Paragon Pets Newsletter Feb 2013

Lifelong care for pets providing clinical excellence, knowledge and experience

NEWS ASK THE VET

by Laura McKirdy

I’ve received an email from a client whose cat suffers from itchy ears. This puss also holds her ears flat and her owner would like to know why!

Parasites are the usual culprits for making cats scratch - in this case probably ear mites. It’s also worth considering fungal infections like ringworm - or the cat might be allergic to something - house dust mites for example.

Stress can also cause our pets to do strange things such as over-grooming themselves.

So - perhaps the best way to discover the cause, is to let your Vet take a look at your pet. They’ll diagnose the problem and treat accordingly.

Overweight Pets Is your pet a bit on the podgy side? Has your cat or dog piled on a few extra pounds over Christmas?

Now’s your chance to help your pet shift the unwanted flab - and become far more healthy as a result.

Here at Paragon our nurses are holding FREE weight assessment appointments when you can have your pet checked over, weighed, and have their body condition scored.

The nurse will work out a suitable diet and weight loss programme for your pet and discuss with you the best way to implement it.

Obesity is just as dangerous for pets as for humans and can lead to all sorts of health problems including Diabetes mellitus.

Getting in trim can give your pet a better quality of life and maybe even a longer life.

February 2013

Contact us: CALDEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7JF Tel: 01228 710208 vets@paragonvet.com TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: 01768 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road Carlisle CA1 2LG Tel: 01228 591005

Talk to our staff to find out more.

PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP Visit us at: www.paragonvet.com and please ‘like’ us on our FACEBOOK page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pets

24 hour emergency service

TRAINING CLASSES We are delighted to announce that Paragon Vets are offering Training Classes for puppies and dogs. They’ll be held at our Dalston practice in the spacious reception area with trainer Gary Hodgkinson.

The classes are for fully vaccinated puppies. They’ll be run in six-week blocks, on tuesday evenings from 7-8pm with the first one on February 19th. The full course will cost £40.

After the initial six week block, the puppies can then progress onto a more advanced course. This will also be held on tuesdays, from 8-9pm. The cost of the six-week course will also be £40.

In both courses we’ll take a maximum of eight puppies so that every owner and every puppy is guaranteed individual attention from the trainer.

Well trained dogs are a pleasure to own and these classes will give your youngster the best possible grounding in life to help him or her mature into a happy, confident and sensible dog.

If you’d like to know more about the courses, just talk to one of our staff.

Remember sunny days?

WINTER TIPS - ANTIFREEZE IS POISONOUS but can be attractive to dogs and cats. Please keep it away from your pets, and clean up spills immediately.

- WASH/WIPE YOUR DOG’S FEET AFTER A WALK - it can prevent ice getting painfully trapped in paws. Wipe down the legs and stomach, too.

- If you’re caught in heavy snowfall during a walk, KEEP YOUR DOG ON THE LEAD snow can be disorientating and affect a dog’s sense of smell.

Yes, we did have a few last year, though it’s hard to remember them!

However - just to prove it’s true take a look at our new Paragon DVD, showing two of our favourite days from 2012 - Dalston Show and Paragon’s own Open Day. They were excellent days and the sun shone for us on both of them.

You can find the dvd on YouTube just look up Paragon Open Day or through our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pet