Good Bloggie!

Microchipping should be simple. Implant chip, pet gets lost, pet is scanned, owner on file is contacted, happy reunion!

What’s the problem? Often owners don’t send their information into the database so when the vet, shelter, or rescue worker calls for info, there’s nothing to report. Chips are mainly sold in bulk and buyer info collected at the time of sale. If any part of the information chain is missing, this can mean bad things for your pet. Most database organizations will start backtracking through the chain till they find information for the animal, but don’t count on it.

Microchip Information Chain
Step 1: Pet is scanned —> Step 2: Database is contacted for owner info. Missing? Go to next step —> Step 3: Database looks for any info about the vet who implanted chip. Missing? Go to next step. —> Step 4: Search database for info of vet, breeder, or entity who bought the chip. Missing?  —> Step 5: Contact manufacturer of chip for buyer info. Missing? End of the line. Pet is on its own, available for rehoming.

Backtracking takes valuable time away from the recovery process and you see how easily it breaks down if any contact info in the chain is missing or not updated. In the worst case scenario, the chip can’t be tracked back before the animal is euthanized at a shelter.

So if you have a microchipped Frenchie or pet, and you haven’t sent in the paperwork to link him/her to YOUR contact info, or you’ve moved and haven’t updated your information, don’t rely on someone in the chain to be there. Go ahead and send your contact info in now. Make sure to write the microchip number down for your records and share it with your vet as backup. Most vets are willing to be an alternate contact, too.

Maybe you aren’t sure if your contact info is up-to-date? Call or write the database and see what they have on file. (Contact links and phone numbers at the end of this entry.) Some databases will do it for free, some for a small charge.

Now for another complicated part, there are different kinds of microchips. Just like radio signals (which is exactly what they are transmitting when scanned) they have different frequencies or “channels.” The most common frequency used in the US is 125kHz. In Europe 134.2kHz is the standard. (If you plan to travel internationally with your pet, something to consider and research.) Some chips are encrypted, meaning their presence can be confirmed, but you need the right scanner to read the number. Current scanners can read both chips, but shelters and rescues faced with limited funds, might have an old scanner. If you are using a chip bought through your vet, breeder, or shelter, you are probably safe, however, doesn’t hurt to know the type and brand. As a backup plan, a collar with an ID tag is always a good idea.

Last, are the databases. There are six major ones. Which one to sign up with? Always best to sign up with the database used by the manufacturer of the chip, but that doesn’t prevent you from signing up with other databases, as well.

Main databases/information registries
24PetWatch ………..  866-597-2424
AKC CAR ………….  800-252-7894
AVID/PetTrac US … 800-336-2843 x 4
Banfield ……………… 877-LOST-PET (877-567-8738)
HomeAgain ………..  888-HOME-AGAIN (888-466-3242)
ResQ ………………….  877-PET-LINK

Microchip lookup sites
Pet Microchip Lookup (AAHA)
Check the Chip (Chloe Standard)
AVID

Some sellers of microchips and chipping equipment
Microchip ID Systems
Revival Animal Health
Check with your vet or a local shelter

The thing to remember is, just chipping your pet doesn’t protect them. Keeping your contact information updated in the database is the most crucial part of the recovery process.

A couple of years ago we added a health handbook to our library of dog books. Last year, we found ourselves reaching for it again and again. It is called Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook and is written by three DVMs and a doctor, Eldredge, L.Carlson, D. Carlson, and Giffin.

It is a reference book, set up to find health topics easily. The book states the condition, the symptoms, things you can do at home, if possible, and treatments most often used by a veterinary practice. Text is written succinctly and is easy to understand without needing a medical background. It’s great for looking up symptoms to decide if you pet needs to go to the vet (the book often states whether you can treat at home, or if it’s imperative you see a vet.). It’s also great to have as a reference to get the terminology correct when speaking to your vet or to review once you get back from an office visit. (What was that word? How is it spelt?) It does a wonderful job of covering a wide range of dog health topics from emergencies, to disease and infections, to even breeding and geriatrics in one book.

You may have noticed, as we have, dogs have a tendency to develop symptoms after-hours and on weekends. This handbook has eased a few worries of whether we should wait for the vet’s office to open the next day, or take someone to the emergency clinic right away. And if dog health is an interesting topic to you, it is actually a good read.

While it’s easy to do a web reference search on a topic when you have time, during an emergency you just can’t beat the ease of opening a book, written with the authority of medical professionals, which needs no powering up and is so well organized by topic. Being able to compare and verify internet info is a comfort, too.

Maybe someday they will perfect that “What exactly is the dog thinking? device. Better have a boxful of treats and toys handy, and in the case of Rocksie, a handful of cat toys! Oh wait; she’s pretty good communicating THAT thought already.

Link to book on Amazon:

Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook

You know pet insurance has gone mainstream when The Wall Street Journal is reporting about it!

If you are considering pet insurance, check out the informative article about selecting pet insurance. You may want to read the comments people are leaving, as well.

Polly Want and Insurance Policy?

As if you didn’t have enough to worry about, now Poochie is susceptible to the contagious H3N8 strain of dog flu.

We’ve heard of this before. This strain started as an equine (horse) flu and mutated to a canine flu. The canine version was first documented around 2003, and this may be good news as Poochie could have contracted it already and developed antibodies. The other good news is that neither the canine or the horse strain is contagious to humans.

We have to wonder if this is was going through the dog shows earlier this year. Our Rocksie picked up something at a spring show, but her symptoms didn’t exactly match the list for this flu. Fortunately, after a vet visit and a round of meds, she was fine and no one else in the house seemed to get what she had. (Perhaps because they are older?) Did hear of several show dogs this spring and summer who got sick, some with tragic results.

If your dog or pup goes to doggie daycare, a groomer, public parks, dog shows, or other public venues, you might keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• Cough (sounds like the dog has something stuck in its throat);
• Runny nose;
• Discharge from the eyes;
• Fever (hot ears are often a sign of fever);
• Loss of appetite;
• Weakness and lethargy.

And just like humans, if your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, do other dogs a favor. Keep your guys home until they are well.

There is a flu vaccine for your dog. It won’t keep your pooch from getting the flu, but can reduce its severity. To read more about the vaccination, visit this link: Dog Flu Vaccine

For much more about this flu, visit the links below:

Fox News
WFAA Dallas
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

While this topic lends itself to all kinds of potty humor, cleaning up after your pooch is important in more ways than just the avoidance of ruining a nice pair of shoes. In Austin, there are waterways to consider, water which runs through town and feeds into the main water supply. One way to keep that water clean is to clean up what your pet leaves behind his behind. (Warned you about potty humor, didn’t I? )

The Austin Scoop the Poop program has existed since 2000, supplying handy Mutt Mitts in parks to help folks keep things clean. This month, they have ratcheted up the media exposure with an all-out campaign of TV commercials, radio spots, and a pseudo replication of what all the fuss is about. Program mantra: Scoop the Poop for Cleaner Creeks… Cleaner Streets… Cleaner Feet!

Does your town have this issue? Bet your town has creeks and rivers you’d like to keep clean, too. (Or maybe you’d just appreciate your neighbors cleaning up what their dog leaves in your yard?!) Visit the sites below to see how Austin is promoting this program of responsible dog ownership in a positive way.

City of Austin: Scoop the Poop page

Facebook: Scoop the Poop page