Category Archives: cats

It's getting hot out there!

It’s getting hot out there!

 

We all love the warmer weather and summer is a great time to be outside with your pets. Here’s a couple of seasonal tips to keep them fit and healthy:

 

U V Alert :

Pets with white noses and ear tips – particularly cats, are at risk of these areas getting sunburn and this can lead to cancerous changes. High factor pet safe sun cream applied to these areas can reduce this risk .

 

Hitch- hikers :

Summer is prime time for fleas. They can multiply quickly, particularly in multi pet house holds. It’s important to ensure you are using adequate flea and tick protection. Check your pet at least once a day, ticks can be removed with a special tick hook tool, available at all our surgeries.

 

Be sure to insure! 

There are lots of companies offering pet insurance and we understand that picking one can be a bit mind boggling. Vet bills are often unexpected and can mount up quickly, our Summer News gives some helpful advice on what to look out for when choosing your pets policy.

We hope our Summer News helps keep your pet fit & healthy this summer 2018, if you have any questions on the advice included don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.

 

Don’t forget you can get more FREE pet advice by following us on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

 

Guinepig

Our Spring 2018 newsletter has arrived.

 

Our Spring 2018 newsletter has arrived. As the weather warms up, we’ve put together some top tips to help you keep your pets happy and healthy in 2018!

 

Included in our Spring 2018 newsletter : 

 

Vital Vaccinations.

It is important to keep up with annual vaccinations, the diseases we vaccinate against can cause life threatening illnesses. Learn more about the diseases your pet could catch in our newsletter.

 

Understanding Kennel Cough! 

 

Kennel Cough

 

Read our newsletter to the symptoms commonly involved with this condition. Kennel Cough is a highly contagious condition and can be picked up from virtually anywhere your dog goes – don’t be fooled by the name. To ensure your dog is protected, a vaccine is available to reduce the risk of your dog developing the disease. Since Kennel Cough is so easy to catch why not contact us to arrange your dogs vaccine today.

 

Guinea Pigs make excellent pets. 

Like all pets, Guinea Pigs have specific requirements to help ensure they are happy and healthy. Our Newsletter explains the basic requirements for keeping Guinea Pigs; Including what to feed them. Their diet is vitally important to ensure they are healthy and do not develop dental disease. Our newsletter also advises which branches you can give to your guinea pigs to help prevent overgrown teeth.

 

Guinepig

 

Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism – whats the difference? 

 

Both conditions relate to the Thyroid glands located on either side of your pet’s neck. The glands regulate your pet’s metabolic rate. Our newsletter explains the differences between these 2 common conditions and the signs to watch out for in your pet.

 

Our Spring 2018 Newsletter is available now, read it here.

 

Winter News 2017

Read our 2017 Winter Newsletter here

 

We hope you enjoy reading our Winter Newsletter it’s packed full of advice to keep your pets happy and healthy this festive season!

 

Out and about:

Although the weather can be miserable, it is important to ensure your dog still gets their walks. Make the most of the shorter days by playing games while you are out to give your pet mental and physical stimulation. If you have walked your dog through road grit, don’t forget to clean their paws when you get home from your walk, as the grit can irritate their skin.

 

Bunny Upsets!

A reduction in your bunnies appetite can indicate an underlying health problem. If your rabbit seems to be eating less, it is well worth making an appointment for a check-up. Read our Winter Newsletter to understand more about you rabbits diet and the signs to watch out for to ensure they stay happy and healthy this winter.

 

Dry eyes, Cataracts and Glaucoma:

How healthy are your dogs eyes? Read our Winter Newsletter and learn the signs to watch out for when looking in your dogs eyes and when a condition should be treated as an ocular emergency. If your pet is showing any symptoms of an eye problem, please do not hesitate to book an appointment.

 

Arthritis and your pets. 

Arthritis is very commonly first diagnosed in older patients during the Winter months. Understand the reasons why Arthritis is more noticeable during the this period. Our Newsletter also includes some top tips to make your home as comfy as possible for those suffering with this condition.

 

Our Winter Newsletter is packed full of helpful advice to help you care for your pet this winter. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more information on any of the articles mentioned.

mum & puppies

Neutering your pet

Neutering your pet – what you need to know.

 

Have you heard that old rumour – you should let your dog have puppies before you neuter her? Well, did you also hear almost 50,000 pet dogs are being dumped in Britain every year! If your bitch has puppies (some produce up to 12 puppies in 1 litter) can you find forever homes for each and every puppy? And for the cat lovers – did you know the UK cat charities are reaching crisis point, due to the cat population being out of control!

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.

Cats – most cats are neutered from around 5 months of age.

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

 

Neutering your pet

                              Neutering your pet

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), 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 the same 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. The surgery will usually takes less than 1 hour.

  5. Once fully awake and recovered your pet will be able to go home the same day.

  6. We ask than once home your pet 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. 

    recovery pack

 

   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).

 

 

Your pet may be quiet for a day or so but we 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 you decide to neuter your pet, if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask any of our friendly team.

Autumn News 2017.

Our Autumn Newsletter for 2017 has arrived!

 

Our Autumn Newsletter has arrived, we hope you enjoy reading it! If you have any questions about the topics in the newsletter do not hesitate to contact our friendly team!

A word in your ear!

Did you know ear disease is common in our pets and its something we regularly treat here at Young Vets. Anatomically, our pets’ ears are very similar to ours, the main difference is that the ears are positioned towards the top of their heads rather than the sides. Read our NEWSLETTER to understand more about ear disease and the signs to watch out for in your pet.

Autumn Awareness!

Do you know the dangers that come with the beautiful season that is Autumn? Read our NEWSLETTER and learn about some of the dangers around this season, including conkers. They are poisonous, causing nasty tummy upsets in dogs when swallowed and can cause blockages in the intestines!

 

Parasite Alert!

Don’t forget to keep treating your pet against fleas and ticks during this season, as turning on your central heating means your home becomes the ideal environment when it is too cold outside for them! We are happy to talk to you about parasite protection for your home and your pet, don’t hesitate to contact for a chat.

 

Tick Alert!

Don’t forget to monitor your pet daily for ticks and if any are found, these should be removed promptly with a specially designed tick remover. Make sure you remove the whole of the tick and don’t leave any of it attached to your pet or it can cause irritation. If you are concerned contact our team and we will be able to remove ticks from your pet.

 

We’re sure about insurance, are you?

Are your pets insured? If not, it is definitely something worth considering and we would certainly recommend it. When looking for policies there are a few things to consider. Read our Autumn NEWSLETTER to understand about the different types of policies that are available for your pet.

 

Do fireworks put your pet in a fizz?

Sadly fireworks is not just one night anymore it seems to be more of a ‘season’. This can cause real anxiety for some pets, however there are many ways to try and keep the peace in your home. One of the most important things to bear in mind is be prepared. Read some of the different options we have available in our NEWSLETTER and contact our friendly team for more help and advice.

 

Click here to read our Autumn Newsletter for 2017.

Boo

Is your pet due a trip to the vet?

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, 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.

Black cat Louis

How to help your cat in old age.

Looking after your golden oldies.

Did you know that by the time your kitten 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 “Kings 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 –

 

  1. 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?
  2. In winter time make sure their bed is extra cosy and warm for them to snuggle into.
  3. cold bones = old bones.
  4. Make sure they have regular weight and health checks.
  5. If you have a multi cat household make sure the golden oldies have a quiet space to hide in.
  6. 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?
  7. If you think your cat may be loosing her sense of smell try warming up the wet food, this can make it more appealing.
  8. 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.
  9. Regular nail clips to ensure brittle nails do not get caught in furniture.
  10. 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.

Brush up on your pets denatl care

Our Summer Newsletter 2017.

 

Stick to Balls! If you have a dog who loves to play fetch, but you forgot to take a ball with you, it is tempting to use a stick instead – read our newsletter to find out about the nasty injuries that sticks can cause your dogs in a simple game of fetch.

Brushing up on dental care – Pets are usually born with healthy mouths, with shiny white teeth and rosy pink gums – find out what happens to your pets teeth over time and the dental disease signs to look out for.

Skin allergies are reasonably common in dogs, especially at this time of year. Our newsletter address some of the more common allergies and where they may irritate your pet. If you are concerned please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice.

Also included : Summer tips and how to care for your pets during the warmer weather, from extra shade to using sunblock on your cat, loads of advice is included in our newsletter.

Read our newsletter HERE.

 

Tabby cat in grass

Choosing a pedigree cat

siamese cat

Siamese kitten

  • Most people with cats have ordinary ‘ moggies ‘  or domestic short haired cats to give them their full name. However if you are looking for a pedigree cat you may want to do a bit of research before making a choice.  Pedigree breeds have different personalities, varying activity levels, and there can be a large variation in adult weight and size.  Long haired cats generally shed more hair and will require more grooming.

Examples of individual breed traits include:

  • Persian cats may be prone to weeping eyes, and snuffly noses and may need regular face cleaning.
  • Bengal cats tend to be nervous types and may not be suited to households with children.
  • Siamese cats can be quite vocal.
  • Maine coon cats can grow to be very large ( in some cases double the size of an average cat!)

Always go to a breeder for your pedigree cat, and make sure you see the mother as well as the kitten so that you get some idea of what they may grow into and their personality.  Never buy from a pet shop or a website, as you cannot be sure of their origins.