The Parkvets Ezine
July 2007 Edition
Practice News and Monthly Special Offer
10% Discount for all Rabbits Vaccinated in July
We are offering a discount to all rabbit owners on all parasite medication purchased with a vaccine against either Myxomatosis or VHD. This means treatments for fleas, flystrike and E.Cuniculi are all covered. Learn more about rabbit parasites by visiting our new website at www.parkvets.com/petinfo/rabbits.
Facilities & Equipment Upgrades
As always we are trying to keep one step ahead of the game with our levels of care. Reinvestment in new equipment plays a large role in this. Recently we have upgraded our endoscopes and this week we take delivery of one of the most modern dental machines available. This doubles our dental capacity ahead of our popular annual Breath Busters campaign which will see hundreds of pets receive free dental checkups and huge discounts on resulting work.
Pictured above are six of our vets receiving some intensive practical training to improve their dental skills by top pet dentist, Lisa Millela who visited Parkvets last week.
Longfield Open Day
Held last month crowds enjoyed the chance to meet the new vets Georgina and Sarah at our Longfield open day. A face painter and balloon artist entertained the kids whilst the parents were treated to canapés and wine with competitions in which for lucky winners each received an iPod shuffle.
Editorial: Is it the End of Fat Pets?
Back in January 2007 possibly the fattest dog in the world came to the public's attention with pictures of Labrador Rusty Benton weighing an incredible 74kg.
Few people would argue that Rusty's quality of life was not seriously compromised and unsurprisingly the RSPCA were moved to prosecute the owners.
This story should cause many owners to pause and reflect on the size of their own dog (or cat). Is it fat, heading towards obese?
Even if your pet is not a Rusty-sized animal the long-term health consequences of being overweight are very real and significantly affect the quality of your pet's life and undoubtedly shorten it.
Help is at hand though as this article explores.
Best of the Web: The Animal Welfare Act
Described and "the most significant change in animal welfare legislation in almost a century" The Animal Welfare Act came into effect this April and has implications for all pet owners.
In spite of this, chances are you've never even heard of it. Well don't say we don't keep you informed visit this link to learn what your responsibilities are from the basic welfare requirements to how the dangerous dogs act could easily affect you and your pooch. This info is a must read.
Top Tips: Keeping your Hopper Happy this Summer
Read this article for some basic facts to keep your bunny healthy this summer. Plus our fantastic offer of 10% off any parasite product for your bunny if purchased with any vaccination (VHD or Myxomatosis).
Tip 1: Diet is Everything
95% of rabbits going to the vet will have diet related problems. Whether it's teeth, eyes, tummy upsets or fly strike, almost every condition can be linked to inappropriate diet. The majority of a rabbit's diet should be grass and hay, supplemented with a small amount of Supa-rabbit XL each day. On top of this you should feed it fresh vegetables - but not too many, you want your rabbit to eat as much hay and grass as possible. Remember your rabbit will need a fresh supply of water to drink each day.
Tip 2: Guard against Myxomatosis
Your rabbit should be vaccinated against to help reduce infection. Myxomatosis which is a serious and usually fatal disease, is caused by a highly contagious virus, transmitted from rabbit to rabbit by mosquitoes and fleas. There is no cure, only supportive therapy which usually fails. In high risk areas the vaccine should be given every six months. Additionally we would recommend you treat your rabbit against fleas to further reduce the risk.
Tip 3: Prevent Fly Strike
Fly strike is officially the most distressing disease known to vets and rabbits! In short, a rabbit gets eaten alive by maggots when flies, attracted to dirty conditions, lay their eggs on the rabbit's fur. We recommend cleaning out hutches every day, checking their bottoms for any sign of fly eggs and treating them with a prescription product to stop maggots developing. Ask your vet for more information about this product.
Tip 4: Worm your Rabbit
Rabbits can suffer from a brain parasite called E. Cuniculi. Affected rabbits often develop a severe head tilt and cannot remain balanced - a distressing thing for all concerned. Worryingly over 50% of rabbits are infected so regular worming is essential.
Tip 5: Get your Rabbit Insured
Insurance for your pet is something we strongly recommend as veterinary fees can be expensive. There is no National Health Service for animals but many people want the same quality of care and treatment for their pets. Many of the more complicated procedures can cost hundreds of pounds. Petplan have a policy especially designed for rabbit owners. Please ask for advice if you are unsure.
Time Limited July 2007 Special Offer
Get your rabbit vaccinated at Parkvets this month and we'll give you a 10% discount on all parasite preventatives purchased at the same time. This applies to fleas products, wormers and fly strike preventatives.
