faqs

Q. Should I have my pet insured ?

A. It makes sense to have your pet insured, as it means that in the event of a serious or longstanding illness or accident, you will have no worries about paying for any treatment that might be needed. This is especially important when your pet is referred to a specialist.

Q. How quickly can my pup get out for a walk after his innoculations ?

A. Your pup can be fully vaccinated by the age of 10 weeks, and he is safe to go anywhere one week later. Even after the first injection at 7 - 8 weeks, you should try to let your pup socialise with other ( vaccinated ) dogs and people, but avoid dog 'toilet' areas.

Q. How frequently should my cat be vaccinated ?

A. After the initial course, cats ( and dogs ) should be vaccinated annually.

Q. Are dog and cat vaccines safe ? I have read that animals can get reactions .

A. Millions of vaccines are given to dogs and cats, and reactions are extremely rare. The risks of not vaccinating far outweigh the risks of any reaction. However, it is sensible to watch your pet for 24 hours after vaccination for anything unusual, and contact the vet if you are concerned.

Q. What is the best food for my rabbit?

A. Hay or grass. Wild rabbits eat mainly grass and weeds and this diet keeps their bones and teeth healthy. Rabbits will choose to eat grains instead of grass if they have the choice, but this can cause severe dental and bone problems.

Q. Why does my dog’s breath smell so bad ?

A. Most halitosis problems are due to unhealthy teeth and gums. A dental check-up with the vet will confirm this, and your dogs teeth can be descaled under sedation. In severe cases, some teeth may need to be taken out. Brushing your dogs teeth regularly and feedind dry crunchy food can help prevent the tartar build-up that causes the problem.

Q. When should I get my dog neutered ?

A. If your dog is female, it is better to have her spayed after her first season, as this has health benefits for her later in life. She can be done before this, but occasionally bitches can develop incontinence if done too early. Male dogs can be done any time after 6-8 months, but most male dogs are only neutered to counteract specific sexually orientated problems.

Q. Should I have my cat neutered ?

A. If you don't neuter a male cat before 7 or 8 months of age, he will start spraying urine and fighting with other cats, so it is advisable to have him neutered at 5 - 6 months. Having female cats neutered at the same age prevents unwanted pregnancies, which are nearly impossible to avoid otherwise.

Q. Should I be worried about a lump I've found on my dog ?

A. You should certainly get any lump checked out by the vet, but most lumps are not serious and at most will only require a small operation to remove them.

Q. Why has my dog still got fleas despite having been treated with a flea shampoo?

A. If your dog's fleas laid eggs on the floor, or another pet in contact with yours has fleas, this can constantly re-infect your dog. Use a long lasting product on your dog, treat in-contact animals and treat your floors to solve the problem. See our Flea Factsheet for more info.

Q. Why has my cat been referred to a specialist ?

A. Just as with human health, general veterinary practices sometimes do not have the facilities or depth of knowledge to treat some conditions. A specialist will have extra training and a good deal more experience in the field he specialises in, whether it is dermatology, opthalmology or orthopoedics.

Q. How often should I worm my cat and dog?

A. Adult cats should be wormed every 3 months, or every 2 months if they catch mice or birds. Adult dogs should be wormed at least 4 times a year. Puppies and kittens and pregnant animals should be wormed every three weeks, as they carry a lot more worms at this stage.

Q. What future is there for my old arthritic dog ?

A. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, modern anti-inflammatory treatments can be very successful in most cases, giving a good, active and long life, although the underlying bone and joint changes cannot be cured.

Q. How do I bring my pet to the surgery?

A. You can come in at any of the consulting times, or phone first to check the vet’s availability. To avoid problems, please have your dog on a lead, your cat in a box or your small furry pet or bird in a box or cage with no sawdust, shavings, hay or straw ( use papers to avoid mess ) .