HEALTHCARE, ESVC

Preventative Healthcare

Deworming.

Dogs and cats can be infected with roundworms and tapeworms, both of which live in the guts with the potential to cause diarrhoea or failure to thrive. Animals can pick up worms whenever they sniff ground where other animals have been. They can also catch some types of worm secondary to fleas or eating raw meat, such as when hunting or scavenging. One study in London found every gram of soil in a park had a Toxocara (roundworm) egg in it. This worm as well as infecting pets can infect people and in certain circumstances cause blindness. Children are more suceptible.

Another worm of particular significance for dogs living in London is the lungworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum. There has been an increasing incidence of lungworm over the last few years, presenting with symptoms ranging from coughing and difficulty breathing, to nervous system and brain disease, or inability to clot the blood. Because the worm targets body systems that are essential to life and do not repair themselves well its affects can lead to permanent damage or even death. We recommend use of a monthly spot on product that has been shown to kill this worrying parasite. Please contact the clinic for further details.

It is extremely important to make sure your pet is up to date with preventative worming treatment.

Flea Treatment.

Adult fleas live on the skin of pets but 95% of the flea population is found in the environment (ie carpets bedding and sofas) as eggs and larva. Fleas can spread other diseases such as tapeworms but can also cause severe skin irritation, infection and allergies. Even animals which live completely indoors can become infested with fleas. Treatment involves flea killing spot on drops to put on your pet but also sprays can be purchased to use in the home in order to break the lifecycle.

Please contact us to discuss your pets needs and the parasite control necessary for their lifestyle.

Neutering.

We strongly recommend neutering all pets not intended for breeding as this can prevent or reduce the risk of a number of potentially serious diseases.

Female animals are usually speyed from 5-6 months old. Apart from preventing unwanted pregnancies this can reduce the risk of mammary cancer and prevent false pregnancies and a potentially fatal womb infection called Pyometra.

Males are much less likely to stray or get into fights if they have been neutered which reduces the risk of associated injuries. They will also be prevented from developing testicular cancer, prostatic problems which can lead to difficulty going to the toilet and hernias and tumours around the bottom.

Neutering requires a general anaesthetic so your pet will need to stay with us for the day. If you would like to find out more about neutering your pet please contact the surgery.

Dental Care.

All pets are at risk of developing dental disease which can cause problems from smelly breath to rotten teeth. Daily tooth brushing is the best way to prevent this, but is not practical for some animals and their owners. Special diets and chews or treats are also available which can delay the progression of dental disease.