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February Newsletter

Our February Newsletter is now available.  In this issue we look at changes to the PETS travel scheme, Spring Garden Perils and Kennel Cough.  Why not sign-up to receive the newsletter direct to your inbox.

See more News — Last updated on February 8, 2012

December Newsletter

Our December newsletter is now available. To ensure you don’t miss out why not sign-up to receive the newsletter straight to your inbox.

See more News — Last updated on December 27, 2011

New Year Fireworks Fear

It will soon be New Year and the return of Fireworks.  Unfortunately some pets just hate the loud bangs, whooshes and flashes of light.  If your pet shows destructive behaviour or hides or cowers then it is showing signs of FEAR.  Pets that are showing signs of anxiety may pant, pace, stop eating, tremble or go to the toilet more often. Even mild signs like lip smacking or yawning may mean that your Pet is saying “I don’t like these noises”.

There are several different things that you can do to help your pet cope with Fireworks.  If they show signs of FEAR then please go to your vet as early as possible so we can prescribe medication to help.

Anxious pets will benefit from calming products such as ADAPTIL or FELIWAY Diffusers or KALM-AID or ZYLKENE which are all based on natural calming systems and can be brought over the counter from us.
It is very important not to re-enforce any negative behaviour and by following the tips below you may help your pet cope.

Follow these top tips to help your pet cope with firework fears:

• Don’t punish your pet for being scared.
• Make sure your pet is in a safe and secure environment – do not take them outside when fireworks are likely to be used.  This may mean taking your dog for a walk earlier in the evening.
• Try and reduce the noise and light by closing curtains, closing windows and putting on a television or radio.
• Try not to fuss your pet as this will positively encourage fearful behaviour.  Calm invitations to sit next to you is ok but avoid forced affection.
• Using terms like “sit” and then treating the dog direct the reward towards calmly sitting rather than being treated for being nervous.
• Ignore any negative behaviour but engage when they are calm.
• Create a safe haven NOT a “bolt hole”
• Ensure your pet is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps.
• Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened animals can easily get lost.

If your pet shows signs of anxiety or fear this year it may be worth trying a sound de-sensitisation programme before next year.  This can take a long time and must be followed through properly to work.  Talk to your vet if this is something that interests you.

Speak to your vet. about D.A.P.® for dogs or Feliway Diffuser® for cats or Zylkene, or Kalm-Aid

More information on firework fear can be found at http://www.petfireworkfear.co.uk

D.A.P. ® is a synthetic copy of the natural canine appeasing pheromone released by the nursing bitch. D.A.P.® is the only product scientifically proven to reduce the intensity of fear felt by a dog during firework exposure.

D.A.P. ® is available as a plug-in diffuser, spray and collar.  The collar starts calming within hours but the diffuser must be plugged in several days before the fireworks start.
Feliway® is a synthetic copy of the natural feline facial pheromone used by cats to mark their environment as safe and secure. Feliway® is the only product scientifically proven to control the signs of feline stress and may help reduce fearful reactions to loud noises and prevent stress due to indoor confinement.
Feliway® is available as a diffuser and spray.

Zylkène is a novel natural product derived from milk protein, which has relaxing properties and is proven to help manage stress in cats and dogs. Zylkène comes in capsules and is given once a day, either in a treat or the capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled on food. The powder is palatable and so administration is usually straightforward.There are no known side effects and it doesn’t cause problems such as sedation or memory loss.  Your pet must be given Zylkene daily for at least a week before the fireworks start.

See more News — Last updated on

The 12 Pet Dangers of Christmas

The Christmas period presents animals with some added risks so to avoid having to call us out during the holiday period keep these hazards away from your pets.
1. Be careful not to overindulge your pets, as too much rich food can upset their digestive system causing vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
2. Never give alcohol, chocolate, raisons or grapes to your animals as they are toxic and can poison your pet.
3. Deck the halls… but remember holly and mistletoe are poisonous to pets.
4. Hang Christmas decorations (e.g. tinsel and baubles) well out of your pet’s way as they can cause serious injury if chewed or swallowed.
5. Keep plants away from pets as many are toxic. Lily’s are potentially fatal to cats.
6. Do not give bones as they can splinter and cause mouth injuries or be swallowed and get stuck.
7. Clean any spills of anti-freeze up as it is very toxic to animals.
8. If your pet has a medical condition, ensure you have enough medicine to last the holidays.
9. Never use crackers or party poppers when your pet is in the same room – loud bangs can frighten your pet and hurt their ears.
10. Be aware that noisy parties can intimidate animals, so provide your pet with a comfortable bed in a quiet part of the house where he can retreat.
11. Restrain dogs when travelling by car to visit friends and relatives.  Harnesses can be bought from most good pet shops.
12. Keep a routine – feed and exercise your pet at normal times.

See more News — Last updated on December 16, 2011

October Newsletter Now Available

Our October Newsletter is now available at www.dartvalevets.co.uk/newsletter you can sign-up on the page to ensure you receive up-to-date news and offers.

See more News — Last updated on October 20, 2011

Fire Works Fear

As the nights start to draw in and the warm weather becomes a distant memory it means that Fireworks Night is soon going to be upon us.  Unfortunately some pets just hate the loud bangs, whooshes and flashes of light.  If your pet shows destructive behaviour or hides or cowers then it is showing signs of FEAR.  Pets that are showing signs of anxiety may pant, pace, stop eating, tremble or go to the toilet more often. Even mild signs like lip smacking or yawning may mean that your Pet is saying “I don’t like these noises”.

There are several different things that you can do to help your pet cope with Fireworks.  If they show signs of FEAR then please go to your vet as early as possible so we can prescribe medication to help.

Anxious pets will benefit from calming products such as ADAPTIL or FELIWAY Diffusers or KALM-AID or ZYLKENE which are all based on natural calming systems and can be brought over the counter from us.
It is very important not to re-enforce any negative behaviour and by following the tips below you may help your pet cope. (more…)

See more News — Last updated on October 17, 2011

Hills Vet Essentials – Unique tooth-cleaning action

Feed your cat from 37p a day* and your dog from 94p a day*.

The Hill’s Vet Essentials range provides a high quality complete food for your dog or cat which has been specially designed to provide added life-stage benefits. We believe that feeding a high quality food to your dog or cat is the one of the best ways of keeping them healthy. We recommend Hills Vet Essentials which has a 100% money back guarantee. We are so confident that your dog or cat will love the food we will give you a full refund if they don’t.

Feeding your cat Vet Essentials could cost less than half the price of feeding Whiskas Pouches*

Hills Vet Essentials provides nutrition specifically formulated for pets’ essential health needs in every life stage.  The unique “plaque-removing” kibble gently scrubs away bacteria-laden plaque and tartar to help support good dental health.

Regular Special offers are available. Please ask in branch for further details.

More details on Hills Vet Essentials for cats and Kittens.
More details on Hills Vet Essentials for dogs and puppies.

* Prices based on feeding a 4Kg cat a 6.5Kg bag of Vet Essentials at the midpoint range on the daily feeding guidelines verses feeding 3 pouches of Whiskas Adult Fisherman Choice in Jelly 12x100g from Tesco at £3.49 (prices correct as of 09/01/12). Dog daily price based on feeding a 15Kg dog a 10Kg bag of Vet Essentials at midpoint range on the daily feeding guidelines.

See more News — Last updated on July 16, 2011