Pets 'N' Vets - Glasgow Vet Centres

emergency Vet Service Caring for your pet

In this section of the site we look at different topics relating to the general care of your pet.

Vaccinations

Your new pet must be vaccinated.

Dogs should receive two injections – the first as early as 6 weeks and the second at 10 weeks. Keep in quarantine from other dogs till after the 2nd injection. A separate vaccine is sometimes given to dogs for Kennel Cough. While this vaccine is not 100% protective we recommend it since infectious coughing is now the commonest infectious disease we see in dogs

Cat vaccinations start at 9 weeks and there should be a 3 week gap between injections. All cats should be covered for cat flu and any cat which goes out and might meet other cats should be protected against feline leukaemia virus

Rabbits are vaccinated for Myxomatosis and a fatal disease called Viral Haemorrhagic Disease

All pet vaccines require annual boosters. This is also the time for your annual health check. We check teeth, eyes, ears, skin, heart, lungs and abdomen. As pets become older we also check for early stages of old age disease and will carry out urine and blood tests.

Dogs and cats will often be infected with worms. These parasites can be present even when the owner does not see them.

The most common are Roundworms and Tapeworms.

Roundworms can be present from birth, and the infestation can lie dormant and flare up if your pet’s health is compromised in any way. These worms pass microscopic eggs which become infective 25 –30 days. This can lead to infection in the soil which can affect other dogs and also other species even on rare occasions humans. Every pet owner must ensure that their pet does not pass these worm eggs.

We recommend deworming ever 3 months. Puppies and kittens should be dewormed several times in their first 3 months.

Tapeworms are acquired by your pet eating wildlife such as mice, shrews, birds etc or by swallowing a flea. If your pet has been involved in any of these activities regular de-tapeworming is important. There are other less important worms and parasites but your vet will advise you about them during your routine health checks.

Fleas and some other external parasites are becoming more common. Prevention is much easier than treating them. There are a number of “spot-ons” i.e. drops applied to the back of the neck which give excellent control. Cats can also receive injections which prevent flea infestations.

If your pet is liable to be exercised in the country you should also take precautions against ticks. Spot-ons are the best prevention, although some tick collars are helpful.

We recommend micro-chipping as an easy and effective way of ensuring your pet’s identity if it gets lost. It is a simple procedure which causes no ill effects on your pet.

All vets and most pet rescue societies carry microchip scanners. Identification is instantaneous, and owners can often be informed that their pet has been found before they realise that it was lost.

Everyone should consider insuring their pet against ill health and also against third party damage. Veterinary treatment for major illnesses can be expensive, and easily outwith the scope of the average family budget. When your pet falls ill, nobody wants to see their pet miss out on tests or treatment because the cost is prohibitive.

When you choose an insurance policy make sure that it is a policy that will continue to cover long term therapy for chronic illness. Some of the cheaper policies will cover initial diagnosis and treatment but when it comes to re-insure they will exclude any further treatment for that condition.

Plan ahead for your pet’s holidays. You may have someone in your family to watch your pet while you are away, and there are some commercial enterprises which will look after your pets in their own home.

For most situations boarding kennels and catteries are the answer. Before leaving your pet in kennels or cattery, visit the establishment yourself to make sure that it is suitable. Leave your pet there for a short stay (perhaps a week-end) as a trial. Once you have found a good kennel or cattery keep using it as your pet will become accustomed to being left there for short periods.

All animals going to kennels or cattery must be fully vaccinated and protected against fleas. With dogs make sure that they receive a special Kennel Cough Vaccine.

Maybe your pet will go with you on holiday. In Scotland remember your prevention against ticks. If you are going abroad your pet will need a PET PASSPORT. This involves having your pet microchipped, vaccinated against Rabies and having a blood test to make sure that the Rabies Vaccine is working. The whole process can take up to seven months, so contact us and plan ahead.