FAQs

A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under your pet's skin. It contains a barcode that can be read by a scanner held up to the outside of your pet's body. The device itself contains no battery and no data other than the barcode, so it cannot die or give away your information.

When the microchip is read, it provides a unique number that one of the microchip registries can look up. If the microchip is registered, the owner and contact information for that animal is listed in their database. Veterinarians and shelters can scan lost pets for a microchip and use the information in the database to return lost pets to their owners.

Microchips are implanted under the skin using a slightly larger needle than those used for vaccinations. Most dogs and cats seem to find the pain minor and quickly forgotten. However, your pet can be microchipped while they are under anesthesia for another procedure such as spay or neuter or a dental cleaning, if you are concerned.

Microchips are very safe for your pet. The most common problem is the chip moving away from the implantation site, but even this is a relatively rare problem. There have been concerns about microchips causing cancer, but no studies that have actually found this to be the case in dogs or cats.

Your information is also safe with a microchip. The chip itself contains nothing but a barcode linked to your information in a registry. You can give as much or as little information as you would like to the registry, but you must ensure that it is up to date so that you can be contacted if your animal is found. If you move or change phone numbers, be sure to update your registration.

Bluegrass Animal Hospital Provides Microchipping for Your Pet

If your pet has not been microchipped, consider having one implanted today. They are safe and effective tools for returning lost pets to their owners, and we highly recommend them. To contact us here at Bluegrass Animal Hospital in Knoxville, call (865) 694-8387.

Around six months is usually a good idea for males, but for females, closer to 10 months is a better choice. Our veterinarian can give you a better timeline for your pet, according to its health and stage of growth.  

Females may need to stay overnight after the procedure and will typically need to take it easy for a week to 10 days. Males can usually go home on the same day, often with a cone to prevent licking the surgical site. They’ll usually be back to normal in just a few days. 

If you haven’t had your pet spayed yet, you might decide it’s a top priority once they give birth to a litter of little ones. Having puppies or kittens can be adorable, but it doesn’t take long to realize how much work it is. The good news is that you can still take your pet to be spayed. You just need to wait about two weeks after their babies have been weaned from nursing.

Females are spayed and males are neutered. Spaying is the process of removing the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes from females, ensuring they no longer have a heat cycle. Neutering is the process of castrating males, preventing reproduction.

Spaying and neutering are not required by law, but the procedures are still worth considering. Many stray cats and dogs are roaming around – something spaying and neutering can help prevent. Additionally, spaying and neutering have been found to reduce the risk of many medical issues, such as cancer and prostate disease. Spaying and neutering can keep your pet healthy and alive for longer.  

Arthritis is a degenerative disease that is caused by joint inflammation. When the cartilage in our pet's joints begins to break down, the joints are not as cushioned as they normally would be. This can be caused by age, injuries, illness, or even stress. Pets will often move slower and appear to be in pain. Pets most commonly get arthritis in their hips and legs.

This is the most common question that we run into because our furry friends cannot tell us when they are in pain. The symptoms of pet arthritis are very similar to the symptoms of human arthritis, but it is more difficult to diagnose them. Animals are often quite good at hiding their pain. Animals can mask their pain which is an instinct so they do not show an injury or weakness to potential predators. Even domesticated animals will often hide their pain.

If your pet is moving slower or taking longer to sit down, it may be in pain. The signs of arthritis may just be starting. If this occurs after some weight gain, that is another indication that arthritis may be a problem. Watch your pet’s behavior and see if it is acting more moody than usual.

Joint supplements, pain management, and certain lifestyle changes will be in order for your pet. You will need to watch for the same side effects in them, as you do with medication. Stomach problems or grumpiness may occur and should be reported to our veterinarians. We will help you come up with a treatment program for your pet that will provide pain relief while minimizing any potential side effects.

If your pet is at high risk for infestation, your veterinarian may recommend that they take a monthly preventative medication. Using a preventative spray on areas where your pet frequently spends time is also a wise idea. Start by spraying your pet's bed and consider spraying your backyard lawn if your pet spends time outdoors. Pests are attracted to long, unkempt fur, so proper grooming is also essential. Brush your pet's coat regularly and try to keep it on the shorter side. Dog owners should regularly bathe their pups to keep their fur clean.

While it's common for pets to pick up fleas or ticks outdoors, these pests can also be found lurking inside many homes! Try to keep your windows and doors closed tightly, especially in spring and summer. Ticks and fleas tend to be most active during these months. Seal off any openings pests could use to get inside your house.

One of the most common reactions to both fleas and ticks is itching and scratching. You may also notice your pet licking itself excessively or pawing at its skin. It's also common to see visible signs of irritation, like rashes or dark spots on your pet's fur. It's best to check your pet regularly so that you can catch and treat infestations early on.

Since ticks spread dangerous diseases, you should immediately remove them from your pet. Ideally, you should use sterilized tweezers to pull the tick away from your pet. Tweezers will allow you to get close to the surface of your pet's skin and remove the entire tick. Once you've successfully removed the tick, dispose of it in alcohol or a sealed container.

There are many potential causes of pet eye infections including bacterial infection, fungal infection, clogged tear ducts, parasite infestation, and eye injury. Eye infections can also be a sign of a weak immune system.

Symptoms of a pet eye infection are fairly obvious, starting with a strange discharge coming from one or both eyes. This discharge could be clear, creamy, or crusty and may have a foul odor. Other symptoms include:

• Inflammation or redness of your pet’s eye
• Discoloration
• Excessive blinking or squinting
• Closure of infected eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Constant rubbing of the infected eye

At the first sign of these symptoms, contact our Knoxville, TN veterinarian to schedule a checkup. The sooner an eye infection is diagnosed, the more effectively your pet’s eyesight can be protected. 

Pet eye infections range from mild to serious. Serious infections pose a risk to your pet’s sight. Our veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet to determine the cause and severity of your pet’s eye infection before offering the corresponding treatment.

Although some eye infections heal on their own, it’s better to bring your pet to our animal hospital for a checkup at the first sign of eye infection. Our veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet and make an accurate diagnosis of his condition before recommending treatment. Depending on your pet’s condition, we may prescribe eye drops or other medication. In serious cases, your pet may need eye surgery to avert permanent damage to his sight.

There are measures you can take to protect your pet against eye infections. Keep your pet’s hair neatly trimmed around the eyes. When your pet comes in from playing outside, wipe your pet’s face with a clean, damp cloth to remove fungi, pollen, and dirt from around the eyes. Don’t allow your pup to stick his head out of the window when riding in a car. Be sure to never use eye drops formulated for humans in your pet’s eyes. 

Left alone for more than a day at a time, your dog may hurt himself and your home. Experiencing high levels of stress causes dogs to go to the bathroom on furniture, vomit, and chew anything they can get their paws on. Hiring an unfamiliar dog sitter and dog walker may only spike your pet's anxiety. When you're traveling, you shouldn't have to worry about your dog's well-being. Bluegrass Animal Hospital keeps your dog comfortable and safe in spacious, noise-controlled kennels.

Yes. We have an experienced veterinary team capable of caring for pets with disabilities and require special medication. We keep a complete record of our guests' medical histories to ensure they receive proper care.

Members of our veterinary staff make frequent rounds to check up on guests. Throughout the day, we observe your dog's condition and report any changes in their health to our veterinarians. We keep your pet happy and entertained with daily walks and dog toys.

We provide low fat Gastrointestinal quality pet food for animals with unique dietary needs. Water and bedding are also provided. If your dog eats only a specific brand of food, we recommend bringing enough cans to last for his or her stay at Bluegrass Animal Hospital.

If your dog is in distress, we have a veterinarian on-call 365 days per year to handle any emergencies. A member of our staff will contact you immediately if your dog requires unexpected medical care. We will do our best to consult with you before medical services are performed.

Pet emergencies in Knoxville vary widely in terms of severity, type, and presentation. Situations which often require urgent medical attention include:

• Heatstroke
• Bloat
• Cystitis
• Electrocution and burns
• Frank trauma (often caused by falls or being hit by a car); this can include internal bleeding, skin lacerations, and broken bones
• Orthopedic injuries (joint dislocations, ligament tears, tendon ruptures, etc.)
• Animal or wildlife bites
• Accidental poisoning (food, medications, plants, household chemicals, etc.)

The following issues indicate that your pet might be dealing with a medical emergency:

• Sudden limping or lameness
• Vomiting and diarrhea (especially if it's repetitive, lasts longer than 24 hours, or has blood in it)
• A lump or bump that's getting bigger and/or harder
• Sudden bloating of the stomach 
• Sudden collapse
• Seizure
• Difficulty breathing
• Bleeding from any orifice or area
• Straining to urinate or defecate, or blood in urine or feces
• Unusual behaviors such as atypical barking, aggression, or disorientation

Make sure you and the pet are out of imminent danger. Be calm but direct in your approach and use a soothing voice. It's completely normal for even sweet-tempered pets to bite or scratch when they are hurt and scared. 

You may need to lift the animal into your car to take it to the hospital. Sometimes a towel or blanket around her can help keep her calm. 

We encourage you to contact a vet in Knoxville at Bluegrass Animal Hospital with any questions or concerns. If symptoms are severe or appear to be getting worse quickly, bring your animal in as quickly as possible. Feel free to call us on the way to let us know you're coming. 

If your pet needs urgent attention outside normal business hours, our vet team can connect you with an area 24-hour pet emergency hospital.

It can take time, and they probably won't like it initially. You just need to stick with it. Your pet probably didn't like you looking into their ears or checking under their tails at first, but over time, they will open up to it. The same is true with brushing their teeth. You need to invest in a pet toothbrush and toothpaste. Then, try two or three times per week to brush their teeth. Don't force it early on. As long as you stick with it, you'll see results, and eventually, they should hopefully allow you to clean their teeth in one sitting.

Yes, there are a handful of other ways you can improve your pet's oral health. You can get them special treats that will rub against their teeth as they chew, which will help clean their teeth. Bones can help as well. If you see a bit of blood on a rawhide or a thick bone, you don't need to panic. This is similar to seeing blood when you floss. So, unless there is a lot of blood, there's no need to worry.

There are also some oral liquids you can add to their drinking water. These are safe to drink and help kill bacteria in the mouth. It won't replace brushing or other gum care, but it is another way you can go about helping improve their oral health.