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Pet Advice

Our advice for life with your pet

From nutrition to neutering, view our pet advice & tips below

Nutrition

We believe that good nutrition is vital for the health and wellbeing of your pet. Which is why we recommend Natures Range. For both dogs and cats, this is formulated to meet their essential health needs. These include high levels of omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shining coat, highly digestible proteins and a balance of fibres for a healthy digestive tract.

Visit their website for more information, or contact us.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential to protect dogs, cats and rabbits against the major infectious diseases which continue to circulate in the general population, many of which can be fatal.

We view this as an essential part of your pet’s healthcare in combination with an annual health check. The health check enables us to monitor the general health of your pet. Most vaccinations are covered on our Pet Health Club.

The following diseases are included in our vaccination policy:

Dogs
Distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (associated canine adenovirus 2), parvovirus and leptospirosis (4 strains). We also recommend kennel cough vaccination.

We currently recommend annual boosters, although not every component is needed yearly. Our vets will advise which booster your dog needs. The reported incidence of any side effects with the vaccine types used are extremely low at 2 per 100,000 doses and are far outweighed by the very real risk of disease.

Vaccines can be given from 6 weeks of age with completion of the vaccine course at 10 weeks of age to allow early socialisation.

Cats
We recommend vaccination against flu and feline infectious enteritis. In addition, we believe it to be essential to vaccinate against feline leukaemia virus. Vaccinations are given at 9 weeks and 12 weeks. Annual boosters are required to keep up immunity.

Rabbits
We recommend vaccination against viral haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, both of which are very serious rabbit diseases. We see these diseases even in rabbits with no known contact with wild rabbits.

Our nursing staff will be happy to discuss vaccinations with you. Call us today.

Neutering

We strongly recommend neutering, which is an operation to remove the sexual organs and prevent reproduction. It is called castration for males and spaying for females.

There are many reasons to get this done which are beneficial for both the health and behaviour of your pet, as well as saving you money in the long run. The most significant being the prevention of producing unwanted puppies and kittens, many of which end up being destroyed or abandoned every year. If you are a Pet Health Club member you get 20% off neutering.

Behaviour
Neutering can reduce aggressive and unwanted sexual behaviour giving you a calmer family pet. Neutered pets are also less likely to wander or mark their territory. Even female pets in season can act differently and may try to escape to find a mate. Males can detect if a local female is in season and also act differently.

Health
Neutering can reduce the risk of cancers in both males and females and in females prevents the life threatening womb infection pyometra.

Dogs Trust Scheme
We participate in the dogs trust campaign offering subsidised neutering, for certain breeds of dog. This is available to anyone on a means tested benefit. Owners that qualify can get their dog neutered at the moment for only £35. This can be a saving of over £150. Contact your local branch for more information.