Why socialisation sets up your dog for life Many people aren't always aware that the most critical time in your dog's life is in during their first four months. Socialisation at this time with other dogs (both big and small) is one of the most important ingredients...
Help! My dog just ate my Lindt bunny! Like us, dogs love chocolate and they are very good at finding it! Not surprisingly, Easter is one of the busiest times of the year for vets when it comes to chocolate toxicities. If your dog eats your favourite Lindt bunny (the...
What's off limits for your pet this Easter? Easter can be a dangerous time for our pets and there's a few things you need to keep off limits. Take note of the following! 1. Chocolate Chocolate contains theobromine, a derivative of caffeine that cannot be metabolised...
The link between smelly breath and heart disease Did you know that improving your pet's teeth could save his life? There is now clear evidence that dental disease is linked to heart disease. Plaque and tartar that accumulate on the teeth lead to infection of the gums....
What is SRR? SRR refers to your pet's Sleeping Respiratory Rate. The SRR is a very useful tool in recognising the onset of or monitoring left sided congestive heart failure (CHF) in both dogs and cats. Many of the common heart diseases lead to left sided congestive...
Recognising a broken heart With Valentine's Day in this month, there's never been a better time to discuss heart disease. Heart disease isn't easy to spot. It tends to creep up on our pets slowly over many months to many years. Being able to recognise some of the...
Does your pet really love you? Feeling a bit lonely this Valentine's Day? Never fear, that's why our pets are here! They are better than any Valentine's date. Ever wondered if your pet really loves you? Here's what you should be looking for: Cats Brings you presents -...
Flies are proving to be a real problem this summer. Populations are at an all time high and these annoying insects can really bother you and your pet. Some fly species will actually bite around your pet's ears and nose causing painful and infected sores. Here are some...
Our pets can't sweat all over their bodies like humans can. They rely on panting to get rid of the hot air and only produce a small amount of sweat through their footpads. This makes them extremely susceptible to heat exhaustion in hot and humid conditions. Heat...
Have you ever witnessed your dog dragging his bottom along the ground? This strange doggy dance is known as 'scooting' and it is an indication that your dog has irritated anal glands. The anal glands are located on either side of your dog's anus. Each gland holds a...
Here are our top tips to help prevent a Christmas catastrophe and keep your pet healthy and happy this Christmas. Keep leftovers off the menu! Don't be tempted to feed your pet leftovers. Christmas dinner is notorious for causing upset tummies and nasty episodes of...
Vaccination is a vital tool we have available to help keep your pet healthy. Even if your pet doesn't have contact with other pets, he should be vaccinated. Many people aren't aware that there are diseases that can be transmitted in water droplets through the air or...
Who doesn't love a summer BBQ? With the warmer weather and longer daylight hours we are all keen to get our snags cooking - and your pets probably are too! How do you best keep your pet safe around the BBQ? Follow these four safety tips so your pets can enjoy the BBQ...
Summer brings scary noises including thunder from storms as well as fireworks in celebration of the silly season. The result is hundreds of terrified dogs who often manage to escape and head for the hills. This is why it is essential your pet is microchipped. Now is...
With summer just around the corner, now's the best time to start getting your pet ready for the warmer months. Proper preparation will help keep your pet healthy and safe. Here are our top tips: Get up to date with vaccinations If your pet is boarding over the summer...
Charlie the chocolate labrador was shaking his head and using his foot to have a old good scratch around his head. He was wearing a new collar and his owners thought this was the culprit, but when he started to smell a bit funny he came in for a check up. An...
It's World AIDS Day on 1st December so now is as good a time as ever to alert you to the fact that your feline friend can also develop the disease. What causes Feline AIDS? Feline AIDS is caused by the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which affects the immune...
When it comes to the loo, cats can be fastidious. They tend to like a quiet and private area (who doesn't?) and most prefer plenty of soil to cover things up. If your cat uses a litter tray, there are some golden rules you should follow to help prevent any problems....
If your pet is thirstier than usual it could be a sign of kidney disease. Sometimes the increase in thirst can be subtle but if you find yourself filling up the water bowl more regularly, or notice your pet drinking from the shower or toilet, you should arrange a...
When it comes to cats and water, things can get pretty hairy! Most cats hate being immersed in water and find the bath an incredibly stressful experience. Thankfully you don't really need to bathe your feline friend as they are equipped to take care of their own...
While we are on the topic of spa baths we thought we'd share our top tips for making bath time easier with your pooch. 1. Choose the right shampoo - never use human shampoo (even baby shampoo) as it's the wrong pH for your pooch. If your dog is itchy, oily or has...
Spring has sprung and with new shoots in the garden there may also be snail bait about. Snail bait pellets look just like dog kibble so dogs often eat the pellets by mistake. Even so called "pet friendly" products are dangerous for animals. There are three types of...
Heart disease tends to sneak up on pets and clinical signs might not appear until your pet is in serious trouble. Knowing the signs of heart disease and starting treatment early can make a big difference to your pet's quality of life and longevity. The most common...
It might be tempting to feed your pet human scraps as a treat but you may be doing them harm and causing excessive weight gain. Keep this calorie translator in mind when you are having trouble saying 'no' to those adorable eyes! For a 10kg dog: One biscuit = 1...