Towcester Vets advice on helping your dog deal with moving house

A house move is a big change for the whole family to process. The team at Towcester Vets understand that this is often a stressful and turbulent time, we urge dog owners to not forget how their pets could be coping with the upheaval.

To help dog owners in Northamptonshire with a house move, our veterinary team have put together advice on how your canine companion can learn to accept a house move. This will make the process a lot smoother for owners and their dogs. Our experienced team of vets are available to advise on an individual basis too.

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1. Keeping to your dog’s routine

Our team know that most dogs and their owner have a daily routine. This may fluctuate slightly, but on the whole, it is highly likely your dog is fed, walked, played with and cuddled at a similar time every day.

As you are moving house, it will help your dog to adjust if you stick closely to this routine. Your behaviour and feelings will also have an impact on your dog’s stress levels. Trying to remain calm will in turn help your dog to react and behave as normal.

If you have the option of introducing them to your new home beforehand, it could help them to settle in more quickly. If not, then try to take them on some new local walks to get them used to the neighbourhood.

2. Your old home

Packing your home up into cardboard boxes can often be emotional and time consuming. Especially if there is a dog ‘trying to help’!

Our vets recommend packing gradually so your dog will get used to the changes in their living environment over time. Also, keep their bedding and toys out for as long as possible. These familiar belongings will help to provide them comfort if their old home is starting to look a little different in the run up to the move.

3. Moving day

Once you arrive at the new house, you need to ensure your dog is safe and secure as your belongings are unloaded. If possible, set up a safe space in your new house immediately for your dog. Use their normal bed, blankets, toys and bowls and work on positive associations. The scents of their items will help to make them feel at ease in an unfamiliar environment. You will need to be patient with your dog during this transition period. Work on establishing their routine in the new home and stick to it as closely as possible in the beginning.

4. After you have moved in

There will undoubtedly be a lot of administration to complete once you have officially moved into your new home. On this list, make sure you include updating your pet’s microchip details and also updating your account details here at Towcester Vets.

We believe that if you follow the guidance set out in this article, you are providing your dog with the best chance to become happy and settled in their new home as quickly as possible. If your dog suffers from anxiety, or you are concerned that a house move could affect them more seriously, contact us so we can help you make a plan.

Towcester Vets explain pet diabetes this November

To help raise awareness for Pet Diabetes Month this November, our Veterinary team wants to educate pet owners on the condition. In the paragraphs below, our team will cover: the condition itself, how Towcester Vets will diagnose and treat the condition and how your pet’s care would need to be altered if they receive a diabetes diagnosis.

If you are concerned your own pet may have some symptoms of diabetes, then do not hesitate to contact our reception team on 01327 350239.

Understanding diabetes

The most common pets we treat for diabetes are cats and dogs. To explain what pet diabetes is, it is a metabolic disorder – which is when your pet’s normal bodily chemical reactions are behaving abnormally. Insulin is created to help regulate blood sugar levels, and it is crucial in facilitating the uptake of blood sugar into your pet’s cells for energy. With diabetes, your pet’s body attacks the insulin their body has produced and without the insulin, your pet’s blood-sugar level will become too high, and their cells will starve. High levels of blood-glucose are known as hyperglycaemia. Alternatively, your pet’s body may start to produce too much insulin, causing a condition called hypoglycaemia. This is a veterinary emergency and can be fatal if left untreated.

Our veterinary team explain that there are risk factors that can predispose your pet to diabetes. These include obesity, breed, genetics and age.

Symptoms of diabetes in your pet

Our team of vets want owners to be aware that early detection of diabetes is key in providing your pet with the medical treatment they need to manage the condition. The following symptoms are all indicators that your pet may be suffering from diabetes:

Increased thirst and urination: when your pet’s blood-glucose becomes too high, it overflows from the blood stream into their urine, often with copious amounts of water. This is why a diabetic pet will urinate and drink more.
Weight loss: as the unused blood-sugars get lost in your pet’s urine, there is no sugar to power the cells of the body. The body will then start to break down its fat reserves, hence the weight loss.
Increased appetite: your pet isn’t efficiently collecting the nutrients from the food they eat – they have an increased appetite as they are trying to replace the nutrients lost.
Lethargy: if your pet is suddenly more lethargic, it could be they are suffering from hypoglycaemia – low blood-glucose levels. Contact Towcester Veterinary Centre on 01327 350239 if your pet seems, wobbly, spaced-out, or very hungry – they may need something sugary but our team will advise you what is best to give them.
Behavioural changes: these could be an indicator that your pet has an underlying health condition, such as diabetes, that needs veterinary attention.

Contact our team to discuss the above symptoms and to book your pet in for a diabetes check.

Diagnosis & treatments available for pet diabetes

The first step to diagnosing diabetes in your pet is to perform a blood test. The vets at any of our surgeries will extract a small vial of blood from your pet and will test their blood-glucose levels. They will also do the same to a urine sample. If you are booking an appointment to test whether your dog has diabetes, it could be useful to collect a fresh urine sample before coming to your pet’s appointment. Chat to our reception team on 01327 350239 for more information.

Following the tests, your vet will then create a management plan, involving insulin injections to be given at home, controlled exercise, and a controlled feeding schedule.

Help your pet live with diabetes

Diet

Your pet’s nutrition plays a big part in helping them to cope with diabetes. Our vets at Towcester Veterinary Centre will always recommend a type and brand of food that will work best for your individual pet. However, if your pet is a fussy eater then make sure you chat to any of our vets before moving them onto a different kind of food. Looking for foods that slowly release sugars and removing all treats from their diet will help to keep their blood-glucose levels consistent.

Exercise

Regular exercise is essential when it comes to managing diabetic pets. It helps to prevent weight gain and also helps your pet’s glucose regulation. Our vets will recommend an exercise regime to follow daily to help keep them healthy.

Monitoring blood-glucose levels

If your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, our vets will train you on how to monitor your pet’s blood-glucose levels at home using a glucometer. This will help you to identify any deviations from your pet’s normal blood-glucose levels and intervene early.

Routines are key!

The team at Towcester Vets wish owners to understand that if your dog receives a diabetic diagnosis, then routine is key to keeping them as healthy as possible. Your feeding and walking schedule will need to happen at certain times of the day, as well as monitoring them and medication administration. Creating a stress-free environment with constant access to plenty of fresh water will also help their overall wellbeing to thrive.

As part of Pet Diabetes Month in November we hope our advice will help owners with undiagnosed diabetic pets to receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. Remember, early intervention is key in your pet living a happy and comfortable life.

Liver Fluke

Liver fluke has a significant impact on beef, sheep and dairy sectors. The threat of resistance to some of the available products has started to loom large and a whole farm approach is necessary to avoid parasite challenge and make correct treatment decisions rather than dosing routinely and potentially unnecessarily.

Routine fluke treatment is not only an unnecessary expense but also a waste of flukicide which has impacts on the development of resistance and the environment. The fluke situation will be different on each individual farm and vary from year-to-year dependant on the grazing conditions and weather. Fluke can be identified as a potential risk via post mortem of fallen stock, abattoir feedback or blood testing of first season grazing stock to check exposure. At the start of the grazing season a pooled faecal egg count test is a practical way to assess the presence of fluke carried over winter from the previous grazing season. If infection is identified a product targeted at just adult fluke can be used. Into the autumn/winter treatment should still only be targeted in response to exposure/active infection diagnosed by faecal coproantigen testing or blood tests – if these show early exposure a product that targets early immature fluke would be indicated.

New Medicine Requirements

Due to new medicine regulations coming into force this summer 2023, as part of Red Tractor reviews and veterinary visits we will be agreeing a list of drugs used on farm and what they are used for. This will enable us to continue to prescribe without visiting the farm every time. We will also require anyone requesting drugs to let us know of their intended use to ensure medicines are being used appropriately.

Please be aware that this may now mean certain drugs cannot be given out routinely. The classification of Pen and Strep has now changed making this unsuitable as a first line drug on farm. We are also required to use licensed products first unless there is a clinical need. Ultrapen is not licensed for use in sheep so this may change how and when we prescribe this. If you would like to discuss alternatives, please do give us a call.

We are legally not able to give out antibiotics if animals have not been seen recently or a visit is not scheduled. Please do respect our reception staff if they inform you of this as they will be able to advise on the best way to proceed.

Vet Visit Documentation (reminder)

Changes to EU Animal Health Regulations mean that from 13 December 2023 UK producers sending animals to slaughter directly or via marker must be able to demonstrate that a veterinary visit has taken place in the past 12 months. Previously farmers could self-declare. This is an EU requirement and as at least some portion of most carcases is exported it means that most farm businesses will need to ensure compliance. Farms that are Red Tractor assured or when a visit has taken place as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway for England do not need to complete the declaration however non-assured farms will need to ensure that a declaration has been signed. Declarations will be valid for a year after the date of the visit and will need to be renewed annually.

For cattle units, this visit will be covered by annual TB tests unless the farm is in a 4 year testing area. For cattle units with other enterprises, we will be asking to see the rest of the livestock at the TB test to ensure the declaration can be signed for all species. For sheep and commercial pigs and goats, it is likely that a visit will need to be arranged for us to complete this document. This visit will also cover the requirements for a medicine check. Please be aware that all sites registered under the CPH number will need to be assessed.

Please be aware the you will need a completed declaration in time for 13^th December 2023 so if we are unlikely to be on the farm before this time and have not been out recently, please contact the surgery to arrange a visit.

5 common canine conditions we treat in winter at Towcester Vets

Our veterinary team at Towcester Vets will often see recurring cases of a handful of winter dog health conditions, once the temperature starts to drop in Northamptonshire. To educate owners and help them spot the symptoms of these winter health conditions in their dogs, our team have listed the five most common ailments we treat and how best to avoid them.

Share this article with other dog owners and download our Winter Warmer Guide for Dogs – a useful reference to keep on your phone this winter.

Download our Winter Warmer Guide for Dogs

Five common health conditions we treat in winter

1. Respiratory infections

Over winter, many dogs in the UK will be spending more time in indoor locations due to the uncertain weather. This increase of indoor time and proximity to other dogs can lead to a spread of respiratory infections. Typical symptoms to look out for include sneezing, coughing and laboured breathing. The team at Towcester Vets wants owners to know that respiratory infections will often require a course of antibiotic treatment and other supportive management to resolve the infection.

Kennel Cough (Canine infectious respiratory disease) is one of the most common types of respiratory infections that affects all breeds and all ages, but can be particularly nasty for young, old, and unwell dogs. Kennel cough can be picked up anywhere that is frequented by other dogs, not just in kennels, and the best form of protection is an annual kennel cough vaccination.

2. Salt and chemical exposure

When the temperature drops enough for it to become icy, it is important owners understand that exposure to the salt or antifreeze used to melt both ice and snow can be toxic to dogs.

At Towcester Vets we often see cases where a dog has walked on a path which has been thawed using salt. They will then lick their paws, ingesting the salt and can become very sick. Look out for vomiting, diarrhoea and skin irritation and get into the habit of washing your dog’s paws and tummy with warm water following a walk. Also, maybe try to stick with the old-fashioned ice scraping method when it comes to defrosting your car as antifreeze is extremely poisonous for dogs (and cats).

3. Hypothermia

Many dog breeds have adapted to winter weather. For example, winter in Northamptonshire is usually child’s play for huskies and Alaskan malamutes. But the finer breeds, and those bred typically for hotter climates, will struggle in the colder temperatures. Hypothermia often occurs in dogs when their fur becomes wet, or they are exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time. Symptoms of hypothermia in dogs include shivering, lethargy, and difficulty walking.

Hypothermia is extremely dangerous for dogs; if it isn’t treated promptly, it can cause the whole body to shut down, which is life-threatening.

If you notice any of the symptoms above, bring your dog inside and wrap them in a blanket – dry them first if they are wet. Contact us on 01327 350239 and then start to warm your dog up slowly, perhaps near a fire or using a heating pad. Our experienced team of vets will be able to triage whilst a plan is put in place.

Get our Winter Warmer Guide for Dogs

4. Frostbite

Frostbite occurs on dogs when they are exposed to cold temperatures for too long and the skin and tissue layers underneath can freeze. This is particularly common during winter in dogs with thin fur and exposed skin; symptoms include swelling and discolouration of the skin. Areas to monitor are the tips of the ears, tip of the tail and their paws. Our veterinary team will treat frostbite by slowly warming the affected area but care must be taken to not further damage the tissue.

If you suspect your dog may have frostbite, contact us straight away on 01327 350239.

5. Foreign body ingestion and toxicity

With winter comes the Christmas and New Year festivities. This is a common time for alcohol and chocolate to be readily available in homes but urges owners to keep this out of reach of dogs (and other pets). Both chocolate and alcohol are toxic to dogs and cause severe poisoning. Look out for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst, panting, restlessness, excessive urination, and a very high heart rate. Contact us immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic substance.

Christmas decorations can also be tempting for dogs to play with, often accidentally swallowing them. This may lead to emergency surgery so take extra care to only use appropriate decorations and monitor your dog to keep them safe.

Pre-winter health check

We recommend booking your dog in with our team for a thorough health check ahead of the colder weather so we can rule out any new underlying health conditions that could become painful for your pet.

The cold can often exacerbate a dog’s suffering caused by arthritis and joint pain. This will make exercising uncomfortable for your dog. Icy paths and muddy/snowy walks can be difficult for any dog to navigate, especially if they are struggling with a joint condition, and can result in injuries. The temperature can also increase viral infections so it’s worth ensuring your dog is up to date with their booster vaccinations – book now.

This pre-winter health check can help to ensure your pet is going into the cold festive season fighting fit and may help to identify health conditions that need treatment sooner rather than later. Contact us on 01327 350239 to book a health check for your dog, or book online, and don’t forget to download our helpful guide below.

Download our Winter Warmer Guide for Dogs

A guide from Towcester Vets on your cat’s happiness this winter

Keeping our feline friends happy this winter can seem a little tricky. Our experienced team at Towcester Vets have pulled together the best advice on all the things your cat needs to be happy in the colder months – keep reading below.

Towcester Vets also have a bonus ‘Festive Happy Cat Guide’ for you to download! As well as winter weather related issues that can affect your cat’s mood, Christmas can be a time of hazards and stress for them too.

Take a look at this guide below:

How to keep your cat happy and safe at Christmas time

Top tips for keeping your cat happy this winter

The team wants owners to know that their cat’s behaviour may be affected once the weather starts to get colder. This often comes hand-in-hand with changes in routine which can leave your cat feeling a little down in the dumps. The 3 main aspects to provide are warmth, stimulation, and comfort. The clinical team at Towcester Vets have collated their advice below – contact us on 01327 350239 if you would like to discuss your cat’s health and behaviour with us.

Ask us advice or book an appointment for your cat.

Providing warmth

Indoor temperature

Keep your house at a comfortable temperature and use a safe method of heating if leaving your cat unattended. Open fires and gas fires can be very dangerous for pets home alone.

Sunlight exposure

Letting in sunlight through the windows will improve your cat’s mood! Catharina often hears stories of how the windowsills of your home are your cat’s favourite napping spots!

Avoid cold draughts

If your cat has a resting spot, make sure they’re away from draughty areas. If there is a cold draught, try investing in a draught excluder or seal for your door/window to keep the heat in.

Providing stimulation

Indoor playtime

Invest in some toys for your cat that mimic prey movement to keep their brain active. Catharina emphasises the importance of making sure you put aside time to play with your cat this winter.

Engage their senses

Puzzle toys, scratching posts, and interactive feeders will help to keep your cat entertained.

Regular grooming

Making time to groom your cat over winter can help them feel pampered and act as a distraction to spending more time indoors. It also allows you to remove excess fur and debris to prevent matting and keep them happy.

Provide climbing spaces

Cats often defy gravity when it comes to climbing, so indoors it shouldn’t be any different! Catharina recommends installing high-up shelves near windows so they can watch the world go by from above!

Toy rotation

Rotating their toys will help to prevent boredom this winter.

Providing comfort

Cosy sleeping spots

In your cat’s usual sleeping spot, when temperatures drop think about adding in a soft blanket and maybe a heat pad. This will keep them toasty and happy.

Maintain litter box hygiene

You may need to increase your litter box cleaning routine if your cat is spending more time indoors. Make it clean and comfortable for them to help keep them healthy.

Ensure your feline friend always has access to fresh water and monitoring their food intake over winter – you can ask our team about seasonal changes to nutrition needs for cats.

Plus, regular vet check-ups throughout the year will help to make sure they are not developing any underlying health conditions that could be more prevalent in the colder months.

Share these top tips with other cat owners in Northamptonshire and don’t forget to download our Festive Happy Cat Guide too!

Keep Your Cat Happy Over Christmas

Should cats eat wet or dry food?

Ensuring your cat has the correct diet is an essential part of keeping them happy and healthy. There are many factors involved when it comes to choosing the correct diet, such as age, lifestyle, their health status and also their individual preferences. One of the most frequently asked questions our Vets receive, relating to cat nutrition, is whether cats should eat wet or dry food. To help you decide what’s best for your pet, we’ve put together the following advice.

Advantages of wet food

Wet cat food can help keep your cat hydrated as it has a high moisture content. This can be useful if your cat is a fussy drinker.
It generally is easier to chew and digest – making wet food a good option for young and senior cats, or those suffering from dental issues.
Picky eaters tend to prefer wet food due to its strong smell and flavour.

Wet food – things to consider

Your cat could need a higher amount of food to meet their calorific needs if they are on a wet food diet.
Wet food has a shorter lifespan and needs to be discarded only a few hours after being served.
Wet food tends to be more expensive and needs to be refrigerated.

Advantages of dry food

Storing and serving dry food is often easier as it does not need refrigerating and can be left out without spoiling.
Dry food tends to be more calorie dense so your cat may require a smaller portion to meet their nutritional needs. We recommend that you weigh out your cat’s food portions daily to ensure they are getting the right amount for their needs.
You can purchase brands of food that are designed to help clean your cat’s teeth as they feed – reducing tartar build-up.

Dry food – things to consider

If you plan on feeding your cat a dry food diet, it is essential they are good drinkers. They will need to drink plenty to stay hydrated – whereas wet food can be better suited to fussy drinkers.
It may not be as appealing to your cat and it can be difficult to transfer a cat from wet food to dry food.

Can you mix wet and dry food?

Many owners choose to mix wet and dry food to provide their cat with benefits from both types of diet. The team at Towcester Vets recommend you chat to our experienced nursing team who will be able to advise on your cat’s ideal diet depending on their specific needs. Contact us today on 01327 350239 to book a nurse consultation or for more advice about feeding your cat.

Towcester Vets helps owners understand firework-driven noise phobias in dogs

With firework season well underway, this often-stressful time may be useful in working out if your dog could have a noise phobia. Our team of vets at Towcester want owners to be aware that there is a fine line between a normal fear response and a noise phobia, that can vary between animals. Read our advice and talk to us about your dog’s reaction to fireworks.

How do I know if my dog has a noise phobia?

It is perfectly natural, if unsettling, for your dog to be scared of fireworks due to the sudden loud noises they create. However, your dog may have an actual phobia of noise if their fear response becomes excessive. Some signs to look for are:

Physical signs of stress, such as pacing, trembling or drooling
Attempting to hide or seek out a safe space during the event
Changes in habits – such as a change in appetite or going to the toilet in the house
Persistent fear and anxiety long after the event has ended
Destructive behaviour
Attempting to escape – this could lead to injury
Extreme fear and panic during firework displays, even if they are barely audible and distant

Help your pet cope with their noise phobia

Whilst firework displays are usually limited to certain times of year, if your dog’s noise phobia starts to affect them in their everyday life it is essential you contact Towcester Veterinary Centre for help. If household noises or television noises starts to worry them, it can impact their quality of life. Early intervention and appropriate management strategies can help to keep them happy and feeling safe.

Do you need to bring small furry pets indoors during firework season?

As firework season gets underway, it’s important we help our small furry pets to get through as stress-free as possible. If you have a small furry pet that normally lives outside, then read on to understand what Towcester Veterinary Centre’s nursing team advise owners to organise ahead of firework displays in Northamptonshire.

If you have any questions then do not hesitate to ask us on our Facebook page, and please share this article to help other small furry pet owners in Northamptonshire.

Why does my small furry pet need to come inside during firework season?

There are a number of reasons why our Towcester veterinary nurses recommend bringing your outdoor kept small furry pets inside when you know there will be firework displays. Once indoors, remember it is advised that you keep the curtains closed to shut out the bright lights and play soft background music or white noise to help drown out the sound of the fireworks.

1. Noise sensitivity

Small furry pets have highly sensitive hearing which helps them to avoid predators in the wild. Due to the loud, sudden noises produced by fireworks, it can be extremely distressing. Our vet nurses want Northamptonshire pet owners to understand that exposure to loud noises can lead to anxiety and panic in small pets, which in turn then increases the risk of many life-threatening health conditions.

2. Your pet’s flight response

Your pet could be at risk of injury due to their natural ‘flight’ response. If your pet feels threatened or stressed, they could try to escape their cage/enclosure. Not only may they hurt themselves, but they could also become lost, becoming prey for other household pets or external animals, or potentially become involved in a road traffic accident.

3. Potential for injury

Fireworks can also cause physical harm to small animals. According our Towcester veterinary nurses, if they are near the launch area or somewhere where debris could potentially land in their enclosure, so it is essential you move them indoors. With the risk of fire, injury, smoke inhalation and more, it is safer to bring your pets inside and reduce the risk of firework related injuries.

4. Risk of predators

Large firework displays often involve food, which can attract predators to the area. With scraps of food, bright lights and noises drawing them closer, this poses a threat to small furry pets living outdoors in close proximity to Northamptonshire firework displays.

5. Reduced comfort and security

Small pets rely on their own familiar environment for comfort and security – fireworks change this environment and disrupt their sense of safety. Making them safe and comfortable in an indoor cage would help keep them happy. If their current cage is too big to bring indoors, use familiar bedding, toys, and blankets so their indoor enclosure is like a home from home.

To discuss your own small furry pet with our team this firework season, contact Towcester Veterinary Centre on 01327 350239.

Why not share this article to help other small furry pets in Northamptonshire?