Lorrie Shaw

Hudson Mills - a fantastic MetroPark located in beautiful Dexter, MI (which is just outside Ann Arbor,) hosts many events throughout the year. Wintertime is no exception! I was driving past the park earlier and saw that 'Chillin' at the Mills' is being hosted there on Saturday, January 31. This should be great family fun - check out the info:

Chillin' at the Mills

Saturday, January 31

1-800-477-3191

or

734-426-8211

Kids can try cross-country skiing, pull a dogsled in the Klondike races, learn how to snowshoe and go on a winter scavenger hunt. Ticket sales in advance and at the event.

Enjoy!

I have the opportunity to dialogue with many folks with pets everyday. One thing that comes up frequently it seems, is the subject of pet vaccinations. Some people are firm believers in regularly vaccinating their pets per their veterinarians recommendations. Other pet owners choose not to vaccinate, and their reasons vary.

Vaccinations provide protection against diseases, like feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, leptospirosis, bordatella, rabies, coronavirus, distemper, parvo, Lyme disease and more. Some of these diseases are highly contagious and can kill an animals quickly - others can cause the animal to develop lasting damage to organs.

Some animals can be more profoundly affected by the effects of the diseases. I will use leptospirosis, as an example. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which presents in many ways, can also cause renal failure. Did you know that there are specific breeds of canines that are predisposed to kidney dysfunction to begin with? Dogs with this existing issue that contract leptospirosis are more likely to not recover from the disease, and is more likely fatal. Additionally, it has become apparant that German Shephards are at an increased risk of becoming ill with the bacteria. Felines are rarely affected. There are other diseases of course that affect our pets, and having hard facts about them is key - as is how they can be prevented.

For those that are wary of vaccines because of possible adverse reactions, you should know that they are rare. I recommend to my clients that worry about overloading a dog's immune system with multivalent (multiple vaccines in a single shot) inoculations can ask their veterinarian to get monovalent (single) vaccines and give the shots at different times.

Some dog owners have their animals tested to determine a level of immunity and make vaccination decisions based on the results. The test is done by drawing blood and checking it for titers, a measurement of the antibodies present in blood serum. A titer must be run for each disease, and you should know that the tests are far more expensive than the vaccination. Titers quantify the pet's reaction to the vaccination but do not necessarily indicate that the dog would be protected against an active incidence of disease. I do find this practice acceptable, especially in older pets.

Despite my adherance to addressing my own pets' health from a holistic perspective, many people are surprised to learn that I strongly support the use of innoculating pets. When you examine the philosophy of how vaccinations work, it really is a holistic approach. I have always vaccinated my own pets, and in my business I require that all of my clients' pets be up to date on their shots and provide proof of vaccination before they are on the schedule.

I highly recommend that if you have questions or concerns with this subject or any other issue regarding your pets' wellness, please schedule a consult with your veterinarian.

Do you know someone who is 60+ years of age and in need of assistance getting things done at home - like bathing, yard work and errands? What about someone who is in need of ‘daily check in’, non-medical support or transportation to and from shopping or a doctors appointment? Getting help in these areas can help a loved one live independently for a longer period of time. There are resources available to address these needs in the State of Michigan, some at low cost – even free to those who qualify. I do know two individuals who utilize services like these and they are a lifesaver. The best part is that they can remain in their own homes, living independently - and caregivers can get respite. Seniors are not the only ones in need of assistance. Individuals with disabilities can be helped by some of these groups and info, too I think.

Also, there are many folks who have vision problems, like Macular Degeneration. There are support groups and assistance that can help those individuals make the most of each day.

Check out the following sites for more information (even on volunteering your time with them!):

Faith In Action - Michigan

MCOP - Monroe County

United Way - S.E. Michigan - 2-1-1

MI Seniors

Michigan Assn. of Senior Centers

Low Vision Support and Resources

I welcome any resources that anyone else can add! Happy Holidays!

The other day, I was at a clients' home. She entertains frequently during the holidays, and always decorates the house in a warm, inviting way. Richly colored poinsettias (some shaped into topiaries) grace each room, along with many other lovely decorations.

I asked her what her secret was. She noted that each holiday season, Meiring's Greenhouse has an open house - offering to the public an opportunity to come in and purchase beautiful varities of plants at reasonable prices. (Meirings is a wholesale greenhouse, otherwise.) We all want our homes to look great - moreso when our homes are on the market! My advise would be get in touch with Meiring's to see when they offer their open houses each year so that you can take advantage of their expertise.

Happy Holidays!

Over the years, I have had many queries with regard to feline behavior. Having multiple cats can be challenging, for sure. Cats can be quite mercurial, and knowing what is influencing any negative behaviors is key.

Felines are very primal creatures. They normally have territories in the wild, and defend them ferociously. At times, spraying/marking/peeing could be a territory marking strategy. I think that the idea of keeping only specific areas available to them indoors is an excellent tool, especially if your cats are allowed to go outdoors as well. This will do two things - allow them to have shelter when they need it, but at the same time the cats will learn that this space is theirs, and that they need to respect the space to keep it comfortable and peaceful. My vet gave me the idea of only giving my cat, Silver one room to have as his, after a bout of urinating on furniture and my clothes. Silver caught on after only a few short days and 'knock on wood', years later he minds his manners! Creating specific areas for eating/drinking, resting, hiding, playing is important... places that are 'tucked away', so to speak and areas that are 'up high'. Most cats have definite preferences on where they like to claim as their space - up on top of a cabinet, a cozy space under a stairway, in a basket of old towels. In my many years of experience with cats I noticed that some cats will usually rest in a old box under the basement sink, and others will perch on top of the lockers/tall storage containers - and yet another cat would always be parked inside of a cabinet in the back corner. Very habitual, cats are! Most importantly, cats generally prefer to have their eating/drinking area as far away from the litter box as possible.

Sometimes when cats urinate outside of the litter box, it is a sign of a urinary tract infection. Interestingly enough, cats usually identify the litter box as the source of the pain/discomfort that they may be feeling. The behavior may even persist after they've seen a vet and the infection has cleared up - cats have an impeccable memory.

Pee in the litter box -------> feel pain ------> pee in other place as an alternative

Some cats will not use a litter box if another cat has already used it. Having one litter box per cat is the standard, and it is good to have them on opposite sides of the room. Felines are very fussy about so many things, especially cleanliness.

Above all, it is a long held misconception that cats are independent creatures who do not need a lot of attention. Quite the contrary! Although the behavioral habits of cats differ from other animals, this in no way means that cats do not need as much attention from their people. Cats love routine. They thrive with one-on-one time, playtime, grooming, treats - they are very social creatures. Most cats over the age of 1 year LOVE dried cat nip - try some, especially during these cold winter months when things can get a little dull. Fresh cat nip can even be planted outside in the garden (I plant it near the door and Silver seeks it out immediately when he goes outside), and it does very well in this climate zone. Cats need exercise - a few minutes of playtime with a cat friendly toy and your participation can help keep your cats' weight in check. Excess pounds attribute to disease and respiratory problems like asthma.

Spend a little bit of extra time with your furry friend today, they deserve it. It will do you good, too.