Towcester Farm Vets praise HM Queen Elizabeth II’s passion for animal conservation
As the nation prepares to say its final goodbyes to the late HM Queen Elizabeth II over the next two weeks, the team at Towcester Farm Vets in Northamptonshire want to take a moment to celebrate her life, her reign and, importantly, her love of animals and commitment to their welfare and breed longevity.
From a young age, Queen Elizabeth held a deep love and connection to animals. From her own huge array of Corgis, Dorgis, and Dachshunds, to her over 100 horses and her sponsorship of wild animals in London Zoo, the late monarch was a passionate animal lover who will be sorely missed.
Queen Elizabeth’s passion for horses was also both well-known and borne from an incredibly young age. Throughout her life she owned winning racehorses to traditional Highland ponies; her first horse, a Shetland, was a gift at just age 4! Queen Elizabeth also brought Monty Robert’s Natural Horsemanship movement in the United States over to the UK in hope of mainstreaming a kind, gentle approach to horse ownership and behaviour – a practice that continues to grow in popularity and increase the welfare of horses today, and one which shows her genuine compassion and love for animals.
HM Queen Elizabeth also had a great and long-standing passion and interest in farming, agriculture, and conservation.
She had two favourite highland breeds – Highland Cattle (photo – far left/above on a mobile) and Highland ponies. They were kept at the Balmoral estate and she was deemed an expert on both. Just as she has become the longest reigning monarch, her Jersey cattle herds (similar to these in the photo – left/above on a mobile) is one of the oldest in the UK with records dating back to 1871. She also won many awards with her cattle and horses.
Her important role in the conservation of heritage breeds of farm animals is also to be remembered with pride. Thanks to her intervention, the Cleveland Bay horse breed was saved, along with several other breeds she helped to protect.
Queen Elizabeth owned and enjoyed Fell ponies too, a breed with an estimated global population of under 6,000. She brought them into the public eye and helped spread awareness of the breed. King Charles III will now continue her legacy as the patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).
A young princess Elizabeth was gifted her first dog, a Corgi named Susan, for her 18th birthday in 1944. She would go on to own more than 30 Corgis and Dorgis (much like these in this photo – left) over the next 78 years! A final two Corgis, Muick and Sandy, were gifted to the Queen in 2021 by her children in the wake of her beloved Prince Philip’s death. It has this week been confirmed that these two young dogs will remain in the care of her children.
More than just animal ownership, Queen Elizabeth was actively involved in several animal organisations. A patron of both the RSPCA and of our very own Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, RCVS – she held a life-long dedication to not just the ownership, but the welfare of animals. Queen Elizabeth was a patron and steadfast supporter of the RCVS since 1952, a connection that our team and our profession are deeply respectful and proud of.
As well as RCVS and the RSPCA, HM Queen Elizabeth is patron of many organisations including:
- The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Club
- Royal Agricultural Society of England
- The Red Poll Cattle Society
- Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association
- The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
- The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF)
- The Highland Cattle Society
- The Highland Pony Society
- Jersey Cattle Society of the United Kingdom
- Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society
- Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST)
- Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
And we must not forget her love of pigeons. Originally a gift from the Belgian Royal Family to the British Monarchy in 1886, the Queen’s pigeons are entered into one or two club races every week and all national races during the season. Over the years, the pigeons have won every major race in the UK.
HM Queen Elizabeth II was also patron of many pigeon racing societies in recognition of her interest in the sport, including the Royal Pigeon Racing Association and the National Flying Club.
On behalf of everyone here at Towcester Farm Vets and within our veterinary profession, we send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and look forward to Queen Elizabeth’s legacy carrying on with love and support for all animals and those who care for them.
Reduced services on Monday 19th September
As a mark of respect and to enable as many of our team as possible to be a part of the day’s proceedings if they wish, our services will be reduced on Monday 19th September. In order to keep our commitment to pre-booked client appointments, we will be operating a skeleton staff and will be here for farm emergencies. We kindly ask that you postpone calling us for routine and general enquiries until the following day.
Towcester Vets praise Queen Elizabeth II for her lifelong dedication to animals
As the nation prepares to say its final goodbyes to the late HM Queen Elizabeth II over the next two weeks, the team at Towcester Vets in Northamptonshire want to take a moment to celebrate her life, her reign and, importantly, her love of animals.
From a young age, Queen Elizabeth held a deep love and connection to animals. From her own huge array of Corgis, Dorgis, and Dachshunds, to her over 100 horses and her sponsorship of wild animals in London Zoo, the late monarch was a passionate animal lover who will be sorely missed.
A young princess Elizabeth was gifted her first dog, a Corgi named Susan, for her 18th birthday in 1944. She would go on to own more than 30 Corgis and Dorgis (much like these in this photo – left) over the next 78 years! A final two Corgis, Muick and Sandy, were gifted to the Queen in 2021 by her children in the wake of her beloved Prince Philip’s death. It has this week been confirmed that these two young dogs will remain in the care of her children.
Queen Elizabeth’s passion for horses was also both well-known and borne from an incredibly young age. Throughout her life she owned winning racehorses to traditional Highland ponies; her first horse, a Shetland, was a gift at just age 4! Queen Elizabeth also brought Monty Robert’s Natural Horsemanship movement in the United States over to the UK in hope of mainstreaming a kind, gentle approach to horse ownership and behaviour – a practice that continues to grow in popularity and increase the welfare of horses today, and one which shows her genuine compassion and love for animals.
More than just animal ownership, Queen Elizabeth was actively involved in several animal organisations. A patron of both the RSPCA and of our very own Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, RCVS – she held a life-long dedication to not just the ownership, but the welfare of animals. Queen Elizabeth was a patron and steadfast supporter of the RCVS since 1952, a connection that our team and our profession are deeply respectful and proud of.
HM Queen Elizabeth also had a great and long-standing passion and interest in farming, agriculture, and conservation.
She had two favourite highland breeds – Highland Cattle and Highland ponies (photo – right). They were kept at the Balmoral estate and she was deemed an expert on both. Just as she has become the longest reigning monarch, her Jersey cattle herds is one of the oldest in the UK with records dating back to 1871. She also won many awards with her cattle and horses.
Her important role in the conservation of heritage breeds of farm animals is also to be remembered with pride. Thanks to her intervention, the Cleveland Bay horse breed was saved, along with several other breeds she helped to protect.
Queen Elizabeth owned and enjoyed Fell ponies too, a breed with an estimated global population of under 6,000. She brought them into the public eye and helped spread awareness of the breed. King Charles III will now continue her legacy as the patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).
As well as RCVS and the RSPCA, HM Queen Elizabeth is patron of many organisations including:
- The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Club
- Royal Agricultural Society of England
- The Red Poll Cattle Society
- Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association
- The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
- The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF)
- The Highland Cattle Society
- The Highland Pony Society
- Jersey Cattle Society of the United Kingdom
- Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society
- Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST)
- Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
And we must not forget her love of pigeons. Originally a gift from the Belgian Royal Family to the British Monarchy in 1886, the Queen’s pigeons are entered into one or two club races every week and all national races during the season. Over the years, the pigeons have won every major race in the UK. HM Queen Elizabeth II was also patron of many pigeon racing societies in recognition of her interest in the sport, including the Royal Pigeon Racing Association and the National Flying Club.
On behalf of everyone here at Towcester Vets and within our veterinary profession, we send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and look forward to Queen Elizabeth’s legacy carrying on with love and support for all animals and those who care for them.
Reduced services on Monday 19th September
As a mark of respect and to enable as many of our team as possible to be a part of the day’s proceedings if they wish, our services will be reduced on Monday 19th September. In order to keep our commitment to pre-booked client appointments, we will be operating a skeleton staff and will be here for pet health emergencies. We kindly ask that you postpone calling us for routine and general enquiries until the following day.
Prep your pet and build a dog den ready for firework season
Getting your dog ready for firework season should ideally start well before the end of October. Loud bangs and bright flashes can feel scary to even the most confident and assured dogs.
The nursing team at Towcester Vets have pulled together their advice on how to help your dog cope when there are fireworks in Northamptonshire, or wherever you are staying. Their advice covers what you can do in the months and weeks leading up to the dreaded firework season, which is typically from the end of October through to the start of January.
Download our guide: How to build a dog den
Before we dig in, are your contact details up to date on the microchip database? Did you move house or change your number recently? If your dog does run off after getting spooked, your chances of being reunited with them are higher if your details are correct.
How to prepare your dog for fireworks
Now your microchip is sorted, it is time to work on helping your dog hopefully get used to the sights & sounds of fireworks, or at least get through the events with minimal stress. Read our vet nurses’ advice on how to do this below.
From a puppy or months in advance
Work on noise desensitisation techniques
Ideally, you will have started practicing noise desensitisation techniques with your puppy during their key socialisation phase of 8-14 weeks of age and carried on with this training as they got older. If not, even a few months before firework season can be helpful. It may be too late to see results for this year, but you can start this now for the future: download ‘Scary Sounds’ – a Sound Training Therapy Program by Sarah Heath.
4 weeks in advance
Consider calming products
Talk to one of our Burcote Road nurses about pet calming products such as plug-in diffusers, sprays, and collars. These devices mimic the appeasement pheromones of pets, to encourage feelings of calm and contentment. With most products, you need to start using them a few weeks in advance of the event for the best results.
If you know your pet will be absolutely terrified of fireworks, perhaps they tremble uncontrollably, continuously bark or excessively drool, then we may be able to prescribe some calming medication.
1 week before
Create a safe space
Our vet nurses advise that it is wise to create a safe space for your dog at least a week in advance – it could even become a permanent fixture. This will give your dog a safe haven to retreat to if they feel scared. You can encourage them to relax in this space by placing treats or toys inside. You should leave them be whilst they are in there, but the occasional ‘check-in’ is fine.
To help you, our team have put together a guide on ways to create a safe space for your dog. You can download this here:
On the day
Batten down the hatches!
Here is our vet nurses’ advice on how to help your dog cope and avoid dangerous situations on a ‘firework day’.
- Exercise your dog during the day; keep them on a lead on the most likely ‘’firework days’ so they cannot bolt if one is set off early.
- Keep your pet indoors at night and make sure they can’t escape via your garden or front door if opened.
- Secure doors, shut windows, and close the curtains to dampen the noise and keep the flashes out of sight.
- Turn the TV or radio volume up a little to drown out the loud bangs.
- Do not leave your pets home alone too long and leave background noise on if you go out.
- Act as normal around your dog to avoid reinforcing negative behaviours by giving extra fuss.
We hope you found this advice from our nursing team helpful and are ready to get into action. Remember to check out our Dog Den Building Guide here.
Home care tips for arthritic dogs from Towcester Vets
Just like in humans, a dog’s joints can stiffen and cause discomfort as they get older. Osteoarthritis affects over 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years (and some younger dogs too). To support Animal Pain Awareness Month, the Veterinary Surgeons at Towcester Vets are helping dog owners in Northamptonshire understand how to spot signs of pain and support their dog’s journey with this disease at home.
Adaptations for Arthritic Dogs
Signs and symptoms of canine arthritic pain can be difficult to see, especially when it is often subtle and intermittent. Dogs cannot tell us how they feel and are good at hiding pain and just ‘carrying on’. Therefore, it is no wonder that such a huge percentage are overlooked until they are at the latter stages of this debilitating disease.
Some of the symptoms of Osteoarthritis in dogs include:
- Licking, biting, or overgrooming an area
- Lameness or subtle shifting
- Gait changes in how they walk and run
- Struggling to get up from lying down
- Unable to jump on and off things
- Struggling with stairs
- No longer wanting to play
- Behaviour changes
- Reluctance to exercise
If you notice any of these signs in your pet, it is best to get them looked at sooner rather than later – contact us to book a pain appointment. Arthritis can be very painful for pets and will affect their quality of life on a daily basis.
If your Vet is concerned, your vet may advise X-rays of the affected joints to confirm diagnosis and then a treatment plan put in place. It is important to understand with arthritis that it is often a ‘multimodal’ treatment approach as there are many aspects that need to be considered. Part of this approach may include:
- Drug therapy pain management
- Physiotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Regenerative medicine
- Supplements
- Diet adaptations
- Home adaptations
It may be that 1 or 2 of these treatments are implemented initially and more built in as the disease progresses, but every patient is different and so will be their treatment programme.
As well as the treatments available there are also some simple home and exercise adaptations and that can be made to improve your arthritic dog’s quality of life. The Vets at our Burcote Road clinic have pooled their best advice in a downloadable guide – get this here.
Get our Dog Arthritis Home Guide
There are many fantastic resources available to owners to help manage their arthritic pet’s condition at home. Speak to our team at Towcester Vets about the support we can offer to your pet and you – get in touch.
You may also find the Canine Arthritis Management website helpful as it has advice and products for arthritic dogs – visit it now.
Choosing boarding kennels for your dog
Since 2018, people in who run dog boarding kennels, a home boarding business, and even doggy day care must follow rules that focus on meeting the welfare needs of dogs.
Get the detail of what the law requires by reading our article below and download our ‘Ten questions’ to ask your kennel before booking your dog’s next stay.
Ask Kennels these 10 questions before you book
Dog boarding kennels
Kennels must provide a suitable environment, monitor behaviour, and keep a record of your dog’s stay – ask to see all of these.
As a minimum your dog must have:
- Their own kennel unit and sleeping area, accessible at all times.
- Sufficient space in that area for them to sit, stand at full height, lie down fully stretched out, wag their tail, walk, and turn around.
- One daily 20-minute walk outside, ideally more.
- If appropriate, room to share with another dog from your household.
- Access to enrichment through toys and games.
The better kennels will offer more and longer walks, additional enrichment facilities, and more staff interaction.
Home boarding services
Like Kennels, home boarding businesses must provide a suitable environment, monitor behaviour, and keep a record of your dog’s stay – ask to see all of these.
Your dog must be:
- Accommodated within the home.
- They should have their own room where they can get away from other dogs.
- Things that do not count as rooms include… conservatories, garages, cellars, outside building/sheds, balconies, or outside structures.
- They should get exercise that is appropriate for their age and health, with the opportunity for at least one 20-minute outdoor walk a day.
As with boarding kennels, the better the home boarding facility, the more exercise, enrichment, and interaction will be available.
Doggy day care
For a dog day care business to be fully licensed, your dog must be:
- Assessed before they can go to the day care provider to make sure they are not scared, anxious, or stressed around other dogs and people.
- Able to access an area where they can go to the toilet when they want to.
- Able to access an area where they can avoid seeing people or other dogs if they choose to.
- Have their behaviour monitored
Day care providers aspiring to even higher standards will also document the interactions your dog has with people throughout the day.
Get the ten questions you should ask every kennel
Do download our ten questions PDF and use it, along with the information above, to assess your care provider. If you feel these conditions are not being met, then we would urge you to walk away (taking your dog with you) and look for alternative dog boarding in Northamptonshire or further afield.
Why myxomatosis isn’t just a wild rabbit problem in Northamptonshire
Myxomatosis is often thought of as a ‘wild rabbit problem’ as the disease can be spread rapidly by summer’s ubiquitous supply of biting insects. However, domestic rabbits across the Northamptonshire area and beyond can contract this deadly disease too after being bitten by the same parasites.
Rabbit vaccinations are the only viable protection for your rabbits against diseases like Myxomatosis, and the two strains of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD), all of which are nearly always fatal. So, it’s vital that every domestic rabbit’s jabs are kept up to date annually.
Myxomatosis
How to reduce the chance of your rabbit contracting Myxomatosis
Apart from vaccination, other ways to reduce the chances of infection include:
- Protecting your pet rabbits from biting insects by putting mosquito netting around the hutch. This will help to prevent flystrike as well.
- If your rabbits are allowed to exercise outside avoid letting them out in the early morning or late afternoon when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
- Talk to our team about flea prevention for your rabbit. Our team can talk you through the most effective treatments.
A few words on RVHD
Like Myxomatosis, the two strains of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD-1 & RVHD-2) are nearly always fatal if contracted by un-vaccinated rabbits. RVHD can be spread on inanimate objects that have been contaminated with the virus including shoes, clothing, car tyres, rabbit hutches, and even your hands. Rabbits that have contact with an infected rabbit or their faeces, fur, or meat, are also likely to contract it.
How to reduce the chance of your rabbit contracting RVHD
The RVHD virus can survive on surfaces for up to 6 months, especially in colder climates. Given that your rabbit can contract the disease from everything from human clothes and hands to the wind, this virus is pretty much impossible to avoid. So there really is only one practical method of protection and that is vaccination.
We hope you are getting the clear message that rabbit vaccinations are vital for the ongoing health of all domestic rabbit populations in Northamptonshire and beyond. If your rabbit has not been vaccinated or you are not sure when their last jabs were, then please contact us for immediate advice.
Vets in Towcester share vital dog vaccination advice
This month is immunisation month, so what better time to discover why vaccinating your pet is so important? Our veterinary team in Towcester have some advice to help dog owners understand more on this topic below.
Vaccinations are key to preventing the spread of disease in your pet as well the wider canine population. They improve the immune response your pet would have after being exposed to a specific disease, drastically increasing their likelihood of survival.
Core dog vaccines
The core canine vaccination protects dogs against 4 harmful diseases that can stay in the environment for months and spread between healthy dogs:
- Canine distemper virus – attacks brain, lungs & intestines
- Infectious canine hepatitis – causes severe liver disease, including jaundice, vomiting & diarrhoea
- Canine parvovirus – attacks bone marrow and gut lining, weakens immune system, causes bloody vomiting & diarrhoea, puppies can die from dehydration and sepsis
- Leptospirosis – hard to diagnose, transmitted by rat’s urine, usually picked up from farms, puddles, or watercourse – causes kidney & liver failure
According to our veterinary team, this vaccine would be administered whilst your puppy is 6-10 weeks of age and consists of 2 injections 2-4 weeks apart. If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder or a rescue centre, always check their vaccination status. Most of the time, your puppy will have received their primary injections before you take them home.
Our experienced Vets advise that in some circumstances, puppies may need to restart their initial vaccination course. If your puppy’s first vaccine is not compatible with the vaccines stocked at your vet practice, or if the second vaccine is not given in time, the initial course may need to be restarted.
Being immunised gives your pet a high level of protection against diseases whilst preventing the spread of infection from animal to animal. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations are highly recommended for optimal ongoing protection.
Kennel cough
The Kennel Cough vaccine is technically considered a non-core vaccine. The team at our Burcote Road practice will recommend based on a dog’s level of risk. It is administered via a spray up the nostrils and protects dogs against this highly contagious disease.
Kennel cough doesn’t typically cause a serious illness in healthy dogs, but it can make your dog feel very uncomfortable with a dry honking cough, and can expose some dogs to secondary infections. Kennel cough not only affects dogs in kennels, but unvaccinated dogs are at risk at the park, doggy day care, training classes, dog shows, and anywhere else they mix socially.
It is important to remember that all vaccines on the UK market are meticulously checked for safety, efficacy, and quality; serious adverse reactions to vaccines are rare and the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh this small risk.
The take home message is that puppy and dog vaccinations are vital for the health and wellbeing of your dog and the wider canine population.
If you have any questions or want to book a dog vaccination in Towcester, get in touch with our team.
How to spot common cat health problems at home
Cats are notorious for being able to hide pain and illness very well. As cats ages faster than humans, a lot can happen in a short space of time but by monitoring your cat closely, you can help to identify any changes sooner and get them the help they need.
The team at Towcester Vets have some advice for cat owners on how to spot common cat health concerns at home in between annual and 6-monthly vet checks.
Common cat health problems
Our veterinary team have listed common ailments that affect cats below:
- Dental disease
- Skin problems
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Joint disease/Osteoarthritis
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Urinary problems
- Cancer
Many of these ailments can affect cats at any stage in life, and some are more likely to affect them in their older years. Equally, you should not overlook any symptoms whatever age your pet is. Some of the most common symptoms of something changing can be:
- Behaviour changes
- Toileting changes
- Appetite changes
- Water intake changes
- Weight loss/gain
- Skin/coat changes
By regularly checking over your cat at home, you can help monitor for changes but also learn what is normal for them. Our team advises performing this 6-point cat checklist regularly at home to spot any irregularities:
6-point cat checklist
- Nose – clean, clear, and subtly moist
- Eyes – bright and clear; no discharge or redness around the eyes
- Mouth – healthy looking teeth with no breakages or tartar build up, and healthy pink gums
- Ears – clean and clear with no discharge, swelling, nasty smells, or constantly scratching
- Coat/skin – shiny healthy coat with no dandruff, parasites, bald patches, lumps, or bumps
- Weight – healthy lean weight; can feel rib cage but not see it; can see a defined waist
If you spot any changes on your cat that you are concerned about, it is best to get them checked by one of the Vets at our Burcote Road surgery. The chances are it is something simple, but it is better to get it looked at and get your cat the treatment they need.
Vital hot weather advice for Northamptonshire owners of small furry pets
Even though they are small animals, the risk that hot temperatures pose to rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters is big. In fact, for most small pets, their ideal temperature range tops-out at 23-25°C and anything above can quickly become life-threatening. Some bunnies can tolerate temperatures as high as 30°C but it is a risk not worth taking.
As rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters cannot sweat like humans do, and have limited options to cool themselves down, it’s up to their owners to help them survive summer heatwaves.
You can help other pet owners by sharing this article on Facebook – just copy the URL and share away!
Symptoms of heatstroke in small furry pets
If your rabbit, guinea pig, or hamster starts to exhibit any of the following symptoms of heatstroke you should get them somewhere cool and call your Vet for emergency advice.
- Shallow, accelerated breathing (panting)
- Excessive drooling (thick saliva)
- Hot ears
- Wet nose
- Bright red or blue tongue and gums
- Less urine output due to dehydration
- Lethargy and weakness
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Cardiac arrest
How to help small furries cope in summer
When the mercury is rising, there are some steps you should take to make sure your small furry pets stay safe. Towcester Vets’ team of experienced Vets have the following advice:
- Rabbits regulate their temperature through their ears so one way to boost their natural cooling system is to spray their ears with water – it will evaporate as it warms up. Avoid soaking your bunnies as this could put them at risk of respiratory illnesses.
- During hot weather in Northamptonshire, move their hutch or cage out of direct sunlight and into the coolest spot that is practical.
- Keep water bottles and bowls topped up and if there is access to power nearby, think about setting up a fan (not pointed directly at the cage) to keep the air moving.
- Make a ‘cold water bottle’ and wrap it in a cloth for your pets to lounge against or set up frozen water bottles around their housing.
- Place a cooling mat or pop some cold tiles in the cage or hutch for your pets to lie on.
- Rabbits and guinea pigs can be more prone to flystrike in warm weather so make sure your pets are clean and dry (check for urine stains) and keep their bedding and housing impeccably clean.
All these little tricks should ensure your small furry pets do not succumb to the heat.
Remember to share our article on your favourite social media account and help other owners of small furry pets this summer.
Just copy the article URL and head over to Facebook.
Ensure a cool and carefree summer for cats in Northamptonshire
Long, hot summer days spent sunbathing and going on new adventures… sounds divine. We are sure most cats in Northamptonshire would agree! Unfortunately, there are a few summer dangers such as heatstroke, burnt paws, and accidents that could scupper your cat’s plans.
The nursing team at Towcester Vets have pulled together their top tips to help you ensure your cat has a cool and carefree summer.
The first action on your checklist is to get your cat microchipped. Besides the new law due to come into force this year making it compulsory, cat microchipping is one of the most helpful things you can do for your cat this summer. Keep reading to discover why and get more cool cat summer tips from Towcester Vets’ nursing team.
Get your cat microchipped for summer
1. Why microchip your cat
With longer daylight hours, more sunshine, and more adventuring to do, summer can heighten certain dangers for cats – these include:
- Pet theft
- Wandering off too far and getting lost
- Looking lost close to home and being taken to a vet practice or animal shelter
- Road traffic accidents and other injuries from summer adventures
By microchipping your cat, you are giving them the best chance of being reunited with you should the unthinkable happen. Book a cat microchipping appointment today.
2. Think ‘hot weather cat safety’
Cats are big sun worshippers but too much can be detrimental to their health. The heat can get to indoor and outdoor cats so it is important to take steps to avoid heatstroke, which can be fatal.
Follow these tips from Towcester Vets’ nursing team and make sure your cat enjoys a safe summer:
- Provide plenty of water in multiple locations so your cat avoids getting dehydrated
- Set up some shady areas where your cat likes to lay even if your cat lives indoors – get into the habit of pulling down the blinds or drawing the curtains against the midday sun
- If your cat likes to sunbathe, apply pet-specific sunscreen to delicate areas such as paws and noses to avoid sunburn – especially if they are lighter in colour
- Your cat’s paws are especially sensitive so be aware of the temperature of pavements before letting them outside in hot sun – check for signs of blisters when they come in
- Heat leads to cats tiring out more quickly – avoid letting your pet play too much in the heat or it might lead to exhaustion
- Be wary around paddling and swimming pools – while cats are not known for jumping into water voluntarily, accidents happen, and cats are not great swimmers
3. Avoid fleas, worms & ticks
Like cats, many parasites will become more active in the warmer weather and who better to hitch a ride with? Your cat of course! As well as being very annoying for your cat, fleas, worms, and ticks can create a whole host of health issues for your cat, as well as your human family.
Ask any of our Burcote Road, Weedon, or Paulerspury Vet Nurses and they will tell you that ongoing preventative treatments are the best course of action to avoid parasite problems in cats. Contact our team on 01325 350239 to order your cat’s next treatment, or to discuss the best products for your pet.
We hope you can use our advice to help your cat have a cool and carefree summer. If you have questions after reading this or want to book an appointment for microchipping, simply contact us.
