WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE WINTER 2018

smalltalkGroomingyour petTop tips to prepare your pet for their visit to a groomers

NeuteringThe pros and cons of neuteringyour pet

Weight controlManaging your pet’s weight and the importance of exercise

Dental care in petsHow important regular dentalcare is for your pet

Inside...

Keeping your pet warm this winter

Prescribed Medication

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However, many pet owners arenot aware of why medication isprescribed the way it is, or whythe specific guidelines are soimportant to the success of the treatment. Here are a fewexamples of the importance of medicating as prescribed to highlight why compliance is so key:

Antibiotics:When prescribed ‘twice daily’ itis important to remember thisactually means every 12 hours.This is because the antibioticneeds time to kill bacteria.During this time, the antibioticalso needs to be above athreshold quantity to do its job.As time passes after a dose,medications are removed fromthe body by the liver and kidneys, and at a certain timepoint there is not enoughantibiotic left to kill bacteria. Atthis time, the next dose shouldcome along as a ‘top-up’.

If you wait too long betweendoses, the bacteria are exposed

to a 'sub-lethal' dose, when the hardier bacteria can both survive and develop immunityto the drug. By dosing at thecorrect interval, we ensure thatthe bugs don't get a chance tofight back.

Pain relief:It may seem obvious to keeppain relief going all the time toprovide comfort, but it is alsoimportant because as withantibiotics, gaps between dosescan cause problems.

When pain relief dips, the body becomes hypersensitiveto the pain signals we havebeen trying to control, a phenomenon called 'wind-up'.This results in future doses ofpain relief working less well.Likewise, under-dosing has the same effect, and can often contribute to owners feeling that medication is nolonger working.

Hormonal medications:Treatments such as steroids, or medications for conditionssuch as Cushing's orHyperthyroidism all rely onchanging the natural hormonalrhythms of the patient. By timing doses to match thesecycles, as well as giving thebody chances to rest and recover between doses, weachieve effective control whilereducing the risk of adverseside effects.

There are many other examples of why dosing in themanner prescribed (includinggiving tablets with or withoutfood) is important. However,the key thing for all owners toremember is to openly discusstheir pets' medication withtheir practice, as understandingyour medication, and using itcorrectly will give the drugs thebest chance to work.

The importance of compliance

Thaddeus Clifton MA VetMB MRCVS PAWS Veterinary Health Centre

Almost all of us have heard of the idea of 'finishing the course' when it comes to antibiotic treatments, and with the media spreading the word about the risks of antibiotic resistance, the importance of this mantra has never been greater.

Dental Care

The old adage ‘a stitch in time savesnine’, is often true in veterinary practice,but possibly never more so than inregards to dental care. We often getpets presented for routine check ups andon clinical examination discover fairlyadvanced dental disease.

Dental care in pets

The reality is that without regular dental care and

good diet, teeth and gums willsuffer. Unfortunately it is a sadfact that dental disease is oftenthe tip of the iceberg, and theobvious discomfort and potential infection in the mouthcan lead to much more seriousconsequences such as heart disease and kidney problems.

The options for dental care foryour pet will obviously need tobe tailored for the individualanimal and can be limited bytheir temperament. Anyonewho has tried to brush theircat's teeth when they are not used to it will understandthat this is not always an easy option! It should beremembered that we are notjust talking about cats and dogs here. With the increasingnumbers of rabbits and rodentsthat we see in practice todaythe principles of regular dentalcheckups apply here as well.These small furries carry theirown unique issues when itcomes to dental care.

Options for dental care mayinvolve dental chews, oral gels,tooth brushing, dietary choice,additives to the drinking water,and just as with ourselves, dental treatment such as scaling and polishing teeth, and more complicated dentalprocedures, are all available ifrequired. Most of our pets needto have an anaesthetic in orderto have a dental scale or moreserious treatment so we wouldalways encourage pet ownersto take dental care seriouslyand develop a plan beforeproblems arise.

With this in mind it is alwaysthe best policy to get our petsused to having their mouthsexamined thoroughly from avery early age. We encouragepuppy owners at puppy partiesand first vaccinations to doexactly that, and to do it regularly so that when we asvets and nurses need to examine their pet it is much less stressful all round!

Even if your pet is older, it isnever too late to develop a program of good dental care just as we would do forourselves. Regular dental checksto monitor teeth and gums willhopefully prevent problemsbecoming advanced before weneed to intervene.

The sad reality is that the more extreme cases of dentaldisease and its consequencesare normally easily avoidablewith a bit of planning and an agreed strategy for that pet.

If you have any questionsabout dental care for your pet please contactyour practice and we willbe able to sort a sensibleplan together with youand your pet!

By David Coombs BVSc MRCVSRosevean Veterinary Practice

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By Ria PrattyFenton Vets and Groomers

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Pet Care

Whether you have a nervouspet or it is their first time visiting a groomer, here aresome tips to prepare yourpet for their first visit:

l Grooming starts at home- get them use to the experience by bathing themat home, go through theprocess of brushing andcombing. Also get your petused to contact by touchingtheir feet, holding theirpaws, and full body petting.All these areas will need tobe touched by the groomerand getting your pet usedto being handled is alwaysa good idea. You can usetreats or toys as a reward.

l Research local petgroomers - There are manygroomers about, however a good salon will alwaysallow you and your pet a pre-consultation visit andtour. This will allow you to see the working environment and find oneequipped for your pet’sneeds. Be upfront if yourdog is fearful or aggressive.A reputable dog groomerwill always be able to helpand provide you with anyinformation you may need.

l Dropping your dog off - A quick fuss and ‘see yousoon’ will suffice. Drawing itout or acting hesitant willallow your dog to sensesomething is wrong.Groomers are professionalsand will know what they aredoing. Always reward yourdog after a trip to thegroomers with lots of praise.

Why get your petgroomed?Regular grooming aerates thecoat enabling healthy growth,as well as keeping grease levelsto a minimum (grease canblock pores and cause cysts).All of this can prevent mattingin longer haired animals, whichcan be sore and lead to skinirritation.

Dogs cool off by panting, andsweating through the pads ontheir paws. A good groomerwill remove the hair frombetween their pads, keeping ittrimmed allows more efficientcooling off.

Grooming can enable you todetect health problems, suchas hidden issues found under a dog or cat’s coat includingticks, fleas, hot spots, dry patches, skin conditions, cuts, grazesand more. A groomergets a close look atareas of your petand can identify

any problems early and adviseon vet visits if necessary.Removing matted or thickcoats can also allow theseproblems to be uncovered.

Keeping nails trimmed helpsavoid overgrowth in to the pad. Cleaning ears and plucking ear hair, allows for a good insight into ear health. Some groomers have hydrotherapy bathingsystems which relax your pet, providing a thoroughshampoo and massage experience and a clip and trim to your requirements.

and the importance of exercise

CONTROL

by Sophie Dolbear MRCVS BVSc Seadown Veterinary Hospital

It is well documented how beneficial exercise is for both our physical and mental health. This

is also true of our furry friends. Whilst differentbreeds of dog and cat have varying requirements,exercise is a crucial part of providing care for youranimal. It can of course be used as part of aweight loss plan.

Weight Management

and the importance of exercise

CONTROL

by Sophie Dolbear MRCVS BVSc Seadown Veterinary Hospital

Here are a few tips and tricks.

How to increaseexercisel All dogs should get daily

exercise, ideally at least twowalks a day. If this is astruggle; consider a dogwalker, or sending your pupto doggy day care.

l Work for treats. Put treats(or some of their daily foodallowance) into a treat ballto encourage reward basedplay and exercise.

l Play fetch. Whatever doggytoy you choose (no sticksplease), retrieving a toy is a great way to encouragemore exercise. Encourageyour cat to play in thehouse or outside.

l Hydrotherapy. Whilst this isused to help rehabilitate dogsafter surgery, its fantastic

exercise for a healthy dog.Take them to the sea or asafe river, or find a localhydrotherapy pool near you for a fun swim.

Top tips for keeping your pet sliml Regular weight checks are

very important; pop intoyour vets or weigh your pet at home.

l Neutering your pet is verymuch recommended for a number of reasons.However it does cause ourpets to metabolise food differently and they couldgain weight after neuteringso you may need to reducethe amount you are feeding.

l Manufacturers’ feedingguidelines often overestimate so don't be

afraid to feed less than recommended. Weighingout the food daily is muchmore accurate than 'a handful' or 'a bowl full'.

l Do not feed human foodscraps to your pet. Don't forget about the extra calories in treats such asdental chews/ treats.

l If your pet has to rest following an injury, makesure you cut the food downas they won’t be as active.

l If family members like tofeed your pet and this ispacking on the pounds,reduce the amount of foodyou feed them. Whilst itwould be better not to haveall the tidbits, control the bitsyou can control by reducingoverall calorie intake.

l As your beloved pet ages;they are likely to be lessactive, so make sure youreduce the amount of foodyou are feeding.

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We all want to spoil our pets.How about treating them to a new toy or a lovely longwalk, not with the food youare eating. A slim pet is ahappy pet!

Being overweight puts your pet at increased risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetesand arthritis, to name a few. Until recently, fat was thought to be a fairly inactive substance,but actually it does play a role in how the body functions. So as cute and cuddly as the extrapounds look on your pet; it is reducing their lifespan if they are overweight for a prolongedperiod of time.

In the wild, rabbits rely on their burrows to stay warm. Byhousing them above ground,we subject rabbits to extremesof weather including low temperatures, wind and rain.Guinea pigs are also strangersto our cold British weather, asthey originate from warmerSouth American climates.

During the winter months, people tend to spend less timein the garden so it is importantto regularly check on our rabbits

and guinea pigs. A hutch is onlycapable of providing protectionif it is in good repair. Drafts canbe reduced by turning the hutchaway from the wind, and bypartially covering mesh doorswith clear plastic which willallow the sunshine in and alsoallow our small furries to seeout. It is still important toensure the hutch is well ventilated and raised off theground to prevent rising dampand wood rot. Hutches can beinsulated by covering with an

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By Hannah McFall BSc MVDr MRCVSRutland Veterinary Centre

As winter approaches and we start turning the heating on inside, we should consider our furry friends that live

outdoors. Many households will be responsible for the careof rabbits and guinea pigs this winter, as they both rank within the top five UK pets.

Keeping your pet warm this

old blanket or carpet, and thenplacing a tarpaulin as the outermost layer. Providing extra bedding such as hay andstraw is also important, andwell-covered heat pads can provide warmth overnight.However one of the easiestways to stay warm is keepinganimals in pairs, which is alsogreat for companionship!

Small furries still require dailyexercise throughout the winter.A well-covered run can beattached to the hutch, providing they can retreat to a warm, sheltered area. A gooddiet is also essential during thecolder weather, as extra caloriesare needed to keep warm. The pet’s weight should be

Creature Comforts

monitored by regular weighing,and their faecal outputchecked daily. Water bottlesshould be checked regularlyand covered to prevent freezing, using a bottle cover or a DIY cover made of bubblewrap and a sock. Health checksshould be done daily, andinclude checking the hocks ofarthritic rabbits which can bemade worse by the cold; checking the hindquarters forsigns of fly strike, as flies mayseek the warmth of a hutchand lay eggs; and to also checkguinea pigs’ nails, which mayneed more regular clipping ifthey are less active. It may benecessary to bring older

animals inside, and this needsto be a slow process to acclimatise them to lifeindoors. Their winter coat willmoult once inside, so they cannot return outdoors untilthe return of warmer weather.

The most important thing is that our small furries are dry and warm during the winter months. They do nothibernate, and any signs of being unwell should bechecked by a vet immediately.

Keeping your pet up to date with their preventative healthcare will alsohelp to safeguardtheir health and allow them to enjoythe wintertime!

by Guy Gordon BVM&S MRCVSDonald S McGregor and Partners Ltd

Neutering Advice

NeuteringThe general word for surgical removal of a pet's reproductive

organs is neutering. More specifically we castrate malesand spay females.

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Traditional reasons for neutering:

l To prevent unwantedpregnancies

l To stop bitches spottingblood

l Reduce the risk of somediseases such as wombinfection, certain cancers and transfer of communicable diseases

l Hopes of reduced canineantisocial behaviour suchas roaming, same sexaggression and ‘matingcushions’

l Hopes of reducing felineantisocial behaviour suchas calling, urine sprayingand fighting.

For cats this situation is littlechanged in our modern age butwith dogs other considerationsare also best taken into account.(Other species such as rabbitsand ferrets will not be considered in this article.)

Although the reduced risk ofsome diseases, such as tumoursof the reproductive tract andbreast tissue, is well recognisedin dogs after neutering, somestudies indicate that certainother tumours and cruciate disease may be more likelyafter neutering in certainbreeds. These factors can complicate the decision toneuter or not, but it has to beremembered that the evidencein these studies are often notsubstantial enough to be definitive. The level of riskreported also represents a very small statistical chance of a problem in any one individual animal - it must beremembered that ‘increasedrisk’ does not mean ‘this willhappen to my dog’. Usuallyother health and behaviouraladvantages of neutering, suchas those mentioned above, aredeemed more important in any individual case.

If neutering has been decidedupon, another consideration isthe age at which it shouldoccur, with evidence that neutering dogs early couldincrease the risk of certain conditions in some largerbreeds. Thus, unless other factors are overriding, a sensible recommendationwould be to delay neutering,certainly in large breeds, untilover a year of age, pushing thisout to 18 months for giantbreeds. Surgical neutering isnormally performed on healthy,young animals and so risk isminimal, although one must

understand that there is always a small risk with any anaesthetic or surgical procedure.

Animal behaviour is coming tothe fore as a topic that must beconsidered before neutering isperformed. Neutering in anattempt to solve behaviouralproblems should only be doneafter professional advice. Itcould be detrimental in somecases. For example, hormonescan help with confidence levels;fearful, unconfident dogs couldworsen after neutering, therebycompounding their problems. A vet may wish to refer you toa colleague registered to adviseon behavioural issues beforeneutering is contemplated. Forother behaviours temporaryneutering using medicationmay be considered for a test period.

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In summary...Current thought prevails that more often than not,particularly for bitches, thebenefits of neutering out-weigh the risks but this maynot be the case for everyindividual pet. The days ofbroad-brush canine neuteringpolicies are drawing to aclose. Speak to your vetabout your pet. Factors relating to breed and behavioural disposition canall be assessed properly sothat an informed decisioncan be made as to whether neutering is in the best interests of your dog and if so, when it is best done.

Factors can complicate the decision to neuter or not, but it has to be remembered that the evidence in these studies are often not substantial enough to be definitive.

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New-look resource empowers pet owners to buya healthy puppy from a responsible breeder

A puppy should never bebought on an impulse or without proper research, theAnimal Welfare Foundation(AWF) and the BritishVeterinary Association (BVA)are reminding prospective dogowners, as stronger animallicensing and breeding regulations came into effect in England from 1st October.

To empower prospective buyerswith all the information theyneed to avoid puppy farms andget a happy, healthy puppy

from a responsible breeder, ThePuppy Contract has relaunchedwith a new-look website and astep-by-step guide to the dosand don’ts of buying a puppy.The Puppy Contract is a one-stop guide that aims tooffer prospective puppy ownersall the information they need at their fingertips. The free,downloadable tool-kit has beendeveloped by AWF and theRSPCA and is supported byleading UK animal welfare charities and professional bodies - BVA, Dogs Trust, PDSA,

Universities Federation forAnimal Welfare and DogBreeding Reform Group - tohelp anyone buying or breedingpuppies to do so responsibly. It consists of two parts: aninformation section about thepuppy and its parents, to befilled out by the breeder, and alegally binding contract for salebetween the buyer and thebreeder. It can be used by any breeder and is not restricted to pedigree dogs orprofessional breeders.https://puppycontract.org.uk

From an article in the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Newsroom 1st October 2018