Update On The Cat That Was Shot With A Paintball Gun

>> Saturday, December 18, 2010

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.

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Pictures With Santa

>> Monday, December 13, 2010


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 !

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A Tribute To The Cats



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.

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

>> Monday, November 29, 2010



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.

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

>> Sunday, October 24, 2010


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

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Hives, Allergic Reactions and Swollen Faces

>> Sunday, October 17, 2010




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!

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

>> Tuesday, September 21, 2010



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.

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Our Little Duckling Is All Grown Up!!!!

>> Sunday, September 12, 2010



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.

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

>> Friday, September 10, 2010


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.

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

>> Wednesday, September 1, 2010


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

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Innovative New Bandage Cover

>> Tuesday, August 24, 2010



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.

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Unraveling the Mystery Of Flea and Tick Control

>> Monday, August 9, 2010


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.

Read more...

Unraveling the Mystery Of Flea and Tick Control

>> Saturday, July 24, 2010


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.

Read more...

Mallard Duckling We Are Rehabilitating

>> Sunday, July 11, 2010



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.

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Pictures Of Our Homespun 4th of July Float

>> Wednesday, July 7, 2010


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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.

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

>> Friday, July 2, 2010


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.

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

>> Friday, June 18, 2010


The storm clouds are starting to form and thunderstorms are on the horizon. Lots of noise and rumbling, especially with the 4th 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.


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Help Find A Home For Dorothy's Cat

>> Monday, June 14, 2010

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

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New Use For The Reusable Shopping Bag - Animal Rescue

>> Sunday, June 6, 2010


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.

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Darby Cole, aka. Wonder Dog

>> Tuesday, May 18, 2010

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.

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The Chimney Swift That Visited Our Hospital...

>> Friday, May 14, 2010















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.

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Some Recent Toxins and Hazards Seen On The Emergency Service

>> Tuesday, May 4, 2010

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!

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


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!!!).

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In Memory of Grimm

>> Wednesday, April 7, 2010


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!


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

>> Wednesday, March 31, 2010



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.

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Spring Time Tips To Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy

>> Tuesday, March 30, 2010




The cranes and the red-wing black birds are back and temperatures are rising, spring appears to be here. It’s also the time of year when dogs and cats are more likely to slip out of the yard or the front door and it is the season when infections and parasites move more freely among the community. So here are a few reminders :



  1. Check your backyard fence, window screens and screen doors. Be sure that they are pet proof, no holes in the fences and no areas where the fences have curled up or holes that have developed underneath the fence line. Check invisible fences too. When the snow was deep and the weather foul, your dog did not want to run off, but now when the rabbit hops out of the fence parameter your pooch may be more willing to roam. Be sure that screens are in good repair so that your cats don't slip outside for a neighborhood walk about.
  2. Make sure your pet is well identified.
    1. Take some photos, keep them recent, in case you have to go looking for a missing companion.
    2. Make sure everybody’s collars have tags with current phone numbers, address, etc, we actually suggest putting your pets blood type on their tag in case of an accident Check to see that the collars fit well, not too tight or too loose.
    3. Consider a micro chip. It is a simple subcutaneous injection for your pet and a life time of identification and protestion. If your pet is lost without a collar or looses its collar, the microchip is just another layer to your pet retrieval system. When we find a stray animal we check for a microchip. That identification number is linked to an 800 phone number and a quick phone call finds the pet’s home. It is important that you make sure the information on your pet is kept current, remember to report change of address or phone number changes.
  3. Recently (over the past 6 months) there have been reports of rabies in a horse in Lapeer Township and a human succumbed to rabies up in Kalkaska, Mi. Even though we have gotten smarter about vaccines and we recognize that vaccines can be given less often, we definitely know that vaccines are necessary. Vaccines not only keep your pets safe, but your family safe as well. Remember that if your dog is going to the parks or running on the back trails with you, your pup should be vaccinated against Leptospirosis, too.
  4. Time for a trim… The weather is getting warmer, the mud, rain and dirt is being tracked into the house. Long hair coats that are left wet or dirty harbor infection. Next, maggots, fleas and ticks can find their way into your home (and your pet!). These rules apply to your long hair cats too!
  5. Do not make your pet a weekend warrior. I know the weather is nice, but take it slow. Just like you , your pet has to start working out slowly. A day of swimming, running and hiking will leave your previously sedentary pet sore and in some instances, too much activity for an under conditioned dog could lead to far more serious orthopedic issues.
  6. This is the time when all young dogs and cats are thinking of love.....Remember to have your pet spayed or neutered. The longer days that come in the spring are a signal to begin the reproduction cycle. Avoid that litter of pups or kittens and have your pet neutered.








Have a GREAT SPRING!

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A Response To A Negative Review On The Internet

>> Sunday, March 28, 2010

Veterinary Care Specialists and VCS Pets First are small concerns. We are really a family here and the hospital was built and organized with the idea of being a more intimate, ‘patient care intense’ veterinary hospital. We never had ambitions to be big, but we strive to be very good at what we do. I think that we achieve that goal and I am very proud of the support staff and doctors that make our office a caring and professional place.

Veterinarians don’t typically spend 4 + years in college seeking an advanced degree to get rich. We are among the crazy folks that get all that schooling because we really believe in and like what we do. So, when someone says we did not provide adequate care or they were unhappy with our performance we tend to get upset. We take it personally, because we put so much of ourselves into our work.

So recently a client, John Whitt, posted a review of VCS on the internet that was less than stellar. He made a lot of inaccurate claims like ’VCS is the only emergency clinic within a 50 mile radius’, there are actually 3+ Veterinary ER clinics within a 50 mile radius of us, and he felt we provided an excessive estimate for his pets care and, after all, his dog is better now, without all that expense. He neglected to mention that the medications that have helped his dog get better were prescribed by us and without our assistance in that regard his dog may not be doing as well as he is today.

Here is the problem with this situation and this owners thought process. First, their dog, by their admission, had been injured days earlier and was very ill. They had been treating the dog at home with injections of medications, some of which are not appropriate for dogs. The dog had seriously infected bite wounds that were extensive and potentially life threatening. Second, we did what we are ethically bound to do, the very best we can on behalf of the patient. Not to trivialize the problem, but to be sure that the patient’s pain was managed, it’s infections treated and it was protected from the septicemia and organ damage that can occur from chronic deep seeded wounds and certain medications that he received. We also were obliged to provide a plan to debride (surgically cleaning) these wounds so they might heal quickly and by healing more quickly, keep the patient more comfortable. Unfortunately, that plan was costly.

This is the hard part for us to swallow, the owners got angry. Not because we did not care for their dog, we did. We ultimately gave the owners antibiotics and pain medication for their dog. We functioned well within the constraints that they applied to us. But they were upset we gave them a quote for the pet’s very best care. They didn’t understand that we cannot gamble with their pet’s health. It was their option to decline our best plan. Also, they apparently became upset because their pet was lucky enough to get better using a very conservative treatment plan. They’ve even sent emails, sort of flaunting their pet’s success, like that makes us wrong. It doesn’t, it just makes their dog very fortunate. With the years of experience we have and the years of education we’ve received, we realize all the potential outcomes for injuries like their dog sustained and we know how to best manage these wounds, the Whitt’s pet was lucky, pure and simple, he beat the odds, and we are happy for the dog and the owners.

So here is the bottom line for all you pet owners out there that will bring your pet to the vets with a serious health problem: 1. Expect that veterinarian to provide the very best plan for your pets care, 2. If you either don’t want to pursue that plan or cannot afford that plan, don’t get angry, your veterinarian should respect your limitations, whether philosophical or financial, and provide another, more acceptable plan, then, 3. Institute that plan and be very happy if it all works out, and lastly, 4. Don’t be mad if you are offered the very best care possible for your pet, that is what every pet and owner deserves.

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Raymond Lee Wins the 'Guess Darwins Weight' Contest

>> Monday, March 22, 2010

Darwin is the handsome dude on the right. Raymond won with his estimate of 132 lbs.

We had a contest at the Huron Valley Business Expo a week ago Sunday and visitors to our booth were encouraged to guess Darwin's weight. Raymond won one of our famous VCS T-shirts and a 25.00 gift card.

Darwin has had a sedentary winter and looks forward to lots of outdoor activities that will help him slim down to 120-125 lbs. In all fairness, Darwin did have his official blood donor coat on and it may have made him look a little heavier, red is not slimming!

For those of you that asked, indeed there are different blood types among dogs and there are donors that are more 'universal' than others, like a person with type 0 blood. This is also true among cats.

Blood transfusions may be needed in case of trauma, immune mediated disease (where the patient destroys his own red blood cells) or blood loss from a bleeding tumor or after having eaten a toxin (like mouse poison). Regardless of the cause we have the blood product necessary. Hopefully, you'll never need us for that!

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Pictures of Marley

>> Saturday, February 13, 2010


This is Marley. He has lymphoma and is receiving chemotherapy through the combined efforts of MSU Oncology, Veterinary Care Specialists and, of course, his owner.

Marley loves snow, playing and his owner and we were so happy to receive these pictures from his family this week.

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Good News For Anxious Cats

Researchers in the veterinary clinical sciences department at THE Ohio State University, (I can make fun of them since I received my Masters of Science degree from OSU) , have reported a new technique for calming stressed felines. They developed a clip, similar to a large ladies hair clip, that is applied to the scruff (the loose skin) of the cats neck. This mimics the technique that mother cats use to subdue fractious kittens and move them. They found that this clip aided in relaxing the cat so that minor procedures could be performed without a struggle, creating a safer situation for cat and clinician! Even more important than the improved cooperation of the patient, they found that the cats were happier, some times purring and kneading the blanket they were on. They had lower blood pressures and in general were more content. They coined the phrase, 'clipnosis' for the technique.

About 15 years ago I was working at an area ER clinic where the techs and doctors felt it was cruel to 'scruff' or apply tension on the back of a stressed cats neck to aide in handling them. I thought that was odd since it quieted the cat and allowed us to treat it with minimal stress. I am glad to see that we now have some scientific proof that , once again, we just need to pay attention to those well designed systems that occur within nature.

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