Bannockburn Veterinary Clinic

Wednesday 27 July

August Newsletter

Welcome to our newsletter, we have been getting great feed back from the web site and we love hearing your comments and ideas.

Cat Fight Abscess

Has your cat been protecting the backyard from wandering cats and ended up in a fight, leaving your cat battered and bruised ?Cat fights can often cause scratches, bite marks and  swellings from the head down to the tail on his or her body! Well, don't wait until your cats not eating or drinking. Bring him or her straight to the clinic as soon as you notice any wounds, most likely they will go home on antibiotics.

If left untreated these can cause a cat fight abscess which will need to be lanced and left to drain. In severe cases your cat will require a general anaesthetic to have the abscess drained and flushed out, and a drain tube inserted.

• Check your cat regularly for puncture wounds.
• Cats tend to fight more at night so keep them inside at night.
• Bring your cat to the vet early.   

Your Horse's basic needs.

Your horse needs a lot of attention and in the article we are going to cover a few of the basics.

Worming

• Equine worms are a constant problem for horse owners everywhere. Heavy worm burdens kill foals and elderly horses. Worming is a vital part of equine health care and horses that have a high burden will be prone to losing condition ( weight), having poor appetite, and diarrhoea. In severe cases, worms can lead to digestive problems (such as colic) because of the damage they cause to the bowel. Most conventional worming is done every 6-8 weeks as a preventative measure.

Vaccination

• Foals can be started on their vaccination course against diseases at about 12 weeks of age. Protection for the first 12 weeks of life occurs if a previously vaccinated mare is given another booster at least 2-6 weeks before foaling.Tetanus and Strangles both require two or more primary doses at specific time intervals to produce effective immunity.Every horse from the age of 12 weeks should be begin a vaccination program to provide long term protection.

Hoof Care

• Always clean your horse's hooves before and after riding.Horses kept in stalls or confined areas should have their hooves checked regularly, whether they are ridden or not. Horses on pasture should have their feet cleaned periodically.
• Like our fingernails, a horse's hooves grow continuously. They need to be trimmed every six to eight weeks to keep them in proper shape. Trimming is a job for a trained farrier. An inexperienced person can easily trim the hoof wall too short or pare too much sole, causing the horse to be sore.
• Horses who are doing a lot of work or working on hard ground will need to be shod. Some horses with weak hoof walls, flat soles or other problems might need shoes even if they're not working. Consult your farrier or veterinarian for advice. Shoes need to be reset every six to eight weeks. Leaving them too long can damage the hoof.

Looking after your pet's teeth and gums.

Caring for your dog's and cat's teeth is a very important part of maintaining their overall well being.  There are three reasons why proper dental care deserves more emphasis these days:

1. Our pets are living longer

Thanks to advances that have been made in veterinary medicine and the increased public awareness of how to look after their pets, our dogs and cats are now living longer. Hence it is important that their teeth last a long time too.

      2.   Hereditary traits

Over many years our dogs and cats have been selectively bred to achieve the certain distinct characteristics we know and love. However, as a result, some of our furry friends' mouths have become quite overcrowded and misaligned which can predispose them to dental disease.

      3.   The hunter no more 

Our canine and feline companions, large and small, had ancestors who resembled and behave like wolves and lions. Catching and eating their food - fur, bones and all - which provided excellent cleaning actions for teeth.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease is caused by an infection called plaque. Plaque is made up of food particles, saliva and bacteria. It sticks to the tooth surface and if not removed will calcify into tartar ( or calculus).

This takes place above and below the gum line and over time can lead to the destruction of the supportive tissues and jawbone, resulting in bad breath and loss of teeth.

Signs of gum disease.

• Bad breath
• Discoloured teeth
• Loose teeth
• Receding gums
• Facial swelling
• Pawing at the mouth

Prevention of gum disease

There are a number of things you can do at home to prevent gum disease.

• Feed raw bones or chicken wings.
• Dental Diets, treats and chews
• Dental toys
• Brushing your pet's teeth
• Veterinary dental treatments

Bones are not suitable for all cats and dogs as they can cause vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea and pancreatitis.

Never feed cooked bones.

If a bone has been pre-cut, remove any fattening bone marrow.

Bones should always be bigger than a dog's head so they cannot be swallowed.

Dispose of chewed bones promptly.

Veterinary dental treatments.

In the majority of pet's lives, there comes a time when their teeth require veterinary treatment over and above their regular examinations. A dental treatment involves day stay hospital, a general anaesthetic, extraction where required. Ultrasonic scaling and finishing with a polish.

Your pet will receive antibiotics and pain relief in hospital and may be discharged with medications to continue at home.