Get well: stay well: vaccines, flea and worm treatments
This winter has so far presented the best gift ever… for germs, fleas and parasites! The above-average temperatures, regular downpours and damp atmosphere provide the perfect environment for pet pests to thrive – but help is at hand with expert advice from the Best Friends Veterinary Group
The key thing to remember is that many of the diseases that can be easily vaccinated against are very difficult to treat and recover from once your pet has become infected. They include nasties such as Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease), which can be contracted simply by an animal coming into contact with water contaminated by rats’ urine.
What are pets vaccinated against?
● Dogs: Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis* If you wish to socialise your dog: Kennel Cough
● Cats: Cat Flu, Feline Panleukopaenia (feline Enteritis) and Feline Leukaemia virus*
● Rabbits: Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease * Additional vaccinations and pet passports are also required if your pet is going overseas with you.
Your vet can tell you everything you need to know about vaccinations, which are quick and easy to administer. Some pets will need what is known as a ‘booster’ shot, say every 6-12 months so that the vaccine remains effective. Once you acquire your new pet, make sure you assess what vaccines it may or may not have had, and ask your vet for advice. Once an animal is part of an inoculation programme, not only will it be safe from some pretty horrible illnesses, it will be part of a bigger picture, helping to stop the spread of diseases and keeping the pet population at large healthy and diseasefree.
Itchin’ and scratchin’
Parasites are another problem for pet owners that can be solved quickly and easily with the right course of action. Pet parasites come in two basic forms: internal and external. Internal includes worms; external includes fleas, ticks and mites. Worming and long-term flea treatments are incredibly easy to administer to your pet – you can do it in your home. Some worming tablets are even designed to taste like treats, so your pet will happily scoff them down, saving you the trouble of having to hide tablets in pet food and wondering if you’ve been successful. You should dose with flea treatment all year round; worming needs to be done a minimum of every three months..
Healthy Paws™ Plan
Whilst all these things are incredibly easy to do once you’ve got round to being organised, it’s easy to sometimes forget where you are in your pet’s treatment regime. Programmes such as Best Friends Veterinary Group Healthy Paws™ Plan can help – for a manageable regular fee, cats, dogs and rabbits are eligible for annual booster vaccinations, a health check twice a year and flea and worming treatments. In addition to this, all Healthy Paws™ Plan members receive 10% off additional products and services provided by Best Friends Veterinary Group, as well as 5% off Best Friends4Life Pet Insurance’s first year of cover. ●
To find out more, give us a call or drop in to make an appointment.
Broadway Veterinary Hospital 158 Broadway, Peterborough
E:
T: 01733 562904
bestfriendsgroup.com
