Tag Archives: cats

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.

 

 

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.

Feliway and Adaptil.

Loud bangs, fireworks and other scary noises

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Fireworks are a particular problem for many dogs, and can cause severe anxiety in some. Here are a few ideas that may help in dogs that are scared of loud noises.

 

Dog den.

How to help make your dog feel safe during fireworks season.

 

  • Give your dog a safe area to go to such as a crate or cupboard under the stairs, and provide plenty of bedding to allow him to burrow in.
  • Leaving a loud radio or turn the television up  can help also, or play classical music.
  • Use dog pheromones – a spray , plug in diffuser or collar are available which emit a scent that reassures and calms the dog. This is called DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) and can be purchased at the veterinary surgery. The plug in diffuser should be placed near the safe area.  Your dog can also wear a DAP collar, so that the calming scent accompanies him if he moves around.

  • Dog appeasing pheromone
  • Ensure that your dog does not get extra attention when acting in a frightened manner. This can make the problem worse in that he may think that by acting frightened he will get more attention. You should continue with your normal routine, and only give him reward with attention after he has calmed down.
  • Provide toys or chews as a distraction.
  • Take your dog out early to toilet before the fireworks begin.
  • Close the curtains, and put on lights to reduce flashes from the fireworks.
  • It is possible to try to desensitize your pet to noises, by using various CD’s such as Sounds Scary, or soundtherapy4pets.co.uk , which start off by playing noises at low volume and gradually increasing the volume. This can take many weeks or months and is best started early in the year well before bonfire night.
  • Occasionally sedatives may be required for dogs that become extremely distressed, but an appointment with the vet would be needed to discuss this.
Feliway and Adaptil.

We have a full range of Feliway and Adaptil products available.

Do NOT use dog flea products on cats.

Why do we get flea problems in November ?

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We see many cases of flea allergy related skin problems, in both cats and dogs. Many people think that as it gets colder, fleas become less of a problem. However we tend to see more flea related problems, at this time of the year. This is because when you turn your heating on in the cold weather, any flea eggs that are in the carpets will suddenly hatch out and cause problems.  One flea can lay hundreds of microscopic eggs, and they can lay dormant and then  hatch out months later. Cat fleas will happily bite dogs and vice versa !

We also see many flea problems despite people using a variety of products. In many cases it is because the products are not potent enough to kill all the fleas.  If only a few fleas are not killed, as mentioned above they can lay hundreds of eggs and an infestation can quickly arise.

Our recommendations of effective spot on treatments  products are Stronghold, Advocate or Advantage.   It is important to also treat the house, with a product that lasts at least 6 months. Nothing kills the eggs, it is only when they hatch into microscopic larvae that they are killed, and as they can lay dormant for upto 6 months a long lasting household spray is needed.

Don’t forget also that fleas can transmit tapeworm, so regular worm treatment is needed also.

It makes you itchy just thinking about it !!

 

See  http://www.itsajungle.co.uk/parasites/detail/fleas/ for more information about fleas including some great pictures and video.