Nibbles and Bits - May/June 2006

Microchips for pets
According to Home Again Pet Recovery Systems, on average, one in three pets will get lost. Sure we are all reminded to keep collars and tags on our pets. But sometimes, our pets slip those collars, sneak out a partially opened door or just plain “go out for a run.” If your pet gets found by the local dog warden or Good Samaritan, how will they know who this pet belongs to? That is where microchips come in. They are tiny little chips - about the size of a grain of rice - that are inserted under the skin of your pet usually between the shoulder blades. They cause no discomfort and cannot be felt by your touch. These chips are coded with identification numbers specific to your pet. There is a national registry for the microchip numbers. Most vet hospitals as well as animal shelters now have the capability to read these chips to identify the pet and reunite them their family.

April is Lyme Disease Prevention Month
Although April will come and go it is never too late to prevent Lyme disease. Please ask us about Lyme disease vaccination. It is an easy way to help prevent the devastating effects of this disease. Another way to prevent Lyme disease is to treat your pet regularly with products such as Frontline and Advantage Plus. But we all forget sometimes, and it only takes that one well-timed tick bite from those hard-to-see ticks to give your pet Lyme’s. There are certain symptoms that may indicate that your dog has Lyme disease. According to the Lyme Disease Foundation, the following signs may be:

• Shifting leg lameness
• Fever
• Swollen joints
• Muscle soreness
• Lethargy
• Seizures
• Renal failure

If you suspect Lyme disease, please call our office for an examination and test. We can run a screening test right in the office.

Storm Phobia
We have all seen it. The thunder is barely audible to our ears, and yet our dogs are cowering under anything that will hide them. Storm phobia is very real to our pets. Some dogs have been known to rip apart doors and window screens trying to escape the storm. Others sit and shiver so uncontrollably you feel as if they are going to shake their skin off. How do we help them cope with this out of our control fear? Please call our office for possible remedies to help calm your pet.