Anicare Veterinary Group, Dublin Vet Clinics


	Anicare's most valuable asset is its staff. Our seven full time veterinary surgeons are dedicated and committed to your animal's care and wellbeing.

The staff are committed to lifelong learning and each vet has built up a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in companion animal medicine and surgery.

	Botanic Veterinary Hospital (01) 8375543

	Clontarf Veterinary Hospital (01) 8330744

	Blanchardstown Veterinary Hospital (01) 6409010

	Palmerstown Veterinary Hospital (01) 6237044
	Santry Veterinary Surgery (01) 8527813


	Anicare Vet Fintan Browne tackles your pet problems. So if you are having problems with your pet you can Ask Fintan! [Please note: while every effort is made to answer client's questions promptly and usefully this question and answer service is not designed as a substitute to talking directly to one of our vets. If you are worried that your animal may be seriously ill then please contact the practice by phone.] Dear Fintan, I had my 6 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel down to the vet for a booster vaccination recently. When examining the dog my vet noticed he had a heart murmur. He told me it was mild and did not need treatment yet. Should I be worried and is there anything in particular I should look out for? Angela. Dear Angela, Cavaliers are very prone to an acquired valvular heart disease called endocardiosis. This condition causes the valves inside the heart to become irregular, casuing them to leak. The leaking valves cause turbulent blood flow within the heart which can be heard as a "murmur" when listening to the heart with a stethescope. The leaking valves mean that the heart is working less efficiently, and so it has to beat harder and faster to compensate. Low grade or quiet murmurs are often associated with mild heart disease and may be asymptomatic: in these cases a dog may have mild heart disease without any signs of heart failure. Currently there are no convincing studies to show that medicating these asymptomatic dogs is of any benefit in the long term, so most vets will reserve treatment for animals that are showing some symptoms of heart disease. Symptoms of congestive heart failure can include coughing, breathlessness and a lack of energy (especially out on walks). If your dog develops any of these symptoms you should have him rechecked as there are a now number of excellent treatments for heart failure in dogs. Best of luck! Fintan. Dear Fintan, My dog is a Cocker Spaniel and has suffered from itchy skin for years now. The vet I attend has given me shampoos and cortisone tablets which improve things temporarily but the scratching starts as soon as as the treatment stops. My vet says it may be an allergy. Is there any way to check what my dog could be allergic to? Frank. Dear Frank, The first thing to establish would be that your dog is free of external parasites which can cause dogs to scratch. The most common skin parasite in Ireland is the flea, and we recommend treating all animals against fleas with a preventative product such as Advantage or Stronghold. Other parasites include lice and mites. Your vet may have already ruled out parasites as a cause of the scratching. If your dog's problems are caused by an allergy then the type of allergy can be investigated. Food allergies are common in dogs and often cause itchy skin (they can be associated with vomiting and diarrhoea also). The most effective way to investigate a food allergy is to put the dog on an exclusion diet trial - a special hypoallergenic diet is fed exclusively for 2-3 months to see if the itch resolves. You have to be 100% strict with the diet for this investigation to be worthwhile. Many dogs can be allergic to allergens that they inhale - e.g. pollens, dust, etc. Many seasonal allergies, where the dog scratches more during the warmer months of the year, are caused by pollen allergies. Tests are available to identify what specific inhalant allergies cause your dog to scratch (both a blood test and an "intradermal" skin test). If the offending allerens are identified you may be able to limit your dog's exposure to them, but this is often difficult with dust and some other common allergens. There is a desensitisation treatment available for some allergens; it is a prolonged treatment which has a success rate somewhere around 50% but it may be worth considering. Contact allergies affect the skin that comes into direct contact with the allergen. These can be difficult to identify; if they are suspected the vet may recommend keeping the dog in a novel environment with minmal chance of exposure to allergens - some dermatologists will recommend that a dog is kept in a room with lino flooring which has not been cleaned with any chemical cleaners and possibly covered with newspaper. These restrictive conditons are often not practical for many owners. Skin problems present a diagnostic challenge for vets and can be quite frustrating and expensive for owners, often involving skin scrapings, biopsies, fungal and bacterial cultures, allergy tests, diet trials, etc. You need to discuss a diagnostic and treatment plan with your vet. Fintan. Hi Fintan, My name is Louise and I have two female dogs. The older dog is three years now and I got her neutered when she was 6 months in Botanic Veterinary Hospital. Every couple of months she has a very strong scent from her and she drags her back passage along the ground and then smells it on a regular basis. We can smell the scent as soon as she jumps up near us. My other dog who a year ago got neutered at 6 months as well has no out of the ordinary smells. She also can leave small wet patchs after her when she gets up from being asleep, but thats not very often. Every time I'm down in Botanic with them I forget to ask you about it. Louise. Dear Louise, It sounds like your dog is having trouble with her anal sacs. The anal sacs are 2 small pouches beneath the skin on either side of the anus. They produce a strong scent which is normally released when the dog defaecates. It remains one of the most unpleasant smells I have ever come across - and that's saying something - but dogs just love it. When the anal sacs become overly full they can cause the dog discomfort which she will try to relieve by scooting along the ground, or chewing and licking at the area. If the condition persists the glands may become impacted (blocked with a thick pasty material) or infected, and sometimes an abcess will develop. If this happens your dog will normally show signs of being unwell, and may display signs of pain in that area. Anal sac abcesses always require veterinary attention. Passing soft stools predisposes dogs to this condition. If your dog's faeces are not well formed then I advise feeding a high quality complete dry dog food, and maybe adding some bran for fibre. Finally if your dog is constantly paying unwarranted attention to this area her blocked glands can be relieved by the vet gently squeezing them. If you feel your dog needs her anal sacs emptied try booking her in to see Michael or Tanis - it's a job they love! Fintan. Hi Fintan, I am looking for your advice. I have a 7 year old Westie who appears to love chocolate. She can smell it even when it is wrapped up and hidden away at the back of a press! She would make a great sniffer dog that's for sure. I try not to give her any chocolate but sometimes it is hard to resist and she ends up getting a little bit. I have heard that chocolate is posionous to dogs. Is this true? If it is not posionous, would it have any other affects on her? Thanks Fintan! Regards, Rosemary. Dear Rosemary, You are right to be concerned because chocolate can cause problems for dogs. Eating chocolate can cause some minor problems in our pets which their owners will be familiar with: weight gain and tooth decay being obvious ones. But unlike their owners dogs are unable to control their intake of chocolate, and will often eat as much as is available. This can result in an upset stomach causing vomiting and diarrhoea, but more seriously can actually poison the dog. This is because dogs are extremely sensitive to the effects of theobromine - which is found in cocoa solids. Signs of chocolate poisoning due to theobromine toxicity include polyuria (increased production of urine), vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and depression, muscle tremors and rarely death. Chocolate which contains a high percentage of cocoa solids is more dangerous to your dog. For this reason avoid feeding her any dark chocolate or cooking chocolate. Many cases of chocolate poisoning are caused accidentally when dogs manage to steal a large amount of cooking chocolate. For example for a typical 10kg Westie only 2oz of dark cooking chocolate can be toxic, whereas it would take over 1.5lb of milk chocolate for theobromine to reach toxic levels. So while the occasional chocolate treat may not cause your dog any problem, do not overdo it and don't leave any bars of Bournville lying about! Fintan. Dear Fintan, I have an eight month old collie cross who has developed a very embaressing problem. For the past few weeks he has taken to eating his own poo when he is out in the back garden! So far this doesn't seem to have caused him any obvious problems, but I am worried that he could pick up an infection. Please help me! Gary Boland Dear Gary, Coprophagia (eating faeces) is a habit which is disgusting to the owner but usually causes no real problems for the dog. Many different theories have been put foreward as to why dogs eat faeces, ranging from complex behavioural issues to the "they like the taste so they eat it" theory. Firstly it is important to establish whether there is any medical or dietary problem underlying the dog's behaviour. Many medical conditions can cause coprophagia, but most of these conditions will be accompanied by other clinical signs (eg. diarrhoea, weight loss). Also excessive feeding of fatty foods can encourage a dog to eat its own faeces, so I would encourage you to feed your dog a premium quality complete dry dog food. In a young and otherwise healthy dog coprophagia is usually a primary behavioural problem, and the various treatment options are aimed at discouraging this unpleasant behaviour. One of the most popular recommendations is to put something on the faeces to make it taste worse. You may find it hard to imagine something that tastes worse than dog poo, so let me suggest hot mustard or Tabasco sauce. To make this treatment effective you have to treat 100% of the dog's faeces in order for him to associate the bad taste with it. Just treating some of the faeces does not work. I find that a more effective approach is to pick up the faeces as soon as you can. In severe cases you may need to muzzle the dog to prevent him from eating his own faeces, and to be vigilant on walks to prevent him from eating other animal's faeces. Excluding access to faeces will usually help break this embarassing cycle of behaviour. Coprophagia can have health implications for your dog. If he only eats his own faeces then he will not be exposed to any new infections or parasites, but if he eats the droppings of other animals he may be at risk. Canine hepatitis and parvovirus are two viruses that can be contracted in this way, but vaccinated dogs are well protected. However internal parasites are a real risk, so your dog should be prevented from eating the faeces of other animals as much as possible, and he should be wormed regularly. To finish on a positive note this is often a behaviour that is associated with younger dogs, and many will simply grow out of it. Fintan. Dear Fintan Last week I found a dead hedgehog in my back garden. When I picked him up to dispose of him I noticed numerous small insects (I presume!) moving through his spines. Do you have any idea what they might have been, and could they have caused this poor animal's death? Nuala McGrath Dear Nuala The insects you saw were almost certainly fleas, as most hedgehogs are infested with these parasites. However they will not usually cause the death of a hedgehog but may be a problem in an old or debilitated animal. Hedgehogs can also carry the fungus which causes ringworm, so if you do have to handle one it is advisable to wear gloves! Fintan Dear Fintan I am the owner of two cats and one lively labrador. They are well cared for and we love to spoil them but with money tight, extra expenses need to be reviewed. Please can you advice me on what is necessary to keep my pets healthy? Jennifer Dear Jennifer Vaccinations and parasite prevention are important parts of maintaining your pets' and your family's health. Diseases like leptospirosis (which is part of the normal annual booster vaccination) are zoonotic, meaning the can spread between animals and people. Also internal parasites can be transmitted to people. Choosing a low cost flea or worm treatment at the supermarket may save you a few euros but may not be effective at killing all common roundworms, tapeworms and fleas. Also when you come into our clinic with your pets our nurses will weigh your pet and give you the exact amount of flea and worm treatment required so you are not under- or over-dosing. Pet emergencies should also be dealt with by a vet. Our vets and nurses are always available by phone to give advice on first aid treatment but if an animal needs to be seen it is important to seek the vets help ASAP and not to do a DIY job if you are unsure. Homemade bandages if put on too tight can act like a tourniquet causing swelling of the limb and loss of circulation. Always check with the vet before giving any human medication. Many accidental pet poisonings are caused by human medications. We all want to keep our furry friends healthy but it is challenging when you are on a budget. Talk with our vets and nurses who can best advise you on your pets' specific needs and see what should be addressed and what can wait. We are always happy to discuss these things over the phone! Fintan Dear Fintan I have a 5 month old female yorkshire terrier. I think she is due to go into heat soon but I am unsure of the signs and how long she will be in heat for? Libby Dear Libby The oestrus cycle can vary with every dog. Dogs go into heat on average twice a year, but some dogs may go into heat three times and many larger dog breeds only once annually. The heat cycle lasts on average 12-21 days but again this can vary. A female's first heat cycle will usually occur sometime between 6 to 12 months, although it may occur as early as 5 months in smaller breeds like the yorkshire terrier and as late as 14 months in larger breeds. Females can get pregnant during the first heat, though it is not advisable. Pregnancy complications are more likely at a young age. Many bitches in heat exhibit a personality change: some females will become more affectionate with their owner while others maybe grumpy. Her appetite may change and it is not unusual for her to go off her food. Her vulva will swell and she may have a red bloody discharge for the first week which will lighten by week two and by week three the discharge will be a pinkish tan colour and very light. It is important at this time to keep your dog confined as male dogs will be eager to mate with her. If you are thinking about neutering her we can not do the surgery while she is in heat and we advice to do the surgery 3 months post heat. Fintan Dear Fintan We have two children under 10 years of age and have been thinking about getting a dog for a long time now. However we have never owned a pet and wonder if getting a new puppy is a good idea as a first pet. Any advice would be appreciated! Catherine Dear Catherine There are huge benefits to pet ownership not just from a child’s point of view but for the parents also. Owning a dog will provide you with a buddy who will be faithful and loyal to you everyday, become a best friend and an integral part of family life. He will give your child a sense of responsibility in caring for the pet and help teach gentleness, responsibility and compassion. Studies have shown that children raised around animals have higher self-esteem and confidence and can cope with emotional problems better. Proper research is essential before purchasing a pet and should involve either reading a book/article on pet ownership or researching the internet re the responsibilities involved. Important points to consider are those involved in the pet's care such as the time taken on training, walking feeding and grooming, the cost of keeping a pet such as the cost of feeding, grooming (if a type of dog that needs regular grooming at a grooming parlour), veterinary fees and the cost of kennelling if on holidays. Ensure you purchase your pup from a reputable breeder and not from a puppy farm. Checking with the Irish Kennel Club is a good idea. The selection of a specific breed of dog to own or a mongrel requires consideration. Certain breeds eg Cavaliers, ShihTzus, Labradors and retrievers are renowned for having excellent temperments as a general rule but as with humans the very occasional pet can be a renegade. The size of the pet is an important factor if you live in a small house with a small garden there is no point having a large dog. A large dog will be stronger and need an older kid to hold and keep under control if walking in the park. Larger dogs eat more food, cost more to medicate if ill, etc so this must be taken into consideration. Veterinary fees for the initial vaccination course for a puppy are approx €90- for the two injections required, the pup will also need worming and it is advisable to consider flea and lungworm control. Neutering will be required when approximately six months old and can cost from €145 and up depnding on size and gender. Pet insurance is a good idea as treatment options for a pet have made huge advances in recent years and you will want the very best for your family member. Fintan Problems with your pooch? Ask Fintan!

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