Did you know…

 …getting lost is the #1 cause of death for pets?

1 in 3 pets goes missing during its lifetime

Without ID, 90% of pets never return home.

You may think your pet could never become lost but it happens easier than you think. Thunderstorms or fireworks cause your pet to panic and they flee; while traveling your pet wanders away into unfamiliar territory; an emergency occurs and your pet gets lost in the turmoil; a handyman accidently lets your pet out; your pet digs under a fence or bolts through an invisible fence and escapes.  None of these events are planned, but they happen.  Be prepared and have a permanent ID inserted in your pet to provide the best chance for a happy homecoming.

Dog and cat microchipping is a simple procedure. A veterinarian simply injects a microchip for pets, about the size of a grain of rice (12mm), beneath the surface of your pets skin between the shoulder blades. The process is similar to a routine shot, takes only a few seconds, and your pet will not react any more than he would to a vaccination. No anesthetic is required.

A HomeAgain microchip is permanent pet ID. The microchip itself has no internal energy source, so it will last the life of your pet. It is read by passing a microchip scanner over the pets shoulder blades. The scanner emits a low radio frequency that provides the power necessary to transmit the microchips unique cat or dog ID code and positively identify the pet.

HomeAgain is the only dog & cat microchipping product on the market today that has the Bio-Bond patented anti-migration feature to help ensure that the microchip will stay in place so that it may be easily located and scanned. If your pet gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter or veterinarian, they will scan the microchip to read its unique dog or cat ID code. This is the number used by HomeAgain to identify the pet and retrieve your contact information, which is used to contact you and reunite you with your pet.

Now through the end of June, we are offering $10 off the price of a HomeAgain microchip for your pet and the registration fee.  For only $39.99 you will have one of the best ways to help your lost pet get home.  Call for an appointment today.

Read HomeAgain Microchip Frequently Asked Questions Here

With its innovative delivery system, Seresto^™ offers a breakthrough in flea and tick protection for dogs or cats for eight months.

Features and benefits:

• For dogs or cats
• Kills fleas
• Repels and kills ticks
• If a tick is repelled or killed, it can’t attach and
  transmit the organisms that may cause disease
• Non-greasy, odorless, easy-to-use

How Seresto^™ works

An effective combination

Inside the unique polymer matrix of Seresto^™ are two active ingredients:

• Imidacloprid has been used in products recommended by veterinarians for years to control flea infestations.
• Flumethrin works to repel and kill ticks. Already used in Europe, this effective active ingredient now comes to the US.

Flumethrin works together with imidacloprid to provide dual action against fleas and ticks. No other treatment has this combination of ingredients

The active ingredients spread from the site of direct contact] over the skin surface of the cat or dog

Sustained release technology

Seresto^™ works similarly to a monthly topical, but as the active ingredients wear off over time, a new supply is continuously replenished in low concentrations. The active ingredients spread from the site of direct contact over the skin surface.

Bayer’s polymer matrix technology is designed to slowly and continuously release the active ingredients over eight months, a duration that makes it clearly different from other collars.

Seresto^™ is water resistant

The active ingredients of Seresto^™ are contained within the Bayer Polymer Matrix, making it water-resistant. Therefore it is unnecessary to remove the collar before the pet is immersed in water. Seresto^™ remains effective following a shampoo treatment, swimming, or after exposure to rain or sunlight. Under normal conditions, effectiveness lasts for eight months. In order to maintain an 8-month duration, dogs must not be bathed more than once per month. For dogs that swim once a month or more, the control duration is reduced to five months.

Watch a video to learn how the two active ingredients in Seresto^™ work together to protect your cat or dog from fleas and ticks for eight months.

Your child’s age is important when bringing a cat into your family, but that’s not where it ends.

Kids love animals, and most children are eager to bring a pet into the family. Cats are the most popular pets in the world and, because they require less maintenance than dogs, are the top choice for adoption for many families. But just because they don’t need regular walking and hands-on bathing doesn’t mean cats don’t require regular attention and care.

Each family must consider their own unique circumstances, including the age of the children. However, these five points should be strongly considered before adopting a cat with your child.

1. Your family’s schedule
Cats are generally fine when left alone during the workday. However, if your family has a busy schedule, full of all sorts of extra-curricular activities, fish might be a better fit. Cats need regular attention, including playtime, grooming, and snuggles.

2. Your child’s ability at proper kitty handling
Before bringing a cat into your home, you and your child should spend time with friends’ cats. Demonstrate proper feline-handling and observe your child handling the kitty. Again, cats are not “things.” They are living beings who do not enjoy being roughly grabbed, chased, screamed at, or squeezed. Not all six-year-old kids have the same capacity for being gentle with small animals. You will have a general idea of how your child will be with a cat if you invest some time hanging out with other cats.

3. Your child’s skill at reading feline body language
While spending time with friends’ cats, teach your child about reading feline body language. Cats pretty clearly communicate when they want to be left alone. And they’re not shy about telling us when they want affection. The ears and tail speak volumes! Catster has some great body-language-decoding visuals that are child-friendly and educational even for adults! The conversation about reading body language is one that should definitely be continued even after the cat is brought into the home.

4. Your child’s responsibilities
Will your child have any cat care-related responsibilities? Children as young as three or four can help with everyday cat care. The youngest kids can help scoop food, clean dishes, and fill water bowls. Older children can open canned food, scoop litter boxes, and help with grooming. Everyone in the family can play with kitty!


When my kids were younger, we had a chore chart that included the cat-care tasks. For very young children who can’t read, you can draw pictures of the job. I found this helped build responsibility and accountability. Plus, they could never ask me, “What am I supposed to do today?” I just referred them to the chore chart: “After school, you scoop the boxes, sweep the floor, and load the dishwasher.” I’m not saying the chart was followed to a T, but it was a place to start. Helping take care of cats is an excellent way to help teach responsibility. You should definitely have that conversation before deciding to bring home a cat.

5. Your family’s living situation
Although I’m a huge believer in cats choosing people, I also think that when children are involved, it’s critical to think about the type of cat you should bring into the home. Tiny kittens might not be the best choice for home with very small children. In general, I’m a fan of adopting older cats who are often more difficult to place and whose personality is pretty settled. Also consider the activity level of the cat. A breed that bores easily and requires lots of attention should probably be placed with someone who is usually home.

Pay attention to the cat’s personality, ask questions of the shelter or breeder, and make sure you and your child spend time with the cat before bringing her home. When you adopt a pet, you are making a serious commitment that isn’t to be taken lightly.

Ectoparasites are organisms that live on the outside of an animal. Ticks are fairly common ectoparasites of dogs (and cats).  How often you see ticks on your dog and how severe a tick assault will be depends on the region of the country in which you live, the time of year (tick activity varies in warm and cool weather), the habits of your dog, and how and when you use tick control products. Some ticks can infest dogs that spend most of their time indoors, and even dogs that only spend brief periods of time outside can have ticks.

 How will ticks affect my dog?

Ticks attach to your dog by inserting their mouth-parts into your dog’s skin. Many ticks also produce a sticky, glue-like substance that helps them to remain attached. After attaching to your dog, ticks begin feeding on your dog’s blood. The places where ticks attach can become red and irritated.

Although rare, ticks can consume enough of your dog’s blood Continue reading →

At Cazenovia Animal Hospital, we know how important senior pets are to their owners.  These pets have given years of unconditional love and devotion to us.  They have helped us weather ‘storms’ in our lives, provided consistency and support during moves, job changes, loss of a loved one.  Many seniors have seen the kids grow from toddlers to teens, been the kids’ playmate or protector, taught the kids about love and responsibility.  Many have shared outdoor adventures with us.  These seniors are truly special, and that is why we take their health so seriously! Continue reading →

 SHARED FROM THE ASPCA WEBSITE

3 NUMBERS TO KEEP HANDY

ASPCA Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 ($65 Consultation Fee)

Pet Poison Helpline 1-800-213-6680 ($35 Consultation Fee)

Nationwide Standard Human Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 (FREE)

All 3 numbers are available 24/7 year round.
More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the 61 Poison Control Centers (PCCs) across the country. More than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home. The majority of non-fatal poisonings occur in children younger than six years old. And, poisonings are one of the leading Continue reading →