Newsletter

Each year, millions of dogs and cats are lost; in fact, this disaster strikes 1/3 of all pet-owning families. Of the millions of cats and dogs that are lost, only 10 percent are ever identified and returned to their owners. More pets lives are lost because owners did not identify them than from all infectious diseases combined.

All pets should wear traditional collars with identification and rabies vaccination tags. A traditional collar, however, is not enough. These collars are often worn loosely and are easily removed. Cat collars are designed to break off if the animal is caught in a tree branch. When the traditional collar is lost, removed, or breaks off, nothing is left to identify the pet...unless, of course, the pet has a microchip.

Microchips are rapidly becoming a very popular method for identifying pets. Once the microchip is inserted, the pet is identified for life. Microchips are safe, unalterable and permanent identification for pets.

The microchip is a tiny computer chip or transponder about the size of a grain of rice. The chip is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades of a cat or dog, in much the same way that a vaccine is administered. The microchip is coded with a unique 10-digit code. Each microchip that is inserted contains a unique code, specific to the individual pet.

Microchip - Magnified

Inserting the microchip is simple and causes minimal or no discomfort. The microchip comes pre-loaded in a syringe, ready for insertion. The entire procedure takes less than 10 seconds. Post-injection reactions are very rare and the encapsulated microchip remains in place permanently.

Veterinarian Inserting a Microchip into Anesthetized Dog

Close up of Microchip Insertion

The scanner is a hand-held device used to detect the message encoded in the microchip. The scanner is passed over the animal, paying particular attention to the area between the shoulder blades. If a microchip is present, the 10-digit number (encoded in the capsule) is read by the scanner. Scanners are provided to animal control, humane shelters and other rescue organizations so that all stray pets are scanned and those with microchips are reunited with their owners. Veterinarians can also purchase scanners for use in their hospital.

Scanner for Detecting the Microchip

The veterinary hospital where the microchip is implanted records the pet’s information and its unique microchip identification number. When a lost pet is found and scanned, the veterinary hospital is immediately contacted. Since most veterinary hospitals are not open 24 hours a day, it may take some time before you are notified. In addition to this standard registration, you can register your pet in your own name for a charge of $15-20. By doing this, as soon as your pet is found, you are notified.

Scanning for an Implanted Microchip

Along with the additional registration fee, we recommend that you update your personal information with the microchip database on a regular basis. It is also advisable to have your veterinarian test the microchip on an annual basis in order to make sure that it is properly transmitting data.

What is urethral obstruction? Life threatening

The urethra is a tubelike structure that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In males, the major portion of the urethra is located inside the penis. Sometimes, mineral crystals or stones form in the urethra and block the passage to the outside. The blockage is called a urethral plug. Because a male cat’s urethral diameter is narrow, urethral plugs are most often seen in males. Once a plug has formed, urine cannot exit to the outside and builds up in the bladder. This is painful to the cat and can quickly lead to accumulation of substances to toxic levels in the bloodstream. If the blockage is not released and if the cat is not medically treated, the final result is a painful death.

Causes
The cause of urethral plugs is not fully known. Plugs could result from a combination of diet, genetics, low water intake, stress and highly concentrated urine. Some viruses or bacterial infections may also trigger plug formation. Pain associated with urethral irritation can also lead to muscle spasms and constriction of the urethra and subsequent blockage of urine flow.

Symptoms
Very often, the cat appears to be contipated or has diarrhea. A cat straining to urinate will usually have a straight back when posturing to urinate. He or she visits the litter box frequently but fails to pass, or passes very little, urine. He may try to urinate outside the litter box and may even urinate a small amount of bloody urine. Licking the genital area, depression, weakness, vomiting, and lack of appetite are also symptoms of urethral obstruction.

Treatment
Urethral obstruction is an emergency. Yet, if the symptoms are noticed early and professional treatment is obtained immediately, your cat’s chance of recovery is very good.

Enlarged Bladder Resulting from Urethral Obstruction

Your veterinarian will first try to relieve the obstruction by applying gentle pressure to the bladder and manipulating the penis. If the plug remains, the doctor may insert a catheter through the urethra into the bladder (with the cat sedated or under a light anesthesia). Usually, one of the above procedures will remove the obstruction. As a last resort, however, or if the cat is prone to obstructions, surgery may be suggested. The surgery is called perineal urethrostomy. Though surgery will reduce recurrence, these cats are more prone to chronic bacterial urinary tract infections. Even if the initial procedures do work, obstruction may recur in some cats within days or weeks. Luckily, with prescription diets, recurrence has been reduced in cats prone to urethral obstruction.

Prevention
All cats should be encouraged to exercise and be kept at a trim, healthy weight. Feed your cat a high quality, wet and dry cat food. Entice him to urinate frequently by keeping his litter box clean and always accessible. He should have constant access to water. Many cats prefer fresh running water. Cat water fountains are available and they increase water consumption. If your cat is prone to obstructions, you may need to administer medication or a special diet. In addition, have your veterinarian perform periodic urine tests. These tests keep you and your veterinarian alert to any changes in the urine.

Urethral obstruction can rapidly become life-threatening over the course of just one to two days. Because of this, any cat frequenting or straining in the litterbox should seek veterinary attention at once.

What is rabies?
How do you contract rabies?
Why should I be worried about rabies in wildlife?
How can I tell if an animal has rabies?
What should I do if I am bitten by an animal?
What can I do to prevent rabies?

Q: What is Rabies?
A: Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system in mammals.   The disease is invariably fatal if left untreated; however, effective vaccines are available to protect people and pets.

Q: How do you contract rabies?
A: Rabies is passed along through contact with an infected animal’s saliva and is almost always transmitted when an infected animal bites an uninfected animal or person.  People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal.  It is also possible, but quite rare, that people may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.

Q: Why should I be worried about rabies in wildlife?
A: Rabies is a serious public health concern because if left untreated it is always fatal.  Costs associated with detection, prevention and control of rabies exceeds $300 million annually.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90% of reported rabies cases in the United States are in wildlife. 

Q: How can I tell if an animal has rabies?
A: The test to determine if an animal has contracted the rabies virus requires them to be euthanized to test the cells of the brainstem.  Some of the visible signs of a rabid animal could include any of the following symptoms: aggressive behavior, attacking for no reason, lethargic, walking in a circle, confused, and drunk-like.  Wildlife should never be approached at any time.  If you have any questions about wildlife, please contact USDA’s Wildlife Services at 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297).

Q: What should I do if I am bitten by an animal?
A: Wash the wounds thoroughly with soap and water as a first aid precaution.   Call your doctor or local health department.  If it is a domestic animal, get the name and address of the animal’s owner.  If it is a wild animal, contact your local health department, animal control, or professional wildlife trapper for assistance.  If the animal is dead, wear gloves or use a shovel to move the animal.  If testing is necessary, put the carcass into a heavy plastic bag and place it in a cold area away from people and other animals.  Clean the area where the animal was found with one part bleach to ten parts water.   Call your local health department for further instructions.

Q: What can I do to prevent rabies?
A: Avoid all contact with all wild animals.  Make sure your pets are vaccinated in accordance with state and local laws.   Report any suspicious acting animals to USDA’s Wildlife Services at 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297).  Do not relocate wildlife.