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SPRING NEWSLETTER 2001
Easter is probably the time of year when it is most tempting to share our tasty chocolate (eggs and the likes) with our eager-eyed dogs. Please don't succumb to the temptation, even a few squares of dark chocolate could kill a small dog and the milk chocolate in most Easter eggs could also be fatal to your pet. Stick to safe doggy treats and enjoy keeping the eggs for yourself.
And what about bunnies? Well spring is one of the main times of year for myxomatosis so now is the time to bring your bunny in for its vaccination and health check up. (no chocolate for them either!!)
Fleas and Ticks: an irritating problem.
As the weather gets warmer you may find your pet returning home with unwanted visitors. Fleas will breed even in the best kept home over the winter but in warmer weather they also multiply outside and that rabbit hole your dog disappeared down may be a flea haven.
A single flea can lay more than 50 eggs
in one day, these fall off into your pet's bedding and favourite resting
places. In warm conditions the eggs can develop to adult fleas within
fourteen days.
Ticks become active in the spring and
autumn in long-grassed and wooded area. They can cause irritation as well
as carry a number of infectious diseases.
Contact us for the best flea and tick control to suit your individual requirements.
Caring for Your New Puppy or Kitten
With the coming of spring you may be considering getting a new puppy or kitten. A new arrival is an exciting occasion but it can be daunting if you've never owned one before.
Choosing a Puppy or Kitten
Whether you fall for a pedigree puppy or kitten or a cross-breed or moggie
it is important to see it with its mother and if possible its father too.
Ask if it has had flea and worm treatment and choose the big brave pup
not the tiny one hiding in the corner. The small one may be cute but it
is more likely to have medical and behavioural problems later in life.
Vaccinations
As long as their mother was vaccinated regularly, puppies and kittens
are protected by antibodies from her milk. As time goes by this protection
level falls and by the time they come home with you they will be almost
ready to begin their primary course of vaccinations. The vaccinations
need to be boosted every year to protect your pet against infectious diseases.
General Health Care
The vaccination is an excellent time to give your pet a general check
over. We can give advice on worming, flea control, neutering and any concerns
you may have.
Pet Insurance
Every year a lot of pets need treatment for illness or injury. With pet
insurance you can have the peace of mind that if your pet becomes ill
it can have all the treatment and tests it needs without you having to
worry about the cost of treatment. you may have a six-week insurance voucher
from your breeder, if not we can give you six weeks free insurance with
your puppy or kitten's first vaccination.
Microchipping
More and more pets are being permanently identified with a microchip.
The chip is only the size of a grain of rice and has a unique code which
will identify your pet on a central database. It is painlessly injected
at the base of the neck and is read by a special scanner used by most
animal welfare organisations and all vets. We can "chip" your
pet at its vaccination, when it is neutered or during a separate appointment.
Don't take the chance - give your pet a chip!
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: How it affects us all.
Although much has already been said in the media regarding foot and mouth disease we have been receiving queries by you as pet owners to know how exactly this disease will affect you and your pets.
Firstly, the virus will only cause disease
in certain animals including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer, camelids
(llamas and alpacas as well as camels), rats and hedgehogs (and coypu!!).
It will NOT affect dogs and cats or horses, however your pet could carry
the virus on its fur and paws. This is why most of the country parks have
been closed and you are being encouraged to stay away from farmland.
Even though there have been no cases near Dundee at the time of writing, it may not remain that way; even if you can't see livestock in a field it doesn't mean the field may not be used at some point. In closing, please respect the advice to stay out of the country, walk your dog on the beach or in the town and hopefully this situation will get under control as quickly as possible.
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