SERVICES

DOGS

CATS

BIRDS

RABBITS

EXOTICS

Dogs

Dogs must be vaccinated against canine distemper, canine parvovirus, parainfluenza virus, hepatitis and leptospirosis (DHP+L). An initial course of vaccination for puppies is at eight weeks and comprises two injections, two weeks apart. The last of these must be when or after the puppy is 10 weeks old. Kennel cough (Bordatella) vaccination should be started at this stage. Bordatella is the same genus of bacteria that causes whooping cough in humans (cats, rabbits and humans are all susceptible to this bacteria). This vaccine is given up the dog’s nose, and is valid for one year.

In the adult dog yearly vaccination with Leptospira is necessary to maintain immunity as well as a kennel cough vaccination which must have a booster every year. Distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis virus booster is given every three years.

We always combine vaccinations with a full health assessment. Our veterinary nurses are also on hand so do please take this opportunity to ask them or the vet any questions or worries you might have about your pets’ health.

For more information please click here.

Puppies

• 8 weeks – 1st vaccine for Leptospirosis (two types), Parvovirus, Distemper and Hepatitis
• 10 weeks – 2nd vaccine as the 1st vaccination plus kennel cough
• 11 weeks – puppy can socialise
• Annually – booster vaccine

Cats

Cats are vaccinated routinely against cat ‘flu’, enteritis and feline leukaemia virus. Annual boosters follow an initial course of two injections three weeks apart.

Kittens

• 9 weeks – 1st vaccine for ‘flu’ (two types), enteritis and feline leukaemia
• 12 weeks – as 1st and including enteritis and feline leukaemia
• 14 weeks – Kitten can socialise
• Annually – booster vaccine

Chlamydia vaccines are also available.

Please click here for more information.

Rabbits

Rabbits need to be vaccinated against two fatal diseases – Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). Both diseases can be carried by insects, so house rabbits are still at risk. We strongly recommend that all pet rabbits be vaccinated annually with the combination vaccine.

6 weeks or later initial vaccination for both Myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD)
Annually – Booster vaccine for both Myxomatosis and VHD.

A healthy pet is a happy pet, and regular assessments will help us ensure that your pet will stay that way.

HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

We recommend a regular health assessment every six months. Regular examinations of your pet are important for the early diagnosis and prevention of disease.

We offer a full health examination at the time of a pet’s annual vaccination – when it can be quite common for us to discover problems of which the owner is quite unaware, such as ear and mouth infections, heart conditions even tumours.

We will then invite you to come for a Wellness Assessment with one of our nurses six months later so this is an opportunity to discuss your pet’s health, diet, weight and behaviour.

VIP members receive a health assessment 6 months after their annual vaccination as part of their plan. This also includes a blood profile.

NURSE CLINICS

We run numerous nurse clinics all year, you don’t have to wait for “dental month” or “arthritis month” to benefit from a free nurse clinic as we run them all the time! These include:

• Weight clinics
• Dental clinics
• Puppy talks
• Kitten talks
• Rabbit talks
• Wellness assessments
• Administering flea and de-worming treatment

Our FREE puppy socialisation classes can help your puppy grow into a confident dog

Our FREE Puppy Socialisation Classes can help your puppy grow into a confident dog.

Puppy Socialisation classes are great for a number of reasons; they help you teach your young dog how to behave around other animals and their owners, can develop your canine into a happy and confident dog, and they’re also great fun.

At Cranbrook Veterinary Centre we understand the importance of having an obedient pet. As well as having a brilliant relationship with you, you want to be able to take your furry friend on a walk without having to worry about coming into contact with other dogs.

We have developed our socialisation classes to cover every aspect of raising a dog. We can help you encourage your pet to respond to verbal cues (such as sit and lie down), as well as get used to everyday noises and sounds. Most importantly, the puppy classes create a long-lasting positive association with the practice, so that, possibly when your pet needs medical care and is unwell, they are not worried about being in the environment or being handled or examined.

Our Cranbrook practice provides a spacious, safe and comfortable environment for puppy classes to take place. Lead by one of our veterinary nurses, you will be given all the information, tips and tricks you need to raise a healthy and happy pet. You’ll also be surrounded by other puppy owners who often go on to become great walking partners.

Puppy socialisation classes are held at our Cranbrook practice every Saturday morning. They are free of charge to attend, but you’re required to have your pet fully vaccinated, including kennel cough, and be treated for fleas and worms.

If you would like any more information regarding puppy classes and the benefits they have, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

To have your pet cared for at a family run practice that goes the extra mile to solve any problem, call us at Polsloe Veterinary Clinic on
01392 436006, or at Cranbrook Veterinary Centre on 01404 823423.

Please see our News page for current specials.

We also keep a range of food for other pets such as:

• Rabbits
• Rats
• Chinchillas
• Mice
• Guinea pigs
• Hamsters
• Degus
• Birds – Harrison’s Bird Food (see hbf-uk.co.uk for more information on why we recommend this fully balanced diet for your bird, no matter what the size.)

Our staff are trained to answer any nutritional questions you may have. We also stock a range of special Prescription diets designed to aid in the treatment of pets’ diseases such as bladder stones, intestinal, liver and kidney disease, as well as arthritis and weight loss. Modern research has shown, as in humans, that most diseases can be prevented by correct nutrition.

We are happy to order any food you require at very competitive prices.

Dogs, cats and rabbits are all susceptible to both round and tape worms.

Roundworms

Puppies and kittens are often born with worms. By three weeks of age, worms may be present in the intestine and will begin to lay eggs, which will then be passed in the motions. The bitch or queen rearing her young may become re-infested from her litter.

Ingesting eggs passed in the motions transmits the worms. The fact that worms are NOT seen does NOT mean that the animal is worm-free because usually only eggs are passed and they are invisible to the naked eye. As the eggs take a few weeks to develop, prompt disposal of motions is advisable.

If children are taught basic hygiene when handling animals, and pets are de-wormed regularly, the risk of human infection is virtually eliminated.

The drugs available only kill adult worms, so repeated dosing will eliminate the infestation as new adults emerge. Some drugs are not very effective. The staff will give advice on a good choice of wormer.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are chains of egg filled segments that when passed in motions can look like moving grains of rice.

Animals become infested by eating fleas, wild animals and raw meat. Control of fleas is therefore important.

Tapeworms can cause disease in humans and can be difficult to eliminate. The choice of de-wormer is very important, so please ask for our advice.

Lungworm

Lungworm is a relatively new parasite to the UK. It remains undetectable until symptoms appear which include severe haemorrhages from various organs. It is spread by slugs and snails and occasionally frogs.

Dogs of all ages can be affected. The good news is that it is entirely preventable by the regular use of a licensed flea spot-on treatment. Please ask us which brand we recommend.

For more information go to lungworm.co.uk

De-worming guide for recommended products

• Every 2 weeks from 2 weeks to 12 weeks
• Every 4 weeks from 12 weeks to 24 weeks
• Every 3 months 24 weeks onwards (as recommended by the World Health Organization)

Rabbits

Tapeworm and roundworms in rabbits are rarely a problem. However, rabbits need to be treated for an important parasite called Encephalitazoon cuniculi. This protozoan parasite usually causes kidney and brain disease in rabbits and is treated by dosing the rabbit with a pleasant tasting paste given once daily for 9 days. This will also eliminate any worms that the rabbit may have at the same time. This should be repeated every six months for prevention.

Fleas

Cats, dogs and rabbits are all susceptible to fleas. Fleas exist ALL YEAR ROUND and not just in the summer months! Fleas are the intermediate host for tapeworm and also suck blood which can be fatal in young puppies and kittens.

Fortunately fleas are very easy to prevent with a monthly application of a spot-on product guaranteed to kill the fleas. Supermarket and pet shop products are not in this category and are not as effective. Please ask for advice from one of our trained nursing staff or our veterinarians on which is the most effect brand to use.

If you find that your animal has fleas please remember to treat not only this pet, but ALL the pets in the household, as well as the house itself, your car and the carrier basket. 90% of the problem is not on the animal but in its surrounding environment i.e. the house.

Ticks

Ticks are another one of the parasites that can be a problem throughout the year. They transmit serious diseases to both humans and pets. Again like fleas, ticks are very easy to prevent by the application of a registered effective spot-on or collar. Please be aware that again, like flea products, there are very many ineffective products available over the counter. Please ask our trained staff for the most effective one.

Parasite poster

By 2016 microchipping your dog will be a legal requirement

Since 2016 it has been a legal requirement for all to be microchipped and, importantly for owners to ensure that these details are kept up to date at all times. Failure to meet this legal requirement can result in prosecution.

Cats also need to be microchipped as they are more likely than a dog to be lost, stolen or meet with an accident. Again please remember to keep the details of your cat’s microchip up to date at all times.

A microchip is the same size as a grain of rice, and it’s inserted relatively painlessly just under the skin between an animal’s shoulder blades. Chips have a special biocompatible glass covering to prevent them from being rejected from an animal’s body. The body tissue surrounding the chip will also grow around it to stop it from moving.

Every single microchip is encoded with a unique number that can be read by a special scanner. When the number is input into a national computerised database called Pet Log, your details will be listed under it.

Pet Log is accessible 24 hours a day 365 days a year, which is why it is so important to have your pet chipped and registered. In the unfortunate circumstance that your pet goes missing (or is stolen), their chip can be read by any animal service and you’ll soon be reunited.

Animal services that carry a chip scanner include dog wardens, all veterinary practices, animal welfare organisations such as RSPCA and The National Canine Defence League.

If you would like more information about microchipping and its benefits, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

To have your pet cared for at a family run practice that goes the extra mile to solve any problem, call us at Polsloe Veterinary Clinic on 01392 436006, or at Cranbrook Veterinary Centre on 01404 823423.

Did you know 1 in 3 pets may require unexpected veterinary treatment each year?*

Whilst advances in veterinary medicine mean we can do more for your pet, treatment costs can soon mount up. We highly recommend Petplan insurance to all our clients to help cover unexpected vets bills.

You may be surprised to hear that you are more likely to claim on your pet insurance than your car or household policies (Allianz Insurance plc). In fact, in our experience if you are one of the few people who don’t need to claim on your pet insurance you really are very lucky indeed!

It’s important to be aware that not all pet insurance is the same. Some policies limit the amount of time or money that you can claim for. Don’t just shop around on price alone.

At Cranbrook and Polsloe Veterinary Centres we recommend Petplan insurance for the following reasons:

• With Petplan’s Covered for Life guarantee your veterinary fees cover is renewed each year no matter how much you claim.
• Petplan doesn’t place exclusions at renewal on their Covered for Life policy so on-going conditions such as eczema continue to be covered by the policy.
• Petplan won’t increase your premium or excess just because you make a claim.
• Petplan is a pet insurance specialist so they understand the animal market and work closely with vets, charities and breeders.

Click here to find out more about the different types of pet insurance.

Why not try before you buy? For 4 weeks free Petplan insurance simply click here and quote our practice reference number 1100005497.

Should you need to claim under your Petplan policy, we offer direct claims for Petplan insured clients, which means all you have to pay is your excess and we claim back the rest! Peace of mind that you won’t be out of pocket. All claims are processed free of charge.

For ALL pet insurance queries contact Kelli who was PIA (Pet Insurance Advisor) of the Year 2010.

Owning a dog or cat can be the most rewarding experience. However, struggles in the way your pet behaves can endanger that human-animal bond that is so enriching to your and their lives. Further to this, most behaviour problems (from inappropriate toileting, aggression, over excitement and inability to be calm) are often motivated by negative emotional states. These emotional states may be fear, anxiety, frustration or over excitement, and sometimes behaviour problems can even be associated with painful or itchy conditions. Seeking veterinary advice with any behaviour struggle is the first step in resolving the issue but also in enriching the bond that you and your animal both share.

Here at Polsloe and Cranbrook Vets, each member of staff will be able to advise on first aid measures in dealing with any behaviour problem. Further to this, Tom, one of the vets is a behaviourist and trainer and spends a lot of his time consulting on a variety of behaviour problems both in-practice and internationally. From “aggression” to multi-dog/cat households to poor household or out-and-about manners, we are here to help.

Polsloe and Cranbrook are both stockists of Feliway and Adaptil.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Surgical cases are usually admitted between 8am and 9am or at other times by prior arrangement. Please remember that this is a 10 minute appointment and NOT just a drop and run. You should withhold food from your pet from 10pm on the day before the operation or procedure, but they may have water through the night. However, water should be withheld from approximately 7am on the morning of the operation or procedure. The nursing staff will admit all routine surgical operations. Otherwise your animal will be seen and admitted by a veterinary surgeon.

Following routine procedures, pets are generally sent home on the same day, as we believe they are much happier and so recover quicker in their own environment. All animals are carefully monitored throughout their stay with us and if an animal is not well enough to be discharged, we hospitalise them in a modern kennel system providing intensive care where necessary.

Please remember that, although the modern anaesthetics used in our practices are very safe, every general anaesthetic carries a risk. Contrary to popular belief, anaesthetic risk does not increase with age but definitely does increase if there is an underlying disease. This is the reason we strongly recommend blood testing (see below).

Our aim is always to make every step as safe as possible and to this end we have sophisticated monitoring equipment and each case has a dedicated person watching the anaesthetic from pre-medication to recovery. We also have a zero pain policy so every surgical case receives sufficient analgesia (pain relief).

Blood Testing

BLOOD TESTING

To ensure that your pet can properly process and eliminate an anaesthetic, we run blood tests to confirm that your pet’s organs are functioning properly and to uncover any hidden health conditions that could put your pet at risk.

By running a full blood profile before the anaesthetic is administered it not only gives peace of mind, but also enables us to detect any hidden illness and so take any necessary precautions during the anaesthetic to safeguard your pet’s health and well-being.

The nurse who admits your pet will be able to answer all your questions on this process.

Click here for more information about why we strongly advise these tests.

DENTAL CARE

Pets have teeth too. Problems often begin with a build up of plaque leading to tartar, infection and bad breath. Once the gums and bone around the teeth become affected, they can die at a rate of 2mm per year. Small dogs have small gums and so lose teeth more easily.

Dental health is not a cosmetic issue. Tartar and plaque are in fact millions of bacteria living on the teeth and gums. When the gums become inflamed, these bacteria can enter the circulation and cause damage to the heart, liver and kidney. Therefore keeping your pets mouth healthy is one of the most important ways to ensure your pet is healthy and happy. While the vet will examine the teeth at the annual vaccination consultation, this should be done more frequently with a minimum of every six months.

If milk teeth fail to fall out by six months, they will need to be removed. At our practices, we have equipment similar to your own dentist and offer treatment for pets of all ages including dental x-rays (at Cranbrook) which should be done at every dental treatment. It is by dental care that we improve the quality of life of more animals than any other treatment! Preventative health care is just as important and we offer a range of products – from toothpaste, toothbrushes to diets that are designed to help keep teeth clean.

NEUTERING AND SPAYING

Dogs

We recommend all female dogs are spayed (ovariohysterectomy) prior to their first season which is normally at 51/2 – 6 months of age. There is strong evidence that in most breeds this drastically reduces the possibility of mammary tumours and totally eliminates the possibility of uterine infections and tumours in all breeds. Spaying before the first season does NOT cause behaviour or any other detrimental problems. It can also reduce the possibility of certain skin conditions.

We do not believe in routine early castration of male dogs. The only medical benefit of this operation is in reducing the possibility of prostate disease in dogs older than five years. Early castration in males can result in behavioural and other medical problems. The only reason to castrate early is for population control.

Cats

Both male and female cats are neutered routinely from 5 months of age. This results in increased life expectancy in both males and females. It prevents wandering, unwanted litters, fighting and the transmission of fatal diseases such as feline aids and feline leukaemia virus

What you need to know

The “Pet’s Passport” scheme allows dogs, cats and ferrets to travel to and from the UK to the EU and EU listed countries only.

In order to obtain a passport your pet will have to go through several preparatory steps:

• A microchip must be implanted. This is done via an injection. Most animals find the procedure painless, and no anaesthetic is required. [See our section on Microchipping (Permanent Identification)].
• Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. One injection will confer immunity in the vast majority of animals, but because we have seen immunity failures in the past, we recommend two rabies vaccinations no less thank 30 days apart.
• However, 21 days after the first rabies vaccination your pet will be able to travel provided you have a valid passport.
• Between 24 and 120 hours before you return to Britain you must have your pet treated against worms by a vet in the country that you visit. They will complete the necessary section in the passport

For any further information or to begin the process, please contact Ingrid Hunt via email on ingrid.hunt@polsloe-cranbrookvets.comwith a subject title of Pet Passports enquiry.
BON VOYAGE!

Please give at least 24 hours notice for a repeat prescription. This allows us to check each prescription to be filled.

When prescription medicines are being supplied it is a legal requirement for the vet to regularly monitor the pet. Our practice policy is that animals should be assessed every 3 – 6 months (depending on the condition). This involves a consultation with the veterinarian where a blood test will be performed to make sure that the medication is firstly at the correct dosage and secondly that it is not having any adverse affects on your pet.

Tortoise Hibernationolsloe and Cranbrook’s exotic veterinarian Chris Vogt has over 35 years in exotic medicine. Prior to practicing small animal medicine in the UK he was the chief veterinarian at the Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa and has since become an international speaker on exotic animal medicine.

Facilities

Cranbrook has a separate exotic ward so that birds, in particular, are not stressed by being housed in the same area as a species that is usually their predator. The ward can be kept at the ideal temperature and is fitted with an oxygen outlet should oxygen need to be piped in.

We have diagnostic capabilities for exotics which include: Ultrasound, x-rays as well as blood, faecal and urine analysis.

Other services available include:

• Pre and post hibernation assessments
• DNA sexing
• Rabbit vaccination
• Exotic dentistry
• Microchipping
• Surgery
• Avian, rabbit and guinea pig nutrition kept in-house

Please do not hesitate to phone the practice for more information or to book a consultation for further advice on your exotic pet.

To download information on various subjects please click the link below:

Tortoise Hibernation

Losing a pet is never easy. As animal lovers and owners we know ourselves that losing a pet is like losing a family member. Sometimes a decision has to be made to end a pet’s life to prevent further suffering. This is not an easy thing for anyone, but we are here to listen and offer advice at this difficult time.

We can also offer a variety of cremation options to suit your wishes which will ensure that you have pleasant memories for years to come. Visit our Helpful Info page to view Meadow Wood Pet Crematorium.