Pet First Aid Cumbria

🎆It’s never too early to prepare your pets for the firework season🎇

With bonfire night less than two months away, we’ve put together some ways you can help your pets, starting today!

One of the best and easiest ways to help your pets is to desensitise them.

- Play recordings of fireworks by gradually increasing volume over time and making it more realistic (from behind curtains, surround sound).
- Introducing treats and toys whilst playing to associate positive times with firework sounds.
- If you haven’t already started to do so, we recommend you start today to help prepare your pet the best way possible.

If your pet needs a little extra help to keep them calm, there are a range of Natural Calming Remedies which may help your pet during the fireworks season. Every pet is an individual and the efficacy of these products will vary.

If your pet requires prescription medication to help them during this stressful time, please book an appointment with one of our vets to discuss your options. This will allow us to prescribe your pet appropriate medication during firework season.

NB - Please remember if you are having a bonfire be sure to check for hedgehogs before lighting the fire🦔

⚠️ Parvovirus in West Cumbria ⚠️

Sadly our neighbouring practice has had confirmed cases of Parvovirus.

🦠 Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes an infectious gastrointestinal disease in dogs, without treatment it has the potential to be deadly.

Be vigilant and be aware of symptoms
‼️ Bloody Diarrhoea
‼️Vomiting
‼️Fever
‼️Lethargy
‼️Dehydration
‼️Depression

Please make sure your dog is vaccinated- if your dog has had DHP vaccination in the last 3 years they are vaccinated against Parvovirus. If you would like to check please send us an email 📧 [email protected] or if you are worried that your dog is exhibiting symptoms please call 📞 01946878108

Rabbit Diet Do's and Don'ts

Rabbits are an incredibly popular pet in the UK however often their diet, husbandry and care are misunderstood by owners.

And important component of this is diet as it can have an effect on dental health, weight management, psychological health and overall condition.

Rabbits roughly require:

🌾 85% Hay and grass
🌿10% Greens
💚5% Good quality pellet or nugget feed

➡️The The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies linked muesli-style foods to life-threatening dental and digestive problems in rabbits.

➡️Owners who are currently feeding their rabbits muesli style food are encouraged to speak to their vet about how to safely transition their pet onto a hay and nugget/pellet based feeding plan (with leafy greens).

✅ The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Read here: shorturl.at/owBUY

✅ The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-diet/

💧❄️Get them wet, straight to the Vets!❄️💧

➡️26.56% of the dogs with heatstroke died

➡️Nearly half (48.7%) of the dogs with heatstroke were dog breeds with flat faces. Flat-faced dog breeds were four times more likely to develop heatstroke than normal-faced dogs.

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-facilities/veterinary-epidemiology-economics-and-public-health/news/new-research-from-the-rvc-suggests-human-heat-health-alerts-could-help-prevent-heatstroke-in-dogs

➡️⁉️ Dogs DO NOT DIE from missing a walk. They might if you risk taking them out in these temperatures. Yes, veterinary professionals are extremely good at treating heatstroke, and many cases can be saved, but it's a dangerous risk that is not worth it.

☀️ Protect your animals from the heat ☀️

🌞Dogs can get heat stroke on hot walks

🌞Animals get heatstroke in hot hutches they cannot escape

🌞Animals can get heatstroke if left in rooms with no ventilation

🌞Animals can get heatstroke if they have no access to cool water

➡️We are hopefully aware now of the national UK campaign 'Dogs Die in Hot Cars' - this advice remains!

➡️However, work by VetCompass has shown that 10 times as many dogs present for veterinary care related to heat-related illness (HRI) following exercise as dogs that present following being entrapped in a vehicle.

➡️Remember there could be a number of risk factors including:

✅Brachycephalic breeds
✅Age - juvenile or geriatric
✅Thick Coated Dogs
✅General Health
✅ Other illnesses

❌Do not leave animals in hot cars
❌Don't take your dog to the pub all day in the heat
❌Do not walk your dogs in the heat - remember even when the sun is down they may still get too hot while exercising if the temperature is still hot
❌ Ensure they aren't locked in rooms with no ventilation
❌Do not lock rabbits and guinea pigs in hutches with no escape from the heat

✅ Provide plentiful cool, fresh water
✅ Provide shade, ventilation and cool breeze ( consider using a fan)
✅Give them cool mats to lie on
✅ Engage in enrichment to boredom bust
✅ Provide rabbits and small furries with cool frozen bottles, shade, ventilation, escape from the heat and plentiful water

Attention all Veterinary Nurses!

We are looking for a nurse to join our amazing expanding team at The Vet Whitehaven. We currently have 7 qualified RVNs who are assisted by 2 ANAs, and need someone who believes in our Core Values of Compassion, Trust & Community. We are looking for somebody who has a positive attitude, excellent patient and client care, clear and polite communication skills.

We are an independent, female owned small animal veterinary practice. We practise care and compassion, not just towards our patients and clients, but towards our colleagues too. As we grow we are building trust within our local community and want our staff to help us continue with this.

As part of our mission, we want to develop an environment where our team members can thrive, learn and achieve their goals.
• We offer a competitive salary(up to £27,000 plus enhancements for Out Of Hours).
• Paid lunch break.
• An opportunity to really care for our patients in a modern setting with an innovative Cloud based Practice Management System, a large waiting room, 3 consulting rooms, Imaging room with DR X-ray & Ultrasound, Dental suite with dental X-ray, Theatre, Kennels and separate Cattery.
• Excellent benefits - £500 CPD allowance, RCVS fees paid, Overtime paid with enhanced pay for call outs.
• Great atmosphere and support network.
• We understand the importance of flexibility and would be keen to consider full or part time roles, a role that fits around your lifestyle and one you can work around your family commitments. Our full time nurses work 37 hours per week.
• We do our own Out of Hours and inpatient care. Currently we have 4 full time vets. The full-time nurse rota currently involves one night on call per week and one weekend in 8 with time off in lieu. Weekend opening hours are 9am-1pm Saturday and 10am-12 noon Sunday.
• Driving licence required.

Come and help us grow our team to continue to provide a compassionate service to pets in West Cumbria. Just minutes from the sea and The Lake District National Park.
Check out our social media platform https://www.facebook.com/thevetwhitehaven and website to get a feel for who we are https://thevetwhitehaven.co.uk
Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your motivations for applying for this role to [email protected] or call us on 01946878108 for an informal chat with Emma, Lynn or Sophie.

With more individuals having to get to grips with muzzles due to the XL Bully legislation, we think it's an important reminder that we should NOT be using closed mouth muzzles to walk dogs. They MUST be able to pant or they risk heat stroke, especially as the weather gets warmer.

If you need a bite proof muzzle, that also allows dogs to pants, look at communities such as The Muzzle Movement, The Muzzle Up Project and The Bully Boardroom - Public Page for help and support.

Does Muzzle Mean Trouble?

❌No!

➡️Muzzles are an essential piece of equipment in in the dog behaviour world.

➡️A properly fitted muzzle can allow people to safely exercise and socialise their dogs in a safer environment.

➡️Sadly dogs wearing muzzles are subject to judgment.

➡️There are a number of reasons dogs need to wear a muzzle, and none of them mean you have a bad dog! What we do have is a dog that is experiencing the world and an owner who has safe control of their pet.

✅Muzzle training should always be a very positive experience so the muzzle becomes associated with enjoyable experiences like walks, socialising, activities off lead exercise for example. Training may be a slow process but is worthwhile to allow your pet to safely navigate their environment.

➡️There are a number of reasons why a dog may be wearing a muzzle. If you see a dog wearing one:

✅ Recall your dog in case the dog is fear reactive or dog reactive

✅ Communicate with the owner.

🗨️"Hello, how are you? Is your dog okay with my dog or would you like me to move further away?"

In many instances you may help reduce the anxiety of a fear reactive dogs owner who can then safely pass without worrying about unexpected confrontation.
You may also learn that their dog is perfectly fine with dogs and would love to play, and they are wearing the muzzle for other reasons.

These reasons can be:

✅Behaviour
Some dogs need a muzzle to safely exercise in public because they may be reactive of aggressive in certain circumstances. An owner walking a muzzled dog is taking excellent care to provide for their welfare needs to enjoy natural behaviour while still considering the safety of others.

✅ Dogs that scavenge on walks.
This could result in the dangerous ingestion of mouldy foods, or other dangerous objects like stones, large pieces of wood or rubbish and litter left around (P.s please bin your litter!!)

✅ Dogs that are on a medical elimination diet and are not allowed to eat anything else to check for food allergies

✅ Dogs with medical issues like pancreatitis meaning scavenging high fat treats could cause a nasty flare up. Or dogs with diabetes that need to stop grabbing sneaky treats on walks to help control their blood glucose levels.

✅ Dogs who have a high prey drive and may try to catch little animals or even nip other smaller dogs on walks

✅ Dogs that's are perfectly lovely but have been put under restrictions by Breed Specific Legislation like a Pit Bull Terrier or XL Bully.

Post Pictures of your happy muzzled dog✅🐾💞

Myth Busting: Why 5 minutes per month just isn't right!

➡️There is lots of conflicting and confusing advice when it comes to exercise and puppies. The information can be so overwhelming! Many people will have an opinion, but what is the evidence regarding exercising puppies and joint health?

➡️We know that certain breeds are predisposed to genetic or conformation risk factors but as with anything each dog is individual. We have an extensive array of breeds who may or may not have a certain morphology, a particular shape or form, which may predispose them to joint damage: it is really difficult to give a ‘one size fits all’ advice.

➡️In one study skeletally immature dogs who undertook 15 weeks of jogging at a rate of 40 km per day had no change in cartilage content! (And realistically, 40 km per day is not a realistic expectation or aim!)

➡️In one study, running after balls and sticks throwing by the owner were also identified as risk factors for dogs developing joint issues.

Veterinary Voices: Top Tips

🩵Exercise for puppies needs to be tailored to your dog as an individual

🩵Keep your puppy at a lean body condition score, do not allow them to carry unnecessary weight

🩵Feed your puppy a healthy, complete and good quality diet appropriate for their age and breed. Getting the nutrition wrong at a young age can cause issues.

🩵Each dog should be assessed individually based on their breed, temperament and physical status

🩵Puppies should be free of hip and elbow dysplasia, and genetic predisposition to joint damage

🩵Certain high impact exercises, twisting or jarring may be risk factors for damage! Do not let your dog obsessively chase balls and toys. Avoiding jarring, high concussive (a hard blow or collision) activity during the formative months may be a prudent recommendation

➡️ REMEMBER: 1 hour of sniffing, socialising, walking, training and trotting is NOT the same as 1 hour throwing a ball repeatedly.
One will not be as obviously tiring, but will be mentally and physically stimulating, and prepare your puppy positivity for the sights and sounds of life. The other may cause obsessive, repetitive behaviour, not mentally stimulate and even may cause frustration, and will be high impact movements through our joints possibly adding to risk of joint disease.
Choose wisely 🩵

Check out more below ⬇️

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/puppy-exercise-5-minuets-per-month-of-life

Its spring and that means gardening! As well as calls relating to plant ingestion, here at Animal PoisonLine/VPIS we have seen an increase in enquiries about exposure to fertilisers and patio cleaner, slug baits and weedkillers. We would urge everyone to keep garden chemicals away from pets and follow all safety advice on the labels.

🪴Fertilisers - will usually cause vomiting and diarrhoea, but no serious effects unless eaten in large quantity

🪴Slug bait - metaldehyde slug pellets are very dangerous even in small quantity and immediate advice should be sought for any ingestion. Ferrous based baits may cause gastrointestinal upset but the risk of iron toxicity is low unless large amounts are ingested relative to bodyweight.

🪴Patio cleaners - these generally contain quaternary ammonium compounds. They are very irritant and may cause damage to the skin and the mouth. Cats are particularly sensitive to these products and can develop serious oral injuries , pyrexia and inappetance. They often require veterinary care and recovery can take several days. Walking through wet product can be enough to cause a problem .

🪴Weedkiller - toxicity will vary depending on the active ingredient in the product, dilution and level of exposure. Glyphosate (an organophosphate) and dicamba/phenoxyacetic acid chemicals are often present in products available widely for use in the garden. Follow instructions carefully, keep all packaging and seek advice after exposure. In all cases ingestion of the neat product is more likely to cause significant toxicity than walking through treated grass. Signs include gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation and neurological signs (in severe cases)

The Vet Whitehaven Independent small animal veterinary practice looking after pets in West Cumbria

Each year, we receive a large number of enquiries related to animals who have helped themselves to packages delivered through the letterbox. A major risk in such cases is the ingestion of medications and/or supplements.

A common example, especially in these winter months, is Vitamin D. These products - especially prescribed preparations - pose great risk to pets, who are very sensitive to some compounds of vitamin D. Certain varieties (found mainly in psoriasis creams) only require very small quantities to be ingested to cause significant toxicity in dogs.

If there is a dog in the house (or a very mischievous cat!), we would advise using a cage on the letterbox to prevent pets from accessing postal deliveries📮

Christmas Opening times!
We hope everyone including pets have a safe Christmas this year.
In case you need us, these are our practice opening times over the festive period.
As always we provide OOH Emergency cover by our own vets.

A recent opinion piece stated, ‘Has your dog eaten raisins? The Yorkshire Vet says you don't need to panic’. Sorry, but we suggest differently. Panic? No. A sense of urgency and immediate veterinary care? Yes.

Raisins are toxic, but unfortunately it is not always as simple as other toxicities where we have a known dose that can cause an issue. Unfortunately, we do not yet know exactly what causes this toxicity and the risk to dogs doesn’t depend on the amount eaten or size of dog.The Veterinary Poisons Information Service and Animal PoisonLine (VPIS) say that the prognosis is good if treatment is started promptly as this will protect the kidneys. Prognosis is more guarded in pets that go to the vet surgery later and already have signs of kidney damage.

So, what's the confusion? ASPCA and two veterinary hospitals in the United States identified tartaric acid and its salt, potassium bitartrate (also known as cream of tartar), as the possible culprit. The link, while promising in theory, hasn't been definitively proven.

So, despite the development that it could be Tartaric acid, the advice on what to do is still the same as we are still understanding the possible link. A group of veterinary surgeons from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and two hospitals describe in a letter to the editor in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that tartaric acid may be the part of grapes that cause them to be toxic to pets. This can explain why we don't always see a 'dose' dependent reaction. The amount of tartaric acid can vary in grapes by their type, how they were grown, and how ripe they are, which could explain why some pets get very sick, whilst others seem unaffected after eating similar amounts of grapes or raisins.

Several reports of dogs developing acute kidney injury (AKI) after ingestion of grapes, raisins, or currants have been published. Reported clinical signs typically include vomiting within 24 to 48 hours of ingestion, with vomitus or diarrhea fluid possibly containing grapes or swollen raisins. Other signs were compatible with acute uraemia and included anorexia, lethargy, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, as well as oliguria or anuria in 49% of dogs. Azotemia developed rapidly within 2 days of ingestion. A clear dose response relationship has not been determined.

When polled about their level of concern when dogs eat grapes 74% of vets were either highly or moderately concerned.

If you dog has ingested anything with raisins in, you need to call your Veterinary practice straight away.

They may want to:

✅Offer to induce emesis (vomiting)
✅Test your dog's kidney parameters with a blood sample that may need repeating a number of times
✅Start them on aggressive intravenous fluid therapy
✅They may require hospitalisation for a number of days

Now here is the crux, it is up to you how you deal with your dog eating raisins. Many times, a dog may eat raisins and be absolutely fine. Other times, a small amount could be enough to cause an acute kidney injury.

Veterinary teams do not have a crystal ball to tell us which way it will go, we can only offer the treatment options for the ‘worst case scenario’. If you decide not to treat it, then it is a possibility that your dog may develop acute kidney failure and after this point the treatment is much harder.

Although it might seem excessive, in the absence of a way to test for the toxic agent in different grapes, we do not know a reliable enough ‘dose’ to give your dog the ‘all clear’ after even a small amount of raisin ingestion.

So, should you panic? No, we don’t recommend panicking in any emergency situation. But do we advise swift, urgent and immediate veterinary attention? Yes, we do.

esms_3016-apl-grapes-dl-sep18-1.pdf (vpisglobal.com)

Veterinarians weigh grape poisoning risk - News - VIN

Toxicosis with grapes or raisins causing acute kidney injury and neurological signs in dogs - PMC (nih.gov)

Letters to the Editor in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 258 Issue 7 (2021) (avma.org)

🎆 Fireworks: Horrified Horses

➡️Horses are big animals to spook! But fireworks often prove very scary and require extra attention to prevent injury of both yourself and your horses

Tips:

✅Try to make sure fireworks aren’t set off near your horse. Keep a check on plans for local displays, and tell neighbours and local firework display organisers that there are horses nearby

✅Anyone planning a display in a rural area should let neighbouring farmers and livery stables know in advance

✅Keep your horse in a familiar environment, keeping to his or her normal routine

✅If your horse is usually stabled, then keep them stabled. Check the stable for anything that could cause an injury before you leave them

✅If they are normally outside in the field, keep them there as long as the field is safe, secure, and away from firework display areas.

✅ Check all areas for hazards, ensure gates are closed

✅If you know fireworks will be set off near your horse, make sure you or someone experienced stays with them. This means that you can react quickly if your horse becomes upset

✅If your horse doesn’t like loud noises or has become worried by fireworks previously, speak with your vet before firework season begins or consider moving them for the night

✅ Ensure someone is about to check on them regularly

The British Veterinary Association - BVA stated:

Around 1 in 14 vets across the country reported seeing animals with firework-related injuries over 2018, in our Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey last December. Equine vets were significantly more likely to report such cases, with almost one in (19%) seeing firework injuries

https://www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/potential-hazards/fireworks

Following a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs, the government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

To help current owners adapt to the new laws, these changes will come into force in 2 stages.

From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to:

➡️sell an XL Bully dog
➡️abandon an XL Bully dog
➡️give away an XL Bully dog
➡️breed from an XL Bully dog
➡️have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle

As a pet owner, what is your biggest concern?

Let us know your thoughts below 👇

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs

The Vet Whitehaven have put together some advice for you to minimise the stress to your anxious pet during the fireworks season.
-You should walk your dog before the fireworks are due to start, this is usually before it starts to get dark.
-Feed your pet before darkness.
-Make sure all doors, windows and cat flaps are kept closed in the house.
-Shut the curtains, this means your pet won’t be able to see the flashes from the fireworks.
-In case your pet escapes from you house in fear during the fireworks, do ensure all microchip details are up to date.
-Create your dog a den, this will act as a safe place. You can use blankets over the den to absorb some of the noise. If your dog prefers somewhere else as a safe place, don’t force them to use the den as this may cause more distress. The den should be a familiar place and they should have 24 hour access to this.
-Play calming music or having the TV on can help mask to sound of fireworks.
-Stay calm, reassure your pet as you normally would if they seek reassurance from you.

You can try Natural Calming Remedies such as Adaptil tablets, diffusers or collars, Zylkene or Yucalm to help calm your pet during this time of year or we can prescribe your pet stronger medication if they are struggling to cope.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice 01946 878108
Or book an appointment online https://thevetwhitehaven.co.uk/book-an-appointment/
NB - Please remember if you are having a bonfire be sure to check for hedgehogs before lighting the fire ❤️

🐱Fireworks and Fearful Felines!🐱

🎆Fireworks can be great fun for people. But for cats both the noise and the flashes can be terrifying.

🎆 Sadly when fireworks are set off unexpectedly cats can also bolt into roads causing both human and animal hazards from road traffic accidents!

➡️We need to be prepared for firework season but we also need to ensure we are not randomly setting off fireworks.

➡️If you intend to have a display please tell your neighbours in plenty of advance so they can ensure their cats are safe inside.

⬇️Here is some advice on keeping you feline friend as content as possible during firework season.

✅ Ensure your cat is safely inside before dark. If this isn't their usual routine it may be difficult. You may need to help persuade them with food or treats and then spend plenty of time playing with them to keep them entertained.

✅ Ensure windows and doors are closed and that you ensure you check for your cat before opening a outside door so they don't bolt if there is an unexpected firework

✅ Ensure their microchip details are up to date

✅Provide a safe place for your cat. All cats a different, some prefer an igloo or cat tree, others will like to be somewhere up high or even under the bed. Keep it calm, comfortable and quiet

✅Your cat may benefit from calming aids such as Feliway spray, a synthetic pheromone to relax them

https://icatcare.org/advice/halloween-hazards-and-fireworks/

'It's okay he's friendly'

➡️Dog Owner Etiquette

For some a dog walk is a time to switch off from the world and watch your canine companion get some physical and mental stimulation running, sniffing and exploring.

But for some owners dog walks can be fraught with anxiety. Why? Because off lead dogs are being allowed, without prior authorisation, to approach their dogs.

We all know that some dogs simply adore playing, and there is nothing more wonderful that those brief encounters with strangers on a walk when your playful pooch gets a chance to let off some steam and play. Chasing, rolling, play fighting. But this activity must be undertaken after first speaking to the owners.

No matter how kind and playful your dog is you must NOT allow them to approach others dogs (even if they are on or off lead).

There are a huge number of reasons for this:

🐩 In season
🐕 Sick or injured
🦮 Assistance dogs needing to concentrate
🐕‍🦺 In training
🐩 Nervous, anxious, fearful
🐕 Reactive or aggressive

What you need:

✅ Excellent recall before you let you dogs off. If not then you need to practice positive recall training, go to a rented dog field to let your dog blow off steam, use a lead or have them on a long training line.

✅ Always keep your dog in sight. You do not know what is round the corner. There could be children, livestock, vehicles, hazards or dogs that should not be approached.

✅ Watch out for a yellow warning.
Yellow Dog UK is an initiative when a yellow lead, bow, lead cover, coat can mean STAY AWAY. Please spread the word about this and be aware of your surroundings and mindful of others when walking your dogs.

Read more below 👇

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/dog-owner-etiquette

Thanks to our volunteers who dedicate their time each week helping at the Centre and attending fundraising events.

We are delighted to welcome new folk to our team ❣. If you have time to spare and are looking to help a worthy cause, pop over to our website and fill in our volunteer form today 👇
www.animalconcerncumbria.org/working-with-us/volunteering

Your support is much appreciated.

🐶🐱💙

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