General Pet Advice

Why is it important to treat your pet for worms?

• Worms can be very harmful to children, but cause little symptoms in your pet.
• Worming your pet is not only important for your pet; it is also a public health issue.
• Responsible pet ownership means worming your pet, with a reputable wormer at least four times a year or more often in certain circumstances.

There are many different types of worms affecting dogs and cats. They can be divided into two main categories:

Roundworms

• Roundworms are most common in young animals (< 6 months).
• They are spread directly from one animal to another via microscopic eggs passed in faeces.
• The eggs may not be visible. so no worms in the faeces does not mean that your pet hasn’t got them.
• These worms can also affect young children so regular worming is essential.

Tapeworms

• Common in dogs and cats of all ages.
• Tapeworms look like rather flattened grains of rice.
• They are most frequently transmitted via fleas.
• Regular treatment for fleas is necessary to break the cycle.

If your dog is dragging its bottom along the ground it may be worms. It could also be impacted anal glands – please consult with us if symptoms persist after worming.

Other Worms: Lungworm, Hookworm, and Heartworm.

How to treat puppies and kittens for worms

• Every two weeks up to 12 weeks.
• Every month until your pet is six months old.
• After 6 months we may, depending on your pets lifestyle be able to reduce the frequency of dosing.

How to treat adult dogs and cats for worms

• Depending on your pets lifestyle this can range between 1 month &3 months.
• Please ask one of our trained staff members for advice.

If you have any questions about any of our services or you would like to book in for a consultation, get in touch by phone 021 489 3033 or email contact@animalcarehospital.ie.

The value of pet insurance for you and your pet

We at the Animal Care Hospital, strongly recommend pet insurance. With the increasing advances being made in veterinary medicine and surgery, knowing that your pet is insured can give you the peace of mind that you are providing your pet with the best possible care without the financial burden.

When should I get my pet insured?

Illness or injuries can be sudden and unexpected, so why wait? Once a problem is diagnosed/noted by a vet it is too late and an insurance policy will not cover for this condition. Insure your pet today so that you will be ready for the unexpected tomorrow!

How do I choose between the insurance companies?

There are lots of various policy offers available so some research is essential. Make sure you understand what the policy is offering and covering. We currently have the most experience with Allianz but we are happy where possible to answer any queries you may have.

What are the benefits of having my pet insured?

The following are typical costs of common injuries and illnesses that we encounter on a daily basis:

• Road Traffic Accidents: €500-€4,000 (depending on number and severity of injuries)
• Lameness; investigation and treatment: €300-€1,500 (depending on cause)
• Foreign body ingestion: €500-€1,500 (depending on location and damage caused)
• Accidental poisoning: €200-€800
• Life long illness such as diabetes mellitus: Over a lifetime could mount to thousands
• Heart conditions: Again over a lifetime can run into the thousands
• Skin disorders and allergies: Over a lifetime will cost thousands
• Osteoarthritis over many years: Can exceed a thousand
• Gastroenteritis: Treatment and investigation can range from €75-€1,000 (dependent on cause)

If you require any advice about pet insurance, please get in touch by phone 021 489 3033 or email contact@animalcarehospital.ie

Preparing your pet for anaesthetic

Dogs

• No food after 6pm to 9pm the evening before the operation (i.e. give your dog their dinner before 6pm) and no food in the morning before coming in.
• Avoid opportunities for scavenging, i.e. dustbins!!
• Allow free access to water as normal.
• Take for a short walk on the lead before dropping her/him into us, to allow for a toilet opportunity.
• We admit pets for operations between 8.30am and 9am unless otherwise arranged.
• Please phone in to check your pet’s progress, usually between 2-3pm, again unless advised otherwise. At this point you will be given an appropriate collection time.

Cats

• As for dogs but we recommend keeping your cat in overnight the night before, to ensure that no food has been eaten and also so that your cat is around to be brought in for 8.30am.

Rabbits

Different from dogs and cats you do not need to fast your rabbit.

• Please bring in some of your rabbit’s food with you so we can offer some of his/her regular food on waking up from anaesthetic.
• Also if your rabbit is used to drinking from a water dispenser not a bowl, please bring this with you.

Pre–Anaesthetic Blood Tests

At the time of booking your pet in for the anaesthetic, you will be asked whether you would like a pre-anaesthetic blood test for your pet.

• We have facilities to test your pet’s blood before we perform the anaesthetic.
• This test gives us extra information regarding potential anaesthetic complications.
• There is an additional cost for this test and it is optional, but we conclude from previous experience, that it is a very good idea.
• It doesn’t guarantee there will be no complications but we strongly recommend that all pets undergoing general anaesthesia at this hospital have these tests carried out.

The top 4 reasons to test your pet before anaesthesia

1. You deserve peace of mind. Testing can significantly reduce medical risk, helping to ensure your pet’s health and safety.

2. Pets can’t tell us when they don’t feel well. A healthy looking pet may be hiding symptoms of a disease or ailment. For example, a pet can lose 75% of kidney function before showing any visible signs of illness. Pre-anaesthetic testing helps us to evaluate your pet’s health up front, so we can avoid any problems related to anaesthesia.

3. Testing can reduce risk and consequences. If pre-anaesthetic test results are within normal ranges we can proceed with confidence, knowing the anaesthetic risk is minimized. On the other hand, if results are not within normal ranges, we can alter the anaesthetic regime, or take other precautions to safeguard your pet’s health and reduce the risk of potential complications.

4. Testing can help protect your pet’s future health. These tests provide the baseline results for your pet and become part of his/her medical record for future reference.

Why not consider getting your pet microchipped while under anaesthetic?

This is easier and cheaper to do while your pet is anaesthetised. It means that your pet can be identified easily and permanently. Should it be lost or stolen it makes recovery much more likely as all pets details are recorded on a national database. The details are there for life and therefore will give you added peace of mind.

If you would like your pet to be microchipped please let us know when you bring him/her in for surgery.

Remember no two cases are exactly alike, if in doubt please get in touch by phone 021 489 3033 or email contact@animalcarehospital.ie.

Why you need to protect your pet from fleas

• Fleas are very common in dogs and cats, and since the arrival of central heating are capable of breeding all year round.
• Fleas are not just irritating. They can cause serious health problems for your pet as well as biting you and your family. They can lead to skin damage, eczema and ‘self trauma’.
• Many animals may also suffer from an allergic reaction to fleabites (flea allergy dermatitis. F.A.D) which can cause inflammation, with irritation and hair loss.
• It is vital to treat all animals in the house, as dog fleas can live on cats and vice-versa. If Fleas are not treated, vast numbers of fleas will develop in a short space of time leading to considerable problems for all involved.
• Fleas may also transmit tapeworm

How to get rid of a home infestation

1. Correctly treat all cats and dogs in your home every month for at least 3 months. Flea products are designed to kill fleas once they have jumped on to pets. They do not act as repellents, so new fleas can still jump on to the pet but these will then be killed by the product.

2. Vacuum the home, move all the furniture and concentrate on skirting boards and carpeted areas. This will remove some of the eggs before they develop further.

3. Wash pets bedding at 60 C to kill eggs and larvae. Remember to treat all blankets, carpets and kennels.

4. Thoroughly spray all floor space in the home with a household insecticidal spray. Home sprays kill flea eggs and larvae but they do not kill pupae therefore you may still see some new fleas hatching out for a while after using the spray.

5. Encourage the remaining flea pupae to hatch out into new adult fleas so that they can jump on to your treated pet and be killed before they lay more eggs. You can stimulate hatching by providing warmth, vibration, CO2 and humidity.

•  Ensure your treated pet has access to all parts of the home
• Turn up the heating in your home
•  Place damp towels on warm radiators
•  Vacuum to generate warmth and vibration

6. Once the home infestation has resolved, you will need to continue treating all cats and dogs in your
home regularly.

If you have any questions about any of our services or you would like to book in for a consultation, get in touch by phone 021 489 3033 or email contact@animalcarehospital.ie.