smalltalk WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE SUMMER 2018 Parasite control The common problem of flea infestation in our pets continues Inside... Kennel cough Signs and symptoms of this condition Socialisation What you need to know to help your puppy Pet allergies The problem of asthma in dogs and cats Travelling with your pet on holiday Medicating your pet The importance of compliance and adherence Mark Banks BVSc, CertOphthal, MRCVS Penbode Vets A range of interventions In human medicine, compliance describes the degree to have been shown to which a patient correctly follows medical advice. In veterinary medicine, compliance describes the extent to which pets improve medicine receive a treatment or procedure. compliance. They fall into three categories: Compliance involves both percentage of their patients veterinary staff recommending actually are in compliance’. G Technical - Simplify the regimen. In recent years, treatments and procedures, So client compliance was not more topically applied and pet owners following those as good as the profession medicines, palatable recommendations. believed and research suggests medicines and longer that over a third of pets are Adherence describes the acting medicines have not receiving their medications extent to which patients take made administration correctly. medications prescribed, and easier, and are popular involves the pet owner The results of poor medicine with pet owners. administering the correct dose, compliance means a poorer G Behavioural - Offering at the correct time, completing outcome for the pet, and a praise and rewards to the prescribed course, and then feeling of failure, frustration pets following medication. collecting a repeat prescription and disappointment for the course (if required). pet owner. G Educational - Veterinary staff should be training Until fairly recently, the and supporting clients. veterinary profession did not Keeping in contact with believe medicine compliance regular consultations, was an issue. However, in 2003 telephone conversations the American Animal Hospital and repeat prescription Association published a study reminders all help. that clearly demonstrated that, ‘although most practices ‘‘ believe that a high percentage of their active clients are compliant with veterinary If you are struggling with medicating your pet, be recommendations for good reassured that you are not alone. Please contact your vet care, a much smaller ‘‘and speak to a member of staff. 02 smalltalk Pet vaccination Kennel cough BVetMed By Keith Barrand VP(VetGP) CertSAM CBiol MRSB CertAFenwold CertAVP(GSAS) MRCVS Veterinary Practice Ltd The term ‘Kennel Cough’ (KC) is a very broad term which refers to any infectious cough in the dog. t is correctly called Infectious that we might catch a cold i.e. Can my dog have KC more ILaryngotracheitis, and is breathing in the infection on than once? caused by a variety of bacteria droplets of moisture coughed Yes. The wide variety of and viruses that cause a harsh, or sneezed out by an infected different causes of KC means dry cough. dog. It can also be transmitted that it is like colds in people. by shared bowls, toys etc. The What are the signs? incubation period is 2-14 days. Can I catch KC? A harsh dry cough which sounds Some dogs may be infected One of the bugs causing KC like your dog has something without showing signs. is related to the cause of stuck in their throat. Sometimes Whooping Cough but is not the cough will trigger a gag/ As an infectious disease spread by close contact, dogs coming considered infectious to people. choke reflex. Other than having If you have a cough at the a cough most dogs are not ill into contact with other dogs are at most risk. This includes: dogs same time as your dog it is with KC. Some dogs may have a coincidence. a runny nose or discharge from in kennels, at shows, or at their eyes, and be off their food. puppy classes. Should I have my dog vaccinated? Is it dangerous? How is it diagnosed? The most effective vaccine is KC is usually not particularly It is usually diagnosed by given in the form of nasal serious, but like respiratory the typical signs present. drops, annually. Vulnerable illnesses in people, vulnerable Occasionally, other tests such dogs should be vaccinated - dogs may be at risk of as a throat swab may be used. discuss with your vet. complications such as How is it treated? pneumonia. Vulnerable dogs include the old, the young, and Cough suppressants and dogs with other illnesses. KC is a anti-inflammatory treatment nuisance-disease and the cough may make your dog feel can persist for several weeks. better while the disease runs its course. Avoiding the use of How is it caught? a collar and lead may help, as Some boarding KC is very infectious. It is usually pressure on the throat may kennels and dog caught in the same manner cause a coughing fit. walkers insist on KC vaccination. Pets in Planning ahead, to motorhome. However, it is but this doesn’t protect your ensure that taking your important to be aware of the pet from encountering them potential increased health risks whilst away. Many diseases pet on holiday doesn’t and new diseases your pet may that occur abroad are not turn into a nightmare, is encounter when abroad. seen here, and several are an important part of transmitted by insects and You can now take dogs, cats, ticks. Pets here in the UK are keeping everyone safe. even ferrets away without likely to be highly susceptible the need for quarantine, but nder the Pet Travel Scheme to them, so we recommend travelling from country to (PETS), it is now easier, and a suitable flea, tick and U country with your pet requires more affordable, to travel with worming treatment before planning and preparation as your pets, and it is a great idea you travel, as well as additional a responsible pet owner. to take your four-legged friend protection against mosquitos with you for some holiday fun, The Pet Travel Scheme is and sandflies. especially if you are heading off designed to minimise the risks to Europe by car, caravan or of diseases entering the UK, By Bob Pettit BVM&S BSc CertSAS MRCVS Kingsway Veterinary Group Parasite Awareness Your pet may come across a A microchip, rabies vaccination number of diseases such as and pet passport are all legal Lung, Tape and Heart worm, requirements, but there are tick borne disease (Lymes a few other things to be disease, Erlichoisia and considered before heading off Pet travel Babesiosis) and Leishmaniasis on holiday together, and you (spread by the sandfly), will be responsible for fines if checklist: especially in the more southern you don’t follow the pet travel parts of Europe. Many of these guidelines outlined on the Get your vet to examine diseases can be prevented by government website - your pet to ensure they appropriate use of wormers, tick are fit and well to travel, and flea treatments, or collars, https://www.gov.uk/take- and check that the and dogs can also get a vaccine pet-abroad/pet-passport microchip is working against Leishmaniasis. correctly So you have run through the You also need to consider the checklist and you are ready to You must wait 21 days potential stress on your petfrom hit the road - the pet travel after a rabies vaccination the long distance travel and the checklist doesn’t just end there. has been administered, increased temperatures in heat Whether you are having a and the PETS passport has they will experience abroad. staycation here in the UK or been issued, before you When travelling to or from heading further afield, travel, and we recommend countries not included in the remember pets left loose to the medication for the Pet Travel Scheme, you should roam in a car are a real safety prevention of other contact the country’s embassy risk. Ensure they are suitably diseases is given a few for advice. restrained, so as not to distract days before travelling to you whilst you are driving, or allow it to take effect injure you or them if you have to stop quickly. Dogs must be specifically Remember even here in the treated by a vet for UK, you must never leave your Tapeworm between one dog in the car if it is warm to five days before outside - the temperature in returning back to the UK the car can rapidly rise to and the pet’s passport lethal levels. Always carry must be certified water bottles and a collapsible bowl for them, keep them You must return to the UK entertained on the journey using an approved route by packing their favourite and carrier, so you can’t toys and ensure you take bring your pet home on a frequent breaks to prevent private boat or plane - them becoming too bored with the exception of and restless. returning from Ireland Bon Voyage! smalltalk 05 Puppy socialisation By Shelley Heading DipCABT APDT (308) ICAN ABTC Cert NUT (RQF level3) The Dog House Academy Socialisation is a Socialisation IS about steadily vicinity and knowing how to (at your puppies pace) react. How you socialise your term that is often introducing people, dogs puppy will also have a large misunderstood. and situations in a calm and impact on your dog's controlled manner, ensuring behaviour, such as walking on ocialisation is NOT that every outcome is a a loose lead and recall, to introducing your puppy positive one. being able to wait calmly in a veterinary waiting room. Sto as many people, dogs, Puppies do not need to interact situations and environments and play with every person or At an early age your puppy is as possible in the shortest dog.