Author Archives: hounslowvets

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Surviving the summer!

Summer is finally here and as the weather warms up, we can finally look forward to some sunny days and social gatherings in the warmer weather. But we also need to consider the safety of our pets, our Summer Pet Care Blog has put together some top tips to keep your pet fit and well over the coming months.

Summer Pet Care

We hope you enjoy reading our latest Pet Care Blog. If you have a concern about your pet and any or the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Spring Pet Care

With Spring time just around the corner and hopefully some warmer weather, we’ve put together some top pet care tips to support you and your pets from the comfort of your own home.

Kennel Cough – is your dog vaccinated?

As the weather warms up, Kennel Cough can unfortunately spread around the neighbourhood and local parks. The cough can come on suddenly and many owners become concerned their dog is choking. The cough itself can sound like a seal, harsh and honking lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks. Our Spring News discusses this highly contagious disease and how to help prevent your dog from catching it.

Parasite alert!

The arrival of better weather and warmer temperatures can increase the number of pesky parasites keen to feed on our pets! Our Spring News discusses Fleas, Ticks and worming worries.

The good news is parasite prevention is automatically included in all of our Pet Healthcare Clubs, sign up today and once in receipt of your first payment, you can start collecting the benefits. Our Clubs include your pets annual booster vaccination, a six monthly health check, flea, worm and Lung worm protection, nail clips, anal gland expression plus a 10 % discount off all other products and services that we provide.

Click here to see how much you could save.

Pet Poisons around Easter time,

Easter is often a time for extra sweet treats and beautiful bouquets around the home, our Spring News discusses the pet poisons that Easter celebrations could bring into your home.

If your pet ingests something they shouldn’t of, don’t delay seek veterinary advice immediately, timing of treatment can play a huge part in your pets recovery.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest Pet Care Blog, if you have a question regarding any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Are you and your pet new to the area? Are you looking for a new veterinary practice? Register yourself and your pet with our friendly team, here. We offer an extensive list of services to help you care for your pet and our friendly team will listen to any pet concerns that you might have.

Our Winter Pet Blog has arrived

Has your older cat stopped hunting?

Other signs to watch out for

Dull, matted coat – due to less self grooming.

Changes to personality – more irritable.

Not jumping up to their usual window sill / sunny spot.

Having accidents / missing the litter tray.

If you suspect your cat is struggling, do not panic, our team are available to help support you and your pet. We have a new injectable pain relief designed specifically to target the aches and pains of arthritis, meaning your cat can enjoy a comfortable, pain free life again.

All four of our West London surgeries are able to provide a treatment plan to support your pet. If you are not yet a client please register yourself and your pet here.

Already a client – please contact your local Young Vets surgery to discuss the treatment available and whether your pet is a suitable candidate.

Read a success story from Charlotte & Mandu, clients at our Chiswick surgery.

“Last year I noticed that when my 10 year old cat walked away from me, his back legs seemed stiff and he resembled a cowboy, akin to John Wayne! When Mandu climbed stairs, it was laboured and he didn’t like jumping up on to walls anymore.

My husband built some ramps around the home to help support him, the fence ramp is very popular but the stair ramp, not so much!

Last October, at Mandu’s yearly vaccination, the vet checked his hips and back legs and, after much hissing, the vet announced her suspicions – osteoarthritis. I had no idea that cats, like dogs and humans, could be inflicted with this horrible condition.

Mandu was prescribed a joint supplement, but after one month there was no change. I was recommended a new treatment, produced especially for cats to alleviate the pain of arthritis and improve mobility. Results from other patients were proving to be very promising.

In February, Mandu had his first dosage (two vials as he’s nearly 8 kilo’s) and it was amazing to see the difference, within days he became more agile and comfortable. As a result, he returns every month for his top up dose, the cost of which is supported by my pet insurance.

The impact of chronic pain will affect your cat’s quality of life, as a fellow osteoarthritis sufferer, I know. Here’s hoping a human version is produced soon!”

Why not take a short 8 question checklist, to help identify your cats quality of life, not just physically but emotionally.

The good news is that by identifying your cat’s condition, together with the help of our experienced team, we can develop a care plan to help put the spring back into your feline. Take a short feline only quiz here.

If you have concerns about your cat, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for advice and support on your pets individual needs. This pet blog is not intended to replace discussions with a veterinary surgeon and has been produced by the Young Veterinary Partnership with support from Zoetispetcare.com

Troublesome ticks!

As the summer turns to Autumn, tick numbers are at their highest. Ticks can be found in long grasses and wooded areas, especially where there is wildlife such as deer and hedgehogs. Our Autumn news discusses the risk that ticks can cause to both pets and their owners.

How to remove a tick correctly from your pet is something that all pets owners should know and by having the correct tools in your pets first aid kit can help you with the process. The good news is that you can minimise the risk of tick borne disease, ask our friendly team today about tick protection for your pet.

Firework fear!

As the nights draw in, once again the firework season is fast approaching. Our Autumn Pet Blog, provides some great advice on managing your pets anxiety and how to prepare for fireworks season before it arrives.

Don’t forget some simple tips to help keep your pets safe during the loud bangs –

Check your pets microchip, is your contact information up to date?

Walk your dog during the light where possible, if they are nervous of fireworks keep them on a lead or long line, if they do get spooked you can keep them safe and under control,

keep your cat flat locked shut in the evenings and provide a litter tray for overnight relief for your cat.

Please get in touch with our friendly team if you suspect your pet will need a little extra support this fireworks season.

Wasps and bees

are coming to the end of their summer lives and are often pretty slow, which makes them irresistible playthings for both dogs and cats, but beware they can still sting! The sting can cause painful swellings, these are usually treated with injections and the sooner we see your pet the better.

Our Autumn Pet Blog also offers some great seasonal tips for keeping your pet fit and well.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest pet care blog, if you have a question on any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Could it be an allergy?

Could it be an allergy?

Our Summer Pet Blog has arrived! It’s bursting with top pet tips to keep your pet fit and well during the heat of summer. Be the first to read it here. Our latest pet blog covers a wide range of summer pet care concerns including allergies. Skin allergies are common in pets particularly dogs at this time of year. Our pet blog discusses the range of causes and the signs to watch out for.

A word in your ear!

Most of the time your pet will have clean, comfortable ears but we recommend checking your pets ears regularly for signs of infection. Our latest Pet Blog discusses some of the underlying causes of ear infections, what to look out for and what to do if you suspect your pet has an ear infection.

UV Alert!

The summer heat can be a real struggle for some pets, particularly brachycephalic breeds and the golden oldie pets. Our latest pet blog includes some top pet care tips on helping your pet to handle the high temperatures of summertime.

Don’t forget about your small pets – rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters can all struggle in the heat too! Make sure your small pets are in constant shade, if they are indoors, close the curtains to help keep the heat out and provide fresh water twice daily. For rabbits and guinea pigs consider offering a water bowl alongside their usual bottle can encourage them to drink in the heat.

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer News 2023 pet blog. If you have a query about any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Spotting the Signs of Arthritis

Spotting the Signs of Arthritis.

Arthritis is a chronic condition caused when the normal joint tissues degenerate (or wear away), leading to pain and ongoing damage.^1,2 Arthritis commonly develops in middle age, with older cats more likely to demonstrate signs of arthritis.

Arthritis in our pets is sadly very common. Around 40% of all cats will show signs of arthritis and more than 90% of cats older that 12 years have signs consistent with arthritis when looking at x-rays of their joints. If left untreated, the pain will become worse over time.

Despite how common arthritis is in cats, it is underdiagnosed. Globally, only around 13% of cats with arthritis will receive a diagnosis and therefore, treatment for their chronic pain. So why is this number so low?

The nature of the cat’s behaviour means they tend to hide signs of illness or pain. In the wild, showing signs of illness would make them vulnerable to predation from other animals and this behaviour has carried over to our pet cats. Whilst beneficial in the wild, this is not helpful in a home environment. It means that illnesses can be well advanced before we notice anything is wrong.

Another reason why arthritis in cats is not easy to spot, is due to the common misconception that slowing down or being less active is a normal change as cats get older. This is not the case. If your cat becomes less active, shows less interest in or a reluctance to play, this could be a sign that your cat is suffering from arthritis.

However, if we are aware of the behaviours (or lack thereof) associated with arthritis in cats, we can spot the signs earlier, meaning we can ensure our cats are comfortable, more mobile and have a good quality of life.

What Signs Can I Look For?

It is important to note first that you know your cat best as their owner. These signs give us clues that there may be arthritis affecting one or more of your cat’s joints. Any deviation from the ‘normal’ behaviour of your cat warrants a visit to the vet for a check over. As we have already mentioned, cats are experts at hiding signs of illness and your vet will be happy to examine your cat if you are worried.

Mobility:

Your cat may be reluctant to

jump up or down onto or off of surfaces.
Go up and/or down stairs
Jump or climb into/onto their favourite bed.
Play
Use scratching posts (or other substrates)

Your cat may be:

Grumpy or less happy with people and other animals in the house
More withdrawn – interacting less with others in the house
Less active
Sleeping in different locations eg, on the floor
Not coming upstairs/into the house any more

If you notice any of these signs in your cat, it could indicate they have pain associated with arthritis. It is important to contact our friendly team to discuss your concerns with one of our friendly veterinary surgeons.

This cat blog has been produced by Louise Longstaff on behalf of CatDialog. If you have a concern with your feline friend please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

References:

Cimino Brown D et al. What can we learn from osteoarthritis pain in companion animals? Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2017;35 suppl 107(5):53-58. 2. KG MarketSense 2018 Global Veterinarian Market Research

Introducing a pet into the family

Introducing a new pet into the family is a lot of fun and also a big responsibility. We’ve produced a ‘to – do’ list, it includes all the pet care essentials you need to consider before you bring your new family member home. The list includes vaccinations – Has your new pet already been vaccinated? Or perhaps they need start a vaccination course? A visit to a new vet can seem a little daunting but don’t worry we have puppy and kitten packages available to protect your new pet from some potentially deadly diseases, ask our friendly team today.

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has Sprung, its time to start getting out and about and back in your garden but are you aware of the pet hazards that could be lurking outdoors? Our Spring Pet Blog discusses the outdoor dangers that could result in a trip to the vets. Understand more about what to watch out for in your garden, read about it here.

**Pet obesity – is your pet suffering?**

Sadly, pet obesity is becoming more and more common, our Spring Pet Blog explains the extra demands that are placed on your pet when they are carrying more weigh than they should be. Also included, how to access your pets weight from home without the need for scales.

The good news is all of our surgeries offer FREE weight checks for your pet. Phone our friendly teams today and we can give you a suitable time to pop in, weigh your pet and if you need a little extra support, we can refer your to one of our nurses for diet and exercise advice tailored to your pets individual needs.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest Pet Blog, if you have a query regarding any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact us for more advice.

Don’t forget – Our Pet Healthcare Club is open and still welcoming new members. Our Healthcare Clubs allow you to spread the cost of your vet care essentials across affordable payments on a date that suits you! All plans include monthly parasite protection, annual booster vaccinations and health checks, nail clips, anal gland expression plus a 10 % discount off all other products and services we provide. Sign up today and pay no joining fee.

The Festive Season

The Festive Season is almost upon us, this can bring with it, a huge range of very tempting hazards. Our Winter News provides some great advice on keeping our pet happy and healthy during the winter months. From chocolate to tinsel if you are concerns about your pet ingesting something they shouldn’t of, visit our FREE pet poisons guide for advice and support regarding your pet.

Winter Flea Alert!

Did you know that the cold will not stop fleas from infesting your home! In fact, turning on the heating can cause old infestations to hatch out and re-infesting your pets! Our Winter News discusses the range of parasites to be aware of, on and inside your pets. The range of parasite protection is vast, if you are unsure what to use of when to treat your pet ask our friendly team for more advise on the best product to use for your pet. Parasite protection is automatically included in all of our Pet Healthcare Clubs, so if you would like to spread the cost and keep on top of your pet’s parasite protection, join today and see how much you could save, JOIN HERE.

Dental disease – is your pet affected?

Did you know that by the age of just three years old, the vast majority of our pets are suffering with dental disease? I mean, can you imagine not brushing your teeth ever! Poor dental health is painful, our Winter News discusses what to watch out for in your pet’s mouth and the problems it can lead too, most importantly how to prevent dental disease in your pet, read more about dental disease and your pet here.

We hope you enjoy reading our Winter Newsletter you have a question or concern about any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for more support and advice.

We would like to wish you, your family and pets a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy 2022 from Dr Matthew Wilson and all the team at Young Veterinary Partnership.

Dietary dilemmas – choosing the correct diet!

Dietary dilemmas – choosing the correct diet!

The choice of dog and cat foods out there are vast and choosing the correct diet for your pet can seem overwhelming. Our Autumn Pet News discusses the different types of diets available to your pet, the choice can seem endless, but the most important thing is to choose a diet that suits YOUR pet and feed the correct quantities to help your pet maintain a healthy weight.

To neuter is cuter!

Our Autumn Pet News discusses the range of benefits that come with neutering your pet, hint, there’s A LOT more benefits than you might think! Neutering is an important decision to be made for your pet, if you wish to discuss it further please do not hesitate to speak to our friendly team at your pets next appointment.

Did you know we offer keyhole surgery for neutering your female dog at our Ealing surgery, please drop our team an email for further information.

Fireworks are coming, are you prepared?

Fireworks season is almost upon us, if your pet has anxiety around fireworks the most important piece of advice is to BE PREPARED! Our Autumn Pet News offers some top tips on how to keep your pet safe and cope with the loud bangs and numerous displays that light up the skies at this time of year.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest Pet News if you have a query on any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to discuss it at your pets next appointment or drop our friendly an email for further information.

P.S. Have you seen our pet symptom checker? Are you unsure whether to book a consultation? Visit our free symptom checker today for advice on your pet’s individual condition.