Blog

We have seen some exceptionally hot weather this year so it is important that we look after our dogs to minimise the risk of heatstroke.

If dogs get too hot and are unable to reduce their body temperature by panting they can easily get heatstroke. Which can be fatal. Some dogs are more prone including very young or old dogs, dogs with thick coats or dogs with short, flat faces such as Pugs and Boxers.

The five signs to look out for are:

Is the dog panting heavily?

Is the dog drooling excessively?

Does the dog appear lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated?

Is the dog vomiting?

Has the dog collapsed?

If your dog is showing these symptoms you need

With all this glorious sunny weather our pets will be eager to spend more time outdoors ‘catching some rays’. But they are not the only ones…fleas love the summer months and thrive outdoors!

Summertime is rife for fleas - with the warmth and moisture in the air, they can rapidly multiply, going from egg to adult in just 14 days. The milder winter also means that plenty of fleas will have survived outdoors, adding to the explosion of them that we see at this time of year.

Wildlife such as foxes, birds and hedgehogs will be teeming with adult fleas.  An inquisitive cat or dog that gets too close to a slumbering hedgehog could get more than just a prickle on the nose, as a flea may take the opportunity to try a new host – your pet!

With all this fine weather, you can guarantee there will be plenty of doggy friends out and about and ample opportu

Rider to horse weight ratio typically depends on the size and strength of the horse, and the type of work that the horse is expected to do. However, from a vet’s point of view how much weight is too much weight for a horse to bear? Are we exposing horses to orthopaedic problems or even pain by asking them to carry more weight than they can reasonably bear?

How to choose an appropriate weight limit.

When we're deciding appropriate weight limits for horses we need to consider how tall the horse is and the type of build as well as age. Two horses that are both 15 hands high will not necessarily have the same build and will therefore not necessarily be able to cope with the same level of weight. A racehorse could carry significantly less than a draft horse but also, an overweight horse cannot necessarily manage a heavier load. We also need to look at the rider. How competent are they? W

Ian Wright is an expert in this subject, as well as being a veterinary surgeon and co-owner of a practice in Fleetwood; he also hold's a Master's degree in Parasitology. He is head of the ESOCAP UK & Ireland, Guideline Director for ESOCAP Europe and editorial board member for the Companion Animal and Vet CPD Journals. This article reflects his views on treating tapeworms in the general canine population and the role of the veterinary practice. 

Tapeworms - The Parasite in Our Homes

It is no secret as a nation (where the dog is the most popular pet owned) that we are devoted to our four-legged friends, and it is also no secret that perhaps because they share our households; many owners simply forget that they can act as hosts to unwelcome parasites such as tapeworms. The main tapeworm that the average pet owner will come across is Dipylidium Canium.

Dipylidium Canium

Kittens and cats are among the cleanest of animals and are very easy to litter train when young. However, you may not be aware that cats can suffer from debilitating urinary problems which can cause a great deal of pain.

As your cat cannot tell you what’s wrong, the first sign you notice may be a change in behaviour. If toileting habits change significantly the first thing you should do is arrange a check-up with the vet. Urinary problems can be serious, but the good news is that they are treatable.

A Guide To Understanding Veterinary Prescriptions

How did it all come about?

Changes to the UK Law made back in 2005, meant that pet owners could legally ask their veterinary surgeon for a written prescription allowing them to obtain veterinary medicines from an alternative supplier. Up until then, pet owners could only purchase veterinary medicines directly from their own vet, and unfortunately in some instances this resulted in owners being charged astronomical amounts. The change in law opened up the market and challenged vets to provide reasonably priced medicines to their customers.

Most of us have heard of high blood pressure in people but probably haven't realised that the condition can affect our feline companions too. High blood pressure or hypertension usually occurs as a symptom of another underlying disease such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), but it can be a standalone condition with no discernible cause.

We all know our pets get older, but we don’t always appreciate that they can begin to suffer age-related health complaints just like we do. Arthritis is one such complaint.

Otitis Externa aka inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal is a very common condition in dogs – in fact, despite it being one of the most common conditions seen in dogs – it can be a frustrating condition to manage.

Puppies despite their sweet appearance can be hard work for the uninitiated! Ownership of a cute little bundle of canine joy, therefore, can be a steep learning curve and this is where veterinarians can help to smooth out the corners by providing some gentle training advice.

Start as you mean to go on

All puppies are adorable. The same cannot be said of babies, but similarities do exist – the main one being that neither comes with an instruction manual! One of the biggest reasons pets sadly end up being re-homed is behavioural issues that literally drive their human family up the wall, but things don't ever have to get this far.

Age-appropriate behaviour and training

Age-appropriate training throughout the early months can go a long way in starting owners down the road of enjoying a well-adjusted, biddable adult dog at the end of it. Veterinarians are in the ideal position of being able to provide n