Autumn 2023 Newsletter - Holmer Veterinary Surgery

Insurance

A good breeder will often sell their puppies with 4 weeks pet insurance cover. Pet insurance can be a mind field and it is important for owners to do their research. Given the ever-increasing treatment options for our beloved pets it is worth considering pet insurance to increase the accessibility to, often costly, specialist treatments if the need arises. Worthwhile pet insurance policies will have a high level of cover, as a rough guide we would suggest more than £4000 per condition per year, ideally £10,000 as a ball park, will cover most eventualities. We also recommend a lifelong/ongoing conditions policy that will continue to pay out year on year if your dog suffers from a chronic condition like diabetes or allergic skin disease.

An important note to prospective owners.

As a potential new owner firstly, it is important to ensure getting a puppy is right for you, that you fully understand, and are in a position to cope with, the long term financial and time commitment that will be needed. It is then imperative to do your research to ensure that you obtain a healthy puppy from a responsible breeder, to help ensure you are acquiring a healthy well balance puppy, using a puppy contract can help. Legally anyone who advertising or selling puppies for profit should have a breeders license, more information can be found on the gov.uk website . Further advice on buying a cat or dog can also be found the government website.

A good breeder will be happy to give you advice on what you will need to have ready for your puppy before and after purchase. It is important to have your new puppy vet checked within 48hrs of purchase, as if any significant health concerns are raised a reputable breeder will readily take the puppy back. Do not forget your vets will also be happy to offer pre-purchase advice.

If you come across someone who raises your concerns that they are a puppy farm or dealing with illegally trafficked puppies you should not be afraid to raise you concerns with local authority trading standards, police 101 and/or the RSPCA.

Conditions associated with obesity

Diabetes mellitus:

Obesity is a known risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus, particularly in cats. Diabetes can make animals very unwell, left untreated, due to the development of diabetic ketoacidosis were ketones build up in the body, this can be fatal. Signs of diabetes can include increased thirst and urination, lethargy, increased or decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, collapse, you may notice a sweet smell on your pets breath. Once your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes they will likely require insulin injections and dietary management. Regular blood glucose checks will be needed to ensure the dose is appropriate adjustments may be required over time. In some cases weight loss, appropriate diet and insulin therapy can lead to cats going into diabetic remission meaning they may stop needing insulin therapy.

Osteoarthritis

Between 8-20% of dogs are estimated to suffer with osteoarthritis (OA) according to Davies veterinary specialists. Obesity is linked to exacerbation of OA likely due to increased load through the joints leading to chronic pain. Signs of OA may include exercise intolerance (where they may not want to go for a walk or not want to walk as far), lameness, swelling around the joints, stiffness, tenderness. Weight management is considered part of the treatment process for OA as appropriate weight can help slow the deterioration of the condition. Dogs with OA should have multiple short walks a day. Low impact, low intensity walks can help with strengthening muscles without causing too much stress to the joints, hydrotherapy can be a very complementary therapy for this. Obese cats and those suffering from OA are often less active and often struggle to groom themselves appropriately predisposing them to matting around their back and backend and may require having matts shaved. If you suspect your pet is suffering from osteoarthritis then you should contact your veterinary surgeon for an assessment and advice for management. Appropriate pain relief will make your pet more comfortable and more willing to move about more and so can be an aid to weight loss.

What can we do to manage obesity?

Regularly weighing pets can allow us to monitor weight and make early interventions by recognising unwanted weight gain or weight loss, which may require veterinary interventions.
Prescription diets tailored to weight loss; these diets are balanced with reduced calories designed to aid in controlled weight loss. Daily requirements should be measured and are best fed at set meal times rather than fed ad-lib and slow feeders can also be encouraged. Using a slow feeder may help our greedier pets eat slower and feel more satisfied.
Do not feed table scrap, these are often very rich and fatty, and likely to significantly contribute to weight gain, they may also cause gastrointestinal upsets. Left over human food may also be high in salt, contain garlic, onions, raisins, chocolate and potentially sweeteners such as xylitol which can be extremely toxic to dogs, some of which can be fatal if consumed. Some dogs will access human food through scavenging, it is important to try and prevent this by securing bins and/or loose food away and out of reach. Unwanted scavenging can have dire consequences as not only can they eat high calorie foods and potentially expose themselves to toxic substances, there is also a risk of the pet ingesting something that could cause an intestinal blockage or perforation.
Nurse clinics. Enlisting the help of a veterinary nurse at our practice can be a great way to help you along your pets’ weight loss journey. During our weight loss appointments we will discuss dietary habits, exercise, treat intake as well as other symptoms. Where appropriate we may advise a vet appointment due to management or investigations of other symptoms. We will work with you to make a diet and exercise plan with achievable weight goals and regular reviews.
Exercise. For dogs regular exercise, little and often is better than infrequent long walks, especially when they are suffering joint issues. Overweight patients might not be able to walk very far at first but should be able to more as their condition improves. Giving cat small meals in different locations around the house, as well as using toys to encourage hunting behaviours can be good ways to get them to increase their daily activity.

Managing a healthy weight for your pet will improve their quality of life and can help increase their life expectancy. If you have any concerns about your pets weight please speak to your veterinary practice team.

If you are interested in finding out further information on some of the areas covered in the article please click on the following links:

A guide to raising and homing puppies.

Body condition scoring (BCS)

A guide to raising and homing puppies.

Weaning

Worming

Microchipping

Socialisation