The micro-beast invaders that are putting millions of pets and families at risk
The It’s a Jungle Out There report discovered that 65% of owners do not regularly use parasite treatment products and are not certain that their pet is completely protected against fleas, ticks, lice, mites and intestinal worms, all of which can put owners and their families in danger of infestation and disease.

Only a third (33%) of owners consider parasites a serious risk to their pet’s health and 59% do not know that worms, fleas and ticks can transmit diseases that are potentially fatal to their pet. For example, a worrying 70% of dog owners do not know that the potentially fatal lungworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum, transmitted through eating infected common garden slugs and snails, could infect their dog.

A further 32% of owners admit to waiting until their pet displays visible signs of a parasite infestation before taking action to treat. However, parasites are highly evolved to remain undetected on the host and a pet may have been infested for several months before signs, if any, start to show.

One in three (30%) UK pet owners have had to treat their house for fleas, with cat owners twice as likely to suffer from an infestation as dog owners. Almost half of all owners (44%) have also discovered a tick on themselves or a family member.

What’s more, several types of intestinal worm, such as roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm, can cause potentially dangerous diseases in humans and are transmitted after exposure to the faeces of an infected pet.

Less than half (44%) of owners say they regularly pick up their pet’s faeces on a walk and a startling 59% of owners leave their pet’s faeces in the garden, potentially exposing their family to worm infestation. For example, roundworm eggs passed through the faeces of an infected cat or dog and will contaminate the surrounding soil for several months – these can become attached to pets’ fur and then, if accidentally ingested by owners, can lead to the condition Toxocariasis, which can result in sickness and even permanent vision loss in humans.

Parasite expert and Vet Maggie Fisher from ESCCAP, the independent parasite control resource, said: “Understanding the risks parasites present is an important part of being a responsible pet owner, as is clearing up after your dog or cat and properly treating against parasites. For example, an adult T canis female worm can excrete as many as 85,000 eggs per day, which remain in the ground for months or even years, and can be spread around the environment ending up on shoes, bike wheels and pushchairs, for example.”

To help pet owners navigate the complex jungle of parasites and help them in complying with the recommended parasite control advice, Bayer Animal Health has launched the ‘It’s a Jungle Out There’ initiative.
The campaign is encouraging owners to A.C.T against the jungle of parasites threatening their pets:
-Ask your Vet for advice
-Create a parasite protection plan
-Treat and repeat to prevent infestation
Owners can find information about the most common parasites in the UK at www.itsajungle.co.uk, where they can complete online risk assessment to discover their own personal jungle.

Exciting times ahead! Are you thinking of bringing a new furry member into the family?
If you’re thinking about getting a new pet, it is a fun change, but bear in mind that there are a few things to think about first, to be ensured that you get a pet from a reputable source and that you are ready for what you are about to undertake. It’s definitely advisable to seek advise before you get your new pet.

Firstly, all pets need a safe and comfy bed, an exercise area, a toilet area and suitable food specific for its’ individual needs.
Think about what type of pet would be most suitable to your lifestyle and the accommodation and facilities which you would be able to provide. For example the size of your house and garden, the time you could spend with the pet and exercise you’d be able to offer.
Depending on the answers to these questions, it may appear apparent that you would be most suited to a certain pet.

When you have decided what animal would suit you best and you go to pick up your new pet it is certainly advisable for any species of to speak to a vet for advise. It is easier going to collect your pet prepared with what you should be expecting and with what you will be required to do when you get home. Also book in for a health check as soon as possible.

It is recommendable to reduce the stress of moving home by continuing the same food as they are used to (hopefully you can get a sample of this from the breeder) and by ensuring that you have provided a safe, warm and comfy bed. The food can be changed if you prefer but it is important to do this gradually. All pets perceive ‘change in routine’ as a stressful event and certainly coming away from the house and litter they are used to is a big change for them.

When your pet is young, inquisitive and keen to learn is the best time to socialize. This will make a well rounded, well handled and tolerant pet. Have a look into local classes available.

Insurance is something also to think about as all pets are expensive with feeding, housing and preventative medicine requirements. Insurance won’t help with these costs but if the worst happened and your pet became unfortunately injured, vet costs can sometimes be an unpredictable necessity.

If you’re new to keeping animals or if you have had pets before, remember that a new pet is always a new start. If you have pets or children already then the adjustment period may require some more thought.
But if you feel that it will be right for you, then a new pet can bring a lot of enjoyment and fun into a household.
Don’t be worried to ask your local vet or nurse for advise. We’re here to help and it’s always lovely getting a new pet off to the best start.

Dogs rely on their legs and joints to maintain mobility. They are naturally athletic animals and eventually this activity can take its toll. Many older dogs have arthritis but because they can not tell us they are in pain, it is often seen only as stiffness.
Your dog may be reluctant to jump down from the car. He may limp at the beginning of a walk or show stiffness when getting out of his basket in the morning. Some dogs with arthritis are less interested in play and can be less tolerant towards children or other dogs. Licking or chewing at joints can also be a sign of pain.
Although some wear and tear is inevitable, there are many products available that can slow down the progress of the disease and promote healing of the cartilage.

Things you can do to help your dog:
•    Speak to your veterinary surgeon
There are many products available to relieve painful joints. Your vet may prescribe NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which will reduce pain and stiffness.
•    Control weight
An overweight dog puts a lot of extra strain on his joints. Weight reduction by increasing exercise is not recommended with an arthritic dog so a calorie controlled diet should be fed. Once the excess weight has gone you should see a marked difference in your dog’s mobility.
•    Gentle exercise
Regular, gentle exercise will help maintain mobility, keep your dog from stiffening up and ensure he enjoys life. Avoid occasional energetic exercise or rough play which will simply cause pain afterwards.
•    Supplements
Nutritional joint supplements can be given to help joint function. Your vet will recommend a suitable product.
•    Alternative therapies
Acupuncture can have a pain relieving effect. It also has a beneficial effect on the immune system, increasing ability to fight disease and giving a whole body improvement.
Hydrotherapy allows careful controlled swimming as a low impact form of exercise. It improves fitness and builds muscle mass which helps support joints.
Physiotherapy
Massage and physiotherapy can warm up the muscles before and after exercise.

There are a number of things that can be done to aid a dog with arthritis. Your veterinary surgeon or nurse can offer regular checks and advice to help you give your dog a greater quality of life.

So you want to be a Veterinary Nurse?

Lindsay Floyd Head Nurse Client Care at Drove Veterinary Hospital answers questions from GCSE pupils.

What is it like to be a veterinary nurse? Is it hard work?
Being a Veterinary nurse is a very varied job. We are able to get really involved with a range of patients and their various ailments. We help support the vets, holding that fractious cat for a blood sample, making sure they don’t wake up from their anaesthetic half way through an operation, and ensuring all the equipment is in good working order, as well as making patients feel at home in the practice, and helping support owners through difficult times. We really get to know our patients, especially the ones who stay in for a few days at a time.

The work is often hard, especially if you are working long hours as the day does not stop at 5pm. Overnight is often when we get to see the most varied cases as you never know what is about to walk through the door. However, the varied work keeps us on our toes, and means no two days are ever the same, so is very enjoyable.

What equipment does a veterinary nurse require?
A Veterinary Nurse is often in charge of maintaining all kinds of equipment within the hospital, such as making sure the dental drill is spinning correctly, and that we don’t run out of suture material half way through an operation! A nurse will always need a working watch, especially for monitoring heart and breathing rates of animals under general anaesthetic, and a pair of scissors usually come in handy too!

Which are the hardest animals to work with?
We work mainly with cats, dogs, rabbits and rodents. Often the hardest to deal with are scared and fractious cats (because they can be surprisingly spikey when they want to be), and aggressive dogs as one bite from a large dog could do a lot of damage. Veterinary nurses are well trained in animal handling, so thankfully injuries are minimised, but the odd one is inevitable when dealing with such a range of patients.

What sort of animals do you work with?
I work mainly with cats, dogs, rabbits and rodents. We also see the odd ‘exotic’ pet such as birds and reptiles. We occasionally have wildlife such as deer and badgers brought in, when we work closely with the RSPCA to get them rehabilitated.

What is your average salary ?

Average salary varies widely with location, experience, and the number of hours you work (for example whether you are expected to be on call overnight and at weekends).

What sort of treatments do you offer to animals at your vets?

We offer a range of treatments, broadly categorised into the following:
-          Routine healthcare – this includes vaccinations, dental checks and neutering
-          Medicine – this can be anything from a course of antibiotic tablets through to chemotherapy for cancer.
-          Diagnostics – we are able to perform x-rays and ultrasound scans on patients who require them, for example to diagnose a gut or liver problem.
-          Surgery – this really can be anything from a tooth extraction through to removing a sock from a dogs stomach, or fixing a cat with a broken leg. You never know what will walk through the door next!

So you want to be a Vet?
Imogen Read Veterinary Surgeon at Drove Veterinary Hospital answers questions from GCSE  pupils.

What qualifications do you need  to become a vet?

To become a vet you need a University degree in Veterinary Medicine, however the process starts long before this. During your time at school you will be expected to do work experience at a range of places including on a farm and within a Veterinary Practice. Once you have completed your GCSEs you will need to take three A levels, two of which are science-based such as biology and chemistry. Following application to University you may be invited to attend an interview prior to gaining a place. The degree takes five to six years to complete, and much of this time will be spent gaining more work experience to develop both your knowledge and the practical skills required.

What aspect of veterinary practice do you specialise in and what areas are available to specialise in?

Although most people gaining a degree in Veterinary Medicine go on to become practising Vets, there are other options such as a career in research, working for the Government, or advising pharmaceutical companies.
Being a Veterinary Surgeon is a very varied job. You can become a ‘mixed’ vet, treating a range of animals from horses and cattle to smaller ones such as cats, dogs and rabbits. You could choose to specialise in one type of work, such as livestock, horses, or zoo animals. Within each job you can then specialise further, for example some people like to perform surgery, others like to treat medical cases such as a diabetic dog. Some Vets gain further qualifications and become recognised specialists, for example in cardiology (diagnosis and treatment or heart problems) or ophthalmology (an ‘eye’ vet).

I treat mainly dogs and cats, with a few rabbits and rodents, and the odd chicken. I really enjoy surgical cases, especially neutering and lump removals, but my main interest is in internal medicine. This is the study of diseases which are treated with medications, rather than fixed by surgery, and includes conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and heart failure. Following University I completed a two year course in internal medicine to further my knowledge in this area. I also attend regular seminars and lectures and make sure I keep up to date with new advances.

How hard was it to reach your goal and become a vet?

I believe that as long as you are prepared, for example completing work experience and choosing to study the relevant A levels, becoming a Vet is a very achievable goal. One of the hardest parts is getting a place at University because it is quite a competitive subject. Places are not given purely on grades (although these help!) but also on your ability to involve yourself in University life, so hobbies such as sports and music are really important and will help you to stand out from the crowd.

I applied for a place at four Universities, was invited for interviews at three of them, and received offers from two, eventually choosing to study in Bristol. The degree took five years to complete, and definitely had its ups and downs. We had regular exams and vivas (spoken exams) to make sure we were keeping up and reaching the required standard. There were a few times when I questioned whether all the hard work was going to be worth it but I believe it was in the end!

Do you remember? We need your help ……….

Drove Veterinary Hospital has seen many changes in our ‘lifetime’.
Tracing our roots back to1839, we  have been serving Swindon & the surrounding villages’, pet owners, farmers & equine clients for over 170 years.
‘The tides have turned’ since the early days when the work was mainly farm, with now being predominately small animal.
Many Swindon residents will no doubt  remember ‘The Hewers’ the father & son who practiced at The Grange, Drove Road for many years, hence where we took the name DROVE from.
What about  Hewer, Spriggs & Wilson or Sismey Cooper & Hibberd … do you remember them?
Did you used to go to Jon Gambles or Mr Raine on County Road or Wootton Bassett or Arrow Veterinary Centre?
Maybe you visited Holden & Reader at Marlborough & Pewsey or Lambourn Veterinary Surgery?
All of these partnerships laid the foundations of Drove Vets as we know it today & we want to know more about our roots!
There must be many tales to tell and we’d love to hear from anyone who used to go any of the surgeries or have any old photographs.

Being part of Swindon & the surrounding villages for so long there really must be lots we don’t know….

Who are the Vets you remember?
What pets did you have at the time?
What care did they receive?
Can you remember any prices?
Are you & your pets still coming to Drove?
Who has been registered with us the longest?
Have you got any old bills or invoices?
What happened if you needed a Vet out-of –hours?

So many questions, but we’d really like to document our history and anything, no matter how irrelevant or trivial it may seem, your memories & thoughts will help us build up the ‘big picture’ of Veterinary Life in our area.
Who would have believed all those years ago that we would have a network of local branch surgeries, a Tier 3 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Hospital and run our own 24 hour- emergency service- 7 days a week – 365 days a year!
My how things change!
We look forward to hearing from you
Please contact Jane Carter,252 Croft Road, Swindon, SN1 4RW, 01793 501480
Email jcarter@drovevets.co.uk

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Drove-Vets/
Website www.drovevets.co.uk Telephone 01793 501480

DANGER…HEAT STROKE – The Silent Killer

When animals are exposed to hot and humid temperatures alongside their inability to effectively cool themselves down like humans through sweat and removing themselves from an area, inevitably they will suffer with the condition we call Hyperthermia, an abnormally high and dangerous body temperature.

Hyperthermia results in the body’s core temperature rising drastically to above 40 degrees Celsius. Once the body exceeds 41.5˚C to 42.5˚C cellular function is seriously affected and unconsciousness and even death can follow. Situations that can lead to heat stroke are;
•    Pets left out doors in hot and humid weather with no shade or water.
•    Exercising your pet in hot humid weather even if you have water available is putting your pet at risk.
•    Leaving your pet in a closed car in direct sun or on a warm day even with cracked open windows can be deadly. Panting a normal physiological means to cool off actually saturates the air with water vapour making the air in the car warmer and consequently even more difficult for an animal to cool down.
•    Young and old animals are more sensitive to high temperatures because they cannot acclimatize effectively.
•    Heavy coated dogs (Husky ,German Shepherd, Chow Chow)
•    Animals with medical problems. History of seizures, heart or lung disease should never be exposed to hot humid temperatures.
•    Certain breeds with short snouts such as Shit Tzu, Boxers, Pekinese, Bull dogs and Persian cats are particularly susceptible due to their flat faces that make breathing difficult anyway.

Signs that your pet is suffering from heat stroke can include panting, excessive salivation, difficulty to breath, almost gasping. In some cases where a pets body temperature has increased to above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) you may see them vomit, their gums appear to be bright cherry red in colour, appear depressed or even lethargic. In the most severe cases he patient can appear extremely disorientated, collapsed, seizure or sadly result into a comatose state.

If you believe that your pet may be suffering from heat stroke and is showing any signs you must act quickly and reduce their body temperature. The main objective is to cool your pet down as fast as possible to bring the body temperature down back to a normal range. If your pet is outdoors or in a car get them out of harms way and into a cooler environment away from direct heat. Check to assess if they are able to breathe and try to establish the severity of the condition, but remain calm because if you panic then they will too.
You now need to contact your veterinary practice and explain what has happened and that you are on your way down, all veterinary practices treat heatstroke as an emergency and they cannot nor should not wait for an appointment later on in the day and need to be treated immediately. To start to cool your pet down you could at this stage place cool water soaked towels on their head, neck, feet, chest and abdomen and if available put your cars air conditioning on to aid the cooling process. You must remember NEVER put the animal into a bath or such like area filled with cold water as this can then send the body into shock, which in itself could kill them.

Heatstroke is an avoidable condition so let’s beat it together.

Meet ‘Mr Cotton balls’ & ‘Flame’ my new kittens …. and boy are they into everything!

These adorable little lads were found in a shed when their mum left them, who knows what happened to her it’s so sad. They hand reared by a very dedicated & capable young lady, who has done an amazing job of socialising them.

They have been in the litter tray every time & are confident, bold kittens.

They have been with me 2 weeks now and I have had to have eyes in the back of my head, making sure they don’t get into too much trouble or danger.

Washing machines & Recling Sofas are my ‘phobias’ at the moment & I feel like a new mum who has just brought her 1st baby home ( that was over 30 years ago now!)

I have had kittens & pups before, but this time seems so different – such a responsibility – they say you worry more the older you get , and it is definately true.

I will keep you updated on their progress & ‘My Grey hairs!’

June 2012 sees the launch of our new & exciting updated Pet Health Club.

‘Go for Gold’ with Drove Vets!
We’ve been listening to you and have used your comments & ideas, and added some exciting new features, to help you to provide your pets with a Gold Standard routine healthcare package.
We have also introduced ‘Gold, Silver & Bronze Puppy & Kitten Bundles’ offering a plan to suit everyone’s pocket!

Gold – for dogs, cats, rabbits, pups & kittens of any age!

*NEW* -  When you join our Pet Health Club you pay nothing up front, apart from your 1st monthly instalment! Prices start from just £9.99

Plus save up to 20% by means of an escalating discount on your pet’s routine vaccinations, flea & worm prevention and much, much more.

Being a member of Pet Club reduces the cost of your pet’s routine veterinary care, and allows you to budget with convenient monthly direct debit payment plans, with no added interest, whilst receiving regular pet club health checks, which are all included in the membership.

With the additional bonus of a microchip for only £10 owners will have the peace of mind that they will hopefully be reunited if their pet gets lost.

By saving a further 50% off Kennel Cough Vaccination, 10% off neutering, preventative dentals, pet shop merchandise, all food including prescription diet, puppy & dog training, & both dog & cat behaviour counselling, our Pet Club is an excellent way for you to ensure your pets receive the best possible healthcare.

Join today! Please ask any of our vets, nurses or receptionists and complete a simple direct debit registration form.

All of these benefits are automatically applied to existing Pet Club members.

…. & just for those new pups & kittens ….

Silver ‘Bundle’ – for Pups & Kittens £60 – one off payment
Vaccination course,4 weeks free insurance, 1 flea & worm treatment & a Microchip

Bronze ‘Bundle’ – for Pups & Kittens £45 – one off payment
Vaccination course,4 weeks free insurance, 1 flea & worm treatment
For more information please see www.drovevets.co.uk or email us at petclub@drovevets.co.uk.

What an amazing day we had in Swindon yesterday and I am so proud of our town.. What’s brought on this lovely warm feeling? The Olympic Torch Relay of course!

Thousands of local people lined the route, from Marlborough, Chiseldon, Wroughton, Royal Wootton Bassett & Swindon itself and I am so very pleased I was part of it.

The organisation was fabulous and the feeling extremely patriotic with such a wide range of ages filling the town. I chose my spot at the end of Market Street, with a union jack chair as I went with my dad, who wasn’t able to stand for too long, and we waited …..

Entertained by the fabulous Olympic entourage while we  were waiting, at last the torch appeared & was carried into the fabulous event organised by Swindon itself & passed to Drogba from Chelsea FC, who ran past us to a huge roar from the crowds!

More by default & luck I happened to be standing in the right place at the right time and took a photo of Drogba with ‘Swindon’ as a backdrop, with a perfect blue sky and the sun beaming down on us.

If you are reading this & thinking ‘what’s all the hype about’ with the Torch relay, then you really must go to experience it for yourself …. it was a truly ‘magical’ experience.

Thank you to the Olympic organisers & to ‘Swindon’ itself …. Fantastic!