Welcome to the Summer 2010 edition of our practice newsletter.
Extended opening Hours
We have now been opening on Sunday mornings between 9.00am and 12.30pm for five months. An increasing number of you are making use of these extended opening hours. The surgery is open for urgent cases, routine appointments, food purchase, prescription collections and general enquiries.
Staff News
Louisa Mitsas joined the practice as our new vet at the beginning of April. Louisa is originally from Greece and previously worked in Daventry. She joined us to develop her interests in small animal veterinary practice. She has settled in well and looks forward to meeting more of you in the coming months.
Vet John Hutchinson completed his thousand mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in May. The cycle took 14 days and John has raised just over £3000 for the local branches of Cat’s Protection and the RSPCA in the process. Both of these charities do contribute enormously to the welfare of animals in this area. John took some time away from the practice earlier this year to train for his cycle and to do some further training. John has now returned to full time work at the practice.
Help –I’m lost
Most of us worry at some stage about one of our pets going missing. No matter how careful you are there is always a possibility that your cat may roam or your dog may stray. If your pet goes missing it is important that they can be easily identified. Identichips are the only permanent way of identifying pets.
A tiny microchip is inserted under the skin at the back of your dog or cat’s neck. Each chip contains an unique code which identifies your pet and your details on a central base. In the event of your pet being found a scanner will reveal the code and the central database will reveal your details and enable your pet to be returned to you.
For further details about identichips please ask at the surgery.
Thyroid Problems
The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone which is responsible for regulating the metabolic rate. We regularly see overactive thyroids in cats and occasionally see underactive thyroids in dogs.
In cats hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is generally seen in cats more than eight years of age. In most cases it is caused by a benign enlargement of one or both sides of the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroid cats typically eat and drink more than usual. Other signs associated with hyperthyroidism include vomiting, diarrhoea and heart disease. As with many diseases early diagnosis leads to more successful treatment. We routinely check all older cats for evidence of thyroid disease when they attend the surgery. Hyperthyroidism in cats can be treated medically and surgically.
In dogs hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is more common in older dogs. Underproduction of thyroid hormone leads to a decrease in the metabolic rate, lethargy and weight gain. Other signs can include skin and ear disease. Diagnosis of this condition is by blood testing and treatment is medical.
Animal Ambulance
The practice has had its ambulance for almost a year. We use it to visit animals at home, to transportpets and to deliver foods and prescriptions. We are pleased to see that more and more of you are making use of our ambulance service.
Vaccinations
Last year brought with it economic changes that many of us had never experienced before. Last year we introduced a scheme where we gave a ten percent discount on booster vaccines which were given within one month of their due date. We have decided to continue this policy throughout 2010. In is very important to keep your pet’s vaccination up to date as we still see contagious diseases like Parvovirus in dogs and Cat Flu in cats. We also carry out full clinical examinations and are happy to answer any other questions you might have about your pet during these consultations.
Most people now have their cats vaccinated against Feline Leukaemia Virus. Feline Leukaemia Virus infection is one of the commonest causes of premature death in cats. The virus is found in the cat saliva and is generally spread to another cat by licking or biting. The virus can cause leukaemia or can suppress a cat’s immune system leaving them more prone to infection. Our vaccine against Feline Leukaemia Virus is very effective. Please contact us if you would like to have your cat vaccinated against this disease.
Fly Strike
Every summer we see a number of rabbits with fly strike. Fly strike occurs when flies lay eggs around a rabbit’s tail. These eggs hatch into maggots which feed on the rabbit’s tissues. This is a potentially fatal condition. It is important during the summer months to thoroughly check your rabbit on a daily basis. Contact the surgery as a matter of urgency if you see maggots or eggs on your rabbit.