Small Animals

Bringing your Pet to the Surgery

Dogs

Please ensure all dogs have a collar and lead. It is not advisable to feed your pet immediately before an appointment but it is advisable to allow them to urinate and defaecate before visiting.

Please do not allow your pet to foul outside the surgery. However accidents do happen, so in these circumstances please ask for assistance from reception staff who can supply bags to aid the clear up.

Cats

Cats should be brought in a secure cage or basket as they may try to escape. Your cat will feel safer in its own carrier.

If your pet is aggressive, noisy or nervous, or you suspect an infectious disease, please inform the receptionist when making your appointment.

Vaccination

We recommend that all dogs, cats and rabbits are vaccinated against many serious and contagious diseases.

Dogs and Puppies

Are vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvovirus. An intra-nasal vaccine is available to protect against Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough). An initial course of two vaccines are given 4 weeks apart with immunity being maintained by annual boosters thereafter.

Puppies can be vaccinated from 6 weeks of age to provide the earliest possible immunity which has advantages for socialisation. However to maximise immunity, it is best to have the second vaccination from 12 weeks of age, therefore we start most puppies innoculations at 8 weeks of age.

Cats and Kittens

Are vaccinated against Herpes virus, Calcivirus (cat flu), Panleucopenia (enteritis) and leukaemia. An initial course of two vaccines are given 3 to 4 weeks apart with immunity being maintained by annual boosters thereafter. Kittens can be vaccinated from 9 weeks of age.

Rabbits

Are vaccinated against myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea (VHD). Rabbits can be vaccinated from 5 weeks of age.

Vaccines are proven to control the above diseases, so please do not let your pet’s immunity lapse. You are
most welcome to discuss with the veterinary surgeon the best frequency for vaccinations and boosters for the health of your pet.

Parasite Control

All pets are at risk of contracting worms, fleas, ticks, lice and mites.

The dog roundworm, Toxocara canis can infect humans but with regular treatment, the contamination of our environment will be reduced. Fleas are very common and cause our pets to have skin problems (occasionally humans too) and fleas can transmit tapeworms to your pet.

Pet Health Clinics

These are held by our fully qualified vet nurses. Free appointments can be booked with them for advice on preventative care, flea control, teeth, eye and ear hygiene.

Specialist clinics include:

Puppy and Kitten Advisory Consultations to discuss how best you can care for new companion
Weight Management Clinics, Senior Pet Clinics, Dental checks and advice and Diabetic control
Puppy socialisation classes - We offer blocks of two sessions to pups who are fully vaccinated and under 16 weeks of age, there is one block held each month. The classes are run by Perth Dog Training and one of our vets is on hand to offer advice. We charge £20 for each block with all proceeds going to charity

Our highly qualified nursing staff also carry out post-operative checks, remove stitches, clip nails and take blood samples while you wait.

Routine Health

Regular examinations of your pet are a requirement to diagnose and prevent diseases.

Your pet will get such a health check at the time of the annual vaccination.

Routine dental attention and urine and blood testing is often helpful for the older animal for early control of conditions.

Neutering (Spaying and Castration)

Our policy with regard to the neutering of pets is as follows:

Cats

Male and female are routinely neutered at 5 to 6 months of age. Otherwise entire males will spray urine, become territorial and often fight. Females will become pregnant, leading to potentially unwanted kittens.

Dogs

Females who are not spayed can develop false pregnancy, mammary cancers and pyometra (womb infection). Pyometra is fairly common and while it is treatable, it can be life-threatening, requiring hysterectomy in the older and sick animal. Castration of male dogs can help to overcome unwelcome behaviour such as vagrancy, hypersexuality and aggression, as well as helping to prevent disease of the prostate.

Both of these procedures can be carried out from 6 months onward.

There are many ‘old wives tales’ about pet neutering, and if you have any doubts about what is best for your pet, please contact us for a chat.

Hospital Facilities

The kennels offer safe, hygienic, cosy and comfortable accommodation. When necessary, patients are hospitalized but after routine surgery your pet is normally discharged the same day.

Operating Procedures

Surgical procedures are carried out every weekday morning. Patients are admitted between 8.30am and 9.00am and discharged usually the same day.

All pets being admitted for a general anaesthetic must not be fed after 7pm the night before. They can be given water till first thing in the morning. The exceptions to this are rabbits and ‘small furries’ which do not need to be starved. It also helps if pets can be encouraged to urinate and defaecate before surgery and a wash and brush is also useful as a preparation.

We will book an appointment for a discharge consultation at which appropriate post-operative care can be discussed with you.

Repeat Prescriptions

Requests may be made by telephone or in person and can be collected within 24 hours. Regular check-ups (every 3 months) for prescription-only medicines are a legal requirement.

Pet Passport Scheme

All the necessary vaccinations, microchip implanting, blood testing and issuing of Pet Passports are done in-house.

Microchip Implantation

The microchip carries a unique identification code which is designed to allow pets to be re-united with their owners quickly. We strongly recommend that you microchip your pet.

Blood Sampling

Wherever possible, we try to take blood samples while you wait but for some procedures it may ne necessary to leave your pets with us in the morning and pick them up later in the day.

We can do the majority of analyses “in-house”, but some tests need to be sent away so such results may take up to a week for processing.

House Calls

It is possible to arrange a house visit during working hours during the week, but a more thorough examination and prompt attention can be given in the surgery.

Euthanasia

This is a very distressing time for all concerned. If at all possible we try to reduce the distress of putting your pet to sleep by arranging an appointment at the surgery at a quieter time.

Euthanasia is performed by giving an injection which, within moments, induces sleep, then painless death. If you wish, you may stay with your pet whilst this is carried out. We can also arrange individual cremation and return of ashes, if desired.