Practice news and FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have a new kitten . What age do I have to start vaccinating?

A. Your new kitten will need a course of 2 vaccinations. The first part of the vaccine is given at 9 weeks of age and the second part of the vaccine is given 3-4 weeks later when your kitten is 12-13 weeks old. We reccommend that you keep your kitten in for 7 days after the second vaccine has been given to ensure that they have full immunity before they go out. Once vaccinated your cat will need yearly booster vaccinations.

Q. I am letting my kitten out for the first time, what is the best way of introducing my new kitten to it's new environment?

A. Once your new kitten is familar with its new home, is fully vaccinated and has been neutered then you can allow it to go outside. We reccommend that you withold food before letting your kitten out for the first time, so they are hungry and will return to the house for food when called. Supervising the first few trips outside is also adviseable as this will help to build confidence. Continue to supervise the trips outside, allowing your kitten to go further away, calling them back for food. When you are satisfied that your kitten is ready to be left outdoors on it's own is adviseable to fit a cat flap. A cat flap will provide access to outdoors when you are not at home and is the safest way to allow your kitten the freedom it needs.

Q. I have a new kitten what is the best way to litter train?

A. Most kittens instinctively known how to use a litter tray, but if they do need a little help training is quite easy. Place the litter tray in a quiet corner, that is easily accessible for them. Show the kitten where the litter is by placing them in the tray. Watch closely after eating and waking up, when the kitten looks as if it is ready to go to the toilet - crouching with it's tail raised - place in the litter tray. A natural instinct will tell the kitten to cover up its faeces and urine with the litter. If the kitten relieves itself outside the tray, carry them quickly to the litter tray and don't punish them.While you are toilet training it may be better to confine them to just one room until you are confident they are trained.

Q. I have a new puppy. What age do I have to start vaccinating?

A. Your new puppy will need a course of 2 vaccinations. The first part of the vaccine is given at 8 weeks of age and the second part of the vaccine is given 2 weeks later when your puppy is 10 weeks old. We recommend that puppies should not be taken into public places until 7 days after the second vaccine has been given to ensure that they have full immunity before they go out, although it is safe for them to exercise within your own garden as long as no other dogs have access to this area. Once vaccinated your dog will need yearly booster vaccinations.

Q. I have a new puppy, what is the best way to toliet train?

A. One of the easiest methods of toilet training is to 'crate train' your puppy i.e. confining the puppy when you are not watching, so that they only have the chance to go when you can control the situation. This will make the signs, e.g: crying, circling, pawing at cage etc more obvious as your pup will not want to mess it's living area. We advise that you take your puppy outside after eating, sleeping, drinking or playing as this is when they are most likey to need to go.

Take your puppy to the same spot each time so familiar smells remind them of what they are supposed to be doing there.Do not tell your puppy off for 'accidents' after the event as this will not help and may make things worse as they may avoid going to the toilet anywhere near you! Praise your puppy when it has successfully been to the toilet as this will encourage good toileting habits.

Q.What age should I neuter my new puppy/kitten?

A. We recommend that both male and female cats and dogs are neutered from 6 months of age. This prevents unwanted pregnancies as well as having many long term health benefits for your pet.

Q. How often should I treat my new puppy/kitten for fleas and worms?

A.We reccomend that you treat your puppy/kitten for fleas on a monthly basis. Effective flea control is available at the surgery. New puppies and kittens should be treated for worms on a monthly basis until they are 6 months of age, after which rountine worming is recommended once every 3-4 months. We recommend veterinary worming products as they are highly effective and have minimal side affects.

Q. I have found fleas in the house! What is the best way to treat the problem?

A.Throughly vaccum the house to remove any flea eggs, larvae and pupae and spray all over using a veterinary household insecticidal spray, which will usually give up to 12 months protection (remember always remove birds or fish before spraying). Wash the pet's bedding as well as any removable covers where the pet lies (such as sofa covers) and air the house before returning your pet indoors.

It is important to establish an effective flea control programme and rountinely treat your pet on a monthly basis to prevent fleas being brought into the house once you have treated the environment. To ensure that no fleas remain untreated continue to vaccum the house once or twice a week for two after spraying.

Q.What is Flystrike and how do I protect my rabbit against it?

A. Flystrike is a distressing and potentially life threatening condition for domestic rabbits. Flystrike occurs when flies lay their eggs on the rabbit. The eggs then hatch into maggots within 8 hours of being laid and begin eating away at the surrounding flesh. Flystrike commonly occurs in hot humid weather and is generally seen between the months of April and October. The flies are attracted to damp or dirty areas so it is important to check your rabbit at least twice daily for signs of Flystrike and seek veterinary attention immediately if you see any maggots.

You can protect your rabbit against Flystrike by keeping the rabbit and their hutch clean and by applying Rearguard. This is a liquid application that you apply to the hindquarters of the rabbit. It gives approximately 8-10 weeks protection from maggot infestation and is available and the pratice.

Q. What should I be feeding my new rabbit?

A. Rabbits in the wild live on a diet of grass, tough woody leaves and wild flowers. Therefore it is important to feed your rabbit a varied diet in order to meet its nutritional needs. Good quality hay should be available for your rabbit at all times. Commercial rabbit food, such as 'Supa Rabbit' and fresh grass should be offered daily. To vary your rabbit's diet you can also feed carrot tops, broccoli and cabbage.

As rabbit's teeth constantly grow they commonly suffer from dental problems. Providing hay and wooden gnawing blocks can help to grind their teeth down and avoid the need for dental surgery. Your rabbit's health depends almost entirely on the food you feed it, an incorrect diet can be detramental to their health.

Q. What should I be feeding my new puppy/kitten?

A. Growth is a delicate period, important for the future health of your pet. It is important to fed your new kitten/ puppy a wholesome, high protein diet along with a constant supply of fresh water. Good quality kitten/puppy food is essential to promote the development of strong bones, muscles, healthy teeth and gums, and to provide a source of protein and energy needed for this intense period of growth.

In order to meet your pet's unique dietary requirements we reccommend the Royal Canin life stage range.These diets are tailored for your pets developmental needs from weaning through to old age, ensuring that your new pet recieves all the vital nutrients they need to remain healthy throughout their life.

Q. How many times should I feed my new puppy/kitten?

A. From 6-12 weeks of age we reccommend you feed 4 evenly spaced meals throughout the day, reducing to 3 meals daily until they reach 6 months of age. From 6 months of age feeding twice daily is sufficent.

Q. What is microchipping?

A. Microchipping is the most effective way of identifying a lost pet. A microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under the dog or cat's skin between the shoulder blades. The procedure is very simple and is no more painful than an injection. A dog or cat will not be aware of the microchip's presence once inserted. Each microchip has a unique number which is stored on a national database.

If a lost or stolen dog or cat is found, the code will be revealed by passing a scanner over the microchip. A scan of the chip reveals the owner's name and address from the database's records allowing the animal and the owner to be quickly reunited. Once your pet has been microchipped it is important to keep your personal details up to date.

Q. I have recently moved house. How long should I keep my cat inside before I let her out?

A.We reccommend that you keep your new cat indoors for at least 2-3 weeks as this will allow the cat to familarise itself with the new environment. We reccommend that you withold food before allowing your cat outside for the first time so that it will return to the house for food when it is hungry.