Author Archives: gray_ealingvets

Have you wormed your pet recently?

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Do you know how easy it is for your pet to pick up a worm burden? By just licking the slime of a snail trail can help spread worms into your pet! Some worms can cause a pot bellied appearance and some can cause, in extreme cases, death – this is why it is so important to worm your pet regularly. There are many different worming products on the market. Our vets will assess and weigh your pet and arrange a suitable prescription to help prevent worms. Worming products are all included in our monthly Pet Healthcare Plan if you want to spread the cost of your pets preventative healthcare, why not join today? 

 

Toxocara Canis is a common type of roundworm found in the digestive tract of dogs. The parasite can be found in the environment particularly in parks and exercise areas. They can effect any type, age or breed of dog. Puppies can get the worms passed on from their mothers can become infected whilst still in the uterus. Many dogs (between 10% – 40%) have this worm present in their body and show no external signs.

 

Toxocara cati is the common feline roundworm, again this can be found in any breed, type or age of cat or kitten. The parasite has been found in 26% of cats. Cats can get worms through contact with infected soil, licking fur near their feet, and eating a host animal such as a rodent.

 

The larvae of both worms can move through the body and cause damage to the animals internal organs. Young puppies and kittens are the most likely to show clinical signs, these would include :

   

 Abdominal pain 

Diarrhoea

Coughs

Nasal discharge

Pot bellied/bloated appearance 

If your kitten or puppy shows any of these signs contact us immediately. We will be able to  treat the animal with the appropriately, if left to worsen worms can cause serious health issues.

   

 The Toxocara worm can also infect humans, this is called a zoonosis (where an infection can spread between animal and human). Although rare the worm larvae can migrate into the human eye. Symptom’s can include vision loss, eye inflammation or retina damage. The worm can also travel to other parts of the human body and cause wheezing, coughing or a fever. If you are concerned please contact your doctor.

 

 Is your pet protected?

 We have a number of different prevention and treatment options available so ask one of our friendly staff today and we will be able to advise of the best course of treatment for you pet and don’t forget the most important step ……..

 

 Prevention is better than cure so always clean up after your pet has been to the toilet! 

 Dogs can also pick up a dangerous disease from slugs and snails in your garden, called lungworm or angiostrongylus. It is being spread by foxes to the slugs or snails and if your dog eats a slug or snail, or even licks the slug trail it can pick up the disease, which can cause severe bleeding, and even death.

Vet Matthew Wilson comments ” We are seeing more cases of this dangerous disease each year in Hounslow,  as foxes are very common in our region. Young dogs and certain breeds such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers are infected most commonly.”

You can protect your pet from this potentially deadly disease with a monthly spot on application. This is a vial of liquid that is poured on the back of your dogs neck once a month. We use a prescription only medicine and is dispensed according to the weight of your dog.

Read our Winter Newsletter 2017 here.

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Our Winter 2017 Newsletter has arrived, read it here today.

 

Included in this issue :

Worming worries – is your pet affected?

There are a variety of treatments to prevent worm infections, these are easy to apply and we have a range suitable for both cats and dogs. There are three important groups of worms to be aware of – Roundworms which produce a ‘pot- belly’ appearance, Tapeworms – can cause diarrhoea and Lungworms which can be passed on to dogs by slugs and snails. Read more about worms and your pets here.

 

Fattening up for the winter? 

Shorter days and colder weather means pets often exercise less and eating more. It is really important to ensure your pet doesn’t put on excess weight over the winter period. Being overweight, just like with humans can lead to a variety of health problems. Learn about how to check your pets shape is healthy and the conditions to be aware of in our newsletter.

 

How healthy are your dog’s eyes? 

Your dogs eyes are very complex organs and thankfully function normally most of the time. Read our Winter Newsletter to learn the signs to watch out for and what to treat as an ocular emergency.

 

Bunny Upsets. 

If your rabbit seems to be eating less, it is well worth making an appointment for a check up. A reduction in appetite or faecal production may indicate an underlying problem. Our Winter Newsletter includes the signs to watch out for to ensure your bunny stays healthy this winter.

 

We hope you enjoy our Winter Newsletter, if you have any queries regarding any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate our friendly team.

 

 

Neutering your pet

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Neutering your pet – what you need to know.

Did you ever hear that old tale – you should let your dog or cat have a litter before you neuter them? Well, did you know almost 50,000 pet dogs are being dumped in Britain every year! If you are thinking of breeding from your dog, ask yourself – Are you sure you can find forever homes for every single puppy, some bitches can have up to 12 puppies! And breeding from your cat – did you know that UK charities are reaching crisis point due to the over population of cats!

The benefits of neutering can be applied to most species.

Neutering your pet can be done from as young as 4 months of age in rabbits and ferrets. Most cats are neutered around 5 months of age. 

Dogs – we normally advise puppies wait until they are at least 6 months old. Most small and medium sized female dogs are neutered around 6 months of age ( before they have their first season). Most small and medium sized dogs are neutered between 6-9 months of age.

Large and giant breed dogs such as Dobermanns , Rottweilers, Great Danes, may be better neutered at an older age of around 12-15months between first and second seasons for females or when fully grown for male dogs.

Neutering your female will stop her coming into season or heat, this can be messy time and last for up to 3 weeks. It can also prevent unwanted male attention, phantom and actual pregnancy. It can also  dramatically reduce the risk of mammary cancer developing when they are older, and prevents ovarian cancer and pyometra’s (uterine infections) which can be fatal.

Timing of neutering.                                                                         Mammary Tumour risk

Before first season

0.50%

After first season

8.00%

After second season

26.00%

After third season or over 2.5 years age

40.00%

Neutering your pet.

Neutering your male can reduce: Urine spraying and marking, dominant behaviour, humping, testicular cancer and in cats it can reduce them straying too far from home, which results in a much lower risk of road traffic accidents.  

Owners have a responsibility to care for their animals needs, pregnant and nursing animals need extra food, care and attention. When the babies are old enough you will need to find homes for each and every one and ensure that they are wormed, flea treated and all puppies over 8 weeks old legally have to be micro-chipped. We also recommend as soon as your animal is old enough (8-9 weeks old), to protect them against potentially fatal infections. 

Neutering pets, is something we perform on a regular basis here at Young Veterinary Partnership and we always recommend neutering your pet unless you plan to breed. It is a day surgery procedure (they are dropped off in the morning for the procedure and go home in the afternoon).

  1. –  The morning of the surgery we ask that you do NOT give your kitten, puppy or ferret any food (this rule does NOT apply to rabbits). An empty stomach reduces the risk of vomiting under anaesthetic.
  3. –  Firstly we will book you a ‘Pre Op’ appointment, the morning of the surgery your pet will have a full health check with one of our experienced vets.
  5. –  Your pet will then be transferred to our kennels area and given a pre anaesthetic injection by our nursing team, to keep your pet calm and stress free.
  6. –  The surgery will usually takes less than 1 hour.
  7. –  Once fully awake and recovered your pet will be able to go home the same day.
  8. –  We ask than once home your pet it is given a ‘light’ meal as they may feel slightly nauseous -we recommend a ‘recovery pack’ this is specially formulated easily digested tinned food for pets following surgery. Alternatively you can feed boiled chicken and rice. 
  9. –  Then 7 – 10 days following surgery we ask that your pet returns for his or her stitches to be removed (please note male cats do not have stitches so do not need to return, unless you have concerns).

 

Your pet may be quiet for a day or so but  should bounce back to normal, within a few days. Contact us today if you would like to book your pets neutering surgery. 

Did You Know an un neutered female cat can produce 18 kittens per year, which can end up with 20,000 descendants in just 5 years!

Did You Know female cats can get pregnant from 4 months of age!  

Did You Know neutering your rabbit can reduce cancer and urinary tract infections.

We hope the above has helped answer any questions you may have and helped you decide to neuter your pet. 

Autumn News 2017.

Our Autumn Newsletter has arrived, read it here!

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Our Autumn Newsletter has arrived, read it here!

 

Parasite alert!

Continue to treat your pets against parasites and come and talk to us about how to protect your home as well. Read our Autumn NEWSLETTER to learn more about Harvest mites and ticks, that thrive in your home once the heating is turned on. Pets should be checked daily for ticks and if found they should be removed promptly with a specially designed tick remover.

 

Toxic Alert!

Make sure you keep anti freeze well out of reach of your pets and clean up any spillages. Cats find anti freeze very tasty despite the fact that it is toxic! If you suspect your pet may of tasted anti freeze, even the smallest amount, make sure you bring them to us immediately.

 

A word in your ear!

Read our NEWSLETTER to learn the signs of ear disease, and watch out for in your pet. Infections can have many different triggers including objects getting into the ear canal, allergies, excessive wetness after swimming and ear mites. To prevent or reduce ear infections it is important to identify the cause and start treatment as soon as possible.

 

Arthritis alert – Is your pet affected?

Have you noticed your older pet slowing down lately? Have you just put this down to old age or have you thought about pet arthritis, its a lore more common than you may think! Arthritis can become more noticeable during the cooler months, it affects all species and breeds and can strike at any age. Read our NEWSLETTER to understand the signs to watch out for, particularly in your cat as they are masters of hiding pain. There are many different treatment options available and as every pet is different,we follow no set protocol. Contact our friendly team if you suspect you pet may be suffering.

 

Read our newsletter here.

 

Rabbit

Rabbits – Feeding, vaccinating and avoiding fly strike.

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The average rabbit can live for 5 – 10 years, they are a big commitment – are you prepared?

 

       They are also very social animals and should be kept in pairs whenever possible.

  •                     Animals from the same litter will normally get on well, but any pair that are newly introduced must be monitored closely. Female rabbits will tolerate each other, but un-castrated male rabbits can be aggressive towards each other.

    Always ensure that there is fresh clean water available for your rabbit. In winter try to cover your rabbits water bottle with material such as a sock to stop the water freezing and in the summer ensure their water is cool and in the shade.

    • A rabbits diet.

     

    A rabbits top front teeth grow at a rate of 3mm a week! The most important part of a rabbits diet is hay, alongside fresh grass. Rabbits should be allowed to eat as much hay and grass as their teeth continually grow and so hay is vitally important to keep them worn down. Rabbits that are not fed enough hay will often encounter problems with overgrown teeth later in life, which can be very difficult to resolve.

     

Rabbits can also be fed green leafy foods and vegetables, such as cabbage, chard, parsley, watercress, broccoli, basil, carrot, brambles, and dandelions. All of these foods should be washed before being fed to your rabbit. Fruits should be avoided as they are very sugary. 

  •  

    Rabbits should also be fed a small amount of pre-packaged rabbit food in the form of pellets. We recommend pellet food as rabbits can become fussy with other foods and pick out the bits they like and leave the rest. This is the least important part of the diet, and only a small handful should be given daily.

     

    Neutering

    We offer neutering from 4 months of old. In female rabbits, this prevents uterine tumours and can greatly reduce the chances of mammary tumours developing. In male rabbits, castration prevents aggressive behaviour and inappropriate mounting of objects.

     

    Healthy Bunnies 

    To keep your bunny healthy we recommend vaccinating them against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic disease (VHD) both diseases can be fatal. The virus can be spread by flies from wild rabbits to your pets both in and outdoor rabbits can be infected. Vaccinations will be required annually to maintain protection from the diseases.

     

    Flystrike 

    If a rabbit is unable to reach and clean around it’s rear end, it can lead to a build up of faeces which can attract flies. If the flies lay eggs onto to rabbits coat, the developing maggots will eat away at the rabbits skin. Flystrike is extremely painful and requires prompt veterinary treatment. We can protect your rabbit from Flystrike by using an insecticide twice yearly, please contact us to arrange this for your rabbit.

     

Practice ‘vet checks’ at home with your pet.

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We want your pet to be as happy to see us as we are to see them!

  • One of the first things to help create this trust is to drop in, particularly when your pet is young if you need a reason, our nurses and reception team love cuddles with your puppies and kittens and usually have a spare treat or two for them but we also offer free weight checks. This allows us to keep a record ensuring they’re growing up and gaining weight as they should be.

  • If you are nervous about the visit – don’t be! Our staff are highly experienced and have seen and heard it all. If it concerns you then please ask us , no question is too silly. Remain calm and ‘normal’ as your pet will pick up on any anxiety you may be feeling.

  • When visiting with cats we strongly recommend travelling your cat in a secure carrier not in your arms, even the calmest of cats can get stressed. If you have time, leave your carrier out a few days before your appointment, so your cat can climb in without being rushed. Try leaving a few treats and toys inside to tempt an investigation! Placing a towel over your carrier in the waiting room can help anxious cats – if you need one just ask us.

  • When travelling with dogs Invest in a doggie ‘seat belt’ or secure caged area of your car. If your dog suffers car sickness travel them on an empty stomach. Allow plenty of travel time so you are not rushed or late. Please keep your dog by your side in the waiting room. A vet practice can be a stressful place for pets and your laid back family dog could become stressed and snappy towards other dogs.

  • Practice ‘vet checks’ at home. Your pet is never to young or old to do this training: Gently look inside your pets eyes and ears, teeth and mouth, practice lifting each paw in turn and nail clipping this is something that can be done at home, check out our free guide> Cats and Dogs. Feel your pet all over from toe to tail. Spend 5 minutes a day practising the ‘all over’ handling and your pet will find an examination ‘normal’, when they come to us.

  • If you are coming in for a specific problem i.e. behaviour or tummy troubles write a diary of events and problems. Try to include what foods they’ve eaten, treats, where they have been park , swimming etc, times of day – all of these things may be useful when finding a diagnosis.

  • Please ask our vets to write notes for you to take home if you are concerned you may not remember something that was mentioned or bring a friend or family member for help and support.

We do our very best to ensure that you are seen on time at you appointment time but emergencies and unpredictable cases can happen so please bear with us, our reception team will endeavour to keep your updated if the consultations are running a few minutes late.

white feline

Has your feline friend become less active lately?

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Looking after your golden oldies.

Did you know that by the time your feline friend reaches 1 year of age it is the equivalent of around 15 human years! With improvements in nutrition, veterinary care, medicine and knowledge from the public cats, like most pets are living longer healthier lives but can still suffer the effects of old age. Read on to find out the signs to watch out for and how to help your older feline friend.

What to watch out for:

– They may meow more loudly than before this could be due to hearing loss. Bad breath, drooling and or change in eating habits, portion size and/or dropping food can be a sign of dental disease, don’t forget to keep an eye on the amount they are drinking too.

– Sensitivity to bright lights can be due to a decline in your cats vision.

– Your feline friend may also become less active due to arthritis so keep an eye out for sharper claws, we can easily clip your cats nails in a consultation and show you how to do it at home too.

– Just like humans, they can loose their sense of taste and smell which can cause them to go off their food which is why it is important to visit us at least once a year to keep an eye on their weight and general body condition.

As we all know cats are the King’s and Queens of the Household and we are just their servants, this means they are extremely self reliant and masters of hiding their pain. Sadly this can mean that conditions like dental disease and arthritis can go unnoticed for a period of time. If your cat is slowing down or losing their appetite don’t ignore the signs, give our friendly team a call for some advice and to book a check up.

How to help your cat into old age 

If their favourite sunshine spot is on a high window ledge, make them a half way step to help their joints perhaps a chair or coffee table to help them up?

In winter time make sure their bed is extra cosy and warm for them to snuggle into,

Cold bones = Old bones.

Make sure they have regular weight and health checks.

If you have a multi cat household make sure the golden oldies have a quiet space to hide in.

Keep your pets microchip details up to date if something happens whilst they are out & about is your mobile number up to date on the records?

If you think your cat may be loosing her sense of smell try warming up the wet food, this can make it more appealing.

Grooming (particularly long haired coats) your cat will help strengthen your bond and older cats generally enjoy a gentle groom with a soft brush or comb.

Regular nail clips to ensure brittle nails do not get caught in furniture.

Try buying the smellier food such as salmon or tuna to help tempt their appetite.

If you have any concerns no matter how small do not hesitate to mention them to one of our team so we can help you care for your golden oldie.