Spring 2015 - Culverden Veterinary Group

CULVERDEN VETERINARY GROUP
Tunbridge Wells • Crowborough • Wadhurst
SPRING 2015
Appointment Times
Practice News - Staff members
Tunbridge Wells: 01892 520296
Siân Hynam
Monday to Friday:
9–11am, 2.30–4.30pm, 5–6.30pm
“I grew up around a lot of animals and
always knew I wanted to work with them.
I decided to work towards going to vet school
when I was about 15. I enjoy all aspects
of the job, particularly ultrasonography.
I have completed several additional courses
in ultrasound I am also trained in veterinary
acupuncture. This has given me a useful
additional tool to manage things like arthritis
and other chronic conditions”.
Saturday: 8.30–11.30am
Crowborough: 01892 661650
Monday to Friday:
9–11am, 2.30–4pm, 5–6.30pm
Saturday: 8.30–11.00am
Wadhurst: 01892 782382
Monday to Friday:
9–11am, 2.30–4pm
Monday & Thursday: 5–6.30pm
NEWS
Vicky James
“I decided I wanted to be a vet after spending my
childhood on a friend’s farm with lambs, calves,
horses, dogs, cats and the like. I also tried to revive
a dead mouse with baby lotion when I was 6 or 7
years old, so I obviously had a calling!! Knowing that
I wanted to work with animals and loving sciences at
school made veterinary medicine the obvious choice
for me! I am working towards an Advanced Veterinary
Practitioner qualification (the RCVS certificate
programme) in Small Animal Medicine. I am due to
complete this in summer 2015. I have been working
towards this for 2 years now. My particular interests
lie in diagnosing neurological conditions, treating and
managing cancer patients and improving the quality of
life of our geriatric animals”.
www.culverden.co.uk
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Phillip Cusack
“My family came from a farming background and I’ve always had
an interest in science so becoming a vet seemed the right thing
for me. I trained in UCD Dublin for 5 years and then went on to do
an internship in Dublin specialising in small animals. I also did an
internship with Fitzpatrick referrals now known as the “Supervet”
and I decided I like general practice best interacting with clients
and patients on a day to day basis. I have an interest in soft tissue,
orthopaedic and dental surgery and I am studying towards a RVC certificate. Most of my spare
time is divided between walking my 4 rescue dogs (two lurchers, one Jack Russell-Chihuahua
cross and a very naughty miniature wire haired Dachsund), looking after my daughter, playing
tennis and gardening.....yes I’m an old man”.
Health Plan Update: Every month, more and more clients are signing up to the Culverden
Health Plan and are receiving huge benefits! You have the advantage of breaking up payments
into manageable monthly instalments, which is great for budgeting, plus it works out as roughly
a 20% discount on all your treatments! The plan includes your annual vaccinations and additional health check with the vet, flea and worm treatment for the year, lungworm and fox mange
protection, not to mention discounts on dental work, neuterings, food and accessories and the
kennel cough vaccine. The real bonus for us is that we get to see you on a more regular basis,
and we love catching up with our loyal clients! Visit our website or call us for more information.
For further information on any of the topics covered in this newsletter, contact the practice on 01892 520296
Email: [email protected] • www.culverden.co.uk
Preventable Diseases – what
can you do to help your pet?
Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) – can be fatal to dogs if left untreated. Slugs, snails,
frogs and foxes can carry the lungworm. Foxes have been implicated in the spread of lungworm as they pass the parasite into the environment in their faeces. Clinical signs can include
breathing problems, poor blood clotting, sickness and lethargy. Prevention – ADVOCATE
spot-on once a month.
Myxomatosis – a viral disease causing huge amounts of suffering and ultimately death. Spread
by biting insects like fleas and mites, but also through rabbit to rabbit contact, with outdoor
rabbits being most at risk although house rabbits are still susceptible. Clinical signs include
severe conjunctivitis leading to blindness, lumps over the body, swollen genitals and purulent
nasal discharge. Treatment is generally futile. Prevention – VACCINATION.
Feline Panleukopenia – a virus that attacks white blood cells and is a leading cause of death
in kittens. Can be spread by direct contact with infected animals or their secretions. Can be
transmitted before or shortly after birth. Clinical signs include loss of appetite, fever, vomiting,
diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain. Bacterial infection can often be secondary to the virus,
and can also be the cause of death. Prevention – VACCINATION.
Parvovirus – a highly contagious viral illness affecting dogs. Contracted by direct contact with
an infected animal or by the faecal-oral route. Majority of cases are seen in puppies between 6
weeks and 6 months of age. Clinical signs include bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, anorexia, lethargy,
fever, severe weight loss and abdominal pain, which can lead to death in some cases.
Prevention – VACCINATION.
For more information on these or any other illnesses, please contact us where we would be
happy to help. Prevention is better and easier than the cure, and signing up to our health plan
would mean all these treatments would be included, so you have the reassurance your pet is
receiving the best possible care.
Rabbits: keeping one jump ahead!
WITH the onset of warmer weather, we look at some top tips for
keeping your pet rabbit fit and healthy!
Protect them from flies! As the weather warms up, flies can be
annoying for humans, but for rabbits they can be deadly. Flies are
attracted to rabbits if they have soiled bottoms and will lay their
eggs there. These rapidly hatch out into flesh eating maggots
which can be painful and fatal if left untreated. Make sure your
rabbit’s hutch is cleaned out daily and check your rabbit’s bottom
every day to make sure it is clean – call us immediately if you are worried. Remember that
pets in outside runs need a shaded area to get away from the sun.
What about neutering? It’s a good idea to neuter rabbits not intended for breeding and this
can be done from 12-16 weeks of age. Apart from the obvious benefits of preventing unwanted
pregnancies, neutered rabbits are generally calmer (and can be kept in groups without fighting)
and are protected from cancer of the reproductive organs.
Dental disease is one of the commonest problems in rabbits and often occurs secondary to
tooth overgrowth.
The incisor (front) teeth should normally meet (see photo left). If they become
misaligned, they will grow past each other, leading to feeding problems. The cheek
teeth can also become overgrown, developing sharp spikes which can lacerate the
mouth. Symptoms commonly include “slobbers” (saliva wetting around the mouth),
decreased appetite and weight loss.
Dental disease can be painful and debilitating, so please come and see us if you are worried
about your rabbit’s teeth. If you would like any further information on vaccination, neutering or
general rabbit care – please call us today!
Heart-broken…
Angiostrongylosis
Angiostrongylosis, caused by the
parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum,
has been present in the UK and the
Republic of Ireland for the last 40
years in patches or “hotspots”, but
is now spreading North across the
British Isles. While still relatively
uncommon in the North, new cases
are being identified all the time.
It is also known as the French/
small heartworm or lungworm (to
distinguish it from Dirofilaria – the
large heartworm found in mainland
Europe and the USA).
Adult worms
can build up in
the heart, with
larvae travelling through
the lungs and
other tissues.
Electron micrograph of This can result
an adult lungworm
in bronchitis,
heart failure and spontaneous bleeding. Affected dogs often become
weak and lethargic, go off their food,
and may cough, vomit, or pass blood.
The disease can be so severe as to
be fatal but if diagnosed early can be
treated successfully. Blood or faecal
testing can give rapid results.
Angiostrongylus vasorum is carried
by slugs and snails which act as
intermediate
hosts and infect
dogs when they
are eaten –
deliberately or
by accident! This
means that the disease is commonest
in young dogs that eat or play with
slugs and snails, and those dogs that
eat or drink outside and may have
had slugs or snails in their bowls.
The life cycle of the worm is relatively
rapid so monthly deworming
ADVOCATE spot-on once a month is
required to prevent this disease.
We are here to help! Please let us
advise you on the best deworming
regime to protect your dog against
this life-threatening disease.
This Newsletter is provided as an education service to our clients. All news and other items in this newsletter are for information only and should not be treated as a substitute for specialist veterinary advice. For all images, the copyright is the property of the photographer.
Lungworm photo: courtesy Bayer. Cat photo: Warren Photographic
In the past few months, we have seen an increase in preventable diseases
amongst our pets. Such disease include lungworm in dogs, myxomatosis
in rabbits, feline panleukopenia (feline infectious enteritis) and parvovirus.
The prevention is simple: a vaccination or a spot-on treatment. It’s that easy.