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Category: Tips

June 3, 2019

June Is National Microchipping Month

For any pet owner, the fear of losing your pet is a real fear. But thankfully, there is technology that can help ease that fear: microchipping. June is National Microchipping Month. Studies have shown that there are more lost pets during the month of June. My guess is that this would be because we are spending more time outdoors so our pets are too. Of course, your DogWatch fence keeps your pets contained when you’re home, and we have several training products, like the SideWalker, that can aid in keeping your pet from wandering away. But what if it does happen? Is your pet prepared?

What is Microchipping?

Microchipping can be a huge help if your pet does get lost. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains contact information (which you will need to keep updated in case your contact information changes). Once a lost pet has been taken to a vet office or animal shelter, they are scanned for a chip. If a chip is found, the owner is contacted per the contact information on the chip. This can help ensure a safe return to the pets’ owner.

How is a Microchip Inserted?

The microchip is inserted under the skin with a needle and is usually placed between the shoulder blades.

What Information is available through the microchip?

The microchip only contains identification numbers. The only thing the information will be used for is to track you down in the event that your pet is found.

You can check with your vet on pricing, but microchipping is usually pretty inexpensive and some offices may offer specials throughout the year.

May 25, 2019

Pet Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. It’s important to know how common it is, what to look for, and how to proceed if you think your pet may have cancer. Cancer in pets is more common than one might think, and with advances in veterinary medicine, treatment and survival is more possible than ever before.

One in four dogs will develop neoplasia, an abnormal growth of cells and almost half of dogs over 10 will develop cancer. There are limited known facts regarding cancer in cats.

Cancer in a pet is diagnosed much like in humans. Many times, it is found through a physical exam or bloodwork. From there a sample of cells or a biopsy is performed to confirm diagnosis and can help determine if a tumor cancerous or not. If the biopsy does show cancer, further biopsies may be performed to determine how much it has spread.

Also, much like human diagnosis and testing, CT scans and PET scans are performed to give the veterinarian a better idea of the location and treatment options.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, possible signs of neoplasia includes the following:

  • Abdominal swelling
  • Bleeding from the mouth, nose or other body openings
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty eating
  • Lumps, bumps or discolored skin
  • Non-healing wounds
  • Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
  • Sudden changes in weight
  • Unexplained swelling, heat, pain or lameness
  • Visible mass/tumor

Although these symptoms do not always mean a tumor or cancer, they should receive prompt veterinary care. Early diagnosis is key to treating and beating cancer in pets.

Many of the treatments for cancer in pets is just the same as humans including surgery, freezing, chemo, radiation, and many others. There’s no clear-cut treatment for cancer in general. Treatment will be tailored to the type and stage that your pet is in.

The key to a good outcome is early detection and treatment. If your pet is exhibiting any of the symptoms above, please see medical advice for them as soon as possible. You can learn more by visiting the link below.

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cancer-in-Pets.aspx

 

April 17, 2019

Heartworms: What do I need to know to protect my pet?

April is Heartworm Awareness Month. Many people don’t do any type of heartworm prevention, and it is so important for your pet’s overall health.

How Heartworms Affect Cats and Dogs Differently

According to the National Heartworm Society, dogs are natural hosts for heartworms. This means that in dogs, heartworms can mature into adults, mate, and reproduce. If left untreated, this can be fatal for your dog. A dog can harbor several hundred worms in its body and if they don’t die, can have severe, long term damage to their organs. Prevention of heartworms is the key to keeping your dog healthy and heartworm free.

Cats are an atypical host for heartworms. Because of this, most worms do not have a chance to mature into adulthood, and if cats do have adult worms, there are typically only one to three worms. Often times, cats’ heartworms go undiagnosed.

Spreading From One Pet to Another

It’s important to treat all of your pets for heartworms, as they easily spread from one to another. Heartworms are spread through mosquitos. Adult female worms produce small worms that are present in the blood stream. When a mosquito bites an infected pet, they carry these small worms to their next host.

Symptoms of Heartworms

Symptoms of heartworms are different in dogs than cats.

Many dogs don’t show any symptoms in the early stages. As the heartworms mature, symptoms become more severe and include the following:

  • Persistent cough
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Heart failure
  • And many other severe symptoms

Symptoms in cats include the following:

  • Coughing
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Fainting and seizures

Being in the south, our pets are much more at risk for heartworms than other parts of the nation, although anyone can be affected by them.

How Do They Test For Heartworms?

If you want to have your pet tested but don’t know where to start, contact your veterinarian and make an appointment for a test. If you don’t have a veterinarian, we have several local vets that we can recommend to you. Once there, they will take a small blood sample. If the test is positive for heartworms, there may be other tests ordered.

Dogs and cats should be tested for heart worms annually since many times there are no symptoms until the disease is progressed. Once a diagnosis is made, there are many lifestyles changes for your pet in order to prolong their lives and hopefully cure them of the disease.

How Can I Prevent Heartworms?

The first step to preventing heartworms is to test your pet. If the test comes back negative, preventative measures can be taken. Your primary veterinary clinic can prescribe what best fits your lifestyle and your budget. Some heartworm preventative options may be combined with other medicines such as flea and tick medicines, whereas some  are intended for heartworm prevention only.

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