Tag Archives: kitten

A puppy eating

Welcoming your new arrival!

Welcoming your new arrival!

 

Welcoming your new arrival!

Bringing a new puppy or kitten into the family home is a super exciting time. There’s lots of things to consider when bringing them home. We’ve included some of the important ones in our latest Pet care Blog from vaccinations to socialisation, microchips and worming. If you have a question about your new pet, do not hesitate to contact our team for more advice.

If you have not yet registered with a veterinary practice you can register yourself and your pet with our friendly team here, today.

Be the first to read our Pet Blog here.

 

Microchips and your pets,

For a number of years, it has been a legal requirement for all puppies over 8 weeks of age to be microchipped, the law has now changed and includes all cats over 20 weeks of age to also be microchipped in the UK.

Here at Young Vets, we will always recommend microchipping your pet. Read our latest Pet Blog Here to understand why we feel these tiny ‘rice sized’ implants are a vital part of responsible pet ownership.

 

If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, don’t panic – Contact our friendly team to arrange your pets chip appointment today.

More about vaccinations,

We all know that we should vaccination our pets and its part of responsible pet ownership, but do you know what diseases we actually vaccinate against?

Our Summer Pet Care News, explains what awful diseases we vaccinate your furry family members against. When our team provide a vaccination for your pet, we automatically include a full health and weight examination from one of our friendly veterinary surgeons, during these health examinations feel free to raise any pet concerns that might be worrying you.

 

Surviving the summer!

Summer is here, we can officially light the BBQ and spend evenings in the garden, but we also need to consider our pets. Our Summer News Blog, has put together some top tips on helping your pet to cope with the warmer weather.

During the really hot summer days, please pay particular attention to very young or elderly pets and brachycephalic breeds (squashed face Pugs, Frenchies, Persians).

 

Exercise early or on extreme days not at all – Try some brain games like ‘find it’, teach your dog a new trick, search You Tube or social media for inspiration, spread their usual dinner around the garden and allow their nose to seek it out. All of these enrichment ideas will give your dog mental stimulation when its too hot for the usual walkies! Tags us on the socials in your trick training and enrichment ideas – we’d love to see them! #youngvets

We hope you enjoy our latest Pet Care Blog, if you have a query on any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice on your pet.

Beat the heat.

Keeping your pet cool.

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.

 

Can you pinch an inch?!

Can you pinch an inch?!

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.

 

Looking After Your New Pet

Looking After Your New Pet

 

Are you thinking of adding a new pet to your family this Spring? Whether you are adopting or shopping, our Spring News Blog has put together a check-list of things to do once they arrive. Everyone knows you should have your pet vaccinated once a year, but do you know what the vaccinations actually protect your pet from? Our Spring News Blog explains what potentially fatal diseases the vaccinations protect against.

 

Covid – 19 and early socialisation 

The early experiences a puppy or kitten has with different people and their surroundings has a huge impact on their behaviour and personality for the rest of their life. When considering a new pet, it’s really important to make sure that the rescue centre or breeder has socialised them – it could save you a lot of issues in the future. Our Spring News Blog talks about the pandemic and how it has affected so many young pets and their socialisation. If your pet has hit their ‘Teenage Stage’ then please seek advice from either a vet or qualified behaviourist.

Ticker Trouble!

Older cats are at increased risk of heart problems. Our Spring News Blog, talks you through how your pets heart works and the signs of heart disease to watch out for, particularly in older pets. As with many illnesses, early detection is the golden rule! The good news is both our Ealing and Hounslow team offer ultrasound scans to help diagnose heart conditions, and novel medications can delay the onset of heart failure and help manage the signs, thus improving quality of life for your pet.

We hope you have enjoyed reading our Spring News Blog, if you have questions or concerns about any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact the surgery for more advice. We have been treating pets from all over West London for over 50 years and we’d love to help you care for yours, not yet a client? Register yourself and your pets online today.

Beat The Heat This Summer 2020

Beat The Heat This Summer 2020

 

Beat The Heat This Summer 2020

The summer heat is a huge problem for many pets and it is essential to ensure free access to cool water at all times. Dogs can easily overheat and become dangerously unwell, our Summer News explains the signs of heat stroke that all dog owners should be aware of to keep their pets safe. Not forgetting rabbits and guinea pigs always ensure that they have access to plenty of shade, plus cool water – preferably in a bowl.

 

 

Age is not a disease in itself,

but it brings with it some conditions that owners of senior kitties need to be aware of. Thanks to improved nutrition and veterinary care, cats are living longer, healthier lives. Our Summer News discusses some of the most common conditions affecting older cats and the signs to watch out for.

 

 

A healthy mouth,

typically has bright white teeth and pink (or pigmented gums). However over time, plaque can accumulate on the tooth surface and start to cause bad breath and painful dental disease. Our Summer News explains the stages of dental disease to watch out for and how to manage them.

 

happy labrador

 

We hope you enjoy reading our Beat The Heat Summer News 2020, if you have a query on any of articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

 

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Should You Give Your Cats Milk?

Should You Give Your Cats Milk?

 

We are frequently asked whether or not you should give your cats milk. It has always been seen as the go-to drink for them, with the traditional image of the cat sat by the bowl of milk, lapping it up. However, can cats drink milk?

 

The cat that got the cream

The reality is that cats are indeed very fond of cream. It contains a high fat content, which is why many cats enjoy drinking a bowl of thick cream. Given the relationship between milk from a cow and cream, many cats naturally gravitate towards milk – especially if it has the cream risen to the top. A saucer of milk for a 4.5kg cat (or an average-size woman) with ordinary cow’s milk inside it can contain the equivalent of four burgers’ worth of fat.

That said, times have changed from the days in which cats would be able to drink milk as fresh as the day is young. The milk that is now available to humans and cats from the supermarket is typically very low in fat. Some cats do still like the taste, but when it comes to how their body interacts with it, many researchers have found that cats struggle to digest milk. Many cats would actually prefer to eat a sardine, rather than be given a bowl of milk that is indigestible.

 

 

Milk requirements

This varies slightly depending on the age of the cat. As with all infants, kittens are born with the ability to digest lactose, which is the main sugar in milk. This sugar serves as a very valuable source of energy, and can help them grow and gain strength. Ideally they need their mother’s milk as this is packed with nutrients, and the first milk, called colostrum, contains antibody molecules that importantly help provide disease protection against diseases.

However, once they have reached the age of weaning, the ability to digest milk starts to dissipate. This is due to a reduction in the enzyme lactase, which had previously enabled them to tolerate lactose. At this point, milk starts to become indigestible, and the lactose that hasn’t been absorbed by the body may begin to ferment in the gut. It struggles to pass through the intestinal wall easily into the bloodstream, meaning it remains stuck in the intestines. Once the bacteria starts to invade and the fermentation sets in, this can lead to a lot of painful gas forming. It can also lead to an upset tummy for your cat. This may lead to them vomiting, suffering from stomach ache, or getting diarrhoea.

 

Keeping cats hydrated

These problems can sometimes be fatal for cats, especially if they are very young. Experiencing diarrhoea can lead to them becoming dehydrated very quickly. It’s important to ensure your cat is staying hydrated, especially in hot weather, and has constant access to a bowl of clean, cool water. This can be challenging as, unlike dogs, cats are not able to easily regulate their water balance and lack the innate ability to recognise when they need a drink. It can be difficult to get them to stay hydrated, and often mixing water with their food can be one of the best ways to encourage them to drink.

You can buy lactose-reduced cow’s milk, which can help their bodies digest the milk. This can be purchased from a range of different food stores or supermarkets.

Some of these drinks even contain added vitamins and minerals. Lactose-reduced cow’s milk contains almost 89% water, which means it can help with keeping your cat hydrated while they feel as though they’re getting something tasty. You can either use it on its own to help with weaning, or mix it in with solid food to encourage your cat with lapping. You should always ensure there is a bowl of water around for them too though. Lactose-reduced cow’s milk is often given to cats as a healthy treat, rather than as an everyday element in their diet. If you are looking after a stray cat, you may find that they benefit most from being given some high-quality cat food rather than milk. This will enable them to get all the nutrients and energy that they may be missing.

 

 

 

Keeping milk at bay

In a nutshell, while some cats can tolerate lactose-reduced cow’s milk, in general milk is seen as bad for cats and the whole cats and milk myth is exactly that – a myth. That’s not to say they won’t drink it – and many cats do actually enjoy drinking milk. However, it’s a little bit like giving someone who is gluten intolerant a plate of pasta. They may thoroughly enjoy the flavours when they start eating it, but the repercussions on their body will soon leave them feeling that they shouldn’t have eaten it. Ideally, you should give your cat clean water to drink as their main source of hydration. They can survive on this absolutely fine. It’s all they will actually ever need.

Adult cats don’t need milk in their diet. They’re essentially lactose intolerant. It is important to feed your cat a balanced diet though, with more than just soft tissues like meats as these can be low in calcium. However, milk isn’t necessarily the answer to calcium deficiency and a good cat food diet will ensure they have access to all the necessary minerals and nutrients needed. This will include calcium.

 

If you need advice on what to feed your cat or kitten don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for more help and advice. We have been treating pets from across West London since 1950 and we can’t wait to meet yours.

 

Blog and images supplied from the CatDialog Team and Zoetis.

 

 

Summer Bites!

 

Summer Bites! 

The warm weather brings the best out in all of us, but it also brings out plenty of pesky parasites as well! Our Summer Newsletter will provide you with some helpful advice on what to watch out for and how to prevent these pesky parasites entering your home!

 

Summer Bites!

 

More about vaccinations

 

As soon as you collect your new puppy or kitten, contact our friendly team regarding their vaccination requirements. All of our West London surgeries offer Puppy and Kitten Packs which will provide your new pet the healthiest start to life with your family. Other things to consider are diet and pet insurance. We are here to help, so please don’t hesitate to ask us for further information on any aspect of caring for your pets.

 

Consultation

More about vaccinations.

 

Keeping cool!

Our Summer News provides you with some tips to keep your pet fit and well at this time of year. It is vital to ensure your pet keeps cool in the hot weather. Dogs should be walked early or late in the day to avoid heat stroke. Heat stroke is a common, and serious problem and overweight or heavily coated dogs are most at risk. Sometimes even minimal exercise can trigger it, so take care at all times throughout the warmer days.

 

Heatstroke is a common, and serious problem.

 

 

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer Newsletter. If you have questions or concerns about the articles mentioned please don’t hesitate to contact our experienced team for further advice.

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