Category Archives: how to

How Do I Keep My Cat Cool In The Summer And Avoid Heatstroke?

Leave a reply

How Do I Keep My Cat Cool In The Summer And Avoid Heatstroke?

 

It’s usual to see articles warning against the hazards of dogs overheating, but rarely do cat owners find the same advisories available to them. Many assume this is because there simply isn’t the same degree of danger attached to their feline friends getting too hot, but this is not the case.

The reality is that allowing your cat to overheat in hot weather can be terribly detrimental to their health. They may be sun worshippers who adore finding a hot spot to sunbathe in, but although they’re better at coping with soaring temperatures than canines, they’re still highly susceptible to heatstroke, especially during the summer months.

It is not simply uncomfortable or unfortunate for your feline, but a condition that can be fatal. To help you avoid it, here are five top tips for keeping your cat cool this summer…

 

1. Just like people,

cats need to drink more when it’s hot, so you must always ensure that fresh, cold water is available to them, both inside and out. Bowls placed outdoors ought to be sited in the shade and changed often, whilst those that are inside should be made as appealing as possible by ensuring that they’re kept cool. In very hot weather, this is best achieved by slipping a couple of ice cubes into them at frequent intervals throughout the day.

Feeding wet food is another way to help keep your feline hydrated, although this should not be left down indefinitely or it will attract flies and could cause a stomach upset or food poisoning. Feed them little and often, taking your pet’s dish away once they’ve finished rather than leaving it out for them to pick at.

 

2. Invest in an elevated bed

We would also advise investing in a raised cooling bed. Good for keeping your cat off surfaces that may heat up, these provide a sleeping set-up that won’t get too hot for them to safely lay on. These should ideally be placed in a cool, shaded area, either indoors or out, with fresh drinking water close by. Lightweight designs are the most versatile as they can be easily moved around, enabling you to always find the best spot to site them in.

 

3. Close your curtains

Although it’s often cooler inside your home than out, the interior can heat up too, especially when you’re not around to notice and do something about it. Why we recommend making sure that your curtains are closed in sunny south facing rooms. This blocks the sunlight and is, therefore, a great way to keep the temperature down. Remember to keep the windows behind them closed too if it’s hotter outside than in.

 

How Do I Keep My Cat Cool In The Summer And Avoid Heatstroke?

 

4. Pay attention to weather warnings

Another useful tip is to pay close attention to weather warnings. The local news will usually be quick to make people aware of especially high temperatures being imminent, typically advising that residents stay indoors and out of the heat for their health. In such conditions, we suggest that you apply the same advice to your feline friends, and keep them inside with you. If this is not possible for some reason, you should ensure that they have access to a well-ventilated area that they can go into of their own accord if the temperatures rise too high.

 

5. Install a fan

If your house is prone to overheating, we would recommend investing in a fan too, for the days when your furry friend is inside. This will give them somewhere cool to go when it’s hot, in order to avoid them being overcome by heatstroke. It will also allow you to turn off the air conditioning when you go out, thus keeping your energy bills down without endangering your feline’s well-being.

Alternatively, another option is to purchase some netting frames to fit across your windows. These will allow you to leave them open so that air can circulate, without letting your cat get outside during the hottest part of the day.

 

6. Watch out for signs of heatstroke

Keep your cat safe during the summer months and look out for the signs of heatstroke, some symptoms include: increased pulse and heartbeat, vomiting, glazed eyes and collapsing to name a view. If you feel you cat is showing signs of heatstroke seek treatment at your local vets immediately.

Keep your cat safe this summer by following our six top tips, as well as ensuring that you’re fully familiar with the signs of heatstroke in cats in case it should ever strike. Both your preventative measures and prompt actions could make all the difference to their well-being when the hot weather hits.

 

We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post, if you have any concerns about your cat this summer, please do not hesitate to contact our knowledgeable team for help and advice on your pet. Our emergency team are on call until 10 pm, 365 days a year and our telephone lines will always give you access to veterinary advice 24/7.

 

Blog and images supplied from Zoetis.

Written by Gemma Hopkins BVETMED, CERTVC, MRCVS.

 

Pet Bereavement And How To Cope

Leave a reply

Pet Bereavement And How To Cope

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

picture credits The K9 Instinct

picture credits The K9 Instinct

Euthanasia …. a hard decision

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.

 

 The future …..

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 get a new pet, why not visit a local animal shelter and offer a few hours of your time helping to care for the homeless animals that need exercise and an extra cuddle.

picture credits unknown

picture credits unknown

 

 

 

Helping children to 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.

pet savers logo

This blog has been produced by PetSavers and edited by Young Veterinary Partnership. The PetSavers charity 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 the loss of their pet please offer them the PetSavers Pet Bereavement Service: 0800 0966606.

Alabama Rot – an emerging disease

Leave a reply

 

   We are excited to announce that our Autumn newsletter has arrived! Its crammed with advice to help keep your pet healthy this Autumn 2018.

 

Alabama Rot – an emerging disease

Most dog owners have now heard about the new disease Alabama Rot. Although it is very serious it is also still quite rare but if you own a dog read on, understanding the signs and early treatment could save your pets life.

 

Conkers, Acorns and rotting fruit 

are a real concern at this time of year. All of these can cause real digestive upset. Our Autumn News, is a 10 minute read for and will explain the Autumn Alerts – to be aware of at this time of year to help you keep your pet safe.

 

conkers_edit

 

Firework Alert! 

With Fireworks night fast approaching – preparing your pet well in advance for the main event is key.  We’ve listed some of our top tips here to help your pets cope with the fireworks this Autumn season.

 

Help your pet cope with the fireworks season.

Help your pet cope with the fireworks season.

If you have any questions on the articles mentioned in our newsletter or if you have concerns about your pet, don’t delay contact our friendly team today for more advice today.

Is your pet due a trip to the vet?

Leave a reply

 

We want your pet to be as happy to see us as we are to see them!

  • One of the first things to help create this trust is to drop in, particularly when your pet is young. If you need a reason, our nurses and reception team love cuddles with your puppies and kittens and usually have a spare treat or two for them. We also offer free weight checks, this allows us to keep a record ensuring they’re growing up and gaining weight as they should be.

  • If you are nervous about the visit don’t be! Our staff are highly experienced and have seen and heard it all. If it concerns you then please ask us , no question is too silly. Remain calm and ‘normal’ as your pet will pick up on any anxiety you may be feeling. 

  • When visiting with cats we strongly recommend travelling your cat in a secure carrier not in your arms, even the calmest of cats can get stressed. If you have time, leave your carrier out a few days before your appointment, so your cat can climb in without being rushed. Try leaving a few treats and toys inside to tempt an investigation! Placing a towel over your carrier in the waiting room can help anxious cats  if you need one just ask us.

  • When travelling with dogs Invest in a doggie ‘seat belt’ or secure caged area of your car. If your dog suffers car sickness travel them on an empty stomach. Allow plenty of travel time so you are not rushed or late. Please keep your dog by your side in the waiting room. A vet practice can be a stressful place for pets and your laid back family dog could become stressed and snappy towards other.

  • Practice ‘vet checks’ at home. Your pet is never to young or old to do this training: Gently look inside your pets eyes and ears, teeth and mouth, practice lifting each paw in turn and nail clipping this is something that can be done at home. Read out our free guide on nail clipping> Cats and Dogs. Feel your pet all over from toe to tail. Spend 5 minutes a day practising the ‘all over’ handling and your pet will find an examination ‘normal’, when they come to us.

  • If you are coming in for a specific problem i.e. behaviour or tummy troubles write a diary of events and problems. Try to include what foods they’ve eaten, treats, where they have been park , swimming, times of day all of these things may be useful when finding a diagnosis.

  • Please ask our vets to write notes for you to take home if you are concerned you may not remember something that was mentioned or bring a friend or family member for help and support.

 

We do our very best to ensure that you are seen on time at you appointment time but emergencies and unpredictable cases can happen so please bear with us. Our reception team will endeavour to keep your updated if the consultations are running a few minutes late.

feline. cat. Xena.

Helping the older cat in your household.

Leave a reply

 

Looking after your golden oldies.

Did you know that by the time your cat reaches 1 year of age it is the equivalent of around 15 human years! With improvements in nutrition, veterinary care, medicine and knowledge from the public, cats like most pets are living longer healthier lives but can still suffer the effects of old age. Read on to find out the signs to watch out for and how to help your older feline friend.

What to watch out for:

– They may meow more loudly than before this could be due to hearing loss. Bad breath, drooling and or change in eating habits, portion size and/or dropping food can be a sign of dental disease, don’t forget to keep an eye on the amount they are drinking too.

– Sensitivity to bright lights can be due to a decline in your cats vision.

– Your feline friend may also become less active due to arthritis so keep an eye out for sharper claws, we can easily clip your cats nails in a consultation and show you how to do it at home too.

– Just like humans, they can loose their sense of taste and smell which can cause them to go off their food which is why it is important to visit us at least once a year to keep an eye on their weight and general body condition.

As we all know cats are the King’s and Queens of the Household and we are just their servants, this means they are extremely self reliant and masters of hiding their pain. Sadly this can mean that conditions like dental disease and arthritis can go unnoticed for a period of time. If your cat is slowing down or losing their appetite don’t ignore the signs, give our friendly team a call for some advice and to book a check up.

How to help your cat into old age 

If their favourite sunshine spot is on a high window ledge, make them a half way step to help their joints perhaps a chair or coffee table to help them up?

In winter time make sure their bed is extra cosy and warm for them to snuggle into,

cold bones = old bones.

Make sure they have regular weight and health checks.

If you have a multi cat household make sure the golden oldies have a quiet space to hide in.

Keep your pets microchip details up to date if something happens whilst they are out & about is your mobile number up to date on the records?

If you think your cat may be loosing her sense of smell try warming up the wet food, this can make it more appealing.

Grooming (particularly long haired coats) your cat will help strengthen your bond and older cats generally enjoy a gentle groom with a soft brush or comb.

Regular nail clips to ensure brittle nails do not get caught in furniture.

Try buying the smellier food such as salmon or tuna to help tempt their appetite.

If you have any concerns no matter how small do not hesitate to mention them to one of our team so we can help you care for your golden oldie.

Lungworm causes heart failure in a dog

Leave a reply

We have recently seen another dog with lungworm infection. This dog showed signs of heart failure, as the worm can infect the large arteries (pulmonary arteries) around the heart. This caused high blood pressure in the pulmonic artery which in turn caused heart failure to occur.

This is a video of the heart with a leaky tricuspid heart valve cause by the high blood pressure. The heart is on its side and the top chambers in the picture are to the right side of the heart. The colour flow shows leaking of blood back across the leaky heart valves. Normally the bottom chambers (the left side of the heart) would be bigger than the top right sided chambers, but due to the heart failure you can see that the top chambers are bigger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt3OWcd6Xow

Lungworm is becoming more prevalent in West London due to foxes spreading the disease. It is spread to slugs and snails and if your dog eats a slug or snail or the slimy slug trail lungworm infection may occur. We strongly recommend that owners treat dogs monthly with Advocate to the back of the neck to prevent this disease. Please see www.youngvets.co.uk for contact details of our nearest surgery to you.

Kitten litter training

Leave a reply

Kitten litter training should  start as soon as you get them home, usually at 6-8 weeks old.

  • Place the litter tray away from the feeding area, in a quiet area, away from busy passageways.
  • Place the kitten on the litter tray immediately after each feed, and reward them with praise if they perform their toilet.
  • Clean the litter tray out daily (scooping out soiled areas and replacing with fresh litter), and completely wash the tray out once weekly.
  • Different types of litter are available,  but some cats may have a preference for a certain type.  I would suggest avoiding types with citrus fragrances. Clumping type sand like clay based litters are usually very well accepted.
  • Clean up any “accidents” with enzymatic washing powder and warm water. Do not use ammonia or hypochlorite containing bleach based disinfectants as they can smell to the kitten like another cats urine, and so encourage them to go toilet again in the same area.
  • You should have one litter tray per cat in the house plus one extra tray, in different locations.

Puppy toilet training tips

Leave a reply

Puppy toilet training should begin as soon as you get them home.

Newspaper training

  • Place  newspaper on the kitchen floor, and after each meal pick him/her up and put them on the newspaper. If he urinates or defaecates on the paper reward him with attention such as “good boy!” and give him a little treat with one of his puppy biscuits.  Do this after each meal and he will soon learn that he is praised and receives a treat each time he does this.
  • If you come in and find that he hasn’t used the newspaper, do not tell him off, just ignore him for a few minutes. Being ignored is the best way of disciplining a puppy, as he really wants your attention.
  • Once he starts using the newspaper regularly, reduce the amount of paper put down and move it near to the back door.
  • When he is using this newspaper regularly, put some lightly soiled newspaper outside the back door and start placing him on this after each meal.
  • Once he has the hang of this remove the newspaper and start placing him further into the garden after each meal. It can help to put him on different surfaces so that he doesn’t develop a preference for doing it only on one surface. try concrete surfaces, grassed areas, areas with and without trees.
  • Finally you can start to vary the routines and vocal cues, so that he doesn’t become too habitual. This can help avoid problems in the future if his circumstances are changed, such as if an unfamiliar person is caring for them.

Crate training

Your puppy is introduced to a plastic crate or cage, by being fed in it, having toys thrown into it and eventually being closed in for short periods.

  • The crate should be large enough to turn around in, but should not be too large or your puppy may rest at one end and toilet in the other end.
  • After a few days you should be able to keep your puppy in the crate for a few hours.
  • You can work out the length of time between toileting for your puppy by using the number of months age, plus one if a small breed, or plus 2 if a large breed. Thus a 2 month old labrador can wait 4 hrs, but a 2 month old pekinese 3 hours.
  • The puppy should be taken outside to eliminate  and should be praised and then given a treat if it does so. It should also be taken outside after each play session and meal, but should be kept in the crate at all other times.

Puppy training tips

Leave a reply

Puppy training is  essential for all, and time taken early on with the basics will go a long way to prevent behavioural problems developing later in adulthood.

Rottweiler puppy

  • Remember that there are only two basic training techniques-
  1. reward  for good behaviour, and
  2. being ignored if badly behaved.
  • Always reward your puppy/ dog with verbal praise FIRST and a small treat such as a dog biscuit SECOND, for any good behaviour. It is important that you consistently keep this order so that the dog can learn that verbal praise is likely to be immediately followed with a treat.  Treats should ONLY be given as rewards for good behaviour not just for being “cute and cuddly.”
  • Over time you should start rewarding good behaviour with praise only sometimes, and do not give a  treat every time, but this will only work if you have followed the guidance above regarding the order of rewards.
  • You should still follow praise with treats often enough to make the good behaviour for praise only, worthwhile to your dog. The combination of praise plus treat , and praise only, for good behaviour is more effective as a training method than giving a treat every time.
  • DO NOT shout or try to tell your dog off if badly behaved. They will think the attention they are getting is a reward, so your effort will be counter-productive.
  • If your puppy or dog is badly behaved, they should be ignored, and you may want to put them out of the room, or if using a crate you could put them in the crate.
  • Dogs behave like pack animals, and in any pack there will be a leader. The leader receives the most attention.
  • As your puppy grows into adulthood, sometimes they may try to become higher up your “family pack” and become dominant over one or more people in the house.
  • Male dogs can be prone to this type of behaviour. To prevent this happening it is important not to give immediate attention when they want it particularly when returning to the house or first thing in the morning.  I would suggest you make a drink and wait a few minutes for your dog to calm down and THEN turn around and greet the dog.
  • In this way attention is always given on your terms, and this reinforces the fact that your dog is the lowest member of your family pack. It is important that ALL family members follow this advice.
  • Finally puppy classes are excellent and important ways to socialise your puppy with other dogs and people and are best done at 10-16weeks of age.

Choosing your puppy – top ten tips

Leave a reply

Choosing your puppy from a large litter of cute pups can be difficult-

miniature schnauzer puppies

My top ten tips are as follows

  1. Make sure that the puppy is lively and responds to your stimulation.
  2. The puppy should have clean bright eyes, clean nose and a clean coat, without excessive scabs or scaling. There may be occasional scabs around the head or neck which can be caused by rough play with littermates which is fine.
  3. The puppy should be eating solid foods well  and generally be more than 6 weeks old.
  4. Ask to see the mother and if possible the father of the pup. This will give you a good guide of the temperament of the parents which is likely to be passed to the pups. It will also give you a guide to the adult appearance and size of your puppy.
  5. If a pedigree puppy, ask if there are any screeening schemes that the parents have been through. These may include hip scoring for hip dysplasia (lower score is better, but there is an average score for each breed -generally less than 20), elbow scoring for elbow dysplasia (possible score is 0-3 where 0 is normal and 3 is severly affected), eye testing for genetic eye diseases (categorised as affected or unaffected) . If they have been screened ask to see a copy of the screening results. If you are unsure how to interpret these, make a note of them and speak to your local vet. Further information is available at http://www.bva.co.uk/canine_health_schemes/Canine_Health_Schemes.aspx
  6. Ask when the puppy was treated for worms. They should generally be treated from the weaning age at around 4 weeks of age, and then every 2 weeks. All pups will be born with some worms and so will require treatment, often with  a liquid wormer such as Panacur to start with . It is a good sign of a caring and responsible breeder if they have been regularly worming the pups.
  7. Try to see where the puppies and mother are actually kept. If they are kept in a dirty barn with many  other different breeds of puppies, there is an increased risk of transference of diseases between the pups. The commonly seen diseases include skin problems such as mange, gastrointestinal diseases such as parvovirus, and giardia, and respiratory diseases such as kennel cough. Look for excessive scratching of the puppy, diarrhoea, or coughing which can be a sign of disease.
  8. Look in the mouth to check the jaw is not overshot or undershot (ie that both upper and lower jaws are the same length and meet normally). This cannot be corrected surgically, but is usually only of cosmetic consequences.
  9. Feel the belly to check for sign of umbilical hernia , which is a soft fatty swelling under the skin in the middle of the belly, in  the region of the umbilical cord. This is caused if the  hole that the umbilical cord came through does not close completely after birth, leaving a small hole that fat from inside the belly can pass through. If present this may require surgical correction at a later stage.
  10. If the puppy is male you may want to check the scrotum for 2 testicles. The testicles normally descend shortly after birth, and are normally visible in the scrotal sac when a puppy is bought at 6-8 weeks of age. If there is only one testicle present, it is possible still that the other testicle will descend a little later, but not guaranteed. If the testicle(s) has not descended by 6 months of age, this is called cryptorchid and your vet will usually recommend that the dog is castrated, to reduce the chances of testicular cancer developing in later life.