus for our doctors and staff, we want you to feel comfortable and well cared for.

Yes, Cats Really Do Get Heartworm. The Story of Fergus

2010-09-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Until I met Fergus, I must admit that despite the fact that I knew feline heartworm existed I had little first -hand experience with the disease. Fergus presented one spring morning on the emergency service. The owners had woken to find him recumbent, now he was inches from dying. The staff and doctors that day jumped into action and over the next 24 hours he gradually stabilized. The owners reported that they had adopted him a few months ago from a rescue organization. He had been tested for the feline viral diseases and vaccinated. He was neutered and just beginning to adjust to his new home. Fergus was not allowed outdoors, outdoor cats are more likely than indoor cats to meet with various inexplicable catastrophic events, and until that morning he appeared to be doing very well.

Whenever a cat is presented in such critical condition, with multiple organ systems affected, it is common for us to check their viral status along with serum chemistries and a CBC. Feline viral diseases can be stealthy, but devastating, and cats that test negative 4 weeks earlier can be positive the next month. We tested Fergus’s blood for FELV(Feline Leukemia) and FIV(Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and also for heartworm antigen. He tested positive for one, heartworm disease.

Feline Heartworm Disease is diagnosed less often in cats since the parasite does not survive as successfully in the cat as it does in the dog. Cats are also less likely to have circulating microfilaria which means that they are less likely to spread the disease. At this time we are unsure why this is the case. Feline heartworm disease can also be challenging to diagnose and can present in many different ways. Because the parasite does not thrive in the cat as it does in the dog, some cats may remain unaffected by a heartworm infection and never demonstrate any clinical signs.
However, when a cat does become ill, the infection can be devastating, even fatal, affecting their heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Some cats may be mildly affected, demonstrating respiratory signs. Any cat that has evidence of lung disease (like Feline Asthma), coughing or other respiratory signs, should be tested for heartworm. Of course, heart murmurs and cardiac dysfunction, and liver failure can also occur as a results of the adult worms damaging the heart and occluding vessels. Also, gastrointestinal upsets and vomiting can be signs associated with the disease.

Unfortunately for Fergus , he basically had every conceivable clinical sign. He had vomiting, diarrhea, kidney dysfunction, anemia and eventually a heart murmur and heart failure along with an allergic pneumonitis (an inflammation of the lungs), all developing within 24 hours time. His infection had been present for months, but now he was experiencing the devastating consequences of a successful infection. It took Fergus almost a week of intensive care to recover. At one point some of the adult worms moved (we were actually able to see and document this on cardiac ultrasound, an echocardiogram) and lodged across his tricuspid valve, a heart valve between the atrium and ventricle on the right side of the heart. This led to cardiac dysfunction and failure. At that point things looked grim, Fergus was placed on cardiac medications and just when we thought the battle was lost the worm moved (again we documented this on ultrasound). Fergus began feeling better and eventually returned home.

Feline heartworm and its associated illnesses have not been a commonly diagnosed condition in veterinary medicine, so there is sparse data regarding survival rates and successful treatment plans. Published reports at this time usually include as few as 5 to 50 patients from which to draw conclusions. Small study groups may lead to poorly representative information regarding a disease. One study did find that cats like Fergus, if they survive the first 24 hours of their illness, have approximately a 60% chance of surviving that crisis and returning home. A study looking at 50 cats with heartworm disease, the median survival times as 4 years post diagnosis.

Over the next year Fergus will need to be closely monitored to continue to manage his disease as best as we possibly can. Unlike dogs, there is no treatment that has proven successful in eradicating an adult heartworm infection in the cat. Heartworm infected canine patients can be treated with medications that kill the adult worms. In most cases the medication, although strong, can be well tolerated. In the cat there is a high mortality associated with adulticide therapy and there appears to be little benefit from being treated. Surgery can be utilized to remove the adult worms, but again the risks and the mortality (death) rate is very high vs little apparent benefit. When cats have heartworm infections we have to carefully treat the consequences of the infection and place them on a monthly heartworm preventative. The adult heartworms will not live as long in the cats as they do in dogs and will eventually die off.
Feline heartworm preventative is available in pills, chewable tablets and topical solutions for your cat. Particularly if you cat goes outside, contact your veterinarian to discuss what product would be best suited for your cat.

Read more about feline and canine heartworm disease at www.heartwormsociety.org

Innovative New Bandage Cover

2010-08-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a simple bandage cover that we came up with for a small dog that did not tolerate wearing a plastic bag cover. Commonly, in veterinary medicine, necessity is the mother of invention and it is hard to standardize things like bandage covers since each dog or cat is built a little different. It’s also nice to come up with an inexpensive option for clients rather than purchasing a nylon cover. We also managed to do some recycling!
The staff created a cover for this little dog using a plastic soda bottled and then cutting it to the appropriate length. Next they used Vetwrap and Elasticon or Conoform bandaging tape for the top so that there were no sharp edges and to create a tight seal so the bottle is slipped on and doesn’t come off until someone pulls it off. The cover is not permanent and is slipped on and off for the times the pet is going outside. Leaving any kind of cover on too long will cause bandages to become moist and lead to infections and further complications.

Unraveling the Mystery Of Flea and Tick Control

2010-08-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Michigan is my home state. However, half my family hailed from a small town in western Arkansas just on the edge of the Ozark Mountains. Every summer we visited. It was a wild place, a kids dream. Thick woods, horses, goats, cows, snakes and wily farm dogs that roamed freely as there were no neighbors for at least a mile in all directions. It was a wonderful place to play and explore. The only hitch to outdoor exploration was the preparation. The bug spray, long pants and long sleeve shirts my mother, a native of Michigan, insisted we wear. In her estimation, Arkansas was a tropical parasite and insect laden, poisonous spider and snake infested waste land.

The perimeter of the farm house yard was treated with chemicals to prevent the encroachment of these pests and dogs were regularly doused with flea powder. But there were still ‘bugs’. The parasites and other threats were very egalitarian dog, cat, kid it did not matter. I recall a few episodes of chigger infestation that led to itchy, sleepless nights.

Back in Michigan no one knew what a tick or chigger was and fleas were an infrequent bother. As time has passed, we travel more and we take our pets with us more often, and our winters have become warmer, and the pests that were isolated down south have crossed our borders. Recently, the whole of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care was devoted to emerging infectious diseases. I was struck by how many, of these increasingly more common diseases, were spread by flea and tick infestation. Many of these diseases are zoonotic diseases, that means that they are diseases that can infect people as well as their pets.

Over the past two summers, as we have been developing our general medicine and surgical service, VCS Pets First, I have struggled with counseling people about flea and tick control. I advocate the judicious use of all medications, including flea and tick medications and trying to achieve a balance between chemical use and adequate protection is a challenge. Our office recommends separating flea and tick medications from the heartworm prevention since there is no need for a flea control product, in most cases, from December to May. So, initially we offered a product that killed fleas and ticks for the spring and summer seasons, and then a separate year round heartworm preventative. However, I now feel we need to consider the risks carried by being bit by these parasites. Most flea and tick products act by killing the parasite after it has bit your pet. This is not very helpful if you want avoid the infectious diseases that are acquired by being bit or if the pet is allergic to fleas and their bite triggers allergic responses. This spring we changed our recommendations to a product called Advantix made by Bayer. It is topical, once monthly, it repels fleas, ticks and biting flies and is well tolerated. There is also a product that we suggest for cats and it does have a heartworm preventative, since cats that go outside should be protected from fleas, ticks and heartworm from April to November.

The choice of which product to recommend is not an easy one and it actually is not a decision that you or I should take lightly. Not all flea and tick products are of the same quality or efficacy. Recently I have had a few pets presented through the emergency service that have had serious reactions to flea products they purchased at the pet store or grocery store. Their choice was driven by the low cost and the claims that they did everything the more expensive product did. Here is how the ‘grocery store alternatives’ vary from the veterinary recommended products:
1. The chemical/drug being used – the cheap stuff has old school pharmaceuticals, they are strong and they have a small margin of safety, that means you are more likely to have problems with that drug than others because they have more potential side effects. This is exactly why the other products have been formulated, to create a product that is more safe and effective.
2. Topical flea and tick control products are not as tightly regulated as other medications. It is up to the companies to make the effort to provide the safe products. The companies that are true pharmaceutical organizations, that have ties to veterinary medicine, and a reputation to maintain go the extra step to be sure that their product is safe and adequately labeled so that professionals, ie. veterinarians, will support their products.
3. Higher grade chemicals, more research, accurate and complete labeling, all these things result in a safer product.

Keep this in mind when you are making choices regarding flea and tick control: The skin is the largest organ system in (or on) our body. Even if these chemicals remain solely distributed in the skin, they are affecting our pets whole body - by affecting a major organ system. Be careful, choose wisely.

Unraveling the Mystery Of Flea and Tick Control

2010-07-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

Michigan is my home state. However, half my family hailed from a small town in western Arkansas, just on the edge of the Ozark Mountains. Every summer we visited. It was a wild place, a kids dream. Thick woods, horses, goats, cows, snakes and wily farm dogs that roamed freely as there were no neighbors for at least a mile in all directions. It was a wonderful place to play and explore. The only hitch to outdoor exploration was the preparation. The bug spray, long pants and long sleeve shirts my mother, a native of Michigan, insisted we wear. In her estimation, Arkansas was a tropical parasite and insect laden, poisonous spider and snake infested waste land.

The perimeter of the farm house yard was treated with chemicals to prevent the encroachment of these pests and dogs were regularly doused with flea powder. But there were still ‘bugs’. The parasites and other threats were very egalitarian dog, cat, kid, it did not matter. I recall a few episodes of chigger infestation that led to itchy, sleepless nights.

Back in Michigan no one knew what a tick or chigger was and fleas were an infrequent bother. As time has passed, we traveled more, our pets accompanied us more often, and our winters have become warmer, and the pests that were isolated down south have crossed our borders. Recently, the whole of the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care was devoted to emerging infectious diseases. I was struck by how many of these increasingly more common diseases were spread by fleas and ticks. Many of these diseases are zoonotic diseases, that means that they are diseases that can also infect people as well as their pets.

Over the past two summers, as we have been developing our general medicine and surgical service, VCS Pets First, I have struggled with counseling people about flea and tick control. I advocate the judicious use of all medications, including flea and tick medications, and trying to achieve a balance between chemical use and adequate protection is a challenge. Our office recommends separating flea and tick medications from the heartworm prevention since there is no need for a flea control product, in most cases, from December to May. So, initially we offered a product that killed fleas and ticks for the spring and summer seasons, and then a separate year round heartworm preventative. However, I now feel we need to consider the risks carried by being bit by these parasites. Most flea and tick products act by killing the parasite after it has bit your pet. This is not very helpful if you want avoid the infectious diseases that are acquired by being bit or if the pet is allergic to fleas and their bite triggers allergic responses.

This spring we changed our recommendations to a product called Advantix made by Bayer. It is topical, once monthly, it repels fleas, ticks and biting flies and is well tolerated. There is also a similar product that we suggest for cats and it does have a heartworm preventative, since cats that go outside should be protected from fleas, ticks and heartworm from April to November.

The choice of which product to recommend is not an easy one and it actually is not a decision that you or I should take lightly. Not all flea and tick products are of the same quality, consistence, or efficacy. Recently I have had a few pets presented through the emergency service that have had serious reactions to topical, inexpensive, flea products they purchased at the pet store or grocery store. Their choice was driven by the low cost and the claims that they did everything the more expensive product did. Here is how the ‘grocery store alternatives’ vary from the veterinary recommended products:

1. The chemical/drug being used – the cheap stuff has old school pharmaceuticals, they are strong and they have a small margin of safety, that means the dose that is therapeutic can also be toxic in more animals than a product with a higher margin of safety. These drugs also have more potential side effects. This is exactly why the other products have been formulated, to create a product that is more safe and effective.

2. Topical flea and tick control products are not as tightly regulated as other medications. It is up to the companies to make the effort to provide the safe products. The companies that are true pharmaceutical organizations, that have ties to veterinary medicine and a reputation to maintain go the extra step to be sure that their product is safe and adequately labeled so that professionals, ie. veterinarians, will support their products.

3. Higher grade chemicals, more research, accurate and complete labeling, all these things result in a safer, more reliable, product.

Keep this in mind when you are making choices regarding flea and tick control: The skin is the largest organ system in (or on) our body. Even if these chemicals remain solely distributed in the skin, they are affecting our pets whole body by affecting a major organ system. Be careful, choose wisely.

Mallard Duckling We Are Rehabilitating

2010-07-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago Peter came into the treatment room with a fuzzy yellow duckling. The duckling had been crossing Milford Rd with his family (he was last in line) and an impatient motorist zoomed by, spinning him and scattering his family. He got some scratches to his head and was a bit confused. A Good Samaritan retrieved him and brought him to our door.

He is a week older in these pictures, even bigger now. My kids call him Rex, because his wings remind them if the arms on the T-Rex. He loves to eat daddy long legs, hopefully he will continue to thrive so he can be released.

Pictures Of Our Homespun 4th of July Float

2010-07-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

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The weather was great, classic, hot and steamy. We were at the front of the parade, it was still winding its way down Main Street when we were heading back to the hospital. We ran out of candy by the time we reached the Presbyterian Church!
The kids had a great time. Hopefully some folks took our message to heart. Isabella made a great Mother Nature.

Come See Us At The Fourth Of July Parade, We are Bringing Mother Nature!!

2010-07-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Really, we are literally bringing Mother Nature, in all her regal glory.

The theme for this years parade is 'Green'. How ever you chose to interpret it. Kinda leaves you wondering how to hook that together with the Fourth of July, huh? Since I am head of marketing, and a few other departments, within our little business, I was in charge of the parade. I want you all to know that despite how the float looks, I did, tragically, put a significant amount of effort into it. I made lots of trips to the dollar store, convinced my daughter to dress like Mother Nature, recruited children into building the float, got my mother to alter Mother Natures dress, convinced my father to lend his truck as well as, and this was the tough part, I have had to convince my husband and business partner that it really is a good idea to get up early on a Saturday morning to drive a truck in the parade. It really is hard work manipulating everyone into doing my bidding!

Anyways, tomorrow is the big day. 11 AM, right down Main Street, in BEAUTIFUL Milford, MI. In case you are looking for us we will be #7 in the line up. Wave to Isabella (aka Mother Nature) and be sure to get some candy before we run out.

By the way, this parade is one of the many good reasons for living in towns like Milford and Highland. Grown people still build floats, we still have parades and we still have a sense of humor about the whole thing.

Calming Pet's Fears Of Fireworks, Thunder, And Other Loud Things

2010-06-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

The storm clouds are starting to form and thunderstorms are on the horizon. Lots of noise and rumbling, especially with the 4^th of July around the corner. It is the season that harbors many of the things our pets fear. We’re unsure exactly what triggers all the fearful responses so many of our dogs and cats manifest around storms and fireworks .I think that for some pets it is a learned response. Possibly the result of one of the (human) family members getting upset with stormy weather. My mother is fearful of storms (still is) and every family dog throughout my childhood became frightened of storms and fireworks! Maybe it is a learned fear after being near a gun or a firework when it went off, startling the pet. Some pets may be bothered by the change in barometric pressure that occurs with storms, these pets are not necessarily fearful of fireworks or other loud noises. Animals acute hearing could also contribute to their intolerance of loud sounds. Maybe their fears are like so many of our own, they cannot be attributed to one particular event or trait.

If you have ever lived with a pet that is frightened of thunderstorms, you understand just how impossible it is to console them. The old technique for managing these pets was to sedate them, make them sleepy, but they were still terrified! This certainly wasn't a very kind management technique. Desensitization, playing a recording of a storm or fireworks for a pet at increasing volumes was also proposed to get the pet acclimated to the noise that they appeared to fear. As far as I know this approach was never very successful.

Now we appreciate that the f ear of storms and loud noises are just like any humans phobia. Regardless if they originate from personal experiences or an inherent ‘personality trait’ or a ‘psychiatric’ condition, we can utilize medications * that have anti-anxiety effects and we use nutricuticals or homeopathic remedies that are calming . One nutricutical that I was just recently introduced to made by Vetri-Science, called, Composure, is labeled for both dogs and cats. It contains Colostrum, the same thing that is in mother’s milk. It has a quieting, relaxing effect. We at the hospital were skeptical of this product until a few of us tried administering it to some of our ‘special needs’ pets. The results were remarkable.

For the storm phobic pets, there are a few other considerations. Clients have mentioned to me that their fearful dogs insist on getting into the car, being in the bath tub or staying down stairs by the plumbing and when they are allowed to rest in these areas, they become more relaxed. Some people have struggled to try to prevent their pets from going to these places with little success. Actually, the pet’s choice of locale is not as far fetched as you might think. They are seeking areas that are insulated or grounded, safe from the effects of the electrical storm. So if your dog is fearful of the impending storms, let them into your car, with some supervision, or help them into the tub, you might allow them some relief from their anxiety and it may give you a break from their pacing and panting.

*Remember, prior to initiating any drug therapies, your pet should be evaluated by its veterinarian or you should consult with your family veterinarian. Signs of sound sensitivity and anxiety could be indications of other illnesses and pets should be closely monitored whenever they are placed on a new medication.

Help Find A Home For Dorothy's Cat

2010-06-14T18:14:00.001-07:00

People have only to meet my parents to find out where I got my love for animals, particularly the wayward and the sick. So here we have a picture of what I call, Dorothy's Cat. Dorothy is my mom and she found this cat on her door step all skinny and sweet. So where does she end up? Yep, right here at my hospital. Of course we would have to check her out, she is Feline Leukemia (FeLV) negative, Feline Immunodefeciency (FIV) negative, blood work all normal, she has subsequently been wormed and well fed. She likes kids and people, lukewarm on other cats, but tolerates them. She is spayed and front declawed and probably is 6ish years old. Definitely was someone's pet until she was pitched out. She was not very successful as an outdoor cat, very thin and dehydrated when she arrived. Now she really wants out of her cage!!

The first lucky person to call the hospital or email us offering a loving, indoor existence will have the pleasure of sharing their home with this gal. Remember that if you don't take care of her, you'll have Dorothy to answer to, trust me you don't want that....
call us 248.684.0468 or email vcs@vcsmilford.com

New Use For The Reusable Shopping Bag - Animal Rescue

2010-06-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

I am a huge advocate for the poor animals that get out into traffic with no one to help. Yesterday, I stopped traffic to rescue a turtle and 2 weeks ago my technician, Jamie, and I escorted a family of geese across the busy road in front of our hospital. There are a lot of intolerant drivers on our roads! Recently, we have had to euthanize a number of snapping turtles that were so severely injured by being hit by a car that they could not be rehabilitated.

A few weeks ago, as I was driving to work, I came across a goose and its goslings trying to make their way up an overgrown embankment to a farm field. Fortunately, all the traffic had stopped, but we were at a loss as to how to help, as the parent bird became more agitated it moved too quickly for the goslings to follow. Finally the goose made a dash up the hill. I and another person tried to direct the rest of the gaggle in the direction of the parent. All but one gosling made it. I asked the gentleman helping me if his work truck had a bucket, we would just place the poor thing in a bucket and carry it over the hill. He had no such equipment. I went to my truck and found a reusable shopping bag, I ran up, scooped up the wayward bird, popped it in the bag for safe keeping, walked it up the hill and dumped it out in the farm field with the rest of its family. I had not even had my coffee yet and already did my good deed for the day!!

I began thinking about the shopping bag and realized this was an essential part of my car emergency kit. Turtles, injured birds, small mammals, all could be ushered into the bag for safe transport or rescue.

So don't empty those bags from your car, even if you always forget them at the store, keep at least one handy this summer to help all the animals that are injured or just plain stuck on the roadway.

Darby Cole, aka. Wonder Dog

2010-05-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Darby may only weigh 3 pounds, but she is a powerhouse!

This year has been a difficult one for Darby, she has spent weeks in the hospital recovering from acute kidney failure, clotting disorders, diarrhea and hernias. Frankly, the main reason Darby survived her myriad of illnesses so successfully is her owners. Their total devotion and careful attention to her care were the keystones to her recovery. Now that doesn't mean we didn't all work hard, we really did, but Darby and her family did all the really difficult work.

Now when Darby arrives at the hospital for her re-check examinations, I can tell she has entered the building because the minute she hits the front door she barks until we come up to see her.

The Chimney Swift That Visited Our Hospital...

2010-05-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I am reminded just how cool my job really is, one of those times was this week when an injured bird was brought to the hospital. The picture doesn't do her justice, but this was a beautiful little bird.I held her in my hand and it was like there was nothing there. Try closing your hand and leaving just enough space for 2 imaginary cotton balls. That is exactly the way it felt to hold her. Then imagine that those cotton balls were looking at you, responding to you. That there was a heart, lungs, wings, brain, an intricate living thing there that was so light, so whisper soft that you could barely feel it. That was an amazing moment she shared with me.

At first I thought it was a Barn Swallow, but while we were taking radiographs to check for fractures we appreciated that this little bird had some very distinctive features. The first was her bill. It is short and stout, the beak of a bug eater. Her wings were shaped like a swallow. But, the really amazing thing was her tail. It had firm, straight barbs.

At that point we knew this was no swallow, it was my partner that suggested she was Chimney Swift. We had some hatchlings at the clinic in the past, but never an adult. The Chimney Swift is a fascinating bird. These birds catch all their food and collect their nesting material while flying, they don't perch. They even bathe and drink water by swooping over ponds and rivers and dipping into the water. They get their name because they roost communally in air shafts and chimneys and this is where they make their nests. They use the tail barbs to roost. They live as far north as Nova Scotia and throughout the eastern United States. They winter in the Amazon Valley of Peru!

Later that day she was flying, we got wax worms for her to eat. She went off for a little rehabilitation time and hopefully she will be roosting some time soon in a near by chimney.

Some Recent Toxins and Hazards Seen On The Emergency Service

2010-05-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

Recently, one of our clients emailed a warning regarding Cocoa Shell Mulch. I really thought this wasn't s problem anymore, since a few years ago it was quite popular and dogs were getting sick and dying from the mulch back then. Evidently it is now being marketed as a repellent to cats, evidently cats are the bane of every gardener, which is news to me. So, this is the mulch to use for your nasty cat problem. Unfortunately, if you have dogs, the mulch has the same toxin in it as does chocolate, Theobromine, and it is sweet and appetizing to dogs (although it is toxic to cats, they are much less likely to eat the mulch). Thebromine in adequate quantities is fatal to dogs and that is what happened to our client's friend's dog. After mulching their gardens the previous day their dog had a seizure and died.
The Cocoa Mulch can be purchased at all the home supply and garden stores. Not only be sure that you avoid using this product in your yard, but also warn your neighbors since often our pets 'share' our neighbors yard as well.

With Mothers Day this weekend, please be aware that lillies of all variety are toxic to cats. Even the pollen is toxic. The toxicity causes renal failure and if not addressed early or if a large amount of toxin is ingested, it can be fatal. We have already seen at least 2 cases at our hospital this spring.If you think your cat has eaten or been playing with a lilly plant or flower, please have it evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.

There are a few traumatic events that tend to be more prevalent this time of year, first is what we call the 'Big Dog, Little Dog' or BDLD. With the advent of neighborhoods that do not have traditional fencing, dogs tend to wander and not all of them are well socialized. Unfortunately, the little dog gets the worst of the injuries and at times they are fatal. The best solutions to this problem are fencing, leashes, collars, responsible dog owners and adequate dog training and socialization.

Other injuries we have recently seen are the golf club or baseball bat to the head injury. It's pretty self-explanatory how this accident happens, happy dog, ball, you know the rest. Best solution, don't have your dog out playing golf or baseball with you.

Finally, have a great Spring. Get out there with your dog, take the cat out for a walk (on a leash), smell the flowers, and be safe!

Dexter Says "Don't miss these fun events at Veterinary Care Specialists and VCS Pets First"

2010-05-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

Dexter is one of our clinic cats (we are unwilling to divulge exactly how many clinic cats we have), he was named after the monkey from the Night In The Museum movies, as you might imagine he is a pretty opinionated fellow. So here are his picks for some animal related events this month:

This May brings a few interesting events to our calendar. On May the 8th we will be at Addison Oaks Park from 9 AM to 5 PM for a pet extravaganza. There will be vendors of all sorts of pet related products and pet services. The event is sponsored by Pet Talk Radio and Oakland County Parks. VCS and VCS Pets First will be there and we will have a contest to win prizes, so visit our booth. Kathy Hourican and Reiki Gatherings will be at the event as well and will be happy to explain more about Reiki and how it might benefit your pet. It should be a fun day for the family and there will be lots to see and to do!

On May the 15th we are offering our first Pet CPR and First Aid course from 10 AM until 12 noon. CasPeR the CPR dog will be present to allow all the attendees a chance to practice their resuscitation skills. There will also be information on toxins, bandaging and wound care, how to create your own emergency care kit and lots more. We ask that you call the office to reserve your spot since there is limited seating, 248.684.0468. A certificate will be awarded to all participants that complete the program. A voluntary donation to the Community Sharing's Pet Pantry is suggested for all participants.

Lastly, this is Dexter's favorite event since he will most likely place himself in the center of it all, on May the 21st we will be hosting the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce's Morning Coffee. It is from 8 AM to 9 AM. It is a great way to learn more about businesses in the area, our area chamber of commerce and to receive a tour of the hospital (and see Dexter too!!!).

In Memory of Grimm

2010-04-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

In Memorial

A beloved mascot here at Veterinary Care Specialists and VCS Pets First has moved on. Grimm, was released from his physical struggles yesterday. He had fared well over the past few years, with a number of ailments, but his body slowly gave way. We will all miss him greatly.

For those of you familiar with our office, Grimm was the black cat who ruled the front desk. He maintained his post, always quietly in control. Periodically, he would venture out and visit with clients and make sure all the other aspects of the business were running smoothly. Also, in his younger years, he was a blood donor, helping us save many an anemic cat.

Grimm came to our office in 1998. By our recollections that made him about 19 years old. When he first visited us he had a urinary obstruction and he was owned by a friend that could no longer care for him. He recovered fully from his illness and we were fortunate to share the next 13 years with him.

In the midst of all of us being sad to see him pass, I must also say that I am so proud of the staff here at the hospital. The gentle care every individual, on every shift, gave him while he was ill was exceptional. They made sure he was comfortable at the front desk on padded blankets, he got all his medications regularly, he was cleaned religiously(he grew to tolerate his baths) and each shift brought him bowls of his favorite canned food which was always in good supply. A busy office like ours, 24/7, you'd worry that an in-house cat might not get our full attention, but that wasn't the case for our staff or Grimmie!

Thank you, Grimm, for sharing your time with us.

Pictures (from top):
1. Grimm in a portrait by Isabella Barnes
2. Grimm became a little more tolerant of other cats in his later years, sleeping with Dexter
3. Another picture by Isabella, Grimm loved to eat!

Save Our Wildlife, Drive Carefully - Story of a Duck from Colasanti's

2010-03-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

We are very fortunate to live in an area that still has so many parks and wild areas for us to explore. However, in order to maintain these wild areas and their inhabitants for future generations we have to respect the wildlife that live with us. One, very easy, thing that we can do is slow down when we drive and pay close attention to the road.

Lets face it, turtles don't dart in front of cars and frankly most of the wild animals hit by a car are not hit because they jumped in front of a moving vehicle. Most animals get hit because we are either driving too fast or we are not paying attention. It is really unfortunate that many of these animals loose their lives because we cannot take the time to recognize that it is spring and we should exercise a little caution.

Recently we have seen multiple waterfowl that were hit by a car in front of Colasanti's Market. This is a 25 mile an hour zone and it is a wetland area too. I find it hard to believe that these animals were so reckless and fast moving that the drivers could not avoid them.

The picture is of a mallard female, whose mate was killed this week. She was hit in the head and has some damage to her beak. She is also laying eggs. She will be taken over by a wildlife rehabilitator today. We will see if she can be nursed back to health and returned to the wild. Hopefully we can also convince her to sit on her eggs.

So next time you are out driving, slow down in front of Colasanti's, show the respect for the animals in that area, and admire the lovely business that makes the effort to care for the birds. But, also slow down and respect all the other animals along the roadway and keep our beautiful community full of the wildlife we enjoy.