The Pets Practice 1334-1336 Uxbridge Road Hayes End Middlesex, UB4 8JG Tel: 020 8561 2123 Fax: 020 8561 9104
Practice Principal Mr Haydn Sharratt, BVSc MRCVS RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery
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Frequently asked questionsTwenty common queries - click the question to view the answer. How old does my puppy need to be before it can have its 1st vaccination? How old does my kitten need to be before it can have its 1st vaccination? How often should I worm my puppy/kitten? What should I be feeding my young puppy? Do my pet's teeth need attention? How often should a dog/cat be vaccinated? What are dogs/cats vaccinated against? How often should I worm my adult cat/dog? I've found a rice-like segment stuck to my cat's tail near its bottom. What is it? How long will my female dog be in season? How old does my cat need to be before it can be neutered? How old does my male dog need to be before he can be castrated? How old does my female dog need to be before it can be spayed? What should I look for when taking out pet insurance? I've found fleas on my dog/cat. What should I do? What diseases should I get my rabbit vaccinated against? Should I have my rabbit neutered?
AnswersHow old does my puppy need to be before it can have its 1st vaccination? Puppies need two vaccinations in their first year (and annually thereafter). The first of these can be given at 6-8 weeks of age and the second is given from 10 weeks of age. Click here to view our guide on keeping your new puppy your ‘Friend for Life’ How old does my kitten need to be before it can have its 1st vaccination? Kittens need 2 vaccinations in their first year (with annual boosters thereafter). The first is given at at least 9 weeks of age, with the second at 12 weeks old. Click here to view our guide on keeping your new kitten your ‘Friend for Life’. How often should I worm my puppy/kitten? Worming frequency is determined by the risk of your dog or cat picking up worms. When you come to the Practice for their first check, our trained Veterinary Nurses will discuss this with you. They will provide you with our ‘Friend for Life’ guide - an easy-to-use guide on how frequently you should do this. In general, we advise worming monthly from birth to 6 months old, then every 3 months. What should I be feeding my young puppy or kitten? At your first visit to us, our Veterinary Nurses (who are all Veterinary Health Advisers) will provide you with advice on the best diet for your puppy or kitten. Puppies & kittens need to be given a food especially formulated for growth which includes all the vitamins, minerals and proteins to help them in this stage of life. My pet's breath is bad – do his teeth need attention? Dogs and cats suffer from plaque build-up just like humans do, so their teeth need to be cared for too. Dental disease in dogs and cats are a significant problem in many pets. We have many strategies to help your pets – why not book a free Veterinary Nurse appointment to find out how we can help? How often should a dog/cat be vaccinated? We recommend annual vaccinations in both dogs & cats for all the common diseases. (Link to Fore Dodge) What are dogs/cats vaccinated against? Dogs are routinely vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovivus, Para influenza and Leptospirosis. We also recommend routine vaccinations for Kennel Cough in all those dogs that are at risk, such as those going to kennels, shows or come into contact with other dogs on a regular basis. Cats are routinely vaccinated against Feline Infectious Enteritis, Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Viral Leukaemia with additional vaccines against Chlamydia and Bordetella available if needed. A small capsule, the size of a grain of rice, containing the animal's registration number is simply inserted under the skin of the animal. This is read by a radio wave and linked to the owner's information held in a national computer. If lost, the animal can be identified and its owner contacted. We have a new Microchip available that also allows us to take your pets temperature – thus saving as the need to use a thermometer! How often should I worm my adult cat/dog? This is based on risk factors that our Veterinary Nurses can provide free advice on, but we generally recommend every 3 months. Why not ask us for our ‘Friend for Life’ guide – an easy-to-use guide on keeping your pet healthy? I've found a rice-like segment stuck to my cat's tail near its bottom. What is it? This is probably a tape worm. Adult cats that hunt wildlife or have fleas are prone to getting them. We recommend monthly flea treatment and regular worming to prevent worms & fleas from becoming a problem. Why not ask us for our ‘Friend for Life’ guide – an easy-to-use guide on keeping your pet healthy? How long will my female dog be in season? On average a bitch will be in season for 3 weeks twice a year. It is advisable to keep them away from males for the full 3 weeks, or better still have them neutered. How old does my cat need to be before it can be neutered? From 5 months onwards. How old does my male dog need to be before he can be castrated? From 6 months onwards. How old does my female dog need to be before she can be spayed? There is no statistical difference between spaying bitches before or after their first season. However spaying them soon after 6 months of age dramatically reduces the occurrence of mammary cancers & womb infections later in life. If they have started their seasons then half way between seasons is the best time. What should I look for when taking out pet insurance? Rapid advances in diagnostics and treatments mean that the cost of pet care is increasing all the time. Taking out a good Pet Insurance policy is the responsible and sensible way of making sure your pet has access to the latest and most comprehensive care. We are Appointed Representatives of Arthur Marsh and Son Insurance, so please feel free to call us or pop for advice or to collect one of our Insurance guides. In general we would advise you to look at the following: • Lifelong cover in case your pet is diagnosed with a chronic condition such as arthritis, diabetes etc • Extent of cover of Veterinary Fees – this should probably be from around £4000 per annum or condition (see your policy's small print) • Low excesses ie try to find a company that allows you to reduce the excess you have to pay on claims. • No exclusions on lifelong treatments • Quick payout on claims • A reliable insurance company • Third party liability I've found fleas on my dog/cat. What should I do? You should get advice from your Veterinary Practice. It is important to treat both your pet and your house, either droppers or sprays can be used on your pet. Cats can have injections and dogs can have tablets to stop their fleas breeding and break the life cycle. Why not ask us for our ‘Friend for Life’ guide – an easy-to-use guide on keeping your pet healthy? Fly-stike usually happens in warm weather and the rabbit is dirty around its bottom. Flies lay eggs in the soiled area which hatch out into maggots and then eat their way into the rabbit's skin. This is often not seen by the owner and can be fatal. All rabbits should be handled and checked carefully every day. Preventative treatments are available for this condition. What diseases should I get my rabbit vaccinated against? Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. Should I have my rabbit neutered? Yes, this can prevent several future problems and is routinely carried out at 6 months old.
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