We recommend that all pets have an annual check up by one of our vets. This is normally done when you bring them in for their annual booster vaccinations.
If your pet is on prescription medication for a problem such as arthritis then the vet will need to check the animal every six months. This is also recommended for older pets. The vet will assess whether the type and dose of medication is still appropriate and assess the animal’s progress.
At a health check, the vet will examine the animal thoroughly. The ears and skin are checked for parasites including fleas, ticks, lice and mites. The eyes are checked because they are a good indication of general health. The gums and teeth for inflammation, fractures or disease. Lymph nodes are felt all over the body; enlarged ones can indicate a problem. The chest is listened to with a stethoscope to detect any heart murmurs or unusual lung sounds. The tummy is palpated to see if anything is painful or if any organs feel abnormal. The animal is checked for skin lumps and bumps which can then either be removed or monitored. Joints are checked for normal range of movement so early signs of pain can be detected.
You should be vigilant between these annual health checks for any changes in your pet. If you notice a lump whilst grooming the animal get it checked. Check claws regularly as long ones are prone to breaking or can overgrow and puncture the pads, which is very painful. This is especially important with older animals because they walk less so claws are more likely to overgrow.
Vaccinations
Every year many cats of all ages become seriously ill or die from infectious diseases which could have been prevented through vaccination.
All unvaccinated cats are at risk and there is no specific cure for viral diseases.
Young kittens are protected by immunity passed from their mother. Unfortunately this protection decreases rapidly.
We therefore recommend vaccinating kittens at 9 weeks old and then again at 12 weeks old. One week after this your kitten can go outside and mix with other cats.
We routinely vaccinate against:
- Cat Flu
- Feline enteritis
- Feline leukaemia virus
In order to ensure that your cat has continued immunity against these major infectious diseases he will need a booster vaccination every year for the rest of his life. Our computerized record system allows us to send you a reminder shortly before the booster is due. The vet will also give your cat a full health check up at this time included in the cost of the booster. Remember to bring his vaccination certificate with you to be updated.
Neutering
Females
Females usually become sexually mature between 6 and 12months old. In the wild cats are sexually active for 9 months of the year and less active during autumn and winter. This period of inactivity is less evident in domestic cats. Female cats are in season for one week of each three week reproductive cycle. When your cat is in season she may display unusually affectionate behaviour, loud insistent yowling, she may roll on her back on the ground or wander away if allowed outside.
If you do not want your female cat to have kittens then we recommend that you have her speyed. This operation can be done from 6 months old. The operation involves a general anaesthetic followed by removal of the uterus and ovaries. Most cats can go home later on the same day.
Males
Once a male kitten becomes sexually aware, which can be as young as six months old, he may start marking of his territory. Cat urine has a very strong smell and is corrosive and unless you want to breed from your cat, it would be best to have him neutered. This is quite a minor operation if done early - usually at six months. Neutered males are very clean and home-loving.
Fleas
Fleas are a very common parasite, and if your pet shares your carpeted centrally heated home then the risk is all the greater. For every flea identified on your pet there will be another 10.
Fleas can multiply at an incredible rate (one flea lays 20-30 eggs per day which can live for up to one year) and a serious infestation can make an animal anaemic and weak.
Fleas can cause major skin irritation for your pets as well as acting as a carrier of other diseases.
Very often owners are unaware that their pet has a problem until members of the family start suffering from flea bites.
Most pet owners are unaware that only 5% of fleas live as adults on their pets; 95% ARE IN THE HOUSE. They can hide in carpets, furniture and your pet’s bedding.
It therefore makes sense to use a combination of flea control products to treat your pet and its environment.
Our vets can discuss this when you bring your pet for it’s annual booster vaccination or you can book an appointment for a FREE parasite check up with one our fully qualified nurses at any time. They will recommend the correct product for your pet.
Worming
Regular worming is important for the health of your cat and the people who come into contact with him. The two main types of worms that your pet can become infected with are:
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
Effective worming treatment will depend on the age and lifestyle of your pet so please discuss with your vet or make an appointment for a FREE consultation with one of our nurses.
Weight and Nutrition
There is a multitude of different foods on the market to feed our pets so it is often hard to decide which is the most appropriate. When choosing a food, it is important to realise that the needs of our pets will change throughout their lives and will vary for different species and breeds.
If you have a kitten we would recommend that you feed a kitten food that has been properly formulated and has a feeding guide to enable you to supply the correct amount of calories.
Kitten food has a much higher level of calories than adult food. Growing animals need lots of energy and also a higher level of protein than adults to enable them to mature properly. Their food also tends to be higher in calcium for their growing bones.
Once an adult, (from 9 months in cats), the growth food needs to be changed to a maintenance diet. Any diet change should be done gradually over a couple of weeks even if using the same brand, to avoid a tummy upset. Adult food is lower in fat and protein as the body requires less of these nutrients for maintaining body condition, compared to growing.
Light versions of a maintenance diet are available if you your pet cannot keep its weight down. These are lower in protein and fat but higher in fibre and are ideal for less active, neutered or obesity-prone animals.
Senior diets can be introduced from 7 years for cats. Again, these are lower in protein to help older kidneys from having to detoxify excess protein. They are also lower in fat as calorie requirements are less in senior animals due to inactivity and loss of muscle. Senior diets tend to be higher in vitamins compared to adult foods to help maintain body functions like tissue repair and cell production.
Many supermarket brands including premium products have a high sugar and salt content and can be up to 80% water. In order to achieve the recommended daily allowance of nutrients large amounts of food need to be given which can cause weight gain. Our vets and nurses are very happy to recommend the correct food product to suit the stage of life your pet is at.
Many problems are caused by our pets being overweight and it is very easy to let those extra pounds creep on!! Excess weight puts additional pressure on the heart and joints of your pet and can cause many other related problems including difficulty in grooming and diabetes. One of the key areas of your pets annual health check will be for the vet to check his weight, but in the meantime if you feel your pet is putting on weight please contact one of our nurses who will be happy to give you a FREE weight check and nutritional advice.
Both cats and dogs suffer from dental problems even more severely than humans do. Unfortunately 80% dogs and cats over the age of three suffer from chronic dental disease. However, your pet will be better at hiding the pain than we do, because eating is a survival instinct for animals. By the time you notice symptoms it will have become quite severe.
The problem can range from mild gingivitis where the gums look red, to severe periodontitis where teeth are covered in brown tartar and there may even be tooth root abscesses.
Our vets will check for any early dental problems when you bring your pet for its annual health check and vaccination. He may then recommend some dental treatment.
If the teeth have severe gingivitis or a deeper infection it is important that the animal has a dental check as a matter of urgency. The infected gums provide a source of bacteria, which can get into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, these bacteria can deposit in major organs such as the kidney, liver and heart valves.
Prevention is always better than cure and a combination of the correct diet and regular tooth brushing will ensure that you are doing the best for the health of your pet’s teeth and gums. As this is not always the easiest of tasks our team of vets and nurses are always on hand to show you the best technique and give you advice on getting your pet used to having its teeth and gums brushed!
MicrochippingLosing a pet is very distressing and reuniting lost pets with their owners can prove very difficult if the pets cannot be reliably identified.
Microchipping is a very inexpensive and simple way of permanent identification for any pet.
Your vet will inject a tiny microchip (about the size of a large grain of rice) under the loose skin of your pet’s neck, which will give your pet his own personal identification number. It’s quick, painless and very safe.
Should your pet stray and get handed in to a veterinary surgery, animal welfare group, the police or local authority, they have special hand held scanners that can detect and “read” the information on the microchips.
After checking your pet’s unique number against the national database and identifying him as yours, you will be reunited without further delay.
These days, it is not just dogs and cats that can be micro chipped - rabbits and even exotic pets can also be chipped.