Love your pet… love your vet
Winter Wonderland? It’s that time of the year when the colder, darker winter months bring challenges to our pets and as owners we all need to be alert to these. Here are our top tips:
Arthritis is commonly fi rst diagnosed in older patients during the winter months. This isn’t because the disease fi rst strikes during this period, but because the lower temperatures seize up the limbs and make the symptoms of pain and stiffness more obvious. Most pets will really benefi t from anti- infl ammatory medications, but you can also help by giving them joint supplements, lovely warm soft beds and many will enjoy resting by the radiator or on a pet-safe hot water bottle.
Out and about: although the weather can be miserable, it’s still important to ensure dogs get their daily walks. Make the most of the shorter days by playing games while you are out and about to give your pet mental, as well as physical stimulation. Short coated breeds, like greyhounds and whippets, often benefi t from wearing coats during the colder months. Take care in snowy and icy conditions as both can ball up in pets’ hairy paws and be painful for your dog. Grit can also be bad for their feet and cause skin irritation.
Festive alert: Christmas and New Year can pose a huge range of very tempting hazards for our pets! Chocolate is a festive favourite, but as little as 50g of plain chocolate can be fatal in small dogs! Always keep chocolate out of paws way! Turkey bones can cause choking and constipation, as well as seriously damaging internal organs. Dispose of any carcasses safely. Ensure fairy lights and electric wires are ‘chew proof’ from inquisitive puppies, kittens and house-rabbits. Brightly coloured baubles and tinsel are tempting and exciting objects to play with, but keep an eye out because if eaten can cause all sorts of internal problems. Seasonal plants like holly, poinsettia, ivy and lilies are extremely toxic, so these need to be kept safely out of reach from your pets.
New Year brings fi reworks and for many pets this can be a stressful time. Make sure they have a den to hide away in and think about using Adaptil (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) which release synthetic reassuring pheromones that only your pet can detect.
Most importantly, stay safe and have fun with your pets over the winter months.
Chris Devlin BVSc MRCVS Vet and Partner at Hillside Veterinary Centre Love your pet… love your vet
1st
vet consultation FREE with this voucher
Visit us at 116 Wareham Road Corfe Mullen Wimborne BH21 3LH t: 01202 698899 e:
mail@hillsidevets.co.uk www.hillsidevets.co.uk
Simply cut out the voucher and present on arrival at reception. Offer limited to one voucher per household and applicable to new client registrations only – Dec17 UL
Please mention The Upton Link when responding to adverts 19
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