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Pinkneys Green 01628 622086
Marlow 01628 483062
Stokenchurch - Temporarily Closed 01494 485855
Bourne End 01628 525274

Pet Advice

Hints and tips to help you care for your pet

  • Vaccinations
  • Worming
  • Fleas
  • Microchipping
  • Neutering
  • Small Furries

Vaccinations

We strongly recommend vaccination of all pet cats, dogs and rabbits. We vaccinate against a number of unpleasant and sometimes fatal diseases. Thankfully we now no longer see the large numbers of dogs and cats suffering from or even dying from these diseases that we used to. This is largely because of the very effective vaccines we use. However, these diseases still exist and it is important to avoid complacency and to keep our animals immune to avoid any outbreak or epidemic.

Dogs are vaccinated against:

  • Distemper (Hard Pad)
  • Parvovirus
  • Hepatitis (Adenovirus)
  • Leptospirosis (two types)
  • Para-influenza virus
  • Coronavirus
  • Kennel Cough (Bordatella) where required

Puppies require a primary vaccination course of two injections: the first at 6-8 weeks old and the second from 10 weeks old. An annual booster is necessary thereafter.

Cats are vaccinated against:

  • Cat ‘Flu’ - herpes and coronavirus
  • Feline Enteritis
  • Feline Leukaemia
  • Chlamydia

Kittens require a primary vaccination course of two injections: the first from 9 weeks old and the second from 12 weeks old. An annual booster is necessary thereafter.

Rabbits are vaccinated against:

  • Myxomatosis
  • Haemorrhagic Viral Disease (HVD)

Rabbits require a combined yearly vaccination against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea.

Whenever any vaccine is given each animal receives a thorough health check from nose to tail, examining eyes, ears, teeth, coat, abdomen, heart and lungs etc. This allows us to pick up any problems you have not spotted and also allows you to discuss any areas of concern. Annual vaccination, therefore, not only maintains your pet’s immunity, but also allows us to maintain a regular check on health.

We endeavour to send a reminder by text and email when your pet’s vaccination is due. Please act promptly to book an appointment to bring your pet in.

Worming

Worms can affect cats and dogs: round worms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms.

Puppies and kittens are mainly affected by roundworms. Worming should be done every 2 weeks from weaning to 12 weeks, then monthly to 6 months, then every 3-6 months depending on the environment of the animal.

Adult cats and dogs should be wormed on a regular basis. We recommend at the very least once a year worming. Worming should be done at more frequent intervals i.e. up to four times per year for animals that show signs of worms, for cats that regularly hunt and for dogs that scavenge, and particularly where your pets come into contact with young children.

Our staff can also advise on parasite treatments for rabbits, small ‘furries’, tortoises and birds etc.

Fleas

You may not want to know this, but the main source of fleas is the eggs in your house which may lay dormant for substantial periods of time. This is why regular flea treatment is essential to prevent the build up of flea eggs in your house. Regular use of products to prevent flea eggs hatching will also help.

There are two main ways of dealing with fleas. We advise the use of products we feel to be most effective and environmentally friendly and safe for your pets.

The easiest is to use one of the topical flea killer products. These are usually applied as “spot on” preparations applied to the back of the neck. These are extremely safe and effective at dealing with a current flea infestation, and will control fleas if used regularly. We use one which not only kills the fleas, but will specifically also inhibit eggs and larvae.

The use of an environmental spray on your carpets, skirting boards and pets’ bedding will also reduce flea eggs and larvae numbers.

Microchipping

Your cat or dog can now be permanently identified by placing a tiny microchip under the skin between the shoulder blades.

  • The chips are safe and completely harmless, and contain a unique number, which is held in a national register and can be read using a scanner.
  • The number is registered in your name and thus absolutely identifies your pet as yours!
  • All veterinary practices, animal rescue centres etc. routinely scan lost or stray animals.

If your pet is chipped, and then goes missing you have a far better chance of a happy ending.

Other species of pets may also be identichipped and your vet will be able to advise you.

Neutering

Neutering involves the surgical removal of the testes (castration) in male animals, or the removal of the ovaries and uterus (spaying) in female animals.

  • We advise the spaying of bitches after they have had their first season, which usually occurs between 9 and 15 months of age. It is essential to spay a bitch when reproductive hormones are at their least active, which is why we recommend performing the surgery 3 months after the season.
  • We recommend castration of dogs from 12 months of age. Larger breeds may be delayed to 18 months of age.
  • We can neuter both dogs and bitches earlier if required (after discussion with a vet).
  • We advise neutering cats at 5-6 months of age.
  • Remember instructions on starvation of your pet prior to surgery.
  • We recommend male rabbits are castrated. Females may be spayed. For advice on ages and timing please consult the surgery.

Small Furries

We can provide advice and veterinary treatment for many 'small furries' and ‘exotic’ pets, whether they be children’s pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs or budgerigars, or less common tortoises, terrapins, chinchillas or degus.

If more specialised knowledge is needed for parrots, or for reptiles such as snakes and lizards, we can direct you as necessary.

Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance

With so much choice around, we understand that choosing the right pet insurance can be daunting. Here you can find some guides to pet insurance and claims.

Imported Dogs

Imported Dogs

Information for owners that are either considering or have already imported a dog from outside of the UK.