In order to travel from GB or Northern Ireland your pet must:

• Be a minimum of 12 weeks old.
• Be microchipped.
• Vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days prior to travel.
• Visit a vet with your pet for a new Animal Health Certificate to be issued within 10 days of your intended travel.

About the new Animal Health Certificates:

• The certificate forms vary depending on your pet’s country of destination.
• Each certificate form is specifically issued per pet.
• The vet applies for the certificate form on your behalf.
• Each certificate form has a unique number when issued.
• Each Animal Health Certificate will be valid for 4 months only for travel within the EU and returning to Great Britain.

When contacting us to arrange an appointment for the Animal Health Certificate we will need to know in advance the following details:

• Dates of travel.
• The country of your pet’s final destination.
• Details of any countries your pet maybe travelling through to reach the  final destination.
• Date of your pet’s most recent rabies vaccination *.
• Your pet’s microchip number and the date the microchip was implanted *.

(* all this information should be in your pet’s current passport.)

Worming treatment.

Depending on your pet’s destination he or she may require to have worming treatment administered by the vet issuing the Animal Health Certificate.

If your pet is currently abroad (travelled prior to 01.01.2021)

He or she won’t have had the newly introduced Animal Health Certificate  issued prior to leaving GB or Northern Ireland so will be able to travel back with their current Pets Passport.  However, we do advise that you consult a local veterinary centre for advice before travelling back.

In a nutshell, it’s important to plan ahead, you need to allow a minimum of 1 month if your pet hasn’t had rabies vaccination before.  If your pet has got a PETS passport keep hold of it.  Further information can be found:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021

The post Pet Travel Update 2021 appeared first on Riverside.

If you should have concerns about your dog or cat with any of the above signs please contact your vet so that they can quickly assess your pets, and if need be, carry out one or two simple diagnostic blood tests to confirm any suspicions.

So, what is diabetes?  Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) in dogs and cats results as a failure to produce insulin.  If a pet’s body produces little or no insulin, or cannot absorb it properly, glucose builds up in the blood stream but is unable to get out in to the body where this fuel is needed.

‘Artificial’ insulin is available for cats and dogs which is currently administered by injection, although new modes of delivery are being researched.  This is often quite a daunting prospect for owners but with the sophisticated pen-type injection system is often reduced.  We, as veterinary teams demonstrate and support owners through this process and have experience of doing so.  It does mean your cat or dog will need to monitored closely for a while until the right level of insulin support is determined.  Monitoring is usually a ‘mini’ blood test necessary to fine tune the level of insulin to be given.  The timespan between monitoring appointments is adapted for your cat or dog as they are all individuals responding at different rates.  The veterinary team are also available on the phone to support you with any concerns and queries you may have in between appointments.  We don’t mind and expect owners to ask lots of questions, especially when their pet has been newly diagnosed.  It’s a good idea to involve everyone at home if you have a pet with diabetes so that everyone can use the insulin pen if needed.  Your pet’s routine may need to adjust a bit as regular meals and exercise all help with managing a diabetic pet.  When planning holidays it’s a good idea to discuss your pet’s requirements in advance with your kennels/cattery/pet sitter so that they have an understanding of your pet’s medication, routine and exercise.  They can always liaise with your vets too.

Diabetes cannot be cured as such but with appropriate treatment it’s a condition that is often successfully managed.  What would be the consequence of not treating a diabetic cat or dog and not receiving insulin?  The extra glucose in your pet’s body is unable to be used as fuel so a cat or dog will become lethargic, drink excessively, lose weight and other health issues will follow.  Successful management of this lifelong condition is always helped by an early diagnosis.  So, if you have any suspicions about your pet and this disease give us a call so we can arrange a veterinary appointment 01789 299455.

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They’ll be no large Firework Displays for Bonfire Night November 2020 and we all know why!  However, there’s every chance that people are going to be having smaller, family gatherings in their gardens following the rule of 6.  This means that fireworks in 2020 might be even closer to your home than usual.  All this is unwelcome news for our pets, especially those that get distressed by them.  So it’s time to think ahead and plan for bonfire night season.

Dens are by far and away the best refuge for a frightened dog.  This may be a space under the stairs or behind a sofa with extra bedding or blankets to act as a muffle against the sudden, loud fireworks noise.  It’s natural for us as humans to try an comfort and reassure our pets.  Sadly, this only helps to reinforce their worries.  Being around them during this time is great, but as they look to us for reassurance then behaving normally (or as near as we can)  is by far and away the best policy.  If your dog seems a little distressed then try distracting them by playing with them indoors.  Increasing the TV volume to drown out external bangs may also help a little.   

For cats, ensure windows are closed to prevent them bolting if spooked by the noise on fireworks.    They too like to hideaway, often somewhere high and dark.  Wardrobes and airing cupboards are many cats favourite hiding places. 

Ensure your pet’s microchip registration details are up to date and current.  This way should your cat or dog take flight and be found by someone else, a veterinary team member will be able to scan their microchip and successfully reunite you with them.  Your neighbours may not be aware of your pet’s anxieties so it may be worth having a conversation with them in advance.  

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In recent years there’s been a noted drop off in the number of rabbits suffering from myxomatosis.  This success is a reflection of widely used vaccination.  However, the disease itself is still prevalent in the rabbit population at large and only annual vaccination has any chance of keeping it away from domestic rabbits.  This horrible virus causes swelling of a rabbit’s eyelids, lips and genital areas. It effectively renders a rabbit unable to see and eat.  The virus is spread by biting insects e.g. mosquitoes or fleas and also by close contact with other rabbits.  This means that even house rabbits can be affected and certainly those in a well-fenced garden.

In the 1980’s another rabbit disease was recorded, VHD (Viral Haemorhagic Disease), also known as RHD.  There are two strains, RHD1, and more recently RHD2.  This too can be spread via insects, in the air or rabbit to rabbit contact.  Sadly this disease is also lethal for rabbits, with some becoming so overwhelmed that they are just found dead with no previous signs. 

In the past we have had to give two separate vaccinations against these diseases at different intervals.  Now newly available vets have a new complete rabbit vaccine that protects against Myxomatosis and both strains of VHD. If your rabbit has had vaccination s previously, depending on when and which vaccination was given there may be a small variation in the type of vaccination this time.  Ongoing it means that your rabbit will only require one injection a year to cover all these infections.  

Your rabbit’s vaccination appointment will also include a health and weight check with your vet.  Call us if you want to discuss this further on 01789 299455 or to schedule an appointment. 

The post Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!!! appeared first on Riverside.

The government department responsible (DEFRA) have recently released an updated statement:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pet-owners-reminded-to-seek-advice-on-travel-plans-ahead-of-1-january-2021

This link also provides some information: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit?

This in fact is only an indication of what may happen.  So, with this in mind we are advising you all (as we don’t know your individual travel plans) to think ahead.  It’s a case of  ‘prepare for the worst and hope for the best’. 

Departing around Christmas and returning after New Year?

Get in touch NOW to arrange a blood test.  The blood test is to confirm the rabies vaccine has had the desired effect with a positive titre response.  Your pet will only then be allowed to travel 3 months after a positive test result is confirmed.  We have always railed against unnecessary interventions, and indeed this blood test ultimately may prove to be unnecessary.

Departure after 31st January 2021?

Contact us by the end of October 2020 (although it may be no further action is required once the rules are clarified).

Departure after 28th February 2021?

Contact us by the end of November 2020 (although it may be no further action is required once the rules are clarified).

Departure after 31st March 2021?

Contact us by end of December 2020 (although it may be no further action is required once the rules are clarified).

Departure after 30th April 2021?

Again, the advice for now is ‘sit tight’ and do nothing.  Requirements for pet travel within the EU will be confirmed by 1st January 2021 and it may be that no further action is required.

Call us on 01789 299455 to discuss your pet’s situation if you plan to travel within the above time frame and/or their rabies booster vaccination is due soon.   The vaccination information will be detailed in your pet’s passport and we have the vaccination details on our records too.  If we have vaccinated your pet against rabies but you no longer wish to take your pet abroad, please contact us and we will update our records.  We will be in touch again once DEFRA have confirmed the regulation changes.  

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Diarrhoea in Dogs

The problem with this last group of dogs is that they’re usually not actually poorly.  Often the stools they produce first thing in the morning are perfectly ok but then it gets sloppier and sloppier throughout the day.  Others dogs can produce a normal start to a motion that then just gets wet and sloppy before the end.  All these (and many more variations on the theme) are the result of chronic changes progressing in the bowel.  Many a time this is the result of a dog’s unfortunate habit of scavenging.  It’s a testimony to how robust their bellies are that we don’t see many more cases, but eventually, there will be a ‘sampling error’ too far when the gut says enough is enough…and diarrhoea follows.  A whole bunch of combinations then come in to play that will determine the outcome.  Most often they’ll get over it, but if things aren’t back to normal after a couple of weeks then there’s a problem, which is where the label ‘chronic diarrhoea’ comes in.  All it really means is about of sloppy poo that just won’t get better on its own.

The gut microbiome is the focus of attention when it comes to chronic diarrhoea in dogs, and it’s complicated.  In the gut of a dog (and us for that matter), there are trillions of micro-organisms that help to digest food, support the immune system and prevent invasion by pathogenic microbes.  Not surprising then, with the kind of insult that many dogs inflict on their gut during a daily scavenge, that this gut microbiome is put under severe strain from time to time.  Again, amazingly, it often recovers to fight another day.  But when it doesn’t then the slide can just get worse and worse without intervention.

So what can we do to help resolve this chronic diarrhoea?

The old adage is: don’t start from here.  But that’s not very helpful.  However, it does point up the need to seek help from your veterinary team, early.  Any diarrhoea that is not fully resolving after a couple of weeks needs to be addressed.  At the early stage, intervention is often successful with just the careful introduction of a prescription diet.  The true test is no relapse with the support of such food after a few weeks.  Any change of diet may provide a temporary relief from the signs of diarrhoea, but signs of loose stools will commonly return a few weeks after the new change of diet.  That will inevitably lead to a merry-go-round of more and more dietary changes as owners seek that magic food that solves the problem once and for all.  Such a food/diet can be hard to find by this stage.

Faecal samples are of some help, but only some, and here at Riverside Veterinary Centre we will advise you accordingly for your dog.  The main area of problem with chronic diarrhoea occurs at the level of the gut lining (the glycocalyx).  A faecal sample gives next to no information about what’s going on for this area of the gut.  Also, many of the culture requirements for these organisms are unknown and a lot of the micro-organisms are inherently fragile, so not a good set of conditions to accurately identify the problem.  Plus the gut microbiome is shifting, not a static, environment.  So you see the problem – quick fixes are unlikely and uncovering the route of the problem takes time and patience.  At Riverside Veterinary Centre we can have many a graphic conversation about the state of a dog’s motions for multiple weeks with clients if their dog has chronic diarrhoea….but we’re used to that, so don’t worry!

Contact us

The range of veterinary medications for chronic conditions is as diverse as it is varied, but all need to brought in to play, carefully and in a staged manner, so as not to upset the delicate balance of the gut microbiome.  One treatment that works for one individual may not work for another, and not even for the same individual at different times.  Yes, it’s complicated, but it all starts with a conversation with the veterinary team and we’re listening.  Call us on 01789 299455 should you have any concerns about your dog and diarrhoea.

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So let’s divide the problem up into the two types of diarrhoea we Vets generally deal with: 

• short term (acute)
• long term (chronic)

We’re addressing term (or acute) diarrhoea initially

For many dog owners, it can almost have be predicted; the daily walk took a dramatic turn as your lovely canine companion is noticed rummaging a little bit too long in the undergrowth, or equivalent, coming up for air whilst triumphantly chomping on something unmentionable!  Trouble is coming and no matter how vigilant you are, these days will happen.  The important thing is: what to do next?  As a simple rule of thumb, that evening’s meal could do with being something very bland.  You all have your own home-made version, often chicken or fish and white rice and then just keep your fingers crossed that the ingested ‘grot’ wasn’t too atrocious.  The truth of that though will be told in the next 1-2 days.

Of course, this scavenging behaviour is a mind-set with dogs. By trade, they are hunter scavengers whereas us humans are hunter gatherers.  Both dogs and ourselves overtime have found hunting to be a bit laborious and potentially quite dangerous.  For us, collecting berries and suchlike was considerably easier than hunting; whilst for dogs, finding something that has been rotting for a week or two is their approach.  It’s a testimony to how robust their guts are that they can cope with this; most of the time.  When it goes wrong though the effect is all too obvious, yes that’s right we’re talking diarrhoea.

So why does acute diarrhoea make a dog uncomfortable?

That’s a consequence of dogs being four-legged.  By walking around on four legs it means that their intestines are suspended (via a ligament called the suspensory ligament) from the middle of the back.  When diarrhoea occurs, if it’s severe enough, that causes a rush, ‘the trots’, that can lead to a gut spasm.  That, in turn, pulls on this ligament which can be pretty painful.  It’s what we term colic.  The same happens to us as babies and toddlers crawl around on all fours.  As we grow and move to a sitting and standing position our intestines end up no longer suspended but sagging.  It’s one of the few (very few) advantages of being two-legged – belly pain is relatively uncommon.

Should I seek veterinary help if my dog is uncomfortable?

Yes!  Whilst it is usually self-limiting, effectively means it should go away in time, colic hurts dogs a lot because of that gut spasm, and of course, we don’t always know what set it off in the first place.  What you can be certain of though, it will have been pretty unpleasant!  There is the possibility as well that the acute signs could be part of a developing pancreatitis, which is a lot more serious.

Usually, we can slow up the gut spasm pretty quickly with medication, and also provide pain relief as well.  If need be the veterinary equivalent of ‘light food’ is also available, we usually use Hills i/d.   

The other major advantage of addressing things early is that the faecal ‘rushes’, which are part of the acute diarrhoea, can be halted, meaning that you save yourself an awful lot of cleaning up, or the need to get up in the middle of the night to let your dog out!

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As for the more chronic, long term diarrhoea, this will be covered in our next blog. Give us a call on 01789 299 455 or fill in our enquiry form over on our contact page and one of our friendly team will be in touch shortly. 

The post Diarrhoea in Dogs appeared first on Riverside.

Owners sometimes conclude it’s due to a behaviour issue; however, more often the cause can be due to the mechanisms of a dog’s bladder not working quite as normal, much like the situation for humans. That said, there’s a big difference in the outcome between people and dogs.

So, the good news is there’s medication available to controls urinary incontinence for dogs. The medication works by stimulating the bladder sphincter to tighten up a little more than it would ordinarily. The veterinary consultation and examination of your dog will include a series of questions regarding the timing of the urine leakage as this can help ascertain the likely cause. Most commonly this arises when a dog is resting or asleep. On the other hand, should your dog be asking to go out more and urinating more frequently, this maybe due to another cause such as a bladder infection which can also be treated. Diagnostic tests are sometimes required, such as a urine test or bladder x-rays in order to establish the origin of your dog’s urination issue.

Puppies often wee, especially when excited. Thankfully the majority do grow out it. Usually, it’s older bitches that are affected but it can occur at any age and in male dogs too. Some breeds are more susceptible, and weight can be a contributory element too. It’s definitely worth talking with your vet about such problems. The medications available are usually lifelong, but they’re easy to administer and have a high success rate.

We hope that you find the information presented in this blog useful. If you are looking for an expert team of vets that love caring for pets then call us on 01789 299 455 or fill out our enquiry form.

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Cats and dogs have shorter life spans than us humans.  A single dog or cat year when mature is equivalent to 4 human years or more.  In that time quite a lot can happen.  As they get older their age means they are exposed to even more problems, which is why we invite you to bring your pet in for free of charge senior pet health checks part-way through each year.

The Overweight Pet 

So we are all aware of the obesity crisis facing us humans.  Sadly, our pets are not too far behind.  As with everything to do with weight gain it’s a slow, insidious, creep forward.  The vet’s annual health examination incorporates a weight check. If a trend becomes evident we can flag this up and hopefully implement changes with the aim of reversing this.  We’re not after having “size zero” cats and dogs, that’s not our aim.  But extra weight means extra load-bearing on joints which ultimately a higher risk of osteoarthritis is greater at a much younger age.  After a weight check with your vet, the nursing team are on hand to follow-up with free of charge weight checks and advice to support you both.

Hidden Illnesses 

Numerous health conditions that can affect pets but are not always apparent.  By virtue of them being hidden, it may only be the most subtle of signs that we see giving clues of an upcoming problem.  By having annual health checks this gives us the chance to ‘nip it in the bud’ rather than having to deal with much more complicated issues if things drift on.

As the Old Adage Goes ‘Prevention is Better Than Cure’

Annual health checks usually coincide with your pet’s vaccination.  These are very important to protect against a variety of debilitating diseases, some of which are transmissible to us humans.  It also allows us to go through the types of parasite control that are appropriate for your pet’s lifestyle.

Dental Hygiene – Dogs Have 42 Teeth & Cats Have 30

That’s more teeth than us.  Pets don’t clean their teeth but that doesn’t mean dental hygiene can’t be addressed.  For those dogs that are amenable there is the opportunity to clean their teeth.  Periodontal disease is common amongst both cats and dogs.  Part of your pets’ annual health check will include an oral examination. Often, dental problems will be in the developmental stage rather than being obvious.  Just like us, pets can suffer from toothache as a result of infection.  If dental changes are at an early stage a dietary modification may address ongoing issues.  Your vet will advise you accordingly.

Make sure your pet has regular health checks.  Call us here at Riverside Veterinary Centre 01789299455 to schedule one.

The post Why are Regular Visits to the Vets so Important for Your Pet? appeared first on Riverside.

For the majority of pets we strongly recommend a dried kibble good quality complete diet. In fact these diets are not only easy to feed but cost effective too, although on first appearances you may not think so. Good quality dried kibble complete diets contain high quality ingredients, with a fixed formula, so, can be more expensive per bag but what you actually need to consider is the cost per meal. Cheaper bags of food tend not to last as long because you need to feed more, usually containing cheaper bulky ingredients. Good quality dried kibble complete diets tend to be more energy dense, and therefore you don’t need to give such a big amount.

Benefits of Kibble Food

Another big advantage of feeding such diets is they are complete with balanced nutrition. A balanced complete food will contain the correct levels of protein for lean muscle and growth, fat for a healthy coat, fibre for healthy digestion, minerals for strong teeth and bones and also vitamins to support a strong immune system. These elements will vary depending on your pet’s age and size. No matter what life stage your pet is at or size this will be taken into consideration with feeding guides. It’s important to know how much your pet weighs in order to feed an appropriate amount, your vet team will weigh your pet free of charge and help you calculate the amounts to feed of an appropriate food. Your veterinary team will deliver a personalised recommendation for your pet having considered life stage, size plus any special requirements.

For example the right food can help your cat with healthy ageing with clinically proven antioxidants, safe levels of sodium and phosphorus for kidney support, strong teeth with ‘toothbrush like’ action, weight control with healthy levels of L-carnitine as it’s a preferential fat burner helping to maintain optimum weight and controlled mineral levels maintaining healthy urine ph levels.

Pets Needs

Puppies have varying requirements of calcium depending on their size rather than breed. Larger types have lower requirements as they’re growing for longer, where a smaller puppy will have higher calcium needs as he/she doesn’t take so long to reach adult size. Along with correct levels of minerals and omega-3 acids to support healthy bones, joints and teeth. As well as balanced vitamins for healthy coats.

Dogs that have been neutered have unique needs too. Weight gain can become a feature for some due to body changes but L-carnitine supports weight control for dogs too. Metabolism and energy levels can alter too as dogs get older, again this can be addressed by feeding the most suitable food. Different sized dogs ‘age’ at different ages so your veterinary team will include this in their recommendation.

Some pets very much have special requirements and more often than not, there’s now foods which can support your pet’s specific needs. These include kidney issues, dental disorders, those prone to weight gain, thyroid health, gastrointestinal disorders and more. These very specific diets are available in varying formats as manufacturers recognise pets with such conditions require specific dietary needs.

We, as your veterinary team are best placed to provide you with dietary advice about your pet as we know and have a full understanding of your pet’s individual requirements, plus we can easily weigh your pet for accurate feeding amount recommendations. To take advantage of Riverside Veterinary Centre’s knowledge and advice, contact us to discuss your pet’s individual dietary requirements. We have introductory vouchers for Hills foods, loyalty schemes and our prices are permanently below RRP.

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