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Archive for September, 2013

Fireworks Beware!!

by on September 30th, 2013

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Fireworks Beware!!

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Pet of the Month October 2013

by on September 30th, 2013

Category: Pet of the Month, Tags:

PoppyThe observant among you will remember Poppy as having appeared on this page last November.

A sweet and easy going Labrador Poppy has really been through the mill yet again. Some weeks ago she became depressed and reluctant to jump in the car although she continued to eat and drink and did not vomit as was the case last year.

Investigation showed free abdominal fluid which when analysed indicated septic peritonitis. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the membrane which lines the inside of the abdomen and all of the internal organs and is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

An exploratory operation showed Poppy had a kebab stick lodged in her liver! This was promptly removed and we are delighted to report that she is making an excellent recovery to date.

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Fireworks – How can you help?

by on September 30th, 2013

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Firework stress affects almost 50% of dogs and many cats too. Fireworks are no longer a 5th November only event and are heard throughout the autumn and often used for many other celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, New Year & Diwali.

Dog nose hiding under duvet

Stress can manifest itself in many ways – some dogs will run around and vocalise; others even become destructive and may harm themselves. However, sometimes the signs of stress can be much more subtle. This is especially true for cats and they will often withdraw and hide, meaning that their stress is not easily recognised.

The most important change that must be made is for you to change your behaviour. It is completely natural to want to reassure your pet when it is stressed however all this does is reinforce the unwanted behaviour and unfortunately makes matters worse.

If stress associated with fireworks is not dealt with, it often progresses to fear of other sounds like thunder and gunshots and eventually even every day noises such as car doors slamming. As a result we must address this problem promptly and effectively to improve the welfare of our pets.

Managing firework stress needs an approach to both the short and long-term issue. In the short term we must manage our pets on the night.

Long term we need to change the feelings our pets associate with fireworks in order that they do not become stressed.

Short Term Management

Here are some useful tips to help your pet cope during the firework season:

  • * Provide a den or hiding place and ideally where your pet would normally seek refuge
  • * Muffle the sound of the fireworks and radio, television, close the curtains
  • * Keep your pet inside and close the cat flap and ensure you dog is not able to access the garden
  • * Do not fuss them, or tell them off, if they are stressed
  • * Reward quiet, calm behaviour
  • * Consider anxiety relieving products such as Adaptil, Feliway, Zylkene and KalmAid. There are no known side effects with these products such as sedation or memory loss. They can be used for both short and long-term management.

Long Term Management

Sound desensitisation is proven to address the underlying problem by altering your pet’s reaction to the stress-inducing noises. It works by exposing your pet to the scary sounds under controlled conditions whilst it is doing something enjoyable such as chewing a favourite toy or treat.

This then breaks the negative association that your pet has learned with respect to fireworks and makes the association more positive.

The most common method uses CD’s which are played initially for a very short amount of time at low volume.

The length of time and volume is gradually increased as your pet progresses through the programme.

Sound Desensitisation takes time (usually weeks to months) and you must be guided by your pet as to how quickly you can progress.

How do anxiety-relieving products help?

Zylkene is a novel natural product derived from milk protein, which has relaxing properties, and is proven to help manage stress in cats and dogs.

KalmAid contains L-Tryptophan which is an essential amino acid that affects production of serotonin. Serotonin has a calming and relaxing effect. L-theanine, another amino acid also has a calming effect. Vitamin B1 is added as deficiency has been associated with nervous disorders.

Feliway is a synthetic copy of the natural feline facial pheromone, and creates a state of familiarity and security in the cat’s local environment.

Adaptil is a copy of a naturally released dog ‘appeasing pheromone’ that has a comforting and reassuring influence.

Please make an appointment to discuss your pet’s specific needs with us.

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Pet Smile Month

by on September 2nd, 2013

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Pet Smile Month

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Pet of the Month – September 2013

by on September 2nd, 2013

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MungoThis month’s Pet of the Month is the delightful Italian Spinone Mungo who received acupuncture at the practice for some months as an ancillary aid to control his epilepsy.

The use of acupuncture in China dates back at least 3000 years however it now seems clear that therapeutic techniques involving piercing the body developed independently in many communities around the world up to 7000 years ago. The mammalian system incorporates a complex system of sensory modulation. In childhood, we all learn to take advantage of this when our parents teach us to ‘rub it better’.

This soon becomes conditioned behaviour and in adult life as we suffer more chronic muscular pains and aches we often massage deep into our aching muscles in an attempt to relieve pain. It does not take a great leap of the imagination to see how such behaviours may have progressed in certain communities until the skin was pierced at sites of tender muscle. This was observed to be a very efficient therapy and before long maps of the body describing the common sites of tenderness would have been produced.

At Fitzalan House we use Western Medical Acupuncture as a therapy following orthodox clinical diagnosis predominantly, although not exclusively, in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain states in animals. Points are chosen based on the principles of nervous system function and the identification of trigger points – tender points in a taut band of muscle which can cause referred pain. Science and acupuncture no longer represent opposing poles of medical opinion as more and more evidence is found to support and explain the mechanisms by which acupuncture achieves its results.

The specific effects of acupuncture needling are achieved through stimulation of the peripheral nervous system (the part of the nervous system that excludes the brain and spinal cord) and neuromodulation (the process in the nervous system in which several classes of chemicals called neurotransmitters regulate diverse populations of nerve cells) of the central nervous system, which occurs as a consequence. Acupuncture also stimulates the release of pain-relieving chemicals in the brain and spinal cord such as endorphins, which produce more generalised analgesia. These effects, combined with local needling of painful trigger points, result in exceptional pain relief.

Although primarily used for analgesic purposes acupuncture is used for many varied reasons including epilepsy, enhanced wound healing, control of vomiting, stroke rehabilitation and influence on the immune system, to mention just a few.

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Parvovirus – a Returning Disease?

by on September 2nd, 2013

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PuppyThere have been many recent cases of parvovirus in the UK

Canine parvovirus is an extremely contagious disease which was first described in the 1970s. When the disease emerged, thousands of dogs died after infection, before an effective vaccine was produced. Although reliable vaccines have been used for many years, there have been several recent instances where vets have seen more clinical cases than they would usually expect , suggesting that the general immunity level is waning and that not all dogs are receiving vaccination on a regular basis. Parvovirus is a killer disease that is preventable – if you are in any doubt about your dog’s immune status please ask your vet for advice.

The parvovirus preferentially attacks dividing cells including those that form the lining of the digestive tract, and this leads to the commonly seen clinical signs of vomiting, profuse diarrhoea, dullness and depression.

How does it spread?

The parvovirus is passed out in the faeces of infected dogs and contaminates the environment. If the dog survives and recovers, infectious virus is still passed out in the faeces for several weeks. Other dogs are infected by ingestion of the infectious material, either from contamination of the environment or direct contact with an infected dog. Virus is also excreted in vomit as well as faeces, and can persist on an infected dog’s feet and coat and be transmitted in this way. Contaminated hands of owners, bedding, feeding bowls and toys can also play a part in transmission. After infection there is an incubation period of 4 – 7 days before signs of illness are seen.

Clinical Signs of Infection

Parvovirus can affect dogs of all ages, but puppies are most susceptible to the disease. Signs of illness seen after the incubation period include vomiting, diarrhoea, depression and abdominal pain. Diarrhoea is usually profuse and often contains blood. A fever may be present but is not always a feature of the condition. Due to the vomiting and diarrhoea, the dog rapidly becomes dehydrated and if untreated at this stage it may well die.

Treatment

Diagnosis of parvovirus requires veterinary testing. There is no specific treatment for infected dogs but supportive therapy is essential for any chance of survival. This includes fluid therapy with intravenous fluids and often intensive nursing. Isolation is essential to prevent spread of the disease to susceptible individuals. Antibiotics are usually administered to prevent complications such as septicaemia, which are a recognised cause of death in these patients.

Outlook

This depends on the level of infection and the individual dog’s response to it, as well as the stage at which the disease is diagnosed and treatment is commenced. Many dogs will make a good recovery with sufficient veterinary care.

Prevention

Parvovirus can be prevented by following your vet’s recommended vaccination programme. As pups are the most susceptible to the disease, it is very important to take your new pup to your vet for a check and to get them started on their vaccines. They will need at least 2 injections separated by 2 or 3 weeks for their primary course – the exact number depends on the brand of vaccine that is used by your practice and the recommendation of the vaccine manufacturers.
Boosters may be given one year after the puppy course, and after this the interval depends on the vaccine being used.

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