How often should I treat my pet for fleas?  
One of our vets will give you an “on-animal” treatment to put on your pet to help eradicate its flea problem.  This will work in the short term, but your pet will need regular treatment to ensure the infestation does not return.  Write reminders on your calendar so that you don’t forget! 

Will the on-animal flea treatment be enough?  
No – fleas are extremely persistent and tough.  The flea life cycle allows for flea pupae to lie dormant – in carpets, blankets, upholstery etc – for up to a year.  If you have animals in the house there is a strong possibility that you will have to treat your home too.  We can help by providing a good environmental flea spray to do this. 

Where should I use the spray? 
You will need to spray everywhere your pet regularly goes within the house, and in your car too!  But before you spray, you will need to prepare the house pro

Preparing the house before spraying
Prior to spraying, you should thoroughly vacuum all floors and upholstered furniture – including the pet’s bed (although you might want to consider replacing the pet’s bed altogether). 

Remove all your pets, including birdcages.  Remove or cover fish tanks and aquaria, and turn off aerator pumps until the room has been ventilated after spraying. 

Extinguish all sources of naked flame – including pilot lights on gas fires, ovens and boilers. 

After spraying
After spraying, evacuate the rooms affected for half an hour before ventilating thoroughly.  Vacuum daily for a week after spraying, as this will encourage flea pupae to hatch out so that the emerging young adult fleas will come into contact with sprayed surfaces. 

Pregnant mothers and crawling children
Indorex flea spray is completely safe to use in homes with pregnant mothers and crawling children when used according to instructions. 

Check with one of our vets to see if the spray you are using is licensed by the Health & Safety Executive for domestic use.

Why do I need to clean my pet’s ears?
Some dogs and cats are more susceptible to ear problems than others.  Unfortunately, the ear canal in both cats and dogs is long and curved – as the diagrams below show.  On top of this, some breeds have thick hair growing in the canal itself – making it the perfect environment for bacteria and parasites. 

How do I clean my pet’s ears?
NEVER use cotton buds to clean your pet’s ears – you could do some serious damage.

Clean your pet’s ears outdoors, or in a room where mess doesn’t matter, as they will probably want to shake dirty drops out of their ears!  Use a good veterinary ear cleaner.  This will come in a bottle with a dropper at the end of it.  You should aim to drop between 5 and 15 ml (1 tsp to 1 tbsp) into your pet’s ear, depending on the size of your pet.

You need to get the liquid right down into the ear canal, so gently massage the area underneath the base of the ear.  You should hear the liquid squelching if you are doing this correctly.  Massage like this for about 20 seconds.

Next, gently massage in an upward direction to push the liquid back up the ear canal.  Have a cotton wool ball ready to wipe away the liquid as it appears.  This will probably be very mucky on the first cleaning.  Give the ear flap a good wipe too.

Repeat this process 2 or 3 times for each ear.  You can safely clean your pet’s ears once a day if necessary.

The right diet
Diet can be a major factor in the development of plaque and tartar. 
Dry food, biscuits and abrasive diets can aid the removal of plaque.  On the other hand, canned foods may contribute to plaque build-up and subsequent periodontal disease. 

Specially treated chews are available and can be used in addition to toothbrushing and can also be helpful for cases where you are unable to brush your pet’s teeth. 

Introducing teeth brushing into your pet’s routine
Restrain your pet by gently holding it around the muzzle.  Lift the lip to expose the teeth. 
Day 1  Gently stroke the outside of your pet’s cheeks with your finger only (no brush) and slowly lift the lip for about 30 seconds. Give your pet praise and a small treat at the end of every day’s session.     
Day 2  Repeat as above and also place a small amount of toothpaste on the end of your finger and let your pet sample it. 
Day 3  As day 2, but this time gently run your finger or finger toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste over your pet’s teeth for 30 - 45 seconds. 
Day 4  As day 3, adding 15 seconds time to running your finger or finger toothbrush over your pet’s teeth. 
Day 5  If all is going well run your finger over the teeth for 30 seconds and then gently insert the toothbrush and again run over the teeth for 30 seconds. 
Day 6  As day 5 but increase the time by 30 seconds. 
Day 7  By now you should be aiming to spend at least one minute on each side of the mouth.

How to be successful
Be patient.  Take time with the process or else your pet will resist.

Always praise your pet. Praising will make them more receptive.

Remember to always put a small amount of animal toothpaste on your finger or toothbrush. Your pet will like the taste and will associate it, the praise and the treats with toothbrushing.  Note that human toothpaste is for humans and not for pets. 

If your pet shows any sign of aggression stop immediately and call us for further advice.

Before surgery
On the night before your pet is due to have surgery, confine it to the house.  Do not feed it after 18.00 hours, and remove any water when you retire for the night.

Collecting your pet after surgery
We will advise you when you can come to collect your pet, but make sure it is at a time that suits you and when you can spare enough time to talk to the vet or nurse and listen carefully to their instructions.  If you are collecting an animal after it has had surgery you cannot expect it to be a quick dash in and a quick dash back out!

We might give you medication for your pet.  Make sure you know what to do with this.  If you are at all unsure about what to do, give us a quick call – we will be happy to talk you through it one more time.

The recovery period
If your pet vomits, call us.  Most surgical wounds heal in 10 to 14 days, although some may take up to 21 days.  If your pet has sutures (stitches), one of our vets will remove these later.  Watch for loss of sutures, redness, heat, swelling, discharge, opening of the wound and whether your pet seems to be experiencing pain around the incision.  Call us if any of these occur.

Sometimes an animal will shed sutures naturally, but do not let your pet lick or chew at the incision.  One of our vets might fit a bandage or an Elizabethan collar to prevent this happening.  A washcloth and warm water can be used to clean the area if it gets dirty, but baths are not recommended until after the sutures are removed.

Bandages should be kept clean and dry. If a plastic bag is used to keep a bandage dry for any reason, it should not be left on for more than 20 minutes at a time. If at any time the bandage slips or smells badly, or if the limb, toes, or tail becomes swollen, cold, or painful, call us immediately or bring your pet to the clinic.

A hospital stay can be very stressful to your pet. Many pets sleep more and eat less after leaving the hospital. However, you should call us if such behaviour continues for more than 2 days.

After orthopaedic surgery
If your pet is recovering from major orthopaedic surgery it will require home nursing care in order to ensure a successful outcome.

Care consists primarily of restricting your pet’s activity. Your pet will  not understand the nature of their injury and, unlike humans with similar injuries, will become active in a short period of time even if the activity causes pain.

Therefore, restriction of activity is of paramount importance. This means confining your pet to the indoors: no jumping, no running, no stairs, and no “rough-housing."

When taken outdoors to perform its toilet, your pet must be restrained by a lead and when finished, must be returned immediately indoors.

If your pet is to be left alone, they must be confined to an area in which they cannot hurt theirselves, for example, a small room or cage.  This degree of confinement is especially important during the first 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, and should be continued for the entire 6 to 8 week convalescent period.  Failure to heed these simple precautions may result in re-injury and complications with the ultimate need for repeat surgery.

This would mean additional pain and discomfort for your pet, and additional cost for you, all of which may be avoidable.

Please keep your pet’s well-being in mind during their recovery in order to minimize complications.

Make sure you understand what you are supposed to do
Before you carry out any medication on your pet, just go through in your mind what the vet has told you to do.  Read the label on the box or bottle and make sure it agrees with what you remember.

Should the medicine be refrigerated? 
How often should you give the medicine, and when? 
When should you stop giving the medicine?  
Do you feel confident about giving the medicine?

If you are at all unsure about what to do, give us a quick call – we will be happy to talk you through it one more time.

Giving a tablet to a dog
Have your dog sit at your side.  Place one hand on the dog’s upper jaw and press its lips gently against the sides of its teeth with your fingers.  With your other hand, pull the lower jaw down and place the pill on the base of your dog’s tongue, far back in the mouth.  Close the dog’s mouth, return its head to normal position, and encourage it to swallow by blowing on its nose or massaging its throat.

Giving a tablet to a cat.
Put your cat on a towel on a table or on a rug on the floor – this gives it something to cling on to.  Gently open its mouth and insert the pill right at the back of its tongue.  If the cat tries to scratch you, wrap its body and legs in a towel, leaving only its head sticking out.  You can force a cat’s mouth open by applying gentle pressure with your thumb and forefinger on either side of its face at the space between its teeth. Close the cat’s mouth, return its head to normal position, and encourage it to swallow by blowing on its nose or massaging its throat.

Some animals will take a pill in a small amount of canned pet food, cheese, or peanut butter.  You must be sure that they swallow it, as some pets will appear to have eaten something only to spit it out when you are not looking.

Giving liquid medicines
Gently pull the corner of your pet’s mouth away from the face to form a “pocket”.  Slowly give a small amount of the liquid.  Allow your pet to swallow before giving more liquid.  Do not squirt all the medication into your pet’s mouth at once.

If the condition worsens or does not improve as expected, contact us.

Make sure you understand what you are supposed to do
Before you carry out any medication on your pet, just go through in your mind what the vet has told you to do.  Read the label on the box or bottle and make sure it agrees with what you remember.

• Should the medicine be refrigerated? 
• How often should you give the medicine, and when? 
• When should you stop giving the medicine? 
• Do you feel confident about giving the medicine?

If you are at all unsure about what to do, give us a quick call – we will be happy to talk you through it one more time.

Applying the medicine
Before applying any eye medication, make sure that your pet’s eyelids are clear of discharge.  Next, use your thumb and forefinger to open the eyelids.  With your other hand, place the drops or ointment onto the eyeball or the pink tissue around the eye.

It can be tricky, but try to bring the medication applicator up to your pet’s eye without letting the animal see it, and try to avoid touching the eyeball with the applicator.

Allow your pet to blink, as this action will spread the medication over the entire eye.

If the condition worsens or does not improve as expected, contact us.

The reasons for obesity
Obesity is defined as being more than 20% above recommended body weight, and is one of the most common disorders affecting pets, with
24 - 40% of pets being classified as overweight.

The reasons for this high percentage include more confined and sedentary lifestyles, availability of highly-palatable, energy dense pet foods and treats, and a strong human-animal bond which leads to over-feeding and snacking.

If your pet has to go on a diet, you must consider its overall lifestyle. The two most important factors to balance are food and exercise – input and output.  An overweight pet usually has more input than output, so the commitment for your pet to lose weight must come from you – as you control your pet’s eating habits and exercise.

Step 1 
Review your pet’s lifestyle, eating habits and exercise routine

Step 2
Listen to the vet.  Obesity can result in sickness, but it can be just as dangerous to suddenly change your pet’s daily routine.  One of our vets will discuss a programme of change with you, gradually altering your pet’s nutritional requirements according to its level of activity.

Step 3
Stop snacks and treats.  These are the number one cause of obesity in pets.  A complete, balanced pet food will provide your pet with adequate nutrition and eating enjoyment.  Often we feed our pets snacks because it gives us pleasure.  Your pet will only beg for snacks if you have trained it to do so – and it does it to please you!  If you use treats for training purposes or rewards, just give your pet less food at meal times.

Step 4
Exercise your pet more.  Take you pet for lots of nice long walks. They don’t have to be fast walks, you can take it easy.  Provided your pet is physically able, exercise is essential to make them happy.  You never know, it might make you feel better too!

Step 5
Review again.  Keep reviewing how you and your pet are doing – and don’t slip back into bad habits!

Arthritis
Thanks to better medicines and pet foods, pets are living longer.  But as pets get older they can become arthritic – which can be very upsetting for the owner.

The good news is that there are now some great medicines to help older cats and dogs with chronic pain.  They are quite safe, and can help to make your pet’s twilight years much more comfortable and pleasant, but your first priority should be to limit the need for drugs by adjusting your pet’s lifestyle.

Weight and exercise
You should try to limit your pet’s need for medications by ensuring that its joints are not overworked by carrying too much weight or engaging in over-eager exercise.

Check with one of our vets that your pet is not overweight – and if it is, you must stick rigidly to any diet plan that you are given for it.

Too much exercise can be bad for an old dog – some dogs are so eager to please their masters that they will literally play fetch or walk until they drop. Bear this in mind and help your aging pet to get exercise, but take things easy – or you could put your dog into “super-sore” mode.

Swimming is an ideal exercise for aging arthritic dogs as it allows the muscles to get a work-out without putting weight on the joints.

Medications
One of our vets may prescribe NSAIDs for your pet to help it with the pains of old age.  NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.  There are other very clever medications (called nutraceuticals) which actually help to improve the suppleness of your pets joints by supplementing its diet.

One of our vets will carry out tests on your pet to see which medication will be most suitable for its needs.

The need to fast your pet
If your pet is suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting it may be necessary to withhold all food for one or two days.  The more severe the intestinal disturbance, the longer the period the food must be withheld – and you must not be tempted to give small treats or snacks either!

Make sure your pet has access to fresh, clean water throughout the fasting period. Clean its water and feed bowls thoroughly to ensure no bacteria are present.

The correct diet after the fast
After your pet has fasted the correct number of days that one of our vets said, you can gradually return it to its previous feeding habits. 

At first, feed it small amounts, but frequently (3 to 6 times daily). 
 
Ask one of our vets what would be best to feed your pet at this time – as this will vary depending upon the illness your pet was suffering from. 

Highly-digestible foods like cottage cheese, chicken and egg may be suggested, mixed with rice which will help to settle your pet’s gut.

You should avoid foods that contain wheat, bran, lactose (milk sugar) and high levels of sucrose (table sugar).  Do not give your pet bones, snacks or table scraps which might irritate the gut and prolong the illness.  

If you MUST give your pet treats – make sure they are healthy ones, like little bits of freshly cooked chicken.  But do not overdo it!

Keep an eye on your pet
Watch your pet’s behaviour at home.  Is it quiet or listless?  Does it slope off to hide when it is outside?  Monitor the faeces for frequency, diarrhoea, blood, mucus or foreign material.

If the condition worsens or does not improve as expected, contact us.

Flea allergy
Perhaps the most common of pet skin conditions is flea allergy.  It is easy to treat – provided all aspects of the flea problem are tackled vigorously.  We can supply you with the means to do this but it is vital that you carry out all the instructions and treatments exactly.  You must be as persistent in your treatment as the fleas will be at invading your pet and your home!

Other allergies
The next most common type of skin condition is allergic skin disease where the pet develops an allergy to things like house dust mites or grass pollens that literally get under the pet’s skin and set off a long standing allergic reaction called ‘atopy’.  This is a very hard condition to deal with and an absolute cure may be impossible.  However, with the right combination of treatments long-term relief is achievable – but once again, you must be prepared to be persistent.  Your commitment is essential to success.

Other types of skin problems will require other commitments from you.   For example if your pet has an allergy to certain things in its diet then we will work together with you to find out what these things are and take the necessary steps to make sure your pet avoids them.

Shampooing your pet
Shampoo dogs in a bath, small dogs and cats in a sink.  Try to have an assistant standing by.  For cats, put a hand towel at the bottom of the bowl so that the cat can get its claws into something other than you!

Use luke warm water (hand temperature).  Although a shower attachment might seem like a good idea, the water will be pressurised and liable to vary rapidly in temperature.  Many dogs will love having the shower attachment on them, but for smaller breeds – and definitely for cats – jugs of water slowly poured will be much more successful.  Prepare jugfuls before getting the animal in the water, and have them handy for rinsing.  Pre-diluting the shampoo with an equal volume of water can also make it easier to cover all of your pet.

If the shampoo requires you to leave the lather for a period of time (eg five minutes) it is essential you do this – otherwise the whole fuss will have been for nothing.  Get somebody to time you, or listen to a couple of songs on the radio to make sure you leave it on long enough.

Finally, don’t panic!  The calmer you are, the calmer your pet will be.

What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a common problem in dogs, but rarely occurs in cats.  The thyroid gland consists of two lobes that sit like a saddle over the windpipe at the base of the neck.  The gland is most well known for its role in controlling the metabolism (the processes that repair and maintain the body) and body growth.  Hypothyroidism results from an impaired production of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine.  It is caused by the gradual deterioration of the thyroid gland – although it is not always clear why this happens.

Which dogs are most likely to get hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism most commonly develops in middle-aged dogs between the ages of 4 to 10 years.  The disorder usually affects mid to large size dogs, although there are some breeds which seem to be more predisposed to developing the condition.  These include Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Setters, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and Airedale Terriers.  German Shepherds and dogs of mixed breed appear to be at a reduced risk of contracting the disease.

What are the symptoms?
Because the thyroid hormone is needed to drive the metabolism of all the cells in the body, the symptoms of deficiency can be extremely variable.  There is no one specific symptom that points to hypothyroidism, but here are several symptoms that, when combined, will lead to a suspicion of the disease being present in your dog.  These symptoms include weight gain, obesity, hair loss and skin problems.  Hypothyroidism is easy to diagnose with a simple blood test to check the level of hormones, but (because the condition can be hard to spot in the first place) many dogs suffer from a low thyroid hormone level for years without treatment.

How is hypothyroidism treated?
Fortunately, the treatment of this disease is easy and consists of putting the dog on a daily dose of a synthetic thyroid hormone called thyroxine.  The dose and frequency of administration of this drug will vary, depending on the severity of the disease and the individual response of the animal to the drug.  A dog is usually placed on the standard dose for an animal of his weight, then blood samples are taken periodically to check his response and the dose adjusted accordingly.  Once the therapy has been started, the dog will need to have treatment for the rest of his life.  Usually though, after the treatment is started, the majority of the symptoms are resolved.

What is hypothyroidism?
The thyroid gland consists of two lobes that sit like a saddle over the windpipe at the base of the neck.  The gland is most well known for its role in controlling the metabolism (the processes that repair and maintain the body) and body growth.  Hyperthyroidism results from over-production of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine.  The more of this hormone that is produced, the higher the metabolic rate – and the more calories the cat burns as energy.

Which cats are most likely to get hypothyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is most often seen in cats between 7-12 years of age.  All types of cats, neutered or entire can be susceptible to the disease.

What are the symptoms?
Excess thyroxine affects every organ in the cat’s body.  Muscles, heart, stomach and intestines, urinary and nervous system are all affected.  The disease will also change a cat’s behaviour.  The classic symptoms are weight loss, despite an increased appetite, rapid heart rate and an unkempt coat.  Complications resulting from hyperthyroidism include heart enlargement, increased blood pressure, kidney damage and intestinal problems.  Sometimes the enlarged thyroid gland can be felt at the base of the cat’s neck.  This condition can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.

How is hypothyroidism treated?
Hyperthyroidism in cats may be treated in one of three ways:

Medical management
The anti-thyroid drug methimazole may be used.  The dose needs careful monitoring in the initial stages but once stabilised the cat will normally lead a happy, normal life on a daily maintenance dose.

Surgical thyroidectomy
This technique is often successfully used, sometimes after stabilisation with medical management.  The procedure may need to be performed in two stages, such that the diseased tissue is removed from one side of the throat and the normal function of the gland is given time to restore itself before surgery is carried out on the other side.

Radioactive iodine therapy
This is regarded as a safe and effective cure, but is only available at a very small number of clinics in the UK and does involve a long period of hospitalization.

Does your pet need to be vaccinated?
Vaccination is very important for cats and dogs – it protects them from all sorts of nasty diseases that could make them very ill and even kill them.  If you haven’t had your pet vaccinated yet, don’t worry – just make sure you talk to one of our vets about it soon.

How is a vaccination given?
Usually a vaccination is given by injection under the skin, although in the case of Kennel Cough vaccine it is squirted into the dog’s nose.  Some animals feel some discomfort, but this rarely lasts for long.

Will one vaccination be enough?
ENo - most certainly not.  Both cats and dogs will need regular booster vaccinations throughout their lifetimes.  This is very important, and we will send you booster vaccination reminders as and when necessary to help you to remember to bring your pet in.  One of our vets will take this opportunity to give your pet a free health check at the same time – so it is important you do remember to take your pet along when the booster is due.

Why is a booster necessary?
Although we tend to treat our pets like little people, they are still animals and naturally behave in ways that we would find disgusting!  Trying to stop dogs doing things like smelling each others bottoms and sticking their noses into the most unsavoury things is not an option – and what cats get up to with other cats on their nightly prowls is anybody’s guess – so to protect them from the various illnesses they could so easily pick up, we give them annual booster vaccinations.

When you get your pet home from having its vaccination...
...you can let your pet have a sleep if it wants to, but it will probably feel fine.  Feed and water it as usual.  It may be a little subdued for a few hours, but this should pass very soon.

Make a note on your calendar...
...to take your pet back for its booster in 12 months time – it is far too easy to forget, and your pet will be at risk if you do.

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What is Diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is sometimes known as “sugar diabetes”.  It is a disease where specialised cells in the animal’s pancreas no longer produce enough insulin – which is the hormone responsible for transporting sugar across cell membranes. 

When this happens, sugar levels stay high in the blood and this excess sugar starts appearing in the animal’s urine. 

Cells deprived of sugar have to look elsewhere for their energy source, so they use body fats as an alternative.  As these fats are broken down, the cells release a group of chemicals called “ketones” which are quite poisonous.  Eventually, if not treated, the ketones will build up in the animal’s body causing depression, vomiting, coma and death.

Which animals are most likely to get it?
The highest incidence of diabetes mellitus is in dogs and cats between the ages of 5 to 7 years, most frequently in animals that are overweight.  In dogs, the most commonly affected breeds are Poodles, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers and West Highland White Terriers.

What are the symptoms?
Increased thirst and urination are the signs most often noticed, along with lethargy, vomiting and general depression.  Cataracts (opacity of the lens) of the eyes may also be seen.  Thankfully, diagnosis in dogs is relatively easy – high levels of glucose in the blood and/or urine are strongly suggestive when linked with the above symptoms.

In cats, a more rigid diagnosis may be reached following a blood test to assess the levels of a chemical called fructosamine.

How is it treated?
The only really effective treatment is the daily injection of insulin along with adjustment of the carbohydrate content of the diet.  The initial stabilisation may often need to be done over a few days at the veterinary clinic.  No two cases are ever exactly the same, so defining the right amount of insulin for your pet may take a day or two and will need to be closely monitored over the first few weeks.

Don’t worry – we will show you how to give your pet its daily shot of insulin.  You’ll be surprised how easy this can be, and how well your pet will tolerate it!  We will also advise you on making the necessary changes to your pet’s diet – which will need to be low in carbohydrates.

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What is Cushing’s disease?
Cushing’s disease or “hyperadrenocorticism” is caused by over-production of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (located just over the dog’s kidneys). 

The adrenal glands are regulated by the pituitary gland situated in the brain.  The pituitary produces a hormone, ACTH, which in turn stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol.  Occasionally, an ACTH-producing tumour will form in the pituitary gland.  This is the commonest form of Cushing’s disease, accounting for about 85% of all cases.  The disease can also be caused by a cortisol-producing tumour forming within the adrenal gland.

Which animals are most likely to get it?
This disease is most commonly seen in dogs over 5 years of age.

What are the symptoms?
Many of the symptoms of Cushing’s disease are caused specifically by the overproduction of cortisol.  Early signs include excessive drinking and urination, an increase in appetite and subsequent obesity.  Affected dogs also develop a pronounced pot belly with generalised muscle wasting.  The skin becomes thinner and more susceptible to grazes and infections while the hair coat becomes very sparse.

Diagnosing Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s disease is usually diagnosed by carrying out a blood test and injection in the morning, followed by a further blood test later that day.  The information gathered from these tests will help to confirm the presence of the disease, and whether it is caused by a tumour of the pituitary gland or the adrenal gland.

How is it treated?
Most cases of Cushing’s disease can now be managed safely and successfully with the drug trilostane which is specific to this disease.  Trilostane works by reducing the production of cortisol.  It can take a while to find the dose that best suits your dog, and once stabilized we will need to check blood samples from time to time on a regular basis to make sure everything is progressing as it should.  In most cases, dogs will respond well to this treatment and go on to live a good, happy life; but the final outcome will depend upon the severity of the condition and how well your dog responds to initial treatment.

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