Insurance Against a Lost Pet… Why Microchipping Your Pet Matters
Ask any veterinary clinic, shelter, or pet supply store and they’ll tell you that on any given day, one or more lost pets are brought in. No matter our best intentions, pets do manage to slip out, and it only takes a few minutes for a pet to go missing.
That’s why microchipping is so important. Whether you have a kitten/puppy or you care for an adult pet, microchips play a crucial role in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
The Fantastic World of the Microchip
Microchips may seem super high tech, but in reality, they’re a basic, passive device that doesn’t even require batteries. Microchips are tiny radio transponders that work much like a credit card chip. They’re about the size of a grain of rice and emit a signal when a corresponding scanner is placed over them.
The microchip is enclosed in a biocompatible capsule that’s placed between the shoulder blades using a syringe. Many pet owners worry this procedure is painful, but it’s actually similar to receiving a vaccine. The microchip is permanent, and your pet will be associated with a unique ID number for the rest of their life.
Each microchip can be read by a scanner that detects its radio frequency, identifying the number assigned to your pet. Continue…
Does Veterinary Laser Therapy Work Like a Magic Wand?
Remaining on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine creates opportunities for us to treat pets in new and effective ways. We’re proud to offer new modalities to support pet health, especially when an animal is suffering. In the case of veterinary laser therapy, we can work together to treat your pet’s symptoms and offer relief from pain.
How to Prevent a Pet Poisoning
Responsible pet owners spend a lot of time and energy trying to keep their pets safe. Sometimes, however, a pet’s curiosity or boredom aligns with a rare opportunity, and before you know it, you’ve got a pet poisoning on your hands. Without a doubt, we bring lots of potentially dangerous items into our homes. Whether it’s plants, food, medications, or chemicals, your pet’s domain could be full of hazards.
Sneeze, Wheeze, Itch, Scratch: All About Allergies in Pets
Watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and other symptoms of allergies are something many of us have had to deal with, and even if we don’t personally deal with allergies, we know someone who does.
Pets can also suffer from seasonal, environmental, and food allergies, although the symptoms may manifest differently than they do in humans. Allergies in pets are not always easy to diagnose and treat, but there are several proactive things a pet owner can do to keep their furry friends comfortable.
Show off that Smile! Pet Dental Wellness
February is Pet Dental Awareness Month, and for good reason. Studies show that by the time dogs are 3 years old, 4 out of 5 have some form of periodontal disease. And, cats over the age of 5 have a 50-90% chance of having dental disease. With so many pets affected, it’s no wonder that pet dental wellness is one of our top priorities at Town and Country Animal Hospital.
We’d like to share with you how a pet dental wellness program can work to keep your pet healthier and happier.
New Beginnings: Town & Country Animal Hospital’s Top 5 Blogs of 2017
The start of a new year brings with it the opportunity to reflect on ways we can improve our lives. Getting more exercise and sleep, eating better, and spending more time with loved ones tops the list for many of us. When it comes to our pets, there are probably tweaks and adjustments that can be made to make their quality of life even better, and that’s where we come in!
Town & Country Animal Hospital’s monthly pet care blog aims to provide you with useful and practical information in all areas of pet care, from parasite prevention to holiday pet safety. We hope you’ve enjoyed our topics so far and that you’ll continue to use it in the future!
With that in mind, we’ve compiled the top 5 most popular blogs from the past year. Enjoy!
The River Welker Fund and Other Ways To Help Animals In Need
As we prepare to gather with friends and family during this special time of year, thoughts inevitably turn to those less fortunate. For animal lovers, the plight of marginalized animals in our community is never far from our minds, and many of us are seeking ways to help animals in need this holiday season.
Providing for less fortunate animals is a passion of ours at Town and Country Animal Hospital, and we want to empower our clients to help out in any way they can. Learn about our pet charity, The River Welker Fund, as well as other opportunities that you can be of service to needy pets in our community and beyond.
Pet Safety Tips for a Happy Halloween
Bags of candy, jack o’ lanterns, your scariest costume, and…pet safety? Is pet safety on your to-do list this Halloween? It definitely should be. While the season of witches and ghouls is right around the corner, toxic treats and other risks to pets can soon follow without the right precautions.
Halloween is a great time for kids of all ages. Tricks and treats abound! To take the spooky out of the season, Town and Country Animal Hospital wants to help you create the best time for your fur friend (without all the scares).
Tips on Treats
There’s nothing like chocolate bars and candies to cast a delightful spell over most of us. Unfortunately, these tasty bags of sweet treats will likely intrigue our pets. Items such as chocolate, Xylitol (a sugar substitute found in sugar-free candies), macadamia nuts, raisins, and grapes all prove to be highly toxic for animals.
A Real Risk: What You Need To Know About Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonotic diseases are those that can be passed between humans and animals. With over half of U.S. homes containing at least one pet, it’s more important than ever to understand how you can protect your family, both two-legged and four, from zoonotic diseases.
What You Should Know About Feline Vaccinations
We’re fortunate to live in an era when disease prevention for cats has become a normal way of life. Although feline vaccinations have long been considered one of the easiest and most effective ways to extend the lives of our precious kitties, many owners (understandably) have some questions and concerns.
A Vaccine Primer
Vaccines are designed to help the immune system fight off disease-causing organisms it may come into contact with in the future. Vaccines contain antigens, which are similar enough in structure to a disease-causing virus or bacteria to mildly stimulate the immune system without actually causing the disease. If a cat ever comes into contact with the disease in the future, his or her immune system will be prepared to defend against it.