FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The information below is of a general nature only and does not refer to specific cases. You should contact your own veterinary surgeon, discuss any specific problems or queries you may have and follow their advice.
 How would my cat and dog get roundworms or tapeworms?
By eating raw meat or eating any prey they had caught that was infected. Many animals are born with a worm infection because it is passed on from mother to pup / kitten. It is also possible for them to pick up infections from coming into contact with faeces from an infected animal or from fleas.
A regular worming programme will affect many of the stages of the lifecycle of the roundworm and tapeworm but reinfection rates are high.
Dogs and cats should be treated four times a year; this routine is recommended by most veterinary practices.
Why is it so difficult to stop my cat picking up fleas?
Adult fleas visit our pets for snacks but more importantly the eggs, larvae and immature fleas live in the surrounding environment (carpet, furniture and bedding). They are transported around by the animals as the fleas hop on for a meal. A flea doesn't mind whether the nearest animal is a dog, cat or human - as long as it looks like a tasty snack!
The two important steps of controlling your local flea population is to treat your pet's environment and to regularly treat your pet, as it continues to come into contact with other animals. Remember it is an ongoing problem as one part of the fleas lifecycle is impervious to the effects of flea treatments.
The reason the products we have to sell are available only under prescription is that they are powerful, but EFFECTIVE.
 My cat has kidney disease, why do I have to feed her this special diet?
Animals with diseased kidneys have difficulty in filtering blood and removing waste products. The waste products that make the animal feel most ill are those from the digestion of protein. Another important factor in kidney disease is to slow down the progression of the disease. The kidney does not repair itself after disease or injury but we may be able to slow the rate of progression of the disease.
With these and other special nutritional needs in mind we can select a commercially prepared diet that is carefully balanced to suit the requirements of the ill animal. These are usually referred to as a prescription diet. It is very difficult to create this careful balance with home prepared food.
My dog is now 12 years old, surely he does not still need to have his annual vaccination?
YES he does - Your older pet is still in danger of picking up a life threatening disease. The protection provided by antibodies as a result of vaccination lasts for several months but gradually fades away. Yearly "booster" vaccinations top up these antibodies and continue the protection. This is still the case in older animals because the antibodies don't build up with age. In fact many older animals are more susceptible to infections because their immune system is not quite so reliable and so they are more likely to become ill.
 I have been told that my cat should have a litter of kittens before she is spayed.
This is an old wives tale. There are many health benefits to spaying your cat early, (usually when she is about 6 - 8 months old) including avoiding womb infections and reducing the risk of some cancers. Another good reason is the hundred of kittens already in desperate need of homes. You should not delay unless you have a cat of show standard with a full pedigree and you wish to breed from her.
Insuring my pet costs too much, I'd probably never need it.
That's insurance for you!!
Take a recent case where a cat was knocked over as an example. She suffered face and leg injuries and required hospitalisation. The bill was over £250.
If your dog needed spinal surgery because it had slipped a disc it could cost around £1500.
When you have your pet insured you wouldn't have to worry about finding the money. Most insurance policies offer a wide range of cover on areas from helping with pets boarding fees if the owner is hospitalised to third party cover if your animal causes damage to others. Different policies have different prices but in general you get what you pay for.
My dog's really embarrassing - she barks hysterically at everyone when we're out on a walk.
We can enlist the help of a pet behavioural consultant to smooth out bad behaviour. Often bad behaviour happens after a scary incident, or as a result of something happening when the animal was young. Help is at hand.
 My cat's breath smells really horrible.
The main reason our pets get smelly breath is because we don't brush their teeth. However, smelly breath can also be a sign of certain diseases. Your vet can check for these. If bad teeth are the problem then a plan of action can be made - sometimes including dental procedures under anaesthetic or simply establishing a brushing routine. Tartar on teeth can affect the health of your pet causing internal disease such as kidney disease so keeping the brushing routine going is important.
 How can I brush my pets teeth and what shall I use?
Brushing your pet's teeth is an important part of childhood. If you get your puppy or kitten used to this at an earlier age they will accept it as part of the normal daily routine. There are many pet dental products on the market from special chews to mouth washes. The most effective way to keep their teeth clean is to use a commercial dog and/or cat toothpaste and brush. Animal toothpastes come in a variety of flavours e.g. malt for dogs and fish for cats. Do not be tempted to use human toothpastes as this is not designed for swallowing. Each pet should have their own toothbrush. To begin with you may need two people - one to hold and one to brush. Try to make it a fun experience for your pet and make a real fuss of them after each brushing session. The dogs and cats lips are very mobile. Load their toothbrush and lift up the lips on one side exposing the teeth, use side to side and circular motions to brush the outside of each tooth. Repeat on the opposite side.
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