Thursday, July 20, 2017


MICROCHIPPING OF ANIMALS

 

A microchip is a form of permanent identification. It is not a GPS tracking device. It is a tiny electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the size of a grain of rice. The chip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades of a dog or cat. The chip is activated by the radio waves of a scanner that is passed over the area. The chip will then transmit the identification number to the scanner which displays the number on its screen.

 

The microchip is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle that is larger than the needles used for vaccinations but it can be given quickly with only a momentary (if any) ouch. The chip can be implanted during a regular office visit or while a pet is under anesthesia for a procedure such as a spay, neuter, or a dental cleaning.

 

A microchip can help reunite a lost pet with its owner. If a pet is found and taken to an animal hospital or a shelter, one of the first things done is scanning to check for a microchip. If a chip is found, the number is looked up to see if it is in the database at that facility. If it isn’t, then a national registry can be contacted and the number will be looked up. If the registry has accurate and current information on the owner, the owner can be contacted. A recent study showed that in shelters, dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time while dogs with chips were reunited with their owners 52.2% of the time. The statistics for cats were 1.8% vs 38.5%.

 

There is not a central database in the U.S. for registering microchips. Each manufacturer maintains its own database. This is not a problem though because the scanners display the name of the manufacturer and the identification number when the microchip is read.

 

Your veterinarian can gladly implant your pet’s microchip. Make sure that you notify the microchip registry of any change in your owner information (especially phone numbers and address). Also, remind your vet to scan for your pet’s microchip at its yearly visit to make sure it is reading properly.

 

Microchipping is a smart way to greatly increase the likelihood that you will be reunited with your lost pet. Do it because you love them as part of your family.

 

Karen Miller, DVM

Veterinarian and owner of Lincolnton Animal Hospital

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Dog Flu

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

A Cat's Tongue

A feeling of rough sandpaper as you are licked by your cat  is a reminder that its long muscular tongue serves many functions, including grooming.
A cat's ability to groom itself is the result of numerous knobs called papillae, on the surface of a cat's tongue.  Located at the tongue's center, the papillae form backward facing hooks containing large amounts of keratin, the same material found in human fingernails.  These hooks provide the abrasiveness a cat needs for self grooming.  The strengh of these hooks also helps a cat hold food or struggle with  prey.
Although the abrasiveness of a cat's tongue helps it to clean itself and untangle its hair, your help is needed through regular grooming.  As you groom your cat, you are removing loose and dead hair.  Otherwise a cat may ingest this hair and hair balls can form which can cause vomiting and may cause impaction in the gastrointestinal tract.   Long haired cats need daily grooming, short haired cats should be groomed at least once a week.




Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Summer Saftey Tips

1.  Make sure your pet's vaccines are current.  Diseases such as Rabies, Distemper and parvo are ever present dangers.
2.  Beware of insect bites.  Most of the time an insect sting is just painful and irritating.  Getting stung several times, or inside the mouth or throat, is dangerous.  The subsequent swelling can close your dog's throat and block their airway.  Call or take your pet to your  veterinarian if you see this type of reaction.
3.  Talk to your veterinarian about flea and tick prevention.
4.  Heartworm is a common problem for dogs.  Make sure your dog has yearly heartworm testing and stays on prevention all year.
5.  Lawn and garden products may be hazardous.  Keep these products out of your pet's reach.
6.  No matter how careful and responsible we are, accidents happen.  Make sure your pet has a microchip or identification on their collar.  And make sure your family members know the phone number to your veterinarian.
7.  Never leave your dog outside without shade or fresh water.
8.  NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A CAR.



Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Please welcome to Lincolnton Animal Hospital Dr. Robyn McFerren.
 
 
Dr. McFerren is excited to be joining our staff as a full-time associate veterinarian.  While growing up, "Dr. Mac" lived all over the east coast and has moved more than 20 times.  NC has been home longer than anywhere else, 15 years.  She obtained her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and her DVM from the University of Georgia.
While raising two sons, Ian (13) and Carson (17), Dr. McFerren worked relief and part-time for the past 12 years.  Besides the boys, she and her husband, Tim, are the "pet parents" of cats Maow and Trouble, as well as dogs Poppy and Rye.
Dr. Mac's interests include internal medicine, behavior and alternative medicine.  In addition to her required medical licensing, she is also certified in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Acupuncture for small animals.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Relay for Life Annual Dog Wash

 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL RELAY FOR LIFE DOG WASH
 
 
 
WHEN:        SATURDAY APRIL 16
 
WHERE:     LINCOLNTON ANIMAL HOSPITAL
 
TIME:          2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
 
 
 
ASKING DONATION

 
DOGS UNDER 40#  $10
 
DOGS 40# AND OVER  $15
(no cats)
 
 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Dental Health