Tag Archives: dog

Autumn Pet Poisons

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Autumn Pet Poisons

 

Autumn Pet Poisons

pet poisoning is a concern throughout the year, please keep an eye on what your dog is sniffing during his daily walks, especially if he is off the lead.

Conkers, acorns and rotting fruit are plentiful during the Autumn season and can cause upset tummies.

Our Autumn News discusses the other Autumn awareness issues that pet owners should consider, read our latest pet care blog here.

 

Caring for your pets teeth.

Did you know that dental problems are probably one of the most common issues our pets suffer from, yet concerns are often not mentioned, as bad breath is considered as “normal” by many pet owners.

If you have ever had a filling at the dentist you will understand how uncomfortable dental disease can be, sadly, cats and dogs are extremely good at hiding their pain. Our Autumn Pet Blog discusses what’s normal and the signs to watch out for. A home dental care routine can be started from when you first bring home your new pet, ask our friendly team to explain more at your puppy or kittens next appointment.

 

 

How the heart pumps,

The heart is a busy organ! It pumps an average of 4.5 litres of blood around the body of a dog every minute. Like humans, cats and dogs can sadly suffer heart disease, unlike humans, heart disease in pets is often genetic, and not caused by lifestyle. Read our Autumn pet blog here, to understand more about the most common types of heart disease we see here in practice and the signs to watch out for in your pet.

 

 

We hope you enjoy reading our latest pet care blog, if you have a concern about any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more information.

Beat the heat.

Keeping your pet cool.

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Keeping your pet cool.

 

Summer is here and so is the heat! Our Summer Pet Blog is busting with top tips to keep your pet cool during the summer heat. Be the first to read it here.

It’s not just cats and dogs that can be affected by the heat, rabbits, guinea pigs and indoor pets can struggle too! For any pets kept in a cage and / or run during the day time, make sure they have constant shade over their enclosure and plenty of fresh cool water. Click here for our summer care pet tips.

 

Anal gland issues – is your pet affected?

Does your dog scoot their bottom along the floor or constantly nibble at the base of their tail area? This could indicate a blocked anal gland! Understand more about this common problem and how to manage the condition here.

 

Booster alert!

We all know that pets should receive once yearly vaccinations after their puppy and kitten vaccines, but do you know what diseases we actually vaccinate against? Our Summer pet blog explains the disease we vaccinate against in the UK and why.

The diseases we vaccinate against can be extremely challenging and sometimes fatal to pets. Here at Young Vets, we believe that prevention is better than cure and in support of this we have Healthcare Clubs available for cats, dogs and rabbits.

Choose the Healthcare Plan and payment date that suits your pet and your lifestyle here. Our healthcare plans include vaccinations, health checks with one of our friendly vets, nail clips, parasite protection and a 10% discount off all other products and services we offer. T&c’s apply. Why not join today and see how much you could save!

 

 

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer News Blog if you have a question on any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more information.

 

Pet Behaviours: Dog Marking Territory

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Pet Behaviours: Dog Marking Territory

Have you ever wondered why your dog is rubbing their face against the side of your sofa? It might seem like odd behaviour, but there’s a reason behind their actions; it’s often as simple as them marking their territory, but can also be a sign of health problems. Rubbing themselves on other people or items is a common pet behaviour for both cats and dogs, who can become obsessed with rubbing their face on you as well as your furniture and carpets in the home, or on more revolting items like animal remains or deposits when out and about.

 

 

 

Motivation for nose rubbing

Dogs are motivated by smells, so this could well be the reason behind your dog’s behaviour. If they find a smell they like, such as your laundry bag or even a cow pat, they’ll rub themselves against it to pick up the smell. The reverse can also be true when this behaviour is observed nearer home – your dog could also be leaving their smell around the house to mark their territory.

Another common reason for dogs rubbing their faces is to clean themselves. When they’ve been exploring, your dog can pick up all manner of things on their whiskers or fur, such as grass, seeds or burrs. These can be irritating, so your dog will rub against the carpet or furniture to get rid of any unwanted hitchhikers. If you’ve got a particularly messy eater, it may just be food that’s stuck to their whiskers or fur and they need a helping hand cleaning up. Their paws aren’t quite as effective as our hands when it comes to cleaning so step in and help them out if you feel they’re struggling to clean themselves.

 

A sign of health issues

Scent rubbing could also be an indication of an allergy or infection, causing your dog to rub to relieve their itch; if it isn’t normal behaviour to rub their nose, but they keep doing so, an environmental allergen may be at play. They could be allergic to something in their food or surroundings, or their rubbing could be a sign of fleas – take a regular look for ticks or fleas, to ensure there’s no infestation that could be easily treated to relieve their discomfort. If your dog doesn’t usually rub his face, take him to the vet to check out any potential allergies or infections.

Irritants include pollen, lawn products, household chemicals or medication – it can even be something in your dog’s diet that’s causing their discomfort. Severe reactions can even cause breathing difficulties and shock so do watch out for signs of unusual behaviour.

Some dogs suffer irritation by the nature of their breed. For example, dogs with wrinkly skin such as Pugs, Bulldogs or Pekingese are more likely to suffer with skin fold dermatitis, or pyoderma, which can leave them with moist reddened skin that has a discharge, often with a foul smell. By giving them a hand cleaning using a medicated skin cleanser, it may be enough to clear this up. However, there may be a need for antibiotics – your vet is best placed to advise on such conditions.

 

 

 

 

This dog blog has been produced by the dogdialog team. If you have a question or concern about your dogs behaviour please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Can you pinch an inch?!

Can you pinch an inch?!

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Can you pinch an inch?!

Can you pinch an inch?! With pet obesity becoming increasingly common, it is wise to know the additional strain that carrying these extra pounds can put on your pets body. Our Spring News, discusses how to visually assess your pets weight from home, the problems associated with pet obesity and how to help your pet if they are a little larger than they should be.

 

 

 

 

Did you know, all of our clinics offer FREE weight checks, just call our friendly reception teams and they can arrange a time that suits you. Drop in, pop your pet on the scales and if necessary we can refer you to a vet or nurse for further advice on your pets weight.

Spring has sprung!

Now is a great time to build up your dogs exercise programme, if it was reduced during the cold, dark winter weather. Our Spring News discusses how to build up exercise over time, and why you should always throw a ball NOT a stick, for your dog. Click here to read our top tips for Springtime Pet Care.

 

 

New arrival check list

Are you introducing a new pet to your family in 2023? We’ve put together some top tips on things to consider before your new pet arrives. From vaccinations and parasite protection, life stage diets and pet insurance, our Spring News Blog includes all the veterinary essentials you need to consider for your new pet.

If you are not yet registered with a vet, register yourself and your new family member with our friendly team today Register your pet – ealingvets We are passionate about pets and cannot wait to meet your new family member.

 

Small kitten.

 

Kennel Cough

Our Spring News discusses the harsh, honking canine virus – Kennel Cough. If you have a dog, Kennel Cough is something to be aware of, it can come on suddenly and can sound quite distressing! Our Spring News discusses how the virus can be spread, the high risk areas and how prevention is better than cure.

 

Don’t forget our Pet Healthcare Club is still welcoming new members! Sign up today and start spreading the cost of your pets veterinary essentials across affordable monthly payments on a date that suits you. Our Healthcare Clubs includes all of your pets veterinary essentials, payments are spread across affordable monthly payments on a date that suits you – From vaccinations to parasite protection, its all included.

 

We hope you enjoy reading the articles mentioned in our Spring News. If you have a question please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice on your pets individual needs.

 

Brushing up on dental disease! Our Spring Newsletter has arrived,

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Brushing up on dental disease!

 

 

Brushing up on dental disease! Our Spring Newsletter has arrived, it discusses the very common but under-diagnosed dental disease in pets! Do you know what a healthy mouth looks like? What to do if you notice a problem? How to help prevent dental disease? It’s all explained in our Spring Newsletter read about it here.

 

Brushing up on dental disease!

Warmer weather

As the weather warms up and the Winter recedes, we hope you are enjoying longer days and longer walks with your canine companion. With this in mind, we’ve put together some seasonal tips to keep your dog safe, read them here.

Lump alert: Is your pet affected?

One of the many benefits of regular cuddles and grooming your pets is that you can keep and eye out for lumps, bumps and parasites. Our Spring Newsletter discusses what to do if you find something unusual on your pets, the different types of lumps and bumps and their causes. If you find a lump on your pet, don’t panic, contact our friendly team today to book an appointment with one of our experienced vets.

 

We hope you enjoy reading our latest Spring News. If you have a question about any of the articles mentioned don’t hesitate to email our team for further advice or ask a vet at your pets next consultation.

 

 

 

 

Seasonal Itches!

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Seasonal Itches!

 

As the weather improves and we head out of lockdown, spare a thought for our pets who often start to itch more – Our Summer Blog looks at the possible causes. If your pet is showing signs of skin problems, come and see us for a check – up. It can be quite tricky to cure allergies, but modern treatments can be very effective in relieving the itch!

 

Should I have my pet neutered?

As the number of pet owners has risen dramatically risen over the last 12 months, these pets are now reaching an age where neutering needs to be considered. As well as preventing unwanted pregnancies, there are a wide range of other benefits to neutering that are discussed in our Summer News Blog. Great News – If you are considering neutering your dog we are now able to perform Keyhole surgery from our Ealing surgery – see if your pet could be a candidate here.

UV Alert!

Cats with white noses and white ear tips are at risk of getting theses areas sunburnt and this can lead to cancerous changes. Our Summer Blog discusses the challenges of pet ownership in the warmer months and how to help keep your pet safe and well this summer.

Our Summer Blog has arrived, be the first to read it here. If you have a question on any of the articles mentioned do not hesitate to contact our team for more advice.

Our experienced team have been treating pets from all over West London for over 50 years, and we offer a wide range of services for your and your pet. Not yet a client? Register here, and visit a vet who is passionate about your pet.

What are the signs of arthritis in dogs?

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What are the signs of arthritis in dogs?

 

How common is arthritis?

Arthritis in dogs is very common, exact figures vary but it has been estimated to affect up to 20% of dogs over 1 year of age. There are an estimated 9 million pet dogs in the UK1 so this means a significant proportion of our pets could be affected with arthritis which can substantially affect their quality of life. Arthritis is a painful disease of the joints which is progressive in nature; it cannot be cured but it can be managed to ensure dogs can continue to have a good quality of life. It is also worth bearing in mind that some of the symptoms of arthritis can be subtle or maybe simply attributed to increasing age and therefore go unrecognised, so it’s very possible that the true prevalence of this disease may be higher. All ages, breeds and sizes of dogs can be affected, it is not just a disease of older and bigger dogs. However, whilst this disease can affect all dogs, there are some breeds in particular who are predisposed to developmental joint disease and consequently arthritis; common examples would be the Labrador retriever and hip dysplasia or the English Springer spaniel and elbow dysplasia.

 

What are the signs to look for?

Our dogs may not be able to communicate to us in words, but there are many signs that you can look for that could indicate that your dog is one of those affected:

  • Trouble walking or running; if your dog appears to be limping or even just moving more slowly than normal, this is an indication all is not as it should be. You may notice that your dog appears stiffer when first getting up in the morning but appears to improve throughout the day; this is typical of early OA and is important to be aware of.

 

  • Reluctance to play/interact with the family as normal; every dog is different and some are certainly more playful than others but if you have noticed a change in their activity it can signal something is causing them a problem.

 

  • Restless at night; painful joints mean finding a comfortable sleeping position is more tricky and you may notice your dog seeming unable to settle as before.

 

  • Difficulty with stairs or jumping onto the sofa or into the car; jumping or ascending/descending stairs puts increased pressure on joints and can highlight signs of joint disease.

 

  • Licking repeatedly over joints; persistent licking of skin can signal many different issues but if your dog appears to be licking over joints this can indicate that the joint is painful.

 

  • Change in behaviour; if your dog appears quieter or even more grumpy than normal, this can be a sign of pain or ill health.

What should I do if I suspect my dog has arthritis?

If you spot one or more of these symptoms, a visit to your vet would be recommended so a full clinical examination can be carried out. Though arthritis cannot be cured, there are now many treatment and management options that can help to manage the pain slow the progression of the disease and improve overall quality of life for your dog.

 

Our Ealing surgery is open and available for you and your pet. Our telephones provide our clients with veterinary advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have been providing a caring service for pets from all over West London for over 50 year and have a wide range of facilities to help you care for your pet. Not yet a client? Register here, and visit a vet who is passionate about your pet.

Blog written by Jayne Clark MRCVS, provided by dogdialog on behalf of Zoetis.