Travelling after Brexit to Europe with your pet. Dogs, cats and ferrets have been able to travel to the EU on the basis of a Pet Passport for many years now. The effect of Brexit on pet travel is currently unknown but there are three possible scenarios. Of most impact is the effect of a No Deal Brexit as this has implications if you wish to take your pet to an EU country on or shortly after the 30th March 2019.
Firework associated anxiety can be very traumatic for animals. November 5th and the weekends around it are some of the noisiest nights in the year and this can make this time of year especially difficult for animals. Therefore it is important that pet owners don’t forget about their animals. Flashes and loud noises maybe exciting for humans but it can be very frightening for pets.
Furthermore, the loud noises can cause our pets to behave unpredictably putting their safety and others at risk. As a dog, cat or rabbit owner, you should plan ahead to ensure your animals feel safe and to help avoid any incidents of them becoming aggressive, fearful or running away.
Seasonal canine illness (SCI) is a very serious and potentially life-threatening illness. It generally affects dogs which have been walked in woodland areas 1 – 3 days prior to becoming unwell.
Seasonal canine illness was first found back in 2009 in dogs which had been walked at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Shortly afterwards dogs which had been walked in Thetford, Sherwood and Rendlesham Forest and Clumber Park were also reported to have shown similar signs of seasonal canine illness.
Generally, cases of the illness are seen between the months of August through to November, with the highest figures in September.
Vaccinating your dog helps protect them from some of the most serious infectious diseases, such as Parvovirus, Distemper, Viral Hepatitis and Leptospirosis.
When should a dog be vaccinated?
Puppy vaccinations are generally given from as early as 8 weeks of age. The courses generally consist of two vaccinations typically between two and four weeks apart. At Dragon Vets we don’t give the second vaccination before 12 weeks of age as this ensures the immunity gained from the mother has waned as this would blog the effect of the vaccine. We also recommend a third vaccination at 16-18 weeks old, especially for certain breeds such as Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers. After this period an annual booster injection should be given once every 12 months. This is vital to the dogs to maintain the immunity against infections.
As the temperatures are quickly rising, we look at the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars.
Even parking in a shaded spot with the windows open can be dangerous for dogs on warm sunny days. According to the RSPCA, the temperature inside a car can rise very quickly; although it can be 22 degrees celsius outside a vehicle, the inside can quite easily reach 47 degrees Celsius within an hour.
Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month started back in 2005 as National Veterinary Nursing Day. It then progressed to a week and since 2012 it has been for a full month.
It was established to inform people of the importance of a veterinary nurse’s role in the practice of keeping your pets safe and well. Over the years more and more practices have become involved throughout the UK.
Feral cats are the descendants of domestic cats and their offspring, which now live in the wild. Often these can be the descendants of domestic cats which were abandoned or who have wandered from home and ended up lost. Feral cats are wild-living cats which quite often form colonies where they can find shelter and a food supply. Areas such as industrial estates, rubbish tips, farms etc.
Travelling with dogs can be a problem in the summer as even in a shaded spot with the windows open cars can heat up extremely quickly inside. According to the RSPCA, it can be 22oC outside but the inside temperature can reach 47 oC within an hour. Dogs can overheat quickly and heatstroke can be fatal.
Many pets love to travel, however for some this can be a very stressful experience. Fortunately, there are lots of products out there which may help your dog with travel sickness.
Many pets l stress with travel sickness, we can prescribe tablets that may help relieve these symptoms such as Nutracalm.
Benefits of Nutracalm
It has been specially formulated by vets to naturally calm anxious pets.
Another popular product we prescribe is Adaptil, this helps reduce your dog’s stress levels, in most cases this will also help reduce the travel anxiety and sickness as well. It helps with the following symptoms.
Travel sickness products can last for 24 hours. Please ask us for more advice before travelling with your pets.
Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM) Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month began back in 2005 originally as National Veterinary Nursing Day. Over a few years, it has progressed to a week then Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month in 2012. It was established to spread the word of the importance of a veterinary nurse’s role within the practice. Each year more and more practices…
Easter treats such as easter eggs and hot cross buns may be a treat for humans, however, for dogs, these can be very harmful.
The chocolate in Easter eggs contains a chemical called ‘theobromine” which is toxic for dogs. A fairly small amount can cause hyperexcitability heart problems and convulsions.
Dark chocolate contains much more theobromine and is more toxic because of it. However giving any type of chocolate to dogs should be avoided.
If your dog eats more than 3.5g of plain or dark chocolate per kg body weight or 14g of milk chocolate per kg body weight, call your vet immediately. White chocolate does not contain theobromine, but it can be very fatty for dogs and does pose a potential risk for acute pancreatitis.
