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Healthy Pet - Our Recommendations
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Regular
annual health checks are an essential part of our service and
can save much discomfort and distress later on. They can often
be combined with the booster vaccination. We can also discuss
and advise on flea control, worming, feeding, dental care and
provide other health services, such as senior pet health screening,
(which may include blood and urine tests and weight monitoring)
and so detect underlying problems early.
Vaccinations
Dogs are vaccinated against Distemper, Canine Parvovirus,
Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Coronavirus, and the viral part of the
kennel cough complex. A complete course of vaccination is essential
to provide protection in puppies and can be started when your
pup is 6 weeks old. In adult dogs annual (booster) vaccination
is essential to maintain immunity.
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'Kennel Cough' is a highly unpleasant disease causing sometimes
a quite distressing cough in dogs. It can spread where dogs come
into close contact for example at boarding kennels, shows or training
classes. A single vaccination now offers twelve months protection
and can be done at the same time as annual vaccinations. Most boarding
kennels now require this vaccination prior to entry.
Cats are vaccinated routinely against Cat Flu, Enteritis,
Feline Leukaemia and Chlamydia. An initial course of vaccinations
starting from nine weeks of age is followed by annual boosters.
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Rabbits
are vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease.
Myxomatosis vaccination can be started from six weeks of age and
viral haemorrhagic disease vaccination can be started from three
months of age. The two vaccinations have to be given at least
two weeks apart and annual boosters are recommended.
If you require further information on any of the above serious
diseases please ask one of our Veterinary Surgeons.
Puppy
Parties
We offer free and enjoyable puppy parties held at the surgery.
Our aim is to encourage socialisation with other puppies, their
owners and their families in a controlled hygienic environment
(every precaution is taken to ensure this).
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All
puppies attending should have had their first vaccination and be
fit and healthy. We will explain the importance of early habituation
when puppies should be introduced to traffic, bicycles, lawn mowers
and vacuum cleaners, etc.
Training - we explain that the training of your puppy
starts by understanding the dog's place with the human pack (your
family). We demonstrate how easily the basic "sit", "down" and "come"
commands are taught using the positive enforcement technique by
reward i.e. affection, praise or food.
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Nutrition, worm and flea control, grooming, dental care, Pet Passport
Scheme and neutering are some of the topics that will be covered.
All this is done in a friendly atmosphere where we will endeavour
to answer any topics and help with any problems. Please contact
the surgery to book your puppy into the next party.
As a follow on from the puppy party we offer a free 6 months puppy
check to monitor growth and development and to discuss any health
problems. This is conducted by one of our qualified veterinary
nurses.
We do look forward to seeing you, your family and your puppy.
Worming
The only effective worming treatments are those medicines supplied
by veterinary surgeons. The worming treatments we can supply are
both highly effective and virtually free from side effects. Puppies
and Kittens need to be wormed regularly from an early age. The
Veterinary Surgeon can advise you on a suitable regime.
Single dose treatments for both roundworms and tapeworms are now
available for dogs and cats. In general, adult cats and dogs should
be de-wormed every three months
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All
about worming your cat & dog
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Fleas
can transmit tapeworms therefore; tapeworm treatment may be required
after a flea treatment. Please ask us to advise you when you bring
your pet in for its annual health check.
Microchip
To provide permanent identification of your pet, in case it becomes
lost or stolen, we can insert a small microchip implant under
the skin on the back of your pet's neck which can then be read
by a scanning device. This is a simple procedure that can be performed
in a standard appointment that ensures a lost animal can be quickly
identified and reunited with its owner.
Flea & Tick Control
The only effective flea and tick treatments are 'prescription-only
medicines' which can only be supplied by veterinary surgeons.
We can provide a choice of highly effective, safe and easy to
use flea products for both treatment and prevention, and also
for use in your house and on your furnishings.
Effective treatment requires treatment of both your pet and its
environment. Our staff will be pleased to help you with this
Neutering
We strongly advise that all pets are neutered both for their health
and to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
Bitches: The neutering (spaying) of bitches (which
involves the removal of the womb and ovaries) has many advantages
for the bitch's health besides the obvious risks of pregnancies
and the nuisance value of having seasons every six months for
life.
These include:
(1) Avoiding false pregnancies
(2) Womb infections (pyometra) which is a life threatening condition
requiring emergency surgery.
(3) Greatly reduces mammary (breast) cancer if the bitch is spayed
in early life
The optimum time to spay a bitch is after her first season (which
usually occurs at eight to eleven months of age), and before her
next season, which is generally six months later. The safest time
is three months after the end of their first season.
Dogs: For males the main health benefits of neutering
(removal of testicles) include:
(1) Reduced aggressive behaviour between dogs
(2) Helps prevents straying when chasing bitches in season
(3) Reducing Hypersexual behaviour i.e. mounting
The
dog can be castrated at any time after twelve months of age.
Cats: The benefits in cats are similar to those
in dogs with the added advantage of reducing urine spraying and
the associated smell with male cats. The optimum time to neuter
cats is when they are six months of age
Rabbits: The neutering of both bucks and does is
now a common procedure with safe modem anaesthetics. Benefits
include decreased aggression (in both males and females) and prevent
urine spraying in males. In females' uterine cancer, which is
common in does, and false pregnancies are prevented by neutering.
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Dental
Health
Dental problems in cats and dogs are unfortunately all too common.
Remember bad breath is not normal. It probably means there is some
infection and most infections cause discomfort and pain. |
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There
are many ways of improving your pet's oral hygiene - even for those
pets that do not like their mouths being touched. It is important
to start brushing your pet's teeth from an early age. This can help
prevent dental problems later in life.
We recommend regular checks of the teeth and mouths of all dogs,
cats and other pets from their first visit to the surgery. We have
the latest equipment not only for scaling and polishing of teeth
and also for other more complex forms of dental surgery if required. |
Coming
in for an Operation
Large proportions of pets undergo a surgical procedure or investigation
involving anaesthesia at some time during their life For the majority
this is straightforward and uneventful, however, no anaesthetic
can be 100% safe and it is important that you folllow instructions
given prior to bringing your pet in. If there is any chance that
this has not been the case, such as getting extra food, please let
us know.
Some problems with anaesthesia, usually in older animals, can occur
when organs such as the liver and kidneys are not working effectively,
even though your pet seems normal. A pre-anaesthetic blood test
can be taken to help detect this type of problem, and reduce the
risk of complications. Our staff will be happy to advise you.
Insurance
For a fraction of the feeding cost of your pet per week, you can
now insure him or her against the sometimes high cost of prolonged
treatment for an unexpected illness or accident. Ideally, insurance
should be taken out as soon as possible in your pet's life.
Our endeavour is to provide the best possible standard of care.
Realistically, we appreciate this can be expensive and it can
be very traumatic when a pet's health or life is compromised by
financial considerations. Therefore, we believe that pet insurance
is of benefit to both you and your pet health.
Going on Holiday
For those who have never used a kennel or cattery before, we would
like to offer the following advice: Make sure the premises hold
a current licence. All kennels and catteries are professionally
inspected annually and must reach an acceptable veterinary and
environmental health standard before the licence is issued. However,
we all have our own criteria, so it is advisable to check two
or three establishments for your own peace of mind.
Most establishments welcome inspection. You might consider it
worthwhile to book you pet in for a one or two day familiarisation
visit prior to the holiday. Your pet will then be confident for
a longer stay and not fret about being picked up again It is preferable
to book in during the morning whenever possible.
If you think your pet may have a health problem while you are
away, please make us aware so that we may agree a course of action.
Bear in mind that kennels and catteries get fully booked during
the peak holiday periods, so it is advisable to book as early
as possible. At the same time check that your pet's vaccination
certificate will still be in date to avoid last minute panics.
Senior Pet Health Screening
All animals presented for vaccination will receive a frill health
check when we can advise you of any actual or potential health
problems. Of course we are happy to give your pet a check-up at
any time, particularly if you notice any subtle changes in behaviour,
e.g. increased thirst, reluctance to exercise, breathlessness
or a slight cough. Any of these may signify the start of a more
serious problem.
The most important thing to remember is that many of the treatments
we can offer alleviate pain and discomfort and improve quality
of life. Indeed, many of the conditions attributed to "old age"
are treatable. Like us, advancing years can make your pet more
prone to health problems and we recommend more regular check-ups
as your pet gets older.
A blood test and urine analysis to screen for underlying disease
in the major organs of the body can be invaluable in detecting
the early stages of disease and improving the chances of successful
treatment.
Obesity Weight Control and Diet
Obesity is a very common problem in dogs and in some cats. Many
pets, particularly dogs, will regularly overeat given the chance
and this contributes to a wide range of medical problems including
arthritis, diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, skin disease
and breathing problems.
Prevention is easier than cure and we strongly recommend that
you check your pet's weight regularly, every two to three months
or so. Feel free to use the scales at the surgery at any time
when we are open and we will record your pet's weight for you
and advise regarding its ideal weight.
If your pet is overweight you can control its diet a more effectively
with a low calorie diet food. Our nutritional advisers can give
free advice on diets and slimming by appointment.
Specialised Diets
There have been enormous advances in specialist diets over the
past few years and several products are available to treat and
assist in the management of conditions such as kidney disease,
colitis, diarrhoea, obesity and skin disorders. Many of our patients
have benefited greatly from this type of dietary management. Your
Veterinary Surgeon may prescribe one of these diets during a consultation.
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