Our Favourite Pest - The Flea

Last year was a particularly troublesome one for fleas. A mild winter and warm wet summer resulted in an explosion of flea populations and many pet owners have struggled to keep their pets and homes free of these irritating pests.


Consequently, there has been a lot of media coverage about the issue and you may even have heard rumours of some flea products no longer working or the development of a resistant ‘super flea’.

Don’t worry we would like to reassure you, according to veterinary parasitology experts, there is no scientific evidence of a ‘super flea’ or of resistance developing to any of the established flea products currently on the market, including those used and recommended by our practice.

There are many reasons why a flea problem may appear difficult to control, especially at times of high flea challenge such as we have experienced this summer. To eradicate a home infestation can take 3 months or more, so prevention is always the best policy. If you have a problem, pop in and talk to one of our nurses. They offer ‘flea consultations’ free of charge. Our practice’s first line recommendation for flea control kills adult fleas fast and also contains an ‘insect growth regulator’ that prevents any eggs laid after treatment from hatching, thus helping protect your home from infestation.

Prevention is better than cure

The following Top Tips will help you protect your pets and home from the threat of a flea infestation:

• For prevention, apply a veterinary recommended flea treatment regularly: This can be as infrequent as every 8 weeks for dogs and 6 weeks for cats.

• Continue treatment regularly throughout the year – centrally heated homes are perfect environments for fleas to survive the winter!

• Increase applications to monthly during periods of high challenge e.g. summer to provide optimum control.

• Treat all dogs, cats, and ferrets in your household.

Having problems? Call us!

If your pet currently has fleas or you are struggling with a persistent flea problem despite treatment, please call us on 02476 464789 for advice. We don’t want to scare you but the fleas you see on your pet are just the tip of the iceberg. 95% of the problem is living in your pet’s environment as eggs, larvae and pupae just waiting to re-infest your pet again. That means not only the carpets and furnishings of your home but everywhere your pet goes e.g. cars, caravans, gardens, parks and other houses. We realise that managing fleas can be complex at times and we would be happy to help you resolve the issue as quickly and effectively as possible.

How to keep your pet safe and well this summer

What a great Summer so far!


We’re all aware of the risks associated with hot weather, with most of us taking precautions to avoid painful sunburn, annoying allergies and the dreaded heatstroke. But are we protecting our pets enough to allow them to enjoy summer too?

White cats are extremely prone to sunburn. This can quickly turn into serious skin cancer, especially on the tips of the nose and ears. We recommend you always apply non-toxic sunblock to these areas, and if you notice any skin changes, contact us immediately.


All responsible rabbit owners worry about fly-strike, a common condition that occurs during warmer weather, when damp and smelly rabbits’ bottoms attract egg-laying flies. These hatching eggs quickly produce flesh-eating maggots. This condition is extremely serious disease, with all rabbits at risk ‘especially obese or older bunnies’. If untreated it is often fatal. However, it is preventable: remember to check your rabbit’s bottom at least twice daily throughout the warmer months. Some people advise attaching an old net curtain to the front of the hutch to prevent flies getting in.

All Spaniel owners will know about the dreaded grass seed. These small, sharp arrows, easily attach themselves to your dog’s coat. We see them regularly in the soft, feathery fur between pads, or in ear canals of ‘hairy ears’. If allowed to progress further, they have been can burrow up through the skin, or even become trapped in eyelids. Head-shaking, and sudden discomfort, are tell-tale signs when returning from walks. Inspect your dog’s coat thoroughly after walks. Ideally try to prevent this painful problem from happening in the first place by clipping the fur from its feet and around its ears.

Bees and wasps can be a potential hazard at this time of year. Inquisitive puppies and kittens once beginning to explore their new gardens, often disturb stinging insects, trying to eat them! Similarly, dogs rummaging around in undergrowth, off their leads are at risk from adder bites. We saw a dog bitten by an adder at the practice last Summer! These affected areas quickly becoming swollen and painful. Contact us immediately if you suspect your pet is in trouble.

Hoglets are here.

Baby hedgehogs (hoglets) will continue to be born throughout July.  If you see the same hedgehog around then it is likely to be a female.  They often have regular routes that they follow when they are foraging, so if you see a hedgehog by the shed at 10pm then it may well be there again the next night at or around that time.

There is a great deal of worry amongst hedgehog rehabilitators that there are so few hedgehogs being admitted.  Whilst it is good not to have them needing care it also means that there are not so many around.  This is also confirmed by the lack of kills seen on our roads.  Death rates are believed to have been high during the extended winter hibernation so every hedgehog seen is even more precious and its well-being is necessary to aid the hedgehogs’ dwindling population.

Kate Bullen suggests we can all help by making our gardens safer for hedgehogs, and by providing food and water for them.  To protect the food, from both cats and the weather, make a feeding station, for example try putting a paving slab on bricks (leave a gap between 2 of the bricks as an entrance hole); or use a rabbit hutch with its door wedged partly open; or an upside down plastic dog bed.   As a final suggestion, try to get one of those deep plastic mushroom boxes, or an under the bed storage box.   Cut a 5 x 5 inch hole in one of the short sides so when the box is upside down the hole becomes an entrance.  Put water and food (meat based dog or cat food or a propriety brand of complete hedgehog food) at the far end and weigh the box down with a stone.

If you have a shed or summer house that is raised off the ground slightly food can be put under this.  However this is also a favourite place for a female to make her nursery nest so before using it as a feeding station check there is not a nest there.  The female hedgehog will not be happy about other hedgehogs coming to a food source so close to her babies.

If you want to find out more about hedgehogs visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s web site at www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

If you find a hedgehog needing help or if you need more advice call the BHPS on 01584 890801 – it is better to be safe than sorry.

Hot weather advice for your pet

We all know how uncomfortable we can feel, out and about, in this wonderful weather. Sadly this warm or hot weather can cause distress, suffering or even lead to the death of our pets. It’s important that you are aware of your pets’ needs in warm and hot weather and know how to deal with these.

Many animals can’t sweat through their skin in the same way as humans.  They only cool down by sweating through sweat glands in their feet and panting. So it’s important that you help your pets to stay cool.

Here’s a few thoughts:

Never leave your pet in a car on a warm or hot day

·      This can cause distress and suffering, and lead to death. It can get unbearably hot in a car on a sunny day, even when it’s not that warm. Leaving a window part way down is not enough.

In fact, when it’s 22°C/72°F outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C/117°F within 60 minutes.

Never leave your pet in direct sunlight

·      If your pet is unable to escape to a cooler, more shady environment when it’s feeling hot, it may become unwell and suffer.   

·      Animals should always be housed out of direct sunlight.   Make sure your pet can get to a cool, shady place to escape from the sun at all times of day.  This includes outdoor enclosures where small animals and birds are kept

·       Fish should also be kept out of direct sunlight, and their water kept clean, well oxygenated and algae free.

Make sure your pet has a constant supply of clean, fresh drinking water

·         To keep cool, it’s important that your pet can replace any water that is lost through sweating and panting, otherwise it could become dehydrated.  So check and fill water bowls or bottles regularly, especially for outdoor rabbits. A good tip is to fill a 2 litre plastic bottle 3/4 full with water and freeze it. During hot days take it out and put it in with your small pets. The frozen water gives them something cool to lean against, helping them deal with the heat.  

Exercise your pet at times when it is cooler

·         Animals still need exercise when it’s hot, but don’t allow pets to exercise too much in hot weather.  It is best to walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening, when it’s cooler.

·         If at all possible, keep cats indoors in the heat of the day if the forecast is hot.

Protect your pet from sunburn

·         Animals can get sunburnt too, especially those with light coloured noses, or light coloured fur on their ears.  Ask us for advice on pet-safe sunscreens.

Be aware of the signs of heat-stroke

·         Heatstroke in pets can be fatal and you should do everything you can to prevent it.

·         Signs of heat stroke are excessive panting, heavy salivation, rapid pulse, very red gums/tongue, lethargy (tiredness), lack of co-ordination, being unable to get up after collapsing, vomiting, diarrhoea.  In extreme cases, loss of consciousness is likely. 

 If you suspect that your pet has heat-stroke, move it to a shaded, cool area and contact us immediately for advice. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Fly-strike in rabbits 

Check your rabbit for signs of illness or injury every day, and make sure this is done by someone else if you are away.  In warm weather you should check the fur and skin around your rabbit’s rear end and tail area twice a day, as urine staining or droppings that are stuck will attract flies, which can lay eggs and cause fly-strike which is often fatal.                                                                

If you are worried about your pet in this spell of glorious weather call us on 02476 464789. We are open 7 days a week. Visit us at: www.broadlanevets.co.uk for our opening hours. Remember 24 hours a day someone can help and advise you. 

Dental Disease in cats and dogs

Dogs and Cats, like us, have 2 sets of teeth in their life time. Their deciduous teeth (milk teeth) erupt between 4-6 weeks of age and are replaced by their adult/permanent dentition between 4-6 months of age. Problems with teeth can be identified by discoloured teeth, red gums, bad breath, difficulty eating, dribbling and pain. Dental issues can act as a source of infection, which can cause disease elsewhere in the body e.g. kidney and heart infections.

Dental disease in pet dogs and cats is one of the most common problems we see at the practice. In some studies, up to 85% of dogs have been reported to have dental disease. There is no reason we should treat our pet’s teeth any differently to the way we do ours. This however is not always practical.

Tooth brushing is the ideal. No amount of brushing however will replace the need for specialist dental scaling and polishing to achieve optimal dental health.

When assessing a pet’s dental health, decisions have to be made as to the benefits of dental treatment. In the vast majority of healthy pets with dental disease the benefits to overall health, of dental scaling and polishing, outweigh any risks.

There are many benefits to removing the plaque and tartar (treating inflammation and infection) and extracting severely damaged teeth, including:

1.    Removal of pain for the individual

2.    Reduction of inflammation and bacteria in the mouth, reducing risks to other organs in the body  e.g. Kidneys, Heart and gastrointestinal tract.

3.    Greater ability to self groom – a very important factor for cats in particular

4.    Sweeter smelling breath!

Our nurses offer free dental advice and are more than happy to show you how to brush your pet’s teeth. They can talk to you about other ways of looking after your pet’s dentition if you find brushing difficult. Just call us for a free appointment.

Household Poisons! What can a­ffect your pet?

Did you know that a lot of things we use or have in our households are poisonous to our pets?

Some of the more common poisons are:

Acorns, if eaten, can cause kidney failure and depression. It is wise to check overhanging oak trees in gardens and be vigilant when out on dog walks in a park or woodland.

Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol well known for its sweet taste. This makes it appealing to pets to drink. It only takes a little to poison. It causes seizures and comas.

Bread Dough left standing to rise can be stolen by your dog! Your pet’s stomach is nice and warm making it an ideal environment for the dough to rise. This can lead to a gastric obstruction.

Chocolate! As you are probably aware contains an ingredient called theobromine which is poisonous to dogs. Extra care should be taken at Christmas and Easter when we tend to have lots of chocolate in the house. You can read more about tis in our Easter blog.

Cocoa can act as a laxative, but can also a­ffect the muscles ranging from muscle weakness

to necrosis of muscle tissue.

The Common Toad causes excess salivation & distress (if licked or picked up by dogs).

Grapes & Raisins if ingested can cause an upset tummy leading to kidney failure in dogs.

As we have mentioned in our previous blogs lilies are extremely toxic (to cats) and can very quickly cause fatal kidney problems if your cat doesn’t receive veterinary attention immediately.

Treat all mushrooms as potentially dangerous to all pets. Their symptoms range from abdominal pain to complete organ failure.

Onions & Garlic  are highly poisonous to cats and dogs, taking only a small amount to cause serious problems.

Slug Bait contains metaldehyde which aff­ects the nervous system leading to seizures.

Xylitol found in some sweeteners, that we use for our tea, is toxic to our furry friends.

And this time of year we are possibly using weed killer. Its symptoms vary and are dependent on the active ingredient.

The list of poisons to our pets is too many to list. The above are the common ones but there are many more.

Household plants, some garden plants and certain weeds are poisonous. Try to be aware of the plants and weeds that you have, just in case one of your pets does decide to have a nibble on them. Most ingested poisons if left untreated can be fatal, so always consider carefully what you have in the home or garden.

The symptoms for each poison vary. Do not leave anything to chance. If you suspect your pet has eaten something and you have the packaging, take this to the Veterinary Surgery. This assists us when contacting the Veterinary Poisons Unit.

Following the recent measles outbreak could our pets face a similar problem?

The PDSA has found that 50 per cent of our pets are currently not vaccinated:

Report finds 11million pets may face early death

New figures from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) have demonstrated that 11million UK pets are vulnerable to preventable diseases.

The research suggests that while 40 per cent of owners would risk their own lives to save their pet, nearly 50 per cent of pets are not vaccinated or neutered to protect them from disease.

A spokesman said: "More than 11 million pets could die prematurely in the next decade from devastating preventable illnesses such as parvovirus, feline leukaemia and certain forms of cancer because their owners are failing to vaccinate or neuter them."

Two surveys in 2007 and 2010 by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) also found that those who do not regularly vaccinate their pet do not believe it's relevant to their situation. Those who did vaccinate regularly felt that being a responsible pet owner meant preventing disease.

"Perhaps to some extent vaccination has been a victim of its own success, with many owners not seeing the infectious diseases that vaccines prevent in their pets or the pets of their friends," said Donal Murphy, technical executive and veterinary surgeon at NOAH.

"Yet once the level of vaccination in the population drops, the disease incidence starts to rise," he added.

Visit the PDSA website for more information on the report.

Broad Lane's great Tea Party

What a great start to the week! Yesterday we definitely did not have that Monday feeling.

Today at the surgery we held an All-Day Tea Party to celebrate Veterinary Nursing Month 2013, not that they would let me, Stumpy, carry the cakes! They said with my track record I’d better stay in the office - honestly. This year is the 50^th anniversary of the profession so well worth celebrating I think. After much deliberation the ‘grown ups’ decided to have a tea party. I think it’s because we all love our cakes and a good pot of tea!

Monies were agreed to split between our chosen charity for 2013: Hounds for Heroes  www.houndsforheroes.com and The Blue Cross for Pets Paws for Tea Campaign www.bluecross.org.uk

The Blue Cross was chosen for 2 reasons 1). This month across the country they are encouraging people to hold charity tea parties 2). They are currently doing some great outreach work with teenagers encouraging them to look at the issues surrounding ‘status dogs’, and teaching them general pet welfare. So far over 30,000 teenagers have taken part in their road-shows.

The four legged brigade said all their owners have spent the weekend baking, with delicious smells coming from their kitchens, and even the odd falling treat! Lovely Dawn co-ordinated the setting up. I offered to blow up the balloons – well…you can imagine the response. I even offered to guard the cakes but yes you guessed…back to the office. Tea, coffee and cakes were served downstairs all day with lots of our great clients just popping in to say hello.

You should have seen Bracket’s mum’s cake. WOW. A masterpiece, with mini nurses and lots of the pets we treat to decorate it. Clever clogs you live with Bracket!

Lisa, my office slave, was on CWR radio with Vic Minnett to talk about our cakes – my mouth was watering.   

After my afternoon nap guess what Dawn came up with… you’ve guessed it a slice of cake all for me.

The diet starts tomorrow! 

PS We raised £100.00 for our chosen charities.

Our strange message at Broad Lane Vets

Earlier this month we all received a rather different message to our in-boxes at Broad Lane Vets. It was entitled ‘STUMPY’.

To set the scene for those of you who have yet to meet Stumpy here he is (on the left):

Yes I know cute isn’t he! Well that butter wouldn’t melt look might have you fooled, but by previous postings you will know he is a terror! If you leave it lying around he eats it. He spends a lot of his life at the practice, in the office (or ideally wandering around if he can escape!). He has devoured ink cartridges, staff member’s dinners, boxes of paper, handcream to name but a few items… so you’re getting the picture.

The thing you also need to know about Stumpy is why he is called so. He belongs to Elly and Jerome (Elly’s not always so better half – sorry Jerome). His real name is Carling, a rejected Guide Dog. Why? I hear you say. Well he has very short twisted legs – basically he’s a basset-hound, with a labrador’s body. Not tall enough to meet the criteria, and likely to have a few medical problems as he gets older.

Back to that message… Well, read for yourself:

I need your help as one of my hairy family clearly has a problem:

Jerome was left in charge of Stumpy while I was out. 

Below is listed the destruction I come home to...

- 2 x packets of Doritos disappeared from worktop in our kitchen on Saturday. The packets later being found very-neatly opened (minus Dorito contents) in the corner of the lounge, under the dog bed

- 6 (yes six!) slices of leftover pizza disappear from the delivery box (on the kitchen worktop) on Sunday morning - box still in-situ on the worktop, garlic dip container licked clean lying on the floor (with lid mysteriously unaccounted for)

- 300g of fresh-filled pasta (meant to be my dinner on Monday night!) mysteriously disappear from kitchen worktop whilst Jerome allegedly putting the bins out

Now, let’s look at the evidence...

- Stumpy's short legs - likelihood of getting all this food from the worktop?

- So that leaves Jerome...does he have a secret binge-eating/garlic-dip-licking problem, and is using Stumpy as a convenient and very believable excuse?!

Please vote and message me back - who do you think is eating the food - Jerome or Stumpy?!!

Well the practice team were divided here! Some blamed Jerome, who enjoys his food, whilst others knowing Stumpy thought him the culprit. What do you think??? 

If you spoke' Woofish' what would you say?

Ever wondered what your dog would be saying if you spoke ‘woofish’? Well here are a few ideas of what they are likely to be saying. Can you spot them in your dog. Let us know if you have any to add.

1. Continuous, rapid barking of a midrange pitch: “Call the pack! There is a potential problem! Someone is coming into our territory!”

Continuous barking, but a bit slower and pitched lower: “The danger is very close. Get ready to defend yourself!”

2. Barking in rapid strings of three or four with pauses in between, midrange pitch: “I think there may be a problem, or an intruder, near our territory. I think we need to investigate.”

3. Prolonged or incessant barking, with moderate to long intervals between each utterance: “Is there anybody there? I’m lonely and need companionship.” This is most often the response to confinement or being left alone for long periods of time.

4. One or two sharp short barks, mid-range pitch: “Hello there!” - This is a typical greeting bark.

5. Single sharp short bark, lower mid-range pitch: “Stop that!” This is often given by a mother dog when disciplining her puppies but may also indicate annoyance in any dog e.g. when disturbed from sleep or if their hair is pulled during grooming etc.

6. Single sharp short bark, higher mid-range: “What’s this?” This is a startled or surprised sound. If it is repeated two or three times its meaning changes to “Come look at this!” This same type of bark, but not quite as short and sharp, is used to mean “Come here!” Many dogs will use this kind of bark at the door to indicate that they want to go out. Lowering the pitch to a more relaxed mid-range means “Terrific!” or some other similar expletive e.g. “Oh, great!” A dog who loves to jump, will give this single bark of joy when sent over an agility run, or a dog may give this same bark when given their food dish.

7. Single yelp or very short high-pitched bark: “Ouch!” This is in response to a sudden, unexpected pain.

8. Series of yelps: “I’m hurting!”,  “I’m really scared” This is the response to severe fear or pain.

9. Stutter-bark, mid-range pitch: If a dog’s bark were spelled “ruff,” the stutter-bark would be spelled “ar-ruff.” It means “Let’s play!” and is used to initiate play.

10. Rising bark: This is a bit hard to describe, although once you’ve heard it, it is unmistakable. It is usually a series of barks, each of which starts in the middle range but rises sharply in pitch – almost a bark-yelp, though not quite that high. It is a play bark, used during rough-and-tumble games that shows excitement and possibly translates as “This is great fun!”

Yipeee – it’s Tuesday! I love Tuesdays - Richard comes in today and I get my acupuncture. Max here. The old joints are not what they used to be so today I get a helping hand. Richard Webb comes in today. He's a Veterinay Surgeon (and has been at Broad Lane hundreds of years, well... just over 39 years) and has a further qualification making him a qualified Veterinary Acupuncturist - He must be special as he has his own room, and a page on our practice website http://www.broadlanevets.co.uk/AcupunctureClinics

You can use it to treat all sorts of ailments. It works by sticking small needles in certain areas of the body. Richard is sooooooooo clever knowing just where to place these needles. I hate needles but honestly they don't hurt. I actually enjoy him coming in as I get loads of fuss, treats and then a sleep; the acupuncture makes me so relaxed! I go home feeling more comfortable - crazy to think needles can make you hurt less?

We have a video that Richard has made to see what he does. 

Why not have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRHUVONsfAE

Easter eggs and Daffodils can be toxic to your pet

We've all heard it, "Don't give your dog chocolate it will kill him". How true is it you're probably wondering. Do I have to rush him to the vets if he eats one of my Cadbury’s Cream Eggs?
The truth is chocolate contains a chemical theobromine that is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities.

Nothing says Easter quite like chocolates and daffodils - yet these seemingly harmless seasonal pleasures are set to cause illness and even death among UK pets.

Many dogs, like us, enjoy the taste of chocolate and will happily eat it if they get the chance. When it comes to daffodils all parts of the plant are potentially dangerous, even the water these flowers stand in. The bulbs are highly toxic to pets and can prove fatal if consumed.

The greatest chocolate danger is from the luxury brands intended for humans, that have a higher cocoa content making it much more toxic to pets. Just a small bar of dark chocolate could fatally poison a Yorkshire Terrier!

 

With daffodils, the main risk to pets is from the bulbs, as Nick Sutton, Specialist in Poisons Information at the VPIS explains: “Most of the enquiries we receive regarding daffodils concern dogs digging up and eating freshly planted bulbs.  Animals can become very unwell after eating the bulbs. Although this is the most toxic part of the plant, eating the leaves, flowers and even drinking the water can prove harmful.”

Chocolate poisoning facts:

• Large amounts of chocolate can poison dogs and other pets due to the toxic effects of theobromine, a component of chocolate similar to caffeine.
• The effects of chocolate poisoning in dogs usually appears within 6 to 12 hours of ingestion, and can last as long as 72 hours. 
• Initial signs can include excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness and restlessness.
• In severe cases there are fits, heart beat irregularities, coma or even death.

Daffodil poisoning facts:

• Daffodil bulbs are the most toxic part of this plant. They contain chemicals called alkaloids and glycosides which are hazardous to pets. These chemicals are present in all parts of the flower, but most concentrated in the bulb.
• The lethal dose can be as low as 15g of bulbs – this could be as little as just one bulb!
• Even the water the daffodils stand in is toxic and can cause stomach upsets in pets if drunk.

Hedgehogs in March

Spring is here and hedgehogs are starting to wake from hibernation.  They will be sleepy and very thirsty and will head for the nearest water.  Although good swimmers many die in ponds because there is no way out for them.  By putting some green plastic coated wire netting down into (not across) the pond we can provide a ladder for them to use should they fall in. 

It is not only hedgehogs that are out and about but gardeners as well.  Whilst the hedgehog is the gardeners' friend the gardener is not always the hedgehogs' friend.  Many of the jobs we do in our gardens can affect and even harm the hedgehogs.  So please take care when tidying up, pulling down sheds (a favourite nesting site) and strimming long grass and brambles. 

Hedgehogs are not territorial; they tend to have home patches.  A females’ home patch will be just big enough to support her and her hoglets.  A males’ patch will be much larger in the breeding season as they wander long distances searching for females.  Once the autumn comes their home patches will become smaller.  So if you see a hedgehog on a regular basis in the springtime it is more likely to be a female.   If you are able to leave food out each night then this will encourage any females to stay around and eat your slugs and snails.  However males, as I mentioned above, will have other priorities and will move away – they are more nomadic in the breeding season.

The following are a few suggestions for feeding stations that can keep the food dry and deter cats from stealing the food.  Try a paving slab on bricks (leave a gap between 2 of the bricks as an entrance hole) OR a box with a small hole cut into it OR a large box upside down with a brick propping up one end OR a rabbit hutch with its door wedged partly open OR an upside down pet basket OR an upside down toy box with the hand holds cut away.  As a final suggestion, try to get one of those blue plastic mushroom boxes.  Cut a 5"x5" hole in one of the short sides so when the box is upside down the hole becomes an entrance.  Put the food at the far end and weigh the box down with a stone.  Sometimes a brick needs to be placed 4-5” away from the entrance so if a cat has tried to reach in with a paw the brick should make it more difficult.

To find out more about hedgehogs visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s web site at www.britishhedgehog.org.uk   Do remember that hedgehogs are nocturnal and usually only come out in the day when they are in serious trouble.  If you find a hedgehog needing help, or if you need more advice, call the BHPS on 01584 890801.

Does my bum look big in this?

A recent survey by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has revealed the top 10 calorie laden food. So many people still feed their pet human food leading to a real problem with animal obesity.

So what are the top 10 offenders?

1). Sausages – One chipolata fed to your cat or dog is the equivalent to you eating a 12oz steak

2). Cheese – A 3cm cube equates to a human eating a cupful of melted cheese.

3). Tuna – An innocent snack but the equivalent of a jack Russell dog’s full calorie allowance for a day.

4). Prawns - A handful is the equivalent of a human eating a large fish and chip takeaway meal.

5). A dish of full-fat milk – In human terms 2 jumbo milkshakes topped with ice-cream! Ideally cats should avoid lactose in their diet, and dogs should steer clear as they do not need dairy in their diet.

6) and 7). Grapes and raisins - Both toxic to pets. These can lead to death.

8). Chocolate – Another human foodstuff toxic to your pet.

9). Onion – Perhaps not one you would think you feed your pet, but what about that left over Curry, Italian or Chinese takeaway? 

10). Toast – A slice of toast is about a third of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Calorie intake depends on your pet’s breed, age and size, but as a rough guide, a small dog needs 350 calories/day and a cat about 280 calories.

Our nurses at Broad Lane Vets hold weight clinics. These are free of charge so just call reception for an appointment. If you want to weigh your pet call into any of our receptions and use the scales. Staff are always happy to assist you in weighing your pet.

Please try not to fall for those appealing eyes (we do it too!!) when eating your dinner as research shows dogs and cats do not get bored with food. As long as there is food they will be happy!   

Found!!

Thankyou to everyone who helped look for the cat who escaped from her owner's car in our carpark at Broad Lane on Tuesday evening - especially to Cats Protection and to our lovely neighbours over the road, who managed to catch her - she has today been reunited with her family and seems none-the-worse for her adventures!

Lilies are toxic to cats

As far as plants go, lilies are among the most beautiful, but this week at Broad Lane Vets we nearly saw them lead to tragedy. They smell lovely and seem to last forever, making them a fantastic addition to any floral arrangement. Many people adore them, and most animals aren’t bothered by them, but for cats, lilies are positively deadly. And it doesn’t take much. A single bite of leaf or lick of pollen can be all it takes to send cats into irreversible kidney failure. This was the case this week with 2 kittens that ‘broke into’ a closed room and took a lick of the lily pollen. Fortunately their owner was ‘lily aware’, and headed straight to the surgery with 2 kittens coated in pollen around their mouths and noses.  

Why are lilies so toxic to cats?

• We don’t know exactly which chemical within the lily is so dangerous, but we do know that ingesting the smallest amount of leaf, stem, flower or even pollen can be deadly.
• Other animals, including dogs and rabbits, can eat lilies with just a bit of mild stomach upset and do not seem to suffer from toxicity.

What are the symptoms of lily poisoning?

• At first, lily poisoning can mimic other cases of eating something that they shouldn’t have, so it can be difficult to know what has happened unless you saw them eat it. Signs include vomiting and lethargy, lack of appetite and shaking.
• These initial symptoms can actually disappear for a few hours to a few days, after the plant has passed through the digestive tract but before the real damage becomes obvious.
• Within a few days, however, the symptoms become those of kidney failure. This includes increased thirst and urination, dehydration, and worsening lethargy, vomiting and loss of appetite. Eventually, this increased urination turns into a decrease in urination, and finally no urination at all, which indicates that the kidneys are no longer functioning.

What can be done about it?

• If you think your cat has eaten any amount of any part of a lily, it is critical that you bring them to the vets right away, even before clinical signs appear. Remember you can get advice and see a vet 24 hours a day by calling us on 02476 464789.
• If you bring them in within a few hours of ingestion, we are will likely to induce vomiting and possibly give a substance called activated charcoal, which will help lessen the effects of the toxins.
• Then, or if too much time has already gone by, we may put your cat on a drip and give IV fluids for as long as necessary. These fluids will help support the kidneys as they try to process the poison and flush out any toxins that do make it into the blood stream.
• There is no special blood test to diagnose lily toxicity, so many cases go undiagnosed. We will however likely run a general blood and urine test to check how badly the kidneys may have been damaged. These tests will probably need to be repeated several times during their stay in hospital.

What happens next?

• If you are able to get your cat to us within a few hours of ingestion, the chances are much greater that they will make it through the incident with the appropriate medical care. It is vitally important that your cat see us as soon as possible to begin treatment.
• If no treatment is given, or the kidneys have been damaged to the point where urination is starting to decrease, then sadly the chance of survival is very low.

How can lily poisoning be prevented?

• The best way to prevent lily poisoning in your own home is to prevent lilies from entering your home in the first place. This is easier said than done when well-meaning friends and family bring you a lovely bouquet.

• Remember, however, that it’s not just lilies in your house that can be deadly, always check your own garden for these and other toxic plants.

• Spread the word – by telling other people about the dangers of lilies, you are helping to increase awareness of the problem. The ISFM (International Society of Feline Medicine) has launched a campaign to help educate the public about lily toxicity. Their website has informative posters and tags to be put around floral arrangements that contain lilies at the florist. The more people know about lily toxicity, the safer all of our cats will be.

Hedgehogs in February

When will the hedgehogs come out of hibernation?  This is like asking how long is a piece of string.  When a hedgehog comes out of hibernation is not based just on the weather; other factors like the size of the hedgehog, whether it is its first hibernation, whether it is a male or female, can all have a bearing.  Mild weather probably helps some of the smaller hedgehogs to survive the winter because there is a little more food around for them and they are kept going until the food is more abundant in the springtime.  Severe weather sadly kills off the underweight hedgehogs that do not have a regular food supply.

So it is possible there will be hedgehogs around when you are reading this.  If you see them around, or signs of them, do give them a dish of water – they will not have drunk for some months - and a dish of meat based dog or cat food.  Try to be extra vigilant and ensure your pond has an escape ramp/scrambling net that these extra thirsty hedgehogs can use should they accidentally fall in.  Keep that pond topped up too so they are less likely to topple in when drinking.

Some of the smaller or older hedgehogs will be very weak when they wake so if you see any wobbling or out in the day then they need to be rescued.  Put any needing rescuing in a high-sided box.  Cover a hot water bottle with a towel and place the hedgehog on this with the cloth you used to pick it up covering it.  It can have some meat based dog or cat food and a dish of water.  Don’t forget to keep changing the water in the bottle.  If you don’t have a hot water bottle use a plastic milk carton or drinks bottle and wrap a towel around the hedgehog and bottle to keep them together.  

To learn more about hedgehogs visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s web site at www.britishhedgehog.org.uk – you will find suggestions for feeding, feeding stations and much more.  Do remember that hedgehogs are nocturnal and usually only come out in the day when they are in serious trouble.  If you find a hedgehog needing help or if you need more advice call the BHPS on 01584 890 801.

Arnie the zoo-cat dies
A ginger tom cat that helped out at Linton Zoo in Cambridgeshire by "babysitting" newborn animals has received global tributes after his death a few weeks ago.

Zoo Manager Kim Simmons explains Arnie’s special job of “babysitting “ abandoned newborn animals that were brought into the zoo’s house. "Arnie babysat all four of our adult lions when they were cubs and some of their offspring too", adding that he did the job "wonderfully".

On the day Arnie passed away, he had done his "usual morning rounds to see his zoo friends, purring all the way", says the zoo's Facebook page. “He returned home for a spot of breakfast and then snuggled up on his bed and went to sleep. There he passed away peacefully."

Staff are now busy responding to the tribute messages, and intend to put a book together about Arnie's life.

BLOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS

Did you know pets sometimes need blood transfusions, just like people do, in serious injury or illness? We rely on voluntary donations and work closely with the charity Pet Blood Bank UK, hosting regular Blood Drives on our premises. Thankyou to everyone who came along at short notice on Sunday to help replenish the charity's blood stocks! For more information  on how your pet can help, see http://www.broadlanevets.co.uk/PetBloodBankUK1517.html