Bridgewater Court Veterinary Clinic

Caring for your new pet

The arrival of a new pet is an exciting moment for all the family. In order to keep your pet happy and healthy we've put together a shortlist of things to do!

Providing their mother was regularly vaccinated, puppies and kittens should be protected in the first few weeks of life by antibodies from their mother's milk. However this immunity falls with time, leaving them susceptible to infectious diseases. Vaccination (to stimulate this immunity) is the only proven way to protect your pet. Two or more vaccinations are usually given as a primary course, giving your pet immunity for the first year of life. However the immunity provided by the primary vaccination is not indefinite and will gradually fall. Regular booster injections are therefore vital to maintain your pet's protection.

The vaccination visit is an excellent time for us to give your pet a general check-over. We are also very happy to advise you on topics such as worming, dental care, grooming, flea control, early socialisation of puppies and microchipping - to name just a few! Finally, if you would like further information on any of the topics covered in this article, please don't hesitate to ask.

Rabbiting on: looking after your rabbit!

Fly strike beware! With the onset of warmer spring and summer weather, the biggest danger faced by rabbits is flies. If they are allowed to get at all dirty around their bottom area, flies can lay eggs there which develop into flesh eating maggots within hours - causing pain and sometimes death; so don't forget to check (and if necessary clean) the bottom area on a daily basis. Also please don't hesitate to seek our advice if their dropping are too loose or too hard and predispose to soiling, and if you do see any signs of fly eggs or maggots - please call us straight away.

Is your rabbit vaccinated? Did you know that it's not just dogs and cats that require protecting from infectious diseases? We are now able to vaccinate your rabbit against two potentially deadly diseases - Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. Please contact us for further information or an appointment.

Pesky parasites: in focus!

Did you know that there are a large number of parasites just itching to live on your pet? Here we look at a few of them in closer detail.

Fleas need little introduction to many pet owners! Adult fleas are 2-3mm in length and can be seen without magnification. Fleas survive by feeding on your pet's blood, causing very intense irritation and sometimes allergic skin disease. Fleas also play a major role in transmitting tapeworms in dogs and cats. Year-round flea control gives you the best chance of ensuring your pets are not troubled by fleas.

Fur mites are much smaller than fleas and are just visible to the naked eye. Sometimes called "creeping dandruff", they affect dogs, cats and rabbits. The mites cause variable degrees of itching and may also bite the owners of affected pets.

Ear mites affect dogs and cats and are especially a problem in young animals. The mites, which are visible to the naked eye, cause great irritation and excessive wax production.

Harvest mites can be a problem in late summer and early autumn. The mites are active in long grass and will swarm onto passing pets where they tend to congregate on the ears, feet and underside of the abdomen. They are easily identified as bright orange tightly adhering 'dots' and are often very itchy.

Please contact us if you would like any further information on any of the parasites mentioned above, and remember that fleas never take holidays and just love central heating!

Prevention is better than cure... ear cleaning

It may surprise you to know that ear conditions are one of the most common reasons for dog owners to bring their pets to see us.

Anyone who has an earache will appreciate that this can be a painful condition that at best is midly irritating and at worst extremely debilitating. Whether it has suddenly occurred or developed gradually, a dog with an ear problem will not be a happy member of your household.

As a conscientious owner, what preventative measures can you take?

If you see changes in the amount or colour of your dog's ear wax, notice a different smell or see any debris in your pet's ear it is important that you consult us. If your dog is particularly susceptible to ear conditions then regular use of an appropriate ear cleaner will probably be beneficial and, in some cases, may be essential.

So, as we head towards a new season and our thoughts turn to Spring cleaning, we would be happy to discuss with you whether your pet may benefit from ear cleaning.

Can you pinch an inch?

The winter months are often a time of inactivity for many pets, when it is all too easy to put on a few extra pounds. Whilst it may be a little too late to make any New Year resolutions, perhaps now is the time to have a critical look at your pet!

Is he (or she) carrying a bit of extra weight? Does he have a saggy tummy? Can you feel his ribs or do you just feel flesh? All of these are signs that your pet may be overweight.

Carrying excess weight can predispose pets to arthritis, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, back problems, skin problems, liver diease and a range of other problems.

Given the potential health problems associated with excess weight - it's important to address it, and it is here that we can help. If you feel your pet may be getting a little portly, we are happy to weigh him or her and advise you on their ideal weight. We will also carry out a thorough physical examination to check for any medical conditions that can result in weight gain (such as an under-active thyroid gland in middle-aged and older dogs).

Finally, if your pet needs to lose weight, we are happy to advise you on the most suitable diet and exercise programme. Please contact us now for further details!

Could my cat have bad teeth?

Appearances can be deceptive! It's a fact that many cats (and dogs for that matter) live with the pain of long term dental disease, without showing any obvious signs of tooth ache.

So how extensive is the problem? Recent surveys have shown that as many as 70% of cats over the age of three may have some form of dental disease.

A common problem in cats (and also in dogs and humans) is gum disease. This is caused by the accumulation of plaque bacteria on the surface of the teeth leading to inflamed and reddened gums.

Another fairly common condition are tooth resorptive lesions. These are seen exclusively in cats and are usually found on or below the gum line. They are usually very painful when touched.