Archive for the ‘Dog Information’ Category

The Three Point Plan

Thank you for bringing your dog for an arthritis check. Your dog’s checkup revealed that they are one of the one million + dogs in the UK suffering from canine arthritis.

Just like arthritis in humans, this can affect one or more joints causing them to become inflamed and painful. Affected dogs are reluctant to move the painful joints and they may become stiff, especially after a period of rest. They may have difficulty climbing stairs, getting into the car or jumping onto to sofa, or they may simply not seem to enjoy walks and games as much as they once did.

Many caring owners don’t realise that their dog is suffering from arthritis, putting the changes in their dog’s behaviour down to old age.

A three point treatment plan can relieve the signs of arthritis and help restore your dog’s enjoyment of life. Most dogs respond extremely well to treatment and owners are frequently astonished and delighted by the new lease of life that treatment gives to their friend. Often it is only after owners see the changes following treatment that they realise just how much their dog’s quality of life has been affected.

The three point treatment plan can relieve signs of arthritis and restore your dog’s enjoyment of life. The three elements of this plan are :

1. Weight Control
2. Exercise Control
3. Pain Relief

Starting an arthritis care program NOW will not only improve your dog’s quality of life in the short term, but it will help your dog to remain mobile and slow the progression of the disease in the future.

Is your dog one in a million? Of course he is!

But did you know that over a million dogs in the UK are suffering form arthritis?

Try the simple self assessment test to find out if your dog may be one of them.

1. Does your dog have difficulty standing up after a period of rest, or sleep?
2. Does your dog seem to have ‘slowed down’ and become less keen to exercise?
3. Does your dog have difficulty jumping up, getting into the car, or climbing stairs?
4. Has your dog been showing signs of lameness?

If you have answered YES to any of these questions, your dog could have arthritis and would benefit from a checkup. Please ask at Reception for an appointment.

Arthritis Awareness at Cheshire Pet Medical Centre – Put the Spring Back in Your Dog’s Step !

Puppies

Puppies need to be treated for roundworms.

They become infested with these worms from their mothers, who excrete them in their milk. The breeder should have already started your puppies worming programme.

Recommended Treatment Regime

Using Panacur granules or paste wormer every month until your puppy is six months old.

Adult Dogs

All adult dogs should be treated against roundworm and tapeworm at least every six months, whether or not there are obvious signs. Low grade infestations of roundworms can contaminate the environment with their long lived eggs. Any infestation with one or more of the different types needs to be eliminated.

Recommended Treatment Regime

Drontal Plus tablets contain the most effective combination of drug to kill both round and tapeworm infestation with one dose.

Panacur granules or paste may be used, especially for dogs who are difficult to administer tablets to. Droncit injections can also be given to treat tapeworm infestation in dogs.

Pregnant Bitches

The aim is to eliminate transfer of roundworms from mother to pups producing a virtually worm free litter and giving them a better start in life.

Recommended Treatment Regime

Panacur granules, given from day 42 of pregnancy to 2 days after whelping.

All products mentioned are available from the surgery.

Please ask at reception for advice.

Our water walker is an underwater variable speed treadmill, designed for various skeletal or muscular problems. The water is maintained at a balmy 30°C to make your dog comfortable and to stimulate cardio-vascular activity, which aids circulation to the affected area.

Conditions which can benefit from water walker physiotherapy

• Post orthopaedic surgery (after sutures removed).
• Fracture repairs.
• Cruciate ligament repairs.
• Excision arthoplasty.
• Spinal problems (spondylosis etc).
• Arthritis.
• OCD (osteo-chrondrosis dessicans).
• Age related muscular dystrophy.
• CDRM.
• Hip Dysplasia.
• Weight loss programs.

Prices

The first session is free! This session will be designed for your dog to become accustomed to the water walker experience. Your pet will receive a check over by our nurse prior to entering the water walker before a gentle 5-minute walk on the treadmill with varying water levels.

Following sessions will be in 15- 30 minute blocks costing £25 per session. These will be built up depending upon your pets’ needs. Check with your insurance company, most companies will cover up to £250 for complimentary therapies.

Please ask at reception, one of our nurses can show you the facilities and answer any queries.

Water Walker Preparation

Before bringing your dog in for a session…

• Please make sure your dog is clean.
• It is a good idea not to feed your dog for 2 hours beforehand.
• Please make sure your dog has been to the toilet.
• If your dog has been unwell please telephone the nurse, we may need to postpone your session.

And after a session…

• Your dog will appreciate rest in a warm room following his / her session (we always make sure your dog is dry before they leave).
• Please make sure that your pet receives and medication which the vet has prescribed for his / her condition.
• At your next session tell the nurse of any stiffness or discomfort your pet has shown since his last session.

If unsure of anything please don’t hesitate to call.

The medical and social benefits of castrating your dog

• reduces unacceptable sexual behaviour.
• reduces occurrences of prostrate problems.
• reduces incidence of anal tumours.
• reduces the tendency to stray.
• removes the risk of testicular tumours.
• removes the risk of unwanted puppies.

All neutering operations are carried out on a day care basis. Your pet will be admitted to the surgery in the morning and will he able to go home in the afternoon.

Castration

Neutering of the male dog is carried out from six months of age. He will be clipped underneath and will have a small wound closed with a few sutures. These sutures will need removing after ten days. You will be invited back for a post-operative check after three days.

It is not unusual to see some swelling.

On collection of your pet you will be given full instructions on his aftercare.

We know there can be a tendency for some weight gain after surgery and for this reason we like to weigh your dog a month after his operation. By doing this we can detect any tendency to weight gain and advise you on nutritional control to prevent abnormal weight gain.

It is our policy to offer a pre-anaesthetic blood test to any animal having a general anaesthetic. This is carried out on the day of the operation and enables us to check that their liver and kidneys are in good health.

For any further information please contact us.

The medical and social benefits of spaying your dog

• prevents ovarian cysts.
• prevents ovarian cancer.
• prevents pyometra, a potentially life threatening disease of the uterus.
• reduces the number of unwanted puppies.
• reduces the incidence of mammary cancers.

All neutering operations are carried out on a day care basis. Your pet will be admitted to the surgery in the morning and will be able to go home in the afternoon.

Spaying

Neutering the female dog is carried out from six months of age, as long as she is not in season.

She will be clipped under her tummy and will have an incision there. The wound is closed both with internal and external sutures.

You will be invited back for a post-operative check after three days.

After ten days the external sutures will he removed; after which time she can exercise freely again.

On collection of your pet you will receive full instructions on her aftercare.

The uterus and ovaries arc removed and hence your dog will have no further seasons after the surgery. We know there can he a tendency for some weight gain after surgery and for this reason we like to weigh your dog a month after her operation. By doing this we can detect ant tendency to weight gain and advise you on nutritional control to prevent abnormal gain.

It is our policy to offer a pre-anaesthetic blood test to any animal having a general anaesthetic. This is carried out on the day of the operation and enables us to check that their liver and kidneys are in good health.

For any further information please contact us.