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.

As far as we are aware, all shelters and animal hospitals have the capability of scanning for microchips when a pet is found.

No, most microchips are not GPS trackers, and they are not capable of providing your dog's location.

If your pet is lost in any capacity, such as being let out of your yard, getting off their leash, or even stolen, your pet can be scanned by an animal hospital or a shelter. The microchip number can be recovered and tied to your information online in the database. You will be contacted and your pet will be returned to you at that point.

Yes, heartworm treatment can cure your dog. It is safest to treat your dog during the earlier stages of heartworm disease to prevent any adverse reactions. However, dogs at any stage of the disease can be effectively treated and cured.

Yes, if left untreated, your dog will eventually succumb to heartworm disease. It is crucial to place your dog on a preventative medication and seek treatment if they test positive for heartworms.

The recommended treatment plan involves a total of three melarsamine injections: one initial injection followed by two injections 24 hours apart a month later. This plan has been proven to be most effective by the American Heartworm Society.

During the heartworm treatment process, your dog will be placed on a safe preventative medication and an antibiotic (usually doxycycline) to weaken the heartworms. After two months, your dog will receive an injection of melarsamine to kill the adult heartworms and will need to stay at the clinic for monitoring and exercise restriction. The dog will then go home for three weeks of exercise restriction before returning for two more injections 24 hours apart. The dog will stay at the clinic again for monitoring and exercise restriction before finally going home for another three weeks of confinement. The treatment process typically takes about four months.

There are four stages of heartworm disease. Stage one is the asymptomatic stage, where the dog has been infected but is not showing any symptoms. Stage two might involve the dog being listless, having a slight exercise intolerance, or being more lethargic than usual. Stage three is characterized by coughing, possible flecks of blood in the cough, and more pronounced exercise intolerance and lethargy. Stage four involves heart failure, a swollen belly, persistent coughing, and extreme lethargy.