Monthly Archives: February 2024

Whatever the true reasons for and nature of climate change, it seems we need to get used to the concept of warmer summers and milder winters. One severe consequence of this will be an increase of parasites such as fleas and ticks. They will breed for longer periods and more will survive over winter. Not a happy prospect for dogs and cats!

Over the years in my veterinary practice I have found that some pets seem very prone to picking up parasites, whilst others rarely have any 'visitors'. I have come to the conclusion that healthy adult dogs and cats with good immune systems who are fed a healthy diet are much less likely to suffer from fleas and ticks. To help ensure pets stay free from parasites, keep them healthy by paying attention to:

Diet: Avoid processed food and if possible, feed a diet mainly consisting of fresh food. As dogs and cats are carnivores this should preferably contain raw meat and bones. Otherwise give a good quality, high protein, low carbohydrate, grain free proprietary

Spring is in the air and with the days getting longer we are able to spend that much needed time outdoors with our pets. However for some of us spring means itching and we are not alone, dogs and cats can also suffer as a result of the increased pollen in the air at this time of year.

Although itching can strike at any time of year and can be caused by a number of things including food, cleaning chemicals and dust mites, spring is a time when pet allergies can be at their worst and these allergies tend to be caused by outdoor triggers such as grasses, tree shrub, pollens, farm crops such as cereals, oil seed rape, mould spores and ragweed.

Unlike humans whose allergy symptoms are usually respiratory, symptoms to watch out for in dogs and cats are most often skin-related including itchiness and irritation. Excessive licking can also be a sign there is some skin irritation.

The area's most common for itching include paws, ears and face. Pets may also try and rub themselves against carpets

Some hints to help pets stay safe and well in Summertime

Following the miserable Winter we have had, it’s hard to remember that we do sometimes get hot summery weather in the UK, but we do and here are a few hints to help pets stay safe and well in Summertime.

• Check regularly for fleas and ticks on the skin, and look out for adders when walking in country areas.
• If you are leaving your pet at home for several hours, make sure there is a cool room or area available – leave a fan on if necessary, and also plenty of water.
• If you are leaving your pet outdoors for any length of time, ensure shade (and water) are available.
• Take a bottle of water and a drinking bowl with you if you are taking your dog out for long walks or on car journeys and offer water regularly.
• If you walk your dog regularly on pavements, check for sore pads in hot weather.
• Above all, don’t ever leave your dog in a car on a warm day, even if not in direct sunshine.

As the weather gets warmer there are several Diet’Dog

Allergies in dogs and cats are common with an array of symptoms; so what causes these symptoms and what changes could you make?

Allergies in dogs and cats are an abnormally intense / overreaction of the immune system to something that is normally harmless to the body, known as an allergen. Your pet may be born with sensitivities or for other pets, allergies are acquired over several years of continual exposure to the allergen.

Your pet, each day will also come across hundreds of harmless substances or particles, which are all part of the normal environment and which are not harmful. Under normal circumstances your pet’s immune system will recognise these and not see them as unwelcome invaders. However, in pets with allergies, the pet’s immune system will believe these common day-to-day substances as invaders that it must get rid of and therefore will mount an immune response. As the pet’s body tries to fight the “invaders” reactions in the form of allergy symptoms will appear.

So what

Help Make Your Dog More Comfortable

Canine atopic allergies are becoming increasingly common. They are especially prevalent in younger dogs, but unfortunately can develop into a life-long chronic condition. This is because canine atopic allergies are often caused by environmental and seasonal allergen.

As a result, many dogs are constantly surrounded by the allergens that trigger their symptoms. These include dust mites, pollen, trees, flea bites, mould, grass and chemical cleaning products.

These allergens can all cause skin symptoms (allergic skin disease or atopic dermatitis), ranging from mild irritation to unbearable itching. Moreover, the dog’s attempts to alleviate the itching by licking and scratching often makes things worse. It can lead to severe rashes, sores, redness, flaky skin, loss of fur – and even infected wounds.

Although treatments such as antihistamines, antibiotics and antifungals are available, these help alleviate symptoms rather than tackle the root cause. As a

 Itchy Dog - A Case Study LUCAA+ Pet Allergy-Free Spray

Constant Itching and Scratching is a concern for many dog owners. There are many possible causes – from seasonal and environmental allergies, to flea bites and sensitivity to chemical shampoo. It makes life miserable for your beloved pet – and for you!

This news post shows how Provilan ‘itchy dog spray’ (better known as LUCAA+ Probiotic Pet Allergen-Free Spray) significantly improved Molly’s itchy, red and flaky skin in a natural way.

“I’m just so pleased about the results and keen to share – having an ‘itchy’ dog can feel like you’re fighting an endless battle; quite often what you might think will help can actually make things so much worse!” LISA MORTIMORE

THE PROBLEM

Molly the rescue dog was really suffering from red, sore patches of dry itchy skin and a rash on her back and around her tail. Her hair was thinning and she was constantly itching and scratching.

Lisa, Molly’s owner, believed the symptoms were caused by an

Summer is here, which means more time spent outdoors and relaxing in the garden. But with sharp tools and toxic plants, our outdoor spaces can be potential danger zones for curious pooches. To keep your dog happy and safe this summer, there are a few “pup” proofing tips to bear in mind. Here are some safety precautions to consider before you let Fido romp around the garden this sunny season.

When the warm summer months are upon us we get the chance to enjoy the outdoors more and this means more time can be spent with our canine companions.

But before you head out to spend more time outdoors, you may want to be aware of some possible dangers that come with warmer weather.

Beware of poisonous plants

Whether for enjoyment or to ease a poorly tummy, many dogs relish a good chomp on grass and plants. But if your dog’s a keen plant eater, it’s important to note that some greenery is poisonous to dogs. Plants such as Lilies, Daffodils, Crocus, Foxgloves and Hydrangeas can cause skin irritations,

When a pet passes away, it can be an incredibly difficult and upsetting time for owners. Emotions run high and it’s not always easy knowing what you should do next. If your pet is old or has been unwell for some time, you may already have plans in place. But it’s always good to know what your options are when the time comes. You don’t want any added stress when you’re grieving for your beloved pet.

Cremation

Many owners choose to arrange a cremation for their pet, either with their vet or with an external company. This can give you more options if you’re keen to memorialise your pet. You can keep your pet’s ashes in an urn close by, or scatter them at their favourite beach, for example.

Home burial

Another option is to bury your pet at home. Pick a spot in your garden where you can visit and remember the good times you had together. It’s important to bear in mind the laws around burying a pet. It’s only legal to bury an animal at a property you own. It’s not legal to bury them in rented

How to help a fussy eater

There are times when your dog may be off their normal food, which of course can be of great concern. There can be a number of reasons to explain why your dog has changed its eating habits. All too often we assume this must be because they are feeling unwell, but this isn't always the case, as this could be for a number of reasons. It is important to find out what is behind the change in food preferences and hopefylly this blog will give you some informationto you need. 

When your dog is off its food, there may be other reasons, other than not finding their food appealing. There could be underlying health reasons.

So what could be the reasons your dog is avoiding eating?

1. Are there any underlying health issues? These could include: 

• Teeth Discomfort - could there be an issue in the mouth, such as tooth decay, gum disease or similar issues? If your dog is fed kibble, which is hard then dental issues may be making it harder (and painful) for your dog to eat. This

Intestinal Hygiene -  Dogs and Cats 

There are many types of worms (known as intestinal parasites) that can get into your dog's and cat's GI tract. However some dogs and cats are more vulnerable than others, with an increased risk of contracting an intestinal parasite. 

The different types of worms can also affect your dogs in different ways as the symptoms of each type of worm vary as well as the way in which dogs are infected. In the UK, the most common intestinal worms are; roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms.

Let's look in detail at each of these worms:-

ROUNDWORMS: These are the most common, especially in puppies. There are two species of roundworm affecting dogs; these are toxocara canis and the less common toxascaris leonine.
Adult roundworms are white, typically 1” to 3” in length but can be up to 7” long. They are spaghetti-like in appearance and are tapered or round – hence the name. They (adult roundworm) live and reproduce in the dog or cats’ small intestine,