Virtual Vet

Veterinary medicine has, in recent years, become increasingly sophisticated.  As a result, we are now able to diagnose and treat many conditions which - just a few years ago - were untreatable.

Each year on average 1 in 3 pets suffer illness or injury, so unexpected veterinary bills can, unfortunately, occur at any time!  Pet insurance gives you peace of mind that should your pet develop a problem, he can receive the treatment required without you having to worry about the cost.  For further information and leaflets please ask at our surgery reception.

Ian Fraser M.R.C.V.S. BVSc

Rabbits are becoming increasingly popular as pets and like all pets, your rabbit needs to have routine health examinations and vaccinations.

Myxomatosis is a distressing viral disease spread by rabbit fleas and other blood sucking insects.  the first symptoms are usually swollen eyes rapidly progressing to blindness.  Affected rabbits become very ill and even with medication and nursing care, most will die as a result of the disease.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (or VHD) is a very infectious disease that spreads easily between rabbits or via contaminated hutches, bedding or food.  It can also be inadvertently transported by people or birds and can survive for many months on clothing.  Affected rabbits are usually very unwell and sadly most will die.

Kennel Cough (otherwise called Infectious Tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious disease affecting dogs of all ages.  Infected dogs develop a harsh hacking cough that can last for several weeks and often requires antibiotic treatment.

The disease is caused by a complex mixture of viruses and a bacterium - Bordetella bronchiseptica.  These agents pass easily from dog to dog as an inhaled droplet infection.  Dogs are at risk wherever they congregate - in boarding kennels, training classes or simply out on walks.

The annual booster injection offers protection against many of the viruses but only intranasal vaccines offer protection against Bordetella.  Contact us now to ensure your dog is vaccinated!

Many of our pets lead very active lives in their early years.  As they get older they may suffer from a degree of arthritis - with stiffness and pain, mostly as a result of long term wear and tear on their joints.  In other cases, arthritis may be secondary to joint trauma (for example hip dysplasia).

The signs of arthritic change are usually fairly obvious  - difficulty in getting to their feet after rest, problems getting in and out of cars, and possible a reluctance to go on walks.  For many pets, the onset of colder damper Winter weather greatly worsens the pain of arthritic joints, often making their lives a misery.

If you are concerned that your pet is showing signs of stiffness and joint pain please arrange for us to examine your pet.

Having made a diagnosis of arthritis, managing your pet's weight together with a suitable level of exercise and modern medications can make a huge difference to your pet's mobility and quality of life.

The heart is a muscular organ whose sole function is to pump blood around the body - supplying the tissues of the body with oxygen and nutrients.

The heart receives de-oxygenated blood from the tissues of the body and pumps it to the lungs where it is re-oxygenated.  The oxygen rich blood then returns to the heart where it is then pumped back to the tissues of the body.

Heart Disease - which can be gradual or sudden in onset - is the loss of the normal pumping action of the heart, leading to a range of symptoms including:

• Reluctance to exercise
• Tiring more easily
• Coughing
• Laboured breathing
• Pale or blueish gums
• Fainting or collapse

Although there are many possible causes of heart disease, the two commonest causes are either due to heart valve problems, or de to a problem with the heart muscle itself.

Heart disease is generally more common in older dogs, however in certain breeds it is more prevalent at an early age.  In cats, heart disease is quite commonly associated with thyroid gland disease.

If you are concerned that your pet is showing any of the previously described signs, please come and see us for a check-up.

The good news however is that with new and effective forms of diagnosis and treatment, the outlook for this condition has never been better.

Infectious Diseases:
Is your pet protected?

Did you know that unless regularly vaccinated, your dog or cat is at risk from several potentially fatal infectious diseases?

In cats we recommend regular vaccinations against Cat Flu, Panleucopenia, and Feline Leukaemia Virus.

In dogs we recommend regular vaccinations against Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis and Leptospirosis.

None of these diseases has yet been eradicated although thankfully, as a result of vaccination, their incidence has been greatly reduced.  Additionally, vaccination is the only reliable method of protecting against these diseases - there is no specific cure for them and treatment may not only be unsuccessful but also very costly.

The first vaccinations
Two or more vaccinations are usually given as a primary course, giving your pet immunity for the first year of life.

The annual booster and health examination
Immunity to infectious diseases is not indefinite, and will gradually fall over time, leaving your pet at risk.  Regular annual booster vaccinations are required to stimulate your pet's immunity, thereby minimising the risk when challenged by a natural infection.  At the same time, we like to carry out a thorough health examination, and also look at other aspects of pet health care such as worming, flea control and diets.  This is also an ideal time to ask any questions you may have regarding your pet's health.

Permanent pet identification!

There is now a simple and effective means of identifying your pets wherever they go!  It involves injecting a tiny microchip (the size of a grain of rice) into loose skin at the back of the neck.  The microchip contains a unique code identifying your pet.

Veterinary practices, the police and pet rescue organisations have special scanners that can detect and "read" the information on your pets microchip - identifying your pet so you can be reunited without delay. 

Should I have my dog neutered?

Although most cats are neutered, in contrast many dogs are not.  Apart from preventing unwanted pregnancies, there are many other benefits to having your dog neutered.

Un-neutered female dogs usually come into season (heat) twice a year.  Seasons typically last 3-4 weeks, and during this time they become receptive to the advances of roving male dogs.

Although seasons can be controlled by other means, neutering (called spaying in female dogs) provides excellent long term control.

Spaying involves the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.  Having been spayed, your dog won’t have to suffer the frustration of coming into season again, or the possibility of phantom pregnancies and she can enjoy her usual walks all year round!  Additionally, the operation also removes the possibility of life threatening uterine infections (pyometras) and reduces the risk of developing potentially fatal mammary tumours in later life.

Turning to male dogs, un-neutered male dogs can be driven to distraction when a local bitch is in season.  They will escape if they can, and may be injured whilst away from home or go permanently missing.

Neutering a male dog involves the surgical removal of both testes.  In general neutered males are far less likely to stray and neutering also eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer.  Additionally, neutered males are much less likely to develop tumours around the anus and prostate gland problems.  Also neutering usually helps where there is excessive sexual drive and may be of help with certain behavioural problems.

Urinary incontinence: 
Is your pet affected?

Do you find damp patches around the home where your dog has been lying?  Urinary incontinence can occur in dogs of all ages, and of either sex, but it is particularly common in the older female dog.  Urine is retained in the bladder by specialised muscles around the bladder neck.  However if these sphincter muscles relax a little whilst your pet is at rest or asleep, urine will leek out.  Your pet has no control over this leakage and may not be aware that it is occurring.

The good news however is that urinary incontinence can be successfully treated in many instances.  If you think your dog has a leaky problem, please bring them in for a check-up.

Teeth - time for a check-up? 

If your pet's breath leaves a little (or a lot!) to be desired a dental problem may well be the underlying cause!

Our pets usually start life with shiny white teeth and healthy pink (or pigmented) gums.  However, over time, accumulation of plaque bacteria on the surface of the teeth leads to inflammation of the gums - a condition called gingivitis.  This is frequently accompanied by the accumulation of calculus (tartar) on the surface of the teeth, and also very bad breath!

Gum disease is a very widespread problem in middle-aged and older pets.

Please contact us if you would like any further information on preventing gum disease or a dental check-up for your pet.

Fleas - don't let them irritate you! 

The onset of warmer summer weather traditionally marks the beginning of the "flea season".  However central heating and soft furnishings make ideal breeding grounds for fleas - all year round!

Although fleas are tiny - just 2mm in length - they are a major cause of irritation to both pets and their owners!  Adult fleas spend the majority of their lives on our pets, feeding on blood and reproducing.  Female fleas typically lay 30-60 or more eggs per day.  These tiny white eggs fall off the coat of the animal and onto carpets and soft furnishings around the home.  The eggs develop into flea larvae, which in turn develop into pupae which can lie dormant before hatching out into adult fleas.  In warm weather the entire life-cycle can be completed in as little as two weeks whilst, in colder weather, the pupae may remain dormant for many months before hatching.

Fleas survive by feeding on your pet's blood, often causing severe skin irritations and occasionally anaemia.  Fleas can also carry tapeworm larvae and because our pets swallow fleas when grooming, they may become infected with tapeworms as a result.

The key to controlling fleas is to break their life-cycle.  We have a range of safe and very effective flea products, both for your pet and for your home, and we are happy to advise you on the best form of flea control to suit your own requirements.

Summer weather  - and how to survive it!

With the onset of warmer summer weather, we should remember that our pets, with their heavy coats, tolerate the heat far less well than ourselves.

Dogs are usually better exercised in the early morning and evening when the weather is cooler.  This is particularly important for  older dogs and for dogs suffering from heart or respiratory problems.

Never leave a dog (or any other pet) in a car on a hot day.  The temperature in a car (even with the window open) can quickly soar to extreme levels, resulting in heatstroke and death.

The grass seeds (or awns) of the meadow grasses are a big problem for many dogs.  They commonly become trapped in dogs' ears causing severe head shaking; they may also become embedded in the feet and other areas.  In view of this, thorough inspection of the coat for grass seeds is recommended following walks.

Turning to cats, if your cat like sunbathing and has white ears - beware of sunburn!  repeated episodes of sunburn may lead to localised skin cancer of the tips of the ears.  The risk can be reduced either by keeping white eared cats out of the sun, or by applying total sun block cream to their ears during the summer months.

Fly strike is a particular problem in rabbits during the summer months.  Rabbit rear ends often become damp and this moist area attracts flies, which lay eggs there.  Maggots hatch from these eggs and eat away at skin and into flesh.  Fly strike is very painful, and frequently results in death.

During the summer months rabbits should be turned upside down and inspected daily for fly eggs and maggots.

Fit not Fat: Fighting the flab!

Keeping an eye on your pets weight and preventing weight gain is important in all pets, just as it is in ourselves!

Obesity, (which literally means increased body fatness), is a problem that is on the increase and something that is easily overlooked since weight gain is usually a gradual process.

Obesity occurs when the level of energy in the food eaten is greater than the level of energy used in daily life and this excess energy is laid down to fat.

Obesity is known to cause or worsen certain conditions including: arthritis, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, intolerance to heat and increased anaesthetic risks - to name just a few!

What can be done?

If you are concerned your pet may be getting a little portly, we are here to help!  We are happy to weigh your pet and advise you on their ideal weight.  We will also check for other signs of illness, since obesity can also be a sign of other underlying health problems

If your pet needs to loose weight, we are happy to advise you on the most suitable diet and exercise programme to ensure this is successful.