Common symptoms of allergies in dogs include licking of the paws, redness on the belly, in the groin area, in the armpits, and sometimes on the face. Rarely, dogs may exhibit sneezing, watery eyes, and a watery nose. Some dogs with allergies may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Allergies are extremely common in dogs, with about 60 to 70% of patients having some kind of allergy. The prevalence of allergies in dogs depends on the area that you live. For example, Greenville is one of the highest pollen producers in the whole country, which contributes to a higher number of allergies.

We determine if a dog has allergies through a combination of a thorough physical history, going over everything that the dog has been exposed to and the signs they have, and a full physical exam. A lot of times, we'll run some blood work to help us eliminate other issues that could be going on, and sometimes we will send the dog to a dermatologist.

A microchip does not guarantee that your cat will be found, but it does increase the likelihood of your cat being returned to you if they are found and brought to a location that can scan the microchip. It is essential to register your pet's microchip and keep your contact information up-to-date to ensure the best chance of being reunited with your lost pet.

Only animal shelters and animal hospitals have the capability to scan pet microchips. If someone not affiliated with these organizations were to somehow obtain a scanner, all they would be able to access is the microchip number. They could then look up the registry that the microchip is linked to, but they would not be able to access your personal information without your consent.

As far as we know, all shelters and animal hospitals have the capability to scan for microchips and should scan any stray animal that comes in. This helps them to reunite lost pets with their owners.

No, microchips are not GPS trackers. The primary function of a microchip is to store a unique identification number, which can be scanned by veterinarians, animal shelters, and rescue organizations to retrieve your contact information. GPS tracking technology is not currently integrated with microchipping systems.

Microchipping your cat ensures that if they are lost, they can be returned to you.

Collars and tags are useful, but they can be easily removed or lost if the pet backs out of their collar. This can happen on a walk if they get startled by a car or another animal outside. Having both a microchip and a collar with tags is a good idea to ensure the safe return of your pet if they are lost.

Microchipping your pet increases the chance of them being returned to you if they are lost and found. If your pet is picked up by someone and brought to a shelter or an animal hospital, they will be scanned, and the microchip information will be obtained. The next step is ensuring that the microchip number is registered to you. If your pet has been microchipped but not registered, the chances of them being returned to you are lower. However, if the microchip is registered to you and your pet is found and scanned, they will be returned to you.