Tag Archives: healthcare

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.

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.

 

 

 

How to choose a kitten

How to choose your kitten

 

Best friends

William and Poppy best friends!

 

How to choose your  kitten

Cats are fast becoming the most popular household pet, with around 19% of households in the UK owning a cat, that’s 8.5 million cats in the UK alone. Cats make amazing companions, but are a big responsibility, so before getting a cat or kitten an owner needs to make sure they can be committed to the cat for the rest of its life which on average is 15 years. Here at Young Vets we want to help you care from your pet from day one, and helping you choose a healthy kitten is a great start.

 

The basics:

So how do you find  a healthy kitten? As a rule kittens should be at least 8 weeks old before they leave their mother. Kittens that leave their mother younger than this are more prone to behavioural problems. They should also be inquisitive and not shy away from people. Make a noise (dropping keys) and watch the reaction from the kittens, they may jump, but shouldn’t run and hide. Look for a kitten with a nice temperament that approaches you, likes being stroked and picked up.

In terms of health:

Bright eyes. Kitten’s eyes should be clear and bright, some kittens can have runny eyes. Usually this is a simple problem that can be cleared up by medication, but it’s still something to think about.

Normal breathing. Kittens that cough, sneeze, or show other respiratory issues are doing so because they’re sick. Usually this is flu, but sometimes it can be more serious.

A healthy weight. You want a kitten with a bit of fat on its body and good muscle tone. Skinny kittens where the bones can be seen can have serious problems, but also bloated bellies can be a sign of worms.

Lots of Energy. Kittens should be full of energy and show an interest in playing with toys and with other litter mates.

Has a clean tail end. Check under the tail too! There shouldn’t be any blood, diarrhoea, or any other nasty-looking problems.

A healthy coat. A major sign of a healthy cat is a shiny, thick coat. An unhealthy coat may look dull, feel thin, or even have bald spots. Also check the coat for fleas as these are common in kittens and a severe infestation can cause anaemia.

Ears. Check the kittens ears, they should be clear and clean. Dark brown deposits can be a sign of mites and this can normally be treated by a trip to the vets.

The most popular breeds of cat. 

The most popular breed of cat is the Domestic Shorthair Cat or “Moggy” which has many different colours, the most common are black, ginger, tortoiseshell and tabby. Did you know that tortoiseshell cats are always female? There are many different pedigree breeds, which  have  a range of different personalities and sizes, some of which are listed below:

  • Persian
  • Siamese
  • Burmese
  • Birman
  • Ragdoll
  • British Shorthair
  • Russian
  • Oriental
  • Maine coon
  • Bengal

For a full list and more information on specific breeds please visit: http://www.icatcare.org/advice/cat-breeds