Darby Cole, aka. Wonder Dog

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...

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

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

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

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

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.
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Have a GREAT SPRING!

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