2017 has come to a close, and here at Union Lake Veterinary Hospital and Pet Services we are in amazement at what a busy, productive, and spectacular year it’s been. We are truly honored that you’ve chosen us to care for your four-legged family members, and for that we extend our heartfelt thanks! 

Whether it’s discussing parasite prevention, dental health, grooming, boarding, or the hundreds of other pet care topics we cover in our weekly blog, it remains our goal to provide you with current and useful information. Please enjoy a recap of the year with our top 10 most popular blogs of 2017: 

ULVH’s Top 10 Blogs of 2017 

  1. How to Love a Cat… And Be Loved in Return – Any relationship is a two-way street – we give and take, offer and accept. In the dynamic between people and their pets, the back and forth of love and affection is noticeable. We take care of our animal’s needs in ways they can’t necessarily return (like meals or cleaning up), but they offer us love and companionship in kind. 
  2. Indoor Activities for Pets to Keep the Winter Blues Away – Do raindrops keep falling on your pet’s head? Are you struggling to come up with ways to keep an energetic pet happy, and your furniture in one piece, during these wet and blustery days? 
  3. Dealing with Dog Behavior Issues Early – There’s something deeply satisfying about having a well-trained dog for a companion. Indeed, proper and humane obedience training can serve as the cornerstone for a lifetime of fun, companionship, and bonding for you and your pooch. But when challenging dog behavior issues crop up (as they so often do), it helps to be ready to recognize them and to have a plan in place ahead of time. 
  4. Trainer Tips: How To Walk A Leash-Reactive Dog – You know how important the daily walk is for your dog’s health and mental well being, but if your dog regularly pulls, lunges, or barks at other dogs while on the leash, it can make for an extremely stressful event. 
  5. Kitty’s Got Options: All About Declaw Alternatives – Historically, cat owners everywhere defaulted to declawing their pets in order to protect their property and prevent injury. We are learning, though, that scratching is a very natural part of normal cat behavior and an important part of feline well-being. While declawing is still an option for some, there are some effective declawing alternatives. 
  6. Tips For Getting Your Cat To The Vet and Low Stress Cat Carriers – When it comes time to take your cat to the vet, feline fanciers everywhere give a collective shudder. It’s hard to say which part of the process is more taxing; the struggle to get Fluffy into the boxy carrier, the noisy drive to the veterinarian’s office, the stressful waiting room experience, or the claw-spiked mayhem of the examination process. Not to mention your cat’s post-visit huff and retribution! 
  7. Beyond The Cardboard Box: Why Your Cat Needs A Catio! – The benefits to keeping your pet cat indoors are far reaching. Not only are indoor cats protected from dangers such as cars or other animals, they are also less likely to come into contact with parasites and communicable diseases. If you are one of the many cat owners who struggle with guilt over depriving your feline friend of fresh air and sunshine, however, a catio may be just the thing for you. 
  8. Ticks and Pets: What You Need To Know – The tick population is experiencing record highs in Michigan, and the cases of tick-borne illnesses in people and pets continue to climb right along with it. As our Indiana neighbors grapple with the recent death of a two-year-old from Rocky Mountain spotted fever (a disease spread by ticks), many of us are left wondering what we can do to prevent a tragedy in our own families. 
  9. Canine Influenza Is Back in 2017: What to Do to Protect Your Dog – The latest strain of the canine influenza virus, also known as “dog flu”, was first identified in Chicago, IL in the spring of 2015. More than 1,000 cases were eventually diagnosed in Illinois and surrounding states, with six fatalities. 
  10. Do Pets Grieve Like Us? – When you think about how closely our companion animals mirror our moods, emotional states, and energy levels, it’s natural to assume that they feel the way we do. We’ve all heard of dogs and cats that are highly tuned in and aware in the wake of an owner’s illness, death, or emotional setback. It makes perfect sense for a pet to feel this way toward a caregiver on whom their feeding and care depend, but it also raises questions about how pets grieve in general. 

We are thrilled to have spent 2017 caring for your pets and connecting with you! If there is a topic you’d like to learn more about but haven’t seen in one of our blogs yet, please let us know the next time we see you, or post it on our Facebook page. 

From all of us as ULVH and ULPS, have a wonderful 2018!