Practice Newsletter
Pet News
Rabbits - is yours vaccinated?
| Rabbits are members of the family and just like dogs and cats, we need to see them from time to time for routine health examinations and vaccinations. Did you know unless they are regularly vaccinated, rabbits are at risk from two potentially fatal infectious diseases? Myxomatosis is a very distressing viral disease spread by blood sucking insects such as rabbit fleas. The disease causes puffy swellings around the eyes usually leading to blindness . affected animals become very ill, often suffering from pneumonia, and even with medication and nursing care, most will die as a result of the disease. |  |
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a very contagious virus disease, spreading easily between rabbits or contaminated hutches, bedding or food. It can also be inadvertently transported by people or birds. Affected rabbits may show a range of symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy and nose bleeds. Sadly most will die.
Happily, we can offer vaccinations against these distressing diseases. Please contact us for further information on any aspect of caring for your pet rabbit.
Fleas
The following are Alver Veterinary Group's recommended ways of controlling fleas, for our clients (these are personal suggestions, which work well in our area. Ask your own veterinary surgeon for advice in your locality):
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Method One - Apply drops to the animal's skin
The method of choice for most clients nowadays. STRONGHOLD, new to the UK in 2000, has revolutionised parasite control around the world. It is the easiest way to treat your pet, and will be most people's first choice STRONGHOLD is the first drug available, which kills both fleas and other parasites, both internal and external, such as mange, ear mites and roundworms, providing round-the-clock protection 365 days of the year, even against the parasites commonly passed on to the family. Simply apply the contents of one tube onto the skin between the shoulder blades (dog), or base of the skull (cats). |
FRONTLINE SPOT-ON is a cheaper alternative that kills just the fleas. You will still need to use worming tablets at regular intervals. We recommend FRONTLINE SPOT-ON for cats at five-week intervals, and FRONTLINE SPOT-ON for dogs at two monthly intervals. Both drugs are extremely safe and highly effective, enabling you to effectively treat even the most awkward of animals.
Whatever your choice, ensure you dose ALL cats and dogs in the household. This is essential to prevent re-infestation. Do not confuse these drops with other drops which contain less effective or potentially toxic chemicals, such as the organophosphorus group. Experience has shown that they are so effective that household sprays are rarely needed. Continual regular dosing throughout the year is essential to prevent reinfestation.
STRONGHOLD can be used in puppies and kittens from 6 weeks old, and is strongly recommended for puppies and kittens. Stronghold is waterproof in one hour, rather than the 48hrs needed for Frontline, if your dog enjoys a swim (or bath!).
Frontline is effective against ticks. Stronghold is licensed abroad for certain ticks, but not yet in the UK for European ticks.
Another drug, called Advantage, is every bit as effective as Frontline against fleas, and can be used in the same way.
Method Two - Spray the animal
| Use FRONTLINE SPRAY. Just as safe and effective against fleas, but only suitable for spray-tolerant pets. Cheaper than SPOT-ONS for cats, some clients use the spray for their more docile pets, and the spot-on for their tigers. At six to eight week intervals, spray ALL cats and dogs in the household with FRONTLINE SPRAY Continual regular spraying throughout the year is essential to prevent reinfestation. FRONTLINE SPRAY is not washed off by water when swimming, although weakened after several shampoos. Also fairly effective against ticks.
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Disadvantages – it is cheaper (unless a large or hairy dog) than the equally effective spot-on preparations, but many animals, especially cats, dislike being sprayed. It will not kill worms.
Calculating the dose, applying many pumps, and avoiding barbecuing your pet whilst it dries, can be a hassle (Frontline is alcohol based and therefore inflammable whilst still wet).
Method Three - Treat the animal and environment
| The effectiveness and safety of STRONGHOLD and FRONTLINE have much reduced the need for household sprays. Sprays for indoor use may be advised whenever there is a heavy infestation, or if any member of the family is getting bitten by fleas. They may be also recommended at times if any family dog or cat is allergic to fleas. Continue regular treatment on ALL animals (every 4 weeks with STRONGHOLD, every 4-6 weeks FRONTLINE). |
Disadvantages - Many people do not like the thought of extensive use of chemicals around the home.
Method Four - Birth Control For Fleas!
PROGRAM is a product which can now be given to cats as an injection every six months It can also be given orally once a month on the food to both dogs and cats. It is one of the safest and easiest of all chemical controls, but...
The flea will not be harmed, but will only lay infertile eggs, thus stopping future generations of baby fleas. This will not control the current infestation, or protect against the hatching flea eggs dropped by other animals, unless they have also remembered their birth control. Therefore, initially, other methods will be needed for about three months, and occasionally thereafter for most households.
The injection is a great back-up protection for anyone who cannot honestly say 'I have never forgotten to de-flea my pet on the day it was due' (that's probably all of you!).
With the effectiveness and ease of use of STRONGHOLD and FRONTLINE, there is little place for PROGRAM if you can rely on yourself to use either METHOD ONE or METHOD TWO at the recommended times. Ask for the 'flea injection' at your cat's booster time and six months later. You can then extend the intervals between doses of other flea preparations considerably.
Method Five - use an alternative
The use of a flea collar is an extremely easy method, and would be excellent if only it worked! In practice, the cloth-type collars are very unreliable in our locality. The waterproof, plastic-type collars are more effective, but still of limited efficiency compared to our recommended methods.
Powders/shampoos/herbal compounds are all of very limited value.
All effective methods we know of are outlined above. Save your money and spare your pet from fleabites!
Worm Control
Recent research has shown that not only dog, but cat roundworms also can be passed on to the family, sometimes with devastating consequences for children particularly causing blindness. Tablets given every 2-6 months will not stop your pet becoming re-infested the very next day. Roundworm infestation is invisible to the naked eye. STRONGHOLD Spot-On is highly effective at killing roundworms as well as fleas. Thus, it is the drug of choice, as it remains active throughout the monthly dosing period. Follow METHOD ONE above for one-step round-the-clock protection 365 days of the year against fleas and worms.
In a few circumstances, tapeworm infestation may be present (indicated by white 'rice-grains' crawling around the rear). In this case, a special tablet or injection is necessary.
If your cat regularly catches wildlife, then you should administer a DRONTAL tablet routinely every 3 months.
Other worming drugs useful in certain circumstances are ENDORID and PANACUR. It is possible, that our vets may suggest their use as well.
Key to effective flea control drugs
Do NOT waste time and money with ineffective or out-of-date drugs. Any savings will quickly disappear in an uncomfortable pet and even more uncomfortable vet bills! At present, it makes strong sense to use STRONGHOLD for flea and worm control, or FRONTLINE for just flea control.
However clean you keep your pet, and however much grooming and attention you give it, the sad fact is that sooner or later it will harbour fleas and bring them into your house. For every one or two you spot, remember, there are many more that you can't see; it's very much a tip-of-the-iceberg situation.
The prolific female flea lays her eggs twenty at a time and may well produce an amazing 400 to 500 eggs in all, usually on the ground in dust or in cracks and crevices. The length of time taken for the eggs to develop can vary from around three weeks to many months depending on temperature and humidity.
Apart from the itchiness fleas cause, other problems may arise, such as:
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Alopecia
- Tapeworms
- Anaemia
- Vet's fees
...............even your friends may notice something!!
Veterinary Fees
It is inevitable in modern days to compare prices and fees. However, it is not always the case that cheaper fees are the better option - e.g. vaccination fees. Ask your vet how many diseases are protected for the price paid, and does the price include VAT.
E.G. Bitch Spays
1. Are drugs such as 'Rimadyl' for pain relief regularly given?
2. Is 'Rapinovet' (a safe and quick acting drug) used to induce anaesthesia?
3. Do you use the older gaseous anaesthetic 'Halothane' or the newer, safer 'Isofluorane'?
4. If I have a problem late at night, how many miles will I have to take my dog for post-op treatment?
Please be assured, that we will always be happy to discuss or explain veterinary costs.