News

It is always very unfortunate and sad when animals are brought into the clinic because they are in need of a new home. Most dogs have to be rehomed because of separation anxiety – where they cause nuisance and disturbance when left by their owners. This can include  excessive barking or destroying furniture and can include behaviour resulting from a lack of dog training. Dogs, cats and other animals may also be rehomed due to a change in circumstances, such as a new job or a new baby. Sometimes living accommodation does not allow pets to be kept. If an elderly person moves into a care home, a pet is no longer suitable.

On the 31st of January 2012, Vet4life will have been open a whole year! How time flies – wow! We’d like to invite you to join us in celebrating with champagne and cake this Saturday 28th January at 2-4pm. We've also hooked up with the Teddington Wimpy restaurant in Broad Street who are giving our clients a "10% off their meal" voucher for this weekend and next week - their Birthday gift to us!

At the end of November we were very fortunate to have Dr. Anne McBride, animal behaviourist, come and see us to give an enjoyable and insightful talk on ‘Dog Ownership and the Law’.

Jade the puppy presented to the clinic as an emergency because she appeared to have suddenly gone blind. She was also circling, staring into space, generally unresponsive and pressing her head against the corners of the room. She was also quite thin and had various other signs such as diarrhoea over the weeks before she came to the clinic.

Mast cell tumours are a relatively common type of cancer found in dogs and occasionally in cats. They are often quick growing and found on or just under the skin, they can look like just about any other mass so ideally all new masses should be examined and tested. Several breeds are pre-disposed to developing these including Boxers and Golden Retrievers.

Fireworks are used to celebrate all kinds of occasions and around this time of year we have two major events, Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve. Although we may find fireworks entertaining many of our pets are frightened by them. One piece of research carried out by a pharmaceutical company discovered that at least 80% of animals are scared by fireworks. This means for many people and animals it is not a time of fun but a time of stress.

As standards of veterinary care and diet improve, our cats are living longer. Their dietary and body changes and requirements are understood well, but what about their emotional and behavioural needs?

Ellie the cocker spaniel was brought to Vet4life, for a second opinion. She had been given a hopeless prognosis, one that was not even worth treating...