- Post-Operative Checks
- Nail Clips
- Dental Checks
- Weight Advice for Dogs
- Weight Advice for Cats
- Dog Flea Advice
- Cat Flea Advice
- Dog Worming Advice
- Cat Worming Advice
- Microchipping
Our nurses at Westway are fully trained to examine your pet following an operation. We can check wounds post operatively, sutures and dental extraction sites. We look for signs of inflammation or infection and can then refer to a Veterinary Surgeon if treatment is required. We will discuss with you any further treatment needed and make follow up appointments as needed.
Post Operation Advice
- Your pet may feel sleepy for several hours after discharge but should be conscious and respond to stimulus.
- Your pet will have had its leg clipped to allow an intravenous injection and any tape over the injection site may be removed on the first night.
- Unless the Veterinary Surgeon has given specific instructions, your pet can have a light meal on the evening of the operation. Water should be freely available at all times.
- If your pet has any sutures (stitches) a nurse will check them in 5 days by appointment, and they may be removed after 10 days by appointment.
- Some pets may develop a slight cough as a consequence of being intubated (a small tube passed into the windpipe to administer the anaesthetic gas.)
Special Instructions
- All routine operations (Speys etc) include a free check-up and suture removal. However, a further charge will be made if additional drugs or procedures are required.
- If an anaesthetic or sedation is required to allow suture removal a further charge will be made.
- A charge will be made for all repeat dressing, bandages and splints after the procedure.
Contact Westway Emergency Services on 0191-274-7910 if:
- Your pet sinks deeper into unconsciousness.
- Your pet shows persistent vomiting.
- Your pet develops fits.
- Your pet removes the sutures.
Dental Advice
Dental disease is one of the more common problems we see. Much of the dental work we perform is preventable. What should I look out for?- Temporary Teeth - Sometimes fail to fall out resulting in misalignment of the permanent teeth. They can also create pockets in which food accumulates. This may lead to gum infection. Temporary teeth can be removed if they cause a problem.
- Abnormal Jaw Development - Can lead to abnormal growth of teeth.
- Gum Disease - Gum disease is largely preventable with routine care. As with humans, the crux of good dental hygiene lies in the daily removal of plaque.
A few tips...
- Start young so that brushing becomes part of your normal daily routine.
- Spend a few moments every day touching in and around your pet's mouth. Progress to rubbing the outside surfaces of the teeth with your finger. Next, cover your finger with a damp cloth and rub the teeth. Once your pet is comfortable with this, move onto a fingerbrush and then to a toothbrush with pet toothpaste (not human toothpaste!)
- Don't rush it. Remember - always quit while you're ahead!
- End on a high by praising your pet when it's all over.
- Hills dental diets are also helpful.
- Our vets/nurses would be very happy to show you the ropes if you need a bit of help.
We recommend
- Daily brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste (never use human toothpaste.)
- The hills Oral Care and prescription t/d diets are complete balanced diets that use unique fibre technology to clean the teeth while eating. This is equivalent to brushing once a week.
- Dental treats (for cats.)
Key Points
- Monitor young pets for abnormal development of teeth and jaw bones.
- Brush daily to maintain good oral health.
- Start brushing as early as possible.
Key Points
- Poor nutrition may lead to health problems
- Different life stages have different nutritional requirements
- Always make fresh water available
- Home-made diets - very rarely are these nutritionally balanced or complete. They are relatively difficult to prepare and expensive.
- Commercial diets - these are convenient and unlikely to have deficiencies.
Key Points
- Poor nutrition may lead to health problems
- Different life stages have different nutritional requirements
- Always make fresh water available
- Home-made diets - very rarely are these nutritionally balanced or complete. They are relatively difficult to prepare and expensive.
- Commercial diets - these are convenient and unlikely to have deficiencies.
Key Points
- Almost all dogs and cats pick up fleas
- Fleas are present all year round
- Your house may provide a supply of developing fleas to attack your pet
- Fleas are a health hazard to you and your pets
- Effective control involves the use of a combination of products
- Flea bites cause discomfort and irritation.
- Many pets become sensitised to flea bites which leads to intense itchiness, and severe self-inflicted trauma.
- Fleas are responsible for transmitting some tapeworms to our pets.
- Please consult us - we have found that many non-prescription preparations simply do not work well enough to achieve effective flea control.
- It is practically impossible to prevent your pet coming into contact with fleas so regular treatments are necessary to control the problem and prevent a build up within the home.
- An effective flea control programme may involve the use of a combination of our products. These attack both the adult flea stage on our pets AND the immature stage within the home.
- Spot on applications: These are applied on to the skin in the neck region and kill fleas. Some of the preparations have the added benefit of treating worms.
- By Mouth - Preparations can be given monthly to sterilise fleas. Others will kill fleas rapidly, especially if a heavy burden is present but these may be short lasting. Some of these preparations are combined with effective wormers.
Key Points
- Almost all dogs and cats pick up fleas.
- Fleas are present all year round.
- Your house may provide a supply of developing fleas to attack your pet.
- Fleas are a health hazard to you and your pets.
- Effective control involves the use of a combination of products.
- Flea bites cause discomfort and irritation.
- Many pets become sensitised to flea bites which leads to intense itchiness, and severe self-inflicted trauma.
- Fleas are responsible for transmitting some tapeworms to our pets.
- Please consult us - we have found that many non-prescription preparations simply do not work well enough to achieve effective flea control.
- It is practically impossible to prevent your pet coming into contact with fleas so regular treatments are necessary to control the problem and prevent a build-up within the home.
- An effective flea control programme may involve the use of a combination of products. These attack both the adult flea stage on our pets AND the immature stage within your home.
- Spot on Applications: These are applied on to the skin in the neck region and kill fleas. Some of these preparations have the added benefit of treating worms.
- By Injection: This injection sterilises fleas and thus 'breaks' the breeding cycle. This lasts six months and so twice yearly injections provide all year round flea control.
- By Mouth: Preparations can be given monthly to sterilise fleas. Others will kill fleas rapidly, especially if a heavy burden is present. There may be short lasting.
Key Points
- Worms are a threat to the health of your family and your pet.
- Regular worming is necessary to control infestations.
What are worms?
Worms are parasites found within the gut of your dog. Roundworms look like pieces of string. Tapeworms are long and flat with segments, which look like grains of rice and can be mobile. They can occasionally be seen on the hair around the bottom. Worm eggs remain infective in the environment for years.
What can worms do to my dog?
Heavy infestations can result in vomiting and severe diarrhoea and cause a loss of blood, weight and condition. Worms weaken the immune system, and by migration through major organs can cause eg Pneumonia. Whilst pets with lighter infestations may show no external signs, they are still a possible source of infection to others, including humans, especially children.
What can worms do to my family?
The greatest threat to human health is the eggs from the roundworm Toxocara. They may be picked up from the environment by children chewing dirty fingernails. Although serious consequences are rare, these worms can cause blindness, heart problems and epilepsy. Also, the tapeworm Echinococcus can be fatal to humans if ingested.
How would my pet get worms?
Puppies may be born with worms or they may pick them up through their mother's milk. Worm eggs are left behind on the ground when infected animals pass faeces, then picked up on the fur of the muzzle and paws. These eggs may then be swallowed when grooming. Pets that hunt can pick up worms by eating rats and mice or raw meat. Some worms can get into the body through the skin. Tapeworms can be picked up when pets groom and swallow fleas that are infected with tapeworm eggs.
How can I control the problem?
You are best to choose a wormer that suits your needs and your pet's lifestyle. There are a number of different forms available so even if administering medication is difficult, there will be a solution for you. Some are even available combined with flea preparations providing an all-in-one treatment! We have found that some over-the-counter wormers simply lack the efficacy of the prescription wormers.
How often should I treat my dog?
Pups should be treated every 2 weeks until 3 months of age and then monthly up to 6 months. Treating your adult pet every 3 months will minimise the risk to them, your family and the general public.
Key Points
- Worms are a threat to the health of your family and your pet.
- Worms are very common in our pets.
- Regular worming is necessary to control infestations.
What are worms?
Worms are parasites found in the gut of your cat. Roundworms look like pieces of string. Tapeworms are long and flat with segments, which look like grains of rice and can be mobile. They can occasionally be seen on the hair around the bottom. Worm eggs remain infective in the environment for years.
What can worms do to my cat?
With mild infestation your cat may still appear healthy, however, a heavy worm burden can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, weight loss and can weaken your cat's immune system making it more susceptible to infection. It is also a little embarrassing to find a tapeworm segment on the clothes of a visitor who has been making a fuss of your cat.
What can worms do to my family?
The greatest threat to human health is the eggs from the roundworm Toxocara. Children chewing dirty fingernails may pick them up from the environment and although serious consequences are rare, these worms can cause blindness, heart problems and epilepsy. Also, the Tapeworm Echinococcus can be fatal to humans if ingested.
How would my cat get worms?
Worm eggs and larvae are picked up from the ground where infected faeces have been left. During grooming your cat ingests these eggs or larvae. Tapeworms can be picked up when pets groom and swallow fleas that are infected with tapeworm eggs. Hunting cats are particularly at risk - small mammals and birds are a major source of tapeworms.
How can I control the problem?
You are best to choose a wormer that suits your needs and your pet's lifestyle. There are a number of different forms available so even if administering medication is difficult, there will be a solution for you! Some are even available combined with flea preparations providing an all-in-one treatment! We have found that some over-the-counter wormers simply lack the efficacy of the prescription wormers.
How often should I treat my cat?
At the moment there is no wormer that will prevent re-infestation. Therefore kittens should be treated every 2 weeks until 3 months of age and then monthly up to 6 months. Treating your adult pet every 3 months will minimise the risk to them, your family, and the general public. Hunting cats will often need to be wormed at least every 3 months.
All of our nurses are fully trained in microchipping cats and dogs. Microchipping ensures that if your pet were missing, all authorities (e.g police, dog wardens, vets, cats and dog shelters) will scan animals that are found for a microchip and hopefully reunite you with your pet as soon as possible.
Key Points
- Microchips are the best method of permanently identifying your pet.
- They are safe, practical and effective.
- There is 1 database for all microchips.
- They can be implanted at any age.
- Implantation takes a few minutes and does not require sedation or anaesthesia.
- Microchips are required as part of the Pet Travel Scheme.
Micro-chipping is a quick and easy one-off injection which places a tiny microchip under the skin of the scruff of the neck. Each microchip carries a unique number which can be read by a portable scanner and will allow the authorities to contact you should your dog get lost.
Why should I have my pet micro-chipped?
- The microchip is a permanent means of identifying your pet. Collars and tags, however useful, can easily be lost.
- Should your pet get lost, the microchip system will help to return him/her to you with the minimum of delay before being re-homed or even destroyed. This is particularly important if your pet is seriously injured.
- Pets travelling abroad are required to be micro-chipped as part of the Pet Travel Scheme.
How can I be traced if my pet is found?
Your information is kept for life on our practice computer system and a National Database and the fee for this is included in the cost of implantation. If your pet is found and its chip number identified, it is a relatively easy matter to reunite you with your pet. The chips comply with the international standard (ISO) and so can be recognised by scanners abroad.
What if my personal details changed?
Whilst the microchip with its unique number will remain with your pet for life, it is possible to update your personal details on the National Database as and when required.
Can microchips have side effects?
A European reporting system which monitors reactions to microchip implantation has failed to identify any significant problems in the last 10 years.
