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Cats

What is vaccination and why is it important?

Your cat's natural ability to fight infection is called "immunity". While kittens are protected for the first few weeks by an immunity passed through their mother's milk, this fades rapidly leaving the kitten susceptible to disease. This is when vaccination is needed to restore the kitten's immunity.

Your kitten's first vaccination will involve two injections, 3 weeks apart, with the first given as early as 9 weeks of age. Your kitten will also receive a full health check at the time of vaccination. We will give you a vaccination certificate to record your kitten's vaccinations and subsequent annual boosters - make sure you keep this in a safe place so that you can show it at catteries, cat shows and to us.

Speak to one of the team for advice about when it's safe to let your kitten meet other animals. They can also talk you through what to do when you let your kitten outside for the first time.

If you're wondering which diseases the different vaccines protect against, read on!

Cat Flu (Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Disease) is spread from cat to cat by direct contact or through sneezing. It can be a serious disease, especially in kittens and older cats. The symptoms include runny nose and eyes, high temperatures and an extreme lack of energy.

Infectious Enteritis (Feline Panlecopenia) is relatively rare due to the success of modern vaccines, but is unpleasant and often fatal.

Feline Leukaemia is transmitted between cats when they fight or even when they groom. The disease weakens the cat's immune system leading to other problems. Fortunately this disease is gradually being brought under control though vaccination.

Rabies is fortunately not found in the UK, although vaccination is required by law if you plan to take your cat abroad.

Dogs

What is vaccination and why is it important?

Your dog's natural ability to fight infection is called "immunity". While puppies are protected for the first few weeks by an immunity passed through their mother's milk, this fades rapidly leaving the puppy susceptible to disease. This is when vaccination is needed to restore the puppy's immunity.

Your puppy's first vaccination will involve two injections, separated by a couple of weeks, and can be started at 8 weeks of age. Your puppy will also receive a full health check at the time of vaccination. We will give you a vaccination certificate to record your puppy’s vaccinations and subsequent annual boosters - make sure you keep this in a safe place as you will need to show this at boarding kennels, training classes and to us. It is very important to keep your dog's immunity boosted each year. We will send you a reminder to let you know when the booster is due.

It’s important for young puppies to socialise. Vaccination takes about a week to give protection so you should not take your puppy out for a walk until at least a week has passed after the second vaccination – make sure you speak to one of the team for advice about when it's safe to let your puppy meet other animals.

If you're wondering which diseases the different vaccines protect against, read on! To ensure that we give the right protection at the right time (and don't over-vaccinate your pet), we give only what is necessary each year.

Leptospirosis is spread in the urine of rats and other dogs and is widespread in the UK, especially in canals and rivers. There are a lot of waterways (and rats) on Anglesey so this is in important vaccination. Also, because Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium, the protection provided by the vaccine does not last for a long time and needs to be topped up annually. Leptospirosis can also cause Weil’s disease in humans. It is difficult to treat and can be life-threatening in dogs and humans.

Canine Parvovirus is widespread throughout the UK and caused major epidemics in the 1970s. It causes horrendous disease and is usually fatal. We vaccinate for this every 3 years.

Canine Distemper (Hard Pad) is a severe, inevitably fatal disease but is fortunately controlled by vaccination in the UK. We vaccinate for this every 3 years.

Infectious Hepatitis is another nasty, potential fatal disease that is now controlled by vaccination in the UK. We vaccinate for this every 3 years.

Kennel Cough is usually transmitted in places where dogs come together, e.g. parks, shows and kennels. The disease is extremely unpleasant and can be life-threatening. If you are planning to put your dog into kennels or take part in training classes, they will need the Kennel Cough vaccine at least a week in advance, although some kennels ask for it to be given at least two weeks before a stay. This vaccine is given as drops into the nostrils and is given annually.

Rabies is fortunately not found in the UK, although vaccination is required by law if you plan to take your dog abroad.

Remember - vaccination is the only way to provide immunity against a number of potentially dangerous diseases. Ask the vet if your pet appears unwell - you could save its life.

Cats

The main reason we recommend neutering is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. There are also health benefits as explained below.

Female Cat Spay

Female cats are usually spayed to prevent them becoming pregnant, and spaying will also eliminate the risk of a female cat in season being chased and potentially injured by a tom cat. Your cat is also less likely to develop breast cancer, and will also be saved from life-threatening womb infections. The operation is best performed before she has her first season, and is normally carried out around 4 - 6 months of age. If your cat has already had kittens, she can be spayed as soon as the kittens have been weaned.

Male Cat Castration

Neutered male cats tend to be less aggressive and so roam and fight less, reducing the risk of road accidents and injury from fighting with other cats. Castration also reduces the likelihood of a male cat spraying strong-smelling urine to mark out their territory, including inside your house. We recommend that cats are castrated at 4 - 6 months of age. Although your male cat cannot become pregnant(!), neutering helps prevent unwanted litters of kittens.

Dogs

The main reason we recommend neutering is because of the medical benefits (see below). It is also the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Neutering will not change your dog's character, but may help to reduce undesirable traits such as aggression and dominant behaviour.

Bitch Spay

We recommend spaying your bitch mainly to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It can also help to prevent medical problems such as breast cancer and womb infections. The operation is often best performed before she has her first season (this does depend on breed of dog, so please ask us for advice). Spaying is best performed around 6 months of age. If your dog has already had a season, we recommend spaying 2-3 months after her last season. There is no benefit to letting your bitch have a litter of puppies before neutering (this is a bit of an old wives' tale).

Dog Castration

Castration will protect your dog against testicular tumours, cancer and disease of the prostate gland, cancer of the glands around the anus and hernias in the anal region. Dogs are best castrated between 6 and 12 months of age. After castration, your dog will be less likely to roam and may develop a better temperament. 

If your pet gets lost, wouldn't you want to make sure they had the best chance of coming home?

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted under the skin in a quick and simple procedure. Once implanted, the microchip will remain comfortably in place for life thanks to a special smooth outer coating. Microchips are the most secure form of identification and unlike a collar they cannot be removed or lost. We use premium microchips with a special polymer coating which is ten times stronger than glass microchips. The microchip holds a unique number which can be read using a special scanner used by all vets and rescue centres. The microchip includes a lifelong registration to the Petlog database, allowing the owner's details to be matched to the pet.

If you are considering taking your pet abroad, microchipping is essential, and microchipping is now compulsory for all dogs in Wales.

What to do in an Emergency - Out of Hours

When the practice is closed, emergency cover is provided by Vets Now, Colwyn Bay. 

Vets Now Colwyn Bay

110 Abergele Road
Colwyn Bay
LL29 7PS

Call: 01492 471 554

From Anglesey take the A55 east. Come off at Junction 2, signposted B5113 Colwyn Bay. Turn right at the traffic lights to turn onto the B5113. Follow the B5113 to the right, then at the mini roundabout follow the road to the left. At the next junction, turn left onto the A547/Abergele Road. Follow this road until you see Vets Now on your right.

More information about Vets Now here.

Here at Aran Vet Clinic, we adhere to the strict guidelines from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate regarding the storage, provision and use of veterinary medicines. Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe relevant veterinary medicinal products only following a clinical assessment of an animal under his or her care.

Prescriptions are available from this practice. You may obtain relevant veterinary medicinal products from your veterinary surgeon (to be dispensed from the practice) or ask for a prescription and obtain these medicines from another veterinary surgery or a pharmacy (either a physical pharmacy or an online pharmacy). If using an online pharmacy, we strongly recommend only using one which has been approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. A list of these approved online pharmacies can be found on the VMDs website.

A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an impatient or immediate treatment is necessary, for example in an emergency. You will be informed, on request, of the price of any medicine that may be prescribed to your animal.

We believe in proactive veterinary care, and find that closely monitoring our patients allows us to give your pets the best possible care. Our general policy is to reassess an animal requiring repeat prescriptions for relevant veterinary medicines every 3 months. This may vary with individual circumstances and in some cases, reassessments may be required more often than every 3 months. The frequency of the checks will be discussed between you and your vet.

The standard charge for a re-examination consultation is £58.00. If required, the cost for providing a written prescription is £30.50 If you would like further information on the prices of medicines please contact us to speak to a member of the team, who will be happy to help.

The night before

Your pet should have a small meal around 10pm and all food removed after this, this reduces the risk of vomiting during anaesthetic (for very young animals this advice will vary). Allow access to water overnight. Cats should be kept indoors overnight and a litter tray should be provided.

On the day

Please take dogs for a short walk to allow toileting before coming to the surgery. You will be given an admit appointment between 8:30 and 9am, when a vet or nurse will go through the procedure and health check your animal. Please let us know about any medications your pet may have had in the last 24 hours. You will be asked to complete a consent form and leave an emergency contact number, so we may reach you if necessary. You will be asked to phone the surgery around 2pm for an update on your pet and when they will be able to go home.

All fees are payable on collection of your pet. If your pet is insured or you have any concerns about cost please discuss this at time of admit. If you would like an estimate of your pets procedure, please contact the surgery.

Pre-op bloods

Anaesthesia is not without risk; however, we can reduce this risk by carrying out a blood test to screen for any hidden health issues that may be present in your pet.

Intravenous fluids (drip)

Fluids are beneficial for your pet whilst under anaesthetic as they help support blood pressure, help the liver and kidneys remove drugs from the system more quickly and speed up recovery after a procedure.

Additional procedures

There are several routine procedures that can be performed by a nurse whilst your pet is under anaesthetic. These include; microchipping, nail clipping, emptying anal glands and clipping matts. If you would like any of these performed please discuss this at admit.

The surgery and post-op care

Once admitted we will give a pre-medication; this helps to calm the patient, provide pain relief and reduces the amount of anaesthetic required. Hair will be clipped from the leg and an intra-venous catheter placed; this allows us to give an injection to induce anaesthesia. The surgical site will then be clipped.

Throughout the surgery your pets vital signs and levels of anaesthesia will be monitored by a dedicated nurse, who will also care for them during recovery from their procedure. Once your pet is awake, they will be offered a light meal.

Collar or pet shirt?

It is essential that your pet is not allowed to lick or chew at their surgical site. This can be prevented by using a buster collar, inflatable collar or a pet-shirt. These should be worn at all times.

Back home

Your pet will be sent home on pain relief to be given over the next few days. Any bandages or dressings must be kept clean and dry. Animals usually visit the surgery for post-operative checks 3 and 10 days after surgery to check everything is going well and to remove any stitches.

Most animals cope very well with anaesthetics, but occasionally the residual effects of medications may cause drowsiness and reduced appetite. It is quite common for pets not to pass faeces the day after an operation. Should your pet vomit or if you are otherwise concerned please contact the practice.

Unless otherwise stated your pet should have a small light meal in the evening when they return from their procedure. We can send your pet home with a suitable food or we can recommend alternatives. Your pet will usually return to their normal diet the following day.

Cats must be kept indoors with a litter tray and dogs should be taken out on a lead only for toileting until after their first post-op check. It is important to keep your pet quiet, to allow their body the best chance to heal. Do not let them jump on and off the furniture, run up and down stairs etc. Training your dog to use a crate, getting them used to toileting on a lead and getting a cat used to using a litter tray before their procedure can help make their post-op care easier.

Any questions?

Please don’t hesitate to contact the practice if you have any questions about your pet's surgery and post-op care.