Uncategorized

…to which the answer is, YES! We know a lot of people are worried about microchipping their pets for a variety of reasons. People are afraid it will hurt or that it’s too expensive or that the government will track their pets or that it’s just useless. Well, let us help lay your concerns to rest!

Let’s start by how we microchip pets at Market Street Animal Clinic. To begin, we scan your pet with our microchip reader, just to make sure your pet (let’s call him Mr. Fuzzy) wasn’t previously microchipped. This is a completely painless check. We wave our scanner over Mr. Fuzzy’s body. We don’t even have to touch the scanner to him! Next, we will have one of our technicians hold Mr. Fuzzy so he doesn’t get too scared. After Mr. Fuzzy is secure and happy in the arms of the technician, the vet or another technician will gently pull up on the scruff on the back of Mr. Fuzzy’s neck. We will then insert the needle under the skin and press the plunger to implant the microchip under Mr. Fuzzy’s skin. The only pain your pet may feel is the pinch of the needle. Some pets don’t even notice! The microchip itself is tiny, just slightly larger than a grain of rice. Now, occasionally the site where the needle was will bleed a little. This is just because there are lots of blood vessels in the skin. The bleeding should stop very quickly. That’s it! It’s over! Mr. Fuzzy has officially been microchipped! Now all that’s needed is for you to fill out a short form with some information that would tie Mr. Fuzzy to you. You then give the form to one of our technicians or receptionists and we register Mr. Fuzzy for you! It really is that simple!

Now that you know how the process works, let’s discuss the benefits of Mr. Fuzzy’s microchip. If Mr. Fuzzy were to ever escape from your home or break free from his leash while you were walking him, he could be traced back to you. How could he be traced back to you? Well, if someone were to find him, they could bring him to a vet or animal shelter where he would immediately be scanned for a microchip. When Mr. Fuzzy gets scanned, a number will pop up on the scanner. The vet or animal shelter would then be able to input that number into a database and your name and number would pop up so that they could contact you. There are hundreds of stories of people finding their pets again because of their microchips!

If you move or have to re-home Mr. Fuzzy, you can log on to your account online and change the information. And while we are on the subject, if you move, or change your phone number, be sure to update the information! It only takes a few minutes, but it could be the difference between getting Mr. Fuzzy back to you or not.

Lastly, the microchips that we use at Market Street are not tracking devices. We cannot log on and see exactly where Mr. Fuzzy is at that exact moment. All that the microchip tells us is your name and phone number.

Ready to get Mr. Fuzzy microchipped or have more questions? Give us a call or stop and speak with one of our helpful employees!

I think most people have heard of, if not seen, The Walking Dead by now. This show has everyone thinking about what they would do if a zombie apocalypse happened. Some people prep and plan for the unknown. Now, I don’t watch the show, but I’ve been told there was a character who was a veterinarian. Then I started thinking, well, what could be better than having a vet on your side?! Here are 5 reasons why you should want a veterinarian on your side in a zombie apocalypse.

1. They can avoid bites. As I understand it, zombies infect healthy people by biting them. In the veterinarian world, we dodge bites multiple times a day. We know when that adorable little fluff ball of a kitten is going to turn in to Scar from The Lion King. We can retract our limbs in seconds to avoid the jaws of a snappy chihuahua. Avoiding bites is part of the job.

2. They are trained in all species. That means that, next to a human physician, vets are your best option for medical help. The anatomy just needs to be slightly shifted. If you can find a vet that specializes in primates, all the better!

3. They are not afraid of getting dirty. Vets are frequently elbow deep in all kinds of things that you don’t even want to know about. It seems to me that this could be very helpful when there’s no time to be squeamish and things just need to get done!

4. They don’t take breaks. Seriously. They work until everything is done! Vets are used to going hours without a lunch or bathroom break. And when they do finally take a break, they are usually multitasking and working on their medical records.

5. They can take care of the animals. With limited resources, it would be imperative to keep livestock a live for food, dogs for security, horses for transportation, and cats for entertainment (What? Did you think cats were suddenly going to be helpful and start earning their keep?). Who better than a vet to take care of them all?

So, have you prepared your zombie apocalypse plan? Who would you want on your team? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Before we dive in to this week’s blog topic of puppies vs. babies (Sounds like a pretty adorable blog, huh?), let me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Chelsea. I’ve been with the Market Street team as a receptionist and technician since November of 2013. After having my first child at the end July of 2015, I have moved to a “behind the scenes” position. My husband and I live in Leesburg with our now 6 month old daughter (Hayley) and our 4 year old Great Dane/Lab Mix (River).

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, who’s ready for some super cute pictures of my pup and baby?!

My husband and I got River when he was 8 weeks old. If you’ve never owned a puppy, let me tell you, it is a lot of work. River loved to chew everything. He chewed phone chargers, blankets, carpet, plastic coat hangers, belts, clothes, speaker wire, the fish net, and many other things. You name it, he probably chewed on it. You could not let this dog out of your site for even a second or there would be mass destruction. There also was the issue of house breaking. Oh. My. Goodness. Without getting too graphic, let’s just say that River made the carpets in our apartment a work of art. Both of those issues, combined with the fact that he didn’t want to sleep by himself at night and constantly wanted to play with our other older dog, made for some very stressful times for us. But, alas, we survived the puppy stage and now have a much better behaved dog, although he still has the energy of a puppy!

Four years later, we welcomed our beautiful baby girl in to the world and became “real” parents.

But, you see, puppies and babies do have quite a few things in common. Or maybe it’s just that I have a serious case of “Mommy Brain” and get the two mixed up. Yesterday, for example, I told my husband that I had just laid Hayley down in her crate. Yes, I said crate, not crib. Again, “Mommy Brain.”

Hayley is 6 months old now and just discovering the wonderful world of food. My husband and I were recently discussing what kind of foods we should introduce to her and I automatically replied with “Well, she can’t have garlic, onions, or chocolate. Those are toxic.” My husband gave me a questioning look and said “Chels, she isn’t a dog.”

I also often refer to my daughter’s teething toys as “chew toys”. I may or may not have asked my husband why we can’t just buy her a Nylabone to chew on…

While I’m getting the hang of separating these things in my brain, there certainly are days when I have to stop myself and say, “No, Chelsea. That’s for dogs. Not babies. They don’t have the same rules.” I can’t be the only one like this, right? And even if I am, at the end of the day, my dog and my baby are both happy and healthy.

What is the difference between a 6 month Bordetella vaccine and a 1 year Bordetella vaccine? The answer: nothing.

By that we simply mean that the vaccine itself is the same. The reason there are two “different” Bordetella (also known as kennel cough) vaccines is because, depending on your dogs circumstances, the vaccine may need to be boostered more often. This is based on lifestyle.

If your dog is groomed, boarded, or frequently housed where many dogs go in and out of the facility (like a child that goes to day care), a six month booster would be recommended. Some facilities will require your dog to be vaccinated every 6 months.

If your dog occasions Petsmart and has a few doggy friends, typically a one year booster is recommended.

If your dog is more of a “people dog” and only sees other canines when visiting us here at Market Street, you and one of our veterinarians may decide that the Bordetella vaccine is not a vaccine that will be a part of your wellness plan at all.

Facts:

• The common types of Bordetella vaccines are injectable, intranasal, and oral. They are all effective.
• Even visiting other dogs in open spaces, like a dog park, still puts your dog at risk for exposure.
  

• It can take up to 72 hours for the vaccination to be effective after it has been administered.
  
• The Bordetella vaccination covers different strains of Bordetella, which is highly contagious and air-borne.
  
• Bordetella can be viral and/or bacterial. The bacterial pathogen can be spread to cats.
• While there are many reasons a dog may cough, kennel cough is the most common reason we vaccinate with the Bordetella vaccine.

It is always best to prevent the disease, rather than treat it. That means that the best way to prevent kennel cough is to vaccinate prior to exposure. It is also important to keep in mind that even dogs that are vaccinated still have the potential to be infected. However, it is typically to a much lesser degree, similar to getting the flu shot for a human.

It is our recommendation that if Bordetella is a part of your pets vaccination protocol and/or your pet will be boarding, groomed, or having any other possible exposure, you have your dog vaccinated at least 1 week prior to such exposure, when possible.

For more information, or to answer any questions you may have about Bordetella, please feel free to speak to one of our amazing team members!

In need of a good laugh today? Well look no further! Dr. Andy Roark took a poll of his Facebook fans and found out the most hilarious 25 pet names.  The originial post can be seen here.

Without further a-do: 25 Outrageously Funny Pet Names

Does your pet have a goofy name? Share it with us on Facebook!

That’s right, folks. The fine people of Annapolis Cat Hospital and Bay Ridge Animal Hospital in Annapolis, MD, put out this video on dental health and it fantastic. It’s got lots of great tips and facts. Not to mention the dalmatian holding a toothbrush cracks me up. Take a look at the video and just TRY not to dance and sing along. It’s nearly impossible!

Many clinics will take the next month to focus on “dental month”. While we do believe it is important to highlight dental care, we prefer to do this all year long! Proper dental care is vital to the health and well-being of your pet. Just like babies, it isn’t to train to your puppy to accept his teeth being brushed from the beginning, but that does not mean you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! Start slowly by using your finger and some doggy toothpaste. Once your pet is used to that, you can slowly get him used to you using a toothbrush.

Oral rinses are another great idea, especially for those pooches and kitties that don’t particularly care for their mouths being messed with. Dental diets are great as well, although not always the best choice for our heavier patients, as these diets are typically high in fat.

We know that antlers are all the rage in pet products currently, but they do pose quite a threat. We have seen several cases of fractured teeth caused by chewing on antlers and other similar products. If you are looking for a product that your dog can chew on for a while, look into Nylabones. These come in all shapes and sizes and are soft enough to not destroy your pets teeth, but to also give them the satisfaction of a good chew! As always, we recommend monitoring your pet while they are enjoying these toys.

If you think your pet has a dental issue (or any other issue!), schedule an appointment with one of our vets to take a look! Let us help your pets keep their pearly whites looking great!

I don’t care how old you are, everyone loves to let their “inner kid” out to play in the snow, even if it’s just for a few minutes! Since we are in the middle of “Snowzilla” it is a great time to do just that!

This is River, Chelsea’s dog.

He’s a Labrador Retriever/Great Dane mix and he LOVES to play fetch with his tennis ball. Not even 2+ feet of snow will stop him! Take a look at this video.

This is Charlie, one of Anastasia’s dogs.

She seems to be a fan as well!

How do your pets feel about the snow? Loving it or hating it? Either way, stay safe and enjoy the snow! Be sure to post some pictures on our Facebook page of your pets in the snow!

As the weather grows colder and the anticipation (or dread) of snow draws near, it’s the perfect time to discuss some cold weather safety tips for your pets! Most people are aware of the dangers that heat poses to your pets, but the cold weather has its own threats.

Just like humans, all pets have varying tolerances of the cold weather. There are many factors to consider when deciding when it’s too cold for your pet. For example, a small, short haired dog will not be able to tolerate the cold as well as a larger, long haired dog will. However, that isn’t set in stone. All pets are not created equal and will all have different feelings about the cold! Be sure to watch your pet carefully to tell when it is just too cold for them.

On the very cold days, it is best to shorten your walks with your furry friend. There are plenty of ways to exercise your pets indoor! Pets with arthritis or elderly pets can have a hard time walking on the snow and ice.

There are some simple changes you can make to help your pets stay warm during the winter. If your pet typically sleeps on the floor, perhaps offer them a blanket or pet bed to sleep on. If your pet will tolerate it, you can put a coat or sweater on them, as well as booties on their feet, when taking them outside.

Before bringing your pet inside from a walk or potty break, be sure to wipe down their paws, legs, and belly. Pets can get all sorts of dangerous chemicals on their bodies while walking through the snow and ice. Things such as antifreeze and deicers can pose a serious threat to your pet if ingested.

Still not sure how cold is too cold for your dog? Here’s a helpful chart from Tuft University that may help guide you.

As always, if you have any questions, Market Street is here to help! Stop by the clinic or call during business hours and we will be happy to help you and your pet enjoy the winter while staying safe and warm!

There’s a video making the rounds on Facebook recently and it has caught our eye. The video shows several cats all asking for cuddles or attention from their owners and it is adorable. Click here and take a look!

Our very own Jerry used to put his paws on our shoulders so he could go for a ride and cuddle.

While his face doesn’t show it, this was Jerry’s preferred method to get around in the mornings!

What silly antics do your kitties do to show their love?

As 2015 ends, we here at Market Street Animal Clinic are incredibly grateful for another wonderful year with you, our amazing clients! We have seen all sorts of patients, big and small, this year and are looking forward to another year of taking excellent care of your fur babies.

This year at Market Street has also brought some changes. Dr. Katie and Ryan welcomed their second baby girl, Abigail.

Chelsea, one of our technicians, and her husband welcomed their first child, Hayley, as well.

While this year had so many happy memories for us, it also brought the passing of our beloved clinic cat, Jerry. He was the best greeter! Jerry made sure everyone felt welcome as soon as they came into the hospital. We miss our sweet boy terribly!

We hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season and we can’t wait to see you and your pets in 2016!

From our family to yours, have a safe and happy new year, Leesburg!