Category: newsletter

Christmas social gathering and dog walk, with coffee and mince pies.

Venue- Gilpin bridge Inn

Date- 4th December

Time- 1pm with the walk to start at 1.30pm

All dogs and children welcome please keep dogs under control and on leads at all times, children must be accompanied by an adult.

The walk will take about 30-45minuites all on flat ground, with some road walking (please make sure your dog is wearing a suitable collar/lead/harness that they cant slip!)

For those that use our other services i.e. cattery, grooming, training but don’t want to take part in the walk, feel free to pop in for a drink and a mince pie.

– Raffle

– Gifts also available for perches for your pets Christmas stocking.

If you would like to join please call 015395 52150 or message on Facebook to reserve your place as numbers are limited on the walk and for refreshments.

The early experiences a puppy has of people and their surroundings has a huge impact on their behaviour and personality for the rest of their life. When considering a new pet, its really important to make sure the breeder or rescue centre has fully socialised them. Puppies should stay with their mother until at least eight weeks old, to learn good dog manners and correct behaviour. After their first weeks in their new home, puppies should be well socialised and have contact with all ages of people. Our  Puppy Club held at Grassgarth are very helpful for the earlier years of your puppies life. Please call for further details.  

Summer months

Summer is here, most of us and our pets love the warmer weather but it does have its own set of problems for our pets. Here are a few things to watch out for

• Heat stroke- is an extremely serious problem and can even be fatal. Although all dogs are at risk, the short faced breeds, like staffies, pugs and bulldogs are most vulnerable, and the danger is even greater if they are over weight. Always avoid exercising your pets in the midday heat and make sure they don’t over exert themselves.
• BBQ- Because everybody loves a good BBQ, dogs often like to pick up the left overs, this can cause tummy upsets but more seriously if anything like bones, kebab sticks and sweetcorn cobs are eaten this can lead to serious blockages, which will result in a trip to the vet.
• Itching- for sensitive dogs with allergies, the flowers and grasses that thrive in the summer months can cause real problems. Dogs will often break out in nasty skin rashes, especially on the feet, tummy and ears. It is also important to keep up to date with worming and flea treatment.

Babesiosis: Vets Warn Over New Tick Disease In UK That Attacks Dogs’ Immune Systems

Dog owners have been warned about a potentially deadly disease spread by ticks, which has infected four dogs in Essex.

Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells and are spread by certain ticks.

It causes the immune system to destroy its own blood cells.

The tick carrying the disease has only ever been found abroad, however four new cases in Harlow, Essex confirm that it has arrived in the UK.

According to the BBC, all four of the dogs infected with the disease survived, however two ended up “seriously ill” and needing blood transfusions. 

The dogs were all walked on the same patch of land.

Symptoms of babesiosis, which pet owners need to look out for, include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, red or brown urine and a fever. 

Public Health England (PHE) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have since investigated the field where the dogs were walked.

A spokesperson for the APHA said: “These particular dogs have not travelled outside England raising the possibility they have become infected within the country.

“We are providing support to veterinary practices to identify the possible source of infection.”

A PHE spokesperson said: “The tick concerned, Dermacentor reticulatus is not a common tick in England, and PHE are currently monitoring the distribution of this tick across England.”

Sean Wensley, president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), said prevention is key.

“It is concerning that babesiosis has been diagnosed in the UK in dogs that have not travelled overseas, and dog owners in the local area will understandably be feeling anxious about the reported cases,” he said.

“Prevention is always better than cure, and we would recommend that owners regularly discuss parasite control, including tick prevention treatments, with their vet.

“Owners should also check pets for ticks after walks and if one is found on the body it should be removed completely using a commercially available tick-remover or fine-pointed tweezers, even if they are dead

“If owners have any concerns about their dog or suspect any signs such as weakness, pale gums or ‘coffee-coloured’ urine then they should contact their vet immediately.”

The Kennel Club Secretary says, “so many people are still unaware of how simple, effective and necessary it is to microchip their pet. It’s not until their pet goes missing that they really become aware of the value of the service.”

“Microchipping ensures that should a dog or cat be found straying, it can be easily reunited with its owner in minimum time ensuring less stress to both the animal and of course the owner.”

Microchips, dogs and the law
From 6th April 2016 it will be a legal requirement for all dogs over 8 weeks of age to have a microchip and up-to-date owner contact details saved on an approved microchip database. If your dog comes to the attention of local authorities without a microchip, you would be served a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped, and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine if you do not comply with the notice. An enforcer may then sieze and microchip your dog at your own expense if you still do not take action.

It will be illegal for breeders to sell puppies without a microchip registered to an approved database. Breeders must also provide transfer of keepership documents to puppy buyers to enable to owners to update their details in order to comply with the law. The government have created this law to help reduce the burden on animal charities and local authorities and to protect the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible ownership.

What is a microchip?
A microchip (or identichip) is a small capsule that is around the size of a grain of rice. It carries a unique identification number and is made of inert material so it won’t be rejected by your pet’s body. It doesn’t have a power source but it has a special cap to prevent movement once it has been professionally implanted. The microchip works almost like a barcode by holding an individual identification number which can be read by a scanner. All Vets, Police stations and rescue centres routinely scan strays and so will trace your pet back to you via the microchip database.

How is it implanted?
The microchip is placed under the skin above the pet’s shoulders with the aid of a sterile needle. Microchipping is a quick procedure which should only cause a little pain when implanted, similar to a vaccination.

Why identichip?
It is a legal requirement for all dogs from 6th April 2016.

It is a simple procedure which provides a lifetime of cover and peace of mind. Having your pets microchipped gives you the security of knowing that if anything untoward does happen to them, you have the best possible chance of having them returned. In our experience, pets with microchips are usually returned to their owners within a couple of hours after they become lost while pets without microchips are missing for much longer.

Does microchipping cause any problems?
Very rarely there can be a little pain or bleeding after the needle is inserted but this clears up quickly.

How is a pet registered?
When the ‘chip’ is implanted we register your chosen details with a central database (we use PetLog). We carry out online registration so the information is uploaded and effective on the same day as the microchip is placed. If you move house or change details, it is your responsibility to inform the database of these changes. There is a further administration charge from PetLog for this, yet it is vital for your pet to be returned to you quickly and safely.

Why can’t my pet just wear a collar with a tag?
All dogs in the UK must legally wear an identification tag, under the Control of Dogs Act 1992. However, these can easily be removed or fall off, which is why microchipping is the recommended method of safely and permanently identifying your pet.

Is there a minimum age for pets to be microchipped?
From 6th April 2016 all puppies over 8 weeks of age must be microchipped.  It is also illegal to sell a puppy without a microchip and corresponding details on a microchip register.  We recommend that all cats are microchipped from 6 months of age.

Is it just for identification?
No, cat flaps are now manufactured which can be set to allow only certain microchipped cats through which is a great way to keep out unwanted strays or neighbours while letting your own cats in.  Feeding stations for cats which are controlled by microchips are also available now to ensure that only the cat with the specific microchip is fed. This makes feeding a prescription diet, pet weight loss or avoiding one pet from eating all of the food far easier.

Is microchipping essential for ‘PETS’ passport?
Yes, microchipping is required as the permanent form of identification before your pet is vaccinated for rabies if travelling abroad.

How do I arrange to have my pet microchipped?

Contact us for details.