Frequently Asked Questions
Customer Care
What happens to the electronic information you hold about me and my pet?
Bob Butler's Veterinary Surgeries adhere to the Data Protection Act and your details will only be used by us to contact you with health related matters such as vaccination and health check reminders.
We have a legal duty to keep all clinical records of our patients, including x-rays and diagnostic results, however, you are welcome to see your pet's records on request.
How do I raise a customer care issue?
We strive to provide the very best customer care. If you feel we are not meeting your expectations you should raise this matter in the first instance with the veterinary surgeon in charge at the surgery. If you feel the issue has not been resolved satisfactorily then you should write to the Practice Manager, Lorraine Simpson, at the Lyme Grove Surgery address who will ensure that it is dealt with through our complaints procedure.
What happens when a pet has to be referred to another vet?
Sometimes it is in the best ineterest of your pet to be referred to a specialist vet for a second opinion. This depends on the type of condition. This may require travel to another vet surgery and we will provide a referral letter and your pet's medical records. These records will be returned to us along with the results of the referral and any treatment that may be required. However, it worth noting that referrals and second opinions can incur additional consultation fees for the specialist veterinary surgeon's time.
Kitten and Puppy Vaccinations
Vaccination can protect your puppy against killer diseases, including distemper and parvovirus and is likely to be essential if your dog may go into boarding kennels. Several initial injections are required, followed by regular (usually annual) boosters. Each injection contains a mix of several vaccines against as many as seven different diseases. Your dog should not be taken outside in areas where other dogs have been until the vaccination course is completed. Our vet scan advise how long to wait.
However, research suggests it is beneficial for puppies to socialise (that is, to learn how to cope with a range of situations and experiences, and how to make friends with other dogs and people) whilst young, before vaccination is complete. Discuss the risks and benefits with your vet.
Kennel cough is not usually dangerous, but can be a nuisance. A vaccination is available and is often required for a stay in kennels.
Your puppy should recieve the first of its primary vaccinations at 8 weeks old and the second at 10 weeks old. A booster injection should then be given every twelve months to ensure your dog remains fully protected throughout its life.
To provide protection against potentially fatal infections such as feline infectious enteritis and feline influenza (cat flu), kittens need to be vaccinated. The first injection in the course is given at eight to nine weeks of age with a second at about 12 weeks. The kitten should be kept away from other cats and stay indoors for ten days after the second injection to ensure maximum protection.
To maintain the level of protection provided by vaccination, adult cats require regular boosters. Your vet will advise on what is required.
Vaccinations may be controversial, but the diseases they prevent are still around and still kill. If you do not know if your pet has been vaccinated, it does not hurt to repeat the course. Depending on circumstances, some components of the booster vaccines may not be needed every year. Our vets will advise you.
Neutering
Neutering is a surgical procedure carrie out by a vet toprevent an animal from producing offspring. It stops unwanted pregnancies and helps to reduce the problem of stray and abandoned animals, as well as having health benefits for them later on in life.
Neutering is a vital part of responsible pet ownership. It is something that pet owners should discuss with their vet as soon as they have a pet because neutering can lengthen the life spanof pets and increase their quality of life.
There are many myths associated with neutering. One is that a female pet should have one litterbefore spaying, but in fact it is better to have a pet neutered before this. Ideally, breeding from a pet should be left to the professionals.
Another myth is that neutered pets gain weight after the operation. A pet generally gains weight because it consumes more calories than it expends. Neutered dogs actually need a fifth less food than those that have not been neutered, so making sure that the pet gets the right amount of food and exercise will keep it in shape. Ask the vet for advice about your pet's diet after the operation.
When an un-neutered female cat is in season she can appear distressed and may also spray around the house or the garden to 'advertise' her availability. From the age of sexual maturity, which can be as young as 4 months, a healthy female cat can produce up to 3 litters a year with possibly 5 or 6 kittensand this may shorten her life expectancy. Male cats are less likely to be aggressive, do not usually spray inside the homeand are less lieklty to roam or fight. They will also not develop tumours of the testicles.
Neutered bitches will not develop problems connected with pregnancy or diseasesof the uterus and ovaries. All of these are potentially serious, but the main life threatening one is pyometra, an infection accululating in the womb which requires urgent surgery. There is also a decreased incidence of mammary tumours and false pregnancies. Neutered dogs will not develop testicular cancer, and other diseases such as prostate problems are much reduced.
De-Fleaing and Worming
The leading cause of skin problems in dogs and cats is the ordinary flea. Fleas can occur year-round in warm climates or on pets that live indoors. Adult female fleas survive by feeding on blood. The preferred host for this meal is your dog or cat, but in heavy infestations, fleas will readily bite humans. Most dogs and cats that are bitten by fleas will have some itching, but some pets develop a severe allergic skin condition called flea allergy dermatitis. Heavy flea infestations can even cause anemia and death. And fleas carry dog and cat tapeworms. Your pet gets tapeworm infections from biting infected fleas
Fleas can be diagnosed on your pet by finding the adult fleas, the flea dirt, or flea eggs on the skin. These can be seen most easily on the rump and the thinly-haired belly.
To effectively eliminate fleas from your pet and your environment, you must disrupt the life cycle of the flea. The adult fleas you see represent only one percent of the flea population. The other 99 percent are the mostly unseen eggs and immature developing fleas that live in your rugs, furniture, the pet's bedding, or outside. To control fleas, you must control this reservoir of developing fleas as well as the adults.
Fleas are carriers of tapeworm eggs and are a common cause of infestation sometimes picked up from other animals such as birds and rodents. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to roundworms and are often infected from birth.
Worms are, unfortunately, impossible to prevent. There is no preventative treatment that will stop your cat or dog becoming infected. However, there are thankfully a number of very effective products that will kill worms. By killing the worms, this will also stop them from producing eggs, or segments, that will infect the environment. Remember however, that most oral worming products are effective at the time of use they do not have a prolonged action.
It is necessary to use a worming treatment regularly. It is now every recommended that this should be done every month in adult dogs and cats.
Dealing with Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin. Insulin is required for the body to efficiently use sugars, fats and proteins.
Diabetes most commonly occurs in middle age to older dogs and cats, but occasionally occurs in young animals. When diabetes occurs in young animals, it is often genetic and may occur in related animals. Diabetes mellitus occurs more commonly in female dogs and in male cats.
Certain conditions predispose a dog or cat to developing diabetes. Animals that are overweight or those with inflammation of the pancreas are predisposed to developing diabetes. Some drugs can interfere with insulin, leading to diabetes. Glucocorticoids, which are cortisone-type drugs, and hormones used for heat control are drugs that are most likely to cause diabetes. These are commonly used drugs and only a small percentage of animals receiving these drugs develop diabetes after long term use.
The diagnosis of diabetes is made by finding a large increase in blood sugar and a large amount of sugar in the urine. Animals, especially cats, stressed by having a blood sample drawn, can have a temporary increase in blood sugar, but there is no sugar in the urine. A blood screen of other organs is obtained to look for changes in the liver, kidney and pancreas. A urine sample may be cultured to look for infection of the kidneys or bladder. Diabetic patients with ketoacidosis may have an elevation of waste products that are normally removed by the kidneys.
The treatment is different for patients with uncomplicated diabetes and those with ketoacidosis. Ketoacidotic diabetics are treated with intravenous fluids and rapid acting insulin. This treatment is continued until the pet is no longer vomiting and is eating, then the treatment is the same as for uncomplicated diabetes.
Diabetes is managed long term by the injection of insulin by the owner once or twice a day. Some diabetic cats can be treated with oral medications instead of insulin injections, but the oral medications are rarely effective in the dog.
Obesity and Diet
An estimated 35 per cent of pets in the UK are considered overweight or obese and as this is one of the biggest health issues affecting pets, vets are concerned.
A fat pet is no laughing matter - not only can it affect a pet's general quality of life, obesity can lead to serious medical conditions. Just as in humans, being overweight affects how an animal's body responds to insulin and can lead to diabetes. If left untreated, further problems such as cataracts, nerve problems and serious urinary tract infections can develop. These are unpleasant and costly conditions to treat.
Diet and exercise are key to a healthy pet and staving off obesity. There are many pet food products on the market, all claiming to provide the correct balance of nutrients and vitamins, and it is often very difficult to find one that best suits your pet and your pocket and lives up to the claims on the pack. Our vets and nurses will give you the best advice on exercise and food.
You can keep an eye on your pets weight by using the online Weight Clinic provided on the RSPCA's 'Pets Get Slim' website. Just click on the link above to access this and the weight checker will calculate the ideal healthy weight that your cat or dog should be. You will also find lots of information on food and exercise and a very useful Question and Answer page. If you are trying to keep you pet's weight under control this is a good site to chat with lots of other pet owners who are doing the same to get support and share useful tips - a great 'weight watchers' online community for pet owners!
Time to say 'Goodbye'
It is never an easy decision when you feel the time has come to have your pet put to sleep and say 'goodbye', but it is the kindest and bravest decision you will make.
We are not always able to improve the condition and health of a terminally ill or elderly pet with pain relief treatments, medication or surgery. All of our staff understand that you know your pet better than anyone else and the emotional difficulties of watching your animal's health deteriorate, feeling unable to make them well again, and they will deal with you with compassion and sensitivity.
We will always endeavour to make the experience of euthanasia as peaceful as possible for the animal and as dignified as possible for you and your family. The euthanasia will be carried out in the surgery and you will be given the choice to stay with your pet or say your 'goodbyes' and leave him or her with us. The procedure is performed by injecting concentrated anaesthetic solution into a vein and this quickly induces unconsciousness when the heart will stop and the body shuts down. It is quite a peaceful process, however, muscles may continue to twitch and you may hear a gasp of air like a sigh or two from your pet which are just reflex actions and are quite natural. Your pets eyes will not close after death and it is quite normal for the bowel and bladder to empty. We would recommend that you bring a friend or family member with you for support and comfort if you choose to remain with your pet during this procedure as it can be a very upsetting experience.
The Vet will ask you what your wishes are regarding cremation or burial arrangements. It is easier if you have thought about this beforehand and discussed it with your family. However, we are able to keep your pet, but only for a very short time, should you need to reflect more before making a final decision.
You are given the option to leave your pet with us and we will arrange for a cremation at Rossendale Pet Crematorium and the ashes will be scattered in their Garden of Remembrance. However, you may wish to have the ashes returned for you to scatter closer to home, or to have the ashes returned to you in a casket with an inscription. Whatever you decide our staff will be happy to make these arrangements on your behalf.
