Our guide to
Community Vet Clinic services
www.themayhew.org
Mayhew recommends that every pet owner ensures their pet is neutered and receives regular annual vaccinations and health checks from a veterinary professional. Our Mayhew Community Vet Clinic provides four main services to all pet owners without financial or geographical restrictions: • Free and low-cost neutering
• Low-cost vaccinations, flea and worming treatments • Microchipping • Nurse Clinics
For prices, more information and to book an appointment for any of our Vet Clinic services, please call 0208 962 8017 or email vetclinic@mayhewanimalhome.org
Free and low-cost neutering
We offer free and low-cost neutering. Neutering appointments are available Monday to Friday and can be made with our clinic receptionist on the phone or by email.
Free Bull Breed Neutering
To qualify for our Free Bull Breed neutering service, your dog must have the physical characteristics of Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT) or SBT crossbreed. The scheme also incorporates other Bull Breeds including: the English Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog, the Presa Canaria, British Bulldogs and Bull Mastiffs.
This scheme was initiated by Mayhew to help reduce the overpopulation of these breed types and reduce the number of these unwanted dogs arriving at rescue centres. The scheme is free to all, however we are grateful for any donations that can be made towards our surgery costs which will help us to continue this vital neutering scheme.
Please note that the decision of the Veterinary Surgeon admitting your dog on the day of surgery is final. If they decide that your dog is not an eligible Bull Breed or Bull Breed mix you will be asked to pay for neutering. This price is heavily subsidised by Mayhew and is at a low cost.
Cat Neutering C4 Scheme
The cat neutering C4 scheme, established in 2002, is a joint initiative by animal charities working in London to tackle the cat overpopulation crisis. Mayhew’s Community Vet Clinic is a participating practice in this scheme. You are eligible for free neutering if you live within this area and: a) You own the cat, and you receive: • State benefit
• State pension
• Council tax benefit or Housing benefit b) You are a full time student
c) You are on a low household income
d) The cat is a stray which you have been feeding for at least 14 days Proof that the owner is eligible has to be provided on the day of the appointment.
Low-cost neutering appointments
Neutering appointments are available at our Community Vet Clinic Monday to Friday for cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. Please call for prices, more information and to book an appointment. We neuter male and female cats from nine weeks of age and male and female dogs from twelve weeks of age, or any time after they have had their first full course of vaccinations. Neutering is a same day procedure but you will need to book an appointment in advance. An admittance time between 8am and 9am on the day of surgery will be arranged for you and your pet with a Mayhew vet.
On admittance, the vet will check your pet and explain the procedure they will undergo.
You will be able to collect your pet in the afternoon between 3pm and 5pm. A member of staff will discuss post-operation after-care and information will be given to you to take home.
Please be aware that if you are late for your appointment or arrive after 9am you may be turned away and your appointment cancelled.
Before the operation – what do I need to know? Cats and dogs should be starved of food from 8pm the night before their operation, but they are allowed water until 7am on the morning of surgery.
Rabbits and guinea pigs should not be starved of food or water and we ask that you bring a small amount of their normal food with you when the animal is admitted. Cat owners have to be prepared to take the carriers home with them and bring them back to the clinic in order to collect their pet after the operation.
Neutering a bitch post-season – what does this mean? Post–season is the period of time that begins after a female dog has last been in heat. Female dogs should ideally be neutered 6-8 weeks post season. Bitches that have whelped puppies should be neutered when the puppies have been fully weaned for at least one week. Phantom pregnancies can occur in bitches after they have been in heat, signs can be a swollen vulva, enlarged mammary glands and some bitches will even produce milk.
A change in behaviour can also be noted in some bitches; they may begin to carry a toy around and may show nesting behaviour. A bitch with a phantom pregnancy should not be neutered as this may prolong the phantom pregnancy substantially. This is a natural occurrence which generally does not need veterinary treatment. An owner with a bitch that experiences a phantom pregnancy will have to make another appointment for their dog when the symptoms have subsided.
If a bitch was maybe or potentially mated within her last season and it is the wish for the pregnancy to be terminated, they will need to be booked in for an appointment six weeks after the conception date. This is to prepare for the possibility they may not be pregnant and can therefore still be neutered. If the bitch is obviously pregnant, the termination date can be brought forward. Please be aware that the bitch will be neutered at the same time as the termination. This can be discussed in further detail with Mayhew Clinic staff. This procedure also applies to cats.
After the operation – what do I need to do? Pets can be collected towards the end of the day of the surgery and taken back home. You will be given post-operation care advice and information when you come to pick up your pet.
The two main points to be aware of are:
1. The animal must not interfere with the wound after surgery for at least 10 days. All owners will have to purchase a buster collar to prevent their pet interfering with the wound, which can lead to infection and post-operation complications. 2. The animal must be kept restrained meaning he/she should not be jumping up and down things, run off lead etc.
Although we offer a low-cost neutering clinic and many of our services are free, we appreciate any donations that can be made towards our surgery costs and after-care.
Low-cost vaccination clinics, flea and worming treatments Vaccination clinics are held on Thursday and Saturday mornings and every 4th Tuesday evening at the following times: • Thursdays 10am–12 noon
• Saturdays 9.30am–12.30pm
• Every 4th Tuesday evening 5pm–7pm
Does my pet really need vaccinations? Yes, definitely. It is very easy for pets to pick up harmful diseases which are easily preventable by vaccination. For young or the more elderly animals these diseases can have fatal consequences.
Cats can be vaccinated from eight weeks of age and dogs from nine weeks of age. A cat that is being vaccinated for the first time will need a course of two vaccinations that must be given 3–4 weeks apart. A dog will need vaccinations that are given 4–6 weeks apart. Once they have been given the full course of vaccinations they will require an annual booster. What can dogs be vaccinated against? • Distemper • Infectious Canine Hepatitis • Parvovirus
• Canine Contagious Respiratory Disease (Canine Para influenza) • Canine Leptospirosis
Dogs can also be protected against Kennel Cough by intra-nasal vaccine that is given every 6-12 months (depending on the vaccine manufacturer).
What can cats be vaccinated against? • Rhinotracheitis • Feline Influenza (Cat Flu) • Enteritis
• Calicivirus
• Panleukopenia
• Feline Leukaemia (FelV)
Flea and worming treatments There are many different products on the market which can be used to prevent fleas and worms, however, we would always recommend a product which is dispensed by a veterinary practice. They may be slightly more expensive but they will be much safer for your animal and also more reliable.
The flea product we use for dogs prevents them from getting lungworm: a parasite which is potentially life threatening. The product should be used monthly throughout the dog’s life, starting at the age of seven weeks. The product we use and prescribe for adult cats protects against fleas and worms. We apply it from the age of nine weeks and monthly thereafter. Our vets will advise on flea and worm treatments for puppies and kittens.
Microchipping
Should I get my pet microchipped? Microchipping is a legal requirement for dogs and is a quick and easy method of permanent identification for your pet. Should your pet ever become lost, having a microchip will mean that you will have a better chance of being reunited.
It is a quick procedure that involves entering a chip, the size of a grain of rice, under the skin so that information can be stored. If your pet does subsequently become parted from you and is found and handed in to a vets or rescue centre, your pet can be scanned for the details on the microchip and you will be informed as to their whereabouts. If you would like your pet microchipped, you can book an appointment for our Nurse Clinic. Please check our website for appointment times or call us. If you are bringing your pet in for neutering they can be microchipped at the same time.
Nurse Clinics
We have two Nurse Clinics every week which is by appointment only. Please call us for further information, times and to book an appointment. Nurse Clinic services include: • Weight check
• Diet and general health advice • Anal gland check/emptying • Dental/teeth check
• Basic de-matt (whilst conscious)
• Ear plucking/cleaning (whilst conscious) • Grooming advice • Nail clipping
• Microchipping
www.themayhew.org
info@mayhewanimalhome.org 020 8962 8000 Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ Registered charity no. 1077588