Housing and companionship for your rabbits

During Rabbit Awareness Week we thought we would look at some rabbit welfare issues.

Generally, rabbits dislike being picked up off the ground, as they are prey animals and need to feel able to get away when necessary. They are, however, social creatures and there will be ideal situations for you to spend time happily interacting with you as their companion, and other rabbits they live with.

Your hutch

These should be raised off the floor to allow air to circulate and prevent surface water being absorbed into the floor. They should have a waterproof roof, but please be aware that hutches become hot during the summer months and should be sited in a shady position.

The hutch must be secure against any predators, but you must also ensure it is secure so your racbbits cannot escape. For this reason, bolt fastenings are better than turn buttons etc as they cannot be opened accidentally.

Wire floors should not be used as flooring since sore feet can quickly develop; overlaying a wooden floor with wire makes cleaning difficult.

If you obtain a second-hand hutch, please make sure you scrub it out thoroughly with a recommended animal cage cleaner. This must be done some days before you expect to house new rabbits, as the timber must be allowed to dry properly before you prepare the hutch for its new occupants.

No hutch can be too large, in fact the bigger the better! Rabbits need to be able to stretch out lengthways, hop around, and stand up on their hind legs, otherwise they can experience skeletal aches and pains from being too cramped.You should have at least two rooms in your hutch. The main hutch area should have a wire front and be spacious enough for your rabbits to hop around. Your pet's food should be kept to this area and, if they toilet there, a litter tray could be placed in an appropriate corner, if you have the space. A sleeping area with access onto the main hutch should have solid walls and a door where your rabbits can retreat and relax allowing them some privacy.

Your rabbit's outside run

Ideally their run should be attached to the hutch so that your pets can choose whether to be in or outdoors. The run should be as spacious as possible to allow the rabbit's to hop, jump, and have total freedom of movement. Ideally the minimum size for two rabbits should be at least 200cm x 200cm. It must be secure, remember the underside, as a rabbit’s natural behaviour is to dig. Just as important is keeping it secure from predators. 

Fresh water must always be available wherever your rabbits are - whether inside the hutch or outside in the run.

Your run should be attached to the hutch, however, if this is not possible a large free-standing run can be obtained which gives shelter, shade, and a place within to hide from would-be predators. Just a thought - the sun moves around during the day, so remember a run that starts in shade may be in full sunlight a few hours later.

Hygeine

Your rabbits’ health depends a great deal on their environment, and a daily cleaning regime is really important. 

It will not be long before you know where your rabbits like to toilet. This area can be under-laid with newspaper to provide not only good absorbency, but ease of cleaning. Some rabbits like litter trays. These should be large enough for the rabbit to climb completely into. There are many litters available. Daily removal of any faeces and dirty bedding and newspaper is important. 

Spilled food or uneaten fruit or vegetables should be removed daily. Uneaten food in bowls can be mixed in with fresh food unless it is contaminated with bedding, faeces or is inedible.

Rabbits kept in dirty hutches can develop snuffles, sore feet, urine scalding and dirty bottoms – which can easily result in fly strike. The eggs of the fly are laid in the surrounding area and, within approximately 12 hours, can hatch into maggots which will invade the rabbit’s body. Especially during warmer weather check your rabbit's bottom twice daily. Once fly-strike happens the condition is often fatal. Please ask our advice about the best sort of preventative treatments. Please never assume that your rabbit is healthy if you have not actually checked them that day.

Companionship

Rabbits are naturally sociable, so they need companionship of their own kind. Rabbits are much happier living in pairs or compatible groups. They will become very lonely living on their own. It is easiest if rabbits are kept together from birth, but rabbits less than 12 weeks old will usually live together happily. Neutered companions are the ideal friends. Two litter brothers, or two litter sisters, will also get on well, but ideally they should be neutered to prevent fights.

The Blue Cross Charity have some great leaflets including advise on introducing new rabbits to each other. Go to: http://www.bluecross.org.uk

On a final note...

If rabbits are not given daily opportunity to exercise, they may begin to suffer from skeletal pain and become bad-tempered. Lots of people take on rabbits as children's pets. It is essential that an adult is the person who takes responsibility of companion and animal carer. Rabbits are great pets but be aware they do need lots of attention and can often live for 8 to 12 years.

Animal's Victoria Cross given to dog killed in conflict

Story today published in VNonline that we felt should be shared:    

Animal's Victoria Cross given to dog killed in conflict. A military working dog killed on patrol in Afghanistan will be awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for life-saving bravery in conflict.

Sasha and Lance Corporal Rowe were known as the best dog-handler team in their region.

Soldiers entrusted their lives to four-year-old Labrador Sasha, who boosted morale with her determination to push forward in gruelling conditions and relentless Taliban attacks.
Along with handler Sergeant Andy Dodds, Sasha's main role in Afghanistan was to search in advance of patrols - uncovering hidden weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bomb-making equipment - providing a safe passage for soldiers.
Overall during her time in Afghanistan, Sasha made 15 confirmed operational finds, saving the lives of countless soldiers and civilians from death and serious injuries.
Sasha developed a particularly strong bond with Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe when she was assigned to him in May 2008. The pair were deployed to Kandahar where they were considered the best handler and dog team in the region.
He says: "The award is even more poignant as we approach the centenary of World War One and we are reminded of the huge debt we owe the animals who serve in times of conflict…"
"Sasha's story exemplifies the dedication of man's best friend and reminds us all of the amazing contribution they make to our lives."
The medal was first introduced in 1943 by PSDA founder Maria Dickin CBE. Since then it has been awarded to 29 dogs (including Sasha), 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.

Regimental colleagues remember one occasion where Sasha searched a building in Garmsir and found two mortars and large amounts of weaponry, including mines and explosives.

Sadly, on July 24, 2008, Sasha and Lance Corporal Rowe were both killed when their patrol was ambushed twice as they returned from a routine search operation.

The PDSA Dickin Medal will be awarded posthumously in May. It is the highest award any animal in the world can receive for bravery in military conflict.

PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin says it honours Sasha's "unwavering service and her ultimate sacrifice." 

Hedgehogs in April

At this time of year there will be lots of hungry hedgehogs trying to fatten up after their hibernation, so a plate of hedgehog food or meaty dog or cat food will be appreciated, plus a dish of water.

Although it is a little early for hoglets there may well be some courtship going on. 

Hedgehogs prefer their own company as they are solitary animals.  However in the breeding season the male will be on the look-out for lady friends.  Most meetings, whatever the sexes involved, will start with a lot of huffing and puffing.  Indeed this will often be the first time you will notice there are hedgehogs in your garden.  If the hedgehogs are one of each sex then the male will start to circle the female.  She will keep turning to face him but eventually the noise will stop and the female will lower her prickles so a careful mating can take place.

If the hedgehogs meeting are both males then the larger one may well butt the other one making it cry out in fear (a loud sort of scream).  Sometimes the larger one will push the other over and roll it around (the smaller one having rolled into a ball when attacked).

The noise may not be the only sign of visiting hedgehogs.  They also leave their calling cards.  Hedgehog droppings can be as large as a lady’s little finger.  It is often black in colour with some shiny bits due to the wing casings from any beetles they have eaten – these cannot be digested so come out the other end, giving the dropping its dark colour.

If you seem to have a regular visiting hedgehog at this time of year it may well be a female as the males are mainly nomadic looking for females.  Whereas the females just want a small home patch that will support them and their expected litter.

If you are concerned about any hedgehog that you see contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 (if you can weigh the hedgehog first that is always helpful).  Out of hours you will be directed to other numbers but whatever the time, with patience, you should be able to speak to a real person.  For more information about hedgehogs and how to help them visit the BHPS web site at  www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk  

Rare tiger cubs make public debut

Melati with her cubs in the main paddock.

London Zoo celebrates as cubs explore outdoor paddock

A trio of rare tiger cubs made their public debut at London Zoo last week as they ventured to their outdoor paddock.

The seven-week-old Sumatrans explored the main paddock with mother Melati last Wednesday. Keepers say the cubs will not be named until they are able to be sexed.

Tracey Lee, a keeper a London Zoo said: "“We were watching the cubs on the hidden cameras in their dens, when it looked like they were about to follow Melati outside – we all rushed to the exhibit and were just thrilled to catch them playing outside for the first time.

“We got a real glimpse of their different personalities, as two of the cubs confidently bounded outside while the other one hung back a little and needed a bit more encouragement from mum."

The zoo announced the birth of triplets earlier in March. Tigress Melati gave birth to the cubs on February 3, just five months after her first cub was found dead in its enclosure. Keepers were left "heartbroken" after the three-week-old cub apparently drowned after falling in the pool.

Melati's triplets are being observed by keepers using remote camera technology. With less than 300 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild, the births represent a significant achievement for the species global breeding programme.

Why do penguins need jumpers?

Loved this story from VN online!

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How best knits help oil spill birds

Jumpers have been knitted for little penguins affected by oil spills in Australian to stop them preening and swallowing toxins.

The Phillip Island Penguin Foundation which launched a Knit for Nature programme, said:  "A patch of oil the size of a thumb nail can kill a little penguin.

"Oiled penguins often die from exposure and starvation.

"Oil separates and mats feathers, allowing water to get in which makes a penguin very cold, heavy and less able to successfully hunt for food."

The jumpers are placed on the penguins to stop them preening while they wait to be washed by clinic staff.

Phillip Island is home to an estimated 32,000 little penguins.

The last major oil spill off the island happened in 2001 and affected 453 little penguins – 96 per cent of them were saved and rehabilitated at the Phillip Island Wildlife Clinic before being released back into the wild.


The foundation recently ran a knitting competition and said it has been overwhelmed with offers of jumpers from around the world, so much so that it is able to send the jumpers on to other rescue centres if required.

In 201/13 582 sick animals were admitted to the Phillip Island Wildlife Clinic of which 141 were little penguins.

The foundation raises funds for the rescue and care of sick or injured little penguins.  It also runs an adopt a penguin programme.

Drayton Manor Zoo received an early Christmas present

A new arrival has been celebrated at Drayton Manor Zoo in Staffordshire, as a tiny Brazilian tapir is born, and festively named Nickolas in honour of the season.

Born to mother Inca and father Izzie after a 13-month pregnancy, the newborn weighed in at 18lb and is said to be doing well.

Zoo manager Joyce Roberts said: "The fun-filled festive period is always an exciting time of year at Drayton Manor Zoo and now we have even more reason to celebrate.

"Baby Nickolas is adorable and he is already proving a big hit with visitors.  He is a very confident little character and has taken to running around his outside enclosure.

"His mum Inca is very attentive, as she has been with the other offspring that she has produced and successfully reared. I’m quite sure Nickolas will be getting some extra special treats this year."

A Kitten's 12 Days of Christmas Mischief

On the first day of Christmas, my kitten ruined for me...  

A batch of my special hand-print cookies.

I had turned my back to grab the cookie sheet sitting on the stove. In that micro-second, Holly climbed onto the table, poked her paw into the delightfully kneady mixture and, suddenly off-balance, fell into the cookie dough. Net loss? Six cups of flour, four cups of sugar, three slabs of butter.... Of course, it would have been cheaper to remove the feline ingredient, pick out the hairs, and just rename the recipe Paw Print Cookies. 
  
On the second day of Christmas, my kitten accompanied me.... 
On a trip to our local veterinary surgery.

Who knew that skinny curling ribbon has feline taste appeal? I didn't. Damages: £25 for the vet’s trip, £36 for anaesthesia so the veterinary surgeon could take £55 worth of x-rays in case Holly had taste-tested any other Christmas decorations, and… a heck of a lot of embarrassment when the vet removed the 3' curly ‘tail’ in slightly less than two seconds by tugging at it with a pair of tweezers. 
  
On the third day of Christmas, my kitten wrecked for me... 
13 ornaments on my Christmas tree.

My mistake was forgetting to chain the decorations to the branches. My other error was leaving the room to go to the bathroom while Holly feigned sleeping under the tree. How was I to know the kitten was actually measuring its’ climbing potential? Value of broken bulbs? £17.50 plus vat.  

On the fourth day of Christmas, my kitten broke for me... 
A statue in my Nativity.

Would you believe now we only have two Wise men plus a headless fella? Nativity figurine: £55.99 
   
On the fifth day of Christmas, my kitten scratched for me... 
The kid across the street who collects for charity.

 It was an accident. She merely wanted to reach out and touch someone. Unfortunately, she used a unsheathed claw to do so. I settled out-of-court for the cost of a jacket to replace the boy's blood-stained one, and made a hefty donation to the charity of their choice. Although the amount must remain secret according to our settlement, let me put it this way. Think: Major Windfall! 
   
On the sixth day of Christmas, my kitten opened for me... 
The presents beneath my Christmas tree.

It was only two, really. While doing some early shopping at a well-known discount store, I purchased a catnip mouse for Holly's stocking. Apparently, anything in the same bag as catnip takes on its potent aroma for a very long time. Replacement costs: £3.99 for another roll of Christmas wrapping paper, £4.50 for two empty boxes, £1 each, for the kind of bows Holly can't unravel. 
    
On the seventh day of Christmas, my kitten lost for me... 
The earrings I bought for my sister Mary.

Actually, it was one earring but since Mary doesn't have a hole in her nose or navel, a pair of matching earrings does make a more appealing gift. Sale price: £29.95 plus vat. 
  
On the eighth day of Christmas, my kitten helped me... 
Replace my E and G guitar strings.

Would you believe a kitten could fit into the itty-bitty hole in the middle of my Yamaha guitar? Neither could I, but Holly thought so. And she succeeded once she got those rascally strings out of the way. Unfortunately, her little rear end couldn't get out the way she came in. After paying through the whiskers for her previous escapades, I would have been willing to leave her in the guitar for the duration of the holiday season, except that she chose to get stuck two hours before I was due at the nursing home for our annual Christmas carol sing-a-long. Set of steel guitar strings: £12.95; jar of petroleum jelly: £1.20. 
   
On the ninth day of Christmas, my kitten destroyed for me... 
My Christmas card list when she walked across my computer's delete key.

Cost for call to Computer Country's 0800/help line: £17.50. And I still don't know what happened to the listings of B through H. 
  
On the tenth day of Christmas, my kitten hid from me..... 
The remote control from my 13-inch TV.

This wouldn't be such a disaster if she hadn't previously stolen the power knob. I missed a week's worth of Christmas specials, including my all-time favourite, "It's a Wonderful Life." Rental of "It's a Wonderful Life": £5; purchase of book, "Good owners, great cats": £24.95. Unfortunately, it doesn’t  even mention the psychological profile of kittens with kleptomania. 
    
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my kitten ate for me..... 
The drumsticks off my 19-pound turkey.

OK, OK, So this one time it was my fault. I knew I never should have uttered those now infamous words: "Your first turkey, Holly. Want to try just a little piece?" Cost: Christmas Dinner. 
    
On the twelfth day of Christmas........ 
Holly rested.

And so, thank goodness, did my VISA card.

A Puppy's 12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my puppy gave to me: 

The Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the second day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the third day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Ten Christmas cards I should’ve mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
Eleven unwrapped presents
Ten Christmas cards I should’ve mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper, from the Christmas tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me:
A dozen puppy kisses
And I forgot all about the other eleven days.

How can we mourn the loss of our pet?

With the recent loss of Max we began to think again about the process of mourning the loss of a treasured friend. The situation is so different for all involved and needs to be looked at from all sides.

Initially we feel we need to be honest about the variety of feelings being felt, and to discuss them with someone you trust. We have laughed and cried over the last few days. If anyone is going through the same these are some suggestions our clients have offered us to help in the mourning process. Please message us if you would like to share other ideas.

·         Saved your pet’s lead or collar and put it in a special place

·         Have your pets ashes cremated and placed into a special casket

·         Scatter your pet’s ashes in a favourite location, or on a favourite walk.

·         Share favourite memories of your pet with loved ones

·         Plant a flowering perennial in honour of your pet

·         Have a memorial to your pet made, and placed in your garden

·         Keep a tuft of hair from your pet

·         Have a picture of your pet painted

·         Make a scrapbook with pictures of times with your friend

·         Bury your pet in a sacred location (e.g., pet cemetery)

·         Visit a local pet rescue and spend some time with other animals who also might benefit from your love

·         Think about (at some later point) adopting a pet needing a warm, safe home

·         Volunteer to help a rescue group or pet shelter

·         Teach school children about proper pet care and the importance of pets in their lives

·         Financially or physically support the pet of an elderly friend or relative who may no longer have the income or physical ability to provide for his or her constant companion.

If you have trouble getting over your loss, you may want to consult a person trained in dealing with complex grieving problems.

Further help can be found at:

www.theralphsite.com/

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/1742/pet-loss.html

Pet Smile Month

Well our pets don't smile in the same way we do, but they do have a great set of teeth that are designed to last a lifetime. So regular care is essential to help ensure they stay firmly in place!

How does dental disease happen? Firstly a soft sticky substance called plaque, consisting of food debris and bacteria, adheres to the teeth. If not removed, it gradually builds up to form a hard scale known as tartar, which can lead to inflamed and infected gums (gingivitis). As a result of this we see bad breath, tooth decay, and possible bone loss meaning your pet could begin to lose teeth. In severe cases, oral infections can spread via the bloodstream to affect other internal organs like the liver, kidneys and heart.

But.... we are here to help. Regular brushing, dental checks and feeding your pet a good diet will assist in keeping their teeth and gums healthy. If you would like to know more, then make a free appointment at one of our surgeries, where our nurses can also show you how to brush your pets' teeth, to help them stay in tiptop condition.

If your pet’s teeth are beyond the help of tooth brushing, then we are fully equipped with an ultrasonic scaler and dental machine. We are able to offer scale and polish procedures and can also undertake more advanced dentistry, including tooth extractions, as required. Until the end of November 2013 we are having a Pet Smile Month with free oral examinations by our qualified nurses and discounts on our scale and polishes. Give us a call on 02476 464789 for more information or visit www.broadlanevets.co.uk

Rabbits are particularly prone to teeth problems, and our dental machine enables fast, effective burring, thereby reducing anaesthetic time and risk.

Antifreeze poisoning

We have heard of local cases of antifreeze poisoning in cats in the local area over the last few weeks, so thought you might like a little more information on the subject.

Please be aware of this hidden danger with your pets. Unfortunately many animals like the taste of antifreeze, but ingesting even the smallest amount can lead to kidney failure and death, especially in cats.

How do you keep your pets safe?

Accidental poisonings due to spills and leaks from containers, as well as leaking water coolant from cars happen every year and often results in the death of pets. Some could be avoided by you making regular checks of your car to ensure it is not leaking water coolant. Take great care when storing, using and disposing of antifreeze and water coolant from cars. 

Always keep antifreeze in clearly labelled, robust, sealed containers, high up and away     from pets. 

Clean up any spills immediately, no matter how small, making sure pets cannot access the area until it is clean and safe.
Always dispose of antifreeze safely and responsibly. Contact your local authority for advice on this. 

What if I suspect antifreeze poisoning in my pet?

Sadly there are times when no matter how careful you are an accident happens. If you suspect your pet has come into contact with antifreeze, or leaked water coolant get help from us immediately:

Symptoms include:

Vomiting 

Seeming depressed or sleepy 

Appearing drunk and uncoordinated 

Seizures (fits) 

Difficulty breathing 

Increased thirst 

Increased urination 

Signs of antifreeze poisoning can start to show as soon as 30 minutes after ingestion, though it can be two or three days before signs of kidney failure are seen.

Remember the sooner your pet receives veterinary treatment, the better their chances of survival. 

What is the Practice Standards Scheme?

You may have seen our recent facebook status, tweet or google+ page telling that we had again received practice standard accreditation and wondered…

What is the Practice Standards Scheme?

Pets are often treated as members of the family and owners rightly want to be sure they receive excellent medical treatment.

But how can you be sure?

The regulatory function of the RCVS means that users of veterinary services can be assured that their veterinary surgeon or registered/listed veterinary nurse is properly qualified and fit to practise.

The RCVS can also offer reassurance that those practice premises which it accredits as part of the Practice Standards Scheme meet stringent standards.

It offers peace of mind to clients of accredited practices and a more informed choice to the animal-owning public.

To become accredited, practices volunteer for rigorous inspection every four years and will have met a range of minimum standards including hygiene, 24-hour emergency cover, staff training, certain types of equipment and cost estimation procedures.

RCVS accreditation is not to be confused with a practice being included in the RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises. The RVPP is held by the RCVS on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and only veterinary surgeons working from registered premises can supply veterinary medicines.

Look for the logo

For peace of mind, people should look for the RCVS accredited practice logo, which indicates that the practice has passed an independent inspection.

This means high standards of care for animals and peace of mind for animal owners.

Lapel badges

We are wearing our accreditation with pride! Our enamel lapel badges are being worn by all the practice team, to help promote our RCVS-accredited practice status.

For peace of mind, we have have again undergone, and passed, an independent inspection, at all 3 of our sites. We met a range of minimum standards including hygiene, 24-hour emergency cover, staff training, certain types of equipment and cost estimation procedures.

As a practice we are also subject to spot-checks between inspections (and we received one last year!).

The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) is a voluntary initiative to accredit veterinary practices in the UK. Through setting standards and carrying out regular inspections, the Scheme aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care. This means high standards of care for animals and peace of mind for animal owners.

More information can be found at http://www.rcvs.org.uk/practice-standards-scheme/

FREE “Pet Smile Check Ups”

October and November 2013 are Pet Smile Months at Broad Lane Vets and we are offering FREE “Pet Smile Check Ups” with our nurses – a complimentary check on your pet’s oral health as well as great discounts on dental treatments, if deemed necessary.

Dental disease is a welfare issue. “Bad breath” is the very least of our pets’ worries. Oral pain is a major feature, but often goes unnoticed because pets usually carry on eating despite their discomfort. As periodontal disease progresses, bacteria spreads from the mouth through the blood stream to affect other organs such as the kidneys and heart valves.

During Pet Smile Month we are offering a FREE “Pet Smile Check Up” to re-check the teeth and gums, and offer advice on what steps need to be taken for your pet in order to improve their oral hygiene.

We can demonstrate tooth brushing and discuss how to look after your pet’s teeth. This can help avoid worsening dental disease and maintain good oral care to prevent having to perform a dental procedure.
If you would like to take part in Pet Smile Month, give us a call today on 02476 464789.

Does my dog need to wear a collar?

Yes they do. This is a legal requirement. Dogs must wear a collar in public. To avoid a hefty fine, owners must also make sure that the dog displays their name and address.

By law, dogs in a public place, it must wear a collar. This collar, a tag attached to the collar, must also bear its owner’s name and address.

Be aware that owners can be fined up to £2000 if they don’t comply. (There are a few exceptions, look at this link:  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/901/article/2/made).

Although it’s not law for the collar or tag to also display the owner’s postcode and phone number, some feel this is advisable, in order to aid a pet’s quick return if he or she is lost.

Many owners believe that if their dog is microchipped, they do not need to have a named collar or tag – this is incorrect. Visual identification is still required (and is also needed in addition to the tag a dog return company might provide). In addition to the legally required identification we recommend microchipping. It makes it easier to identify and return stolen dogs whose collars, or tags, may have been removed. Be aware microchipping is likely to become mandatory in 2016.

Healthy Eating for Pets

Different pets, and breeds, require different food types, nutritional amounts and exercise regimes: It is important to find out what is best for your friend.

Here is a rough idea of of what a 'snack' for a Dog or Cat translates to in human terms. (We do not suggest that these snacks are the correct treats for your pets, but thought it may help to put your pet’s food, versus your own food, into perspective!)

For a dog  of just 10kg, feeding them just 2 human biscuits or 3 crisps or 1oz of cheese, is the equivalent of us eating 2 whole hamburgers. For a cat, just 1 cup of milk for them, is like us eating 5 x hamburgers!!

 We run FREE nutrition and weightwatcher clinics. Give us a call on 02476 464789 to book an appointment with one of our qualified Veterinary Nurses to discuss best food and exercise for your pet.