Previous news items.
New digital Xray system 17/06/10On-line repeat prescriptions 01/03/10
Dental disease 01/02/10
New Year offers 01/01/10
Puppy socialisation 27/22/09
Wriggly worms 20/10/09
Fireworks phobia 10/09/09
Heatstroke in dogs 23-05-09
The danger of slugs and snails 05-01-09
Rabies is still a threat 11-05-08
Latest blood analysers 13-02-08
Perfect Sweet (xylitol) warning 20-02-08
Welcome to St Mary's Vets News
New digital Xray system
17/06/09We have just acquired a new digital Xray system to enhance our radiographic imaging.
Most Xray systems in veterinary practice are still based on wet developing. The animal is laid on top of a cassette containing a film which is sensitive to xray exposure. Xrays are then fired through the animal onto the film which becomes exposed. It's a bit like casting a shadow on a wall (=film) using a torch (=Xray source). Because different parts of the body stop different amounts of Xrays you are left with a shadow in various shades of grey, bone being whitish, muscle and fat grey, air and gas blackish. At this stage the image is only latent and not visible to the naked eye.
Using the old wet system it now has to be developed using chemicals by passing through a liquid developer, liquid fixer, water rinse and finally dried. The image is now ready for viewing by placing in front of a light box.
Using the digital system the 'film' is not developed and looked at directly. Instead it is read by a special digital reader and converted into an image which is sent to a hard drive for viewing on a computer monitor the same way you might save your photographs onto your PC. This has several advantages.
Digital processing is faster. This means that your pet will be under sedation or anaesthesia for a shorter period.
Having the image on a hard drive allows much easier and more efficient storage and retrieval of the images. No more rummaging around through thousands of films looking for one that has been misfiled!
Digital images can be manipulated to enhance their diagnostic value. With the old system what you got was all you had. Now we can sharpen the image, enhance contrast, lighten or darken parts of the image, compensate for minor exposure errors, magnify and make comparisons between images more easily.
Post exposure manipulation and rapid processing reduces the Xray and anaesthetic gas exposure to both patient and staff.
Finally should we require a second opinion on a study it makes it much easier to send the images and we still have the originals
BackOn-line repeat prescriptions
01/03/09Our web-site now has the facility for you to order your repeat prescriptions on-line. This facility is for registered clients only. Payment will be taken when you collect your medication from the surgery.
The format is self explanatory. The first part of the form requests your details so that we can check on your records. The email address is to allow us to notify you when your medication is ready.
The second part is for the details of the medication you are requesting. If you only have one medication fill in the "prescription 1" boxes. You can request up to 3 medications for any one animal at any one time. If you have more than one animal or more than 3 medications just submit more than one form.
You must fill in all boxes relating to your details and the prescription 1 section for the form to be submitted. If you do not you will get an error message asking you to complete the relative section.
When you press the submit button the page will confirm the request has been sent. You should also get a confirmation email. If you do not it may be that you have incorrectly typed in your email address.
Repeat prescriptions are available only if your pet has been assessed recently to check that the drugs are still appropriate and not causing adverse affects. This is normally within the previous 6 months. It may be more or less than this depending on the type of drug, the condition and how stable the situation is.
The on-line form can be found here or via the link on the home page.
BackDental disease
01/02/10 What is dental disease?
Teeth are covered by a thin film of bacteria and sticky mucin (plaque).
This is normally abraded away by chewing on hard fibrous food. Tinned
food is not effective at removing this film and tends to stick to the
teeth providing food for the bacteria. Normal dry food is slightly
better but often crumbles as it is bitten into preventing any scraping
of the tooth surface. Dental plaque becomes mineralization into tarter
or scale, the brown stoney accumulations often seen on animals teeth.
This surface is rough and encourages further attachment of bacteria and
food particles leading to further progression of dental disease. Plaque
and scale irritate the gums causing inflammation (gingivitis). Further
progression leads to gum regression infections around the tooth roots
and the loss of bone supporting the teeth (periodontal disease).
Gingivitis and periodontal disease can be a painful yet remain
unnoticed to you as an owner.
What are the signs of dental
disease?
It is surprising how advanced dental disease can become before it
is
obvious. Signs can be quite subtle such as eating on one side of the
mouth or eating a little slower. Other signs include bad breath, red
gums, yellow/brown tartar on teeth, pawing or rubbing at the mouth,
dribbling and loose teeth.
How is dental disease treated?
If significant scale is present on the teeth this will need to be
removed in the same way your teeth are scaled . The only difference is
that for cats and dogs this involves an anaesthetic to enable it to be
done safely and effectively. Each tooth needs to be assessed and any
with advance disease will need to be extracted. Remaining teeth are
then polished to leave a smooth surface to reduce attachment of food
and bacteria. Antibiotics may be needed were infections are
significant.
How is dental disease prevented?
After your pets dental or if the teeth are OK to start with there
are
ways in which you can help safeguard your pets dental health.
Brushing will remove plaque and prevent it from becoming mineralised
into tartar. See here for advice on
brushing. Some
dental diets (Hills t/d) are formulated so that instead of shattering
during biting the tooth cuts through the biscuit and has the plaque
wiped away. Other diets may have compounds which bind calcium making it
unavailable to convert plaque into tartar. Chews will help mechanically
remove plaque and may also contain substances to stop the bacteria
adhering to the teeth or to bind calcium to prevent plaque
mineralization.
Don't forget if you still have your Christmas offer card you can get necessary dental work performed at a reduced cost!
BackNew Year offers
01/01/10 A very cold start to the year but hopefully our special offers will
cheer you up! Remember to bring in your Christmas card to claim your
offer. If you didn't receive your Christmas offer card let us know so
we can give you one.
January: 10% off any one bill.
February: Cat dentals at £70 and dog dentals at £80.
March: Restart lapsed vaccinations with a primary course for the price
of a booster.
April: Buy 3 pipettes of flea treatment and get one free.
May: 20%of all cat and dog neutering.
June: 10% of any one bill.
July: Remember - buy 4 milbemax wormers for the price of 3.
August: 10% of any one bill.
September: Pet smile month. Free dental check and nurse demonstration
of how to brush your pet's teeth.
October: Buy 3 pipettes of flea treatment and get one free.
November: Extra special price on blood screening for health. Mini
screen £30 and comprehensive screen £40.
December: Free treat with every consultation.
Terms and conditions apply.
Puppy Socialisation
27/11/09
Dogs have a sensitive period up to 12-16 weeks of age where they
learn to accept things around them so that they are not afraid of them
in later life. Things encountered during this time will be tolerated or
even enjoyed. After this time unfamiliar people, objects and
experiences are approached with caution and possibly fear which can
lead to aggression.
Puppy socialisation involves meeting and having pleasant encounters with adults, children, dogs, events and environments. As a result they will grow up to be friendly and happy with people and animals, taking different people in their stride and enjoying going anywhere with their owners.
Sadly not all puppies are socialised adequately. This leads to problems such as biting children, the postman or showing aggression to other dogs. It may be frightened when taken to new places and situations. Problems can be so severe that in extreme cases the only way to prevent injury to other animals and people is euthanasia.
Socialisation should start with the breeder. If your new puppy was not brought up in a normal house you will need to work hard to make up for lost time. When purchasing a puppy consider not only its physical health but also its psychological health. Choose a breeder that rears the puppies indoors with family contact not shut away in separate room or outhouse.
Carefully arrange your puppy to have several new experiences every day. Don’t overwhelm the puppy and give plenty of time for rest in-between new experiences. Puppies tire easily so make the experiences short and avoid unpleasant events. If the puppy seems anxious of fearful stop and try again later.
With encounters with people try to select a wide range of people types! Children, adults, men, women, tall, short, with and without hats, walking sticks, beards (not the women!), bags, umbrellas, rucksacks.
With other dogs do not allow the puppy to be overwhelmed by boisterous playmates especially on initial socialisation. Only allow your puppy to mix with sociable dogs and be prepared to stop any unsociable behaviour. Try dogs of different breeds and ages. It is also a good idea to introduce them to other animals including cats, horses and farm animals.
Also take your puppy to places where it can experience cars and other traffic, crowds, towns, countryside and other places it may go as and adult. Make sure the experiences are pleasurable and not frightening.
While socialising your puppy your must take precautions against contracting infectious diseases. Do not allow your puppy to mix with unvaccinated dogs or visit areas were other dogs are exercised. They can be taken to non-doggy areas and carried as needed to avoid dogs and soiled areas. Ensure that your puppy is vaccinated as soon as possible to allow increased freedom.
To assist in socialisation we hold monthly puppy parties to assist in socialisation of young puppies.
BackWriggly worms
20/10/09Just because you haven't seen any worms coming from your pet doesn't
mean they haven't got any. Worms can be picked up from contaminated
soil, eating wildlife, fleas and in the case of puppies or kittens from
their mothers milk. Lungworm
(French heartworm) in dogs may be contracted from snails and slugs or
areas contaminated by them. They can be a cause of 
poor health, diarrhoea and even death especially in young animals. They
may also affect humans with children being especially vulnerable.for
more information on worms see our information
section.
It is generally recommended that adult cats and dogs should be wormed at least every 3 months. We currently recommend that puppies are wormed monthly for the first year to reduce the risk of lungworm infection which can be fatal. Ensure the product you use is effective against this parasite. Cats that hunt frequently and pets in close contact with children are best wormed monthly also.
A variety of worming products are available. Not all products are effective against all types of worms. In addition to tablet and powder formulations there is also spot on products. These are placed on the skin at the back of the neck. This is especially useful for cats which are difficult to pill and will not accept tablets in their food. Please phone for free advise.
BackFirework phobias
10/09/09
Many dogs and cats find fireworks frightening. To make matters worse there seems no getting away from them. With the extended periods of the year that displays seem to cover it is more important than ever to plan ahead. There are a number of things you can do to ease the distress of your pet
- Make a refuge. If your pet has a preference for somewhere to hide then use this. A room with as few windows as possible is best to reduce noise and flashing lights. If there is a corner or piece of furniture they hide in or under then use this to make a nest with old blankets or clothes. Get them used to going there and give them rewards to give it pleasant associations.
- Consider the use of a DAP or Feliway diffuser which uses pheromones to help relax your pet. This is best started at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Before the event ensure your dog has been to the toilet or for cats put a litter tray near by.
- For dogs a stodgy carbohydrate rich meal such as potato, rice or pasta in the late afternoon may help to make them feel sleepy towards nightfall.
- Make sure you black out the windows with heavy curtains or blankets.
- Have moderately loud rhythmic music with a strong beat playing to mask the noise. (Unless your pet has a phobia about loud music!)
- Do not get angry over your pets response to the noise as this will only compound the fear.
- Do not try to soothe your pet as this will only reinforce the fear by rewarding their behaviour. Ignore any displays of fear and only reinforce relaxed behaviour.
- Act in a calm manner.
- If your pet will engage in some distracting games then play with them but don't try to force them.
- With some pets medication may be needed to get them over the event so please contact us for advice. We also supply DAP and Feliway diffusers.
- Visit fearoffireworks for more information.
Previous news letters
Rabies is still a threat
It is easy to forget that rabies still poses a problem to UK animals and people. With the advent of pet passports we have more freedom to travel abroad with our pets. This freedom is restricted to those countries where the risk of rabies is considered low. Outside these countries the risk may be significant and the control of animal movement from these areas to the UK is much more strictly controlled. Many people presume that the 6 month quarantine for cats and dogs entering the UK was abolished with the advent of pet passports. This is not so and if you want to bring in a pet from outside the pet passport scheme it still applies. This was highlighted recently with a case of rabies confirmed on the 25th of April in a UK rabies quarantine facility.The case was in a puppy brought into the UK from Sri Lanka along with 12 other animals. The puppy had bitten 3 people including 2 kennel workers and later died of the disease. All three people have received treatment for rabies exposure which should prevent them developing the disease. Four other animals which were in close contact were humanely euthanased. As the case of rabies was contained within a quarantine facility there is no risk to the general public or the general animal population.
Twenty cases of rabies in pets have been reported in England and Wales since 1946, all of which were imported. A strain of rabies related to classical rabies called European Bat Lyssavirus (EBLV 2) has been found in Daubenton's bats in the UK on six occasions. There have only been 2 human fatalities one of which was in a licensed bat handler who died in Scotland from EBLV2 caught from a bat in 2002.
These cases do highlight the potential risks to people from bats in the UK and from dogs in rabies endemic areas. 11-05-08.
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The danger of snails and slugs
Every gardener is aware of the devastation that slugs and snails can cause to their garden plants but few people are alert to the potential problem they may present to dogs. These garden pests can carry a canine parasite called Angiostrongylus vasorum or the French heartworm. When the infected snail or slug is eaten the parasitic worm is released and migrates to the blood vessels of the lungs. Here it can cause a potentially fatal pneumonia. It may also cause problems with the bloods ability to clot. Occasionally worms may lose their way and end up in the brain or spinal cord. For more information click here. 05-04-08.Back
Jail for docking puppies tails
Amateur breeder Gillian Breden was the first person to be prosecuted under the 2006 Animal welfare Act which makes it illegal to dock puppies tails for cosmetic purposes.Breden told the court that she did not believe that she had done anything wrong . All the Rottweiler puppies were docked at a day old using scissors and no anaesthetic. She told the court that people buying the puppies all wanted their tails to be docked.
Gillian Breden was sentenced to two months in prison and banned from keeping animals for 10 years by Brighton magistrates. 20-09-07
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Alex the parrot dies
Alex an African grey parrot of Brandies University in Massachusetts died at the age 31 years. He became a celebrity through the University's research into avian intelligence.He was able to count to six, identify 50 different objects, seven colours and five shapes. He was able to combine these in a way to describe new objects such as a "green key" that had not been taught directly. He was also able to understand concepts such as bigger and correctly identify which items were bigger than others. He starred in numerous web videos
The research into avian cognition and communication continues with two younger parrots Griffin and Arthur. We wait to see if alex was one of a kind or this level of intelligence is the norm. 20-09-07
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Myxomatosis alert
A number of reports of myxomatosis have reached the veterinary press. It is a timely reminder to ensure your rabbits vaccinations are up to date.Myxomatosis is a viral disease transmitted by biting insects especially fleas and mosquitos or direct contact. With the warm damp summer both have had a good season. In the early stages swelling of the rabbits eyelids, nose, ears and genitalia occur. At this stage rabbits generally continue eating. The disease is slowly progressive leading to eventual death, often due to pneumonia, after several weeks. Because of its protracted course it is a particularly unpleasant disease to witness. Unfortunately in unvaccinated rabbits there is no effective treatment and euthanasia of confirmed cases is usually advised.
Prevention is simple and painless. All rabbits including house rabbits are potentially at risk and should be vaccinated at regular intervals. If your rabbit has not been vaccinated in the last year please contact the surgery for an appointment. 20-09-07
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Planning your summer holidays?
If you are planning next year’s holidays now is the time to consider what your pets will be doing. Holidaying in the UK isn’t too much of a problem, but what if you intend going abroad? The choice is friends, kennels or taking your pet with you. It is quite amazing how quickly kennels can be booked up so if you want first choice then start looking now. Last minute kennelling arrangements can be difficult but last minute arrangements to take your pet abroad are impossible.With the advent of the pet’s passport scheme it is possible to take your pet into Europe and return with no long quarantine stays involved. The process for obtaining a passport does take 7-8 months! Please do consider if your pet is fit to travel and if it would really enjoy the holiday more than staying home. Long journeys by car or ferry can be quite stressful. Lounging in a hot climate may not be your dogs idea of a good time especially if it has a thick coat, excess fat, a short nose or other breathing problems. Then of course you need to think about disease risks. There are a number of potentially fatal diseases on mainland Europe that we do not see in this country. Dogs travelling to Europe have already returned only to succumb to life threatening illnesses.
If after careful consideration you decide to take your pet abroad call us for a consult to get the ball rolling or look at more information on this site. 20-09-07
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Fun at the puppy party
On
the last Wednesday evening in September we had our first puppy party,
15 puppies attended along with over 30 owners!! Needless to say next
time we’ll limit the numbers a little so that everyone can
have a
cup of tea! From Labradors and labro-doodles to poodles and cavaliers,
all those puppies that attended had a wonderful evening of playing,
socialising and perhaps they even learnt a trick or too. Next puppy
party is planned for last Wednesday of next month.See more pictures here
27-09-07
Back to top
Photo Competition
Why
not enter our photo competition to find a dog or cat to
star on the front
of our vaccination reminder cards next year. Your photos can be
amusing, quirky or serious. email your photos to
chrisdixonvet@yahoo.co.uk. Closing date is Friday 14th December 2007.
Have a look at some of our entries here
Hyperthyroidism in cats linked to flame retardants
The US Environmental Protection Agency, Indiana University and the University of Georgia report evidence of a link between polybrominated diphenyl esters (PBDE) and hyperthyroidism in cats. PBDEs are used as flame retardants in carpets, furniture, fabrics and electronic circuit boards. Testing of cat foods also found significant levels in canned food formulations containing fish.
The findings were based on the examination of 23 pet cats, 11 of whom had hyperthyroidism. The hyperthyroid cats had 3 times the level of PBDEs in their blood compared to younger non-hyperthyroid cats. It is thought the PBDEs become a component of house dust which contaminates the cats coat. The cats then ingest it because of their meticulous grooming.
A number of PBDEs are already banned in Europe and the remaining are undergoing a review. For more information on hyperthyroidism click here.
Happy New Year
We wish all our clients a Happy New Year! In the coming year in addition to our normal services we would like to offer the following:
- January: 10% off any one bill
- February: buy three worm treatments and get a fourth free. Find out about worms.
- March: restart regular vaccinations for the price of a booster. Find out about vaccinations.
- April: cat dentals at £85 and dog dentals at £99. Find out about home care and what a dental involves.
- May: buy one box of flea treatment and get one extra pipette free. Find out about fleas.
- June: 10% off any one bill
- July: 10% of all pet foods. Find out about feeding your pet.
- August: 10% of any one bill
- September: pet arthritis month- free first time check for all pets over 8 years old. Find out about arthritis.
- October: buy one box of flea treatment and get one extra pipette free. Find out about fleas.
- November1-15: free dental check. Find out about home care and what a dental involves.
- November 15-30: free pet advent calendar with every consultation
Perfect Sweet (xylitol) warning
Perfect Sweet is a natural sugar alternative which is available from a number of outlets including Sainsburys. Perfect Sweet is the trade name for a substance called xylitol. Xylitol is also present in a number of other products including chewing gum.Use in human diets
Xylitol has a number of advantages over sugar when used in our diets. It is tooth friendly resulting in fewer cavities compared with sugar containing chewing gum. It has 40% less calories than sugar and hence can help in weight control. It has a low glycaemic index so it will not result in a sudden rise in blood sugar that then leaves you feeling hungry again as the levels drop. This is also helpful in diabetics as they are unable to produce the insulin required to deal with the sudden increase in blood sugar levels produced by normal sugar. No toxicity problems in humans have been reported.Toxicity in dogs
Unfortunately xylitol is a potent stimulant for the release of insulin in dogs. The insulin causes a rapid drop in blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia). Signs of hypoglycaemia include depression, incoordination, collapse seizures and death. Signs may start as soon as 30 minutes from the time of ingestion. The effect is seen with as little as half a teaspoon in a 20 kg dog (0.1g xylitol per kg bodyweight of dog). Aggressive treatment is required and veterinary attention should be sought as soon as it is known they have eaten any food containing the product. Do not wait for signs to occur! Higher doses such as 2 teaspoonsful in a 20 kg dog(0.1g xylitol per kg bodyweight of dog) can result in liver failure within hours.(If they survive the hypoglycaemia.) One of the reported deaths was in a standard poodle ate only 6 cookies sweetened with xylitol. 20-02-08Back
Latest blood analysers
At the beginning of this month we took receipt of some new state of the art blood analysers. This has allowed us to increase the range of tests that we are now able to do in house. Having access to same day results means that we are able to improve our already high level of care. We estimate that we are now able to do over 90% of our blood testing in house.Blood tests can be divided into 4 groups as follows:
- Haematology. This examines the blood cells present in the body and can give an insight into anaemia and inflammatory processes associated with infections, immune disease and cancer.
- Biochemistry. This examines the levels of chemicals in the blood which are released and removed by various organs. This in turn helps assess the health of these organs.
- Electrolytes. These are the 'salts' present in the blood. The level of the various electrolytes are closely controlled. Abnormal levels can cause severe problems with the functioning of the heart, muscles and brain.
- Hormones. The two commonest hormones that we look at, T4 and cortisol are now available to be assessed on site. T4 levels are elevated in cats with hyperthyroidism, a very common condition, and depressed in dogs with hypothyroidism. Cortisol levels are used to test the adrenal function in Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease
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Heatstroke in dogs
Heatstroke is a common life threatening condition seen in the hotter months in the UK. Although heatstroke can be seen in most species it is most commonly seen in dogs. It occurs when the body's ability to dissipate heat is exceeded by heat production. Dogs lose heat by convection to the air, conduction to the ground and evaporation from the respiratory tract (nose, mouth and lungs). The latter is increased by panting. Unfortunately as a dog's body temperature rises there comes a point when the act of panting actually generates more heat than it dissipates. At that point the animal's temperature spirals out of control resulting in its death. As one would expect the chances of heatstroke increase with increasing environmental temperatures, increased humidity and increased activity. It is also more likely in dogs with compromised respiratory tracts such as short nosed breeds overweight animals.Signs
- Excessive panting
- Anxious behaviour
- Inability to swallow resulting in excessive salivation
- Very red to blue tinged gums
- Collapse and inability to stand
- Convulsions, coma, death
Treatment
Transportation to a vet in a hot car before starting treatment may be fatal. Cooling should be started immediately.- Remove animal from heat if possible
- Completely wet the dog's coat to reduce its insulating properties
- Provide a continuous flow of tepid water over the body, limbs and head
- contact the local vet while instigating the above
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