Lifelong care for pets providing clinical excellence, knowledge and experience
NEWS
B O N F I R E S EA S O N Bonfire season can be terrifying for animals. Some pets may hide, shake and seem tense. They may be unresponsive to commands, go off their food or even soil in the house. Don’t punish your pet for this as it will convince them there really was something to be afraid of. But don’t make a fuss of them as this effectively rewards the behaviour. Blackening out the room when there are fireworks may help to hide flashing lights, but your dogs may feel abandoned if they are left alone. Make sure they have a few toys as a distraction. Music may also help, especially if it has drumbeats to cover the noise of the fireworks. There are products on the market which can help. A plug-in diffuser known as the Adaptil mimics the pheromones naturally released by lactating bitches to reassure their pups. It continuously releases pheromones into the environment for up to four weeks and helps stop fear and stress related signals, vocalisation, house soiling and excessive licking. With this there is no sedative effect at all. Clinical trials show an 80% improvement in signs observed by owners. It is normally recommended that the diffuser is in the room used most by the dog for a fortnight before and one week after the event.
October 2013
Contact us: PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP 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
The Feliway diffuser is a similar product for cats. It’s recommended to have this in place one week before the event. Thundershirts can also help reassure anxious or nervous dogs.
Ask us for more details on any of the above.
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP Visit us at: www.paragonvet.com and please ‘like’ us on our FACEBOOK page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pets
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Pets of the Month
Benji before
Leo before
Benji after
Leo after
TIME FOR A TRIM? If your dog could do with a bit of smartening up, but you’re not sure about having him or her groomed - this might just help you make up your mind. The pictures show Benji and Leo before our Groomer Jude got to work - and then again after their pampering session. I think you’ll agree they look fantastic! If you’d like to find out more about grooming - just ask us for details. And look out for a dvd of the whole grooming process on our reception screen at Dalston.
NURSE CLINIC
At Paragon our fully qualified veterinary nurses play a vital role alongside the Vets. They are responsible for the day to day care of inpatients, admitting and discharging, administering medications, monitoring response to treatment, identifying any new problems and keeping in touch with often very worried owners. One of the most difficult jobs nurses do is monitoring anaesthetised patients. This requires great skill, training and attention. Veterinary nurse training is extensive and involves knowledge on anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, animal husbandry, biochemistry and much more. Our nurses run regular clinics covering a range of issues - such as weight - to plan diet and exercise regimes; nail clipping and identity chipping; worming and flea treatments; dental follow up and advice; post operative check ups; diabetic clinics to aid monitoring and treatment, and senior clinics to help identify problems in older patients. We also hold clinics on canine behaviour - and of course our very popular puppy parties to help owners give their young dogs the best possible start in life.
Please ask our staff for more details.
AMAZING PETS - Jim the Wonder Dog
In 1925 a Llewellin Setter called Jim was born in Louisiana. He really was amazing! He was such a brilliant hunting dog that one magazine voted him ‘The Hunting Dog of the century’. But his skills didn’t end there. Jim could predict the sex of an unborn baby - and he picked the winner of the Kentucky Derby SEVEN times in a row! He could obey orders given in just about language - including Morse Code - even commands like ‘Go into the street and find the visitor from Kansas City’. Jim has his own Memorial Garden in Marshall, Missouri.
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP Visit us at: www.paragonvet.com and please ‘like’ us on FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pets