Fact Sheets

A pet needs to learn to accept, and look forward to, all the types of handling it will encounter throughout its life. Family members should introduce the pet to brushing, bathing, nail trims, and other types of procedures in a calm way, without causing any anxiety or resistance. The goal is to show your pet […]

Fly Strike in Rabbits THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CONDITION Fly strike can be a devastating condition for rabbits. Flies are attracted to damp fur soiled with urine and faeces on the rabbit and begin to lay eggs. These eggs hatch within hours into maggots, which feed on the rabbit’s flesh and grow rapidly. Rabbits can […]

Finally, as restrictions are lifted we are able to start going abroad! However post-Brexit has changed how pets are allowed to travel. For full details visit: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad. Pet Passports issued in Great Britain are no longer used to travel from Great Britain to EU countries or Northern Ireland. Pet Passports issued from the EU or Northern […]

We all know owning a pet is one of the best feelings, most of us treat them like family! However, especially after COVID, when something goes wrong it can get expensive. We do not recommend any insurance company above others but suggest you do your research. Please only look for ‘lifetime cover’ insurance. Always read […]

There are some practical steps that you can take to help stop your cat urine marking in your house. First step, make sure there are no underlying conditions by booking an appointment with the vet. Neutering Arrange for all cats in the home to be neutered. Reduce conflict or stress Reduce the attractiveness of marked […]

Giving your puppy the right experiences in his/her first year of life will build a firm foundation for good behaviour in the future. Toilet training Handling Noise Smells Other dogs Other animals People Transport Being alone Pleasant experiences Unpleasant experiences Confinement The information supplied on this page was kindly provided by the BSAVA (British Small […]

We strongly recommend that you neuter your puppy/kitten when they reach a suitable age and stage in their development. Dogs  Male dogs can be castrated from 6 months of age. If you have a large breed, we recommend waiting until roughly adult weight. If your dog has only one or no descended testicles then castration […]

Puppy Socialisation The most beneficial time for pups to learn positive interaction is roughly from 3 weeks of age to 12 weeks of age. Much of what the pup is exposed to will happen around their litter mates and mum. There are a lot of potentially scary new things for your pup to learn. Often […]

Many owners have more than one cat at home. Cats that are related, or that have been together since kittenhood, are more likely to get on than cats that have been introduced as adults. There are several things you can do to make it easier for your cats to live in harmony. Many cats may […]

It is important to consider what worms your pet may be at risk of infection from. Some types of worming treatment will only treat against some and not others. for example, tapeworms versus roundworms. In practice we frequently use a tablet version called Milpro. This is because it effectively treats all worms. We do not […]

It is very important that all new puppies and kittens receive a primary course of vaccinations to protect them against a number of potentially life-threatening diseases. Dogs  Puppies are vaccinated at 8 to 10 weeks of age (some are done at six weeks of age, but this is not overly recommended). They are routinely vaccinated […]

Microchips are small implants that are placed under the skin between the shoulder blades (however, they can move around a little and this is normal). They are individual implants that once scanned by a microchip reader will show a long number. This number is a unique number to your pet. The number will be registered […]

Fireworks can effect cats and dogs alike. Not only the noise but even the flashing of the displays can cause alarm. Pets can show stress in a variety of ways. Here’s our ten tips to help reduce your pets stress during fireworks: 1. Provide a den or comfortable hiding place for your pet. Ideally get […]

Tick numbers are on the increase! Ticks hide in the undergrowth of our countryside and parkland and when they sense an animal pass by, they hop on board to feed on its blood. Ticks are not worried if it’s your pet or you they latch onto. Tick saliva contains an anaesthetic so your pet or will […]

To help meet the needs of the pet and to maintain an effective control against parasites treatments are constantly changing.  Here’s a few available at Hope Veterinary Surgery, please phone and speak to one of our lovely staff members for more information. BRAVECTO: A spot-on (for cats and dogs) or tablet (for dogs) treatment that […]

Introducing a new cat to a home where cats already live can lead to severe disruption and upset if done without planning and control. The introduction process may take only days but can be as long as several months. Following a specific protocol will help make the introduction as trouble-free as possible. Many cats in […]

Many people choose dogs from rescue organizations or animal shelters. Others avoid rescue dogs, due to worries about the dog’s health or behaviour. Here are some points to think about when adopting a dog from a reputable animal shelter or rescue group. Breeds Puppies Medical health Behavioural health Training Support The information supplied on this […]

Behaviour problems in senior pets These can be due to a wide variety of medical conditions, including pain, sensory decline, or any disease that affects the nervous system. Behaviour problems may also be attributed to age-related degeneration within the brain known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), or can arise from changes in the household or […]

Fear of a specific place, such as the veterinary clinic, can be treated using a desensitization and counter-conditioning (DSCC) programme. In simple terms, your pet must be exposed to the fearful stimulus in such a way that he/she sees there is nothing to fear and settles down. The hope is to turn the negative association […]

Fear of a specific activity, such as a car journey, can be treated using a desensitization and counter-conditioning (DSCC) programme. In simple terms, your pet must be exposed to the fearful stimulus in such a way that he/she sees there is nothing to fear and settles down. If the association with the stimulus can be […]

Treating separation anxiety can be a long and slow process. But any work to towards a more confident and relaxed dog will be beneficial. Consistency throughout the household will also help. You can only move at the speed your dog is happy at. If you are planning to start a behaviour program for separation anxiety, […]

Bringing home a new dog is exciting and fun but remember that your home is a big change from life in the rescue centre and this can be stressful to the new dog. Most dogs appear calmer and quieter than normal for the first few days to weeks. After this ‘honeymoon’ period is over, a […]

Did you know we have a whole month dedicated to pet dentistry! February is National Pet Dental Health Month. This is to highlight how important is it to look after your pet’s mouth. Why? Looking after your pet’s month may prevent the following: Any and all of these can be very painful and even stop […]