Keep Your Pets Safe, Happy and Healthy

Your dogs and cats are members of your family, and you want to protect them and be prepared if an emergency arises.

Owner Education

Pet Emergency
What Constitutes a Pet Emergency - How do you know when an unusual symptoms mean a trip to the emergency room for your pet?

Difficulty breathing
Constant cough
Collapse
Seizures
Pale gums
Abnormal behavior
Toxin ingestion
Allergic reaction
Hit by car
Broken bones/open wounds
Bite wounds
Bloody diarrhea
Bloated abdomen
Heat stroke
Sudden blindness
Electrocution
Extreme pain
Fall from height/high rise
Inability to use hind limbs
External bleeding
Intractable retching/vomiting
Straining or bloody urine
Difficulty giving birth
Weak, lethargic puppy/kitten
Squinting, tearing, or red eyes
Complication of chronic disease

Protect Your Pet from Household Hazards - Some plants and foods are dangerous to cats and dogs. Check this list to keep them safe. To protect your pet, we recommend that you follow these simple guidelines:
Always follow instructions on the label of prescription medications.
Never give your pet any of your prescription or over-the-counter medications unless explicitly instructed to do so by a veterinarian.
Keep common household cleaning products safely stored away from pet access.
Prevent access to the garbage by keeping a tight lid on all cans or store out of reach of your pets.
Only have your home treated with chemicals that are nontoxic to pets.
Seek emergency care if your pet has ingested a toxin. At the Veterinary Medical Center, we have veterinarians on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Common Pet Toxins
When your pet ingests a toxin, time can be of the essence. Immediately contacting the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline (1-888-426-4435) will give you and your veterinarian potentially life-saving information regarding the treatment of your loved one.

Which are Common Pet Toxins:
Human medications:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications (Advil, Aleve)
Antidepressants
Hormone replacement products
Veterinary products
Overdose of prescription medications
Dog flea products (pyrethrin) on cats

Plants:
Azalea
Lilies
Chrysanthemum
Tulip bulbs
Oleander
Marijuana

Foods
Chocolate (dark chocolate more harmful than milk chocolate)
Grapes and raisins
Garlic, onions, and chives
Bread dough
Sugar-free products containing xylitol

Miscellaneous
Rat/mouse poison
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
Pennies (zinc)
Household cleaning products

You can add emergency contact details for friends of family so we can contact them if you're not around Petlog Premium sends out lost pet alerts within a 30 mile radius of where your pet went missing to animal professionals who have signed up to receive this service Petlog Premium means you're in control, being able to manage your pet's record online at any time via your own dedicated homepage This is all for a one-off fee of £15 per pet for the lifetime of the pet whilst in your ownership. If you are on Petlog Premium contact Petlog as soon as your pet strays so we can send out the alert for you and make sure that all your details are correct.

Summer Safety for Your Pets - When outdoor temperatures rise, be sure to protect your animals from the heat! Protection from the heat:
Some breeds of dogs are more sensitive to the heat than others. These breeds include brachycephalic or “smooshed face” breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Pekingese. Regardless of breed, the following tips are recommended to protect your pet from the heat.
Reserve long walks and play to early morning and evening hours.
Never leave your pet unattended in a closed space or car, even with the windows cracked. Cars quickly exceed temperatures of 110°F!
Always make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh water.
Recognizing signs of heat intolerance are vital to prevent heat related injury. These signs may include:
Respiratory Distress - Difficulty breathing/ excessive panting, loud breathing noise, purple-blue gums
Weakness or collapse
Vomiting and diarrhea
If your pet is experiencing a heat related injury, rapid intervention prior to seeking veterinary medical attention can be life saving.
Move your pet into a cool environment.
Take their temperature at the start and throughout active cooling measures.
Bathe or hose down with cool, not cold, water. Stop active cooling measures at a temperature of 103°F.
Provide access to cool drinking water.
Opening your window on a nice summer day can result in devastating consequences if your cat or dog were to fall.
ALWAYS make sure your windows are outfitted with screens.

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership - The relationship between a pet and his/her owner is mutually benefical, and science is starting to prove it.
Humans are naturally drawn to companionship, which is one of the many reasons why a large number of people want to own pets. Pets require a lot of care – almost as much as a child – and humans are happy to provide it. This is because the relationship between a pet and his or her owner is mutually beneficial, and science has started to prove it. According to the WALTHAM pocket book of human-animal interactions, owning a pet can have positive effects on one’s overall mental and physical wellbeing. WALTHAM has been an authority of scientific research of the nutrition and health of pets for more than 50 years. Anthrozoology, the study of the interaction between humans and other animals, has been growing over the last 35 years. Controlled research in this discipline has proved that owning a pet can:

Buffer stress
Lower heart rate
Lower blood pressure
Give social support
Help you stay in shape
Prevent certain sicknesses

This is possible in part because pets provide their owner with comfort, love and humor, all of which have health benefits. In addition, pets demand their owners stay active by requiring walks, attention, play time, baths, and overall care. Studies have shown that pets are similarly beneficial for children, if the right precautions are taken. When a child has a good relationship with their pet, the animal will encourage:

Cognitive stimulation
Improved behavior in children
Heightened understanding of others
Increased immunity
Lower anxiety levels

Humans have clearly adopted and loved their pets throughout time, but these are a few more reasons why adding a companion animal to your family could be a valuable decision. The advantages that pets bring to your life are just another reason to love them as much as you already do!

The goal of surgery is to return your pet to pain-free, mechanically sound, normal hip function. Generally, dogs are found to be more comfortable and have an improved quality of life. Many owners report that their pet can do things they have not done since they were a puppy. Increase in muscle mass, improved hip motion, and increased activity levels have been observed in most patients. Working dogs have returned to full activity. Some mean dogs have even developed a pleasant personality when the pain was eliminated from their hip(s). We have found that 95% of the hips that have been replace by surgeons at OSU return to normal function or near normal function. More than 95% of owners feel that their dog's quality of life is improved or markedly improved.

Assembling an Emergency Kit for your Pets
Information About Your Pet:
Records of pertinent medical and surgical history
Vaccination history
Heartworm status (dogs), FeLV/FIV status (cats)
Current medications, doses, and dosing frequency

Information About Your Vet:
- Veterinarian contact information
Local emergency clinic numbers and locations

Medications:
Several days supply of chronic medications (Remember to check expiration dates)

First Aid Supplies:
Blanket
Exam gloves
Thermometer
KY Jelly
Muzzle
Tweezers
Toenail trimmers, Quick Stop / silver nitrate sticks
Scissors (blunt and sharp tipped)
Syringes without needles
Antiseptic solution/wipes
Rubbing alcohol
3% Hydrogen peroxide
Bandage material
Adhesive tape
Cotton balls/swabs

Microchipping of Animals FAQ

Q: What is a microchip?
A: A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also called a transponder.

Q: How is a microchip implanted into an animal? Is it painful? Does it require surgery or anesthesia?
A: It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection. No surgery or anesthesia is required—a microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. If your pet is already under anesthesia for a procedure, such as neutering or spaying, the microchip can often be implanted while they're still under anesthesia.

Q: What kind of information is contained in the microchip? Is there a tracking device in it? Will it store my pet's medical information?
A: The microchips presently used in pets only contain identification numbers. No, the microchip is not a GPS device and cannot track your animal if it gets lost. Although the present technology microchip itself does not contain your pet's medical information, some microchip registration databases will allow you to store that information in the database for quick reference.

Some microchips used in research laboratories and for microchipping some livestock and horses also transmit information about the animal's body temperature.

Q: What do they mean by "microchip frequency?"
A: The frequency of a microchip actually refers to the frequency of the radiowave given off by the scanner that activates and reads the microchip. Examples of microchip frequencies used in the U.S. include 125 kiloHertz (kHz), 128 kHz, and 134.2 kHz.

Q: I've heard about something called "ISO standard." What does that mean?
A: The International Standards Organization, or ISO, has approved and recommended a global standard for microchips. The global standard is intended to create an identification system that is consistent worldwide. For example, if a dog was implanted with an ISO standard microchip in the U.S. travels to Europe with its owners and becomes lost, the ISO standard scanners in Europe would be able to read the dog's microchip. If the dog was implanted with a non-ISO microchip and the ISO scanner was not forward- and backward-reading (universal), the dog's microchip might not be detected or be read by the scanner.

The ISO standard frequency is 134.2 kHz.

Q: What are universal (forward- and backward-reading) scanners? How do they differ from other scanners?
A: Forward-reading scanners only detect 134.2 kHz (ISO standard) microchips, but will not detect 125 kHz or 128 kHz (non-ISO standard) microchips. Universal scanners, also called forward- and backward-reading scanners, detect all microchip frequencies. The main advantage of universal scanners is the improved chances of detecting and reading a microchip, regardless of the frequency. It also eliminates the need for multiple scanners with multiple frequencies.

Q: How does a microchip help reunite a lost animal with its owner?
A: When an animal is found and taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic, one of the first things they do is scan the animal for a microchip. If they find a microchip, and if the microchip registry has accurate information, they can quickly find the animal's owner.

Q: Will a microchip really make it more likely for me to get my pet back if it is lost?
A: Definitely! A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al, JAVMA, July 15, 2009) For microchipped animals that weren't returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don't forget to register and keep your information updated.

Q: Does a microchip replace identification tags and rabies tags?
A: Absolutely not. Microchips are great for permanent identification that is tamper-proof, but nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date identification tags. If a pet is wearing a collar with tags when it's lost, it's often a very quick process to read the tag and contact the owner; however, the information on the tags needs to be accurate and up-to-date. But if a pet is not wearing a collar and tags, or if the collar is lost or removed, then the presence of a microchip might be the only way the pet's owner can be found.
Your pet's rabies tag should always be on its collar, so people can quickly see that your pet has been vaccinated for this deadly disease. Rabies tag numbers also allow tracing of animals and identification of a lost animal's owner, but it can be hard to have a rabies number traced after veterinary clinics or county offices are closed for the day. The microchip databases are online or telephone-accessed databases, and are available 24/7/365.

Q: I just adopted a pet from the animal shelter. Is it microchipped? How can I find out?
A: If the shelter scanned the animal, they should be able to tell you if it is microchipped. Some shelters implant microchips into every animal they adopt out, so check with the shelter and find out your new pet's microchip number so you can get it registered in your name.
Most veterinary clinics have microchip scanners, and your veterinarian can scan your new pet for a microchip when you take your new pet for its veterinary checkup. Microchips show up on radiographs (x-rays), so that's another way to look for one.

Q: Why should I have my animals microchipped?
A: The best reason to have your animals microchipped is the improved chance that you'll get your animal back if it becomes lost or stolen.

Q: I want to get my animal(s) microchipped. Where do I go?
A: To your veterinarian, of course! Most veterinary clinics keep microchips on hand; so, it is likely that your pet can be implanted with a microchip the same day as your appointment. Sometimes local shelters or businesses will host a microchipping event, too.

Q: Why can't I just buy the microchip and implant it myself?
A: It looks like a simple-enough procedure to implant a microchip – after all, it's just like giving an injection, right? Well, yes and no. Although it looks like a simple injection, it is very important that the microchip is implanted properly. Using too much force, placing the needle too deeply, or placing it in the wrong location can not only make it difficult to detect or read the microchip in the future, but it can also cause life-threatening problems. Microchips should really be implanted under supervision by a veterinarian, because veterinarians know where the microchips should be placed, know how to place them, and know how to recognize the signs of a problem and treat one if it occurs.

Q: Once the microchip has been implanted, what do I do? Is there any sort of maintenance needed?
A: There really is no maintenance required for microchips themselves, although you do need to register the microchip and keep your contact information up-to-date in the microchip registration database. If you notice any abnormalities at the site where the microchip was implanted, such as drainage (oozing) or swelling, contact your veterinarian. Ideally, the microchip should be scanned during your animal's regular wellness/preventive care exams to make sure that it's still in place and working as it should.

Q: I heard about a dog that was euthanized by a shelter because his microchip wasn't detected by the shelter's scanner. How can I know that won't happen to my pet?
A: Unfortunately, there have been instances where a pet's microchip was not detected by the animal shelter's scanner, and the pet was euthanized after the usual holding period because they could not locate its owner. Although these are heartbreaking circumstances, the good news is that this is now unlikely to happen because of the availability of universal (forward-and-backward reading) scanners.
Although the presence of a microchip is not a 100% guarantee that you will get your pet back if it's lost or stolen, it does dramatically increase the chances you will be reunited with your pet...as long as you keep the registration information up to date.

Q: Why are microchips sometimes not found?
A: As with almost anything, it's not a foolproof system. Although it's very rare, microchips can fail and become unable to be detected by a scanner. Problems with the scanners are also not common, but can occur. Human error, such as improper scanning technique or incomplete scanning of an animal, can also lead to failure to detect a microchip.
Some of the animal-related factors that can make it difficult to detect a microchip include the following: animals that won't stay still or struggle too much while being scanned; the presence of long, matted hair at or near the microchip implantation site; excessive fat deposits in the region of implantation; and a metal collar (or a collar with a lot of metal on it). All of these can interfere with the scanning and detection of the microchip.

See our literature review for guidelines on scanning procedures to reduce the chances of missing a microchip.

Q: My pet has two different frequency microchips implanted. Do I need to have one removed? Will they interfere with each other? Which microchip will be detected by the scanner?
A: No, you do not need to have one of the microchips removed and no, they will not interfere with each other. The microchip detected by the scanner will depend on the scanner used – if it is a universal (forward- and backward-reading) scanner, it will probably detect each chip as it is passed over it. To detect the other chip, the scanner has to be reset and passed over the area where it is located. If it is a scanner that only reads one microchip frequency, it will only detect a microchip of that specific frequency and will not detect or read the other microchip.
If you know your pet has more than one microchip implanted, make sure you keep the database information updated for each microchip. People don't routinely assume there's more than one microchip (because it is very uncommon), so they will try to find the owner based on the registry number of the microchip they detect.

Q: My pet has a non-ISO standard, 125 kHz microchip implanted, and I want to have it implanted with an ISO standard, 134 kHz microchip. Can I do that?
A: Sure you can. Both chips will function normally. If your pet is scanned with a scanner that only reads 125 kHz chips, only the 125 kHz chip will be detected. If your pet is scanned with a universal (forward- and backward-reading) scanner, it could detect one or both chips separately (see the question above this one for more information).

Q: I'm relocating to a country that requires ISO chips, and my pet does not have an ISO chip or doesn't have a microchip at all. What do I need to do?
A: Your pet will need to be implanted with an ISO microchip before it will be allowed into that country. But that's not the only thing you need to know: countries differ widely on their importation rules, including different regulations about required vaccinations and quarantine periods once the animal enters that country. If you do some research and preparation, your pet's relocation can go smoothly. Contact the country of origin to determine their requirements regarding microchips as well as vaccinations, certificates, etc. Alternatively, you can contact an experienced animal shipper who is well-versed in the processes and regulations affecting animal shipment.

Q: I'm relocating to a country that requires ISO chips, and my pet has an ISO chip. What do I need to do?
A: In general, your pet won't need another microchip to be allowed into that country; however, you should check on the destination country's animal importation regulations as you plan your relocation. That's not the only thing you need to know: countries differ widely on their importation rules, including different regulations about required vaccinations and quarantine periods once the animal enters that country. If you do some research and preparation, your pet's relocation can go smoothly. Contact the country of origin to determine their requirements regarding microchips as well as vaccinations, certificates, etc. Alternatively, you can contact an experienced animal shipper who is well-versed in the processes and regulations affecting animal shipment.

Q: Why isn't it a requirement that all shelters and veterinary clinics use the same microchips and readers? Or, if there are different frequencies of microchips and each requires a separate scanner, why aren't they required to have one of each scanner so microchips are never missed?
A: There is no federal or state regulation of microchip standards in the U.S., and different manufacturers are able to produce and patent different microchip technologies with different frequencies. Because of market competition, animal shelters and veterinary clinics are able to choose from several microchip manufacturers and scanners. Microchip scanners are relatively expensive, and it is often cost prohibitive keep one or more of each type of microchip scanner.
This problem can be solved by the use of universal microchip scanners, which are readily available. The use of ISO standard microchips would be a good step in developing a consistent microchipping system in the U.S.

Q: When I have my pet microchipped, is there one central database that registers the information and makes it available to animal shelters and veterinary clinics in case my pet is lost or stolen?

A: At this time, there is not a central database in the U.S. for registering microchips; each manufacturer maintains its own database (or has it managed by someone else). Because the ISO standards for identification codes have not been adopted in the U.S., the microchips must be registered with their individual registries.
Fortunately, microchip scanners display the name of the microchip's manufacturer when the microchip is read. Therefore, the likelihood that an animal cannot be identified from its microchip number is very low—that is, unless your pet's microchip has not been registered or the information is not accurate.
In 2009, the American Animal Hospital Association launched their Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool (www.petmicrochiplookup.org), which provides a listing of the manufacturer with which the microchip's code is associated as well as if the chip information is found in participating registries. The database does not provide owner information for the microchip – the user must contact the manufacturer/database associated with that microchip.
A number of free microchip databases have been launched over the past few years, but many of these databases are not tied directly to the manufacturers' databases. Fortunately, some of these databases are integrated into the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. Any database with which you register your pet's microchip needs to be regularly updated, and the critical database to keep up-to-date is the one maintained by the microchip manufacturer.

Q: What are some of the problems associated with microchips? How common are they?
A: The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) maintains a database of adverse reactions to microchips. Since the database was started in 1996, over 4 million animals have been microchipped and only 391 adverse reactions have been reported. Of these reactions, migration of the microchip from its original implantation site is the most common problem reported. Other problems, such as failure of the microchip, hair loss, infection, swelling, and tumor formation, were reported in much lower numbers. For a chart summarizing the BSAVA reports, read the AVMA's literature review on Microchipping of Animals.

Q: I've heard lately that microchips cause cancer. Do they?
A: There have been reports that mice and rats developed cancer associated with implanted microchips. However, the majority of these mice and rats were being used for cancer studies when the tumors were found, and the rat and mice strains used in the studies are known to be more likely to develop cancer. Tumors associated with microchips in two dogs and two cats have been reported, but in at least one dog and one cat the tumor could not be directly linked to the microchip itself (and may have been caused by something else). For more details on the studies, read the AVMA's literature review on Microchipping of Animals.

Q: I don't want my pet to get cancer. Should I have my pet's microchip removed?
A: We do not recommend that you have your pet's microchip removed, for two reasons. First, based on our review of the studies, the risk that your animal will develop cancer due to its microchip is very, very low, and is far outweighed by the improved likelihood that you will get your animal back if it becomes lost. Second, although implanting a microchip is a very simple and quick procedure, removing one is more involved and may require general anesthesia and surgery.

Q: Do the benefits of microchipping outweigh the risks? I know that you said I have a better chance of being reunited with my lost or stolen pet if it is microchipped, but I'm worried there is still a chance that the veterinary clinic or shelter won't be able to read the chip or my pet will have a reaction.
A: The benefits of microchipping animals definitely outweigh the risks. Although we can't guarantee that a shelter or veterinary clinic will always be able to read every microchip, the risk that this will happen is very low, and getting even lower. Animal shelters and veterinary clinics are very aware of the concerns about missing an implanted microchip, and take extra measures to determine if a microchip is present before a decision is made to euthanize or adopt out the animal. Universal scanners are becoming more available, and solve the challenge of detecting different microchip frequencies.

Q: What should I do to "maintain" my pet's microchip?
A: Once your pet is microchipped, there are only three things you need to do:
1) make sure the microchip is registered
2) ask your veterinarian to scan your pet's microchip at least once per year to make sure the microchip is still functioning and can be detected
3) keep your registration information up-to-date.

If you've moved, or if any of your information (especially your phone number) has changed, make sure you update your microchip registration in the manufacturer's database as soon as possible.
To remind pet owners to check and update their information, AAHA and the AVMA have established August 15 as "Check the Chip Day." Take a few minutes to check your information and update it if necessary, and you can rest easy that you've improved your chances of getting your pet back if it's lost or stolen.