Centreville Animal Hospital Newsletter
www.centrevilleanimalhosp.com

Vol. 8 Number 1

News and Views     Continued...

Second, in December 2007, a lost pet was brought to us that had just been found in Centreville. In the first five minutes the pet was in our hospital, our receptionists found a microchip. Within 10 minutes, a few phone calls, the owner was found. The pet had disappeared 35 months before. Thirty-five months is correct! The people had moved in that time but the tracking information was complete enough that the pet was returned to the original family.

The angel who returned the pet plus the family got the best holiday present anyone could imagine. No one knows about the three years in between but I'm sure the decision to identify this pet with a microchip was considered the best decision ever made in that household! Miracles can happen and maybe Scooter in Dallas will get home soon.

US - New Swine Influenza Strain.    Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers have identified a new strain of swine influenza -- H2N3 -- with a molecular twist: it is composed of avian and swine influenza genes. The research team studied an unknown pathogen that in 2006 infected two groups of pigs at separate production facilities. Both groups of pigs used water obtained from ponds frequented by migrating waterfowl. Molecular studies indicated the unknown pathogen was an H2N3 influenza virus closely related to an H2N3 strain found in mallard ducks. However, this was the first time it had been observed in
mammals. (Feedstuffs)

We welcome your comments and concerns because, in the end, we share a common goal: Happy and contented pets that are members of your family for a very long time.