Pet Care FAQ
What is a Microchip?
A microchip contains a personal, one-of-a-kind identification number that distinguishes your pet as a
member of your family. It is so tiny that it fits in a hypodermic needle. It can be used on dogs, cats,
horses, birds, reptiles, exotics, ferrets and even fish.
How does it work?
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Just like a vaccination, it's injected under the skin of your pet where it remains for life.
If your lost pet is found by a participating shelter, they will check him for a microchip with a
special scanner.
When the shelter finds the chip number, they will call the company's 24 hour hotline. (
After a quick search in the database, you, your veterinarian, or your alternate is contacted,
and your pet comes home!
Where Do You Get a Microchip?
You can get one at your veterinarian or, for the much cheaper price of $15 plus a registration fee, come
to the Champaign County Humane Society. You need to call 217-344-7297 to make an appointment.
Vaccinations:
Lucky for us, there are vaccines to help prevent many illnesses that affect dogs. Vaccinating your dog has
long been considered one of the easiest ways to help him live a long, healthy life. Not only are there
different vaccines for different diseases, there are different types and combinations of vaccines.
Although vaccination has the potential to protect pets against life-threatening diseases, vaccination is
not without its risks. Recently, there has been some controversy regarding the duration of protection
and timing of vaccination, as well as the safety and necessity of certain vaccines. What does this all
mean for your dog? Vaccination is a procedure that has risks and benefits that must be weighed for
every dog relative to his lifestyle and health. Your veterinarian can determine a vaccination regime that
will provide the safest and best protection for your individual dog. Here are answers to some of your
most frequently asked questions regarding vaccines:
What Exactly Are Vaccines?
Vaccines help prepare the body's immune system to fight the invasion of disease-causing organisms.
Vaccines contain antigens, which look like the disease-causing organism to the immune system but don't
actually cause disease. When the vaccine is introduced to the body, the immune system is mildly
stimulated. If a dog is ever exposed to the real disease, his immune system is now prepared to recognize
and fight it off entirely or reduce the severity of the illness.
How Important Are Vaccines to the Health of My Pet?
Bottom line—vaccines are very important in managing the health of your pet. That said, not every pet
needs to be vaccinated against every disease. It is very important to discuss with your veterinarian a
vaccination protocol that’s right for your pet. Factors that should be examined include age, medical
history, environment, travel habits and lifestyle. Most vets highly recommend administering core
vaccines to healthy animals
What Are Core Vaccines?
In 2006, the American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Task Force published a revised version of
guidelines regarding canine vaccinations. The guidelines divide vaccines into three categories—core,
non-core and not recommended.
- Core vaccines are considered vital to all animals based on risk of exposure, severity of disease or
transmissibility to humans.
- Non-core vaccines are given depending on the animal’s exposure risk.
Are Any Vaccines Required By Law?
Yes. In Illinois, it is required by law that all cats and dogs be vaccinated for rabies..
How Often Should My Animal Be Vaccinated?
Your veterinarian can best determine a vaccination schedule for your pet. This will depend on the type
of vaccine, your animal’s age, medical history, environment and lifestyle. Some adult animals might
receive certain vaccines annually, while other vaccines might be given every 3 years or longer.
When Should My Puppy or Kitten Be Vaccinated?
If his mother has a healthy immune system, a puppy or kitten will most likely receive antibodies in
mother’s milk while nursing. Puppies and kittens should receive a series of vaccinations starting at six to
eight weeks of age. A veterinarian should administer a minimum of three vaccinations at three- to fourweek intervals. The final dose should be administered at 16 weeks of age.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Vaccines?
Immunizations mildly stimulate an animal’s immune system in order to create protection from specific
infectious diseases. This stimulation can create mild symptoms, ranging from soreness at the injection
site to fever and allergic reactions. Another less common side effect is the development of immune
mediated disease following vaccination.
That said, it is important to realize that vaccines have saved countless lives, and play a vital role in the
battle against canine infectious disease. Additionally, rabies vaccinations have saved the lives of
countless dogs—and many humans as well. In some developing countries, hundreds of people die each
year due to rabies contracted from dog bites.
As with any medical procedure, there is a small chance of side effects. In most cases, the risks are much
smaller than the risks of disease itself. But it is important to talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s
medical history before he is vaccinated.
What Symptoms Should I Look For?
Most dogs show no ill effect from vaccination. Vaccine reactions may be minor and short-lived or
require immediate care from a veterinarian. Clinical signs include:
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Fever
Sluggishness
Loss of appetite
Facial swelling and/or hives
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Pain, swelling, redness, scabbing or hair loss around the injection site
Lameness
Collapse
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
What Should I Do if I Think My Pet Is Having an Adverse Reaction to a Vaccine?
If you suspect your pet is having a reaction to a vaccine, call your veterinarian immediately.
Spay and Neuter:
Unfortunately, there are not enough loving pet owners for the thousands of animals in need of homes.
Here is what may happen if you do not spay/neuter your pet:
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You will add to the FATAL PET EXPLOSION! Shelters throughout the world are overflowing
with unwanted animals. This could be reduced and even eliminated if more people took on
the responsibility of spaying/neutering their pets. Unwanted pets are often thrown into the
streets where they reproduce into the thousands within a few years. This is the cause of
the overwhelming feral cat problem in the United States.
Your pet may stray looking for a mate: Many dogs will even jump a fence and walk into
traffic where they may cause an accident or get hit by a moving vehicle.
Your pet may get serious medical problems: Spaying/neutering your pet lowers her/his
risk of suffering from such dreadful diseases as cancer.
Your male cat may spray: This awful odor is produced by unneutered cats. They do this to
mark their territory and they will do this whether or not there are other animals in the
house. This odor is very strong and difficult to remove. Cats may start spraying as early as
several months of age. A simple and safe surgery of neutering your cat will avoid this
annoying and smelly problem. Females in heat may also spray. Castration of males is very
effective in stopping spraying.
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Your female cat or dog may leave stains on furniture, clothes, and carpets: During their
heat cycles, female dogs and cats experience a flow of blood that may leave stains on your
property. Females go in heat twice a year. During this time she goes through hormonal
changes that may cause a change in her personality.
You will have to fight off suitors: Leaving a female dog that is in heat in your fenced in yard
may not protect her from intact male dogs that are in the area. Males are more likely to
roam and escape their yard if they sense a female in heat nearby. The male will make an
extra effort to break into the yard to get near the female. The females are also more likely
to roam in search of a male. Unless you want uninvited guests, straying pets, and unwanted
litters, you should get your female spayed.
You will have to care for, spend money on, and find homes for as many as 12-15 puppies
or kittens: That's a lot isn't it? They may be adorable and precious but you will be
responsible for many things. Puppies and kittens should be left with their mother for at
least 6-8 weeks in order to allow their immune systems to develop so that they can be
grow up to be healthier adults. Cleaning up after 12 or so kittens and puppies can be a
messy job. Within several weeks you should buy special puppy or kitten food that will
provide them with proper nutrition. If mom does not care for her babies properly, then it is
up to you to feed them special milk replacement every couple of hours. When they are
about 6 weeks old you should also take them to a veterinarian to be checked out and start
their series of shots. You will also have to find responsible owners for them - don't just give
them to the first person that wants them. You should make sure that the new owner will
assume responsibility for the life of an animal that may live 10-20 years. They will need to
provide them with proper shelter, food, and love that he/she needs. Do you have the time,
energy, and money to do all of this?
Chances that the female will have mammary tumors increases greatly.
What about letting her have just one litter?
That one litter can add up to hundreds or thousands of puppies or kittens in just a few years! We are not
exaggerating. Do you know that many people that are looking to adopt a pet? If you do then send them
to the shelters.
There is no truth to the myth that your male dog or cat will become a "sissy".
Your dog/cat will not lose their "macho" status as a result of being neutered. If anything, they will live
longer lives with your family because they will be less likely to roam the streets. They will also be less
likely to claim dominance over your family members. Neutered males are also less likely to get testicular
cancer.