Bring Your Lost Pet Home

This pet is being scanned for a microchip.

The warmer weather seems to bring an increase in lost pet postings around town or on social media. Whether scared away by loud noises like firecrackers or thunderstorms, slipping out a door that was accidentally left open, or getting past an invisible fence, losing your pet can happen. Sadly, one in three pets will go missing from home during their lifetimes. Without correct identification, 90% of missing pets never return home. Getting lost is the primary cause of death for pets.

When a lost pet, without an ID tag, arrives at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, it is scanned for a microchip. The microchip is linked to a registry with owner contact information. If the registry information is up-to-date, the pet will be reunited with the family. One study showed:
•    Over 50% of microchipped dogs were returned home; only 22% without a microchip were reunited
•    Nearly 40% of microchipped cats were returned home; less than 2% without a microchip were reunited

How does a microchip work?
Unlike a collar and tag which can come off your pet, a microchip is permanent identification. A microchip—slightly larger than a grain of rice—is inserted under your pet’s skin usually in the shoulder area. The unique microchip number and owner information are entered into a registry. Properly administered, the microchip should remain in place and not cause discomfort after the injection. 

The most important step is having the microchip registered. It's important to remember, a microchip is not a GPS tracking device but a link to a database with contact information. Many animal hospitals will offer registering the microchip and information as part of the procedure. If not, the owner is responsible for making sure the contact information is registered. Without the correct contact information, the microchip is not useful in reuniting a lost pet with family. Once a profile is created, you should upload a photo, add alternative contact information and note any special medical information like diabetes or seizures. Many registries offer membership benefits and services such as alerts, the ability to create flyers and poster for distribution, a medical hotline and travel assistance for found pets, in the event your pet is lost.  

“We do see a high percentage of pets that are microchipped with incomplete or outdated information in the registry,” said Carol Hinckley, shelter manager for the Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska.

Doylestown Veterinary Hospital recommends and administers the HomeAgain microchip with national registry program. The procedure is done using safe, effective sedation for pain management during injection and optimal placement of the microchip to ensure it doesn’t move or come out, which is rare but possible.

Microchipping clinics do offer a free or discounted on-the-spot procedure but pain control may not be available. The needle used to administer the microchip is more than twice as thick as a needle used for vaccinations or to draw blood which can cause discomfort to your pet. The staff at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital, an AAHA-accredited animal hospital, want your pet (and you!) to be comfortable with having the microchip administered, and automatic registration in the national HomeAgain registry is included.

For more information about checking your microchip registry information or scheduling an appointment to have your pet microchipped, please call Doylestown Veterinary Hospital at 215-345-6000.

Lost Pets Reunited with Properly Registered Microchips

 

WOULD YOUR PET BE PROTECTED IF IT WAS LOST? HOLIDAY HOUSE PET RESORT & DOYLESTOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL TO HOST “CHECK THE CHIP” EVENT ON AUGUST 15, 2014

Lost Pets Reunited with Properly Registered Microchips

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., July 23, 2014—The warmer weather seems to bring an increase in lost pet postings around town or on social media. Whether scared away by loud noises like thunder and firecrackers, slipping out a door that was accidentally left open, or getting past an invisible fence, losing a pet can happen. Sadly, one in three pets will go missing from home during their lifetimes. Without correct identification, 90% of missing pets never return home. Getting lost is the primary cause of death for pets.

As a way to remind pet owners to have their pet’s microchipped and to keep the registration information up-to-date, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created National Check the Chip Day. Doylestown Veterinary Hospital & Holiday House Pet Resort will host a free Check the Chip event on Friday, August 15, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the resort on 380 N. Shady Retreat Road, Doylestown.

When a lost pet arrives at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, it is scanned for a microchip. The microchip is linked to a registry with contact information. It’s important to understand that a microchip is permanent identification but not a GPS device to track a lost pet. If the registry information is up-to-date, the pet will be reunited with the family. One study showed:

• Over 50% of microchipped dogs were returned; only 22% without a microchip were reunited
• Nearly 40% of microchipped cats were returned; less than 2% without a microchip were reunited

“We do see a high percentage of pets that are microchipped with incomplete or outdated information in the registry, or a pet profile was never created,” said Carol Hinckley, shelter manager for the Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska.

All community pet owners can stop by to have their pet’s microchip scanned for their number and to receive registry information. There will also be information about the HomeAgain microchip program recommended by and administered at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital.

Guests will also be treated to family fun and games:

• Spin the Holiday House Pet Resort game wheel for great prizes
• HomeAgain Snoopy tattoos for the kids
• Tours
• Dog treats and People treats too!

The Check the Chip event is free, open to the public, and will be held rain or shine.

Does Your Pet Have a Noise Phobia?

A sudden clap of thunder, firecrackers or yelling can cause a surprised reaction and instinctive desire to hide for any pet. When that reaction becomes a persistent and profound fear to loud sounds causing severe anxiety and unwanted behaviors, your dog may have a noise phobia.

The extreme reaction to noises usually gets worse if left untreated and can also lead to separation anxiety. The fears are real and should not be punished—yelling and punishment will only add to the anxiety.

It’s important to see your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has developed a noise phobia or separation anxiety to rule out possible medical problems and discuss ways to manage these conditions. 

Signs your pet may have a noise phobia include:
•    Excessive drooling/panting
•    Withdrawing/hiding
•    Trembling/pacing
•    Uncontrolled urination/defecation
•    Destructive behaviors such as chewing and scratching
•    Barking/whimpering/howling
•    Loss of appetite
•    Frantic attempt to escape such as running away or jumping through windows

This condition is the result of part genetics and part learned behavior. Herding breeds such as German/Australian Shepard, Border Collie, Shetland/Old English Sheepdog and Pembroke Welsh Corgi most commonly experience this phobia, possibly due to having acute hearing.

Thunderstorms and fireworks are the most common causes of a pet noise phobia but other loud sounds can include:
•    Garbage truck/road noise
•    Sirens
•    Breaking glass
•    Yelling
•    Rattling pots and pans
•    Lawn mower or vacuum
•    Door slamming
•    Wind noise/wind chimes
•    Musical instruments

Management and treatment for noise phobias
Calming measures
•    Provide a safe area such as a crate or dark, quiet room where the dog can feel secure. Only use a crate if the dog is crate trained.
•    Play soft music or create white noise with a fan or appliance to override the stress-inducing noise
•    Apply light pressure to the body by leaning gently against the dog, massage techniques,  wrapping in a blanket, or using specially-designed pressure wraps and clothing like a Thundershirt.
•    In the case of fireworks, it’s best not to bring your pet to a fireworks display since frightened pets can react with unexpected or abnormal behaviors.
•    Aromatherapy and calming pheromones
 
Behavior modification
This type of treatment includes desensitization or counter-conditioning. The phobic response can increase in intensity with each exposure to what’s causing the fear without proper treatment. It’s best to consult with a training or behavior modification professional before starting either type of program.
 
Drug therapy
Medications including anti-anxiety, anti-depressants and tranquilizers could be considered for treatment as part of an overall management plan.

Be sure to let anyone who is taking care of your dog in your absence—such as a family member, neighbor or pet resort—know about your dog’s noise phobia so your pet continues to feel safe and happy wherever they go. If you have any questions about your dog’s unwanted behaviors, call Holiday House Pet Resort at 215-345-6960 to schedule a training evaluation or exam and consultation with one of our veterinarians at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital.