Articles from Past Newsletters

Worms

There are two common types of worms in dogs & cats, roundworms & tapeworms. Roundworms are the commonest and are particularly dangerous to young puppies and kittens, which are often infested by their mothers. Tapeworm is picked up by swallowing fleas while grooming or by eating wildlife. Roundworms are off white and resemble spaghetti, tapeworms are also off white, but look more like grains of rice. The most publicised aspect of worms is the disease Toxocariasis. Roundworms carried by dogs & cats lay eggs which are passed in the animal's faeces. If these eggs are picked up on the hands they can be passed through the mouth and spread into the body via the bloodstream.Young children are particularly at risk from infection. Toxocariasis is usually a mild illness but very occasionally can cause serious eye disease possibly leading to blindness.
It is our responsibility to safeguard our pets' health and that of other people by controlling worms. The best wormer to use for puppies and kittens is Panacur. This should be given as soon as the animal is eating solids, and repeated at 12 weeks old. From 6 months old, dogs and cats should be wormed every 3 months with a good broad spectrum wormer. We recommend Drontal Plus for dogs and Drontal Cat for cats. These are tablets which can be given whole or crushed in the food, no fasting is needed, and there are no side-effects. They deal very effectively with all types of worms in a single dose. If your pet is difficult, you may find Panacur is more easily accepted in the food; it has virtually no taste and is almost as effective as Drontal. The dose of all wormers depends on the weight of the animal. If you are not sure of your pets' weight, he or she can be weighed at the surgery.

Vaccination in dogs and cats

There are many diseases that are fatal to dogs and cats. Fortunately, we have the ability to prevent many of these by the use of very effective vaccines. In order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of injections.
In dogs they are ideally given at between approximately 8 and 10 weeks of age and cover Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, parainfluenza and Leptospirosis. Distemper, also known as hardpad, causes coughing, sore eyes, vomiting and diarrhoea and fits, canine hepatitis virus causes liver damage, parvovirus causes severe gastro-enteritis, leptospirosis can cause liver damage or kidney damage. All of these are often fatal. Parainfluenza virus causes a mild form of kennel cough. It is also worth considering vaccination against bordatella, the more serious cause of kennel cough.
We are now able to complete vaccination courses for dogs at 10 weeks old, previously the final vaccine could not be given until 12 weeks old. This is a major advance as it is important for puppies to socialise before the age of 12 weeks so that they learn how to interact with other dogs and with people.
Previously there was some risk with doing this as dogs could not be fully vaccinated before this age. The vaccine brand that we use is the only one that can do this. This brand (Nobivac) is the best available, it is very effective as well as extremely safe.
Generally kittens are vaccinated for the first time at about 9 weeks and a second dose given at 12 weeks. Currently we routinely vaccinate cats against four diseases: Feline panleukopenia, Feline herpes virus type 1, Feline calicivirus and Feline leukaemia virus. Feline panleukopenia is an uncommon disease that causes a severe and often fatal gastroenteritis. Cat ‘flu is caused by herpes virus 1 and calicivirus and, whilst not usually very serious, it is a common disease and can cause long-term problems. Feline leukaemia virus is also a very common infection, many infected cats will develop lymphosarcoma (a cancer of the lymphatic system). Other infected cats may develop a fatal anaemia, or become immunosuppressed and be unable to fight off other infections.
Vaccines work by exposing the body's immune system to a particular infectious agent. This causes the white blood cells to fight the infection by producing proteins (antibodies) which are able to bind to and neutralise the infectious agent (antigen). After vaccination the body 'remembers' the particular antigens so that when they are encountered again it can mount a very rapid and strong immune response preventing the animal from showing clinical signs of disease.
The initial course consists of two injections, this will give immunity for one year. Yearly booster vaccination is necessary to maintain immunity. All dogs and cats should have regular boosters, adult animals are also susceptible to these infections particularly as they grow old and their immune system becomes less efficient. If you are unsure of your pet's vaccination status, please ask.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) is a common problem, particularly in older bitches. The majority of cases are due to a weak muscle at the bladder neck. The muscle normally keeps the bladder exit closed until the animal consciously decides to urinate. However, if the muscle is weak, urine will leak out. Although your pet will still be able to urinate at will, there may also be a leakage of urine over which he or she has no control. A weak bladder muscle is not the only cause of urinary incontinence, there are many other, less common causes, so urine tests, blood tests or x-rays are sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis as well as to rule out other problems with similar signs.
Treatment for urinary incontinence is usually very straightforward, most cases can be successful controlled by giving a liquid daily with your pet's food. This drug works by increasing the tone of the sphincter that maintains the urine in the bladder.

Separation Anxiety

A new treatment for separation anxiety in dogs (ie barking, destruction etc when left) is now available. This drug, used in combination with behaviour modification techniques, appears to be very successful. It is usually only required for 2-3 months while behaviour modification takes place. Please ask if you would like more information.

Sarcoptic Mange

Sarcoptic Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by a microscopic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The mite burrows just under the surface of the skin. Sarcoptes is currently very common in this area. Many foxes in the area are infested and dogs can catch the mite while out walking. Dogs with Sarcoptes are very itchy, the dog will chew and scratch its skin constantly. This leads to the loss of large amounts of hair, especially on the ears, legs and belly.
Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to other dogs. Scabies in people is caused by a close relative of this mite. Some people in contact with infested dogs may get itchy patches, but these will usually clear up when the dog is treated. Treatment is usually straightforward, the dog is treated with a topical product, and the bedding and carpets are sprayed with an aerosol spray.

Heatstroke

With all the publicity the subject is given, it is surprising that people still leave dogs in hot cars. We quite commonly see dogs with heatstroke in the summer, and most of these are dogs left in cars. Leaving a dog in a car in hot weather is never safe, even with the window open. It is also wise not to take dogs for anything more than a very short walk in hot weather, wait until the evening, it will be much more enjoyable for both of you.

Adder Bites

Adders are very common in this area, especially on the moors and the coastal paths. Adders are cold blooded and like to sunbathe on hard surfaces such as paths. They are not naturally aggressive and will disappear fast if they hear someone coming, but if an adder is taken by surprise it may bite in self defence. It is very uncommon for dogs to die from adder bites, but they do need prompt treatment. In most cases a simple injection is all that is required, but in more severe cases drips and treatment for shock may be needed.

Skin Cancer in Cats

Solar dermatitis is a skin disease that is caused by exposure to the sun. It occurs mainly in cats with white non-pigmented areas and most commonly affects the ear flaps. Other areas that may be affected are the nose and the eyelids. In the early stages the skin may look pink and scaly with some hair loss but as the condition progresses the area becomes crusted and eroded. Many cases develop into a malignant tumour (squamous cell carcinoma). It is wise to apply a waterproof sunblock on all white areas on cats' ears to reduce the amount of UV light reaching the skin. This may not completely prevent tumours from forming, but it certainly reduces the risk.
The treatment of choice is surgical removal of the affected area and a wide surrounding margin. This usually straightforward if the ears are affected. Complete removal of the ear flaps may be necessary; this has no detrimental effect on the cat and the final appearance is usually quite acceptable. Surgery can be more difficult if the nose or eyelids are affected.
The prognosis is usually good especially when the ears are involved and particularly if the disease is discovered early. Squamous cell carcinomas don't usually spread to other parts of the body.

Painkillers

Recent research work has shown that animals undergoing routine surgery can experience quite severe pain. Because of this it is now our policy to give an effective pain killing injection to most of our patients undergoing surgery. We have found that our patients are now much brighter and happier after their operations and return to normal much more quickly.

Disinfectants

Summertime is the worst season for ear and skin problems, and I would like to make a plea for people not to use TCP or other disinfectants on skins and in ears, the smell covers up the characteristic smell of some types of infection and makes diagnosis more difficult. It can also interfere with some antibiotics.

Pet Insurance

Unfortunately, there is no NHS for pets, all private veterinary practices are funded by the fees that you pay. Prices have to be set at a realistic level in order to maintain a good standard of medical and surgical facilities. Many people do not realise that it is possible to take out an insurance policy that will cover the cost of vets fees in case of illness or accident. Pet health insurance policies can offer you reassurance and peace of mind when your pet falls ill or is involved in an accident. You know that the best possible treatment can be given, without regard to the cost. Most of the policies also offer cover for other pet-related expenses.
There are now a number of companies offering pet health insurance policies, and most of them are very reputable (with one or two exceptions). We have proposal forms at the surgery for Pet Plan and Paws which are two of the best companies, and the ones which we have found most reliable in meeting claims promptly. (The practice does not earn any commission on these policies!) If you are considering using another company, do please ask us about them.

Myxomatosis

Myxomatosis is a common viral infection of rabbits. The virus is spread by fleas and other biting insects and is therefore commonest in the summer months. Rabbits that catch myxomatosis rarely survive. There are two main methods of preventing myxomatosis, control of biting insects, especially fleas, and vaccination. Insects can be controlled with insect repellant strips, and flea powders and sprays. Vaccination against the virus is carried out yearly, if vaccinated in early summer, the rabbit should be protected through the flea season, which is also the myxomatosis season.

Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease

This is a very serious disease of rabbits which can cause sudden unexpected death. Having first been recognised in China in the 1980's, it has spread through Britain and is now becoming common in this area. It is spread to pet rabbits by direct contact, via contaminated shoes etc. or by birds. A vaccine is now available to prevent this disease. Many of our clients who own rabbits are already aware of this, but we would urge anyone with a pet rabbit who has not had it vaccinated to have it done as soon as possible.

Fly strike in rabbits

It is not uncommon, during the warm summer months, for rabbits to become fly-blown. Blow flies lay their eggs on the rabbit, the eggs hatch, and the maggots start to eat the rabbit. Flies are attracted to rabbit faeces, so it is very important to make sure that rabbits, and their cages are spotlessly clean. Rabbits should be cleaned out daily through the summer and checked for any faeces around the anus. Once fly-blown it may be possible to treat the rabbit, but it is better to prevent the problem than treat it.

Checkups in Tortoises

It is wise to have all tortoises checked by a vet before hibernation. Many tortoises are not fat enough to hibernate, especially after a relatively poor summer, these tortoises should be kept awake over the winter. Many other tortoises are only safe hibernating for part of the winter. A check-up and assessment of body condition will ensure that your tortoise is safe to hibernate. Tortoises which do not become active & start eating within a week of waking up from hibernation should also be checked before they lose too much weight.

Baby Birds

In the spring and summer, it is not unusual to find baby birds on the ground. The usual response to take the "orphan" home. This is often the worst thing to do. If the baby appears to be in good condition and too young to leave the nest (a nestling), then the first thing you should attempt to do is return the baby to it's nest. The parents will generally not reject the bird because it has human smell on it. A nestling is a bird not yet fully covered by feathers with some skin showing. It cannot yet stand on its own. Finding a fledgling on the ground is not always a sign of distress. Fledgling birds are fully covered with feathers even though the wing and tail feathers are still short.
Baby birds often hop around the ground for up to 2 weeks while the parents continue to look after them and until they learn to fly. Parent birds leave their offspring for brief periods to search for food. If you interfere then, the adults may return to find their chick has been taken unnecessarily when in fact the chick was being looked after. Parental care is by far the best for a baby bird. Careful observation of the young bird will prevent unnecessary separation of families. If the baby bird has any obvious injury, discharges, excessive feather loss or damage, is circling or twitching, or if it has been caught by a cat, then it does need attention.
If you have made the decision to take a wild bird into your care then it is crucial to keep it warm, in a dark, quiet, draught free location until qualified help is available. Do not attempt to force water into the mouth as the young bird may choke. It is best not to attempt this venture on your own, there are trained people available to care for young birds. Large amounts of time, attention, expertise and space are needed for the young birds to learn flight, finding food and socialisation. The goal is not to have a wild "pet" but to return the bird to a quality life in the wild where it belongs. Please contact us, the RSPCA or the Mousehole bird sanctuary if you have found a baby bird that needs help.

What is a Veterinary Nurse?

Anyone can work for a veterinary practice as a receptionist or as an unqualified helper, but only those who have passed the veterinary nurse exams may call themselves veterinary nurses. Veterinary nurse training may only be undertaken at certain practices, which have to be approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. We are an RCVS approved training centre (as well as a British Small Animal Veterinary Association approved practice).
Veterinary nurses have a two year period of study with two sets of exams, this ensures a high level of knowledge and ability. We only employ qualified veterinary nurses and trainee veterinary nurses. Karen (our qualified, head nurse) and Joanne are available at any time to give free, unbiased, advice on any aspect of pet health or pet care including feeding, flea control and worming.
We have a web page devoted to training as a Veterinary Nurse

Identichip

Identichip is a tiny microchip with an I.D. code unique to your pet. It is injected under the skin in the same way that we vaccinate against disease. If your pet strays and is found, a special scanner can detect the microchip and read the unique code. All your pet's details are recorded on a central computer which is open 24 hours a day, when your details come up you will be contacted immediately. Scanners are routinely used by most vets, the RSPCA, Cat Protection League, the Dog Warden and by most rescue kennels.
The microchip is completely safe for your pet and causes no more discomfort than any other injection. In dogs and cats it is permanently placed in the loose skin at the back of the neck, in tortoises it is placed in the skin just in front of a back leg. It can be given to pets of any age, breed or species. The charge is £19.90, and this includes registration for life, please ask if you would like more details.

Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal disorder of cats. It is very common in older cats and is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland in the neck.

Hyperthyroid cats have a combination of clinical signs which tend to develop gradually. The most common signs are weight loss, increased heart rate, increased or decreased appetite and increased thirst, but some cats don't have all these signs. It is often possible for the vet to feel an enlarged thyroid gland. Because hyperthyroid cats are usually active and eating well, many owners don't realise that anything is wrong, but it is a serious condition which is fatal if untreated.

Once hyperthyroidism is suspected, the diagnosis may be confirmed, if necessary, by a blood test.

We use two treatments for hyperthyroidism - tablets and surgery. The tablets suppress the output of thyroid hormone, they work very well but the cat has to take them for life. Surgery has the advantage that it is usually a permanent cure, it also seems to work slightly better than the tablets. Anaesthesia can be risky in hyperthyroid cats so, if we are going to treat the condition with surgery, we usually treat the cat with tablets for a few weeks first. This allows the cat's body to return to normal, the operation is then very safe. If caught early, the success rate is very high, almost all cats return to normal.

Washing Soda

We occasionally have clients phone us for help after their pet has swallowed something poisonous. In many cases we ask the client to make the animal sick before bringing it in to see us. The safest and most effective way of doing this is with washing soda crystals. As few people keep washing soda in the house nowadays, it would be worth getting hold of some in case of an emergency. With caustic poisons vomiting will make matters worse, so always check with us before making your pet sick.

Atopy in Dogs

Atopy is the most common type of allergy in dogs. Dogs may be allergic to all of the same inhaled allergens that affect humans, but the two most common are pollens and house dust mite.

In allergies, the dog's immune system overreacts to foreign substances to which it is exposed. The most common response is itching of the skin, either localised (one area) or generalised (all over the dog). The dog will chew, lick, or scratch almost any area of the body, but especially the feet and underneath the body. He may rub his face on the ground, and might develop ear infections or sore eyes. Sometimes atopy affects the respiratory system and the dog may cough, sneeze or wheeze.

Deciding what is causing the problem in an individual dog may be difficult, but if the itching is all year round then house dust mites may be the cause, while if it is summer only, then pollens are more likely. There is now a blood test available which will tell us exactly what a dog is allergic to, but the test is expensive, and it is usually not necessary to know the specific cause for treatment to be successful.

There are several approaches to treatment, the method we use depends on the individual case. There is a course of injections which will cure atopy in about 50% of cases, but this is expensive so we tend to use it only in severe cases. In most cases we use a combination of drugs and shampoos to control the inflammation and infection. Often it is necessary only to use these drugs in short courses when the symptoms flare up, but sometimes we need to use low doses long-term to keep the symptoms away.

A first for St Ives Veterinary Surgery

We have just been awarded with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association's (BSAVA) Practice Standard. We are the first practice in Cornwall to receive this award. The inspectors commented that the practice is "extremely well run and a pleasure to inspect".

We are delighted to receive this award, we have always aimed to provide a first-class service for our patients and their owners. Until recently BSAVA approved practices did not have to be inspected, but to be the first in Cornwall to gain the new award is a bonus.

The BSAVA is the professional body that represents the 5000 veterinary surgeons in the UK who look after our pets. Through the BSAVA Practice Standard's Scheme the Association rewards those practices whose facilities and skills reach a high standard.

Any practice wishing to be awarded with the Practice standard has to undergo a thorough inspection of all areas of the practice from staff to equipment. The practice must meet all the criteria before the certificate can be awarded.

Feeding rabbits

Recent work has shown that the most important cause of dental disease in rabbits - a very common problem - is lack of wear due to not having to chew the food. Calcium deficiency, caused by selective feeding with a mixed type of rabbit food, plays a less important part.

The best food for rabbits is grass. Grass has to be chewed so that the back teeth wear properly. It is also properly balanced so that the rabbit cannot get a calcium deficiency. If commercial rabbit food is fed at all, you should feed Excel rabbit food which has all the ingredients mixed into pellets so that the rabbit cannot leave the part of the food which contains the calcium. Even Excel rabbit food should only be fed as a small part of the diet as, like other concentrated foods, it requires little chewing.

Looking after an older dog

Just like people older dogs slow down, they often take less exercise and may start to put on weight.

If your dog is putting on weight you may need to cut down how much you feed him, but older dogs may also start to lose weight. You should always have your dog checked over if he starts to gain or lose weight as this may be a sign of a medical condition which may need treatment. Special diets, designed for older dogs, are available from us.

As our bodies get older, they start to work less efficiently - the same is true for dogs. Your dog's heart or kidneys may not work as well as they once did, or your dog may develop growths on the skin or inside his body. We will be able to help you manage these conditions as long as we see your dog before the disease becomes too advanced. If you are concerned about the health of an older dog, please make an appointment as soon as possible.

Fact Sheets

We have a set of fact sheets on various subjects. These include fleas, worms, kidney failure, diabetes in cats, dental disease, the PETS passport, pet health insurance and many others. Please ask at the surgery if you would like one.

Tea Tree Oil

We have recently had several reports from other vets of cats dying after tea tree oil products were used on them by their owners. These products have not been tested for safety in animals, and we therefore do not recommend their use.

Pre-anaesthetic Blood Tests

Most of our pets undergo a surgical procedure or investigation involving anaesthesia at some time during their lives. We pride ourselves on the level of care and safety we are able to provide for our patients.However, there is a risk with any anesthetic procedure, and one of the services we offer to help minimise this risk is pre-anaesthetic blood testing.

Some problems with anaesthesia, usually in older animals, can occur when some organs such as the liver or kidneys are not working very well, even though your pet seems normal. Although a thorough physical examination is conducted on every patient before they have an anaesthetic, internal organ problems may not be detectable. A pre-anaesthetic blood test is therefore a sensible precaution with any pet older than 7 years of age. It can also be done at your request in younger animals to help detect rare underlying problems, especially prior to the first anaesthetic. Our staff will be happy to advise you in this area.

Fleas

Fleas are a very common parasite on dogs and cats, in fact most get fleas from time to time, often without their owners noticing. Dog and cat fleas do not live on humans, although some people can receive very itchy bites.

The adult flea spends most of it's time on the animal. Eggs (up to 400 from each female) are laid in the coat, but most drop off into the carpets and bedding. The eggs hatch into larvae which develop into pupae and then the next generation of adult fleas. It is estimated that for every flea you find on your animal, there are 50 of the various stages of the life cycle in your carpets and furniture. The most effective flea control will combine a product that kills fleas on the animal with one that kills fleas (or prevents hatching of eggs) in the environment.

Frontline is the most effective product for killing fleas on dogs and cats. It is very safe and very effective. It is available as a pump- action spray and as a spot-on preparation. The spot-on is very easy to use and is the one most people prefer. One application will kill fleas for at least a month.

Flea collars are very variable in effect. The most effective are also quite toxic and we no longer recommend them as Frontline Spot- on is just as easy, much safer and much more effective.

Other flea preparations for use on animals are not very effective and we do not generally recommend them.

The best product for treating the house is Vet-Kem Acclaim. This contains a short-acting insecticide, so is relatively non-toxic, but it prevents development of larvae for 12 months with an insect growth hormone regulator.

Another approach to flea control uses a product called Program which prevents fleas from becoming established in your home. This is given once a month to all the dogs and cats in the house. The drug is taken in by the fleas when they bite, this makes the fleas sterile and stops them breeding in the house. Program is non-toxic to mammals and is therefore very safe. If Program is used regularly it will prevent a flea population ever becoming established in your home.

Please see our flea fact sheet if you would like any more information.

PDSA PetAid

We are very pleased to announce that we are now a PetAid practice. This does not affect many of our clients, but we can now offer free treatment to clients who receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit so long as the clients live within the postcode areas TR17-20, TR26 and TR27. All pets which normally live in the house or in a hutch are covered, except reptiles (tortoises are allowed) and invertebrates. Only one pet per household can be registered. The PetAid scheme covers treatment for illness or accident, but not preventive treatment. It is very important that anyone who may want to be included registers with the PDSA in advance - free treatment is only available after the PDSA have approved your application. Registration forms and more information are available from the surgery.

Poisons

There are many things in our homes and gardens that can be poisonous to pets. Puppies are probably most at risk, but cats are unable to metabolise many substances that other animals can, so even 1/4 paracetamol, for example, is enough to kill a cat.

Poisoning can cause many different signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, fits and collapse, but all these signs can be caused by other conditions as well.

The majority of poisonings involve household chemicals, insecticides and rodenticides (chemicals that kill rodents). However, in many cases we don't know what the animal has eaten, so it is usually necessary to take a general approach to treatment. Domestic hazards can be found in the garage (antifreeze, fuels), under the kitchen sink (acids, alkalis, bleach, disinfectants) or in the actual fabric of the house (wood preservatives, woodworm treatments). Intoxication can result from human medications (aspirin, paracetamol, antidepressants), certain foods (liver, onion, chocolate, too much raw fish) or food contaminants (bacteria, fungi). Never give human drugs to animals without checking with us. Garden hazards include rodenticides, herbicides (sodium chlorate, paraquat), fungicides, insecticides (pyrethrins, pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorines), and molluscicides (slug bait - metaldehyde). Animals can also become poisoned by certain plants (mushrooms, marijuana, dumb cane, poinsettia) and animals (toads, adders, stinging insects).

If you think that your pet may have been poisoned, it is important to contact us as soon as possible. We may ask you to make the animal sick before bringing it to us, but don't do this without checking with us first as it may be dangerous with some poisons.

Cat Flu

Cat flu is a common disease in cats of all ages despite widespread vaccination, but tends to be particularly severe in young and old cats. A number of infectious agents have been found to cause 'cat flu' but the vast majority of cases will be caused by one of two viruses, feline herpes virus type 1 and feline calicivirus.

Signs of cat flu are similar to colds and flu in people.The major signs are inflammation of the lining around the eye (conjunctivitis) and nose (rhinitis). This causes a clear discharge from the nose and eyes which becomes thickened and pussy as the disease progresses due to secondary bacterial infection. Painful mouth ulcers may also develop. Cats tend to be dull and depressed with a raised temperature, sneezing and are reluctant to eat. With treatment signs usually resolve in 1-2 weeks but some cats are left with a chronic, intermittent nasal discharge or eye disease.

Deaths following respiratory virus infections are rare, usually occurring in young kittens or old cats that have advanced disease before being presented for treatment.

Treatment is aimed at controlling secondary bacterial infection (with antibiotics) and stimulating eating and drinking. Severely ill cats may need nursing in hospital, this allows rehydration with intravenous fluids and feeding by naso-oesophageal tube.

Vaccination will not always prevent your cat becoming infected but will drastically reduce the severity of the disease, often to the point that all that is noticed is mild lethargy and inappetance for a few days. We strongly recommend that all cats are vaccinated against cat flu.