Love your pet ... love your vet - January 2010
Winter worries!
It’s that wonderful time of year with winter walks, roaring fires and happy celebrations. As the chilly weather continues below are some top tips to ensuring your pet stays healthy:
- When out and about remember that whilst many dogs love to play in the cold and snow, slim fine coated breeds will find it much harder to conserve their body heat. You should also always be aware of hazards such as frozen ponds and lakes and the dangers that can be associated with them.
- The cold, damp weather can also bring on aches and pains so look out for any limps and difficulties in rising after rest; these are signs that your pet may have some joint stiffness usually made worse by cold or damp weather. If your pet does show signs of any stiffness or limping you should visit your vet.
Pets that live outside ie rabbits and guinea pigs need special consideration during this time. It is always important to ensure their hutches are warm, clean, dry and in a sheltered position. Their bedding should be plentiful for them to snuggle into and should be changed daily. They need fresh food and water every day and always check the water bottle to ensure it has not become frozen.- Some household hazards to be aware of are chocolate (dogs are particularly fond of this treat which can prove fatal!). As well as being extremely fattening, chocolate contains theobromine which is poisonous to dogs. In addition raisins, grapes and sultanas can in some cases develop into renal failure so it is best to keep these treats well out of reach. Many pets also love to chew on house plants – but many of these are toxic to our pets. Lilies pose a particular hazard to cats, with all parts of the plant including the pollen being toxic!
- It is essential to vaccinate your pets against potentially fatal infectious diseases such as:
Dogs
- Distemper
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Parvo virus
- Leptospirosis
- Para influenza virus
- Cats:
- Cat flu virus
- Feline panleucopenia virus
- Feline leukaemia virus
- Feline Chlamydophilia
- Rabbits:
- Myxomatosis
- Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD)
Check with your vet that your pets are fully up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Finally, it is worth remembering that FLEAS don’t take winter holidays! It is vital to keep up your regular flea treatments as eggs can lie dormant for up to a year or more (in carpets and bedding) before developing into adult fleas.
Prevention is always better than cure and most vets will be more than happy to give your pet an all over health check and give advice where necessary.
Keith Moore BVSc MRCVS is a Veterinary Surgeon at Hillside Veterinary Centre in Corfe Mullen. For more information visit www.hillsidevets.co.uk.
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