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

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.

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Help Find A Home For Dorothy's Cat

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

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

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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