Microchipping Pets in Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines pet owners will want to consider microchipping their pets to provide indisputable proof the pet belongs (lives with) to them. If your pet gets loose or lost and winds up in a shelter anywhere in the country, having a microchip embedded greatly increases the chances of a reunification.
Unfortunately, only 15% of dogs and 2% of cats in shelters are ever returned to their rightful owner. A chip can help make sure your pet is properly identified and he or she finds their way back to you.
The microchip is a small device that is injected between the shoulders of your pet using a syringe very similar to those used for your pet's shots. There is a unique number on the chip that can then be used to register the pet's name, owner name, phone number and address. This chip can be read by a scanner and almost all shelters and veterinarians have scanners so the odds of your pet's chip being read are strong.
The key to this system though is the pet owner. When the chip is inserted the identification number has to be registered with the manufacturer's database. If the pet owner's contact information (name, phone number, address) changes, those changes need to be reflected in the database registration. Many more pets are microchipped than are properly registered.
Lost Pet Services
There are several companies that manufacture the pet microchip but the technology used is pretty much the same; consequently most scanners are capable of reading all microchips regardless of manufacturer. All manufacturers maintain databases that include the pet's name, owner's name and contact info and the name and phone number of the veterinarian who inserted the chip. If an owner doesn't update their contact info, the owner can many times be tracked down by the vet's customer records.
In addition to the registry, some manufacturers offer additional services that frequently come in handy in recovering a pet including:
- Lost pet medical insurance designed to cover vet bills if your pet was injured while "lost".
- Lost pet travel insurance to help with expenses incurred getting your pet back home.
- Lost pet alerts to vets.
- Lost pet posters for local notification.
If you are interested in getting your pet microchipped, we offer the service 7-days a week at DPC Veterinary Hospital. Just give us a call or walk in.
Microchipping Davie Pets
By microchipping your pet, Davie pet owners can dramatically improve their chances of recovering their dog or cat if it wanders off or is stolen. The sad fact is that nationally over 8 million pets wind up in shelters and only 15% of dogs and less than 2% of cats are ever reunited with their owners. Microchipping can increase the odds that your pet will find its way back to you.
You can think of pet microchips as small dog or cat tags. These tiny devices, which include a unique identification number, are inserted in your pet between the shoulders using a syringe similar to the type used when your pet gets inoculations. The chip's number can be read by a scanner which all shelters and veterinarians have allowing them to check the manufacturer's database and get the owner's contact information.
Don't Let Your Pet Slip Through the Microchip Crack
Microchipping sounds like an excellent means of identifying a pet that winds up in a shelter but there is unfortunately a chink in the armor and it involves the pet owner. Having the chip injected into the pet takes less time than filling out the paperwork that goes with the process. That paperwork is exceptionally important and has to be maintained in order to make the information on the pet relevant.
There are several companies that manufacture pet microchips and each maintains a database on pet identification. Owners are responsible for keeping that information up to date. If an owner moves, changes phone numbers or names, that data has to be submitted to make it relevant to the shelter or other organization doing the scanning.
As a fallback position, the chip identifies which veterinarian placed the chip. If a scanner can't get an owners contact information they can contact the vet and ask for assistance. The vet clinic will most likely have a correct address assuming the owner hasn't moved out of town and is still using the vet.
If you would like to get a microchip for your dog or cat, give us a call at DPC Veterinary Hospital and set up an appointment. If your pet is already a patient at the clinic, you can just ask that the chip be inserted as part of your pet's next scheduled inoculation visit.
Just remember, this chip needs your help to make it work. Always keep your contact info up to date!
Pet Laser Therapy Q&A
If you are a Hollywood pet owner and you are considering pet laser therapy for the first time, you probably have a few questions regarding the treatment. We have put together a Q&A to help you better understand this amazing therapy.
Is pet laser therapy new?
Pet laser therapy is relatively new with only about 600 veterinary clinics and hospitals across the country with laser devices. Laser therapy for humans is several decades old. The healing and rejuvenation associated with lasers has been sought out by professional athletes for years. 15 NFL teams have laser therapy units in their locker rooms. However it wasn't until recent advances in technology that the therapy became practical and affordable for veterinary use.
What conditions can be treated with pet laser therapy?
Because of the laser's ability to reduce inflammation and encourage new, healthy cell growth it can be used to treat a wide array of veterinary health issues. Best known for arthritis treatments, the laser can also be used for wounds, fractures, urinary tract infections, ear infections, dermatology issues, joint pain and many other conditions. Consult with your veterinarian for specifics.
How does it work?
A laser is light energy. The laser used in pet therapy sends a measured dose of light energy into deep tissue where it is absorbed by the damaged cells. The energy causes a chemical reaction that produces ATP the fuel required for new cell growth. The treatment also causes a release of endorphins that causes the pet to relax. The secret to the success of laser treatment is the production of ATP which encourages cells to selfheal and replicate.
How is the pet laser therapy applied?
The beauty of laser therapy is its simplicity. There are no special preparation requirements. The veterinarian simply passes a flashlight sized handpiece to administer the laser over the affected area. Your pet feels a soothing warmth and if pain is involved with the area it is relieved almost immediately. Treatment time depends on the condition being treated and the size of the dog or cat but is typically quick lasting less than 6 or 7 minutes. After the therapy there is no special care required.
Are there any side effects?
There are no known side effects to laser pet therapy. This is one of the major advantages of laser therapy over drug therapies.
If you have any questions about laser therapy for your pet we encourage you to call us.
Pet Laser Therapy for Senior Pets
Pet owners in Fort Lauderdale can now help their senior pets put a little bounce back in their step thanks to pet laser therapy available from DPC Veterinary Clinic in Davie. If you have an older pet the odds are 1 in 5 that it has or will develop arthritis. Even if your senior dog or cat doesn't develop arthritis, the tissue surrounding their joints will have deteriorated simply as part of the aging process. When walking or running becomes difficult, most pets will react by becoming less active and slowing down to avoid the discomfort.
If you are not familiar with laser therapy as a veterinary treatment it may surprise you that your pet can now receive the same treatment that professional athletes received for strained knees, elbows, shoulders and backs. Laser therapy has been used for decades because of its restorative qualities but it has only recently been adapted for veterinary use.
For the conditions that pet laser therapy can treat, the advantages over alternative treatments are many. There are no special preparations before treatment (no fasting, shaving of fur/hair etc.), the process is noninvasive (the laser wand doesn't touch the pet), results are almost instantaneous and there are no side effects. Compare that to surgical procedures or drug therapies.
How the Pet Laser Works
The laser sends "packets of light energy" into deep tissue at the cellular level without damaging the cells. The light energy is absorbed by the cells and causes a chemical change resulting in the production of ATP, a substance that fuels the rejuvenation and repair of cells. The more ATP produced, the more healthier cells there are, and the more healthier cell there are, the healthier the pet becomes.
The actual treatment involves a vet setting the laser for the condition being treated and then taking a flashlight sized applicator and moving it over the affected area. The pet feels soothing warmth and relaxes much like you would during a massage.
Sessions vary in length but are typically short and the results are immediate. Your dog or cat will be friskier than before and if there was any pain in the joints it will be gone.
To learn if pet laser therapy can help your senior pet give us a call and make an appointment for an evaluation.