Meadows Vet News

two confirmed cases of Parvo Virus

All dog owners please make sure your dogs’ vaccinations are up to date. We recently have had two confirmed cases of Parvo Virus and this is very contagious. Please note that the virus can be carried on shoes in dirt so even if your dog never leaves your property it is still advisable to have them vaccinated for protection.

dogs with ear infections

Also this month we are seeing a lot of dogs with ear infections. If your dog is showing signs of ear discomfort please do not wait before seeking treatment. All ear issues can be very painful but if left can also be much more difficult and more expensive to treat!

Dental disease

Four out of every five dogs and cats over the age of three years have some sort of dental disease which becomes more severe with age. This can be a real problem for pets and owners because it can lead to more serious problems such as illnesses related to the heart, liver and kidney. You should check your pet’s teeth regularly as pets often won’t show pain. Even pets with sore gums, an infected mouth or broken teeth will continue to eat so you may not notice they have problems. Dogs are pack animals and showing weakness is not part of their nature. They need to eat to survive so won’t go off their food until the pain is unbearable.

Signs of toothache or an infection in the mouth to look out for in cats and dogs include:

• a yellow-brown tartar crust at the gum line,
• red and swollen gums,
• pawing at the mouth and face,
• bleeding, sensitivity to touch,
• changes in eating and chewing habits (often a reluctance to eat)
• depression (recognisable as listlessness)
• may also start dropping food when they are eating.

It’s important that pets have regular health checks at the vet. Dogs and cats age much more quickly than humans, and it’s important to catch problems early if you want to ensure a long and happy life for your companion animal.

Although bones are a popular treat that you may be using for dental care, they can cause problems such as broken teeth and gut obstructions. Some products that will keep your pets teeth healthy include:  foods such as Hills t/d & Advance, toys such as Dental Kongs, treats such as dental chews and raw bones as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste formulated for pets (please note human toothpaste can be toxic and should not be used!).

Horses, ponies and donkeys should not be forgotten either! It is highly recommended that dental checks are done every six months. This is because it usually takes around six months for the sharp edges on the outside of the upper cheek teeth & inside of lower cheek teeth to reappear.

microchip

Under the new regulations please ensure your pets are microchipped & that your details are always kept up to date! It is incredibly frustrating when stray animals are bought in (as a number were during our recent bad weather) & we have to send them to the pound as we have no way of knowing who the owner is! The owner will then incur fines that are much more than the cost of a microchip!

Check out our website or give us a ring on 08 8388 3455  if you would like to know more!