We
offer a free health check as soon as you get your new
puppy. For appointment details click
here...
We have everything you need to settle your new puppy
in, a total package of quality products. After all….
College Vet Healthy Pet
Puppies 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 Puppy food. Puppies need
to be fed upto 4 times a day.
Puppies should be taken into the garden as soon as they
wake up, immediately before and after each meal to encourage
them with their house training.
Always have paper or training pads down for the puppy
to use. Do not chastise it if it has an accident, but
reward all successful visits to the garden. Many puppies
are house trained in only a few weeks, if it is not going
well please call for advice For appointment details
click here...
Most puppies are apprehensive moving away from their
mother and siblings, this often resolves very quickly,
but a Adaptil collar is often very benefical. Dog Appeasing
Pheramone (Adaptil). help promote a feeling of welbeing
and confidence and the confident puppy is much more likely
to be happy with people.
All puppies need some training, they do not understand
what they are allowed to play with and must learn not
to bite. Provide suitable toys and always play with your
puppy with a toy. If your puppy accidentally bites you
instead of the toy then the game stops. This teaches the
puppy not to bite, because they want the game to continue.
Do consider taking your puppy to training classes as soon
as it has completed it's vaccinations.
We have weekly puppy parties to encourage good social
skills, puppies can attend these as soon as they have
had their first vaccination until they are 4 months old.
For appointment details click
here...
We can advise on all 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.
College Vet Healthy Pet
For
dogs with no health issues we always recommend a complete
dried food diet, such as Vet Essentials. These diets are
helpful in keeping your dogs teeth cleaner, and don't
go stale if your dog 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 tinned foods
cost upto £1.35, so the use of Vet Essentials means
you're doing the best for your dog's long term health
without spending a fortune.
Puppies should be on a solid food from about 6 weeks
of age. We would recommend Vet Essential puppy food. We
will give you a free sample when we start your puppy's
vaccinations. For appointment details click
here...
Once your puppy reaches maturity, 6-14 months depending
on breed, we would recommend changing their diet to Vet
Essentials young adult food. We offer free monthly health
checks up to the age of six months to ensure your puppy
develops properly. All weight checks with the nurses are
free and they can advise when to change your puppy to
an adult food. For appointment details click
here...
Excess weight is a big problem for dogs, 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 dog 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...
College Vet Healthy Pet
All
dogs should be vaccinated every year against parvo virus,
leptospirosis, infectious hepatitis, distemper and bordetella.
For puppies we start vaccinations at 8 weeks of age. These
diseases can be fatal.
Many people think that only the initial puppy course
is necessary, if in doubt please contact us, we want the
very best health for your companion, and vaccinations
are vital. There has been much in the press about "over
vaccinating animals". So we don't vaccinate against
every disease every year, but for dogs vaccination against
leptospirosis yearly is vital.
Bordetellosis is a disease which can now
be minimized by vaccination for dogs.
The vaccine for dogs now also gives a whole year's immunity.
Any dog who socialises should be vaccinated. This includes
those in multi cat or dog or mixed households and/or those
going to boarding kennels or obedience classes.
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.
College Vet Healthy Pet
We generally like to neuter dogs when they are fully
mature, so we often discuss it at their first booster
vaccination appointment. The benefits are not just unwanted
puppies.
Neutering decreases the incidence of some types of cancer
and some infections. It also decreases roaming. Some behavioural
issues may also be improved by neutering, but will be
more successful if the dog is neutered as early as possible.
We will carry out a free health check before neutering
your dog. For appointment details click
here...
College Vet Healthy Pet
Puppies
and adult dogs should be treated for round worms and fleas
every month. In the past many products were unsuitable
for puppies.
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 the dog first, but we also just want
to meet your dog!
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.
College Vet Healthy Pet
Many shorthaired breeds will need minimal grooming, although
many will very much appreciate the attention.
However be aware if you have a longer haired dog 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 animals
accidentally cut by well meaning owners.
We have a variety of grooming aids to help, including
tangle resisting shampoos, odour eliminators & battery
clippers.
Leanne also offers a full professional grooming service
For appointment details click
here...
College Vet Healthy Pet
 |
| 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.
Dogs and cats will rarely exhibit signs of pain, but any difficulty chewing
or favouring one side should be investigated.
What can be done?
If this is not possible we will try to formulate a plan to improve your
companions dental health.
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.
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 |
|
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 |
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| |
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|
 |
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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. |
|
College Vet Healthy Pet
Dogs 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.
 |
 |
| Rudi before and after treatment (aged
13½ and one year later |
College Vet Healthy Pet
We would also advise you to think about getting your
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.
College Vet Healthy Pet
Some
Dogs 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.
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.
Many will think this is a silly photo, maybe humorous,
but for George pictured here hiding in the tumble drier
this was a tragedy. George was a rescue dog who was abused
as a youngster. He was fearful of any loud noise and had
become so nervous that he found hidey holes even when
there was no disturbance.
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.
Many are euthanased every year for inappropriate behaviour.
College Vet Healthy Pet
How to help your Dog 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
- Prepare a refuge area for your dog to go to during
the fireworks
- Encourage your dog to use it by hiding food treats
there
- Plug a Adaptil Diffuser in the room the dog uses to rest
and relax and leave it switched on at all times
On the day of the event
- Exercise your dog during the day. Never walk your
dog whilst fireworks are being let off
- At sundown, draw thick curtains or blinds across the
windows in the room where the dog will retreat to. Ensure
some toys are available for the dog to play with
- Make sure you have something to do in this room so
you can stay with your dog
- Put some music on, preferably something with a lot
of constant drumbeats. It does not have to be loud
- Ignore the firework noise yourself and try to engage
your pet in some form of active game
- Ignore any fearful behaviour. Don't fuss or attempt
to reassure your dog when it is scared as this rewards
the behaviour
- Don't punish your dog either, it only confirms that
there was something to be afraid of
- Make sure your dog is kept in a safe and secure environment
at all times
- Allow free access to the refuge area/hidey hole at
all times
- Adaptil spray can be applied onto to the dogs bedding
on the night of the event for additional reassurance
After the event
- Leave the Adaptil Diffuser plugged in for a week
- If similar events are likely to happen over a number
of nights maintain a Adaptil Diffuser throughout the whole
period
- Consult your veterinary surgeon to discuss further
treatment
College Vet Healthy Pet
|
 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 its 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.
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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 |
College Vet Healthy Pet
Free Health Checks
We are happy to offer the first consultation free of
charge for new puppies, 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.
College Vet Healthy Pet
Puppy Parties
At
CVS the nurses run puppy parties which provides everyone
with a chance to get to know everyone. The puppies learn
how to socialise with other pups and also it gives them
a chance to gain confidence with strangers and relax in
the surgery so subsequent visits are not so stressful.
Everyone has a fun time and usually the puppies go home
exhausted so the clients have a quiet afternoon!
Puppy parties are now regularly held on Sunday from 10am until 11am every
week. Provided your puppy has started it's vaccinations or had a health
check at the surgery you can attend. The puppies do not have to have completed
their vaccinations before they come along as long as they have all been
examined and appear to be free of disease. Check with the vet at your
puppy's health examination that the puppy is healthy enough to attend.
We would encourage any clients with new puppies or kittens to have a
free health assessment with the Vet before starting their
vaccinations.
College Vet Healthy Pet
