Cat Flu – a complex condition
While we humans are in the midst of an Influenza Epidemic, we regularly see cats showing very similar symptoms - sneezing, runny noses, sore and runny eyes, a fever and unwillingness to eat. This condition has been called “Cat Flu” and in recent years we’ve seen people worrying about whether they’ll infect their cats - and there have even been reports of people rehoming or, tragically, abandoning their cats to try and protect themselves and their families. So the time seemed right to do a short blog explaining what Cat Flu actually is and how it can be managed! Do [...]
Our Spring 2018 Newsletter is here!
Please take a look at our latest Spring Newsletter, helping to keep you up to date with the practice. For your copy click the link here: Spring 2018 Newsletter
Arthritis: What is it, and why does it matter?
“Arthritis” means “inflammation of the joints”; this can be “rheumatoid” (an auto-immune disease, where the body attacks its own joints), or “osteoarthritis”; in this blog, we will be concentrating on the more common form, osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a concern for older pets; everyday wear and tear on joints can result in the protective cartilage around joints getting worn away. Normally, joints are lined with smooth cartilage, and have synovial fluid to limit any friction between bones and cartilage as joints move; healthy cartilage and fluid ensures that bones glide over one another where they meet at the joint. In arthritis, [...]
Is your home Pet-Proofed for Christmas?
With Christmas rapidly approaching, it’s important that we’re all very aware of some of the risks to our pets at this time of year. Sadly, many dogs and cats come to grief over the festive period as a result of eating human foods, consuming ornaments or plants, or injuring themselves on decorations. In this blog, we’re going to look at how to keep your pets safe from harm over the holidays! Winter Worries One big thing to watch out for is antifreezes - most of which contain ethylene glycol. This is a very sweet-tasting substance, and dogs and cats will [...]
Cleo’s story – foreign body trauma
What happened? Cleo was happily gnawing on a bone at home, when the bone became lodged on her bottom jaw. To complicate matters, it was also wedged behind her lower canine teeth. Action taken: Cleo's owners tried to remove it, but realised it was truly stuck and rushed her in to see us. Cleo was examined, weighed and then sedated. Once the sedation had taken effect, a hand saw was used to cut through the bone. Outcome and additional notes: Fortunately, the bone was easy to remove and it had not caused any damage to the mouth. Much to her owner's relief, she's now back home, happy and having fun, seemingly unaware of the fuss the bone caused. Remember! As with all treats including dog bones [...]