STATION ROAD . SETTLE . BD24 9AA

MAIN STREET . HIGH BENTHAM . LA2 7LE

www.daleheadvetgroup.co.uk Tel:(01729) 823538 [email protected]

Be Tick Aware This summer we have seen an increase in the number of clients who have been experiencing flea infestations in their homes and increasing numbers of ticks on their pets. This is partly due to the changing weather patterns where wet summers and warm, wet winters are particularly favourable for the survival of these parasites. Ticks have received a lot of press recently because they carry diseases such as Lyme disease and babesiosis. These diseases are passed from the tick to its host whilst it is feeding so it is important to remove or incapacitate the tick prior to it taking its first blood meal. Ticks usually attach themselves around your pet’s head, neck, ears and feet but they can be found anywhere (including on humans!). Regular, all over body checks should detect any unwanted occupants and if found they should be removed using the twisting action of a ’tick hook’ (see below right) which are available from the surgery. Pulling the tick, burning it or topically treating it will lead it to regurgitate its stomach contents back into your pet, increasing the risk of infection, and the tick’s mouth parts can often be left under your pet’s skin causing nasty lumps which may need removing. Use a tick hook to remove them safely and effectively. However, as you can’t always guarantee that you will find every parasite hitchhiker your pet is carrying and as prevention is always better than cure, by using a flea and tick treatment such as Bravecto for dogs or Broadline for cats you will ensure that both fleas and ticks are killed within hours of landing on your pet and before transference of any disease can take place. The potent inhibitor also means that any eggs laid by fleas are not viable and will not lead to an infestation within your home. We recommend that you use these products at their recommended interval on a permanent basis in order to prevent disease in your pet and the dreadful effect of an infestation at home (which takes 3 months or longer to clear). For advice about parasite prevention please make an appointment for a FREE parasite check with one of our nurses who can then discuss the best treatment for your pet.

This year we have attended Malham, Bentham and Hodder Valley agricultural shows where our theme has been ‘Canines in the Countryside’ raising Out and about awareness of issues which may face your dog, or that he could pose to wildlife and farm stock in the countryside. We also held our annual charity dog walk in partnership with Peaks and Paws in aid of Bentham and District Pet Rescue and Settle Guide Dogs Supporter Group . We raised a massive £338.76 in sponsorship and proceeds from the raffle, games and donations and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and donated. NEW VACCINATION FOR RABBITS— FILAVAC

RHD (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease) and Myxomatosis are diseases found throughout the UK and are both highly fatal to un-vaccinated rabbits. Both outdoor AND indoor rabbits are at risk. RHD in particular is highly infectious and contagious. It can be spread by direct and indirect contact with infected rabbits and by biting insects (as can Myxomatosis). For example – if you, your dog or cat has walked on ground where a RHD infected rabbit has been, you can carry the virus home on your clothes and your pets can carry it on their fur or feet. The virus can survive for many months, is difficult to kill and can survive harsh environmental conditions.

Currently there is a vaccine in the UK that provides protection again Myxomatosis and RHD called Nobivac Myxo-RHD. However, there is now a new strain of RHD present in the UK known as RHD2 for which the current vaccine does not provide protection. This disease can produce a wide range of clinical signs varying from simple gut stasis to rapid death. Thankfully, we now have a vaccine available that protects against RHD2 specially imported from France. The vaccine does not provide protection against myxomatosis so the normal Nobivac Myxo-RHD vaccine will still need to be given. It is recommended that an interval of 14 days should be left between giving the normal annual vaccination and this new vaccine.

Your rabbit’s risk level will be assessed by the vet and they will then either prescribe an annual injection for low risk rabbits (such as a solitary indoor rabbit) or twice yearly injections for rabbits with a higher risk of infection (such as a multi rabbit household with access to an outdoor run).

Your rabbits annual vaccination regime should now be as follows: 1) Nobivac Myxo-RHD Vaccine – 1 injection covers for myxomatosis and RHD1 for 12 months 2) Filavac RHD2 – 1 injection either every 6 months or annually

depending on your rabbit’s risk of exposure to RHD2 There is a limited supply of the new vaccine so please contact us on 01729 823538 to make your appointment for vaccination as soon as possible. If it has been less than 14 days since your annual Nobivac Myxo -RHD vaccine, please contact us to discuss the risk or benefit involved in having the new vaccine early. Seasonal Dog Walking While it’s sad to think that summer is nearly over, we are looking forward to enjoying the spectacular colours of autumn in this stunning area we live in. As always, there are hazards of the season that you need to be aware of whilst out with man (and woman’s!) best friend:

Horse Chestnuts (Conkers) —whilst serious cases of poisoning are rare, ingestion can cause marked gastro-intestinal signs such as drooling, retching, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain and the conkers themselves can also present a risk by causing abdominal blockages. Dogs usually vomit any ingested conkers quickly but treatment to control vomiting may be required.

Anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poison) - most rodenticides in the UK contain anti-coagulant compounds that interfere with a rat’s ability to clot its own blood. Repeated exposure or exposure to professional level rodent baits can cause disruption to a dog’s blood clotting ability and result in massive haemorrhage (bleeding). The effects may be delayed for several days so blood clotting tests are often needed to determine if a dog is at risk of developing problems. Treatment involves giving an antidote and in severe cases transfusions of plasma or whole blood.

Oak/acorns—exposure to acorns in dogs is common in the autumn and winter months. The toxic ingredient is thought to be tannic acid, which can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, in-appetence and lethargy. Ingested acorns can also cause an intestinal blockage.

Antifreeze—Ethylene glycol ingestion is very dangerous. It is sweet-tasting and very palatable. Even a relatively small quantity can cause serious kidney damage and can be fatal. Unfortunately the longer the delay between ingestion of the anti-freeze and initiation of treatment the less favourable the prognosis so if you believe your pet has ingested antifreeze there is no time to delay in contacting the vet. Remember also to bring the bottle or container with you so that we can see exactly what chemicals your pet has been exposed to.

If you’re worried at all that your pet might have been in contact with any of these, or is displaying any unusual symptoms, don’t forget we’re available 24 hours as day via the usual surgery number 01729 823538.

SEPTEMBER 2016 www.daleheadvetgroup.co.uk