Queens Park Veterinary Surgery

Author: Nikki

  • Insurance – which policy to choose?

    We often get asked questions about insurance policies for pets, and what policy types and companies we recommend. Unfortunately we are unable to recommend certain companies, however we can introduce you to a company called Petplan who will provide 4 weeks free cover for your puppy or kitten under 18 months of age. This will cover your pet for 4 weeks, during which time Petplan will provide you with a quote to continue your cover. If you would like more information on this, please get in touch with us at the surgery.

    For older pets, we can provide information which will help you to choose a policy. Not every insurance policy is the same, and it is important to choose the right level of cover for you and your pet. There are 3 main questions to ask when choosing a policy, which will help you find the right cover for you.

    1. Does this policy cover congenital, hereditary, hip-related, dental and behavioural conditions? It is important to find out this information in advance, as some companies won’t cover these conditions, which can be common in both cats and dogs.

    2. Is there a time or monetary limit on how long this policy will cover on-going conditions for? This is a big one – some policies will be time limited, so they will only cover a condition for 12 months after it has first been noted. Some policies will be maximum benefit, so when the ‘pot’ of money has been used up, that’s it. Some policies will be life time cover, which means that the policy will cover your pet for their whole life, for each condition, so long as you renew the policy each year. It is important to understand the difference between these policies, and decide which is best for you and your pet.

    3. If I claim will you increase my premium? Naturally, insurance premiums will go up over time, with insurance premium tax (IPT) and inflation. As your pet ages, the likelihood of a claim also increases, which can put some premiums up. However, some companies will increase your premium based on how much you claim, which can mean your premiums may increase beyond your affordability if you make multiple claims. It is always better to know in advance if this is going to be the case, or you can choose a policy whereby this doesn’t happen. Remember that just because an insurance policy is cheap at the beginning, it might not always stay that way.

    No one with a new pet wants to think about them becoming ill, but the reality is that veterinary care is becoming more expensive and complex, and sometimes referral to a specialist might be necessary. Some insurance companies will only allow referral to a veterinary specialist within their ‘network’, so this is another question worth asking before you take out a policy.

    If you are thinking of switching from one policy to another during your pet’s lifetime, it’s worth remembering that any conditions that your pet had before the switch will likely be excluded from the new policy. This doesn’t just include conditions that you have claimed for – any condition on your pets medical history will be considered by the new company, and likely excluded.

    Whilst we cannot answer specific questions about insurance companies or policies, we will always try our best to help you choose the best policy for you and your pet. Please contact us at the surgery on 01204 525066 for more information.

  • How to keep your pet cool in the hot weather

    As the warm weather approaches, see our advice below on keeping your dog cool.

    Heatstroke

    Heatstroke can occur in dogs at any time of year if it is hot, not just in the summer months. If we are having an uncharacteristically hot day, regardless of the time of year, it’s important to keep your dog cool. Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat to regulate their body temperature, so they rely on panting to keep cool. Never prevent your dog from panting by using a muzzle or similar. Dogs can suffer heatstroke within minutes, and in extreme cases it can be fatal. Signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, salivating and vomiting, and even collapse. If you suspect heatstroke in your pet, please move them to a safe cool place and contact us immediately for further advice. Do not cover your pet with cold water, this shock can sometimes do more harm than good.

    Preventing heatstroke

    Once signs of heatstroke show, the damage can already be done to your pet. It is important to prevent heatstroke altogether, following our advice below:

    • Walk/exercise your dog at the cooler parts of the day, usually early morning and evening times. Keep walks short, and don’t let your pet overdo it on a long run, especially if they are brachycephalic or short-nosed (such as bulldogs, pugs and boxers).
    • Ensure that your pet has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Refill as necessary throughout the day, and carry water with you on walks.
    • Never leave your pet in the car, even for a ‘short’ period of time. This is never safe, even if the windows are open.
    • If your pet shows any signs of overheating or heatstroke, contact your vet immediately. We can give you advice on what to do next.

    Exercising your dog

    It’s important that your dog gets plenty of exercise, to stimulate their physical and mental needs. If it is too hot to walk your dog, you can play games with them at home instead. Most dogs will enjoy playing with their favourite toy, or even learning a new command or trick! If you are walking your dog, please keep this to the cooler parts of the day, usually in the morning and evening. Do not walk your dog over the hottest part of the day, usually 11am-3pm. If your dog is outside, please make sure that they have access to shade, and plenty of fresh drinking water. Dogs paws can burn on hot pavements, so please take care to ensure that this doesn’t happen to your pet. As a general rule, if the pavement is too hot for you to place the back of your hand down for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for their paws.

    Dogs in cars

    If you see a dog trapped in a hot car, the official advice is to dial 999 and ask for the police. The police will see this as a genuine emergency, and advise you on what to do next. Please don’t ever break into a car to rescue an animal without seeking police advice, this could be seen as criminal damage.

    Most importantly, we want your to have fun with your pets this summer, keeping them safe whilst you do. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us on 01204 525066. If your pet has suspected heatstroke we will always see them as an emergency.

     

  • Joint Supplements

    There are lots of products on the market for pets that aim to help their bones and joints, and as a pet owner we know it’s difficult to know where to start. We’ve written this blog post to help you identify what to look for in a supplement, and spend your money in the best way for your pet.

    Joint supplements belong to a product category called neutraceuticals. Unlike the pharmaceutical industry, the neutraceutical industry is largely unregulated. This means that companies can make claims about their products that are ultimately unfounded, and often untrue.  Many of the active ingredients needed for these supplements are extremely expensive, meaning of course that the end product is not cheap either. The expensive ingredients are often the most beneficial, and this is where corners are often cut and compromises are made. For example, there are two types of Glucosamine (one of the more common ingredients in these supplements) – Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) and Glucosamine Sulphate. The HCL form of Glucosamine is natural and can be found in every living organism, it is also very stable and has a long shelf life. Glucosamine Sulphate however is a man-made molecule, with over 20% of it being salt. Excessive salt, as we know, is not good for us or our pets. Most importantly there is 75% less Glucosamine in one gram of sulphate than in the equivalent HCL! Therefore, it’s very important to check the ingredients carefully.

    Companies will make ‘label claims’ on their products – that is, the claim of the percentage of active ingredients the product contains. Many manufacturers take this label claim as a given, as further testing is often not practical, too expensive, or too time consuming. In a bid to reduce costs and boost profit, it can be too tempting to companies to ‘water down’ the active ingredients, and as the industry is not regulated this goes mostly unnoticed. In a study by The Internation Centre for Nutritional Excellence Ltd (ICNE), many joint supplements in the human neutraceutical market failed to meet their label claim. In fact, the most recent figure for this is a massive 6 out of 10 failing to meet their label claim! Understandably, this means that the benefits to our pets are often unknown, and not what we might expect based on the product labels.

    Here’s where Synoquin comes in – Synoquin EFA is a tried, tested and trusted joint support supplement made locally in Lytham by a company called VetPlus. Synoquin contains Glucosamine Hydrochloride, the more stable form, as well as omega 3 fatty acids and Chondroitin (used to maintain cartilage). Synoquin is produced using only the best ingredients, and is clinical proven to assist in joint management. Synoquin can be a great starting point for dogs or cats who are beginning to struggle with their joints, or for breeds prone to joint problems. It can also be used alongside anti-inflammatory and pain relief drugs if necessary. Synoquin is the only joint supplement that our vets will recommend.

    If you are concerned about your pet’s mobility, or would like to try Synoquin for your pet, please give us a call on 01204 525066 or call in to the surgery.

    Photo by Oscar Sutton on Unsplash

  • CRGV – Alabama Rot

    Below is the most recent advice regarding Alabama Rot, directly from Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialist, who are the vets conducting the research into the disease. Please contact us directly with any questions or queries regarding Alabama Rot, and if you suspect the disease in your pet please contact us immediately.

    From: Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists

    What is CRGV?

    CRGV is a disease caused by damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney. It causes tiny blood clots to form in the blood vessels which blocks them and can ultimately lead to damage of the affected tissue. In the skin, this causes ulceration; however, in the kidney it can lead to severe organ dysfunction (kidney failure).

    What causes CRGV?

    The cause at this time remains unknown but investigations are ongoing.

    How do I stop my dog from getting CRGV?

    Unfortunately, as the cause is currently unknown, it is very difficult to give specific advice about prevention. You may wish to consider bathing any area of your dog which becomes wet or muddy on a walk; however, at this stage we do not know if this is necessary or of any benefit.

    Where should I walk my dog to avoid CRGV?

    Cases of CRGV have been reported from across many different counties in the UK and we are not currently advising dog owners to avoid any particular locations. Although an environmental cause for this disease is considered possible it has not been proven with testing to date.

    A map detailing all confirmed cases since 2012, is available at www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/

    How will I know if my dog gets CRGV?

    Unexplained redness, sores or swelling of the skin (particularly on the paws or legs but also the body, face, tongue or mouth) are often the first sign of this disease. It is important to remember that most of the time a skin problem will NOT be caused by CRGV; however, the lesions in CRGV can be difficult to distinguish from cuts, wounds, stings or bites, so if in doubt it is better to seek veterinary advice. Even if the skin changes are caused by CRGV, many dogs will not develop kidney problems and will recover fully.

    KEY MESSAGE: although CRGV can be very serious, the number of dogs affected with skin lesions and kidney failure remains low (122 confirmed cases across the UK between November ‘12 and Jan’18).

    How is CRGV treated?

    If your dog develops a skin lesion your vet will be able to advise you on the most appropriate management. Your vet will decide if your dog needs antibiotics and if the area needs covering. Some forms of painkiller (called non-steroidals) may be best avoided. Dogs developing kidney failure (which is called acute kidney injury) will need much more intensive management and your vet may recommend referral to a specialist.

    What can I do to help?

    There are many ways in which owners of all dogs can get involved to raise awareness of CRGV and to participate in and fundraise for ongoing research.

    Fundraising

    Research into new diseases requires a lot of funding. This pays for the development of new diagnostic tests, investigation of the causes of the disease and ultimately the development of more effective treatments.

    • The Alabama Rot Research Fund (ARRF) is a National charity aiming to raise awareness and funds for Alabama Rot (CRGV) research: www.arrf.co.uk

    Research

    A number of research projects are running to further investigate the cause of CRGV.

    More information

    Is CRGV the same illness as seasonal canine illness (SCI)? No – these are 2 completely separate illnesses causing different signs. SCI causes vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy with no ulcerative skin lesions.

    Can dogs get CRGV all year round?

    Over the last 6 years, more CRGV cases have been seen between November and May than between June and October, suggesting a possible Winter / Spring seasonality.

    Does CRGV affect other animals or humans?

    CRGV has not been seen in animals other than dogs. Owners of dogs affected by CRGV have not been affected by this illness.

  • Bringing home a new puppy at Christmas

    So it’s coming up to Christmas time, and obviously the perfect present for a loved one is a puppy, right? The idea of welcoming a little ball of fluff for you and your family to love every day seems absolutely wonderful. However, deciding on buying a puppy as a Christmas present can mean making hasty decisions on where your new puppy has come from. Here is a little more information on what sort of research you need to be doing before collecting a new little pet.

    As a Nurse in the Veterinary industry, my advice to someone thinking about getting a puppy is to firstly, check out any local rescue shelters first as there are so many puppies and dogs out there that need loving homes. You never know you may just meet your furry soulmate. Make sure you have done plenty of research into the breed you are looking for, as of course they may have a cute little face, but that cute little face could also have an extremely tying personality and they may need plenty of time for training and exercising. But the more important factor to consider, is that if you are going to a private breeder for your puppy, make sure you have all the information possible from the breeder, and that you have seen at least the mother, ideally the father too.  To read more about things to look for when buying from a private breeder, here’s a link to the RSPCA’s guide to buying a puppy:

    https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy

    Another thing to consider is that puppy farming is becoming one of the biggest trade markets for third party breeders. A puppy farmer often has little or no regard for a young pup’s welfare. They often forget about Biohazard security, meaning puppies are extremely prone to fatal diseases like Parvovirus, a disease which can have a devastating outcome within hours. These puppies are cruelly being bought in bulk from farms across Europe very cheaply, and then illegally smuggled into the UK and sold on. There are farms now all over the UK supporting puppy farming, and taking part in this inhumane act. According to the RSPCA, over 87 percent of puppy trade calls they receive are regarding puppies bought over the internet.

    So please, if you are really wanting a little puppy for Christmas, make sure you know 100% what you are walking into. A puppy will always look after you, so make sure you return the favour.

  • Why do we charge a consultation fee?

    We sometimes get asked about consultation fees – whether we charge them, and why.

    We do charge a consultation fee to see our Vets, it is currently £35, or £23.50 for small furries (rabbits, hamsters etc).

    Our Veterinary Surgeons are highly trained professionals, who studied for many years to be allowed to call themselves a Vet. It’s something that they are probably most proud of, out of everything they have achieved in life. They see it as a great honour to look after your pets, helping you find solutions to your problems, making your furry friend feel better, and relieving their suffering where necessary. All of this comes at a cost, as they have mortgages of their own, a car, bills, and they do need to eat every now and again, so we pay them a salary (a very well deserved salary in our opinion!). As well as our staff, our other overheads include building rent, business rates, gas, electric and water bills, computer licensing, card machine fees and stationary as well as professional fees such as RCVS registration and public liability insurance to name but a few (or should that be phew!).

    We truly care about your pets, and want to give them the high quality care that they deserve. All registered Vets have to keep up to date with CPD – Continuing Professional Development. This is required by their governing body, the RCVS. CPD is a wonderful thing, it allows our vets to learn about new medications, treatments and techniques, however it does also come at a cost. It goes without saying that our surgery is equipped with modern equipment which enables us to treat your pet whilst they are with us, which again comes at a cost. There’s a theme emerging here…

    Charging a consultation fee allows us to keep our medication and surgery prices as low as is practically possible. It just doesn’t sit right with us to allow you to see a vet free of charge, and then charge you higher for medication which your pet might desperately need.

    We are fully transparent about our prices, they are on our website here and we will happily chat through them with you if you call. One of the more common questions that we get asked is ‘How much is it going to cost to treat my pet’. It’s not a question that we enjoy responding to, as we just don’t know. Sometimes it takes a lot of time (and money) to get to the bottom of a pet’s condition, because they just can’t tell us what’s wrong. Our vets are happy to communicate with you fully during and after a consultation or procedure, to keep you informed of the costs. We provide accurate estimates before any surgery, which we try our absolute best to stick to. Your pet’s final bill will rarely exceed your estimate. If we admit your pet to the surgery we will keep you updated of any costs on top of your estimate. Insurance can help wonders for pets in need of treatment. For more information about insurance, please see that section of our website here, or talk to us at the surgery.

    We truly do believe that our services offer good value for money, however don’t just take our word for it. In a recent survey [November 2018] our clients told us that they were, on average, 99% happy with our value for money. Our Facebook reviews and testimonials also testify this.

    Finally, if you ever have any questions about our prices, or anything at all, please get in touch with us via the usual methods; email, phone or pop in to the surgery and see us. And remember, if your pet is a part of our Healthy Pets Plan then they get 3 consultations included in their package to use every 12 months.

  • Neutering your pet

    Unless you are planning to breed from your pet, we always recommend neutering them. Not only does this prevent unwanted behaviours, it can also benefit their health, especially as they age.

    Entire bitches are more prone to certain cancers, such as mammary or uterine cancer. They can also develop a Pyometra, which is where the uterus becomes infected and needs removal urgently. This can be life threatening to your pet if not treated as an emergency. Entire males are at a higher risk of developing testicular and prostate cancer, and certain anal tumours. Entire female and male dogs can both display unwanted behaviours, such as mounting, aggression and even false pregnancy, which can be distressing for both the bitch and the owner.

    Both male and female cats will ‘call’ to potential mates. Females will have seasons every 3 weeks and consistently call if they do not get pregnant. The noise can be a nuisance! Entire male cats are more likely to stray, and can be involved in fights and road traffic accidents, as well as contributing towards unwanted or unexpected litters.

    We routinely neuter cats from 4 months of age, and dogs from 6 months of age. We are unable to neuter a bitch when she is in season, so would recommend either neutering before the first season or waiting for 3 months afterwards.

    Neutering both cats and dogs does involve an anaesthetic, for which there are always risks, however we believe that the benefits greatly outweigh the risks of the anaesthetic. If you are unsure about neutering your pet, please do talk to us. We can provide tailored advice for your pet and reassure you where necessary.

    Recovery time varies on a case by case basis, and most patients are just with us for the day with no overnight stay required. Male cats will not have sutures, however female cats and both male and female dogs will have sutures for at least 10 days. During this time we recommend lead only walks and keeping your cat indoors. Your pet will usually have a buster collar or a bodysuit to prevent them reaching their sutures. Your nurse will see your pet for 2 post op checks, with the final check to remove sutures. These are included in the price, as well as additional post op checks if required.

    For neutering prices please see here.

  • Dental disease and your pet

    Dogs and cats, just like humans, can get a build-up of plaque on their teeth after eating, due to food binding with saliva and bacteria and forming a film-like layer. If this plaque is not brushed away it can lead to tartar build up, which is the visible substance that you can often see on their teeth. Again, if this tartar is left untreated it can cause gum disease which can lead to multiple other problems including bad breath and tooth loss. It is so common in dogs, that studies show over 80% of dogs under 3 years old have some stage of dental disease. [Kennel Club]

    Dental disease can be painful, but most pets are good at hiding the signs, and will rarely stop eating altogether. Signs to look out for in your pet include difficulty picking up toys/treats, bleeding or red gums, dribbling and even pawing at their face or mouth. If you have any concerns, please contact us in the first instance.

    If dental problems aren’t treated timely, tooth loss will occur. More frighteningly, bacteria can enter the blood stream, which can cause problems for your pet, such as kidney, lung or heart disease.

    To treat dental disease, your pet will most likely need a general anaesthetic to allow a scale and polish to be performed, including extractions where necessary. In some patients, a pre-anaesthetic blood test will be performed first to allow us to obtain a picture of your pets overall health. We might also recommend that your pet is placed on intravenous fluids throughout their surgery.

    To prevent dental disease in the future, your vet or nurse can show you how to brush your pets teeth regularly. This is best started when your pet is a puppy or kitten. There are also products to slow down the build-up, such as specialist chews. In some cases, we might recommend that you try a dental specific diet for your pet, but this can be discussed at your appointment.

    An estimate of costs for dental work will be given to you at your vet appointment. Some insurance companies will cover dental work, however most won’t. We can advise on this at your appointment.