FREE PLEASE TAKE A COPY
SUMMER 2019
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In this issue
> A guide to travelling with your pet > Top tips for managing Cystitis in cats > Understanding pet allergies > Q&A with Veterinary Tissue Bank > Rabbit grooming needs
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EDITOR’S COMMENT I’m delighted to present the Summer 2019 edition of Companion Life Magazine. Companion Life is a free magazine, which aims to offer pet owners information, news and advice. In this issue we discuss allergies in pets and look at how they can impact dogs and cats. As well as highlighting the latest news in the pet world, we also offer some tips for managing cystitis in cats and a guide to travelling with your pet. Feel free to get in touch with any features, news and new products or even your pet pictures.
NEWS
Pet owners reminded to seek advice on travel plans ahead of Brexit Pet owners are urged to revisit official advice about travelling to the EU with pets after Brexit. In the event that the UK leaves without a deal on 31 October, the government advises pet owners that they will need to take some additional steps to ensure they can still travel. This includes a blood test a minimum of 30 days after its last rabies vaccination (where that’s a booster of initial vaccination) and
Circulation: 40,000 copies of Companion Life are distributed to veterinary practices across the UK. Contact details: Companion Life, Barn 3, Somerford Business Court, Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton, Cheshire. CW12 4SN www.companionlife.co.uk Editor: Laura Evans.
Editorial: editor@companionlife.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@companionlife.co.uk Companion Life is part of ‘WITH Marketing Ltd’, The contents within Companion Life is fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Companion Life. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Companion Life, its distributors and WITH Marketing Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
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Government advice is that if pet owners are planning on travel from November onwards, they should contact their vet at least four months in advance of their travel date. For example, those wishing to travel to the EU on 1st November 2019 should discuss requirement with their vet by the 1 July at the latest. Pet owners can stay up-to-date with the latest advice on pet travel at GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad) or by searching ‘pet travel’.
Webbox undertakes major rebrand
for cats, dogs and most recently hedgehogs, to enjoy and it was so important to us that our new packaging reflected exactly what we stand for as a brand.
Laura Evans Editor
Companion Life Companion Life is a Free Magazine providing news, information, tips and advice for pet owners across the UK.
a three-calendar month wait before travel.
Pet food brand, Webbox has announced its biggest ever rebrand to date, unveiling a brand-new look across its product packaging. Exploring the company’s ‘Joy in Every Moment’ ethos, ‘Life’s a Game’ was born as a creative concept and inspired the new colourful visuals you will see on supermarket shelves from summer 2019. Julie Butcher, head of marketing at Pets Choice, comments: “We pride ourselves on manufacturing innovative food and treats
“Fun, inventive and cheeky is the best way to describe our new branding. It’s a completely different look and feel for us but one that we’re confident encapsulates everything we believe in.” Initially focusing on the leading cat and dog treat ranges, the brand will continue to roll out the new design across its core Webbox portfolio. Julie concludes: “We’re delighted that the new branding is starting to make its way to supermarket shelves and are hopeful it will be as well received by pet owners as the contents are by their four-legged friends.” For more information you can visit www.webbox.co.uk.
Helping owners tackle dog obesity A new partnership between PitPat dog activity monitors and Agria Pet Insurance will see every owner that takes out a new Lifetime or Lifetime Plus policy with Agria Pet Insurance be given a free PitPat activity monitor for their dog. In a similar way to human activity monitors, PitPat uses the combination of a device, attached to the dog’s collar or harness, and an app, to allow owners to keep track of their dog’s activity and manage their weight.
Simon Wheeler, Managing Director of Agria Pet Insurance, says, “What’s particularly compelling about PitPat is the fact that it keeps owners actively involved in their dog’s health. By staying aware of their pet’s weight and the exercise they’re getting, owners can avoid problems caused or exacerbated by inactivity or obesity. “Crucially, PitPat doesn’t encourage owners to overdo it. By recommending the right amount of exercise depending on the breed and age of dog, owners are advised on appropriate exercise.” Visit www.agriapet.co.uk/vets for more info.
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Nutravet helps make a big difference to pets’ mobility for less Natural animal health company, Nutravet have introduced smaller packs of their fast-acting joint support, Nutraquin+. The smaller 30 packs provide a low-cost introduction for pet owners, allowing them to test the fast-acting nature of the product. Nutraquin+ is a fast-acting joint support product with the benefits noticeable, on average within 7 days due to its high strength formula and the inclusion of Boswellia Extract.
Matthew Shaw, Managing Director for Nutravet, said: “Since its introduction
10 years ago, Nutraquin+ has been the
market leader in fast-acting joint health
nutraceuticals, but we’re always looking for ways to improve and following
feedback, we have made the product
even more accessible for pet owners.” The 30 packs are now available for pet owners to buy over the counter from any authorised veterinary practice.
For further information you can visit www.nutravet.co.uk.
Over 5 million pets are not microchipped, says PDSA PDSA reveal that over five million pets in the UK are not microchipped, despite it being a legal requirement for dogs.
Research in the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report revealed that 800,000 dogs (9%), 3.6 million cats (32%) and 810,000 rabbits (81%) in the UK aren’t microchipped. Vets and animal charities strongly recommend microchipping to help track down your pet if they ever get separated from you, no matter what their species. Dogs and indoor cats can escape and
stray, while outdoor cats like to wander and its easy for them to get lost if they become frightened or get inside a vehicle by accident. Rabbits and small pets are also notorious escape artists, so getting them microchipped will help if they are found. Even unusual pets like reptiles and birds can be microchipped. PDSA vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan said: “A collar or tag can fall off or be removed, but a microchip is a more permanent way to identify your pet and keep them safe. Microchipping is the best way of being reunited with your pet if they ever go missing, are stolen or stray.” For more information please visit www.pdsa.org.uk/microchip.
New stats from Dogs Trust suggest that dog owners could be making one big faux pas when it comes to their dog’s safety – failing to secure their home to guard against dog theft. The UK’s largest dog welfare charity reveals that nearly 2,000 dogs were reported stolen in 2018 with 299 thefts in London alone.
Flat-faced felines are paying the price for perfection, warns Battersea Animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has warned that cats are needlessly suffering by being bred to look a certain way. The charity’s warning comes after six flat-faced cats arrived at the London rescue centre in the same week, with all but the youngest two, a pair of three-week old kittens, requiring medical treatment for breed-related health issues. In recent years animal welfare and veterinary organisations have successfully raised public awareness about the health crisis facing brachycephalic, or ‘flat faced’ dogs, and Battersea believes that more must now be done to make cats part of the conversation. Terrier scales Ben Nevis for charity after lifechanging veterinary surgery A tenacious terrier climbed up the UK’s highest mountain after having lifechanging leg surgery. Adventurous Choc, a 13-year old Patterdale Terrier, made his way up Ben Nevis by the side of his owner Robin Galloway who is raising money for the hospital currently caring for his six-year old granddaughter who has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
Stats obtained through freedom of information by Dogs Trust reveal that Staffies are top of the list of breeds most commonly stolen.
Choc was only able to escort his owner up the mountain after transformative surgery on both rear leg cruciate ligaments performed by the team at Severn Veterinary Centre in Worcester.
As with more than 1,000 of the total number of dogs stolen being reported as pinched from homes and gardens – making them the UK’s hotspot for dog theft – Dogs Trust has teamed up with security specialists Yale to unlock a wealth of advice on home security.
Robin and Choco joined by Robin’s partner Kay Dennison, took several hours to ascend and four hours to descend the Scottish mountain and Robin praised his little friend’s “tenacious attitude” to make it to the top in taxing weather conditions.
Staffies top of the list of pinched pooches Dogs Trust and Yale advise dog owners on how to keep their dogs safe this summer as homes and gardens are revealed as top spots for dog theft.
NEWS SNIPPETS
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ARTICLE
A guide to...
TRAVELLING WITH YOUR PET‌ For pets, car journeys can often be a distressing event and some pets can become anxious and overwhelmed. Many pets associate the car with a trip to the vets or kennels, which can lead to stress. As more and more pets become part of the family, many owners are now also taking their dogs on holiday with them rather than leaving them in kennels.
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Travel essential checklist • Pet harness • Cat carrier/cage • Water bowls
TOP TIP
A car can be outside your pet’s usual environment and one that is not particularly familiar to them. So, planning and preparing for the journey in advance can help make the trip less stressful, especially if it is a long journey.
• Dog lead • Blanket and toys • Pet calming supplement like Nutracalm • Pet passport (if travelling abroad)
Whether you are planning a trip to the vets, kennels or on holiday, there are important steps to take and positive things to do that will make the journey stress free for yourself and your pet: Get them used to the car when young Introduce your pet to the car at a young age. Pets who are used to travelling in the car from a young age are more likely to be relaxed and happy during car trips. Start by sitting with them in a parked car to get them used to the new environment.
Reward with treats Reward your pet for good behaviour in the car, use treats to help them get used to the car while it is stationary and play games in the car. This will help your pet to remove any negativity that is associated with the car.
your cat whilst dogs can be secured using a cage or harness. This will help to keep pets safe from injury during sharp breaking or should an accident happen. A loose pet could also distract you while driving and even get in the way of the steering wheel or the brake pedal. The Highway Code states that drivers must ‘make sure dogs and other animals are suitably restrained’ in your car. If you don’t follow the Highway Code, you could be considered to be driving without due care and attention. Some insurance policies also require you to restrain your pet properly in the car. A loose pet could break the terms of your insurance and leave you with a huge bill to pay if you’re in an accident. It may also invalidate your pet insurance if they are injured and need treatment.
Secure your pet Make sure that your pet is safe and secure in the car. Use a cat carrier to transport
Limit food before travel If possible, try not to feed your pet less than three hours prior to travelling. This will
Take small trips For anxious pets who don’t like being in the car, take them on short drives to get them used to the car. Short trips to the park or pet shop will help them to see the car as something positive.
help to reduce travel sickness or any accidents in the car. Your vet may also be able to prescribe something to help with their travel sickness. Keep pets cool Keep your pets cool during any journeys. Be aware of your pet’s temperature and pop the air conditioning on or open the window if it gets too warm. Be sure not to open the window too far and don’t let you dog hang his head out of the window as this could cause injury. Play music Music, toys or blankets could help your pet to stay calm during the journey. Some dogs travel better when music is playing in the car. You could also give your dog or cat their favourite blanket or item of clothing with your scent on to keep them calm. Take breaks If it’s a long journey, take plenty of breaks to allow your dog to stretch their legs, go to the toilet and have
some water. Never leave your pet alone in the car, while you are in a service station. Don’t leave pets alone Never leave pets alone in the car. The temperature in the car can warm up really quickly and cats and dogs can’t cool themselves down in the same way as their owners. They can overheat very fast if left in the car and could get into a critical condition quickly. Get a health check It’s important to make sure that your pet is in good health to be able to make the journey and is tolerable. Some pets can find it distressing and overwhelming, especially if it’s a long trip. Consider using pet calming supplements Many pets can get anxious during car journeys and some pet supplements on the market such as Nutracalm or Vetpro can help to naturally calm these anxious pets.
If your pet is especially anxious during travel and none of the above tips help, it might be worth considering leaving them with a trustworthy friend or dog sitter or placing them in reputable boarding kennels. Although it’s hard to leave them behind, if the journey is not an enjoyable experience, it might be the best option for your pet’s health.
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ADVICE
TOP TIPS managing Cystitis in cats Cystitis is a common reason for pet owners to take their cats to the vets. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) in cats is inflammation of the bladder and is a really common condition, but not a serious health concern. However, it can be very uncomfortable for your pet and can cause pain when urinating.
Although in some cases of Cystitis the cause is unclear, stress is thought to be the most common cause in cats. Changes in their routine or environment can lead to stress, which could include, moving home, car travel, inter-cat conflict, new family arrivals or pets, lack of exposure to the outdoors, or boarding in a cattery.
Water
Signs of Cystitis in cats include:
Food
• Straining to urine • Blood in the urine • Urinating in unusual places • Licking the urinary opening There could be several reasons why your cat may need help in maintaining normal urinary tract health. However, it is important to consult your vet who will be able to offer the most appropriate advice for your cat’s specific health requirements. In order for your cat to maintain a healthy quality of life, there are positive ways in which you help to manage their urinary tract health:
Encourage your cat to consume more fresh water and present it in a way that your cat prefers. The aim of increasing water intake is to produce more dilute urine, which will be less irritating. Make sure you place their water bowl away from their food. Adding water to their food could be another way of encouraging them to consumer more.
Wet food may be preferable to dry because of the increased water content. Consult your vet as to whether a diet change is appropriate. Offer the new diet in an additional separate container to allow your pet to express its preference.
Exercise
Encourage your pet to take more exercise as this helps to stimulate the bladder. Overweight cats can suffer from cystitis more than normal weight felines, so exercise and diet can play an integral role in maintaining your cat’s bladder health.
Minimise stress
To help minimise stress for your cat, their indoor environment should include opportunities for scratching, climbing, hiding and resting. If there is a local cat in the neighbourhood causing stress to your cat, try to prevent your cat from gaining access to the aggressor. It is also important that you stay calm during this time, as cats are very good at reading body language and can pick up on any stress you are feeling yourself.
Litter boxes
Litter boxes should be provided in several quiet, stress-free locations throughout the house, particularly in multi-cat households. There should be one litter tray per cat plus one. Litter should be non-scented and cleaned daily avoiding a strong disinfectant.
Senior cats
Cystitis can be more common in older cats, so it is important to take your senior cat for regular health checks. Regularly monitoring their bladder
health can help to ensure that your cat has a better quality of life.
Consider natural supplements
Some pet supplements on the market contain natural ingredients, which can help to reduce irritation caused by Cystitis and increase comfort for your cat. Reducing stress is considered to be beneficial in the management of Cystitis in both cats and dogs.
Visit your vet
Your vet is best placed to monitor your cat’s health. It is important to have regular health checks with your local vet to ensure that your cat is receiving the best possible care.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT If you would like your product featured in a future edition please get in touch editor@companionlife.co.uk
In this edition, we highlight some pet products that we think our readers will love...
Fish4Dogs New fish wrapped banana treats
Rosewood Pet Products Luxury Leather collar & leads range
Fish4Dogs is going bananas for a fruity new addition to its popular range of fish-wrapped treats.
Rosewood Pet Products’ Luxury Leather collar and leads range is where quality materials and timeless design combines with a modern twist. Crafted from fine leather and suedette material with robust fittings and embellished with neat details including hand stitching in vibrant colours and decorative buttons and charms, all with quality buckle fastening. The fantastic new range comes for dogs and puppies of all ages, sizes and breeds, with collars ranging from 10-14” to 22-26”.”
RRP £4.50 (100g bags)
Banana Wraps are a new addition to the ‘Wrap’ range – developed after a customer survey chose the fruit as its desired ingredient. Crunchy, gluten-free, grain-free and with has no artificual preservatives or colourings, they are an ideal guilt-free snack for your dog. Each treat contains 62 per cent banana and 38 per cent fish skin – natural, nutritious and low in calories. www.fish4dogs.com/products/ banana-wraps.aspx
RRP: £6.99 - £8.50 (Dependent on size)
www.rosewoodpet.com dog/ walk-time/luxury-leather
Nutrabio - for tummy upsets & diarrhoea Prices from £16.99
Maintaining optimum digestive health for your pet is vital to ensure they lead a happy and healthy life. Nutrabio is a tasty and naturally formulated paste for dogs and cats, developed with a high strength composition of Probiotic bacteria, Prebiotics, Sweet Basil and Kaolin, which combine to help normalise digestive function when your pet is suffering from diarrhoea. Nutrabio’s proven natural ingredients aid natural digestive balance, promote friendly bacteria and replenish the natural balance of gut bacteria. www.nutravet.co.uk/nutrabio
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ARTICLE
Understanding allergies in pets
Just like their owners, pets can also develop allergies. It’s estimated that nearly 20% of dogs suffer from allergies, which can vary from food, environmental or household allergies. 10% of allergies in dogs are said to be food related, but many pets can suffer from more than one allergy.
There are certain breeds of cats and dogs that are more susceptible to allergies and most commonly affected. These include, Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and Rex Cats. The type of allergy that your pet has can be hard to diagnose as many of the symptoms are almost identical. Although they can suffer with more than one allergy, there are three common types that pets can develop: • Atopy (also known as Atopic Dermatitis) • Flea allergy • Food allergy Other causes of common allergies that pet owners should be aware of include, pollen, mould spores, dust, feathers, perfumes, cleaning products and fleas.
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Atopic Dermatitis Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy) is an allergy to something in the environment, such as pollen, moulds, grass or dust mites. Pets with Atopic Dermatitis tend to have very itchy skin, usually it’s worse on their paws, ears, tummy and armpits. If your pet has Atopic Dermatitis they may be constantly scratching, licking and biting, which can make their skin red, sore and open to infection. Pets can develop Atopic
Food allergies
A food allergy is when a pet’s immune system overreacts to one or more of the ingredients in their diet. Symptoms usually include skin problems, and /or tummy problems (such as diarrhoea and vomiting). Common signs that your pet could be suffering from a food allergy could include: • Itchy skin • A rash, sore red skin • Vomiting • Diarrhoea • Sore tummy • Excessive wind
Flea allergies
When your pet gets bitten by a flea, it injects saliva into their skin. Flea saliva is irritating to most animals, including humans and can trigger an allergic reaction in some cats and dogs. Everyday itching from a flea bite is not the same as a flea allergy. A pet that is allergic to flea bites will have a skin reaction every time they are
• Avoiding sprays (except flea sprays) in the home • Vacuum and dust regularly • Keep your pet up-to-date with their flea treatment, symptoms are likely to flare up if they are bitten. Some pet supplements on the market contain high quality Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin-E, which can naturally calm sensitive skin, sooth dry, flaky skin and reduce itching and scratching.
Dermatitis at any age, although it can be more common in young dogs and in certain breeds, such as the West Highland Terrier (Westie). Common symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis can include: itchy skin, ear infections, licking or chewing themselves, hair loss, dark/thickened skin, weepy eyes, bacterial skin infections and yeast infections. Finding out what your pet
is allergic to can be quite challenging as flea and food allergies can cause almost identical symptoms as Atopic Dermatitis.
Food allergies in dogs can develop at any stage of their life but are most common when they are less than a year old. In cats, they can develop by 4-5 years old. It’s not always easy trying to find what your pet may be allergic too. A food elimination diet for a period of 8-12 weeks is often used to diagnose a food allergy. Dogs tend to be allergic to protein (meat or dairy). Some dogs can also be allergic to other ingredients such as wheat and grains. Cats can be allergic to products
such as beef, dairy or fish. If a food allergy is well managed, your pet can live a perfectly normal life. However, if their food allergy is left untreated, they can have a serious effect on your pet’s health and quality of life. To stop your pet from having symptoms in future, your vet may advise you to only feed your dog or cat food that contains ‘safe’ ingredients. Pets are unwittingly fed an unnatural diet, which
are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, derived from high levels of cereals and vegetable proteins. Too much Omega-6 can have a negative effect on a pet’s skin health. Counteracting the Omega-6 imbalance with Omega-3s can help to reduce inflammation from allergies.
bitten, which can cause intense itching and inflammation of the skin. Other common signs of an allergic reaction to fleas include: hair loss, over grooming, lumpy skin, red, inflamed skin and fleas. If your pet has a flea allergy, as an owner you need to ensure it is managed properly. A poorly managed flea
allergy could cause severe skin disease and illness. With the advice and treatment from your vet and a good flea control, most pet’s with flea allergies can live a happy and healthy life. Your vet will be able to offer advice on the best flea treatment sufficient for your pet. Be sure to also treat areas of your
home where your pet may venture and make sure you treat both indoor and outdoor cats as outdoor cats can bring fleas inside. A flea treatment is often not enough to control the problem, a repellent is usually needed too, and you will need to make sure your home and pets are flea-free all year round.
To help reduce symptoms and prevent future flare ups, your vet may recommend steps to avoid triggers, such as: • Avoid walks when the pollen count is high • Rinsing your dog off after walking in long grass
All allergies cannot be cured, and they may need lifelong treatment to keep them under control. If you are worried about your pet, you should consult your vet who is best placed to offer advice with regards to your pet’s health.
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GETTING TO KNOW
Q&A
Veterinary Tissue Bank The Veterinary Tissue Bank was co-founded by Dr Peter Myint and Professor John Innes to meet the unmet needs for a European veterinary community tissue bank and a desire to progress the field of veterinary surgery. Here, Companion Life gets to know more about the organisation and the impact of their work.
Could you tell us a little about the work you do at the Veterinary Tissue Bank? Veterinary Tissue Bank is Europe’s first and only tissue bank for pets, where pet owners of dogs and cats can donate tissues from their pets at the end of their lives. The donated tissues are used in transplants, in other dogs and cats, which need tissues for various surgical procedures. Bone transplants are used to treat in orthopaedic cases, such as broken bones, bone cancer, arthritic joints, spinal fusion, etc.; cornea is used to restore sight; and tendons are used to replace torn ligaments. A single donation from a dog or a cat gives transplants to over 60 recipients. To date, Veterinary tissue bank has supplied nearly 10,000 transplants.
ee FrPITPAT
DOG ACTIVITY MONITOR
What are the health benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for pets? Osteoarthritis is thought to affect 20% of the dog population, and stem cell therapy is given to treat the pain in arthritic joints. Stem cells are isolated from a small fat sample, and are cultured from just a few to millions in number, before they are injected back into the joints of the same dog or cat. Some of the cells are stored frozen, in case a future need arises for them. Following the injection, the animal is expected to become pain free within a few days. Subsequent injections may be needed, however, this can readily be met by re-culturing the frozen cells in the tissue bank without having to harvest another fat sample.
How effective is Stem Cell Therapy? From the experience of Veterinary Tissue Bank, stem cell therapy provides 80% positive response rate in dogs, shown by the LOAD (Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs) score - a validated, owner completed questionnaire. Of the remaining 20% of non-responders, half responded to a second stem cell injection, giving an overall 90% positive response to stem cell therapy when the second injection is included. Is tissue donation only for dogs and cats? Currently, we only run a donation program for dogs and cats, as these are the species that most frequently need tissue grafts.
How can pet owners sign their pets up to become a pet donor? The concept of pet tissue donation and transplantation is the same as that in humans. It is also difficult for veterinary staff to raise the subject of donation at a time of great distress for the owner. However, not asking the owner means, effectively, making the decision on their behalf; and for them, it may not be the right one. Registering as a tissue donor in advance can facilitate the donation process, and owners can sign up by visiting www.vtbank.org and submitting a form online. Veterinary tissue bank then issues a pet donor card and informs the practice of the registration.
to help you and your new dog establish healthy habits from the start when you choose Agria Pet Insurance.
Visit agriapet.co.uk/quote or call
our friendly team on 03330 30 00 10
Please quote promo code PP19 to claim your free PITPAT
Terms, conditions and excesses apply. Agria Pet Insurance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register Number 496160. Agria Pet Insurance Ltd is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 4258783. Registered office: First Floor, Blue Leanie, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QW.
AGRIA 1185 Companion Life PitPat Ad 161x60mm AW.indd 1
14/06/2019 09:30
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ADVICE FROM THE EXPERT
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Rabbit grooming needs By Emma Purnell, RVN Cert.Nut.
Like most animals, rabbits generally do a good job of keeping themselves clean but there are certain times of year and specific things they may need help with. Some breeds, especially Angora’s, Lionheads and other long haired rabbits, may need more help. Rabbits should NEVER be bathed. Completely submerging rabbits in water can lead them to go into shock and they can get a chill easily when drying. If they need any kind of bath, usually if their back end has matted, veterinary advice should be sought as to why this has occurred and a bottom bath using minimum water can be carried out. Holding their bottom safely and securely taking care to support their spine over a bowl with a second person can allow for any areas that are matted or particularly dirty to be cleaned safely. If you feel your rabbit
needs a full bath then questions must be asked as to why and veterinary advice sought – do not do this at home. Brushing can be a social experience and enjoyable for your rabbits, once they become used to it so starting early is vital. Offering treats when grooming them and taking things slowly and calmly can make sure that it is associated with a positive experience. While most of the time they will groom themselves, especially during moulting they will need help. Brushing daily will prevent your rabbit ingesting loose fur which can risk causing impactions and potential gut blockages. The best brush to use is a soft silicone brush, it can help to attract loose fur as well as being gentle. Pinned brushes and those with blades to remove more fur can not only risk cutting a rabbit’s fine skin but can
remove too much fur leading to bald patches. Silicone brushing gloves can be useful if starting the process, making it more like a stroke than a brush! Ears should be checked with each groom but shouldn’t need regular cleaning. Lop eared rabbits are more likely to have issues with ear wax build up due to their head and ear shapes, so regular checks to ensure no problems is important. If you are concerned by ears looking red or sore please seek veterinary advice.
never be held on their backs to do this, it causes them to go into a trance but this causes significant stress and is not necessary. Grooming is a brilliant opportunity to health check your rabbit, checking their teeth, their weight and for any lumps and bumps, not to mention giving extra time to socialise with your pet!
Emma qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in Regular checks should 2008 and be made on the length of works for Nutravet (UK) Ltd. She claws, they should not be has a BSc in Zoology with protruding as they are at Animal Ecology and an risk of getting caught and torn. Clipping claws can be MSc in Ecology, helping to fuel her interest in done at home but they must more exotic species. She not be clipped short enough has a particular love of to catch the quick, the blood small furries and has a vessel that runs inside the grade A distinction in nail, as this will cause pain Canine and Feline Clinical and bleeding. Rabbits should Nutrition (CertNut).
Why wait 6 weeks when nutraquin+ works in 7 days Fast acting support for joints & mobility Natural fast acting joint support to aid & soothe stiff joints. ✓ Fast acting (4-7 days on average) ✓ Aids & soothes stiff joints ✓ Promotes mobility & flexibility ✓ Supports joint structure ✓ Helps to maintain your pet’s quality of life by maintaining optimum joint health ✓ Supports the natural systems that control inflammation ✓ Available for dogs, cats & horses
nutraquin+ is available exclusively from veterinary practices where you can purchase over the counter without a prescription, even if your pet is not registered at the practice. Support British manufacturing View our extensive natural range at www.nutravet.co.uk
Find your local stockist at
www.nutravet.co.uk