AnimalHospital.ie

Does my pet need vaccinations and what are they for?
 

Bringing your pet in for an annual health examination allows your vet to pick up on any minor problems.  Early treatment can help reduce the risk of problems becoming bigger ones later  on down the line. This is especially important for some common chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, as well as growths which may be cancerous.

At your pet’s yearly check-up, he or she will also receive booster vaccination.   A booster  shot regenerates the immunity provided by their first set of  puppy/kitten vaccinations.

Puppies can be vaccinated from 6 weeks of age. Kittens should receive their first vaccine at 9 weeks, and their second vaccine three to four week later. Dogs and cats should then be vaccinated annually for then on, to ensure protection against a number of serious infectious diseases they may become exposed to. If your older pet has never received vaccinations before, it is never too late to start. An animal may contract an infectious disease at any age, particularly if their immune system is suppressed due to illness or stress.

Canine vaccines protect against disease such as: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. Vaccines against Kennel Cough and Rabies are also available when appropriate.

Feline infectious diseases we vaccinate against include: Calicivirus 'cat-flu', Herpesvirus, Panleucopenia, and Chlamydia. A Leukaemia vaccine is also available separately.

In rabbits, we vaccinate against Myxomatosis.

Vaccines are safe and effective.  They protect your own pet and contribute to the health of the pet population at large.

What should I feed my pet?

Good quality pet food helps maintain optimal health. Brands available at the supermarket rely on advertising and packaging to sell their product, but the nutritional content does not bear scrutiny. If you read the contents, you will notice how non-specific the ingredients are (“meat products” etc.); this is so they can change the meat source to whichever is most economical at the time without having to change their packaging. For example, “chicken flavoured” food may contain only a tiny fraction of chicken.

At The Animal Hospital Tallaght, we stock foods from Burns and Hills. These well respected brands which cater for young, adult, and geriatric animals. We also stock prescription diets for animals with special requirements e.g. those with diabetes or other metabolic disturbances. These foods are high quality, well researched, and are only available from veterinary surgeries and good pet stores. By giving your pet the best nutrition available, you know you are laying a solid foundation for their good health and wellbeing.

Should I get my pet neutered?

If you do not intend to breed from your pet, neutering at 6 months of age is  highly recommended.  It is an important part of responsible pet ownership.  Neutering benefits your pet and society in general.

Neutering your pet early in life greatly reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, such as mammary tumours in the female, and testicular tumours in the male. Neutering also prevents the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens, which are put to sleep in their thousands every year.

In the male, it helps to reduce undesirable behaviours such as roaming, marking, and aggression. The idea that it is best to allow a bitch to have one heat or even one litter before spaying is not well founded.  It is recommended that bitches should be spayed at six months of age, before their first heat. Spaying after this time, while still beneficial, offers less protection against mammary tumours than spaying prior to the first heat.

In the male, the operation consists of removing the testicles; in the female, the womb and ovaries are removed. The procedure it carried out under full, general anaesthesia and all precautions are carried out to ensure your pet is pain free at all times.   Pets recover shortly after surgery and are monitored closely for another few hours.  Your pet can be collected on the same day.

Pain relief medication will be prescribed to your pet for a few days following the surgery.  Stitches will need to be removed approximately 10 days later except in the case of male cats where there are no stitches involved. Your pet may seem a little quieter than usual just after the procedure due to the effects of the general anaesthetic but after 24 hours your pet should be back to normal.  However, vigorous exercise is not recommended for pets with stitches as this may cause problems with the surgical wound and delay healing.  

After neutering, your pet’s metabolic rate will slow due to the reduction in circulating hormones. In order to minimise weight gain, their previous level of food should be reduced by 25-30%, or you may wish to switch them to a less calorie dense food.  Any further questions can be directed to one of our nurses or vets at any time.

What is a microchip and how does it work?

Microchipping involves inserting a rice-grain, sized identification chip under your pet’s skin at the area of the shoulder. A form needs to be completed to register your pet’s details, either online or sent by post.  Insertion of the microchip is a quick procedure and can be done during your pet's annual check-up or a specific appointment can be made.  Microchipping allows your pet to be identified if they ever go missing.  Any stray or lost animal dropped into a pound or veterinary practice is scanned for a microchip.  A microchip number can be entered into several online databases and the owners details can be retrieved. If your pet was already microchipped when they came to you, you will need to alter the ownership details on the database to which they are registered.

Is it worth getting my pet insured?

Pet Insurance is strongly advised to cover the cost of any accidents or health problems your pet may encounter during its lifetime. Unfortunately accidents happen e.g. being hit by a car, and depending on the injuries, the cost of treatment can range from hundreds to thousands of euros. Many pedigree breeds are prone to certain genetic conditions and will  very likely require long-term treatment at some stage.  Treatment could involve surgery, but will almost certainly involve medication; pet insurance covers these costs. A large unexpected veterinary bill can cause considerable financial strain and owners often regret not insuring their pet from the very beginning.

If you are considering insuring on your new pet it is advisable to do so sooner rather than later.  Insurance policies don't cover pre-existing conditions therefore it is important to insure before any major problems are diagnosed. If claiming for veterinary treatment, an excess will apply. This means that you pay for costs of treatment up to the excess amount, and any costs beyond this will be covered by the insurance company.

This is a brief overview of pet insurance. Every year there are more companies entering the pet insurance market and it is up to you to find the one that fits you are your pet's needs. Our vets and nurses will be happy to discuss the benefits of insurance with you.

Pet insurance does not cover routine veterinary costs such as vaccinations, fleaing/worming, spaying/neutering, grooming, dentals, health checks etc.


Do I need to brush my pets teeth?

It goes without saying that we brush our own teeth everyday and visit the dentist regularly, but we often forget about our pet’s oral health. Dental disease can cause serious pain and discomfort to an animal, which they are unable to communicate. You may notice your pet having difficulty eating or going off its food because it finds chewing so difficult, or they may seem generally “off form” because of chronic pain in their mouth. Dental and periodontal disease is a hidden epidemic as owners are usually unaware of the state of their pet’s teeth.

If severe, dental disease can cause systemic problems due to transmission of bacteria from the mouth to vital organs via the bloodstream. Preventative care in the form of hard food is recommended, as is tooth brushing if you can manage it!

Our vets will inspect your animal’s teeth as part of their standard health check and advise if a dental procedure is recommended. A dental procedure involves anaesthetising your pet, fully inspecting the mouth, cleaning, polishing, and extracting teeth if  required. Owners sometimes notice their animal has a renewed lease of life after the treatment as the source of pain has been removed.

What about flea and worming treatments?

All puppies and kittens are born with worms transmitted from their mothers while still in the womb. An untreated worm burden will result in general ill health.  The young animal won't gain weight properly but may look pot-bellied and in severe cases the worms in the intestines can cause a blockage.  Puppies and kittens should be wormed every 2 weeks for four doses, i.e. 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks. Once they are 3 months old, worming should be carried out every three months for the rest of the animal’s life. It is especially important for households with children, as in rare cases, contact with worms can cause blindness in humans.

The worming medications available at the supermarket are not as effective as those supplied by your vet.  At The Animal Hospital Tallaght we can supply wormers in the form of tablets, liquids, or as a spot on skin application, whichever is most convenient for you and best suited to your pet. You may choose to give the wormer yourself or have one of our staff do it for you.

For flea prevention and treatment, we generally recommend Practic for dogs, and Frontline for cats, but we also offer other products. These ‘spot on’ treatments are small tubes of liquid which are applied to the back of your pet's neck.  The treatment diffuses across the skin and into the bloodstream. These products protect your pet against the various parasites in the environment for a period of 1-2 months depending on the particular product used. 

Both the wormers and flea treatment are prescription only medications (POMs), so they can only be dispensed by a vet, and are superior to those available in a supermarket.

How do I train my pet?

There are many theories and conflicting advice regarding the various ways to train dogs and it can be hard to know who to trust and what to believe.
We at The Animal Hospital, believe that a good foundation in training is vital in achieving:

Just as you come to us for your pet’s health care, we recommend specialists for your pet's training. To help you decide we have provided links to some local trainers. Check out the websites to find which one suits you!
http://www.petsbehave.com/index.htm
http://www.tagnrye.com/
http://www.irishdogtrainer.com/

How much exercise does my pet need?

Little dogs quite frequently require more exercise than larger dogs. Often the exercise needs of small breeds can be satisfied in an apartment or back yard. If the small dog has adequate toys, or a dog or cat companion, the dog can generally meet all its exercise needs. However walking your dog on a daily basis proves healthy exercise for both dog and owner.

Mid-size breeds also vary in their need for exercise. Expect dogs that are natural hunters or herders to require more exercise. Beagles, hounds, border collies, Alaskan sled dogs, and Australian shepherds are naturally going to be restless if cooped up. They need time to run around, catch things, chase things, and to walk or jog.
Some dogs also require mental exercise. Dogs, like people, can get bored.   Bored dogs may behave undesirably e.g. destruction of potted plants or eating your shoes and furniture. New toys that require some work to get reward are fantastic for dogs that need a mental challenge. Also,daily interaction with your dog will help satisfy some mental exercise needs.

Since many dogs are mixed breeds, it may be hard to know what type of exercise requirements a dog has. Once you get a mixed breed dog observe its behaviour. If the dog enjoys basking in the sun most of the day, it probably does not need as much exercise. Conversely, if the dog appears restless and wanders around the house or yard relentlessly, its needs may be better met by more exercise. Older dogs tend to need less daily exercise than younger dogs.

As with people, be wary of providing too much exercise in hot temperatures. During hot months, allow your dog to take breaks and bring along water. Exercise during cooler periods cuch as right before sunrise or just after sunset.