Animal Clinic of Sterling Heights

06/05/2026

GET AHEAD OF THE SUMMER NOISE

Fireworks, thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners, loud music and even motorcycles can turn even the happiest pet into a frantic mess. Suddenly, you see a tail down between your dog's legs or your cat starts licking at his chest, his paws, his belly and everything in between incessantly. It's going to be a long night.

Heavy panting, drooling, pacing, trembling, destructiveness and an overwhelming need to escape are common reactions to noise among dogs. You may have heard you need to secure your pet on the 4th of July. Dogs are notorious for panicking and jumping the fence if they're outdoors. Not good.

In addition to non-stop grooming, your cat may begin hissing, pin her ears back, freeze, run or ultimately hide.

What do you do?
* Create a safe space. Set up a quiet, windowless room or a crate covered with heavy blankets.
* Use white noise, a fan, or a TV to muffle outside sounds.
* Shut your windows.
* Wrap your pet in an anxiety-relief garment.
* Use a pheromone diffuser or collar.
* Try an other-the-counter calming chew, which are available for both cats and dogs.
* Try gradual desensitization by playing low-volume recordings of thunderstorms or fireworks while offering treats.
* Act Normal. Avoid coddling or overly reassuring them, which can reinforce the idea that something is wrong.
* Discuss situational medications with your pet's veterinarian.
* If your pet has been prescribed anxiety meds in the past, make sure to get it filled ahead of time (48-72 hours before the expected event). Note: Your pet's wellness exam must be up-to-date.

Keep it a stress-free summer for the whole family and prepare!

06/02/2026

KITTIES OF THE MONTH: The Fishing Crew
Trout, Tuna & Mahi
June 2026

Why one kitty when you can have three? Trout, Tuna and Mahi are three brothers that got to stay together, so it would be fitting to bestow "Kitty of the Month" to all of them at once. After all, they're inseparable and not necessarily easy to tell apart.

The three brothers were born on Halloween of 2022 with just a tad of that "orange cat crazy." According to mom, they all love to play fetch and would do it all day if mom and dad would just keep tossing their toys around! Strings and shoelaces are also a thing, as are scratch pads and toy springs.

"I think we have about 20 scratch pad bowls and pads and loungers and shapes in our house at all times," says their smitten mom. "They all sleep with us at night, so it's a good thing we have a king sized bed!"

Recently, a fourth member of the fishing crew joined the family that the three aren't so sure about yet because this one's a human. His nickname is Mackerel, so eventually he'll fit right in. We can just imagine their madcap adventures then!

"We’ve had to already pre-baby proof our house because of them because they will open any cabinet to get to food at any cost." Adventures, indeed!

Congratulations to our Kitties of the Month: Trout, Tuna and Mahi! And best wishes to the growing family!

06/01/2026

ACSH DOG OF THE MONTH: BOOKER
June 2026

"Booooooker is here!"

Whenever Booker arrives at the clinic, you know he's arrived because you'll hear his name with a big exclamation point reverberate through the building. This boy knows how to make friends and he doesn't seem to mind he's here to see his favorite vet, Dr. Krieger.

Booker is a six year old Basset Hound with a big personality.

Says his devoted pet people: "If you ever see him on walks, he will see you a quarter mile away and lay down, not because he is tired, but he will wait for you to get closer so he can make a new friend!"

"He might be a little stinky, he might drool on you, he may even howl in the middle of the night to make sure you are still there, but regardless, Booker is a pup that will always be happy to see you!"

We can attest to that. Should you be lucky to meet him when you're both here, be prepared.

"Be ready to give him love because he will lay on your feet in order to force you to pet him!"

Much love to you, Booker!

05/29/2026

WHEN IS IT AN EMERGENCY?
Seizures

Watching your pet have a seizure is a frightening experience, especially if you don't know what's happening. A seizure ranges from a sudden, dramatic collapse with violent shaking and paddling to a blank stare. Pets are usually unconscious during these episodes and may even lose control of their bodily functions.

Seek emergency treatment if your pet:
* Has a seizure for the first time
* Has a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes
* Has two or more seizures in 24 hours
* Does not regain consciousness
* Acts severely distressed/confused afterward

Causes range from epilepsy to organ failure and everything in between, including strokes, tumors, conge***al malformations (puppies), encephaltis, head trauma, toxin exposure and more. All conditions are serious in nature, so your pet needs prompt medical attention if any of the above occurs.

If your pet has been under our care for seizures, check in with your vet if they become longer or occur more frequently. Keep a log of dates, times, durations and what your pet was doing before each seizure to help identify possible triggers.

If seizures are new to you, it's important to keep calm. Do not put your fingers in your pet's mouth or try to restrain them. Give them room to avoid injury, dim the lights, and turn the sound down. Afterward, provide comfort, keep your pet cool and provide food and water.

Seizures can be life-threatening, so do not hesitate to take your pet to an urgent or emergency clinic. For a list of emergency centers, visit https://www.acshvet.com/emergencies for one near you.

05/28/2026

LOUIE GOT THE BANDANA!
Cancer Survivor

We are so happy to celebrate this happy boy's big day! He wears the bandana so well! After six months of chemotherapy treatments, Dr. Krieger is happy to report that Louie's lymphoma is in remission. Louie's journey began in mid-November when his parents noticed some swelling by his throat and brought him in to have it checked out. They got him started on the CHOP protocol (a multi-agent chemotherapy regimen) in December. As you can see, Louie is pretty jazzed about being on the other side of 26 treatments! Thank you for being such a good sport and champion, Louie. Now go enjoy your summer with your amazing family!

05/26/2026

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, MARLA!

Marla turned one year old on Saturday. We are happy we got to see her on her special day, but we know the clinic isn't necessarily the ideal place to celebrate. She didn't seem to mind. What a happy girl! Marla looked especially pretty and festive in her new pink scarf. We hope the rest of her day was as lovely as she is!

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY!

Say hello to Lucky! He is celebrating his second birthday today. Born with a cleft palate, he had a bit of a rough start in life, but thanks to Dr. Wilson AND an amazing mom (and one of our vet assistants), he has grown up to be quite a healthy and happy puppy doll!

Lucky is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a breed known for having a calm, affectionate nature, which he certainly has. Look at that face!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lucky!!

05/20/2026

WHEN IS IT AN EMERGENCY?
Urinary Blockage (Urethral Obstruction)

If your pet is unable to p*e -- most commonly seen in male cats -- a trip to the E/R is absolutely urgent. Do not wait for a same day appointment here or a call from your regular vet. We are more than happy to see your baby for a recheck appointment after the fact, but when bladder stones or crystals get in the way, your pet is in grave danger and will likely require hospitalization. Time is of the esscence!

Without immediate treatment, a buildup of toxins and pressure can cause kidney failure or a bladder rupture, which can be fatal within 24 to 48 hours. The most common symptoms of a blockage include frequent trips to the litter box with little to no urine output, crying or vocalizing while trying to p*e, a hunched up/arched back and excessive licking of the ge***al area. Lethargy, hiding, loss of appetite and vomiting are indicative of toxin build-up.

Aftercare may include a prescription diet, stress managment, urethral relaxants, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. If your pet takes a trip to the E/R for a urinary blockage, check in with your regular vet post-visit, so we can help get your pet back on the right track. The highest-risk window for a recurrent blockage is within the first 24-48 hours after catheter removal, though vigilance is required for at-least full 1-2 weeks post-discharge.

Pictured: Dr. Brook says Eenie is feeling much better after his unexpected stay at a nearby hospital for a urinary blockage. We hope to keep him that way!