Tag Archives: dog

Your Winter Survival Guide Has Arrived – Read It Here

The weather is getting colder and wetter and your pet may decide to spend more time inside by the fire than running round outside! To help keep your pet in tip top condition we’ve out together a Winter Survival Guide read it here.

Ear Ear! Watch out for ear disease!

Unlike humans who commonly get middle ear infections, the vast majority of ear problems in pets occur in the external ear canal. Our Winter Survival Guide explains the different causes if ear infections and the signs to watch our for in your pet.

Should I have my pet neutered?

Did you know neutered pets are likely to live longer, healthier lives thanks to surgical procedures which are safe, quick and will allow you pets to be home with you the very same evening. Our Winter Survival Guide explains the benefits of neutering for both dogs, cats and rabbits. If you would like to discuss neutering your pet, please contact our experienced team for further advice.

Booster Alert!

Puppies, kittens and rabbits will require a course of initial vaccinations when you bring them home, followed by regular boosters throughout their lives to keep their immune systems ‘toped up.’ Everyone talks about vaccinations and how beneifical they are to your pet, but do you know what diseases they actually protect your pet from – Our Winter News explains the different diseases that we vaccinate against.

We hope you enjoy reading our Winter Survival Guide – If you have any questions about the articles mentioned or about your pet don’t hesiate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Blocked Bladders – Is It A Pet Emergency?

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Blocked Bladders – Is It A Pet Emergency?

Cats can frequently suffer from cystitis, especially when they are stressed. Understand the signs of stress in your cat here. If your male cat is struggling to urinate or cannot go at all this is a Pet Emergency, do not delay, contact our experienced team for advice and treatment. Knowing when your pet needs to be seen as an emergency is an important decision for many owners. Generally, cats are good at keeping themselves out of trouble but occasionally serious problems do occur – Our blog below gives you a few things to watch out for.

Chipping away!

Having your pets microchipped is absolutely vital! It’s not just cats and dogs that we recommend microchipping, rabbits, tortoises and ferrets can sneak away when your not watching! Our Autumn News explains the microchip procedure (don’t worry its really quick and simple!) and how microchips can link you and your pet together should the worst happen!

Arthritis – is your pet affected?

Anyone with arthritis knows that chills can get in your joints, and the same is true for our pets. Our Autumn News discusses the signs of arthritis to watch out for in your pet, although it cannot be cured, there is a wide range of treatment options available to help reduce the soreness and pain. If your older pet has slowed down recently, perhaps they are not going up and down the stairs quite as quick as they used too? A health check with one of our experienced team members will be beneficial for your golden oldie.

We hope our Autumn News has explained some of the challenges that come with the cooler season. If you have any questions on the articles mentioned don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for more help and advice.

Pet Behaviours – How To Overcome Dog Separation Anxiety

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Pet Behaviours – How To Overcome Dog Separation Anxiety

Dog separation anxiety can affect your dog in differing degrees so leaving them alone for long periods of time can cause them to become upset and stressed.

Making a big fuss of them before you go to work and when you come back can actually increase the likelihood of dog separation anxiety. This behaviour effectively rewards your dog’s concern over your absence, so as tempting as it is, try to make leaving and coming home a fuss-free zone.

Before taking steps to help your dog overcome separation anxiety, you should establish whether your dog is suffering true or simulated separation anxiety. Simulated separation anxiety is a behaviour that your dog has learned; your dog knows that bad behaviour will be rewarded with attention. Rather than real stress, this misbehaviour can be improved with consistent obedience training, exercise and strong leadership.

Causes of dog separation anxiety

Your dog’s separation anxiety will typically stem from a change of routine. Here are some common reasons for your dog becoming anxious when you’re out:

Your dog isn’t used to being left alone
Your dog isn’t used to being away from a specific person
Your dog is anxious about something – for example, the ringing of the doorbell
Your dog feels particularly vulnerable and is easily spooked – for example by the weather
their house companion dies
Your dog is bored
Your dog needs to release pent-up energy

How if affects your pet

Your dog’s anxiety may be obvious before you go out, for example with excessive panting or pacing, or when you get home, if they are overly excited about seeing you or wet from excessive drinking or salivating.

However, most of your dog’s symptoms will happen when you are gone. This can include:

increased heart and breathing rate
panting
salivating
frenzied activity
barking, whining or howling
destroying shoes or toys
scratching or chewing at doorframes, walls and floors
jumping up at windows
attempting to escape

Preventative training methods

The best way to prevent dog separation anxiety is to teach your dog from a puppy. If he is used to spending time alone he will be calm and patient, instead of it coming as a shock and causing stress.

Discipline is key for training your dog and it will take time for him to become used to a new routine. Start off by teaching your dog to sit or lie for increasingly longer periods while you move away. In the beginning you’ll need to stay within eyesight to prevent any anxiety symptoms, but as your dog becomes more confident and patient, you can gradually start moving around the house and even leaving the house for short periods of time.

Using stair gates can make the process easier on your dog, as it keeps them at a distance without shutting them away completely. This method is fantastic if you don’t want your dog going into certain rooms while you’re out. Putting your dog’s bed and favourite toys in with him will make him feel more comfortable and put him at ease, as well as alleviating boredom. Leaving a radio on can also help your dog’s loneliness. As well as providing a human voice for company, it can prevent outside noises from startling him.

Ultimately, dog separation anxiety can be prevented with obedience training at a young age, but time and patience can also help older dogs become more at ease with being left alone.

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety, please do not hesitate to contact our knowledgeable team for more help and advice. Our receptionists can also provide you with contact information for local dog trainers in your area to work with you and your dog in your own home. For more advice on keeping your pet happy and healthy, subscribe to our You Tube channel here.

Blog written and images supplied by DogDialog and Zoetis.

Grass awns – a summer problem to watch out for.

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Grass awns – a summer problem to watch out for.

A summer problem – the grass awns of the meadow grasses are easily trapped in the coats of pets, especially dogs. Understand more about the damage these can cause in your pet. Also included in our Summer News – Stick to dog toys! Most vets and nurses have seen stick injuries to dogs, understand the safety of using a dog toy rather than a stick.

Stick to dog toys!

Dental disease is painful – Could your pet be suffering?

Dental disease is painful, causes tooth loss, and infections can spread throughout the body – potentially causing significant organ damage. Our Summer News explains the signs to watch out for in your pets. The good news is that if gum problems are identified at an early stage, a combination of a scale and polish and ongoing home care can make a real difference to your pet’s oral health.

Gum problems can be treated if they are identified at an early stage.

Keeping cool!

It is vital to ensure your pet keeps cool in hot weather. From sunburn and heatstroke, to flystrike our Summer News offers some top advice on how to keep your pet cool this Summer 2019!

It is vital to ensure your pet keeps cool in hot weather.

We hope you enjoying reading our Summer Newsletter. If you need any further advice don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable team for further advice.

Have you given us a ‘like’ yet – if not, visit our Facebook page here. You can also Tweet at us and subscribe to our You Tube channel for lots of pet care videos.

Can You Spot Dog Travel Sickness? 7 Signs your dog may be suffering from motion sickness

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Can You Spot Dog Travel Sickness? 7 Signs your dog may be suffering from motion sickness

Does the prospect of jumping in the car fill your dog with anxiety in the form of whining, pacing or panting? Perhaps they get restless, or begin salivating (more than usual!) or even become nauseous? As a dog owner, you want to be spontaneous and flexible, but if your dog suffers from motion sickness it can greatly limit your ability to travel. And you wouldn’t be alone. In the UK, 1 in 4 dogs suffer from dog travel sickness, but only 9% are treated before travelling.

Symptoms

So how can you spot dog travel sickness? And if so, what can you do to help them?

We’ve put together a simple infographic so you can easily spot the symptoms of motion sickness in your dog. Among the signs are:

Anxiety
Nausea
Retching
Salivating
Restlessness

If your dog experiences any of these symptoms, it could be a sign of a greater problem. For the full list of dog travel sickness symptoms, see the infographic below:

1 in 4 dogs suffer from motion sickness

Even though 27% of UK dogs experience dog travel sickness, you may be surprised to learn 50% of owners still travel with their dogs on an average of 3 times a year. And that makes sense. After all, most dog owners consider their dog a member of the family and couldn’t stand the thought of leaving poochy behind – even if it means they may get sick!

How to help

So what can you do if your dog is exhibiting one or more signs of travel sickness? Well, you’ll be glad to know there are a number of ways to make travel more pleasant for your pooch.

One method is to slowly introduce your dog to riding in the car, taking it step by step. If your dog gets anxious simply going near the vehicle, start by rewarding them for walking by. Offer them another reward once they make it inside, then with the door closed and finally with that car started. For the complete list of solutions, view our infographic here.

Behavioural therapy can be beneficial but it requires a lot of time and work. The good news is motion sickness can easily be prevented thanks to medication that has been specially developed for dogs. It is reliable and long-lasting, without making your dog sleepy, and allows you to remain flexible and mobile. Just ask one of our friendly team members at your next visit, and we will be happy to advise you!

Dog travel sickness can be an inconvenience to the whole family, not to mention a huge discomfort for your pet. By recognizing the signs and seeking solutions now, you can enjoy a summer full of non-stop travel fun! If your dog is suffering with motion sickness please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for more help and advice on travelling with your dog.

Blog and images supplied by Zoetis UK Limited.

Disclaimer: The information in this post is the opinion of the writer and not that of Zoetis UK Limited. Clinical information provided on this site is intended solely for educational context and is not a substitute for the views, advice and recommendations of a veterinarian. For advice on animal health, please consult a veterinarian.

Xylitol & dogs – Ruby’s story.

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Xylitol & dogs – Ruby’s story.

This months blog has been written in memory of Ruby a beautiful Hungarian Vizsla, who has passed away due to xylitol poisoning. Her owner, Kate has kindly written this article to help spread the word – Xylitol kills and it is more common in food than you may think.

A week ago today our beautiful Hungarian Vizla Ruby died. She was just seven. Losing a beloved family dog is utterly terrible, but our grief is compounded by the fact we might have been able to save her had we known about xylitol.

Ruby died after eating xylitol, a great (for humans) sugar replacement that’s being used increasingly in foods. But it is lethal for dogs. One small piece of chewing gum sweetened with xylitol (most are – have a look) is enough to kill an 8 – 10 kg dog. One piece. There are quite a lot of different substances and foods within the family home that are poisonous to pets and this is one of many, dog owners need to be aware of. It can be found in yogurts, takeaways, cakes, biscuits, toothpaste and peanut butter … any food that manufacturers want to improve by replacing sugar with a healthier alternative. If you are feeding your dog a human food ALWAYS check the label and if you are not sure, don’t take the risk.

Ruby at hospital. .

Ruby stole two of my homemade brownies. Nothing new – she’s stolen them before from sealed boxes, with no adverse affects – but this time I’d cooked with Xylitol. I had no idea that she should be rushed immediately to the vet to begin intensive, invasive treatment which might – just might – have saved her.

Instead it took until she vomited terribly and collapsed 36 hours later for us to go to the vet. She was transferred to the amazing Royal Veterinary College this is where the xylitol poisoning was diagnosed.

After eight days of battling, critically ill in intensive care, Ruby died. We are heartbroken. What good can come of losing a pet who was the center of our family, loved beyond imagination? We are beside ourselves with sadness and guilt.

Only other dog lovers will understand the level of grief. And I would hate you to go through what we are at the moment. So, please, learn about xylitol and the other pet poisons that may be lurking in your home. Check labels, if its not made for a dog to eat, double, triple check it. If your dog is a scavenger, keep a close eye on them both in the home and out and about. Discarded chewing gum, peanut butter in your dogs Kong or Licki Mat, always check the labels. Do they enjoy your leftovers from a delicious takeaway? Some better quality restaurants now use xylitol in their cooking, with takeaways how often do they list every ingredient on their packaging?

If your pet has eaten something you are concerned about, do not delay, contact your local veterinary surgery or call the Animal Poison Line, at 01202 509000. And no, I didn’t know about this wonderful service either. For a flat fee of £30 they will assess what your pet has eaten and give you advice on what to do and how urgent it needs to be done. It may save your pet’s life.

Spread the word. We need all dog owners to be aware, that this is another toxin that could be in your lurking in your home. We need those who drop gum to know they are leaving a trail lethal to man’s best friend. We need food manufacturers to clearly label foods with xylitol as ‘lethal to dogs’.

The Poison Line documents hundreds of deaths from xylitol each year. They think the true figure could be in the thousands. Please don’t let your dog become one of them.

In memory of Ruby.

Blog and images by Kate, Ruby’s mum.

Q : Where do fleas go in winter?

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Q : Where do fleas go in winter? A : Your home !

Have you ever wondered where fleas go in winter? Or why sometimes, they just suddenly appear in your home? Our Winter News explains how fleas can hop into your home and make themselves comfortable during the Christmas period! If you don’t want these extra guests in your home over winter pop in and speak to our friendly team about the best protection we can offer your pet and your home.

Cold weather aches and pains

Cold winters can make your pet’s joints feel stiff and painful, particularly if they are in their senior years. This can lead to reluctance to go on long walks, getting up a bit slower than usual and signs of lameness. Although arthritis cannot be cured, the good news is that we have an expanding range of treatments to help your pet, and our Winter News gives some top tips on supporting your pet at home. Don’t forget if your pet has been diagnosed with with this painful condition, our Ealing surgery boasts a K Laser which is widely used in human medicine and can be useful in both cats and dogs showing signs of arthritis. K laser is a quick and painless procedure increasing circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. Speak to our team today about the benefits it could offer your pet.

Garden birds.

During the long winter, food can be in short supply. Offering a selection of foods to the birds will help them survive until Spring and ensure that you have lots to interesting visitors to watch! Did you know the best time of day to ensure your bird feeder is full? Our Winter News will give you the answer, along with what food is best for birds and what to avoid. Why not take a picture of your winter visitors and post it to our Facebook page – we love seeing your pictures!

We hope you have enjoyed reading our Winter Newsletter if you have any queries on the articles mentioned or need some advice on your pets healthcare don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Alabama Rot – an emerging disease

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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.

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.

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.

What to do if your cat or dog gets lost.

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What to do if your cat or dog gets lost.

Did you know it is a legal requirement for all dogs over the age of 8 weeks to be micro chipped. All of our surgeries recommend micro chipping your cats too, as it is the most reliable form of identification and your pet will not be able to lose a micro chip unlike an identity tag or collar. Should your dog disappear out of your garden or your cat missed his usual breakfast appointment, don’t panic. Our vets have put together this blog with some useful hints and tips on what to do if the worst should happen. Hopefully you and your pet will never become separated but its good to know what to do, should the worst happen.

Missing cats and kittens :

Firstly thoroughly search your home, cats are masters of hide and seek and can squeeze into the oddest spaces. If you are sure your feline is not at home, we recommend contacting all of your neighbours, knocking on doors and posting flyers through letterboxes. Curious kittens often get shut in sheds and garages by accident so ask around as your cat could be closer than you think!

Lost dogs and puppies :

Has your dog escaped out of the garden, or slipped out of its collar at your local park? Start by walking an extra lap of the park, squeak their favorite toy and shout their name in a happy cheerful tone, this will hopefully invite them out if they are hiding. Call home, if you have a family member there or a neighbour close by ask them to check around your house – dogs have been known to take themselves home!

Remember do NOT panic. Contact all local vets, animal charities and dog wardens in the area. They may ask you a few questions so try and provide as much information as you can :

A description of your pet – colour, sex, breed, age.

Their microchip number.

What area are they missing from.

Your contact information.

Pet Insurance –

Your insurance company may be able to provide you with additional help and support with the search of your pet. The small print of your policy may also require that they are notified of lost pets in -case it results in a claim.

Call your pets microchip company –

inform them of the situation and ensure that they have all of your contact information correct and up to date. You may even want to do this TODAY so should you and your pet ever be separated this should help ensure a speedy reunion if your details are up to date.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram –

Like it or hate it – social media is a fantastic tool for helping spread the word quickly that your pet is missing. The more people helping with your search the better!

Some top tips from our vets :

If your dog or puppy has not quite mastered recall – work with a dog trainer to improve this. If you have to let your dog off leash do it in an enclosed space and attach a long line to their harness to make catching them easier.

When training your dog to come back as soon as you call them – no matter how long they take, do not punish them. Give them a big fuss and a treat when they come back – if you tell them off they will take even longer to come back next time!

Microchip your pet and ensure that your details are up to date.

If you have a new cat or you are moving house, ensure you keep them inside for at least two weeks. This gives them a chance to settle in and feel ‘at home’. When the time comes for going outside, start off letting them out before you feed them – they are less likely to stray if they are hungry and know where their food bowl is.

Take loads of pictures of your pet – should the worst happen you will have up to date pictures to use on posters and social media.

Neutering your pet – We may rave on about neutering a lot but there are SO many benefits. Male cats are less likely to fight or stray too far from home. Castrating your male dog reduces testosterone levels which means they will not feel the need to go off in search of a mate. Female dogs can be spooked by other dogs getting ‘over friendly’ with them whilst in season.

Booster time!

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Your pet’s yearly check – up and vaccinations and VERY important! These health checks are vital to keeping your pet is fit, healthy and protected from deadly diseases. Both cat, dog and rabbit vaccinations protect from many diseases that your pet can pick up – some of which are fatal.

Don’t forget rabbits!

Rabbits are becoming highly popular pets. They are social animals who like to live in pairs and groups meaning that neutering your rabbit is essential to preventing pregnancy, fighting and some types of cancers. The benefits of neutering can be applied to most species, if your are un decided whether to neuter your pet read more about the benefits of neutering here.

Parasite alert :

Summer is prime time for your pet to collect hitch hikers – fleas and ticks. Flea problems can quickly multiply, particularly in households with more than one pet. Did you know a single female tick can lay up to 10,000 eggs. Our summer news gives you lots of helpful advice on some of the problems that summer can bring to your pets.

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer News, if you have any questions on the articles featured, do not hesitate to contact our team for further information.

Your Winter Survival Guide Has Arrived – Read It Here

We hope you enjoy reading our Winter Survival Guide – If you have any questions about the articles mentioned or about your pet don’t hesiate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

Blocked Bladders – Is It A Pet Emergency?

We hope our Autumn News has explained some of the challenges that come with the cooler season. If you have any questions on the articles mentioned don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for more help and advice.

Pet Behaviours – How To Overcome Dog Separation Anxiety

Causes of dog separation anxiety

How if affects your pet

Preventative training methods

We hope you enjoying reading our Summer Newsletter. If you need any further advice don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable team for further advice.

Have you given us a ‘like’ yet – if not, visit our Facebook page here. You can also Tweet at us and subscribe to our You Tube channel for lots of pet care videos.

Can You Spot Dog Travel Sickness? 7 Signs your dog may be suffering from motion sickness

Xylitol & dogs – Ruby’s story.

This months blog has been written in memory of Ruby a beautiful Hungarian Vizsla, who has passed away due to xylitol poisoning. Her owner, Kate has kindly written this article to help spread the word – Xylitol kills and it is more common in food than you may think.

A week ago today our beautiful Hungarian Vizla Ruby died. She was just seven. Losing a beloved family dog is utterly terrible, but our grief is compounded by the fact we might have been able to save her had we known about xylitol.

Instead it took until she vomited terribly and collapsed 36 hours later for us to go to the vet. She was transferred to the amazing Royal Veterinary College this is where the xylitol poisoning was diagnosed.

After eight days of battling, critically ill in intensive care, Ruby died. We are heartbroken. What good can come of losing a pet who was the center of our family, loved beyond imagination? We are beside ourselves with sadness and guilt.

The Poison Line documents hundreds of deaths from xylitol each year. They think the true figure could be in the thousands. Please don’t let your dog become one of them.

In memory of Ruby.

Blog and images by Kate, Ruby’s mum.

Q : Where do fleas go in winter? A : Your home !

We hope you have enjoyed reading our Winter Newsletter if you have any queries on the articles mentioned or need some advice on your pets healthcare don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for more advice.

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

What to do if your cat or dog gets lost.

Missing cats and kittens :

Lost dogs and puppies :

Pet Insurance –

Call your pets microchip company –

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram –

Some top tips from our vets :

We hope you enjoy reading our Summer News, if you have any questions on the articles featured, do not hesitate to contact our team for further information.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube for more free pet advice!

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