Small Animal Summer 2010 Newsletter - DOWNLOAD NOW!
New Ruling for Horse PassportsPreventative Health
There are a number of potentially life-threatening diseases that can be easily protected against in our domestic pets. Cats, dogs and rabbits should all be regularly vaccinated, treated for worms and treated for other parasites such as fleas and mites.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are usually started as a two-part course from 8-10 weeks of age. These vaccinations are usually boostered at yearly intervals. Dogs are routinely vaccinated against Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospiosis. These diseases can fatal especially in younger animals.
Cats are routinely vaccinated against cat flu and Panleukopenia. Cat flu is extremely infectious and can cause severe symptoms in kittens. Cats can also be vaccinated against Feline Leukaemia Virus.
We recommend that rabbits are vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease.
Worming
Routine worm control is also very important in household pets. Worms in cats and dogs can be transmitted by fleas, or picked up in the environment. As well as causing digestive upset and reducing weight gain in pets, the worms are unsightly when passed, and some are transmissible to humans. We recommend that your cat/dog is wormed at least every three months, or even monthly if they are at high risk (e.g. working dogs, hunting cats).
Toxocara canis, a common ascarid worm of dogs, can be transmitted to humans from dog faeces, where it forms cysts within body tissues. This is why it is so important to clean up after your dog! A tapeworm of dogs, Echinococcus granulosus also forms large tumour-like cysts in humans. It is a particular problem in working dogs as it is transmitted from sheep.
The main indication for using wormers in rabbits is to protect against Encephalitozoon cuniculi, which can result in severe neurological signs, such as head tilt, weakness & fitting, as well as kidney & eye disease. Once infected the rabbit will shed the parasite in its urine for up to 3 months, and it may survive in the environment for over a month. It is important to make sure that food and water cannot be contaminated, by raising it above the floor level. In the past we have had to rely on treatment to eliminate the parasite once clinical signs occur, with variable results. A new product “Panacur Rabbit” has been launched recently to help PREVENT infection with E cuniculi. It is recommended that this product is used 2-4 times a year & at high risk times, such as mixing with other rabbits or mating.
Ectoparasites
Fleas are a common problem of cats, dogs and rabbits, particularly in the summer months. However, in the age of central heating, fleas are often active all year round! Only 5% of the total flea population lives on your pet, with the remaining 95% living as eggs and larvae in the soft furnishings of your home.
Many spot-on products are available to prevent and treat fleas in pets, available from your vet or wholesaler. It may also be necessary to treat your house in order to eliminate the larval stages of the flea. Products are also available to treat tick and mite infections.
Micro-chipping Why not think about micro-chipping your pet? A long-lasting microship is inserted under the skin of your pet and its number recorded on a national database. The chip can then be read by any micro-chip reader if your pet is lost or stolen.