Author Archives: gray_ealingvets

On Snowy Days

On Snowy Days

 

On Snowy Days remember to check your pets paws after walks and give them a wipe down. If you have been walking on gritted pavements a quick paw wash and towel dry can help stop sore irritated pads and paws. Our Winter News explains the things pet owners need to be aware of during the cold periods.

 

 

Ear Ear! Watch out for ear disease!

In order to effectively treat ear conditions it is important to identify the underlying cause. Our Winter Newsletter explains the different types of ear problems and the signs to watch out for. The longer an ear problem is left, the harder they are to manage effectively. If you have concerns about your pets ears, please contact our team and arrange an appointment for your pet.

 

Puppy and Dog care

Pets ears come in all shapes and sizes.

 

Sore joints

Pets with joint problems often start to struggle in the cold weather. Our Winter News explains the signs to watch out for in your pet. Many older pets could benefit from a joint supplement and a change in exercise routine, contact our experienced team if your pet is showing signs of slowing down.

 

We hope you enjoy reading On Snowy Days – If you have any questions on the articles mentioned please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for further help and advice.

Fireworks and your pets – helping them cope.

 

Fireworks and your pets – helping them cope.

 

 

We want to work with pet owners to help make the fireworks season as stress free as possible for every pet. Each year clients contact us, worried about their pets reaction to the fireworks going off outside their homes. Both dogs and cats can suffer from noise related phobias, the most important advice is BE PREPARED before they start.

 

Preparation starts at home.

Purchase a fireworks soundtrack, ideally months before the first firework is set off. Play this daily at home, quietly to start with, gradually increase the soundtrack allowing your pet plenty of time to get used to the bangs.

 

Using pheromones,

can be beneficial for both cats and dogs. These naturally calm your pet and reduce anxious behaviour. Pheromones are produced by female cats and dogs to help comfort their young. These sprays mimic this effect helping to create a calm and relaxed environment. These should be started 2 weeks before fireworks season to give the best results. There are different options available to suit every household – A collar for dogs, a plug in (great for multi pet house holds) and spray to use as required.

 

 

Supplements

Nutracalm supplements are available at all of our surgeries, for both cats and dogs. Nutracalm has been specially formulated by vets to help naturally calm worried pets, reduce anxiety and unwanted behaviour.

 

Zylkene supplements are available for both cats and dogs, at all of our surgeries. This supplement is derived from milk proteins that can help your pet feel more relaxed. Zylkene is lactose and preservative free.

 

Supplements are easy to administer, by mixing into your pets usual food. Our team will be able to advise you of the dosage recommended for your pet. Supplements should be started at least 3 days before any fireworks start.

 

Please take care, pets that are suffering with anxiety can show signs of aggression.

 

For the more anxious dogs,

we have Prescription Only Medicine available. A fast acting gel can be prescribed by our vets for you to use in the comfort of your own home, allowing you to tailor the gel to the timing and duration of the noise outside. This gel can be used as part of an existing training programme. Our team will show you how to administer the gel, ensuring the correct dose for your dog is given.

How to help your pet

Act normal – pets will pick up on your anxiety.

Walk your dog as early as possible, if they are looking anxious it might be safer to keep them on a lead or long line.

Build a den – in a quiet corner of your home.

Lock your cat flap & shut all windows.

Check your pets ID tag & microchip information is up to date.

 

 

 

Don’t forget about your smaller pets – guinea pigs and rabbits can also become extremely anxious around fireworks season. To help reduce stress in your small furries consider moving their hutch temporarily into your garage or the coldest room in your house to help reduce the noise. If they are staying outside use an old rug or thick blanket over their cage to help minimize noise levels for them. Don’t forget to provide extra bedding, so they can snuggle up feeling safe and warm inside their hutch.

 

We hope that you and your pet enjoy the fireworks season this year but if you are concerned your pet is showing signs of anxiety please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for help and advice.

Autumn Newsletter

Wasps, Bees and Antifreeze.

 

Wasps, Bees and Antifreeze.

 

Wasps, Bees and Antifreeze.

After hot summer days, the cooler Autumn weather can be quite a relief. It is also a great time of year to be a pet owner; long walks in golden forests and cosy nights in with your cats, there is nothing better! However, Autumn does come with a range of pet care challenges that we must be prepared for, our Autumn News talks about them here.

 

 

 

Bonfire Night (Mare!)

 

 As soon as the nights draw in, fireworks go off which can be absolutely terrifying for our pets. However, there are many ways you can help them get through the ‘Firework Season’ and the key to helping pets cope with fireworks is good preparation. Our Autumn News will give you some top tips on preparing your pets for this season.

 

 

Seasonal strolls,

 

While you are out on your seasonal strolls, be on the look out for your dogs helping themselves to fallen fruit! A rotten apple can seem like a tasty snack but it likely to cause an upset tummy, especially if they eat quite a few! Conkers and acorns are also very tempting but are actually toxic to your dog and can cause intestinal blockages. Autumn Alert, explains the other seasonal challenges that pet owners need to be prepared for!

 

 

 

 

 

Please get in touch with our friendly team if you need advice on any of the articles mentioned in this Autumn Alert newsletter.

 

 

 

Worming your new pet.

Why Cats Purr

Why Cats Purr

 

What could be more soothing, than the sleek, flowing form of a resting cat, curled in your lap  purring gently? The therapeutic value is through the roof.

But why – and how – does your feline friend make the lovely sound?

It’s easy to assume that a cat purring is simply a sign that it’s content. It’s a cat’s way of smiling, right? You could be excused for believing a cat purring is the same as a dog wagging its tail.

It’s a little more complex than that. Have you noticed that cats and kittens sometimes make a similar sound when upset or frightened? It could even be a way that cats express pain or discomfort.

Let’s look at the basics of what cat purring is all about. It could provide valuable insights if you ever asked: “what is my cat trying to say?”

 

How do cats purr?

 

Starting then with the mechanics of the process. Did you ever wonder where does a cat’s purr come from?

You may be surprised to learn that they have no special physical apparatus to make the purring sound. It’s simply the process of air passing over the cat’s throat muscles. A cat’s purr comes from rapid movement in its larynx (voice box). This, combined with movement in its diaphragm which lies beneath its lungs, produces that characteristic purr in cats.

 

What does it mean when cats purr? 

 

Basically, a cat’s purr is a self-soothing mechanism, a response to what it’s feeling and what it needs.

Why do kittens purr? Even very young kittens purr, to comfort themselves or to draw their mother’s attention to the fact they are hungry.

This range of “messages” from a cat’s purr is why the tone and volume changes. Some cat purrs can be high pitched, others are rumbling sounds. You may even catch a cat’s purr that’s just a whisper.

Having a close bond with your pet often means becoming well-tuned to its needs and desires. You will start to discern a pattern in your cat’s purring sounds, and their other vocal signals such as meowing and howling. More on that later.

 

 

How else do cats communicate? 

 

One of the magical things about cats is that they always find ways to communicate their needs.

For example, when cats rub themselves against you, what does it mean? And is head bumping in cats a way of showing affection?

It is on one level. Cats rub themselves and head pump to deposit their scents on surfaces and their humans. It’s a way of marking ownership.

Cat communication also comes from their posture. They take up different positions as a response to outside stimulation or to express an emotion. For example, if a cat rolls over and exposes their belly, they are expressing trust and inviting a belly rub.

It is obvious that an arched back, lifted tail and teeth on display are absolutely the opposite message from your easy-to-read cat.

 

– Ernest Hemingway, For Whom The Bell Tolls.

 

How to understand your cat.

 

Why are cats so talkative? And how do you go about working out what your cat is saying?

As mentioned, in time you become familiar with the vocal and non-vocal communications by your cat. One of the most common ways cats vocalise a need is by having a particular noise that indicates hunger and a desire for attention. This cat’s purr is officially called a ‘solicitation purr’.

This is usually a combination of a meow sound and a purr. Cat owners become as alert to this as a mother does to the hungry cry of a human baby.

Something you may also notice is that cats meow when they are with you, but howl and hiss outside. Why do cats meow? For the same reason as purring – to tell you something.

Their less pleasant sounds could be your cat’s way of issuing warnings or “advising” another cat to keep away.

 

Why do cats purr and knead?

 

One of the most endearing features of cats, and a source of entertainment, is watching when your cat “kneads”.

So, what does it means when a cat pushes forward with its front or back paws?

You may hear theories of primitive instincts in cats, that require them to push down the surface around them for protection. Just as they would have done when living wild amongst grasses and debris. However, others believe it’s a sign of something far more positive.

Kneading, like purring, starts in very young kittens. They learn that gentle pressure on their mother causes nourishing and comforting milk to flow from her nipples.

This learnt behaviour in cats remains into adulthood. Cats will purr and knead in a repetitive motion as a sign of security. Pushing against something soft is comforting for them. This could give you an answer if you have ever wondered why your cat taps your jumper or why cats love to march on pillows and bedding.

Of course, purring and kneading in cats is also another way they can spread their scent and mark their territory too.

 

Why do cats lick and purr? 

A similar process is underway when a cat chooses to lick you, possibly at the same time as purring. Mother cats groom their young with their tongue and convey a connection. This learnt behaviour in cats becomes a show of affection to each other or to their humans.

The list of ways that cats show affection is long, isn’t it. Which is why cats make such wonderful pets.

 

– Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

 

This blog and images have been supplied by Zoetis.

Blog written by Gemma Hopkins BVETMED, CERTVC, MRCVS.

 

Kennel Cough

What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes In Dogs?

 

What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes In Dogs?

 

Diabetes in dogs is a serious, hormonal condition that can easily go undiagnosed. Why? Because symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked. However, if you know what to look for, some simple checks could save your dog from a host of unpleasant side-effects or more grave consequences.

 

Glucose is a simple sugar that travels around the body and is a vital source of energy. The body will normally maintain a stable blood glucose level, but when it gets too high as a result of diabetes the dog’s overall health begins to suffer. A check for diabetes commonly involves monitoring levels of glucose in the bloodstream.

 

What are the symptoms of diabetes in dogs?

Signs that the body is unable to stabilise blood glucose levels can show in a number of ways. If diabetes is developing, your dog is likely to suffer from one or more of these complaints. Monitoring change from normal is important to detect the condition:

Excessive urination
Increased thirst/drinking more than usual
Weight loss
Increased appetite
Lethargy
Urinary tract infections
Stubborn skin infections
Cataract formation or cloudy eyes

 

Any of these conditions could be the result of the body reacting to high of glucose in the blood. Glucose is mainly controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland). Where it isn’t doing its job, two types of diabetes can occur:

Type I Diabetes means your dog is unable to produce insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes means not enough insulin is produced, or the body is not responsive to it.

Insulin plays a vital part in the maintenance of healthy blood glucose levels by allowing glucose from the blood to enter all the cells of the body to be used as fuel.

 

 

Symptoms explained

Where insulin is not present or is unable to control delivery of glucose to cells in the body, the body does not get enough energy so your dog may become more tired or lethargic, the cells start to use fat and muscle to produce energy instead. This means your dog could lose weight while at the same time the dog will eat more to try and get more glucose.

If there is too much glucose in the blood, the body gets rid of the excess through the kidneys, so your dog may urinate more frequently. Water exits the body along with the glucose in the urine, so your dog will try to replace it by drinking more.

Urinary tract infections are common in dogs with diabetes, since urine containing more glucose, makes a great breeding ground for bacteria. Wounds to the skin may also take longer to heal or become infected because of high levels of glucose in the skin.

Longer term, high levels of glucose can cause cloudy eyes, it can permanently change the lens of the eye, resulting in blurred vision. Leave diabetes untreated and it can lead to blindness.

 

Early diagnosis and preventative measures

Older, female dogs are more susceptible to diabetes and some breeds are said to be more prone to developing the condition:

Dachshunds
Poodles
Schauzers
Samoyeds
Australian Terriers
Keeshonds
Golden retrievers (prone to type 1 diabetes)

 

If you have any concerns, our vets may suggest a blood glucose monitoring system, and offer a treatment and/or management plan. Thankfully, with early detection and the right treatment, dogs with diabetes can often live a long and perfectly healthy life.

 

If your dog is showing signs of diabetes, don’t delay contact us today, let us help you take care of your pet.

 

Blog post and images supplied by Zoetis.

Written by Gemma Hopkins BVETMED, CERTVC, MRCVS.

The Loss Of A Pet

 

The Loss Of A Pet

Nothing can prepare you for the loss of a pet, through death or enforced separation, grieving is a sad and difficult experience for any pet owner. We’ve put together this blog with the help of PetSavers to help you come to terms with the loss of your pet.

Companionship

The pets in our lives are treated the same as a family member and they are very special to us. There are many different ways that animals contribute to our lives. Pets can bring us immeasurable rewards in the form of companionship, protection, relaxation, exercise… to name but a few. When grieving for your pet remember all the good times that you have been through together and focus on these.

Picture credits Flickr

 

Euthanasia … the biggest decision a pet owner will make

We are responsible for the animal during its lifetime, and we are also responsible during the time of illness and death. It is natural to feel guilty when considering euthanasia. Sometimes we may feel angry that the animal cannot be saved and often think… ‘If only I had done… things could have been different’. It is important to discuss your concerns with our experienced team, who will be able to advise and guide you. This should re-assure you that the decision you have made, whatever the reason for euthanasia, has been the most appropriate one.

Grief

Pets are considered to be a big part of our family and an integral part of our lives and we may mourn at their death as if we have lost a human friend or member of the family. The depth of emotion felt is often unexpected, but when you consider the friendship that may have been lost, the feelings of grief are not surprising. Each of us experiences the grieving process in a unique way. Often the first reaction is disbelief. It may be hard to accept that our animal is no longer with us. The house feels so empty and it is difficult to come to terms with the fact that your pet will not be coming back. The feelings of loss may be particularly deep if you have depended on your pet for emotional support. You may feel very sad and low for a while. Sometimes the loneliness is magnified by a lack of understanding from others. Some people may lose confidence and feel anxious about other animals that are in their care. It helps to share your feelings with a friend, a member of the veterinary staff or someone else who has had a similar experience. The PetSavers charity also offer a Pet Bereavement Support Service: 0800 0966606, their experienced team offer a sympathetic ear for recently bereaved pet owners.

 

Picture credits – Pintrest

 

It is helpful to realise that your reaction to losing your pet is a normal response and these emotions can be considered a tribute to what your pet has meant to you.

 

Moving on …

After a while you will feel more able to direct your energies towards the future. Some people will soon want to fill the gap left by the loss of their pet. Other people may not be ready to get another animal for some time and may feel as if they are betraying their deceased pet by investing time and love in another one. Only you will be able to decide when you are ready to introduce a new animal into your household. We should understand that a new animal does not replace the pet that has been lost but brings into the home a new presence that fills the emptiness. If you do not feel ready to bring a new pet home, why not visit a local animal shelter and offer a few hours of your time helping to care for animals that are under their care and need a walk or extra cuddle.

Helping your child understand

Losing a family pet may be one of the first deaths we experience as children. Children should be told the truth about their pet, and from someone they know. The death of the pet should be explained in honest, simple language that they will fully understand. If possible the child should be warned if their pet is terminally ill or if euthanasia is going to be performed so that they can ask questions, prepare themselves for the loss and say their farewells. If your child wishes to be present at the time of euthanasia or to see the pet’s body afterwards, then please discuss this with your vet who will be able to offer advice. It is important to allow time for discussion at this very sensitive time; be prepared to show your feelings and talk about the animal’s death. Children may want to make some mark of remembrance to their dead pet. If burial of the body is not possible they may want to bury a momento, such as their pets toy or lead, in a favourite spot and plant some bulbs or flowers. Some children may want to draw pictures or write poems. This will help them grieve and come to terms with the loss. Children who can grieve and then let go of their grief will be better prepared for future losses in their life.

PetSavers logo

 

 

This blog has been written and supplied by PetSavers, this charity that raises funds for studies into the prevention, treatment and/or cure of illnesses and conditions affecting our pets, so that they can enjoy longer, fuller and healthier lives. You can help to support the charity by visiting www.petsavers.org.uk they also offer an e-newsletter to keep you updated with their latest news. If you, or someone you know is struggling to cope with their loss please offer them the PetSavers Pet Bereavement Service: 0800 0966606.

Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your family

Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your family

is a super exciting time. Our Summer Newsletter will provide you with some great advice on how to give your new family member the healthiest start to life in her new home with you. From vaccinations to parasite protection – its all included. Read it HERE.

 

Getting off to the best start.

 

Fleas 

are thriving right now, especially on wildlife. If your cat is a hunter or your dog enjoys chasing rabbits, they are sure to come into contact with these little biters! Our Summer News explains all about the other pesky parasites to watch out for on your pet and in your home.

 

Fleas are thriving right now, especially on wildlife.

 

Sunburn and pets

Thinly haired or white coated pets are at risk of sunburn, especially if they are dedicated sun worshippers! Our Summer News explains some of the summer hazards to be aware of and how to protect your pet. If you have any concerns about your pet during the heat of the summer, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for further advice.

 

Handling the heat – a summer survival guide!

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer Newsletter. If you have any concerns about your pet or the articles mentioned, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for further advice.