Helping to keep your pet healthy.

We recommend that all pets have an annual health check. This is normally carried out when your pet is brought in for his/her annual booster vaccinations. At the health check, the vet will examine your pet from nose to tail as follows:

• The ears are checked for any discharge, wax or mites.
• The eyes are checked for any change in appearance, discharge or signs of disease which may lead to visual impairment.
• The nose is checked for any swelling, asymmetry or discharge.
• The gums, teeth and mouth are checked for inflammation, fractures or disease.
• The lymph nodes all over the body are checked for any enlargement as this could indicate an underlying problem.
• The chest is felt and listened to with a stethoscope to assess the animal’s breathing rate and effort, heart and lung sounds and rhythms.
• The abdomen is felt for any signs of discomfort and to assess the kidneys, liver, bowel loops and bladder.
• The joints are checked for normal range of movement and any early signs of discomfort.
• The paws and claws are checked as overgrown claws can puncture the pad and cause discomfort.
• The skin and coat are checked for lumps and bumps, fleas, ticks, lice and mites.
• The body condition and weight of your pet are checked to make sure that there have not been any significant changes, which could indicate underlying problems or cause discomfort and mobility problems.

Between annual health checks it is important to be vigilant and look for any changes in your pet. If you do notice any changes, please contact the Practice for advice or to book an appointment.

Vaccinations

Every year many cats, dogs and rabbits become seriously ill or die from infectious diseases which could have been prevented through vaccination.

Cats

We recommend vaccinating kittens from 9 weeks of age and again three weeks later. We routinely vaccinate against:

• Cat Flu
• Feline Enteritis
• Feline Leukaemia Virus

Your cat will need to have annual booster vaccinations for the rest of his/her life to maintain immunity against these infectious diseases. We will send you a reminder before the booster vaccination is due.

Dogs

We recommend vaccinating puppies from 6 weeks of age with the second vaccination being given at ten weeks of age. We routinely vaccinate against:

• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Parvovirus
• Parainfluenza virus (Kennel Cough)
• Leptospirosis
• Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough)

Your dog will need to have booster vaccinations for the rest of his/her life to maintain immunity against these infectious diseases. Some infectious diseases only require a booster vaccination every three years. We will send you a reminder before the booster vaccination is due.

Rabbits

We recommend vaccinating rabbits from 6 weeks of age against Myxomatosis and again 2 weeks later against VHD. We routinely vaccinate against:

• Myxomatosis
• Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)

Your rabbit will need to have a 6 monthly Myxomatosis booster and an annual VHD booster for the rest of his/her life to maintain immunity against these infectious diseases. We will send you a reminder before the booster vaccination is due.

Fleas

Fleas are still common despite the fact that effective treatments are now available. An important contributing factor is that many cats, dogs and rabbits are not treated regularly to prevent them getting fleas. Owners are often unaware that any fleas they do spot are only 5% of the problem. The other 95% of the problem are the eggs, larvae and pupae that are in the home waiting to hatch in to new fleas! Fleas can cause many skin problems, they are also a potential carrier for the spread of worms and some infectious diseases. The most effective and easiest way of preventing fleas is to use a spot on treatment. Both over-the-counter and prescription only medicines are available for the treatment of fleas both on and off the animal. Please contact the Practice to book a FREE flea check.

Worming

Regular worming is important for the health of your pet and the people that come in to contact with them. A few worms, in particular Toxocara – the common roundworm, can be transmitted to people, and children are particularly vulnerable. As a responsible pet owner you should make regular worming part of your pet care routine. Effective worming treatment will depend on the age and lifestyle of your pet. To dispense the correct dose, we require an accurate record of your pet’s weight and recommend that you bring them to the surgery where we will weigh them for you. Please contact the Practice for advice.

Neutering

Neutering is recommended for animals not intended for breeding to prevent unwanted litters and problems associated with the reproductive organs.

Weight and Nutrition

We encourage you to weigh your pet regularly during his/her life. To maintain a healthy weight we promote FREE weight checks and nutritional advice.

Dental care

Dental and gum disease is a common problem in animals. Untreated it can become a source of infection for the rest of the body leading to heart and kidney disease. A dental examination is included in the annual health check at the time of booster vaccinations. In some cases the teeth may need ultrasonic de-scaling and polishing, which can easily be arranged and leaves teeth clean and breath fresh. We recommend regular dental checks and are happy to examine your animal and give advice at any time.

Pre-anaesthetic check

All animals have a pre-anaesthetic clinical examination to ensure that they will be able to tolerate the anaesthetic. This may include taking a blood sample to assess the condition of the liver and kidneys prior to an anaesthetic.

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