The Vet Nurse's Blog

As the weather gets colder, there is a hazard which many pet owners are unaware of. Anti-freeze. Essential for your car, but very dangerous to your pets!

Unfortunately cats and dogs think that Anti-freeze is quite tasty, but a shockingly small amount can be fatal. For example if your cat walks over some spilled anti-freeze on the drive or road, and then your cat licks this off, just that small amount can be enough to cause death. Likewise with dogs, as little as 5 tablespoons of antifreeze can be fatal to a medium sized dog.

Just a few days after ingesting Anti-freeze, it can cause kidney failure leading to death. The signs you may notice for Anti-freeze poisoning differ depending on the length of time since ingestion. You may notice that your pet has become depressed, wobbly or is even having seizures. They may be drinking a much larger volume of water, and urinating a lot more. It is possible that your pet may seem to improve after a little while, however after a few more days, the kidneys could fail completely, leading to death.

This can be diagnosed at your vets by running urine and blood tests. As with most health problems, the sooner your pet is seen at the vets the greater chance your pet has of survival.

If your pet is brought straight in for treatment then vomiting can be induced and charcoal administered. The charcoal will travel through your pets system binding to the poison, which prevents any further damage. There is also a drug which can be administered to prevent the liver from breaking the Anti-freeze down into its harmful components and allows it to pass through and out of the body without causing any damage. However this treatment is only effective if given soon after the ingestion of poison.

Kidney damage is irreversible; therefore if your pet is presented at the vets with Kidney failure in many occasions the prognosis is poor. However in some cases and with specialised equipment your vet may be able to successfully treat your pet.

When your pet is suffering it causes enough distress to you, the last thing that you want to worry about is where you are going to find the money to pay for the treatment. This is where insurance can give you some peace of mind for these unexpected vet bills.

The Pet Travel Scheme allows dogs, cats and ferrets to enter the UK from specified countries without having to put them into quarantine, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

This scheme has been designed to stop the spread of rabies and other diseases into the UK.

The UK has been a rabies free country and has been for many years, however in some countries there is a risk of the disease. Hence animals entering the UK are subject to spend 6 months in quarantine, unless they arrive under and comply with all conditions of the PETS administered by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).

To be eligible, your cat/dog or ferret must:

• Have a microchip implanted.
• Then be vaccinated against rabies.
• Wait 21 days post rabies vaccination before travelling to another approved country.
• Not have visited non-approved countries or territories for at least 6 months before they enter or re-enter the UK.
• Be blood tested with a satisfactory result by an EU approved laboratory.
• Wait 6 calendar months from the date the blood sample was taken before your pet can re-enter the UK.
• Be issued with a pet passport by your vet.
• Treated by a vet for tapeworm and ticks no less than 24hours and no more than 48 hours prior to entering the UK.
• Travel into the UK on a PETS- approved sea, air or rail route.

(these conditions are subject to change)

If you are interested in enlisting your pet on the pet travel scheme contact DEFRA and your veterinary practice for further information.

There are aspects of our pet insurance that provide cover for you and your animal whilst you are on holiday (terms and conditions apply).

Hip dysplasia can affect dogs, cats and even humans. In dogs this condition primarily affects large and giant breeds such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes and Rottweilers, so it is something to be aware of if you are thinking about getting a larger breed dog. As you are probably aware the hip joint forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body with a ball and socket joint. In a normal joint the ball can freely rotate around the socket with the support of various ligaments, muscles, connective tissue and cartilage.

Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket bones touch. This is due to either an abnormality of the joint or a lack of ligaments/cartilage which causes the bones to meet. It can sometimes affect the both the hips and sometimes just affect the left or the right one. The common signs of this in dogs are that they often run with a “bunny hopping” gait, have difficulty climbing stairs or resent movement requiring full extension of the hind legs (the latter is often picked up by your vet on examination).

There are many different surgeries that can be performed to resolve the problem but in older pets it is usually preferable to manage the condition with medicines to prevent long anaesthetics and trauma at an old age. Your vets will recommend and prescribe the correct medicine to control the pain. They may also recommend joint supplements that contain glucosamine which help to maintain the joint cartilage, there are also diets that can support the joints which you can discuss with your vet.

There are things that you can do at home which will help manage the problem:
• Make sure you keep your dog at its recommended weight, as excess weight puts more and more strain onto the joints.
• As the colder damp weather is nearing make sure your dog has somewhere warm and comfortable to sleep.
• Some people often have ramps to aid their dogs getting in and out of the car, these can also be used if you have steps leading up to your front or back door.

If you are worried that your pet maybe suffering from hip dysplasia then make an appointment with your veterinary surgeon for advice and treatment.

We are rapidly coming the that time of year that kids love… Halloween. Dressing up, spooking friends and family and of course trick or treating.

Whilst all of this is great fun for all the family it is also a time to keep a close eye on your pets especially with all those sweets around. Often the temptation of all these yummy treats is too much for your dog. This can be very dangerous as chocolate in particular is very toxic to dogs as it contains the ingredient theobromine, which causes the toxic reaction by attacking the central nervous system and the heart. The side effects of ingesting chocolate differ from pet to pet; in some animals the smallest amount of chocolate can be fatal. The most common signs to look out for are:

• Hyperactivity/restlessness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Increased urination

Chocolate is poisonous to cats too but they’re not as inclined to eat it if they get a chance. Allways keep an eye out though, just in case they do feel like indulging. It is best to keep your Halloween sweets somewhere you know yours pets cannot get to, maybe up on a high shelf or in a cupboard to prevent them getting hold of any.

If you think your pet is suffering from chocolate poisoning then contact your vet immediately. Try and get an idea of how much your pet may have eaten and how long ago it was, as your vet will ask this so they can think of the best line of treatment.

One other thing to be aware of around the Halloween period is that there are a lot more people out on the streets at night time. Sadly not all of these will be animal lovers like ourselves and some people don’t always treat your pets as you would expect them to be treated. So I would recommend getting your cats in earlier than usual and try to keep them in throughout the night to keep them out of harms way.

As your pets start to get older and slow down they will need more care and attention from you and the veterinary practice. Older animals will probably start to exercise less and gain weight so you may have to alter their diet. There are foods especially prepared for older pets that have lower protein to help the kidneys and lower in salt and phosphorus to reduce the stress on the heart. They are also highly digestible to help your pet to absorb all the nutrients they can.

They may also start to develop arthritis so for dogs short regular walks are better than intermittent long walks and if there is any discomfort when walking or getting up you will need to see the vet. Other problems associated with the older pets are heart, kidney, liver, cataracts, cancer, house soiling, senility and dental disease.

Most veterinary practices will have free nurse check up clinics for older pets where they will check your pet’s teeth, heart, weight and overall condition. They may advise your pet to have a blood screen and urine test so the vet can check that the kidneys and liver are working normally. If there are problems your vet will be able to help you manage these conditions as long as they see your pet before the disease becomes too advanced.

Skin problems are one of the most common ailments seen in veterinary practice and there are a wide variety of causes. Generally a skin allergy is when a pet is allergic to something within the air like house dust mites, pollen dander and mould and this is called an inhalant allergy.

The most common sign of a skin allergy (also known as Atopic Dermatitis) is pruritis (itchy skin). This can occur in one local are or generalised all over the body. The most common places to see the reddening caused by the scratching, licking, chewing, are the paws, abdomen, under the fore legs and hind legs and around the eyes. If the problem is left the pet can cause more damage to the skin and eventually cause a secondary infection. What usually happens is that a pet suffers minor skin infections and even eye and ear problems with no regularity between 1 to 3 years old. If this develops into a regular pattern lasting up to 4 months, but with what appears to be normal skin in between then a skin allergy should be considered.

The problem in diagnosing a skin allergy is that there are many other causes of a skin condition and these needs to be ruled out before you can test for and diagnose a skin allergy. Other causes of skin problems are parasites, hypersensitivities to flea products and shampoos (not true allergies), neoplasia or hormonal problems. If all of these tests come back with negative results you can do an allergy test either using small amounts of the allergens injected just under the skin or by a blood test which looks for the specific allergens within the blood. Both of these will give the owner an idea of what the pet is allergic to.

Once an allergy has been confirmed you have a few treatment options. You can alleviate the symptoms with steroids, antihistamines or cyclosporine. These drugs are often effective but will mean treatment for a long time and even for the rest of your pets life. Another option is to inject small amounts of the allergens just under the skin of the pet to help build but a healthy immune system against the allergen. This type of treatment is called desensitisation. It will require you to inject your pet every few days at first and then gradually decrease the frequency. The draw back with this treatment is it involves injections which not all owners are happy doing to there pet. This treatment is also life long but the frequency is reduced and you will only need to give top up injections.

Diagnosis and treatment of skin allergies are costly which is where pet insurance can help to cover the cost as long as it is not a pre existing condition.

Obesity is becoming a common problem for UK pets and is one that can be prevented by feeding animals correctly and giving them the appropriate exercise. Every one knows that when a human is overweight it can cause health problems for them, including heart conditions, joint problems and even diabetes. What people don't recognise is its the same is for pets. I have often seen an overweight pets struggle to walk or even have breathing problems especially during the summer months.

I know it is hard to resist the look that pets give you when they want food. The snuggling up and rubbing themselves against you or the constant whining until you eventually give in. I have a cat myself which does all of the above and can probably do with losing a kilo so I know how hard it can be! I currently have my cat on strict diet but the problem I have is other people feeding him when he is out and about because he is a loving cat and goes up to anyone.

If you think your pet might be overweight you should contact you veterinary clinic as they can offer you a weight check appointment with one of the nurses who can then discuss a diet and exercise plan that is individual to you and your pet. You will be advised on what you should be feeding and how much. They may also give you tips on how to get your pet moving more, this can sometimes be difficult for cats but the use of toys can help. They will also explain about treating your pet and to bear in mind that a few custard creams might not seem like much for a Labrador but in comparison it is probably like feeding them a full burger and chips!

There are special diet foods available for dogs and cats which are high in fibre to help bulk out the food and make the dog/cat feel full but in fact give them fewer calories to aid in weight loss. Again the veterinary practice will be best to advise you if this will help your pet and how much to feed.

It is important to maintain a regular program and to also have regular checks to help assess how you are doing and discuss any concerns you might have.

If you have a dog that is noise phobic now is the time to prepare. Treatments for noise phobia can take time so see your vet as soon as possible to achieve the best results.

Desensitisation is the most common form of treatment but requires time and patience. The most popular method of desensitisation involves using a CD of firework sounds that gets the dog used to hearing these noises and in turn they learn to respond to them in a less fearful manor.

Anti-anxiety medication such as plug in diffusers and herbal preparations can also be useful in dealing with noise phobia’s where fear has become extreme however most vets will advise some kind of behaviour modification as well.

Tips for surviving firework season
• Never punish your dog for fearful behaviour, remember this is a natural response to possible harmful situations.
• Overly fussing your dog when behaving fearfully will confirm that this is the correct response and in turn worsen the behaviour.
• Always provide a safe haven such as a box or crate and leave the dog to be quiet in this area.
• Pull the curtains and leave the radio on during the worst of the fireworks.
• Remember the calmer you are the calmer your dog will be.
• Try and walk your dog before dark so you will avoid the peak time for fireworks.
• Take note of when any events are happening in your area so you can prepare yourself. If you can take yourself and your dog away to a relative house that is some distance from the event to lessen the noise.

All of these tips and more can help you and your dog survive the firework season. If concerned contact your veterinary surgeon.

With the onset of autumn comes the damp weather and this can encourage slugs and snails into your garden. Not only are they a common pest for gardeners they can also be potentially harmful to your dog.

Lungworm (angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasite carried by slugs and snails affects dogs by living in the heart and major blood vessels supplying the lungs. The most common ways your dog could become infected include:

• Purposefully or accidentally eating slugs and snails carrying the lungworm larvae
• Eating grass where slugs and snails have left a trail
• Drinking from puddles

Conventional worming tablets do not treat lungworm, but treatment is widely available and easy to use. Symptoms can include:

• Coughing
• Tiring easily
• Nose bleeds
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Depression

Whether you have just brought a new puppy or kitten or have older pets we all need to think about vaccinating them. Once vaccinated your pets need a yearly booster to be protected against the diseases.

For puppies most vets will vaccinate at 8 weeks and then again at 10-12 weeks, it is essential that the two parts of the vaccination is given to be fully protected. Then your dog will need to see the vet yearly for their boosters. Some veterinary practices may vaccinate earlier than this so you may need to check with them.

There are 5 main diseases that dogs are vaccinated against these are:

• Canine Distemper – caused by a virus and symptoms include coughing, snotty nose, vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions and possible death.
• Canine Parvovirus - caused by a virus which causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting and possible death
• Canine Infectious Hepatitis - caused by a virus which attacks the liver and can cause liver failure and possible death
• Leptospirosis - an infection caused by a bacterium which is usually spread by rats passing the bacteria out in their urine. It causes jaundice and liver failure and can be spread to people.
• Kennel Cough – this is not an essential vaccination unless you are thinking of boarding your dog in kennels or they are show dogs. The vaccination is given intra-nasally and lasts 6 months. This disease is not serious in healthy dogs but causes coughing and very contagious to other dogs.

• Feline Panleucopenia or Feline Infectious Enteritis - a virus causing severe vomiting and diarrhoea which can lead to death due to dehydration.
• Cat Flu – a virus causing flu symptoms, sneezing, runny nose and eyes and mouth ulcers causing your cat to have difficulty in eating.
• Feline Leukaemia – a virus spread by direct contact with other cats causing a disease which destroys the cat’s immune system and may cause cancers.
• Chlamydia - this condition causes eye inflammation (conjunctivitis), and eye ulcers. This condition can be treated with a long course of antibiotics.

It is a good idea for your pet to have a yearly dental check - you will find most veterinary practices will have free nurse clinics. Dental disease is one of the most common problems to affect our pets and can lead to other health problems. Infection and toxaemia from the teeth can affect and damage the digestive tract, heart and kidneys, for example endocarditis (bacteria affecting the heart muscle).

The first signs that your pet requires a dental would be bad breath and a sensitive mouth. More progressive signs could be loss of appetite, bleeding and receding gums, pawing at mouth, missing teeth, tartar on the teeth, drooling and stomach upsets. At this stage your pet will need dental treatment from your veterinary practice.

But as always prevention is better than cure. There are dental chews and food that can help to prevent the build up of tartar on the teeth. But the best way is to start brushing your pet’s teeth. You will need special toothpaste designed for animals, as human toothpaste is toxic and a finger brush or toothbrush, which you can obtain from pet shops, or veterinary practices.

Start slowly and gently and stroke your pet’s cheek with your finger and lift the lip for 20 seconds. Then let your pet sample a small amount of toothpaste from your finger. The next day repeat as above and once your pet is happy with this start by introducing the toothbrush/finger brush over your pet’s teeth gently for about 30 seconds. The next stage is to gradually build up to brushing a minute on each side of the mouth this will probably take a week but can take longer. If at any stage your pet is not happy please stop and seek veterinary advice.

You will need to praise and reward your pet so it becomes a happy experience for them and hopefully you can regularly brush their teeth.