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Wisdom DNA Panel Now Available

Have you ever wondered about the ancestry of your favorite dog? Does he look like a Labrador mix, but sometimes acts like a herding dog? You can look at the size of the body, the color and length of the hair, the shape of the head and take a good guess. That used to be all you could do, unless you knew the dog’s parents and grandparents.
Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital is now offering DNA testing for your dog. How it works: A blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory for testing. Your dog’s sample is tested for 170 different breeds from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire terrier. The Wisdom Panel will include the three major breeds in your dog’s ancestry. The report will also explain the history, physical appearance, health indicators and behavioral traits common to the breed found in your dog.

Here is a link to an example of a dog who has had the testing. http://www.wisdompanel.com/photos/profile/3759.html

New Benefits When You Microchip Your Pet

A missing pet causes a lot of worry and anxiety for the pet owner. Microchipping your pet is the best way to ensure guaranteed identification since tags and collars can often fall off during their “runaway adventures”. Placing a microchip can easily be done at an office exam or while under anesthesia for another procedure. All shelters and veterinary clinics have scanners to identify microchips and recognize their individual numbers.

Each individual microchip contains a number that is entered into a national database and then linked to the owner’s or veterinary clinic’s information. Microchip registration is free, but if you wish to take advantage of the benefits below there is a $14.99 annual cost.

HomeAgain has included the following services free with your first year of registration. Benefits include:

-Medical Insurance for Lost Pets- Covers up to $3,000 of the cost of medical treatment for injuries for lost dogs and cats, upon proof of a lost pet incident.

-Proactive Pet Recovery- Home Again helps you search – If your pet gets lost HomeAgain sends out Lost Pet Alert to veterinarians, shelters, and volunteer Pet Rescuers in the area where your pet was lost, and provides a ”Lost Pet” poster that you can print and post in your neighborhood.

-24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline – In emergency situations, you can call and speak with a licensed veterinarian. ($60 value)

-Travel Assistance for Lost Pets – Free air travel for recovered pets found more than 500 miles from home.