Pet Advice

Tips and tricks to looking after your pet

  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Rabbits
  • Time to Say Goodbye

Cats

Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Cats with hyperthyroidism have a thyroid gland that is producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.

These hormones have several functions:

  • They are essential to proper growth of body cells
  • They help regulate metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrate by cells
  • They are involved in the regulation of heat production and oxygen consumption

This excessive amount of hormone causes a dramatic increase in the body’s metabolic rate – the speed at which the body uses up calories.

This means that a cat with hyperthyroidism burns calories very quickly and has to eat a lot of food to provide this energy. As the condition progresses it becomes increasingly difficult for a cat to eat enough to provide the huge amount of energy required, so they start to lose weight. This is why the most common clinical sign in cats with hyperthyroidism is weight loss despite a ravenous appetite. A high metabolic rate also causes increased heart rate, high blood pressure and restlessness.  Cats may also have an increased frequency of vomiting and diarrhoea, increased drinking and an unkempt coat.

In 98% of cases, the enlarged thyroid gland is benign – meaning non-cancerous. So far, science still does not fully understand why some cats develop an overactive thyroid, although it is age-related, with most hyperthyroid cats developing the disease from 12 years old onwards.

It is really important to diagnose and treat hyperthyroidism as, left untreated, your cat may develop secondary problems such as heart complaints and problems due to high blood pressure – such as damaged retinas in the eye (which can result in blindness) or kidney damage.

If you think your cat may have any of these symptoms, you should contact us immediately. Diagnosis is normally very straightforward. This will include the vet trying to feel an enlarged thyroid gland in your cat’s neck and taking a blood sample to measure thyroid hormones. We may also suggest that other blood tests are performed at the same time to assess other organ function, as other medical conditions might affect the successful treatment of hyperthyroidism. We've already mentioned that increased blood pressure can affect kidney function so it is important we check for this problem as well as this may need additional treatment – see factsheet on kidney disease in the cat.

Hyperthyroidism can be treated very successfully. It is common for us to prescribe an initial period of tablets to help neutralise the excessive thyroid levels in order to stabilise the condition. Long term options include lifelong medication with tablets, surgical removal of the over-active gland or treatment with radioactive iodine to kill off the overactive portion of the gland. These options all have advantages and disadvantages and how appropriate they are for each individual cat and what suits you best as the owner will be discussed with your vet.

Long term, the outlook for your cat is good if we can maintain well managed hyperthyroidism.


For any further information or advice, please do not hesistate to contact the practice and speak to one of our friendly staff.

Dogs

Heart Disease

What does the heart do?

The heart is a large muscle located in the chest. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The left side of the heart receives blood from the lungs and pumps it around the body. The left and right sides of the heart each consist of 2 chambers; these are separated by valves which ensure that body flows only in one direction.

What can go wrong with the heart?

Rarely dogs are born with heart defects such as ‘hole in the heart’. These conditions may be noticed when puppies are examined for vaccinations. Sometimes these ‘congenital heart conditions’ may only become evident as animals age. More commonly heart diseases develop as animals’ age and the heart muscle starts to wear out. As pets now live longer, heart disease is becoming more common.

You may have heard of angina and heart attacks. These occur when the supply of blood to the heart muscle is reduced or totally blocked. Whilst heart attacks are common in humans they rarely occur in other animals. Indeed dogs develop different heart conditions from cats, and within species heart conditions can occur more frequently in certain breeds.

Heart disease in dogs is usually caused by damage to the valves or stretching of the muscle. ‘Valvular heart disease’ most commonly occurs in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The valves become leaky allowing blood to flow back into the heart and reducing blood supply to the body. In ‘dilated cardiomyopathy’ the heart swells and the contractions become weak, reducing blood supply to the body. Dilated cardiomyopathy most commonly occurs in large and giant breeds particularly Doberman’s, Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds.

The heart muscle may also stretch in a manner similar, this stretching has been linked to low dietary levels of taurine. The condition is now rare as most pet foods are now supplemented with extra taurine.

How do you know if your dog heart disease?

Dogs tend to show similar signs of heart disease regardless of the actual condition. They may have reduced energy levels and be reluctant to exercise, this can be mistaken for general aging changes. In more severe cases weight loss, poor appetite and water retention may occur. Build - up of fluid in the lungs can cause panting and coughing. Rarely, heart conditions can lead to seizures.

How does a vet diagnose heart disease?

The most useful tool for the vet is a stethoscope. A change in normal sounds can indicate heart disease. In disease the heart rate may be increased (or occasionally decreased). An irregular or unusual (murmur) noise may be heard. X–rays can show that the heart is enlarged or that fluid is present in the lungs. In some cases a vet may require ultrasound to image the heart or an ECG to look at the heart’s electrical activity.

It is good advice to ask your vet to examine a new puppy. You may want to return to the breeder a puppy born with a heart defect. Alternatively it may be possible to correct a condition surgically before any symptoms develop.

How is heart disease treated?

There is no need to treat dogs in early heart disease when no symptoms are present. Unfortunately however the disease does get worse. Treatment can slow the rate of progression.

Treatment includes:

  • Lifestyle changes increasing controlled exercise

  • Drugs to increase the strength of the heart beat or change the rate of heart beat

  • Drugs to remove retained fluid

  • Dietary changes may also be of benefit.

  • Drugs to increase the strength of the heart beat or change the rate of heart beat

  • Drugs to remove retained fluid

Heart disease is not the same as heart failure. Many animals with heart disease lead relatively normal lives without medication. However, heart disease is progressive and once symptoms develop, treatment will probably be needed for the rest of an animal’s life.

What is the prognosis for dogs with heart disease?

This is an impossible question to answer. Whilst some animals can live normal lives with no symptoms, others may die quickly despite treatment. A vet may be able discuss prognosis on a case by case basis. The most important factor is obviously the quality of life which your pet enjoys. If you have concerns that medication is not helping or that your pet seems unwell, you should contact your vet.

Complications of heart disease include increased blood pressure which can lead to blindness or clot formation which can lead to hind limb paralysis in dog. The latter is often misinterpreted as the result of a road traffic accident.


Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in dogs which results from an underproduction of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. This lack of thyroid hormone in the blood stream results in several changes in the body as thyroid hormones are responsible for maintaining a normal calorie burning level, normal tissue repair levels and a healthy immune system.

Hypothyroidism is more common in medium to large-sized dogs. There are some breeds affected more commonly that include: Golden retriever, Doberman, Poodle, Boxer, Great Dane, Airedale terrier and Old English sheepdog. It is more common in middle-aged dogs from four years and older.

The most common signs are increased tiredness, weight gain,patchy hair loss or excessive shedding, recurrent skin infections and dullness (often noted as a decrease in interactions with people and other dogs particularly a reduction in play behaviours). Sometimes you might notice your dog appears colder than it used, trying to seek out warmth more regularly. Occasionally, hypothyroidism can contribute to the development of aggression problems. These clinical signs often develop slowly over a number of months.

There are a number of causes of hypothyroidism, but the most common is thought to be an immune mediated condition where the body’s own immune system creates antibodies that attack the normal thyroid hormones. A small proportion of cases can be caused by a cancerous destruction of the thyroid gland.

The vet will examine your dog to look for signs that suggest hypothyroidism. It is a common finding to see bilateral symmetric baldness (alopecia) on the trunk of the body and the tail, rarely on the head. This hairloss is usually not itchy and the bare skin can feel thickened and be darker than other normal areas of skin. Skin infections are common in dogs with hypothyroidism due to the weakened immune system, and this infection can lead to red areas and spots which are often itchy. Your dog may show signs of generalised weakness and a stiff stilted gait sometimes alongside the development of a puffy face. Occasionally they may also show signs of in-coordination and imbalance. Your dog should be weighed to assess for any abnormal weight gain.

To confirm the diagnosis of hypothyroidism your vet will need to perform some blood tests. This will often start with a test to measure the level of thyroid hormones. It may also be appropriate to perform a generalised blood test at the same time to ensure there are no additional internal diseases that might have triggered the low levels of thyroid hormone and also to check there no additional problems that might affect the successful treatment of hypothyroidism. There are times when the routine blood screens do not confirm a case which is highly suspicious of hypothyroidism. In these cases we will recommend that we perform further tests include a blood test after an injection which should stimulate the thyroid gland to assess if it is able to react normally and produce thyroid hormones.

Dogs with hypothyroidism normally respond well to treatment with synthetic thyroid hormones given to them daily in the form of a tablet. The appropriate dosage varies between individual dogs so it may be necessary for us to repeat the blood tests to assess if the correct dose has been found. We recommend that once this correct dose is found, your dog should have regular blood tests to monitor that the thyroid levels remain within normal limits as the damage to the thyroid gland can be ongoing and overtime we may have to increase the amount of synthetic hormone your dog receives in order to keep your dog healthy. Treatment will be lifelong but most symptoms resolve over a few weeks or months. Dogs with well managed hypothyroidism have an excellent prognosis and life expectancy is normal.


Whelping and Dystocia

A lot of bitches will whelp on their own without any difficulties. You should keep a close eye on your bitch throughout her late pregnancy and labour. Having a good idea of what is normal will allow you to spot signs of trouble (dystocia) early.

What will I see?

In the last week of pregnancy, your bitch may start to look around for a suitable place to have her puppies and show signs of nesting. It is a good idea to get the bitch used to the place where you want her to have her puppies well in advance of whelping. However if she does start whelping in an area other than the one you planned, it may be less stressful for all concerned to allow her to continue in her chosen place. Make sure you spread lots of old newspaper and if possible cover the carpet with a polythene sheet. Some bitches like their owner to be with them the whole time they are in labour. Others prefer to get on with it in seclusion. You will have to judge this at the time.

Some bitches stop eating during the last 24 hours before labour and she may appear restless and start nest making. In most bitches, the rectal temperature will drop below 37.8°C (100°F) but this may only occur an hour or two before she starts in labour.

These signs may last for up to 24 hours and are part of first stage labour.

During second stage labour your bitch will start to strain and hopefully puppies will start to arrive.

What can I prepare in advance?

  • You will need lots of clean newspaper and towels.
  • Prepare a whelping box – the size will depend on the size of your dog, but should be large enough for her to move around freely and have low enough sides so that she can move in and out easily.
  • Bedding, e.g. Vetbed, which is easily washed
  • Hot water bottles

How long will whelping take?

This can vary. Dogs with fairly slim heads such as Collies and Dobermans may deliver all of their puppies within 2-3 hours. Brachycephalic breeds, i.e. those with large, round heads such as Bulldogs and Pekingese, tend to have more difficult deliveries and sometimes will produce one or two relatively quickly and then rest for a while before labour starts again.

Puppies are usually born head first with the forelegs extended. They can also be born with tail and hind legs coming first which is normal. An abnormal or breech presentation is one in which the hind legs are forward and the tail and bottom are presented.

When should I be concerned?

If:

  • Your dog goes into labour and you notice that more than two hours has passed without any puppies being born.
  • She has a green discharge from the vagina without puppies having been born.
  • It is more than two hours between puppies
  • If she is continually straining for a few minutes with a puppy or fluid filled bubble stuck in the birth canal.
  • Your dog has intense contractions/straining for more than 20 minutes without a puppy being delivered
  • If your dog is depressed, lethargic or her body temperature is more than 39.4°C (103°F).
  • If she is bleeding from the vagina for more than ten minutes.
  • If a puppy’s tail is seen hanging from the vulva or alternatively there is a lump just behind the vulval lips and your bitch is straining, it is probably a breech delivery. Some breech presentation can be delivered without assistance, but often complications occur.

If you can see a puppy at the vulva and it is not being delivered, take a piece of clean tissue or towel and gently take hold of the puppy. Gently pull the puppy at approximately 45° angle to the ground. Keep a constant pull even when your bitch is not straining, as gentle traction will stimulate her to keep straining. If the puppy does not move or if it appears to be painful to your bitch, contact your vet urgently.  

If you have any concerns, contact your vet for further advice. If you need to take your bitch to the vets, take any puppies she has already delivered with you in a separate secure box with a hot water bottle or heat pad to keep them warm. Ensure the hot water bottle is well wrapped in a towel or similar to prevent overheating or burning the puppies.

What causes dystocia?

There are many possible causes of dystocia. Your vet will examine your bitch and may need to perform blood tests, x-rays or an ultrasound scan to advise you on the best course of treatment.

Predisposing Factors to Dystocia:

  • Age
  • Brachycephalic and toy breeds, especially Pugs, Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers, Pekingese
  • Obesity
  • Abrupt changes in environment before your bitch goes into labour
  • Previous history of dystocia

Treatment

Your dog is likely to be admitted to the hospital for treatment and monitoring if suffering from dystocia.

If there are no contractions of the uterus and no sign of an obstruction, your bitch may be treated medically. She may receive intravenous fluids (a drip), glucose, calcium, oxytocin or a combination of these.

If there is a puppy stuck in the pelvic canal, it may be possible for your vet to assist your bitch to deliver this puppy.

In other cases, a caesarian section may be recommended as the safest course of treatment for both bitch and puppies.

Aftercare

Each puppy is enclosed in a sac that is part of the placenta or afterbirth. This sac is usually broken at birth and passed after each puppy is born. You may not see all the placentas as it is normal for the bitch to eat them. The bitch normally chews at the umbilical cord and breaks it about an inch from the puppy. Keep a close eye on your bitch as sometimes that can be over enthusiastic and injure the puppy.

If a puppy is born within the sac and the bitch does not break the sac within a few seconds, carefully break the sac yourself and then clean the puppy’s face and nostrils to allow it to breath. Ideally give the puppy straight back to the bitch, however in some cases you may find that the bitch is more interested in delivering the next puppy in which case gently rub the puppy dry with a clean towel and place it in a box with a warm water bottle covered by a towel. Cover the puppies to keep them warm.

Ensure your bitch has lots of TLC and lots of food and water. Producing milk for her puppies takes up a lot of energy and is thirsty work.

Eclampsia (milk fever, puerperal tetany or hypocalcaemia) is a condition that most commonly affects nursing mothers but can also occur during late pregnancy. Signs are seen when the calcium levels in the blood drop too low. Signs can be vague to start with but they include restlessness, panting, increased salivation and stiffness when moving. This can progress quickly to muscle twitching, fever and death, so contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these signs.

Some discharge after whelping is normal, if your bitch has a blood stained or smelly discharge, 24-48 hours after delivery, contact your vet.

Even if your bitch appears to have no problems delivering her puppies, it is worth getting mum and puppies checked over by a vet, to ensure they are all healthy and everything is healing normally.

Please note:

This advice is not a substitute for a proper consultation with a vet and is only intended as a guide.

For any further information or advice, please do not hesistate to contact the practice and speak to one of our friendly staff.

Rabbits

Vacccinations

There are 2 major diseases that we vaccinate against: Myxomatosis and VHD.

Myxomatosis is a viral disease that causes severe swelling of the face and genital area - it is usually fatal once contracted. It is passed on by fleas and biting insects which is why it becomes more prevalent during the summer months.

VHD (viral haemorrhagic disease) is highly contagious and is spread not only by insect bites but also by contact with other rabbits. They suffer from a severe fever that often leads to fits, again it is very often fatal.

A combined vaccination can start from 5 weeks of age and then booster vaccines annually.

We also offer an additional RHD vaccine Filavac for rabbits at high risk eg those with contact with wild rabbits. This is given every 6 months.

These vaccinations are included as part of our Pet Health Club. Sign up today to receive this benefit and much more!


Diet and Feeding​

Rabbits, like humans need variety in their diet, grass, greens, vegetables, hay, a good quality dried food and water – either in a bottle or bowl - should all be present in the diet – all in sensible quantities.

Rabbits are natural grazers so we should try and mimic this natural diet selection as closely as possible. This means:

  • Most of the diet should be made up of hay/grass/haylage – 80%
  • Supplement this with herbs and leafy vegetables e.g. cabbage, kale
  • Fruit and root vegetables should be fed as treats only
  • Dry nuggets should be only fed as a supplement and an egg cup size amount a day is sufficient – 25g/kg bodyweight

We recommend feeding Supa Rabbit Excel as the dried component of the diet. This food is full of all the vitamins and nutrients your rabbit requires. The complete nugget prevents selective feeding of the sweet fruity pieces. It is a single component food, high in beneficial fibre for digestive health and to wear their teeth down. Fresh drinking water must always also be available and should be refreshed daily.


Exercise

In their natural wild habitat rabbits move about all day, therefore daily exercise of some form should be available for pet rabbits. House rabbits of course should be allowed freedom to hop around, if using stairs or steps supervision should be available to prevent falling accidents.

Rabbits kept in hutches need access either to a run or time on the lawn, runs can be a safer option unless your garden is made rabbit proof, again if out on the lawn supervision may be required to ensure safety.

Hutches should be tall enough for your rabbit to stand on its back legs, and long enough to make 3 – 4 hops in each direction. A separate litter area is important.

Keep your rabbit stimulated with toys, hay balls, companionship and regular handling and grooming.


Insurance

Yes, insurance is for rabbits too!

You may think that a rabbit is not going to have expensive vets bills like dogs and cats, they may be not as expensive, but bills can soon mount up for rabbits.

A lot of pet rabbits suffer from dental problems due to poor nutrition and sometimes from hereditary conditions. They may require veterinary attention for the rest of their lives, and. as you can imagine, regular visits for trimming and sometimes dentistry under anaesthetic will become expensive and this is where your insurance will pay off.


Neutering

Just like cats and dogs it is now recommended to neuter domestic rabbits.

Female Rabbits - can spay from 5-6 months old and onwards

Rabbits, like cats have numerous reproductive cycles throughout the year and indeed, if allowed to mate could easily produce 4 or 5 litters each year.

A reproductive cycle will last for around 2 weeks and if she does not get mated will have a break of about 1 week and then start all over again.  This cycle will carry on for about 10 months of each year.  If however the doe does get mated, the baby rabbits (kits) will be born around 4-5 weeks later and then she will come back into season again ready to start the whole process again.

Spaying also prevents uterine cancer, can calm them down and make them less aggressive.

The operation to spay her does require a General Anaesthetic which, of course, carries a risk with smaller ‘exotic’ type animals. However modern anaesthetics are much safer than previous and we would only require her to stay as a ‘day patient’, which would entail you dropping her off with us around 8.45am and collecting her between 3 and 5pm. Full recovery from the procedure should be within 24hours.  

Male Rabbits - can be done from 6 months old and onwards

Buck rabbits become sexually mature around 5-8 months of age and unless castrated can also become quite aggressive and dominating with other rabbits and owners.

Castrating him will help to reduce aggressive an dominant behaviour, and also deter him from territory marking with urine around your house and garden.

As with the female the operation does require a general anaesthetic, but again it is a short procedure with a quick recovery and only requires a day patient stay.


Worming

Rabbits can suffer from intestinal worms such as dogs and cats so we advise treating twice a year with panacur paste wormer. This not only helps prevent intestinal parasites but also the parasite encephalitozoon cuniculi which causes many different forms of illness and can ultimately be fatal.


More Information

Regular grooming and checking of your rabbit is essential to maintain a healthy rabbit. Get him used to being handled on a daily basis – this will make it much easier and less stressful should you need to visit the surgery with him.

When handling, check him over to make sure everything is ok:

  • Eyes – bright and clean, no discharge
  • Ears – clean and free from dirt
  • Mouth – no drooling and eating well
  • Coat – no scurf and clean
  • Under the tail – free from faeces and dry
  • Feet – toe nails are not overgrown

If anything does not look as it should, call the surgery and ask advice from one of our nursing team.  

During the summer months it is even more important to check your rabbit over on a daily basis, rabbits who do not always clean themselves properly or have loose faeces can very quickly develop a build up of faeces around their bottom and their tail.

If this is left and not cleaned off a condition called ‘fly strike’ can develop … flies will buzz round and lay their eggs on the rabbit and the faeces, once these eggs hatch the maggots will then live on your rabbit and if not removed will eat into the skin, causing a severe infection which will quickly debilitate the rabbit and can sometimes even prove fatal if left unattended.

If you see anything on your rabbit that could be fly strike please telephone for an appointment straight away, the sooner we act the sooner your rabbit will recover.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the practice.

For any further information or advice, please do not hesistate to contact the practice and speak to one of our friendly staff.

Time to Say Goodbye

How do I know it is time?

As pet owners, we endeavour to make sure that our faithful companions stay fit and healthy, enabling them to live to an old age. Unfortunately, our pets do not live as long as us and at some point, we will have to prepare to let them go. Sadly, few of our pets pass peacefully away in their sleep. Therefore, we all wish to do the right thing at the right time, fulfilling our responsibility and commitment in their final days. We hope these words will help you and your family in a time of conflicting emotions.

Nobody knows their pet better than you and your closest family and friends, so let them help and share in making a reasoned judgement on your pet’s quality of life.
 
Indications that things may not be well may include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • A reluctance to play and move around as normal
  • Restlessness or becoming withdrawn from you

When the time is right to put your pet to sleep, you may see evidence of a combination of all the above indicators and your pet may seem distressed, uncomfortable or disorientated within your home.
 
Is there nothing more I can do?

As your vet, we will discuss all treatment options available for your pet to relieve their symptoms, but there will come a time when all forms of treatment have been exhausted, we have discovered the disease is incurable, or you feel your pet is suffering too much. You and your family may wish to talk with your Veterinary Surgeon to help you all come to this final decision; in this case, we will arrange an appointment for you.
 
When and where can we say goodbye?

We hope this section will help you and your family understand your pet’s end-of-life journey. This is known as ‘euthanasia’ but often referred to as ‘putting to sleep’. After discussing with your family and your vet, and having decided that the time has come, you can contact your surgery and make an appointment. We will always try to make this appointment at a time that is convenient for you – usually at a quieter time of the day.
 
It is also possible to arrange this appointment to be performed in the comfort of your own home. If this is an option you would like, we will do our best to arrange a home visit. In these cases, a vet and a nurse will visit your home. When they have put your pet to sleep, they will either take the body back to the surgery for cremation or leave them with you to bury at home. Additional charges will apply for this service and certain times of day may be restricted.
 
Will I be able to stay with my pet?

Being present when your pet is put to sleep will be both emotional and distressing, but the majority of owners feel that they give comfort to their pet during their last moments, and can make their final goodbyes. But this is not comfortable for everyone; we understand if you do not want to stay in the room with your pet but make your goodbyes afterwards. We will always make time for you and your family to do this.
 
What will happen?

Initially, your vet or another member of our team will ask you to sign a consent form to give us permission to put your pet to sleep. You may have already discussed with your vet what you then wish to do with your pet’s body, but we will confirm this on the consent form.

Many owners are surprised by how peaceful euthanasia can be. Euthanasia involves injecting an overdose of anaesthetic into the vein of your pet’s front leg. Some of our vets would have previously inserted a catheter into the vein or sedated your pet if they are particularly nervous or uncomfortable.
 
After the anaesthetic has been injected, your pet’s heart will stop beating and they will rapidly lose consciousness and stop breathing. Your vet will check that their heart has stopped beating and confirm that they have passed away. On occasion, the pet’s muscles and limbs may tremble and they may gasp a few times, these are reflex actions only – not signs of life – but may be upsetting. If they occur, they are unavoidable. Your pet’s eyes will remain open and it is normal for them to empty their bowel or bladder as the body shuts down.


Afterwards

What happens next?

There are several options available for your pet. Your Veterinary team can discuss these with you and give you an idea of costs involved.

  • Communal Cremation – Leave your pet with us to be cremated with other pets. With this type of cremation, no ashes will be returned to you. For the majority of our clients, this is the most appropriate form of closure.
  • Individual Cremation – A private cremation for your pet. Your pet’s ashes will then be returned to you in either a sealed casket of your choice or a scatter box, for you and your family to scatter their ashes in a location of your choice. Our team will have several options you can choose from.
  • ‘Taking them home’ – You can also take your pet home for burial, but please bear in mind this may not always be practical.
  • Some surgeries also have a local pet cemetery company that will arrange everything from collecting your pet from the vet, preparing a grave and performing the burial. Our practice team will be able to give you further information.

When will I need to decide?

We would encourage you and your family to discuss these options before your pet is put to sleep, and to let your vet know. We will keep a note of your wishes with pet’s notes. However, in some cases the euthanasia may have occurred after an accident and you will need more time to make this decision. It is possible for us to keep your pet for a short time afterwards, to give you and your family time to reflect before making a decision.
 
Coping with the loss

Everyone deals with grief in different ways. When grieving for a much-loved pet, you or other members of your family may experience a range of emotions from shock, denial, disbelief and, very often, guilt. Should you wish to talk to anyone at your Veterinary surgery, we can offer support and advice.

If, after reading these pages, there are still facts you would like to know, we will be more than happy to help. Please contact us at the surgery.

The following organisations can provide further help and support:

My Family Pet - Coping with the Death of Your Pet

My Family Pet - Helping Children Understand Pet Loss

The Blue Cross also offer a bereavement support line if you would like to talk to someone. The number is 0800 0966606.