National Pet ID Week - April 15-21

The third week of April has been designated National Pet ID Week. It is a time to increase awareness of the need to properly identify pets. We encourage pet owners to use one or more of the following pet identification methods to ensure the safe return of their pets should they become lost:

Collars and identification (ID) tags

Collars and tags are a reliable way to identify your pet should he become lost. Make sure your dog or cat always wears a current identification tag. Pet supply catalogs and stores, veterinary offices, and animal shelters often have forms to order ID tags. The tag should include:

• Pet's name
• Owner's name and address
• Telephone numbers (day and evening)
• Veterinarian's name and number, if possible

A collar worn for purposes of identification should remain on the dog or cat as long as he is in a situation where he could become lost.   Do not use a chain choke collar as the identification collar. A broad buckle collar is best. The collar bearing the identification should be fastened snugly enough that it does not slip off over the animal's head when it is grasped by a person. Safety collars or harnesses are often used on cats; harnesses should also be used for ferrets.

Check your pet’s tags regularly.  They can become lost, or unreadable with wear.  An alternative is to use an indelible pen to write a phone number on the collar itself. You may also be able to order broad buckle nylon collars with your phone number stitched into the collar.

Put a temporary tag on your pet when you move residences that includes a relative's or friend's telephone number. Many animals are lost when owners move. Use masking tape over the current tag or consider purchasing an instant tag, available at most pet supply stores.

Microchip Identification 

Microchipping involves implanting a tiny capsule under the pet's skin between the shoulder blades by your veterinarian . Microchips can be used on dogs, cats, or ferrets. The tiny chip is about the size of a grain of rice. The owner then sends the information to a registering agency along with current contact and alternate contact information in the event the pet becomes lost. When a pet is found, any agency with an appropriate scanner, including many animal care and control agencies, veterinary clinics, and research labs, can quickly identify a code that links the animal to its owner through a national database.  If you are interested in having your pet microchipped, call us at 845-628-1834 for more information.

Cat Crazy!!

We love our cats! We cuddle them, give them nicknames and spoil them with special treats.  Yet, a recently published study conducted by Bayer Animal Health determined that pet owners are far more likely to take their dogs to the vet than their cats.

Among the reasons the study found for this trend was that many people believed that indoor cats and older cats don’t need as much veterinary care as other pets.

We would like to dispel that belief. Annual wellness exams are vital to your cat’s health! 

Even young indoor cats are at risk for health problems such as parasites, fleas, and ticks.  Cats are at risk for many of the same ailments as their human and canine housemates, such as diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys, hypertension and cancer.  Dental care is important for cats as well; in fact, more than 70% of cats over three years old have some form of periodontal disease, which can lead to pain and tooth loss, and the resulting infections can spread through the bloodstream and damage other organs. Many times cats do not show signs of illness until they are fairly advanced which is why annual wellness exams and blood screening are so important.

Preventive care for your pet covers far more than just vaccinations—it also entails nose-to-tail examinations that help to detect illness in the early stages, when it’s easier and less expensive to treat, and the prognosis is usually better as well.

Now, we realize that sometimes transporting your cat to the vet is the hardest part of the visit. We have all gone through the getting kitty-into-the-carrier dance and the crying meow song on the car ride to the hospital.  We do have handouts or videos on our website with tips to help make the trip easier.

You can help your cat live a longer, healthier life!  The safest and most cost effective way to do that is through regular wellness exams.