A big thank you to our Vets Rishi and Matt who raised money for this great cause - well done guys!!

1. Desexing saves lives


To understand how desexing saves lives, we need to look back 30 to 40 years. Undesexed pets, especially dogs, roamed widely in search of a mate. While this is safe in the wild, in urban areas the risk of being hit by a car was high.

Partly as a result of so many dogs being run over, desexing became more common. Today, most pets are desexed and road accident victims are few and far between.

Other great reasons to desex are:
· Reduced risk of cancer and other reproductive disease in both males and females
· Lower aggression for many male dogs
· Reduced inappropriate urinating behaviour [eg the male dog that wees on the curtains or male cats that spray]
· Helps control the number of unwanted puppies and kittens
· Reduced council pet registration fees

Desexing of dogs and cats is carried out at the clinic. The procedure includes a full general anaesthetic, sterile surgery and pain management. The combination of these modern techniques means pets recover quickly and comfortably.

2. Pre-anaesthetic blood testing


Many of us have felt apprehensive about a loved family pet having a general anaesthetic. While anaesthetics these days are extremely safe, it is normal to worry. Our job is to look after your pets and make the anaesthetic as safe as possible. One of the ways we do this is with a pre-anaesthetic blood test.

Prior to an anaesthetic, we examine each pet thoroughly. While this gives us important information about factors such as heart rate and rhythm, a blood test shows us what's going on internally. It gives vital information about the health of the blood and major organs.

Pre-anaesthetic blood tests can detect conditions that otherwise may not be detected. These include Diabetes, Kidney and Liver disease, Hyperthyroidism, Anaemia and other blood disorders.

Blood tests allow us to decide whether to proceed as planned, delay the anaesthetic until the underlying condition is treated, or adjust the type of anaesthetic used.

Pre-anaesthetic blood tests help to ensure your pet receives the best treatment possible. If you'd like more information, please call us.

3. Ok, I'll feed you


Those adoring eyes look up at you and say, "Feed me...please!" How can you resist? It's very hard, even when you know you have been feeding too much. This is the challenge faced by all pet owners and we're here to help you win. Winning is worth it as we love our pets and studies show keeping them at their correct weight can give them an extra 2 joyful years of life.

Why is it so hard to keep pets at the correct weight? It is only in relatively recent times that dogs and cats have had enough to eat. It was out of starving necessity that Labradors learnt to do the doleful eye look or Tabby cats learnt to rub up against a leg incessantly. Both these actions brought the reward of more food from their human friends.

So while keeping pets at their correct weight is probably the best gift you can give your pet, doing it is hard. There is an abundance of food in our pantries and we're soft at heart. Here are some tips:
· Feed raw bones 2-3 times a week. Chewing releases serotonin in the brain producing a sense of well being. Pets will then pester you less for food plus have healthier teeth
· Use a food dispenser toy. Available from the clinic, these toys hold the pets meal but only let small amounts out at a time. This means longer meal times and more satisfaction
· Scatter food around the garden. Rather than feeding in a bowl, scatter food around the garden. This replicates pets' normal instinct to hunt for food, presents a challenge and leaves them feeling more satisfied
· Weigh your pet at the clinic. The scales are in the waiting room and you can use them at any time. We can advise about a weight loss diet if required.

4. What's that smell?


One of the pleasures of pets is having a cuddle. Whether you're sitting in the sun in the back yard or collapsed on the couch after a long day at work, pets are always there for you and love getting up close for a scratch or a pat. Keeping them smelling good is important, however, as wafts of bad air can really turn you off. This is especially noticeable when pets live indoors. Bad breath and smelly coats are two main culprits. Here's how to deal with them:

Bad breath was until recently so common in dogs and cats it was considered normal. With better understanding of dental care in pets, most people now recognise bad breath as indicating dental disease. Regular raw bones and brushing are the best way to prevent dental problems, but some pets will need a dental clean performed under general anaesthetic.

The smelly coat is usually the domain of dogs rather than cats. Dogs love to roll in the smelliest gunge they can but this is easy to fix: a good wash will do the job. Other smells may be tougher to banish. Excess sebum, a natural skin secretion, is a common cause of bad smell. It encourages bacterial growth, leading to the odour. To get your sweet smelling pet back, do the following:
1. Feed a premium dry food. These contain omega 3 fatty acids in the correct ratio to reduce skin inflammation, a factor in smelly coats
2. Use flea control every month of the year. Fleas contribute to most inflammatory skin conditions
3. Brush the coat regularly. This removes loose hair, debris and dirt.
4. Use an anti-microbial shampoo; talk to us, we'll recommend the right one for your pet. If the smell does not improve in 3-4 washes, book an appointment for us to investigate the problem further.