Autumn News at Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre

Welcome to the autumn 2012 edition of our newsletter, bringing you seasonal and topical information and updates.

Fireworks It’s that time of year again when the pops and bangs of nearby fireworks can be a source of distress and anxiety for some pets. Here are a few ideas and tips on how to recognise these symptoms and how to help your pet cope with their fears.

Many dogs and cats will try to hide when they hear fireworks. You can help your pet by making sure they have a den or hiding place where they feel safe, e.g. inside a wardrobe or cupboard, or behind a sofa. Pad it with old pillows and blankets to help soundproof it. A pheromone plug-in, such as Adaptil, placed nearby can also help (available from pet shops and vet practices). These pheromones are a synthetic copy of the natural comforting pheromone released by a mother dog to reassure her puppies. Ignore fearful behaviour, such as panting, shaking and whining. Although it’s tempting, do not comfort or reassure your pets – they will feel that you are anxious too and their fear will be rewarded and encouraged. Take your dog for a walk well before fireworks are likely to begin to reduce the possibility of fireworks being set off and your dog becoming worried. Provide

distractions, for

example new

toys or chews,

while fireworks

are happening.

Draw curtains

and switch on

the TV or music

to mask the noise from the fireworks.

Courage Column

Let cats hide where they like – do not try to tempt them out. If they are scared, do not pick up or restrain them as cats often prefer to be in control of how they cope. Ensure dogs and cats are micro-chipped so that if they escape from the house, scared and confused, there is more chance you will be reunited. In the case of other small pets, bringing hutches inside is the best option but if this is not possible, partly cover hutches and other outside cages with blankets so that they have some sound-proofing and provide plenty of bedding. Make sure hutches and cages contain

hiding places and secure areas where they

can go to feel safe. If you have concerns about your pet’s

phobia, do speak to us for help and

guidance. Noise phobias in pets are

treatable with the right professional help.

Staff news It’s our pleasure to announce that Pip

Toms, one of our registered veterinary

nurses, had a beautiful baby boy in

September. Our congratulations and

warm wishes to her and her family

while she is away on maternity leave.

In recognition of the courage of two

animals who have made remarkable

recoveries from injury:

Kitaani, a young Siberian husky, has

pulled through following severe

abdominal injuries after eating pieces

of plastic, curtain fabric and a

hairband. Little Man, a stray cat who

needed his broken leg amputated, has

fully recovered following his ordeal

and subsequent surgery.

Well done to both of these brave pets!

Your Cat and Arthritis

This autumn at Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre,

we’ve been putting the spotlight on the

condition of arthritis in older cats. Many older

cats can suffer from this potentially painful

condition but they are adept at disguising the

symptoms. They are not taken for walks like

dogs and restrict their own activity to

minimise the use of sore joints.

Cats are natural athletes and over the years,

high levels of activity can lead to wear and

tear in the joints resulting in osteoarthritis.

This occurs when the normal cartilage that

cushions the joint is worn away, exposing the

bone and resulting in discomfort. Any cat over

the age of 8 may be considered an ‘older’ cat

and could be suffering from pain in their

joints, most commonly, the hips and elbows.

Recent studies have shown that 90% of cats

over 12 years of age have evidence of

degenerative joint disease when x-rayed.

How to recognise the symptoms of arthritis.

Due to their natural agility and smaller size,

cats will not display obvious signs of difficulty

with their mobility or vocalise any pain. More

subtle changes in lifestyle or behaviour may be

the clue.

Reduced mobility Your cat is more hesitant

or reluctant to jump up or down, e.g. onto your

lap or furniture. They may move about more

slowly and be awkward using the cat flap.

Litter tray accidents (missing the tray) may be

more common.

Changes in grooming behaviour Grooming

and cleaning less thoroughly; their coat may

be more matted and scurfy. Conversely, your

cat may be excessively grooming painful

joints. Temperament changes Reduced interaction,

e.g. lack of response to petting or less

tolerance of handling, children or other pets.

Changes in activity level

Reduction in playing and interaction; not

hunting or exploring the

outdoors as frequently.

Overgrown claws due to

lack of activity.

Sleeping more/in the same place.

If you think your cat is showing signs of osteo-

arthritis, the next step is a visit to the vet for a

clinical examination.

A firm diagnosis may

involve radiography

which will show the

formation of new

bone around the joint

margins (the body’s

attempt to ‘stabilise’

the joint) and thickening of the underlying

bone/ narrowing of the joint space.

Things you can do to help your cat.

Home comforts and management adjustments

are vital to improving your cat’s quality of life

and can be just as important as medications.

Easy home and management adjustments.

Provide soft beds for sore joints in easily

accessible, quiet places. Igloo beds/card-

board boxes make an older cat feel warm and

secure

Provide 'steps' up to higher sites

Always have a litter tray inside; use a low

sided version or cut out the sides to make it

easy for arthritic cats to climb in

Ensure food/water are easy to access, at floor

level or with steps up

Help your cat to groom (eyes and perineal

area may need extra attention). Gentle

grooming contributes to general well being

and helps your cat maintain interest in life.

Check for overgrown claws

Watch your cat’s weight: being overweight

will put extra strain on the joints.

Nutritional and supplemental treatment.

Get advice on suitable diet from the vet or vet

nurse. (Several dietary supplements and diets are

available which assist the joint’s natural

functions.) Chondroitin and glucosamine

supplements are also available for cats.

Medical treatment.

Medications can be very effective at controlling

pain and may be prescribed by the vet following

a full assessment of general health and the

presence of other diseases. The most commonly

used treatment is meloxicam, a honey-flavoured

solution called Metacam. This is a non-steroidal

anti-inflammatory and the only medication

licensed for the treatment of chronic pain caused

by arthritis in cats.

Winter Newsletter at Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre

Welcome to the winter 2013 edition of our newsletter, bringing you seasonal and topical information and updates.

Courage Column

What does neutering involve? Spaying is the term used to describe the operation on a female: under a general anaesthetic, the surgeon removes the ovaries and the uterus through a small incision in the flank or the belly of the cat. Male cats also receive a general anaesthetic, and a tiny incision is made in the scrotum in order to remove both testes. The incision is usually so small no sutures are required. As with any procedure under anaesthetic, you should withhold food from the previous evening . Usually, your kitten or cat will be ready to go home on the same day and any sutures will be removed after 7-10 days. Both male and female cats are given post-operative pain relief and after return home, should be kept quiet for 24 hours. They may be a little drowsy for a few hours, but usually recover quickly and will be back to normal the following day. If your cat is unusually dull or quiet, do call us, and should they start licking or scratching the wound, please get in touch about picking up a surgical collar to ensure their recovery is as speedy as possible.

WHY SHOULD I NEUTER MY CAT?

While the idea of your female cat having a litter of cute bundles of fur may be quite beguiling, unless you genuinely plan to breed from her, most people would not wish to add to the number of cats and kittens already looking for homes.

There is no benefit to your female cat in allowing her to have one litter and early neutering (from 3 months) can offer many long-term health benefits to both male and female cats. Early neutering can also help undesirable behaviour patterns becoming established.

Male cats that remain entire are at greater risk of a number of diseases and can display aggressive and anti-social behaviour in their search for a mate.

Female kittens mature at the young age of 5 - 8 months and they are capable of reproducing a litter from this time; once mature, cycles of sexual activity occur every three weeks during the breeding season which starts in spring and runs into the summer. The female cat will call for a mate for 4-5 days at the start of each cycle, which can be very noisy! They may also urinate much more frequently and inconsiderately.

Mature male kittens may start to mark territory by spraying (indoors as well as outdoors!) and are likely to start to display aggressive behaviour towards other males, getting into fights and roaming further afield in their efforts to find a mate.

The benefits of neutering for your cat:

Helps to prevent uterine infection and breast cancer in females

If males are neutered before 6 months, it eliminates the risk of testicular cancer

Eliminates anti-social mating behaviours e.g. spraying and yowling, in both sexes.

Neutered males are much less at risk of serious infectious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency (AIDs), and feline leukaemia virus, both of which are transmitted by bites.

Early neutering means there is less chance of your cat developing undesirable behaviours that may be hard to change when older.

Christmas surprise -

The week before Christmas, an injured young kitten found on the street was brought to the practice with damage to hind legs and tail. After treatment, Pepper was rehomed with the Stevens family just in time for Christmas, and has made great progress, recovering full use of his leg, though he did have to lose a section of his tail. Despite his ordeal, he is very affectionate, enjoying all the attention his new family give him and has become a lively, playful kitten who loves to climb the curtains!

Winter Newsletter at Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre

Your Dog and Arthritis

A common cause of chronic pain, arthritis affects as

many as 1 in 5 dogs. Arthritis, either osteoarthritis or

degenerative joint disease, is most often found to

affect the knees, elbows, hips and backbone. The

condition can develop as a result of trauma or injury

(when ligaments or tendons may be torn) or with old

age due to daily wear and tear. Poor nutrition and

obesity can also be contributing factors.

The pain is a result of inflammation of the joints and

irritated nerve endings. While there is no known cure

for arthritis, there is much that can be done in the way

of prevention and pain management to maximise your

dog’s quality of life throughout their life.

Prevention: THREE main areas to consider- Diet – a well-balanced diet that provides the

nutrients and vitamins for muscle and ligament

maintenance and ensures your dog remains at their optimum weight. Supplements such as glucosamine and vitamins may be advisable

esp. for breeds in which joint problems are

most common.

Regular exercise to keep the joint muscles strong and supportive.

Prompt treatment of accidents or trauma to ensure that any injury fully heals.

Identifying arthritis symptoms:

FOUR characteristics to watch -

Mobility –is your dog stiff or lame, slow getting to his feet or reluctant to jump or climb?

Activity levels – is your dog less active when exercising, more sleepy or generally lethargic?

Grooming habits – have you noticed your dog has started to lick or chew at her joints?

Temperament changes – has your dog become more anxious or withdrawn, or not as tolerant or interactive with the family as before?

If your dog is diagnosed with arthritis there is much you

can do to help your dog to manage the condition well:

FIVE steps to arthritis well-being:

1. Make sure your dog is at the right weight, so that joints are not carrying a heavier burden than they should bear.

2. Maintaining regular treatment with any NSAID (non-

steroidal anti-inflammatory) medication, as prescribed

by the vet, will help your dog to remain pain free.

3. Develop a suitable exercise schedule with the help of

your vet; this may include swimming or hydrotherapy in

order to build muscle mass. (The vet can advise of

suitable centres for hydrotherapy.)

4. Possible use of nutraceuticals – these are

supplements which help to maximise joint health, by

keeping them well lubricated and more flexible.

5. TLC – a little extra fuss and comfort from their family

may help your pet to rest and renew.

Forthcoming events: We are holding a practice quiz night and

entertainment evening in the spring to raise

funds for the Cinnamon Trust and other local

charities. Tickets will be on sale next month.

Watch this space for more details.

Vet, Luke Stevens, has entered the national

Swimathon in aid of Marie Curie, aiming to

swim 5 kilometres on 27th April. Sponsorship

very welcome! (Forms in reception.)

Spring Newsletter at Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre

Caring for your new Puppy or Kitten!

Getting a new pet in the family can be a busy and exciting time and if they are young it can be all the more unpredictable. But there are a few things you can take care of to make sure that the new member of the family settles in as safely and healthily as possible.

Vaccination Young kittens and puppies are born with some immunity in the first few weeks of life. As they grow, they need a course of vaccination to provide on-going protection. Puppies are routinely vaccinated at 8 weeks and again at 10 weeks old, protecting them from five potentially fatal diseases (see info box below left). Full immunity develops one week after the second vaccination; then they can get out and about to explore and socialise with other dogs. Kittens should be vaccinated at 9 weeks and again at 12 weeks after which time they can also be allowed to explore outdoors. The booster vaccination every year maintains immunity and this is also the time your young pet gets a full head to toe health check. Worming Since puppies are often born with roundworm infection and kittens can acquire them very early in life from their mother’s milk (see article overleaf), it is important to give worming treat-ments at an early stage to minimise potential risks. We recom-mend treatment from two or three weeks of age. As your pet grows, they will continue to be susceptible to infection from roundworms and tapeworms in the environment and will benefit from continuous protection. Lungworm can be a further problem for dogs. Fleas It does not take long for the flea population to find a new home in your new pet’s coat – spot-on flea treatment for your puppy or kitten can be given from 2 weeks of age and household flea sprays are great for treating your home to minimise re-infection. Nutrition Feeding your puppy or kitten the correct diet is important and will give them the best start in life. We stock specific life-stage diets which cater perfectly for the energy, protein and mineral needs of your young pet as they grow. Microchipping A simple way to permanently identify your pet, the microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted much the same way as a vaccination is administered. All lost animals are routinely scanned for a microchip by vets, animal shelters and the police allowing them to swiftly contact you and reunite you with your pet. And if you are planning to travel abroad with your pet in the future, microchips are compulsory for the Pet Travel Scheme. Pet insurance In case of unplanned or emergency treatment, insurance gives great peace of mind and is highly recommended.

Introducing our NEW Puppy and Kitten PLUS PACKS.

Offering you all the routine veterinary care essential to the health and well-being of your young puppy or kitten, the PLUS PACK is designed to give you both peace of mind and excellent value. Included in each PLUS PACK: + Primary course of vaccination + Kennel cough for dogs + One month’s worming treatment + One month’s flea treatment + 4 weeks’ pet insurance + Microchip + Free bag of puppy or kitten food + 4 x monthly health checks + 10% discount voucher on puppy or kitten diet.

The Plus Pack gives your pet the best of starts – to continue with excellent routine preventative care, why not consider joining our Pet Health Club?

Vaccinations included protect your

pet against these infectious,

potentially fatal, diseases:

Dogs:

Para influenza virus

Distemper

Parvo virus

Infectious canine disease

Leptospirosis

Cats:

Cat flu virus

Feline leukaemia virus

Feline panleucopenia virus

All for

just £55

Welcome to the spring 2013 edition of our newsletter, bringing you seasonal and topical information and updates.

NEW this SPRING – CATs ONLY clinic A new service for cat owners, we will be running a cat

only surgery every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm – 3pm. This is ideal for nervous cats or those particularly averse

to dogs. Please do give us your feedback on whether this new service has been of benefit to you.

Spring Newsletter at Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre – page two

For further information on these or any other topics please contact us on 01736 330331 We hope you find these articles useful. Please note, the information provided in the newsletter is of a general nature and not intended to deal with specific cases of illness or injury where the advice of a veterinary surgeon should be sought.

Spotlight on the Roundworm. Many of us are familiar with the problem of our pets getting worms. Many owners also give their pets a routine worming treatment in order to keep them healthy and at an optimal weight. Knowing a little more about the lifecycle and effects of the roundworm, however, underlines the importance of maintaining this treatment. The organisms concerned, Toxocara canis

and Toxocara cati are nematodes that live in the host’s intestines. Toxocariasis is the clinical name for the disease caused by the roundworm. Detrimental effects for cats and dogs include diarrhoea,

stunted growth, abdominal discomfort and vomiting. It is also a significant zoonotic, which means it’s not only a potential problem for our pets but also for humans who can become infected. Good hygiene practices such as hand-washing will

minimise the chances of cross infection The risk of direct infection from a pet carrying worms is fairly low as the eggs do stick quite firmly to the coat. However, good hygiene practices such as hand-washing, especially before eating, will minimise the chances of cross-infection. The greatest risk to children and adults comes from handling and eating soil which has been infected (via faeces); the consequences of infection in humans can be serious and diagnosis and treatment difficult. (The disease most commonly eventually causes retinal injury but has also been implicated in the higher incidence of asthma, chronic respiratory and other health problems.) Pet owners can therefore play an important role in reducing the level of environmental contamination (the burden of roundworm eggs in soil) by following a recommended de-worming programme in pets of all ages.

Early treatment of young pets vital.

Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for toxocara in pets which halt the lifecycle from eggs to larvae to adult roundworm. We hope that with greater awareness of the risks associated with roundworm infections we will reduce the incidence of toxocara in our general pet populations. Young pets in particular are vulnerable and puppies especially should be treated promptly – within two weeks of birth – as they are often born with worms contracted in utero. Kittens may acquire them in the first weeks of life and should be treated from about three weeks old.

COURAGE COLUMN Several weeks ago, a young dog called Bonzo was admitted to the surgery with a lamb bone stuck in his oesophagus (food pipe). Fortunately his owner had quickly worked out the probable cause of his

discomfort and an x-ray showed the offending foreign body clearly. Delicate surgery reaching the bone through the stomach was required, in order

to remove the bone without causing damage to the oesophagus. Despite the bone being 7cm in length, Bonzo has since made a full recovery, but

is now warning all his doggie friends not to steal the roast bones!

Beware snake bites! As the warmer weather finally arrives, remember that

snakes coming out of hibernation love to bask out in

the open, often on rocks and paths, absorbing energy

from the sun. At this time of year, we often see an

increase in the number of snake bite injuries. If you

suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake, please

call the practice immediately so that an anti-venom

treatment can be swiftly administered.

SWIMATHON Luke Stevens joined a large number of

teams in Penzance pool in April, to swim in the national Swimathon in aid of

Marie Curie Cancer Care. He and son, Aaron, swam a FIVE kilometre

relay in 1 hr and 33 minutes, raising a fabulous £325.00 for the charity.

Grateful thanks to all those who gave so generously in sponsorship.