Regular Care For Your Pet

Whichever animal you’ve chosen as your companion, we’d like to help you to keep them safe, happy and healthy. 

We haven’t provided masses of information here but our vets and vet nurses have recommended some of their favourite animal care books for further reading.   And of course, if you’re concerned about any element of your pet’s health please contact us for advice and, where necessary, appropriate treatment.

Vaccinations

Like humans, baby animals usually benefit from immunity passed on in their mother’s milk for the first few weeks of their life, provided of course that their mother is herself immune.  

After that, immunisation really is essential to protect your pet from serious diseases.  Vaccination is often required for pet insurance and by boarding kennels, so do contact us to discuss the essentials for your pet.

Fleas and Worms

At best these are an irritating nuisance for your pet (and your family), but they can cause much more serious health problems.   Talk to us about how regular worming and continuous flea treatments will protect your pet and your family.  If you have difficulty administering worming tablets, come along to one of our free flea and worm clinics for some no nonsense, vet nurse assistance.

Lungworm

This is a parasite which is carried by snails, slugs and the frogs that eat them.  You dog can be infected if he or she ingests these creatures while eating grass, playing with toys which have been left outside or drinking from outdoor water bowls, puddles or ponds. 

Conventional worming tablets are ineffectual against this parasite so please come along to a free flea and worm clinic for advice on how to protect your pet and symptoms to look out for.  And, if you suspect that your pet has lungworm, please contact us as soon as possible to make an appointment with your vet.

Nutrition

We know how much you care for your pet, so we understand that, alongside providing a healthy diet, you probably like to give treats too.  But, as in humans, obesity in companion animals is becoming increasingly common and carries the risk of potentially distressing complaints associated with carrying extra weight.  Our vet nurses run free weight clinics to help you keep your pet fit and healthy.

Neutering

We encourage neutering for all pets not intended for breeding.  Not just because of the thousands of healthy animals produced from unwanted pregnancies which are destroyed every year, but also because neutering can prevent anti-social behaviours, particularly in male animals, and might even offer protection against some cancers.

You can find lots more advice online and in books, some of which can be conflicting and confusing.  We’ve recommended some of our favourite books below to help you.

Recommended Books

Our book reviews are coming soon, until then, talk to your vet or practice nurse if there's a particular breed or subject you'd like to read up on.