What's New – November 2007 What's New – November 2007 Each month we will display
articles of interest to our owners. Some of which will be seasonal and topical.
We especially recommend “DOGGIE KONGS” – different sizes are available for all breeds of dogs – If you’re not already a convert to these wonderful toys (it’s been described as the doggie equivalent of a playstation!) you’ll wonder why a rubber pyramid (that doesn’t squeak!) can be at all interesting to any dog…..the secret lies in the stuffing!! The “Kong” is a virtually indestructible & hollow - &, if you stuff it well, it will be the most rewarding thing you can give your dog.
Dog trainers recommend it to help prevent unsociable behaviour – while your dog is chewing the “kong” he’s not interested in chewing the sofa or barking at the birds in the garden, or anything else he might get up to when he’s bored!
We have a full range of different sized “Kongs” – ask our nurses for advice as to which size would be suitable for your dog & for a free leaflet on the different stuffing recipes – it’s a great way to alleviate boredom & a present every dog would like to find in his stocking Christmas morning!
CHOOSING THE RIGHT “KONG”
“Kongs” come in several different sizes & it’s important to buy one that’s not too small that your dog could swallow it (or too big that he could get his nose stuck!!)
If your dog has particularly strong jaws then extra tough “black Kongs” are also available.
Remember to keep your “Kong” clean – it should be washed out regularly – you can even put them through the dishwasher!
It’s important to keep your dog interested in the kong for as long as possible & so we recommend stuffing with ingredients that a) are not too easily accessible but b) are not too sticky or soft. It’s also a good idea to invest in several kongs so that you can have them ready prepared in the fridge.
SOME STUFFING IDEAS…
Chopped cheese, cubed chicken & bacon, cooked liver (use sparingly) small dog biscuits, chopped carrot, chunks of garlic bread, doggie choc drops (use sparingly) chopped sausage…..use your imagination & get stuffing!!!!
Choosing A Pet
If you are looking for the right puppy, kitten or rabbit, PETPLAN offer a FREE service to help put you in touch with breeders who actually have puppies, kittens & rabbits of your chosen breed available.
All you have to do is visit www.petplan.co.uk/findapet & Petplan will e mail you a list within minutes.
The service covers the whole of the UK & the list is updated daily.
Owners of older animals need to be prepared for behaviour changes associated with the ageing process.
As a pet gets older their sight may deteriorate as may hearing & general mobility, all of which can affect the behaviour of the animal. In many cases the owner becomes aware of the change in behaviour before anything else.
As in older people, changes associated with ageing are usually progressive & irreversible, but, with the correct advise from your veterinary surgeon, most problems in the geriatric pet can be managed successfully – the result being both owner & pet can look forward to many more happy years together.
Our clinics offer well – pet testing for all dogs & cats over the age of 8. Patients participating in this scheme become members of our “After 8 Club” which offers many benefits to both pet & owner.
If your pet is 8 years old or over, he/she is eligible to join our “After 8 Club”
For further details, please contact any of our clinics where our staff will be happy to give you the information on how to become a member.
DENTAL PROBLEMS IN DOGS & CATS
Did you know that 7 out of 10 cats & 8 out of 10 dogs will
have some degree of dental disease by the time they reach 3 years of age?
Accumulation of plaque (which we brush off our own teeth every day) on the tooth
surface causes inflammation of the gums resulting in periodontal disease. As the
blood supply to the gums is high, compared to most other tissues in the body,
bacteria can quickly spread via the blood stream to vital organs, including the
heart, liver & kidneys. In addition to this the dog or cat may be feeling
some degree of pain which the owner is unaware of until the pet suddenly appears
to have difficulty in eating or, in some cases, some facial swelling may be
evident.
Your pet’s mouth will automatically be checked at the time of his/her annual vaccination but if you are at all concerned about your dog or cat’s teeth please speak to any member of staff who will be happy to advise you on the different aspects of dental care.
As a practice we recommend feeding Hills new prescription diet T/D available for both dogs & cats. This food is clinically proven to reduce the accumulation of plaque & tartar. The special shaped biscuit allows tooth contact between the fibres so, every time your pets eat they are also “cleaning” their teeth!
Our clinics also stock dog & cat toothbrushes & paste along with dental chews (for cats too!) and gel additive for your pets’ food, all of which will help to keep your pets’ teeth & gums healthy.
Our nurses are trained in pet dental care & are always
available for advise. In addition we offer free 6monthly dental checks with our
qualified nurses. Please telephone or call at one of our clinics for further
details.
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE OFFERING A SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON ALL DENTAL TREATMENTS THIS WINTER!
Despite
what most people think, rats actually make super pets, especially for children.
They are in fact very clean &, unlike hamsters, are not nocturnal so they
are awake when you are!! Rats are extremely intelligent animals &, with
patience, can be taught tricks! If handled properly they rarely, if ever bite.
Rats are much happier when they have a ratty companion, but do make sure that you get the same sex – rats can have between 8 & 18 babies every 3 weeks! It is best to introduce rats to each other as babies, although 2 females can be introduced as adults.
HOUSING YOUR PET RATS
Two rats should live together in a cage NO SMALLER THAN 24inches x 12 inches x12inches. In addition to a cage you need to provide a water bottle & heavy food bowl. Always include an enclosed box in the cage for privacy & sleeping. Avoid wooden cages which your rat will chew through. Wire cages, preferably with a solid floor (to avoid foot injuries) are best. Position the cage somewhere light & airy, away from draughts, heaters & direct sunlight & remember pet rats cannot cope with cold weather so they must be housed indoors.
Clean wood shavings make a good covering for the cage bottom & shredded paper makes excellent bedding.
Rats love to play, so make sure you give them plenty of toys – they are also very acrobatic & need lots of exercise so it’s a good idea to give them some branches to climb up & down. Rats’ love perches, ladders & swings but avoid exercise wheels as they can damage their feet & tails in the spokes. When you let your rat out of his cage to have a run around the room, remember to close all windows & doors & make sure there are no electric wires for him to chew!
One of the first signs of diabetes is often increased thirst & therefore urination. Also, a diabetic pet may lose weight despite eating the same amount of food. Sometimes a sweet smell may be detectable on the breath – this indicates the presence of acetone.
If you have any concerns regarding your pets health, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any of our clinics.