Dog Care Advice

Having a dog is an exciting adventure with lots of things to think about so here are some basic tips! For any other questions do give the surgery a call!

Vaccination

Vaccinations are very important to prevent infectious disease. In puppies we vaccinate at 10 and 12 weeks of age (we can vaccinate earlier if needed). Adult dogs should be be vaccinated annually. We vaccinate against:

• Canine Parvovirus
• Canine Parainfluenza
• Canine Distemper
• Infectious Canine Hepatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Kennel Cough (not included in routine vaccinations)
• Rabies (for pet passports)

Many of these diseases are potentially fatal with only a very lucky few unvaccinated dogs surviving infections and that is with intensive treatment.

Flea and Worming

Puppies often pick up fleas and worms from their mother and they are at much more risk of getting ill from having them.Puppies should be wormed and flea treated every month until they are 6 months old.

Adult dogs should be treated every three months after this for tapeworm and monthly for fleas and worms. The flea and worm treatment market can be confusing and a lot of products are very ineffective.

Fleas

These days fleas are a year round problem for animals as most pets live in centrally heated houses, meaning that fleas don't die off during the winter months. Not only do flea numbers increase rapidly in the hot weather but also towards autumn and winter as everyone turns their central heating on.

Many pets are allergic to flea bites and can get very itchy skin rashes from even a single flea bite. Fleas carry tapeworm and are a significant source of tapeworm infection.

There are many different ways to treat and prevent fleas but they can basically be grouped into 2 main categories.

Spot-on treatments - these kill fleas that jump on to your pet, some will also treat ticks and/or some worms and mites as well. Not all spot on treatments are as effective, and most supermarket bought products are very ineffective.

House sprays - If fleas have set up shop in your house you will need to treat the house with a flea spray. It is best to vacuum the house prior to spraying to cause any flea eggs to hatch. If the flea larvae remain in their eggs they will be immune to the spray. Repeating the treatment of the house in 3 weeks time will also mop up any fleas that survived the initial treatment.

If you have a problem with fleas in the house please call for a chat and some advice.

Why not book in for a free flea/worm check with our nurse, so we can find the treatment that is perfect for your pet.

Ticks

Animals pick up ticks from the long grass and they then feed off your pet. If you find a tick NEVER pull it off as they can leave their head behind resulting in an abscess. Either bring your pet into the surgery to have the tick taken off or pop in and pick up a tick remover. Several flea treatments are also effective against ticks.Several flea treatments are also effective against ticks and there are also tick collars available that are very effective.

Worms

Unlike fleas it is often impossible to tell if your pet has worms unless they have a very heavy infestation. Mostly, worms will only pass microscopic eggs in the faeces that are invisible to the human eye.

Not only are worms bad news for your pet but many can spread to humans, especially children. Infection with certain worms in humans can cause permanent damage to eye sight.

Animals can pick up worms from:

• hunting
• scavenging food
• from other animal droppings
• from fleas
• from their mother (puppies)
• through the pads on their feet

Generally we recommend worming every 3 months but some animals (especially hunters and scavengers) may need worming up to every month.

Mites and Lice

These can be picked up from other animals (particularly foxes) and also from fields during harvest time.

Both mites and lice make your pet very itchy and must be diagnosed (usually by looking under a microscope at a skin scraping) to find the correct treatment.

Some spot on flea and worm treatments can be used to treat mite infections.

Lungworm

Lungworm is a parasite that causes bloodclotting disorders and lung damage. It should be treated for regularly with a monthly spot on.

Identichipping

It is now a legal requirement that ALL dogs must be microchipped. Puppies can be chipped at vaccination. Once the chip is implanted, which is just like an injection for them, it lasts for life. If ever your pet goes missing it can be identified easily even if he/she has lost a collar. Identichipping is a requirement of the pet passport scheme. .

Neutering

Puppies can be neutered from 6 months old. Advantages of neutering

• Unneutered female dogs can get a uterine infections called a pyometra that can be rapidly fatal.
• Female dogs can suffer from "false pregnancies" which are very distressing; neutering prevents this;
• If you neuter your female dog early, their risk of getting mammary (breast) cancer is reduced to practically zero. Your animal must be neutered before they reach 2.5 years of age to gain the benefit of this, and most benefit comes from neutering at 6 months.
• Old male unneutered dogs often get prostate enlargement or cancers.
• Neutering prevents testicular cancer in the male dog.

It is a very routine procedure and puppies recover very quickly from surgery.

Remember that changing home and leaving mum and litter mates can be a stressful time for a new puppy. You may want to consider getting an Adaptil plug in diffuser to help your new pet settle into their new environment.

Rabbit care

Vaccination

Rabbits need regular vaccinations in the same way cats and dogs do. In rabbits we vaccinate against :-

• Myxomatosis - this disease is very common in the wild rabbit population and is almost invariably fatal.
• Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) - this causes loss of appetite and severe nose bleeds. 90% of infected rabbits die and some within 48 hours.

We are now able to vaccinate rabbits against these diseases using one yearly combination vaccination. Nobivac Myxo RHD is based on a recombinant attenuated myxoma vector virus which contains the RHD VP60 capsid gene such that a single vaccine virus immunises against the two diseases.

As both VHD and myxomatosis is spread by biting insects, it is advisable to treat you rabbit regularly for fleas and to take measures to avoid flies getting access to you rabbit.

Diet

Rabbits require a diet high in fibre to keep their guts and teeth healthy. We recommend lots of hay and grass supplemented with a good quality dry food.

Generally pellet foods are the best choice so your rabbit doesn't just pick out their favourite bits.

If you want a treat for your rabbit carrots and dandelion leaves are an excellent choice, but only as a treat.

You may find this website helpful: www.burgesspetcare.co.uk

Teeth

Rabbits teeth grow through out their life and they need to chew regularly to stop them overgrowing. Feeding lots of hay and grass is very important to prevent this as is providing chewing toys such as willow sticks. We stock a number of rabbit chews in our surgery.

Neutering

We do recommend neutering rabbits and it is a routine procedure. These are the advantages:

• Unneutered female rabbits often get false pregnancies, and can even pull all their fur out building nests.
• Unneutered rabbits are also far more likely to be aggressive.
• Rabbits are very social animals and are happiest kept in groups; a neutered male and female rabbit will be great company for each other.
• Unneutered female rabbits are at a high risk of uterine cancers.

Worming, Flea Treatment, Mites and Flystrike

Rabbits can suffer with fleas in the same way that cats and dogs can and, as this is one of the ways that diseases like myxomatosis are spread, it is important that you treat your pet regularly.

Rabbits can commonly suffer from an infection with a parasite called E. cuniculi. Signs of an active E. cuniculi infection include:-

• head tilt
• hindlimb weakness
• seizures
• blindness
• kidney failure and incontinence

Most rabbits with severe infections are euthanised. It is estimated that up to 50% of rabbits may be infected so it is really important to treat with wormer such as 'Panacur Rabbit' or 'Lapizole' at least once, when you first get your rabbit.

Many rabbits suffer from mites especially Cheyletiella or 'walking dandruff'. This often shows up as hair loss and lots of dandruff in the coat. It can be treated with spot on treatments such as Xeno spot on. During the summer months flies can lay eggs on your rabbit which rapidly hatch into maggots which will basically eat your pet alive! Regularly cleaning their hutch and preventative treatment with Rearguard can save their lives!

Weight Control

Animals that are overweight are less able to exercise and play, and this can significantly affect their enjoyment of life. Being overweight can also make your animal far more likely to develop serious medical conditions such as:-

• Diabetes
• Arthritis and Spinal Problems
• Liver Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Heart Disease
• Poor skin and coat condition

In addition overweight pets are more at risk with general anaesthetics and have less resistance to infectious diseases.

Also remember that neutered pets are more likely to gain weight after surgery as they require 30 % fewer calories.

Having an overweight pet can be difficult to manage alone. Simply reducing his/her food can make them very hungry and upset but also reduces their intake of vitamins and minerals.

Sometime opting for the 'light' version of a food may not be enough to help your pet lose weight but it will stop them gaining still more.

The best solution is a prescription diet food used to gradually reduce weight without your pet losing essential vitamins and minerals as well as keeping them feeling fuller for longer.

Our nurses run regular weight clinics to help advise you which food and how much would be right for your pet, as well giving you helpful tips and regular weigh ins.

Ferrets

• If not mated a female ferret will stay in season indefinitely. Overproduction of oestrogen during this period eventually causes severe anaemia and can often be fatal.
• Remember you can have your male ferret vasectomised to keep with a non-neutered female to prevent this.
• Spaying female ferrets increases the risk of forming adrenal tumours. To prevent this from happening an implant can be used in place of neutering and can last up to 2 years.

Dental Care

Dental disease is a common problem in pets especially in small dogs and cats. Bad teeth can lead to all sorts of problems such as:-

• Bad breath
• Difficulty eating
• Dental Abscesses
• Sore gums and mouth
• Heart and Kidney disease

The good news is there are many ways of preventing problems....

• Dental foods - these contain larger biscuits designed to clean your pets teeth as they eat.
• Toothbrushes and Toothpaste - specially designed to clean your pets teeth. Animal toothpaste is flavoured for your pet and some actually help clean the teeth without brushing. Brushing the teeth is by far the best way to maintain good dental health.
• Food supplements - help to soften tartar so it is easier to remove
• Water additives - these act like dental chewing gum for your pet.
• Dental chews - a treat that keeps your pets teeth clean. Be careful to avoid high calorie chews that could make your pet overweight.
• Scale and polish – Many animals require more significant treatment to remove build up of tartar, a cement-like substance that no amount of brushing will shift. This is done under general anaesthesia.

A free dental check up with our nurses can help you decide which is the best option for your pet and decide whether your pet needs more significant dental treatment such as a scale and polish.

Pet Passports

Many people wish to travel with their pets and there are a few basic steps to take to get your pet's passport issued.

Step 1

Your pet must be identichipped

Step 2

Your pet must have a rabies vaccination which must be repeated every 3 years. You must ensure they do not miss their booster date by even a single day otherwise the passport will become invalid.

Step 3

A passport can be issued 21 days after the rabies vaccination date and you may travel abroad immediately. You need to treat you animal for tapeworm between 1-5 days prior to returning to the UK.

Under current legislation you must visit a vet in Europe prior to returning to the UK for tapeworm treatment. Although tick treatment is no longer compulsory, we would strongly advise that you treat your pets for ticks whilst abroad as several tick borne diseases are endemic in Europe.

Please visit this link for more information.

Remember the rules for individual countries can change and you are always advised to check government regulations before travelling.

Arthritis

Many older animals suffer from arthritis and the damp, cold weather often worsens the symptoms. Animals, particularly cats, are very good at hiding the fact that they are in pain so if you're pet shows any of the following symptoms they should be checked at the surgery:

• Stiffness
• Reluctance to walk
• Not wanting to jump
• Reduced playing
• Agressive behaviour when touched or generally shying away
• lethargy
• Crying or yelping
• Lameness
• Reduced grooming

Arthritis can be diagnosed by the vet examining your pet. Xrays are required for a definitive diagnosis but response to treatment may be used in place of this if you do not want xrays to be taken.

Painkillers

Don't worry if your pet is getting stiff as there are lots of treatments available to help them feel more comfortable. These include:-

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Injections that help rebuild a damaged joint
• Joint supplements
• Hydrotherapy
• Acupuncture

Anti-inflammatories

If your pet has arthritis they will likely benefit from anti-inflammatories. Modern anti-inflammatories are very safe and we have a range to choose from to find the one that is right for your pet.

Injections to repair damaged joints

The vet may recommend a course of injections with a drug called cartrophen then can help to repair the eroded cartilage in your animal'­s arthritic joints.

Nutritional Supplements and Diets

These can be very helpful in maintaining good joint health by aiding with joint lubrication. These are recommended in large breed dogs, even from a young age, to reduce wear and tear on joints and delay the onset of osteoarthritis. Many pets do well on supplements alone.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy can be very helpful in keeping your pet's muscles healthy whilst avoiding putting too much pressure on its joints. We can recommend good hydrotherapy centres nearby.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an up and coming area of veterinary medicine and may be beneficial in addition to the treatments listed above.

Stress and Firework Phobia

Our pets, just like us, can suffer from anxiety and stress in many common situations. These include: -

• moving house
• new baby or pet
• kennel/cattery stay
• travel
• home alone
• grooming
• new cat moving into neighbourhood
• sudden noises eg fireworks or thunderstorms

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your pet is stressed - common symptoms would be:

• house soiling
• increased or decreased interaction with people/other pets.
• reduced appetite
• over grooming (cats)
• enlarged pupils &/or lowered stance
• changed demeanour

So what can be done if a pet is stressed?

• get your pet health checked, it's always best to rule out medical problems first
• behavioural therapy (we can refer your pet to a qualified therapist)
• Nutritional supplements such as Zylkene, a natural supplement based on milk protein which can help calm your pet
• Animal pheromones such as Adaptil and Feliway - are available in sprays, plug ins and even collars

Pet insurance

We highly recommend insuring your pet with a reputable company. Veterinary fees can rapidly escalate into large amounts of money, especially if your pet is diagnosed with a long-term illness or requires surgery and there is no NHS for pets. Insurance companies now provide cover for a wide variety of animals, from rabbits to horses, and it is advisable to protect yourself and others against the cost of treatment should they become unwell.

There are wide ranges of companies that offer different types of policies, varying amounts of excess (that you need to pay) and types of cover. It is essential that you understand the cover provided by each company before taking out any policy. For example, some companies offer lifelong cover, which means that they will continue to pay the bills for a long-term illness for the life of the animal. However, some policies have a 12 month limit on the length of time you can to claim for any illness or injury, after that time they will not pay for that condition.

Most insurers also provide you with third party cover so that if your pet causes damage to property or to any person they will cover the costs involved in repair or compensation to correct the damage. You may also find that your policy covers you while travelling abroad with your pet on the Pets travel scheme.

Some companies will also offer added bonuses, for example;

• £25 towards your pets annual health check and vaccinations
• Save if you insure two or more pets
• Savings when you pay annually
• Cover for dental problems and treatments
• Contribute 50% of the costs of special diet foods for as long as the treatment is required.
• Cover for complementary therapies such as hydrotherapy, herbal or homeopathic medicine, acupuncture and a whole range of physiotherapy techniques.
• First month FREE when you take out an annual policy.
• If your pet is stolen payment is made for local advertising and a reward,

Obviously not one company will offer all of the above this is why research is highly important when taking out a policy to ensure that the cover is suitable for your pets needs.

As we are sure you can see from the above it is essential that you understand the coverage that is provided by each company to avoid disappointment when it comes to receiving your cheque from the insurers.

We recommend that you always opt for a lifelong policy and that you have at least £6,000 of cover per annum for veterinary fees. We are unlikely to charge you that amount of money, but if your pet needs to be referred to a specialist then costs can easily run into the thousands.

We will complete your claims form and post it for you. All we ask from you is that you complete your section of your claim form and drop it at the surgery for completion. Your insurance company will then assess your claim and forward you a cheque directly*.

*All fees must be paid initially to us at the time of consultation or collection of your animal. All payments to the policyholder are at the discretion of the insurance company.