Should You Microchip Your Pet?

Yes, without a doubt, have your pet microchipped. The ‘should I or shouldn’t I’ question regarding microchipping is common place in any veterinary practice, and not just for dogs and cats. Having spent several years working with a nationally recognized avian and exotics veterinarian I can tell you that any pet can be microchipped. Dogs and cats are of course the most common, but I have implanted microchips in birds, ferrets, bunnies and even a few iguanas and snakes. So why is microchipping so important? A microchip is a permanent identification for your pet. Tags get old and worn, collars break and slip off, and it doesn’t take much for a bird or bunny to get away from you when enjoying time outside. When implanted with a microchip, your pet will carry with it an identification number that is linked directly to your contact information. There are a few misconceptions about how microchips work. No, they are not GPS trackers. You will not be able to track and locate your pet like a lost cell phone. The microchip does not contain your personal information either. Each chip contains a unique identification number that can be detected and read using a microchip scanner. There are several types of microchips such as Avid or HomeAgain. Most scanners are able to detect and read all brands of microchips. Almost every veterinarian, shelter, and rescue will have a microchip scanner. The most important thing about a microchip is the registration. If you do not register your pets microchip, it’s just a number. When you have your pet chipped, you will be given paperwork and instructions on how to register the chip. It is very simple; name, address, and telephone number is usually all the information you need. Most veterinarians and rescues will actually take care of the registration for you, but in case they don’t, make sure you do it as soon as possible. If your pet gets lost and is taken to any vet or shelter, they can be scanned, the number retrieved, and matched with your contact information. It’s that simple. A lot of pet owners think that microchipping will be painful for their pet. I will be honest, implanting a microchip is no more traumatic then receiving a vaccination. The microchip itself is smaller than a grain of rice, and is implanted under the skin with a hypodermic needle. One little pinch and its done. Most owners opt to have the microchipping done during the spay or neuter surgery. If you rescue or

adopt an animal that does not have a microchip, it will cost about $45 dollars and can be done at a regular office visit. As I said before, the microchip is permanent; however, some chips may move or migrate under the skin over time. It is a good idea to have your pet scanned every time you have them to the vet to make sure the chip is still working and in the same spot. Also, make sure that you keep your contact information up to date. If you move, change phone numbers, etc. make sure to update the microchip registration. Pets are 20 times more likely to be reunited with their owners if they are chipped, so please microchip and help take some of the burden off of the shelters and rescues.

Summertime Safety Tips for Cats

Like most animals, cats love the summer. How often do we find our cats sprawled out in their favorite sun beam on our living room floor? Does this picture look familiar?

 

No harm with a cat basking in the sun within the comfort of an air conditioned home, but please be aware, cats are just as susceptible to heat stroke and dehydration as any other pet. They should never be left in a hot car or carrier, or be out and about in the middle of an oppressive day. Click Here to see my previous entry for dogs as the rules of thumb are pretty much the same.
 

We all enjoy the fresh air and cats are no different. They can spend hours soaking up the sun and breeze in front of an open window. As far as house pets go, cats are certainly one of the most durable. Most healthy cats can leap from a second floor window without any concern. For cats that call the third floor of an apartment home, that same fearless leap out a window can become dangerous and even deadly. Always make sure the screens are securely fastened and there are no holes or tears, as cats can squeeze themselves through most holes wide enough for them to get their head through.  
  

For those cat owners who really enjoy spending time with their cats outdoors, including taking them for walks, there are a few safety concerns to think about before heading out. Cats are very strong and nimble and can easily slip a traditional collar. Invest in a sturdy harness that not only is comfortable for your cat, but also durable and secure enough to help prevent unwanted escape. If your cat goes out on their own, make sure to use a break-away collar which will help prevent them from getting caught or hung up in a fence or tree. A simple microchip, which I will discuss in more detail later, can be used to help identify your cat if they lose their tags. Cats paws are extremely sensitive, so try and limit your walks to the early morning or late evening hours. If you do venture out with your cat on a bright, sunny day, keep in mind that cats sunburn easily. Make sure you have a pet safe sunscreen such as Epi-Pet Anti-UV 30 SPF or some other ‘pet safe’ sunscreen. Apply a small amount to the tips of the ears and nose before heading out in the sun. Please be careful not to get any sunscreen down in the ear canal, or up into the nasal cavity. If this happens, do not worry, simply use luke-warm water to gentle flush the area and then re-apply the sunscreen.

When leaving your cat at home on very hot days, never confine them to one room that may get too hot for them during the day. Make sure they have access to several areas to cool down if they start to overheat, like rooms with tile or linoleum flooring such as the kitchen or bathroom. Always provide several fresh water bowls scattered throughout the house so they can easily get a quick drink if they begin to dehydrate. Extra care should be taken with senior and obese cats during the summer as they are less tolerant of the heat, as well as long-haired and brachycephalic breeds such as Persians and Himalayans. These are just a few quick tips to help keep your cat safe during the summer. Please feel free to comment if you would like more information on a specific topic that is important to you.

 

Toxic Poisoning Do’s and Don’ts for Pets



During this time of year, we all spend a lot of time with our family pets outside while we work in the yard, garden, shed, and garage. They are part of our families, and of course we want them with us whenever possible. We all know to keep toxic chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizer out of reach, not only for our own pets, but also to make sure wildlife such as birds, squirrels, feral cats, etc. cannot reach anything that would harm them. Unfortunately, we cannot watch them every second they are outside with us. As pet owners we need to be able to recognize the signs associated with toxicity and the steps we need to take if we suspect our pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have. Muscle tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, weakness and collapse are all good indicators that they may have ingested something that is proving to be toxic. First thing to do is to try and identify exactly what was ingested and immediately remove it from the environment. If possible, collect the label from the toxin as poison control and your Veterinarian will inquire about information found on the label. Also, if your pet has already started to vomit, collect a sample to bring to your Vet. Immediately contact your Vet and poison control and make sure you have the following information ready for them: The name of the toxin and the amount ingested, the approximate weight of your pet, any known medical conditions, and a list of any medications and supplements they may be taking. Please do not induce vomiting unless you are instructed to by your Veterinarian or poison control. In some cases, especially with the ingestion of harsh chemicals such as paint thinner or antifreeze, these substances can do more damage and cause more harm when they are brought back up through the esophagus. If your pet has a pre-existing condition such as laryngeal paralysis or brachycephalic syndrome, inducing vomiting should be absolutely avoided except under the direct supervision of a medical professional. Again, get your pet to a Veterinarian as soon as possible. The list of toxins that can harm our pets are not limited solely to chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers. There are many varieties of plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables that should be avoided when planning the landscape of your property. Below is a list of the top 10:

 

Rhododendron: Entire plant is toxic

 

 Apple: Seeds are toxic

 

 

Lily-of-the-Valley: Entire plant is toxic, especially the leaves

 

 

 

Tomato: Leaves and stems are toxic

 

 

 

Hydrangea: Entire plant is toxic, especially the flowers and buds

 

 

 

Rhubarb: Leaves are toxic

 

 

 

Oleander: Entire plant is toxic, including nectar and sap

 

 

 

Potato: Green portion above ground and the potato/root below are toxic

 

 

 

Mountain Laurel: Entire plant is toxic, especially the twigs and flowers

 

 

 

Grape: Fruit is toxic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Dogs’ View on Fireworks

Fourth of July is right around the corner, a great time for family and friends to get together and have some fun. Our dogs; however, do not share the same excitement we do. The sounds and smells associated with this holiday can bombard our pets’ senses. Most dog owners are aware that their dogs hate fireworks. The loud booms, the bright flashes, and the extreme odors will make even the bravest and loyal dog run for cover. What can we do as dog owners to help make sure we keep them safe and comfortable during the festivities? July 1^st is National ID your pet day. Make sure they have current and secure ID tags that contain name, address, telephone numbers, rabies tag, and microchip identification.  Microchips are invaluable if your dog does get lose, even if they slip their collar, the microchip can be scanned by any local SPCA or Veterinarian to help you reunite with them. July 5^th is the busiest day for most animal shelters. The number of lost pets increases by about 30% from July 4^th – July 6^th. Make sure you have emergency contact numbers handy such as the local SPCA, your Veterinarian, and poison control. None of us want our dogs to get lose, and there are steps we can take to help prevent that from happening. First and foremost, try to keep them inside and safe when the fireworks start. Do not take your dog to a firework display because you think they will enjoy the social gathering, they will not. A dog that is normally happy and content in their backyard will quickly show you their true colors and easily hop a fence or scurry under a gate when they get frightened. Even safely inside with their owners, their keen sense of hearing will make what we hear as a loud pop and crackle, sound like a bomb exploding. If your dog is crate trained, they already have a comfort zone, or den, where they can take cover when they feel scared. If you don’t have a crate, try to create a small comfort zone for them consisting of some comfortable blankets, a few of their favorite toys, and even a shirt or pair of sweatpants that smells like you. Like a child with their blanky, dogs find comfort in the things that are familiar to them. Best case scenario, we are able to stay home during the fireworks and keep our dogs entertained and distracted, but we all work hard and need time to go out and enjoy ourselves. If you do go out, you can help muffle the noise while you are gone by turning on a TV or radio before you leave. If you already know your dog is terrified of fireworks, reach out to your Vet prior to the holiday to discuss possible medications to help reduce their anxiety, but remember to never give your dog any medication before consulting with a professional. With a little time and forethought, we can all have a safe and festive 4^th of July.

Summer Heat Guide for Dogs

 

HELLO SUMMER!!! It’s that time of year when we all want to spend quality time with our dog, outside, in the sun. Nothing better than getting out and enjoying the warm weather with our 4 legged buddies. However, we do need to be careful and think ahead before playtime outside, especially playtime which involves a car ride to the park or down to the lake. Let’s start with the car. The inside of a car can be extremely dangerous and even deadly for a dog. I want to share a few facts that will give you an idea of how hot it can get inside of a car. Please keep in mind that cracking the windows in your car will not change how hot it can get. For example, I will use 90° F as a baseline for this evaluation, as for most places in the world, a temperature of 90° F for a summer day can be pretty common. Let’s see what happens to the inside of car at this temperature. Within a matter of 10 minutes, that seemingly safe temperature can rise almost 20° F, to nearly 110° F. After 20 minutes, the temperature has risen another 10° F to a deadly 120° F. At this point, even a quick stop at Walmart for a snack on your way to the dog park is enough to induce hyperthermia (heat stroke) in your dog. What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is caused when the core body temperature of a dog reaches 106° F. FYI, normally body temperature for a dog is around 101.5° F, so it does not take much of a change in temperature to introduce a very dangerous situation. In short, please do not ever leave your dog in the car when it’s hot outside. As a rule of thumb, if you would not leave a child in the car, don’t leave your dog. How can you tell if your dog is experiencing heat stroke? There are several quick and easy signs that they are in trouble. Panting with excessive drooling, reddening of the gums, fast and/or abnormal heart beat and respiration, wobbling and loss of coordination and possibly loss of consciousness are all telltale signs something is wrong. Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke than others, such as long, thick coat breeds, and short nosed, flat faced breeds. Please take extra caution with these breeds when heading out in the summer. There are several things you as a dog owner can do if you feel your dog may be suffering from heat stroke. First and foremost, get them to a Veterinarian as soon as possible. There are; however, things you can do immediately, and on your way to the Vet that may just save your dog’s life. Anybody’s first reaction when they hear heat stroke is to cool the dog down as quickly as possibly, but cooling the body too fast can be very dangerous and even deadly. You can safely lower their temperature by spraying them with cool water or immersing them in cool, not ice cold, water. You can also wrap them in cool, wet towels and use fans to aid in the cooling process. Be careful not to lower their temperature too rapidly or too far. Monitor their temperature during the cooling process using a rectal thermometer, and when the temperature drops below 103° F, remove all cooling mechanisms and allow the dogs body to naturally cool from there. Never force them to drink, but you can offer them cool water, never ice water, and allow them to drink if they are able. If you have access to isopropyl alcohol, you can help cool them by gently wiping the alcohol on the pads of their feet, their groin area, and under their forelegs. Most importantly, get them to a Veterinarian as soon as possible for evaluation and care, as they have many more options at their disposal for safely treating heat stroke, such as IV fluids, electric cooling mats, and monitoring. Also remember that leather seats, metal belt buckles, and handles get extremely hot in a car, so please make sure these surfaces are safely covered to prevent burns. Besides the heat produced in the car, just having your dog out for a walk on a hot, sunny day, can introduce some dangerous conditions. Black top and cement can get very hot when exposed to the sun during the peak days of summer. Again, assuming an outside temperature of around 90° F, black top can reach a whopping 160° F and cement around 150° F when exposed to the sun during the day. Imagine yourself walking barefoot on these surfaces. Point is, you wouldn’t. You would burn and blister the bottoms of your feet within 10 minutes, and the same is true for your dog. Always try to walk them in the shade and on soft grassy surfaces, or in the early morning, or after sunset. One last thing to be mindful of during and after your walk, is during the summer, grass and weeds can die and dry out making them very sharp and almost needle-like. Be mindful of where you are walking your dog and check their paws and pads for any scrapes, burns, and imbedded grass. After anytime outside, especially in the summer, be sure to check your dog thoroughly for ticks when you get home. Have fun, be safe, and most importantly, enjoy the time you spend outdoors with your dog. They will love you for it.