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May 2023 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Homeward Bound HOW MICROCHIPS RETURN LOST PETS
Most people we call are ecstatic and couldn’t be more grateful. They thought their dog was lost forever and can’t believe someone found them. Often, these folks drive hours to get their pets back, and the reunions are always heartwarming. If your pet isn’t currently chipped, I hope you’ll reconsider. Chipping is an inexpensive, one-time procedure that doesn’t require sedation. We insert the chip with a syringe, similar to how we’d vaccinate them. Often, we microchip during a spay or neuter surgery, but we can also do it while your pet is wide awake. Extremely few pets experience any side effects. Meanwhile, those with microchipped pets should remember that their chip is only as good as the information it contains. You can't get your pet back if your phone number and address are incorrect, and making an update online is usually simple. We’ll be glad to scan your pet and remind you of the manufacturer’s name so you keep your pet safe.
the airbags in your car, you don’t need a microchip until you do. Meanwhile, collars and tags fall off; it happens all the time. A microchip is a permanent form of identification that can’t be lost. Other clients worry about privacy, mistakenly believing a microchip is a geolocation device. It’s not! While such technology may eventually hit the market, someone who wants to track their pet’s movements must purchase an external device to attach to their collar. If your pet goes missing, a microchip will not lead you to them. The chip only helps if someone finds your pet and brings them to a veterinarian or shelter. So, there’s no reason to worry about being watched. Do microchips work? One study found that stray dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners when chipped. And while stray cats are less likely to make it home, their odds with a microchip are improved even more than dogs’. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. At least once a month, someone brings a stray dog into the office with a microchip. The dogs almost always belong to tourists who brought their dogs camping and lost track of them. In the past, these dogs would have ended up in a shelter. But now, their owners can come to retrieve them.
What would happen if your furry family member went missing? It’s most pet owners’ worst nightmare, and social media posts and fliers around the neighborhood can only do so much. National Chip Your Pet Month is a reminder that there’s a better way to bring them home. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted in the pet's scruff. The microchip number can be read with a scanner. Veterinarians and shelters regularly scan stray animals for microchips. When a chip is present, they are able to contact the owner to reunite them with their pets. Many clients are eager to get their pets microchipped, but those who are wary usually cite one of two reasons. First, they think it will never be necessary. People believe they can successfully keep their pets indoors, and even in a worst-case scenario, the tag on their collar will allow someone to identify them. There are a couple of problems with this line of thinking. It’s good that you watch after your pet and don’t expect them to wander off, but accidents and emergencies happen. Just like
–Dr. Jeff
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CDh ievyeesnInne The Best Companion MEET OUR NEWEST KENNEL TECHNICIAN Our newest kennel technician, Cheyenne Eldridge, has been in the veterinary field for four years. “It has been a goal since I was about 6 years old [to work with animals],” she says. Cheyenne has previously worked as a veterinary technician and began her new role at Surface Creek Veterinary Center in April.
A HAM-FISTED ATTEMPT AT ROBBERY
On the night of New Year’s Eve in 2014, a group of burglars experienced the fright of a lifetime. Expecting to rob a quiet home in Derby, England, the intruders instead came face to snout with Ludwig, a 240-pound potbellied pig. Abandoning all thoughts of crime once they spotted the pig, the burglars instantly fled the scene and ran for their lives. The “hero ham” had already become a popular figure in his town and was well-loved for his gentle demeanor. In fact, Michael Maughan, Ludwig’s owner, is confident that Ludwig wouldn’t have harmed the intruders, even if he does look quite intimidating. Local officers believe the robbers must have heard Ludwig’s Rottweiler-like “growl” and immediately hit the road, leaving the door wide open behind them. The story of this heroic potbellied pig became a sensation throughout Europe. Countless fans have applauded the Canadian- born hog for his loyalty to his owners. But the owners want to ensure people understand that Ludwig would never hurt anyone. Some fabricated web stories made Ludwig sound more dangerous than he is, so Maughan spoke to the Toronto Star to dispute any defamations against Ludwig’s kindness. “He’s being painted as a vicious creature when he’s actually quite a sweet animal,” he explained. “He didn’t exactly bare his tusks and charge, I don’t think. I think he got absolutely, ‘Arrgh,’ and they just ran for it.” In fact, Maughan detailed that after a two-month separation during their move to England, the pig shed tears during their reunion. Adorable and affectionate, Ludwig would have probably become friends with the intruders in no time. Even if his “bark” is worse than his bite, Ludwig succeeded in keeping his owners safe while also protecting their home. This 240-pound potbellied pig continues to enjoy his comfortable home in Derby and is considered a town hero. Anyone looking for a guard dog may want to consider a hefty hog instead! ILnutdr uwdiegrtshFelPe e iFg r o m
Cheyenne doesn’t hesitate to tell us that her favorite part of the job is “getting to love on the animals every day!” As a veterinary technician, she particularly enjoys preparing for surgery and assisting the veterinarians while they operated. “I like getting hands-on,” she says.
Cheyenne is originally from New Mexico and moved to Colorado in 2020. She and her fiancé, Ron,
recently bought their first house in Crawford. They have been together for two years and are getting married on May 20. The pair enjoy being outdoors in their free time, snowmobiling in winter, and hiking in summer.
The couple’s new home is already filled to the brim with animals — two dogs and three cats. Cheyenne says their 3-year-old German shepherd mix, Gunner, “is basically my shadow.” They also recently adopted a blue heeler puppy that is now 7 months old. Named Puppy Steve after Ron’s father, he’s playful and full of energy. Huckleberry and Mulberry are feline littermates and about a year old. When Raspberry, the same age, showed up as a stray at Cheyenne’s previous workplace, Cheyenne says, “She seemed like she would fit right in.” Most of the animals get along well and cuddle often, though Raspberry and
Puppy Steve are still working on their relationship. “She wants nothing to do with him,”
Cheyenne says. “He’ll sniff her, and she immediately swats him in the nose!”
Although Cheyenne is new to our clinic, we can’t wait to see what she brings to the team. Cheyenne is enthusiastic, too. “Every clinic is so different,” she says, “so I’m excited to see how this clinic flows and find my place here.”
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FAST AND FURIOUS
Why Our Pets Get the ‘Zoomies’ Woosh! Has your dog or cat randomly bolted through the house again as if they were running from or chasing some imaginary creature? Perhaps they practically bounced off the walls and made a big mess in the process. Commonly called the “zoomies” or “crazies,” most pet owners are familiar with that wild look in their pet’s eyes and the following mad dash.
FRAPs can indicate that your pet needs more exercise and enrichment. Try incorporating more playtime in their day, and increase the number of walks your dog has. The zoomies aren’t harmful, but they might suggest your pet is bored with their current environment or stimulation.
They’re distressed. More frequently in cats than in dogs, zoomies can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right. Some cats may use a FRAP as a desperate way to relieve pain or itchiness. Sometimes, it’s a sign of needing to use the bathroom. And if your cat tends to zoom after litter box use, it could be a sign they’re experiencing intestinal discomfort — or that you need to clean the litter box more often.
But what inspires your cat or dog to engage in this baffling behavior? There could be several reasons.
Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding They’re bored. In both cats and dogs, zoomies can also be a way to relieve pent-up stress or energy. Frequent They’re happy. Officially known as frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), the zoomies are often associated with happiness in dogs. Canines are particularly likely to zoom around when they’re excited and playful, so the zoomies often appear when an owner returns home. Filled with intense emotion, your dog may not know how to express it and have a FRAP.
Pay attention to your pet’s body language during a zoomy episode. Do they look playful or agitated? Are they happy or aggressive when you try to engage them during a FRAP? These markers will tell you if your pet’s zoomies are cause for concern. If your pet begins zooming frequently or acts distressed during an episode, it’s time for a check-up. Any sudden or unusual change in behavior is an excellent reason to see your veterinarian and confirm if your pet needs treatment for a medical problem. Otherwise, let them follow their instincts.
If your feline regularly coughs up hairballs, these homemade treats may be the perfect thing to help your cat’s digestive tract. CHo Tnatr ri e r o a b l t a C s l a l t Inspired by VitaCost.com
Dan Tietz Codi Inloes-Williams
Dorothy Pew Sara Puharich
INGREDIENTS
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3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp water
• • • •
1 1/4 cups brown rice flour 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
1 tbsp catnip (optional)
1 egg
3 tbsp flaxseed, ground
DIRECTIONS
narrow strips, and place strips onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, then use a spatula to break treats into bite-size pieces. Bake for 10–15 more minutes. Once treats are cool, place them in an airtight container or serve to your feline friends.
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. 3. Once evenly mixed, place the dough in plastic wrap for 5 minutes. 4. On parchment paper, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut the dough into
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Microchips Create Beautiful Reunions inside this issue
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Potbellied Pig Terrifies Burglars
Why We Already Love Our Newest Kennel Tech
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Behind a Fast and Furious Pet Behavior
Hairball Control Cat Treats
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3 Ways to Brew Coffee Outdoors
HOW TO MAKE COFFEE WHILE YOU CAMP Best Ways to Brew in the Wild New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
grounds, wait until they sink to the bottom, and enjoy! With a rich, robust flavor, cowboy coffee may not be the best option for casual frappuccino drinkers. Yet, it provides a good cup of joe for those sleeping under the stars. AeroPress Coffee When you buy an AeroPress, you get full-bodied coffee whenever your heart desires. If you’re a coffee
Whether you need to recover from a stellar night around the campfire or fuel up for a blissful mountaintop meditation session, you’ll need a quick way to make coffee. Easy to travel with and perfect for outdoor nomads, these fuss-free coffee brewing tools make that moment in nature even better. Portable Pour-Overs
connoisseur, then you probably already know about AeroPress. If you haven't heard of it or need more convincing, this small gadget requires little effort for delectable brews. The AeroPress is shaped like a tube with a filter at the bottom and an accompanying plunger cylinder to press the coffee. Just add ground coffee and water to the tube, then press down with the cylinder. Coffee will drip through and have you questioning why you ever spent $7 on a latte. Get your AeroPress from their official website (AeroPress.com) or a big box store! Don’t let the ruggedness of the outdoors ever stop you from enjoying a nice, smooth cup of coffee. You can bring your favorite
While instant coffee packets are a tried-and- true method, we can all agree that they aren’t the epitome of fine-quality coffee. For the same ease but better taste, try single-serving pour-over coffee. These innovative products
consist of a paper pour-over stand that perfectly fits on top of a mug. Lightweight and portable, this method gives you a pour- over coffee taste with the convenience of instant coffee. We recommend brands like Kuju and Copper Cow Coffee for their excellent flavors, like bourbon and Vietnamese coffee. Cowboy Coffee The epitome of “no-nonsense,” cowboy coffee requires only a pot, water, and ground coffee. All you need to do is boil some water, add the coffee
caffeine fix to forest trails, mountaintops, and sandy shores.
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