| Rivervale veterinary Clinic can give you free advice on feeding your pet if you need it. We have a range of specially formulated pet foods on sale with free samples available. Please call in and see us if you would like some samples for your pet to try, |
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We recommend that puppies be vaccinated at 8 and 10 weeks of age with an annual booster thereafter. We use vaccines that produce a good immunity yet still allow early socialisation which is important for your puppy's development. Puppies that do not socialise when young can develop behavioural problems later in life.
For dogs going into kennels, a kennel cough vaccination is available.
Kittens we vaccinate against feline enteritis, cat flu and feline leukaemia at 9 and 12 weeks with an annual booster.
Rabbits have vaccinations against haemorhagic viral disease and myxomatosis 2 weeks apart with annual boosters.
Virtually all puppies and kittens pick up roundworms from their mothers. The eggs produced are microscopic, so presence of roundworms is difficult to detect. Your pet may also be affected by tapeworms. The segments tapeworms produce (some look like rice grains) can be detected around your pet's tail or in its faeces. Some tapeworms are carried by fleas and it is important to treat your pet and the house for these in order to stop your pet becoming reinfected with tapeworms after worming.
We currently recommend puppies and kittens be wormed once a month until six months old and then every three months thereafter as adults. If your pet is in our care we can provide you with wormers that are easy to administer and that may not be available elsewhere. You can purchase these from reception during weekdays and on Saturday mornings.
Bitches we usually spay three weeks after their first season for the following reasons:
To prevent them from coming into season on average twice a year and the associated
problems of having them trying to escape when in season to try to find male dogs.
To prevent them becoming pregnant with unwanted litters.
To prevent false pregnancies.
To prevent life threatening womb conditions (pyometra) occuring later in life.
To reduce the chances of developing mammary tumours in old age.
We feel that a bitch does not develop fully until her first season so we recommend she has the first one before being spayed, but if you feel that you cannot manage this please discuss the alternatives with us.
Sometimes a bitch can become slightly quieter after spaying and some bitches can put on a little weight. We have found that the ones most at risk from the latter are ones that are already a little overweight before spaying. A diet before the operation may sometimes be needed.
Dogs. If you are considering having your dog neutered we would be pleased to discuss this with you. We usually recommend your dog is a year old before castration, or at least cocking his leg to mark his territory.
Cats we usually neuter anytime after 5 and a half months of age. Neutering of male cats reduces wandering and risk of them becoming involved in road traffic accidents and cat fights with the risk of absecesses and life-threatening viral infections developing.
Rabbits can be castrated and female rabbits spayed. Tumours of the womb are common in female rabbits later in life and spaying can help prevent these occuring.
Neutering operations need to be booked a few days in advance. Animals are checked and admitted on a weekday morning, but if this is difficult for you we may be able to keep your pet in from the evening before if you ask us in advance.
Fleas. Most cats and dogs pick up fleas so regular treatments may be needed to keep the numbers down. Most fleas live off your pet in the carpets and pet's bedding. One flea can lay 500 eggs which slowly hatch out over a period of time causing reinfestations. It is, therefore, important to treat your house for fleas as well as your pet. If your pet is registered with us we can sell you flea products during normal reception opening hours. Please call in and see us if you need advice.
We use Identichip which is the implantation of a harmless microchip under your pet's skin. If your pet is lost or stolen and subsequently scanned by another vet, pound, RSPCA or other agency the microchip's unique number is displayed and the ownership details can be checks on a central computer. Your pet can then be reunited with you. We also have special chips that can be implanted from which we can read your pet's temperature. Cats may particularly appreciate having their temperature taken this way rather than a thermometer up their bottom!
If you need any further advice on any of the above please contact us.
