Sadly our ‘Summer’ is drawing to a close and we must begin to think of impending winter problems once more. It will not be too long before we are having to think about fireworks again. Because this nuisance starts earlier and earlier it is best to begin thinking about and treating nervous pets from the beginning of October. Do not leave it until November 5th morning.
Traditionally the more nervous of our patients are given sedatives to help them get through this difficult time but now there is an easier and more effective way of helping them. We can supply a DAP diffuser. DAP stands for Dog Appeasing Pheromone and it contains one of the chemicals present in bitch’s milk. This can be diffused around the house using a device rather like a plug-in air freshener and this has the effect of taking the dog ‘back to the nest’ and calming them. Amazingly they can be de-stressed to the point of not fearing all the sounds of fireworks. The great advantage is that the diffuser works all the time and so the dog is calmed all day every day and does not need to be doped up all the time. As ever, the fireworks will be being let off for many days before and after Guy Fawkes Night so getting plugged in soon will be of most benefit. Diffusers are about £30 and last for a month.
If your pet does become distressed by fireworks it is important to act in an appropriate fashion. Draw the curtains and put on the lights in the room your pet is in to blank out the flashes, put on a radio or television to provide other sound input, and most importantly do not fuss your pet. Act calmly and only fuss them when they are calm. If you make a fuss they will see this as proof that the fireworks are frightening and that you are rewarding them for showing fear.
If none of this helps you may want to contact us to prescribe suitable tablets or herbal treatments.
Kennel Cough
In the Southwest of Scotland we are currently facing an outbreak of Kennel Cough. This is a highly contagious disease and it is not necessarily caught on a visit to kennels – any direct dog to dog contact can spread it. There is a vaccine available to protect dogs from the two most common causes of the disease. The vaccine can be given at any time and is now licensed to be given even at the time of your dog’s usual annual vaccination / check up. Nowadays the vaccine will give protection for a full year. |
Fleas and Ticks
Also at this time of year we face a great increase in the numbers of fleas and ticks on our pets. Fleas are no longer just a summer problem but their numbers dramatically increase from Spring through to November. They get onto your pets and into your home and can cause considerable irritation and transmit diseases as well. Some commercially available treatments are not as effective as we would wish so to protect your pets and your homes ask our staff members for advice at any of the surgeries.
 It used to be that ticks were a rare occurrence in pets in this part of the world but climate change means that this is no longer the case. We have already been seeing ticks on pets that have not been outside their normal surroundings in Ayrshire. Ticks can cause problems in two ways – they can cause nasty tissue reactions at the site where they attach to feed on their host’s blood and secondly they can transmit infectious diseases such as Lyme’s disease. In order to protect your pets from this menace you may need to vary your routine flea protection regime. Please ask for details at any of the surgeries.
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 Our Ayr branch has recently undergone a ‘Spot Check’ by the Royal College under the practice standards scheme. After a few minor changes we passed this inspection. We are proud to be able to say we are accredited in all the branches. The details of the scheme can be viewed on www.rcvs.org.uk and follow the links to Practice Standards. |