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Charity Tea Party

Wed, 2 May 2012 15:11:54 +0100

On the 31st May 2012 we are holding a charity tea party in aid of the Blue Cross. There will be drinks and cakes available all day at the practice, so we hope you will come along and join us. All we are asking is a minimum £2 donation, for a drink and a slice of cake.
We look forward to seeing and helping us support this very worthy cause.

Itchy Charlie

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:08:08 +0100

Charlie my chocolate labrador was diagnosed with a skin allergy in 2010. I had brought him in several times with sore ears and he was chewing at his feet and making them red and sore.
Once the vet had given him a full examination he advised a food trial initially which did help a little but the problem did not fully resolve. In the mean time Charlie was given some medication to help calm his skin and keep him comfortable.
Following this the vet recommended a screen serum blood test, to check his sensitivity to a number of possible allergens. These can range from grass to dust mites.
The results from the lab showed that Charlie is positive to dust and storage mites.
The Vet recommended a household spray to eradicate the mites. He also recommended a thorough cleaning regime that included washing his bedding on a high temperature, and vacuum all the carpets and sofas in the house to reduce the number of mites present in the environment.
Charlie is now doing well and his skin is much improved with no itching or chewing his feet.
This week is national allergy week, and so if you feel your pet is showing any similar symptoms,either now or in the future book your pet in for a Vet check.

National Allergy Week 23rd-29th of April

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:20:55 +0100

National Allergy Week (23 – 29 April) highlights the distressing allergies which many people face in their daily lives – but did you know that man’s best friend can also suffer from allergies, particularly at this time of year?

Allergic skin disease can be a real source of irritation for dogs – in fact itchy skin is one of the most common reasons for dogs needing to visit the vet, with an estimated 25% of vet appointments focused on the problem.

As a result, pet food manufacturer Royal Canin has developed a unique range of scientific Skin Care diets, available only through vets, which assist dogs that have skin allergies unrelated to food intolerance.

Gudi Stuttard, one of Royal Canin’s small animal vets, explains: “If you find that your dog gets a bit itchy at this time of year, fleas aren’t necessarily always the cause. It could actually be an allergic reaction to their environment, known as ‘atopy’ - a bit like hay fever in humans.

“Atopy usually develops first during early adulthood, often causing mild seasonal symptoms, particularly in the spring, but can develop in severity over the years. Long term treatment can be very successful in reducing the symptoms and special veterinary diets can really help in the nutritional support of dogs with skin problems. However, owners should be aware of the common signs so they can get to the vets to get the right diagnosis and help.

“Obviously frequent scratching is a clear sign that your dog is in discomfort, but your dog may also chew their feet, rub their muzzle or get itchy ears. Other signs of a skin problem include reddening of the skin and hair loss. If you see these signs in your dog, then we recommend you visit your vet sooner rather than later, as the problems are unlikely to be resolved on their own and scratching will make things worse - with the skin becoming damaged and bacterial infection often occurring.

“To reduce the possibility of your canine friend developing allergic skin disease, pet owners should make sure flea control is tip-top and keep the house as smoke-free and dust-free as possible. Routine grooming is also important to the overall skin health of dogs. Of course, every dog is different so your vet will help you work out a tailored plan to help you manage your allergic dog.”

Author: Royal Canin
Website: http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/

We’re all going on a summer holiday

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:37:08 +0100

By now I’m sure you have all booked your summer holiday or are in the process of booking one. More and more of us are taking our pets away with us whether we stay in the UK or abroad there are a few things we can do to make our pet more at ease whilst traveling.

It is important before you go away to check your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and to flea and worm treat. It would also be advisable to treat your pet with Advantix to treat Ticks and if you go abroad you will have to Apply the treatment before you go abroad. Make sure your pet passport is up to date.

We have many pets brought into the practice that have been found wandering the street or have been injured in car accidents and frequently these pets are not microchipped and do not have a collar and tag. Please make sure you get your pet microchiped and if your pet has been microchiped please make sure your contact details are up to date, dogs must wear a collar with tag on by law, this must have your name and contact number on it. As you can imagine going to a new area with your dog it just takes him to go investigating and go missing so up to date details are a must.
One of my dogs is not keen on car journeys and becomes quite stressed, I have found taking him on a walk before hand helps and stopping frequently for a walk helps him on the journey. I also give him some Kalm Aid which helps his anxiety. Some dogs can suffer with travel sickness if your pet has any traveling issues please contact us for advice.
Make sure you have brought your dogs bedding and toys as this will help settle him in the new environment. If your pet is used to sleeping with you at home keep the same routine on holiday or he may become confused. Do not let him off the lead until he is accustomed to the new area. Also some seaside resorts during the summer months will not allow dogs on the beaches so it is worth finding out before you book your holiday where your pet will be welcomed.

PET PLAN Nominations

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:08:25 +0100

We are pleased to announce that Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre was nominated for Veterinary Practice of the Year 2012. As well as the practice being nominated Tom, Steve and Andy were also nominated for Vet’ of the year. Heather was nominated for Vet’ Nurse of the year. All are absolutely over the moon to have been nominated.
Following a nationwide search to find the UK’s top veterinary professionals for 2012, entries have been flowing in to Pet Plan. The Pet Plan Veterinary Awards are equivalent to the “Oscars” in the veterinary world. They are now in their 12th year.
It is recognition to veterinary practices and staff throughout the country that have delivered an exceptional level of care to the nation’s pets and owners. The awards are judged by an independent panel of experts.
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted and has supported us!. We look forward to seeing you all and caring your pets in the future.