Microchipping Common Questions

Q: What is microchipping?  How do you do it?

​

A: Microchipping is a small chip that is implanted into an animal to track it.

A needle is used to place a little chip under the animal’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. That chip has a unique number on it that can be picked up and read by a scanner.

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Q: Is it painful to my pet?

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A: It hurts about as much as having blood drawn. It’s a large needle. There’s a pinch.

Q: How long does it take, and does it have to be done by a veterinarian?

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A: It takes the same amount of time it takes to give any injection. It takes seconds. It takes more time to do the paperwork than implant the microchip.

No, it doesn’t have to be done by a veterinarian, although it’s recommended a veterinarian do it.

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Q: Do all shelters scan for microchips when they find a pet?

A: All shelters should scan any pet that comes in for microchips and they should do so with a universal scanner. 

How to Add Years to Your Pet's Life

This is a great article!

Source: PetMD

PetMd

How to Add Years to Your Pet's Life

By Lorie Huston, DVM

  

Anyone who has ever had a dog or cat wishes just one thing — that he or she has a healthy and long life. Here are five tips that can help your pet do just that.

1. FEED A HIGH QUALITY DIET.

Pets fed a high quality diet have a shiny hair coat, healthy skin, and bright eyes. A good diet can help strengthen your pet’s immune system, help maintain his or her intestinal health, help increase his or her mental acuity, help keep joints and muscles healthy, and much more.

Read: 4 Reasons Life Stage Diets Will Help Improve Your Cat's Health

Read: The Importance of Life Stage Feeding

2. KEEP YOUR PET LEAN.

Pets that are overweight are at risk for a myriad of health issues. Obesity is the number one nutritional disease seen in pets currently and studies have shown that being overweight or obese can shorten a dog or cat’s life span by as much as two years. Why? Being overweight or obese puts your pet at risk for joint disease, heart disease and diabetes, among other things.

Read: How Obesity May Shorten Your Pet's Lifespan

3. TAKE YOUR PET TO THE VETERINARIAN REGULARLY.

All pets, including both dogs and cats, require regular veterinary care. However, veterinary care goes far beyond routine vaccinations, even though those are important. A routine examination by your veterinarian can uncover health issues of which you are unaware. In many cases, an early diagnosis improves the chances of successful treatment. Early diagnosis is also likely to be less costly for you than waiting until your pet’s illness has become advanced and serious before attempting treatment.

Read: The Importance of Veterinarians for Cats

Read: The Physical Exam: What to Expect at the Veterinarian's Office

4. KEEP YOUR PET’S MOUTH CLEAN.

A common problem among dogs and cats, dental disease and oral health issues can cause your pet pain, making it difficult for him or her to eat. If left untreated, oral health issues may even lead to heart and kidney disease. In addition to regular dental checkups, the most effective means of caring for your pet’s mouth at home is to brush his or her teeth at home. If your pet isn’t a big fan of toothbrushes there are other alternatives as well, including dental diets, treats, and toys. Ask your veterinarian for some recommendations.

Read: 10 Tips for Keeping Your Cat’s Teeth Clean

Read: Oral Hygiene and Your Dog's Health

5. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PET TO ROAM UNSUPERVISED.

Allowing your dog or cat to roam free may seem like you’re doing your pet a favor. However, pets that roam are susceptible to a number of dangers, including automobile accidents, predation, exposure to contagious diseases, exposure to poisons, and more. Additionally, allowing your pet to roam unsupervised may alienate your neighbors should your pet ever "relieve" him- or herself in their lawn or dig up their garden.

Let's talk weather!

Source: ASCPA

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws. To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s health, please heed the following advice from our experts:

• Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and in-between the toes. Remove any snow balls from between his foot pads.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim him to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry his skin, and don’t neglect the hair between his toes. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
• Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
• Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
• Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
• Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
• Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories, and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less dry.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

Source: ASCPA

Common Dog Diseases

At Thompson Vet, we really want to make sure you know your best defense against common #dog diseases. If you aren't aware, how can we prevent them? Together with the proper provider for your dog, you can keep on top of all vaccinations and updates on common illnesses and #dogdiseases.

Keep in mind, if you are in the Spingtown, TX area, we expect you to choose us! lol
Seriously, please call on us at anytime to make an appointment for your well checks for your pup.  Our new patient exams are on special for only $30 and you can not beat that price!

Recently we found a great website page on ASPCA website.  We would love to share some things about the most common diseases.


Source: ASPCA

As a dog parent, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of common illnesses so you can seek veterinary help for your canine friend as soon as possible. Read on for information about diseases and other medical inflictions that frequently impact dogs.

Cancer

Finding out that a loved one has cancer can be very scary and confusing. When that loved one is your dog, it’s important to keep in mind that different veterinarians might have different views on the best way to treat the disease. It’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion, perhaps from a veterinary oncologist, and carefully review your options.

Expand to read more

Diabetes

Diabetes in dogs is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. After a dog eats, his digestive system breaks food into various components, including glucose—which is carried into his cells by insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. When a dog does not produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels elevate. The result is hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, can cause many complicated health problems for a dog.

Expand to read more

Heartworm

Heartworm is a parasitic worm that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected animal. The worms travel through the bloodstream—harming arteries and vital organs as they go—ultimately completing their journey to the vessels of the lung and the heart chamber about six months after the initial infection. Several hundred worms can live in one dog for five to seven years.

Expand to read more

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a term loosely used to describe a complex of respiratory infections—both viral and bacterial—that causes inflammation of a dog’s voice box and windpipe. It’s a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in humans.

Expand to read more

Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce life-threatening illness.

Expand to read more

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that may affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats, dogs and humans. This preventable disease has been reported in every state except Hawaii. There’s good reason that the very word “rabies” evokes fear in people—once symptoms appear, rabies is close to 100% fatal.

Expand to read more

Ringworm

Although the name suggests otherwise, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm at all—but a fungus that can infect the skin, hair and nails. This highly contagious disease can lead to patchy areas of hair loss on a dog and can spread to other animals—and to humans, too.

Expand to read more

SOURCE: ASPCA

December is here!

Source

December

Month:

Cat Lover’s Month

Days

December 2: National Mutt Day (Round 2!)
December 4: National Cookie Day
December 5: International Volunteer Day
December 13: National Cocoa Day (the perfect day to cuddle up with a cup of hot cocoa!)
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day (Canada)
December 31: New Year’s Eve

Source: Life Learn

At Thompson Veterinary Clinic we believe that animal education is important. We research to find the best articles, and information there is for our patient's care givers. If you have any questions or comments about this blog, please call Autumn at SeeMeKC

If you have questions, concerns, or if you want to make an appointment call Dr. Thompson's office at:  (817) 404-9222

www.drthompsonvet.com

Dogs set to benefit from simple blood test to spot liver disease

Vets have developed a blood test that quickly spots early signs of liver disease in dogs, a study suggests.

Experts say that the test -- based on insights gained from human patients -- could help vets identify damage and start treatment early, saving the lives of many dogs.

The test -- which is to be launched worldwide -- means that fewer dogs will have to undergo invasive liver biopsies, findings by the University of Edinburgh suggest.

Diagnosing canine liver disease is challenging and catching early signs of damage is key to its treatment, vets say. Current diagnosis is based on biopsies, which are expensive and can lead to complications.

Vets based at the University's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies teamed up with medical doctors to look at blood levels of a molecule known as miR-122 in dogs. This molecule is found in high levels in people living with liver disease.

Source: Science Daily

At Thompson Veterinary Clinic we believe that animal education is important. We research to find the best articles, and information there is for our patient's care givers. If you have any questions or comments about this blog, please call Autumn at SeeMeKC

If you have questions, concerns, or if you want to make an appointment call Dr. Thompson's office at:  (817) 404-9222

www.drthompsonvet.com

Why Should You Adopt?

Why Should You Adopt?

Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life.

What is the difference between adopting a dog, adopting a cat, adopting a kitten or adopting a puppy versus getting dogs for sale, cats for sale, puppies for sale or kittens for sale from a dog breeder or a cat breeder?

When someone is breeding puppies or breeding kittens, they are creating new dogs and cats who need homes. Some people are interested in a very specific breed of dog, cat, puppy or kitten and they think the only way to find that specific breed is to buy a dog for sale or buy a cat for sale from a puppy breeder or a kitten breeder. Yet animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats who must find homes.

So rather than buying a dog or puppy for sale from a dog breeder or buying a cat or kitten for sale from a cat breeder, we encourage people to adopt a dog, adopt a cat, adopt a puppy or adopt a kitten at their local animal shelter, SPCA, humane society or pet rescue group.

Click here to see your local pet adoption options in Springtown, TX

Source

Keep Pets Safe in the Heat

How and where to cool animals down when temps soar.

The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for pets and people. It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results.

Read the full article from the Human Society

We can help you keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy and comfortable when the heat is on (and even if the power isn't).Previous

Next

Walking Your Cat

Take Your Cat on a Walk

Most people don't know you can actually train your cat to walk on a leash. Yep, you read that right. You can walk your cat. On a leash. Most cats like to be outdoors as being indoors constantly isn't natural for them. They aren't able to climb and hunt indoors like they would naturally do in the wild. And you can't just let your kitty run around outside because of the dangers of other animals, traffic, and poisons they can get into. There are several steps to take when trying to teach your cat to learn to walk on a leash. The first is knowing your cat. If you have an adult cat, it's going to be a little more difficult to train than a kitten would. If you know your cat would not EVER willingly let you put a harness on it or it freaks out when you try to take it outside, then don't even attempt to teach them to walk on a leash. It will just stress them, and you, out. No one needs unneeded stress. 

Training Your Cat 

1. Buy a harness, not a collar. Cats are like little magicians and get out of tiny spaces, including collars. You also don't want your cat to get spooked and dart up a tree and get choked by a collar or have the collar break. A harness is a much better option. It won't choke your kitty and it's harder for them to get out of.

2. Be patient and go SLOW. Cats are not dogs. They do what they want, when they want. If you're expecting Fluffy to sit and allow you to put a harness on her because Fido does, you have another thing coming! Fluffy will scratch, claw, run, hide, and hiss her disapproval with the situation. You can use treats and praise like you would your dog. Try training when your cat is hungry, and use treats as positive reinforcement. 

3. Get your cat used the harness and leash before going outdoors. If she puts a paw into it, give her a treat and praise her. As soon as you get the harness on, give her a treat and praise her. If she takes a step or two with the harness on, treat and praise. Continue this process until she's walking around with the harness on all over the house. If she just freezes and falls over or runs and hides, take the harness off and give a treat as a peace offering. Then start putting the harness near her food bowl so she can get used to it. Then try putting the harness on again after she has gotten used to the idea of it.  

4. Once she's used to walking around the house in her harness and leash, start by taking her outside just a little ways from the door. Again, patience and go slow. If you live in a busy area, lots of kids in the neighborhood or traffic, she may resist. Start with a few feet and try to go a couple more feet every time. You may need to coax her and let her know it's okay. Once she gets used to it and all the noises, she'll want to venture further. 

5. Don't let your kitty climb any trees and don't tie your cat to anything for even a second. If your cat gets spooked, it's too dangerous and she can get tangled up in the leash. 

6. Expect this to take a while. Depending on your cat, it can take a couple weeks to a few months. Expect some setbacks. It's not going to happen overnight. Just be patient with your kitty and in no time the two of you will be on lots of walks together!

Cats for People with Allergies

Cat Allergies 

Are you allergic to cats? Do you know that your allergy is actually from the dander (we talked about this in our blog on 5/18) and saliva. And get this, it can also be from proteins in the cat's urine. There's no cure for allergies to cats, but over time to can build up a tolerance to the allergens of your cat. 

Cats For People with Allergies

While anyone can build up a tolerance to any type of cat over time, there are some cat breeds that are better for allergies and easier to build a tolerance to. These breeds are better because they have less dander, shed less, and don't need to be groomed as often. The Russian Blue, Siberian, and Balinese produce less of the protein that allergy sufferers tend to be allergic to.

1. Sphynx

2. Siberian

3. Russian Blue

4. Devon Rex

5. Cornish Rex

6. Oriental

7. Balinese 

Hypoallergenic Pets?

What is a "Hypoallergenic" Pet?

Well, are you ready for the truth about hypoallergenic pets? They don't really exist. (unless you want a scaly or water loving pet) GASP!! We know, we know, the internet and everyone has been feeding you all this information about this breed and that and how they are hypoallergenic. Well, truth be told, they aren't but they are BETTER for people with allergies because they shed less and therefor have less dander. It's not really the hair that's the problem, it's the dander that is attached to it when the hair is shed.

What is dander?

Dander is the dead, dried flakes from your pet's skin and the proteins from their saliva that sticks to the flakes of skin. This is what people are allergic to. The dander sticks to the pet's hair and then the hair sticks to everything but the pet. And if your pet sheds a lot, then the more exposed to the proteins you are and the more allergy symptoms you're going to have. 

The Best Pets for People with Allergies

Portuguese Water Dog, Bichon Frise, Poodle, Devon Rex cat, Sphynx cat, Bedlington Terrier, Chinese Crested, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Labradoodle, Maltese, Schnauzers, Xoloitzcuintli, snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles, fish, and birds.

Ways to Help with Allergies

There are some things you can do to help your allergies if you have a pet. Brush them regularly, bathe the pet and their bedding once a week to help cut down on the dander, use a HEPA purifier and filters to reduce allergens, and as hard as it may be, don't sleep with your pet. You can also shampoo your carpet regularly, opt for hardwood floors (so the hair doesn't stick to the carpet), don't let your pet lick you (since the protein is in the saliva), get a smaller breed of dog (less dog, less dander), and vacuum the house and furniture often.

Homemade Dog Treat Recipe

Peanut Butter 

INGREDIENTS

•  2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Mix together your flour, peanut butter & eggs in a large bowl until slightly combined.
3. Add in a little bit of water (approximately one Tbsp at a time) until the mixture becomes wet enough to roll out as dough.
4. Roll out your dough & cut out your favorite shapes with some cookie cutters.*
5. Place your treats onto your baking sheet & cook for about 15 minutes. For a little bit of crunch I like to take mine out just as the bottoms start to darken.

Source

Pumpkin 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, or more, as needed

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat pumpkin puree, peanut butter and eggs on medium-high until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky.
3. Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
4. Place into oven and bake until the edges are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.*
5. Let cool completely.

Source

Frozen 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup peanut butter*
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, combine peanut butter and parsley; set aside.
2. Divide chicken broth evenly into a silicone ice cube tray, filling the tray halfway full. Place into freezer and freeze until set, about 1 hour.
3. Spoon peanut butter mixture into the tray, filling the tray full. Place into freezer and freeze until hard, at least 4 hours.

Source

Snake Bites and How to Protect Your Pet

Snakes 

Pets are curious creatures and like to explore.  They will find all of the little creatures that they think are fun to play with and sometimes that can lead to trouble for them.  One risk they find is dangerous creatures to bother that can bite or sting them.   One big risk in our area is snakes, especially copperheads and rattlesnakes. 

What does it do? 

The vaccine works by generating protective antibodies against the rattlesnake venom. It helps your dog by making them experience less pain and have a reduced risk of permanent injury from the bites.  It is important to know that while this helps your pet you need to still get your fur baby to the vet as soon as possible to be checked out.  

Respect Your Cat Day

Cats Demand Respect

It's Respect your Cat Day!  In honor of this fun pet holiday, we're bringing you 10 fun facts about cats!

1. Cats are the most popular pet in the US!
2. A group of cats is called a "clowder"
3. Cats sleep a LOT. 70% of their lives in fact.
4. Cats have 20 muscles controlling those cute little ears
5. Owning a cat can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by a third.
6. Adult cats only meow to communicate with humans
7. Many cats are lactose intolerant! (put that milk away!!)
8. The technical term for "hairball" is "bezoar."
9. Cats make more than 100 different sounds whereas dogs make around 10.
10. Cats and humans have nearly identical sections of the brain that control emotion

Who knew?! Well, now you do!