CAASA showcases their new building
by Maralyn Fink
The Clinton Area Ambulance Service Authority (CAASA) hosted their municipal partners on June 20 prior to the Board meeting to showcase their new garage.
The festivities were held in the nearly completed auxiliary garage with several municipal Boards represented as well as several of the CAASA crew members. The crews shared their appreciation for the Board’s decision to construct a space that allows for all of the CAASA vehicles to be housed inside where they are both secure and out of the weather.
Normal business was conducted at the Board meeting, and the Director’s report was a formal presentation by Director Lynn Weber. This presentation explained the rapidly changing healthcare environment that EMS works in and how much more EMS does now than in the past.
The addition of Community Paramedicine was touched on. The positive impact on the community with this program has been significant, but growth has been intentionally kept at a minimum due to a lack of reimbursement for this service. The increased cost of operation was also discussed, and then compared with the very minimal increase in reimbursement for services provided.
Director Weber concluded by expressing a willingness to come to other community meetings to share this information with those that might be interested in learning more about their local EMS provider.
I was invited to attend this event due to my past experience of the original Ambulance Service back in the 70s. Thank you Lynn and crew for including me. It was great visiting everyone and seeing the facilities and changes since then.
For more information go to http://www.clintonambulance.com/
Museum features artifacts from Police and Fire Departments
Artifacts from the 2019 Exhibit, Clinton County Police and Fire Departments, are located in the Paine-Gillam-Scott House and the Carriage House. Check out the hand pump fire extinguisher and many more artifacts in the Carriage House.
Located in the Paine-Gillam-Scott House are police and fire uniforms, history of the departments, many photographs and unique artifacts from both departments. In addition to the 2019 Exhibit, wedding gowns are on display in June and July.
The Museum is open Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Closed on holiday weekends.
It is located west of the courthouse, at 106 Maple St., St. Johns, Michigan. Group tours and individual tours are welcome.
For more information call 989-224-2894, email PGSmuseum@gmail.com, visit the web page pgsmuseum.com or Facebook at Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum.
A Look Back – County Farm Home
by Barry Clark Bauer
There’s been a lot of local interest on the Internet recently about the County Farm Home on County Farm Rd. in St. Johns, MI. I’ve been there one time but really don’t remember many details about the place.
These photos remind me of what I saw and may very well be taken of some of the residents circa 1970, or they may have resided in local nursing homes.
Nobody in the photos is identified as of yet.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Arthritis in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Cats
Senior cats have the highest risk for contracting osteoarthritis—a type of arthritis in cats that’s also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD).
Arthritis is the general medical term for inflammation of the joints, while osteoarthritis is the term that specifically refers to a form of chronic joint inflammation that is caused by deterioration of joint cartilage.
Osteoarthritis is defined as the progressive and permanent long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints.
Symptoms of Cats With Osteoarthritis
Cats hide symptoms of illnesses, so you may not notice anything specific but rather that your cat is slowing down or doesn’t come up onto the bed anymore.
Cats with osteoarthritis are unlikely to exhibit typical signs of joint pain, like lameness (limping, favoring one leg), although a stiff-legged gait, decreased range of motion and increased irritability may be apparent.
But more likely is that your cat will start to have difficulty grooming, jumping onto furniture or accessing the litter box.
Osteoarthritis in cats does not have an immediate, severe impact. It is a slow deterioration; it will take a long time between the onset of DJD and when you can start seeing symptoms.
Causes
A cat with a history of trauma, or any other event that caused short-term limping or pain, is likely to develop DJD. Abnormal wear on joints and cartilage from a compromised gait—or a congenital defect present at birth, such as an improperly formed hip (also known as hip dysplasia)—leads to arthritis as well.
There is some evidence that declawing cats (amputation of the last knuckle of the toe) leads to DJD because it changes the way they walk, which can lead to more wear and tear on their joints.
Autoimmune diseases can also lead to osteoarthritis in cats. Though rare, proliferative periosteal polyarthritis (meaning arthritis at multiple sites) has been found in cats.
For some cats with severe arthritis, treating them for a possible underlying autoimmune disease can reduce their symptoms or slow progression of the disease. However, these types of diseases are rare in cats.
Obesity is another factor for DJD, as it increases stress on the joints. This is made worse as cats age and lose muscle.
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian can diagnose osteoarthritis in cats by assessing the historical symptoms, such as decreased activity or stiffness. They will also do a physical examination to look for a decreased range of motion, stiff-legged gait, deformity of the joints, and swelling or pain in the joints.
Not all cats are cooperative for an orthopedic physical exam, so it is important to be able to describe the changes you have noticed. Your veterinarian may also recommend X-rays to confirm the extent of joint damage.
Treatment
Medical treatment of DJD is designed to control the signs and symptoms of the osteoarthritis in cats, as this disease cannot be cured.
In some cases, surgery may help alleviate symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. This can include reconstructive procedures, joint removal or replacement, and the surgical removal of aggravating causes, such as bone or cartilage fragments in a joint.
Physical therapy designed to maintain or increase joint motion in cats is very beneficial and may be done with various motion exercises, swimming and massage. Exercise designed to strengthen muscle tone is also useful. The pain that comes with arthritis can be managed using cold and heat therapy.
Long-term prescription pet medication may also be helpful in reducing joint swelling and joint pain in cats with DJD. Anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, are often recommended.
A series of injections with a pain relief medicine called Adequan may help slow the process of degeneration and improve function. Stem cell therapies are also available and have shown promise in early testing.
Weight loss for those cats who need it will also reduce the severity of symptoms.
Living and Management
Continue to monitor your cat’s symptoms, as osteoarthritis is likely to progress with time.
A change in medication or dosage, or additional physical rehabilitation exercises, may become necessary. Limit physical activity to a level that will not aggravate the symptoms.
In addition, a diet that’s high in omega fatty acids (or a fish oil supplement) is often recommended for decreasing inflammation.
Prevention
Prompt treatment of DJD is an important part of reducing the disease’s progression of symptoms. Exercise and a healthy diet are essential for the prevention of obesity, which can add stress to the joints. Not declawing cats can also help slow or prevent DJD.