Cat Care Guide...

Welcoming your new Kitten home.

We offer a free health check as soon as you get your new kitten. Just phone the surgery on 01622 752154 to make your appointment. We have everything you need to settle your new kitten in, a total package of quality products.
After all…. College Vet Healthy Pet

Kittens usually leave their mother between 7-12 weeks of age.

At this time they are usually on a solid diet. Any change in diet should be introduced gradually if at all possible. We would recommend Vet Essential Kitten food. Kittens need to be fed upto 4 times a day.

Provide the kitten with at least 2 litter trays. These need to be cleaned as soon as your kitten has used them. Cats dislike dirty trays (who can blame them) and litter training will proceed faster if they are encouraged with clean facilities.

Kittens need some training just like puppies, they do not understand what they are allowed to scratch and play with. Provide scratching posts and suitable toys. If your kitten wants to scratch/spray unsuitable objects consider a feliway spray. We can advise on these sorts of behavioural problems.

Remember any behavioural problems are resolved better if tackled before they become an ingrained habit.

All training works better by rewarding good behaviour, not punishing the bad.

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For cats with no health issues we always recommend a complete dried food diet, such as Vet Essentials.

These diets are helpful in keeping your cats teeth cleaner, and don't go stale if your cat does not eat a meal. These diets are very economical because the packaging is cheaper than for wet diets, and you don't have to pay for the water which is in wet foods. The cost per day is as little as 35p per day on Vet Essentials whereas many pouches will cost upto £1.35, so the use of Vet Essentials means that you're doing the best for your cat's long term health without spending a fortune.

Kittens should be on a solid food from about 6 weeks of age. We would recommend Vet Essential Kitten food. We will give you a free sample when we start your kitten's vaccinations

Once your kitten is neutered we would recommend changing their diet to Vet Essentials young adult food. We will give you a free sample when your kitten is neutered. Although your cat will still be growing a bit at this time they are almost full grown, and once neutered will put on weight at an alarming rate if they continue on kitten food.

Excess weight is a big problem for cats, dieting is very difficult, as many of us know, so the key is to use a diet which will help avoid the weight going on, Vet Essentials young adult food. Once your cat reaches the age of 7 years it is classed a mature animal. We would recommend changing their diet to Vet Essentials mature adult food.

To find out more about Vet Essentials visit the Hills website here...

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All cats should be vaccinated every year against flu enteritis and leukaemia. For kittens we start vaccinations at 9 weeks of age. These diseases can be fatal and often the animal will be infected for life and the disease might go undetected for many years.

Many people think that only the initial kitten course is necessary, if in doubt please contact us, we want the very best health for your companion, and vaccinations are vital. For appointment details click here...

You may not be aware that a new vaccine is now available for bordetella. Bordetella is responsible for the flu symptoms sometimes seen in fully vaccinated cats. This is a particular problem for cats who live with other cats, dogs, mixed households and/or are going to boarding catteries. It is something which you should consider for any feline given the above criteria. This is especially important, particularly if the animal is over 7 years old. Whilst bordetella is itself not life threatening, in the elderly it can increase the chances of the patient going on to develop more severe lower respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia. Some kennels insist on animals being vaccinated.

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Many kittens can be neutered from about 4 months of age. The benefits are not just unwanted kittens.

Neutering decreases the incidence of some types of cancer and some infections. It also decreases roaming (tom cats are at increased risk of road accidents) and spraying.

We will carry out a free health check before neutering your cat. For appointment details click here...

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Kittens and adult cats should be treated for round worms and fleas every month.

In the past many products were unsuitable for kittens. Happily this is no longer the case, so please, don't take chances with over the counter product, call for a free check and we can advise the best product for you.

Many treatments are weight dependent, which is why we would like to see your cat first, but we also just want to meet your cat!

No Fleas, Please!

This has been a great year for the flea.

Imagine itching day and night without relief and being unable to tell anyone about it! Our pets suffer silently, and its up to us to be proactive in helping them. If your cat or dog has had some hair loss, especially over the rump, or you have seen or heard them scratching, they probably have fleas!

Some people are embarrassed to admit that their pet has fleas, but fleas are a hazard of being furry, unfortunately! So have them checked out and treated immediately. There are several products we recommend, including Stronghold ™ Spot-on to kill fleas on the animal and Indorex ™ spray to kill fleas in the environment. Stronghold ™ also kills biting lice, several kinds of mites and roundworms in your pet, which are a public health threat.

Fleas spend most of their time off the animal and in the environment breeding and laying eggs. Generally only 5% of fleas are on your pet at any one time. The rest of the time they are in the home, especially in carpets, bedding and upholstery. Fleas can complete their life cycle in as little as two weeks in warm damp weather and a few fleas can turn into a problem very quickly.

A single female flea can lay 27 eggs a day. Flea eggs, larvae and pupae make up 95% of the population in the home and must be treated along with the adult fleas. Eggs and larvae can live for months in the environment and can re-infest the home when conditions change, so it's important to treat for the immature fleas, too!

Just contact the surgery on 01622 752154 if you want any advice or information on what you need to do.

1.Adult Fleas infest the pet from the home or outside.

2.Each adult female flea can lay an average of 27 eggs a day, which fall into carpets and furnishings.

3. Eggs hatch into lavae.

4. Lavae become pupae, which in turn become adult fleas and the cycle starts again.

 

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Cats are fastidiously clean animals. Many will not actually need grooming, although many will very much appreciate the attention.

However be aware if you have an exotic longhaired cat you may need to devote several hours each day to grooming to keep them in tip top condition. Once the hair becomes matted it may need to be shaved off, which is a job for us usually.

If your companions hair does become matted be very careful if you're trying to use scissors, every year we have to stitch up many animals that are accidentally cut by well meaning owners.

We have a variety of grooming aids to help, including battery clippers.

If in doubt consider seeing us for a professional grooming session. For appointment details click here...

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move mouse over image to see teeth after cleaning

Dental disease in pets.

Between 6 and 7 out of 10 dogs and cats over the age of 3 will have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs when plaque and infection causes inflammation to the gums, ligaments and bone surrounding the teeth.

The consequence of untreated periodontal disease is

• tooth loss
• pain which may be manifest as a reluctance to play or just general lack of enthusiasm for life
• septicemia (blood borne infection) which in turn can lead to heart failure through endocarditis, liver abscess's and kidney failure.

How can you tell if your companion has periodontal disease?

Smelly breath is often indicative of periodontal disease, although it can occur for other reasons.

Do the teeth look discoloured, often those easiest to see at the front, the incisors and canines will be in better health than the molars, so if those at the front are white and those further back yellow, or worse green then you have problems.

Also inspect the gums, red indicates inflammation.

Cats will rarely exhibit signs of pain, but any difficulty chewing or favouring one side should be investigated.

What can be done?

If possible brush your companion's teeth every day. Use a fish or poultry flavoured paste which does not contain fluoride. Even with this intense treatment cats and dogs will still need a scale and polish periodically, just as most people do. If periodontal disease is already present brushing will not improve the situation until the mouth has been thoroughly cleaned and polished by the vet, it might also be too painful for your pet to allow this.

If you are not able to brush your pets teeth other things you can do to help are:-

• feed only dried food and the mechanical action of chewing will help to decrease plaque. Hills Science Plan produce a specific diet, t/d, in which the fibres are aligned to act like dental floss and remove plaque. Other diets which make claims to improve oral health are directed at tartar, which occurs later in the disease and is the mineralised deposit which plaque becomes, therefore t/d acts at the earlier and more desirable stage.
• provide chew sticks such as CET which have enzymes to help reduce plaque.
• chew toys can help, it is thought that the Kong toys are best at "wiping" the plaque off.
• consider logic oral gel or hexarinse mouth washes.
• plaque off is a nutritional supplement which if sprinkled on food will help.

The photographs below help give an indication of the size of the teeth of dogs, cats and rabbits. If dental problems go untreated teeth will eventually need extracting, the teeth may look small above the gum but their roots are very long and extracting teeth is a difficult and delicate process.

canine molar - the root is at least 3 times the length of tooth above the gum	feline teeth - again look at the size of the roots
rabbit teeth on the left and a canine tooth on the right the majority of the white area on the rabbit teeth would be below the gum line.

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Cats can become geriatric from 7 years of age depending on the breed.

Many of these animals will start to lose weight, become less active, may have behavioural changes or drink more. Many people may not notice if they occur gradually, or think that these aging changes are inevitable. However there are many things we can do to help the older animal and possibly extend their lives in comfort. The earlier any changes are investigated the more likely a happy outcome. For this reason we would encourage 6 month health checks if at all possible. At least bringing the patient in for a free weight check with the Nurse to monitor any trends.

The things to look out for:-

• Smelly Breath
• Skinny or increased size on the same food as usual
• Changed eating or drinking habits
• Passing more urine or accidental puddles
• Losing hair
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Lazy, listless, unwilling to excercise - becoming a couch potato
• Stiff or limping, unable to jump or get up the stairs

We can help with many of these problems.

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We would also advise you to think about getting you pet identi-chipped, it has been known for an owner to be informed as to the location of their pet before they even realised the animal was missing! It saves you trailing round all the rescue centers and gives you positive identification of your pet in cases of dispute.

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Some cats can suffer from a range of behavioural problems which can make theirs and their owners life less enjoyable than it should be. You and your companion need not suffer these problems unnecessarily as there are treatments available that can help overcome these problems. We have natriceuticals which do not sedate your cat but will have a calming effect.

As with any problem they are easiest to sort if they are tackled as soon as they arise. If you think your companion has problems, fear of noise, anxiety when left, bites and damages furniture or scent marks indoors then please contact us so that we can try to help.

Behavioural problems frequently start as a mildly eccentric funny habits, which if ignored can escalate into severe behavioural disturbance. If your companion acts strangely it is best not to ignore it, often these problems can be sorted out quite easily with subtle changes in training, left the animal can become a nuisance or even dangerous.

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How to help your Cat cope with Fireworks

Here are some steps that should help you and your pet handle the fireworks season.

At least one week before the event

• If possible keep your cat confined to the house for the week leading up to the event. Provide a litter tray
• Make sure the cat has some form of identification eg microchip to trace it if it does manage to escape
• Plug a Feliway Diffuser in the room your cat uses to rest
• Make sure there are plenty of bolt holes and places to hide inside the home

On the day of the event

• Check the cat is definitely inside the house and that escape routes to the outside are blocked
• Create a darkened room and put on some music or the TV to drown out the firework noise
• Wherever the cat chooses to hide leave it well alone until it feels safe enough to emerge
• Do not punish or fuss your cat during the event
• Stay calm and act normally

After the event

• Leave the Feliway Diffuser plugged in for at least one week after the event
• If similar events are likely to happen over a number of nights maintain a Feliway Diffuser throughout the whole period

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We all want to do the best for our animals, we try to feed them the best kind of food, ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and ensure they are exercised and loved as much as possible. Unfortunately we cannot predict what may unavoidably happen in the future, illness or accidents can occur at any age and are distressing for you and your pet. There is no such thing as an NHS for animals and in this profession it is heart breaking to see owners have to make decisions due to lack of available funds at that time. Drugs cost money, as do the syringes, needles and bandage materials, all this can add up to a large bill and the last thing we, as a profession, want to do is cut corners and hope it will work. We, as you do, want the best for your animals, they are after all a part of your family. This is why we strongly recommend insuring your animal.

Insuring your pet with the right company gives you the peace of mind knowing that whatever happens you will be able to continue to give the best to your animal.

When choosing the right policy for you and your pet it is vital you look further than the cost of your monthly payments. ALWAYS CHECK THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

How much is the excess for each condition. What the insurance policy does not cover. What lifetime cover actually means, if applicable. How much the monthly premiums are.

EXCESS Just as in motor insurance an excess must be paid for each condition claimed, for e.g. If your dog or cat were to cut it's leg you would have to pay the first £35 of the treatment received (this amount varies between companies and is usually dependent on age of the animal concerned), after this initial payment the insurance company will continue to pay. If one claim has been sent in and there is a relapse you would not have to pay the excess again as it is a continuation of the same complaint. Please note if the condition is ongoing over a number of years you may have to pay an excess upon each renewal of the policy

WHAT MAY NOT BE COVERED? Examples of items and treatment, which may not be covered under the policy, are: PRESCRIPTION FOOD HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENTS. HOUSE VISITS EUTHANASIA & CREMATION. DENTAL TREATMENT. Each company will vary on what it will cover for, those that do cover for food usually pay a percentage of the cost taking into account of the price it would cost for you to normally feed your animal with non prescription food.

LIFETIME COVER. Some companies lifetime cover means they will insure any animal at any age (these tend to be the less expensive companies), but the catch is if your pet becomes unwell with an ongoing illness i.e. diabetes, they will only pay for treatment for that condition for one year then they will make it an exclusion. For other companies it means they will not insure an animal after a certain age (usually 7-8yrs) unless it was insured with them before that age but if your pet were to develop diabetes they would pay out for the rest of that animals life.

MONTHLY PREMIUMS. Payment for the policy is usually once a month, this cost is dependent on many factors, for e.g. animals age, your postal address, breed and type of policy chosen for your pet (some companies have various levels of cover).

EXCLUSIONS ON THE POLICY. Exclusions are the conditions the company will not pay for; these may include the examples listed above and also any condition that your animal may be suffering before the policy was started. NO INSURANCE POLICY WILL COVER PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT. Preventative treatment includes the following: VACCINATIONS. NEUTERING. FLEA & WORM PREPARATIONS. GROOMING.

None of us know what is going to happen tomorrow, not many of us has the money put away if something unexpected were to happen and life in general throws everything at us at the worst possible time.

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Free Health Checks

We are happy to offer the first consultation free of charge for new puppies and kittens, this provides an ideal opportunity to get your new arrival checked out before we start their vaccinations.

If they are already vaccinated, a check to make sure they are as healthy as you would expect never goes amiss.

We also provide a free health examination for senior citizens, dogs and cats over 7 years (who are not already clients and providing you are not aware that your companion already has a problem or is already ill).

Whilst you may think your golden oldie is well, and we hope they are, there are still things we may be able to suggest to ensure their latter years are as pleasant for them and as long as possible.

 

Weight Clinic

We run free clinics with the nursing staff on Tuesdays between 3pm & 4pm and Sunday between 11am & 11:30am; checks regarding weight with Sally are in regular consultation times.

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