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Pet Care Advice
Feeding a Puppy
October 24, 2011
A puppy will require a high quality, energy dense, highly digestible and balanced diet. A puppy should reach 50% of its adult weight by 5 – 6 months of age.
However, a fast growing puppy doesn’t always mean optimal growth. The chosen diet for a puppy should be specifically designed for pups.
It needs to be high in protein and contain the correct and balanced quantities of vitamins and minerals and an optimal ratio of calcium and phosphorus to promote healthy growth and development of bones and joints.
Accidental Ingestion of Substances by Pets
October 24, 2011
Some pets will try and eat almost anything and while some things, such as the left over vegetables from last night’s dinner, won’t do them any harm, many can be more dangerous.
The most common categories are as follows:
• Human medications
• Peoples food
• Rodenticides
• Other Chemicals
• Plants
Human medications: Over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen and Paracetamol can be toxic to pets, even in small doses and can cause kidney damage.
You should never medicate your pet with these drugs. Prescription medications are also potentially dangerous, particularly heart and blood pressure medications, chemotherapy drugs and antidepressants.
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
October 24, 2011
What is Hip Dysplasia?
“Dysplasia: The abnormal growth or development of cells or a tissue such as bone”
A normal hip joint is a ball and socket where the rounded end of the femur fits into a cup of bone on the pelvis called the acetabulum.
The joint is stabilised by ligaments within the joint and a capsule around it. The ends of the bone are covered in smooth cartilage so the joint moves smoothly, freely and without pain.
A dysplastic hip has loose ligaments which makes the joint unstable. The joint does not fit together as it should, the ball sits slightly out of the socket and this is called subluxation.
Over time the joint surface becomes damaged and misshapen and the cartilage wears away. This results in arthritic changes and pain when moving the joint.
Chronic Kidney Failure in Cats
October 11, 2011
Causes of Chronic Kidney (Renal) Failure in Cats
Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a common disease in older cats and occurs when the kidneys become damaged over a period of time. Often the underlying cause is unknown but it can occur as a result of infections or inflammation or tumours, among other things.
The kidneys can compensate well initially and symptoms of chronic renal failure are not usually seen until approximately 75% of the renal tissue is damaged.
The kidneys cannot regenerate like organs such as the liver and so this damage is irreversible and usually progressive but there is many ways to manage the disease and slow progression, giving affected cats a good quality of life.
Excessive Barking
October 11, 2011
Barking is a natural behaviour for dogs and should not be punished, after all an added benefit of having a dog as a companion is that they make us feel safe and can protect our property.
Dogs can bark excessively for a number of reasons such as anxiety, boredom, or it may even be part of a breed characteristic/personality.
In order to get your dog to stop barking you must first teach it to ‘BARK’ on command. You can then add a suitable ‘STOP’ command to the behaviour in order to get your dog to be quiet again.
Cushings Disease
October 10, 2011
Cushings disease occurs when the body is producing an excess of the hormone cortisol which is involved in regulating the metabolism and is also a stress hormone, involved in the fight or flight response.
It is mainly a disease of older, small breed dogs.
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, small glands located adjacent to the kidneys. Its production is regulated by another hormone called ACTH which is released from the pituitary gland in the brain.
This acts on the adrenals and stimulates them to produce cortisol when it is needed.
Elderly Dogs
October 3, 2011
What changes should I expect as my dog ages?
There are many changes that are associated with ageing in dogs. They will often become slower and more reluctant to exercise and may undergo behavioural changes; becoming more anxious or soiling in the house.
Often these problems are put down to ‘age’ and they are just accepted as owners assume there is nothing that can be done, but this is not always the case.
Below are some of the disease processes that can affect older dogs and some common treatments that may help.
Atopic Dermatitis
October 3, 2011
Atopic dermatitis or Atopy is a condition in which dogs have an inherited predisposition to allergic skin disease.
This is due to a genetic cause and means their immune systems are oversensitive and overreact to certain allergy causing substances – allergens – such as pollens or house dust mites.
When exposed to the allergens, the immune cells involved in allergies release compounds such as histamine into the body which causes the dog to itch, known as pruritus.
Atopy develops in young dogs usually between 6 months and 3 years old and is very rare in dogs over 7 years of age.
Finding a Pet
September 26, 2011
Pets can be purchased from a number of retail outlets such as pet shops and larger pet department stores. These are not the only options however as you can also get your pet from a breeder, a private seller or a rescue/re-homing centre.
These can often be found advertised in local veterinary practices, pet superstores, in the local newspaper, phone book or even on the internet; for example try searching on specialist breed organization society’s websites such as The Kennel Club or The Cat Fancier’s Club.
The most important factors to remember when choosing a suitable premises to purchase your new pet from is that they appear clean and organized, that the staff or individual selling the pets are helpful and knowledgeable and that the pets appear to be happy and healthy.
Lost Pets
September 26, 2011
Losing a pet can be a very stressful time so we have set up this webpage in order to help you find yours if it goes missing.
As soon as you realise that your pet is lost then have a good search both in and around your house; more often than not they are curled up sound asleep somewhere completely oblivious to the commotion. Ask your neighbours to check their sheds and gardens too.
If you still cannot find your pet, call around all your local veterinary practices to inform them in case they have been taken in injured or as a stray.
They should take a description of your pet and contact you if they have any information.
Flea Control for Dogs
September 26, 2011
The most common species of flea found on dogs and cats in the UK is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). In the past flea infestations were mainly a problem in the spring and summer time where as now with the milder winters and use of indoor heating they are now active all year round.
Each female lays approximately 25-50 eggs per day on their host, which then drops off into the environment, particularly where the animal lies. The larvae hatch, crawl away from the light i.e. into the base of the carpet and a cocoon is spun.
The adult flea develops and emerges when stimulated by temperature and vibrations in the environment. The flea then looks for a host to feed on and lay its eggs upon and so the cycle begins again.
Exercising Your Dog
September 19, 2011
All dogs need some daily activity and exercise; how much depends on each individual dog. Breed plays an important role so trace your dog’s ancestry to find out what their breed was originally bred for. If it is a lap dog then the chances are it will require less exercise than a sheep herding dog. Care should be taken when exercising young pups and larger dogs due to potential risk of developing joint problems.
Most dogs do well on two 30 minute walks per day and the key is consistency and regularity. There really is no point walking your dog for miles at the weekends with no exercise during the week.
In fact this can do more harm than good, as with humans, dogs need to build up their stamina. Lack of exercise can cause poor muscle tone, obesity, heart and bone problems.
Grooming Your Dog
September 19, 2011
Different coat types require different care and attention. All dogs should be groomed regularly; even short hair breeds. It is advisable to groom your dog on a raised surface such as a garden bench or table with a non-slip rubber mat.
This will ensure that your pet is well behaved for grooming and does not treat it as a game. Work methodically around your pet so all areas are groomed including between the toes, in the arm pits and under the ears. If your pet does not stand still or tries to bite the brush, be firm and ask someone to help.
There are numerous products on the market to help with grooming. One of the most popular products at Love Pets is the Groom-It Deshedding Tool.
Obesity in Dogs
September 19, 2011
Obesity in dogs is an increasing and serious problem in the UK. Over 50% of our pets are overweight and it is a problem that is leading to many secondary life-affecting conditions.
Weight problems and obesity in pets can arise through lack of owner education on good quality diets and correct feeding regimes, overfeeding, feeding extra titbits and treats, age, lack of exercise, and sometimes medical conditions. Neutering can also cause weight gain as the body's natural metabolism is altered, but this can be managed so long as the owner is aware this can happen and food and exercise is adjusted accordingly.
Weight gain will occur when the amount of calories consumed by the pet exceeds the amount of calories burnt through everyday living and exercise.
Dental Treatment for Dogs
September 19, 2011
We all realise that to keep our pets healthy they need a good diet, water, regular flea and worming treatment, and annual vaccinations. But many pet owners do not realise that dental care is also a very important part of their pet's regular health routine.
Dental Disease – What is it and how does it occur?
A large number of adult dogs suffer with some degree of dental disease. The problem seems more common in smaller dog breeds, and there does seem to be certain breeds which are more susceptible to dental disease than others.
Dental disease occurs when bacteria, mixed with saliva and food particles, builds up around the teeth forming a film called Plaque. This will cause Gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gingival lining (gums) which can be very sore and uncomfortable. Over time this layer of plaque will continue to form around the teeth and eventually will build up into solid lumps of yellowish tartar.
Arthritis in Dogs and Cats
September 12, 2011
Arthritis can also be referred to as osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD). It is a common disease of older dogs.
In arthritis, the protective layer of cartilage that covers the ends of bone, facilitating smooth movement in joints is damaged and worn away. This results in the bone being exposed causing pain and inflammation.
Arthritis is a progressive disease so will worsen over time but there are ways to slow the progression and keep affected dogs pain free with good mobility and quality of life.
Heart Failure in Dogs
September 2, 2011
Heart disease is present in around 15% of dogs in the UK. This can progress to heart failure, often called Congestive heart failure or CHF. It is a progressive disease which, without veterinary intervention, will slowly worsen. Unlike humans, dogs don’t suffer from sudden heart attacks.
The heart is a muscular pump with four chambers which pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen and then around the rest of the body to deliver that oxygen and pick up waste products. The heart can compensate for disease for a while but heart failure will follow when the heart cannot compensate any longer and the pump is not sending enough blood around the body. There are a variety of medicines that can be used to support the heart and keep dogs with heart disease comfortable for potentially long periods of time.
Choosing a Dog Breed
September 2, 2011
Becoming a dog owner is an exciting time at any stage of a person’s life and there are so many different breeds to choose from. A dog can be a suitable pet for those from all walks of life, however, it is of the utmost importance to provide a stable but stimulating environment to keep your pet happy and healthy.
People often choose to own a dog for companionship, for working purposes or just to get them out and about, whether in the town or country. Choosing a dog that suits your lifestyle is very important to save both owner and pet heartache and stress.
Heart Disease in Cats
August 31, 2011
Heart disease in cats can be primary, meaning there is no obvious underlying cause, or secondary to another problem. The heart can compensate for a while but heart disease is progressive and eventually the heart cannot adequately compensate and the signs of heart failure will ensue. This is often called congestive heart failure referring to the congestion of fluids that pools in the body when the heart is not pumping efficiently.
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