Newsletter Spring 2003

Every year the RSPCA and Dog Wardens pick up thousands of lost pets. However reuniting these pets with their owners can prove very difficult since many of them cannot be reliably identified. This is obviously very distressing for both pets and their owners, so what can be done to improve the situation?

In addition to the traditional collar and engraved tag (which can unfortunately become detached and lost), there is now a far more reliable form of pet identification — the microchip implant. A tiny microchip (about the size of a grain of rice — see photo) is quickly and easily injected under the skin, permanently identifying your pet. Each microchip contains a unique I.D. code. This code, together with details about your pet, are held on a central computer. Veterinary practices, the police and pet rescue organisations have special hand held scanners that can detect and "read" the information on the microchip - identifying your pet so that you can be reunited without delay.

Don't take the chance - microchip your pet! Please ask us for further details!

The tiny microchip (7-8mm) is injected under the skin, permanently identifying your pet.

Special scanners "read" the microchip's unique I.D. code.

The unique I.D. code is displayed on the screen of the scanner. This unique I.D. code speedily identifies your pet.

Dogs, cats and many other pets can be microchipped.

Pets are part of the family, so if they have an accident or illness it is a worrying time for all concerned. We naturally think of traumatic surgical events - such as accidents involving broken bones - as the main reason for pet insurance. However, many medical conditions such as heart disease, skin disease and arthritis (to name just three!) can be equally costly to treat. Whatever the condition, when your pet is unwell the last thing you want to be worrying about is the cost of veterinary treatment. The good news is that with pet insurance you have the peace of mind that should your much loved pet become ill, they can have the treatment they require without you - their owner - worrying about the bills. For further information and leaflets on the benefits of pet insurance please ask at reception!

Fleas are a cause of intense irritation to both pets and their owners! However the key to controlling them is to understand their life-cycle. Adult fleas, which are typically just 2mm in length (and clearly visible without magnification), spend the majority of their lives on pets, feeding on blood and reproducing. Female fleas commonly lay 30-60 or more eggs per day - thus a brief flea infestation can result in thousands of eggs being produced! These tiny white eggs fall off the coat of the animal and are deposited around your home in carpets and bedding.

The eggs can remain dormant for many months before developing via larval and pupal stages into more adult fleas. We have a range of safe and very effective flea products, both for your pet and your home. Please ask us to advise you on the best form of flea control to suit your individual requirements.

Normal joint function is something that most of us take for granted in our pets. However arthritis (or degenerative joint disease) is a relatively common problem, particularly in older pets. In the majority of cases, arthritis occurs secondary to a lifetime of wear and tear on the joints. Arthritis may also occur following joint trauma or due to mal-formation of a joint (for example hip dysplasia).

The joints permitting free limb movements are called synovial joints. A healthy joint has a smooth layer of cartilage covering the bones and is lubricated by synovial fluid produced by the synovial membrane.

Arthritic joints typically show progressive breakdown and thinning of the cartilage, formation of new bone (osteophytes) and thickening of the joint capsule. Affected joints usually appear stiff, swollen and painful.

Although arthritis cannot usually be cured, the good news is that novel forms of medication and (for overweight pets) careful weight control can make a huge difference to the lives of affected pets.

If you are concerned that your pet is showing signs of stiffness on rising or joint pain, please come and see us for a health check.

Did you know that rabbits have continuously growing teeth, growing at a rate of 1-2 mm per week, and that one of the most common health problems in pet rabbits is dental disease, usually associated with overgrown teeth?

The incisor (front) teeth should meet, slicing off lengths of food before it is passed back to the cheek teeth. The incisor teeth can however become overgrown (see lower photograph) and as a result cause great difficulty in eating.

The cheek teeth are grinding teeth. However if they become overgrown they frequently develop sharp spikes which can lacerate the tongue and cheeks, making eating very painful.

Tooth overgrowth occurs where the rate of tooth wear is less than the underlying rate of tooth growth. As a result, feeding a high fibre diet (to encourage tooth wear) can play a major role in preventing this painful and distressing condition.

Please contact us for further information on feeding your rabbit or for an examination of your rabbit's teeth.