Newsletter Archives
Winter 2002

There's No Place Like Home

The United States Humane Society reports that approximately 8-10 million animals are taken to shelters each year. Unfortunately, only about 14% of the dogs and 3% of the cats are reunited with their owners. We all know how emotionally wrenching it can be to have a beloved pet disappear from home. However, there are steps that you can take to increase the likelihood that your pet will be returned to you. A basic collar and ID tag with the owner's name and phone number is a good place to start. Tags are readily available at local pet stores. The rabies tag issued by our hospital lists our hospital name, phone number, and tag serial number. This number is kept on file at our office and allows us to match it to your pet. We have reunited several pets with their owners in this way.

For those of you with pets who possess Houdini-like attributes and constantly lose their collars, there are permanent identification methods available. One of these is microchip implantation. A microchip is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades. The chip's identification number, along with pertinent pet and owner information, is registered with a central administration office. When a lost pet is taken to a shelter or veterinarian's office, a small handheld scanner is passed over the animal's body and the chip number registers on the L.E.D. display. The central registration office is contacted with this information and the owner is notified of the pet's location. The chip implantation is quick, simple, and no more painful than receiving a vaccine injection.

A second permanent method of identification is tattooing. Due to the discomfort inherent in this procedure, it is necessary for your pet to receive a mild sedative. The inside of the thigh is shaved, cleaned and then tattooed with an identification number. This number can be the owner's social security number, the pet's AKC registration number, or any other number the owner chooses. Again, a central registration office receives all pertinent information so that when a shelter or animal hospital contacts them, the owner can be notified.

Our hospital offers both methods of permanent identification. Call our office for further information. Whichever method you choose, you will significantly increase your chances of having your lost pet returned safely to you.

Components of the microchip system include the microchip (far left), the injector (above left), and the scanner (above right).

Holiday Message
by Dr. Allison Mayo

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, it is time for me to reflect on the year that has unfolded. The sense of patriotism and faith in our nation that carried us through the tragedies of the previous year are still abundantly evident in our community. Our annual participation in the Dale City Fourth of July parade was somehow sweeter than ever (though it was, by far, the hottest one yet!), and I was proud to see so many of you lining the streets of our town to help celebrate our country's birthday.

Last year, I vowed that we would carry on with business as usual, helping to keep pets and their families healthy. And so we have. We continue to support the local animal shelters and rescue leagues (The Pet Assistance League is one of our main benefactors, and they could always use your support, too). Our Have a Heart Fund, thanks in large part to the generosity of so many of you, has provided care for untold numbers of stray and homeless animals. It warms my heart to be able to say that no stray has to suffer unnecessarily simply due to lack of money to cover the cost of their care. Our doctors continue to donate their time to this cause, so that only the material expenses must be deducted from the fund.

This year, as we did last year, we are going to adopt a needy family for Christmas in lieu of sending out holiday greeting cards. It is a small thing to be able to do to thank the community for the continued support our business receives. We want every one of you to know that we appreciate the trust you place in us when you bring your pets to us for care. We hope that all of you have a happy and healthy holiday.

February is Pet Dental Month

10% Discount on Dentals

Our hospital will offer a 10% discount on all dentals done in February. (Dentals can also be purchased as part of our Geriatric Package.) Increase your pet's chance for a long, healthy life by scheduling a dental during our special offer in February.

Signs of Poor Dental Health

• Persistent bad breath
• Pawing at the mouth
• Plaque (often not visible without stain)
• Tartar (creamy brown, hard material)
• Bleeding, inflamed, or receded gums
• Sensitivity around the mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Loose or missing teeth
• Difficulty eating or chewing food.

New Friday Hours

As some of you may have noticed, a few months ago we changed our Friday hours. From now on, we are seeing evening appointments on Fridays from 4-6 pm. Our office will remain open until 8 for picking up medications (as long as you have called prior to 6 pm for approval) and for drop-off and pick up of boarders and hospital patients. We feel certain that this change in hours will not adversely affect the care your pet receives, and it will allow our doctors a little more precious time with their families.

Our fund sponsored numerous kittens during this period. Lucy, pictured here, was the youngest at two days old. She required bottle-feeding every three hours. She was found in a parking lot and has one deformed leg that may require surgery.

Thanks to our contributors during this period:

• The Oliver Gramling Family (In memory of Rover)
• The Charles Allgood Family
• The Dale Gearing Family (In memory of Michelle)
• Liz and Gerald Perry (In memory of Radagast and K'Ehleyr)
• Christie Setunsky (In memory of Weasel)
• Deb Tiede
• Dave Cummings
• Peggy Gordon
• Karen Bosze (In memory of Brandy)
• Major Alyce Smith