Read below for some of Clontarf veterinary Hospital’s Tips on Moving house with your cat

Before the Move:-

Even before the move as you’re packing everything away, your cat will start to become stressed, as his immediate environment is changing. Every time a cat rubs its nose against objects in the home, it leaves behind a pheromone or smell to mark its territory. Your cat will stop doing this in times of stress. Products such as Feliway diffusers produce this special scent  and gives your cat the feeling of peace and calm and reduces the stress that your may cat experience

So before you begin packing up you may like to plug in a diffuser containing these calming pheromones. Feliway diffusers are available at Clontarf veterinary Hospital and all Anicare branches.

On the day of the move:-

On the day of the move there will be lots of noise and disturbance We would therefore recommend putting him in a relatively quiet room with the doors and windows shut so that he can’t escape and with a bed, food, water, litter tray and so on.

Never transport your cat in the removal van or in the boot of a car! Take him with you in a secure cat carrier in a position on a passenger seat where your cat can see you and you can check on him.

When you arrive at the new house, again find a quiet room to shut your cat in whilst everything is moved in. You might want to consider having a pheromone diffuser in this room too – placed a few hours before you arrive if possible to allow the scent to fill the room.

Once everything has been moved in and you have ensured all windows and doors are closed, you can open the door and allow your cat to explore the new house but not escape!

Letting your Cat Outside:-

If your cat normally goes outside, you MUST keep him indoors in your new house for at least two weeks to allow him to get used to the new environment, and so that he sees it as a “safe place” to return to if he gets stressed when out exploring in the future. This is really important – however keen your cat might be to get outside, keeping him in is better than him getting lost!

Before letting your cat outside, make sure he has a microchip, and that your contact details are up to date with the registration database. If in doubt just call our Clontarf Veterinary Clinic or any of our other Anicare Veterinary Group’s branches in Glasnevin, Palmerstown, Santry of Blanchardstown and we can check the details for you

Cats are territorial, they will know where they are in the pecking order but moving in to a new neighbourhood means they have to start all over again

If you spot any other cats in your garden, chase them out to help your cat establish his own territory. Don’t push your cat outside, but allow him to explore in his own time. Go out in the garden with him at first to help him feel safe.

If you are not moving very far the problem here is that your cat may come across familiar territory and end up back at your old house. If you’re not moving far away, warn the new occupants to watch out for your cat.  If they see it they should NOT feed it or encourage it in any way – this could lead to your cat continually returning to your old property.

So in summary what we at Clontarf Veterinary Hospital advise is:-

• Use Pheromone diffusers such as feliway
• Keep your cat indoors for at least two weeks
• Have your cat micro chipped

Want more advise – just call us at Clontarf Veterinary Hospital on 01 8330744 or emails us Clontarf@anicare.ie  or click the link below to find out more about us

.Clontarf Veterinary Hospital Dublin

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital – Where We Put the Care of Your Pet First – ALWAYS.

Monday 23^rd Usual Business Hours

Tuesday 24^th (Christmas Eve) 8.30am – 5.00pm

Wednesday 25^th (Christmas day) Closed

Thursday 26^th (St.Stephens Day) Botanic: 10am– 12pm, Clontarf 2pm – 4pm, all other clinics closed

Friday 27^th Usual Business Hours

Saturday 28^th Usual Business Hours

Sunday 29^th Glasnevin: 10am – 2pm, Clontarf : 2pm – 4pm, all other clinics closed

Monday 30^th Usual Business Hours

Tuesday 31^st (New Years Eve) 8.30am – 5.00pm

Wednesday 1^st (New Years Day) Glasnevin: 10am– 12pm, Clontarf: 2pm – 4pm, all other clinics closed

Thursday 2^nd Usual Business Hours

We also have some special offers on Hill’s Science Plan food with 3kg bags of hill’s Science Plan Puppy for €5 while stocks last (normal price €20.10).

Tips from a North Dublin Veterinary Clinic

Obesity in our pets is a problem we see increasingly in Anicare’s Clontarf Veterinary Hospital. In fact surveys show that up to 50% of today’s pets are overweight.

Read below some of Clontarf Veterinary Hospital’s Top Tips for keeping your pet Fit not fat.

Do!

• Feed a Good Quality Pet Food. Today pet foods are very advanced and scientifically researched so that they meet your pet’s exact nutritional requirements.
• Exercise Regularly. This keeps your pet healthy both in body & mind. Well exercised dogs are less likely to get up to mischief!
• Weigh Your Pet Regularly. Weight checks are free at all Anicare Veterinary Group’s  clinics in Blanchardstown Clontarf, Glasnevin, Palmerstown and Santry.
• Feed for Your Pet’s Life stage. All good quality pet foods will have a range of foods tailored to suit your pet’s life stage. For example neutered pets and older pets have very different requirements to puppies or kittens.
• Follow the Feeding Guidelines
• Be cruel to be kind – If giving treats choose healthy, low calorie treats like vegetables such as carrots, peas.

Don’t!

• Feed Titbits. Be strong and ignore those big brown begging eyes and feed titbits.
• Feed left overs
• Ignore Weight Gain – Obesity will reduce the length and quality of your pet’s life.
• Forget the recommended guide is total daily amount – not the amount at each meal.
• Let your pet be a couch potato.  Choose inventive locations for food i.e. place it at the top of the stairs or move its location around the house.

Concerned about your Pet’s Weight?

Want to know More?

Call us at Cloontarf Veterinary Hospital  01 8330744 to make an appointment with our fully qualified veterinary Nurse Ellen or enrol in her free weight watchers clinic

Want more advise – just call us at Clontarf Veterinary Hospital on 01 8330744 or emails us Clontarf@anicare.ie  or click the link below to find out more about us.

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital Dublin

Clontarf Veterinary Hospital – Where We Put the Care of Your Pet First – ALWAYS.

]]> http://anicare.ie/2013/11/21/clontarf-veterinary-hospitals-tips-to-keep-your-pet-fit-not-fat/feed/ 0 http://anicare.ie/2013/11/04/pregnancy-and-whelping-giving-birth-to-puppies/ http://anicare.ie/2013/11/04/pregnancy-and-whelping-giving-birth-to-puppies/#comments Mon, 04 Nov 2013 17:10:07 +0000 natasha http://vps1.dvmelite.com/anicare-veterinary-group/?p=999 Read More »]]> If your dog is pregnant it is important to be prepared and familiarise yourself with the process that is involved. Although most births run smoothly and need no help, there are times when your vet will need to intervene so it is helpful for you to be aware of the signs to look out for.

Here at Palmerstown Veterinary Hospital we have put together some points on pregnancy and whelping (giving birth to pups).

PREGNANCY:

The length of pregnancy in the bitch averages 63 days.

In the last week of pregnancy the vulva becomes enlarged and flabby and there may be a clear vaginal discharge.

One accurate way to time the onset of whelping is to measure and record the bitches rectal temperature twice daily in the run up to the anticipated time of whelping, as a fall in body temperature of approximately 1°C occurs within the final 24 hours of the pregnancy (usually falls below 37.2°C).

FIRST STAGE OF LABOUR:

The first stage of labour can last from 4-24 hours. The cervix begins to dilate and uterine contractions commence. Signs include restlessness, pawing, nest building, shivering, turning the head to watch the belly, possibly mild straining and occasionally vomiting. These signs normally progress steadily until the cervix is fully dilated and the bitch enters second stage labour.

SECOND STAGE OF LABOUR:

In the second stage of labour the uterine contractions continue, forceful abdominal contractions commence and the foetuses are expelled. The bitch usually lies on her side while forcing, but will sometimes walk about and force in a squatting position. The first pup is normally born within 2-4 hours of the onset of 2nd stage labour, and the average interval between puppies is 30-60 minutes. However, there can be up to 4 hours between the birth of puppies – this is no problem if the bitch is resting comfortably.

You should contact your vet if there is persistent straining for more than 30 minutes and no puppy is produced.

The second stage of labour can take up to 24 hours in some bitches, and it is important that they are supervised by the owner during this time.

You should avoid excessive interference at this stage but you should watch to ensure that whelping progresses steadily, that the puppies are released from their membranes and that they are not accidentally damaged by the bitch.
A dark green discharge is released as the placenta separates from the uterus and this is passed during the delivery of the puppies. Normally when a pup is born the bitch will attend to it, licking at its head to open the clear membranes that cover the puppy and biting through the umbilical cord. If the bitch does not do this immediately you should ensure that no membranes are left covering the puppy’s nose or mouth so that it can breathe.

Vigorously rubbing a newborn puppy with a towel can help to stimulate its breathing as well as heating it up. Newborn puppies should be allowed to suckle from the mother as soon as they can as this encourages the release of the hormone oxytocin which promotes contractions of the womb. During delivery the bitch will have shallow rapid breathing. This can be aggravated by poor ventilation and excessive heat in the whelping area. Between the delivery of puppies the bitch may become very quiet and almost sleepy until the next puppy enters the pelvis and forceful contractions commence again.

THIRD STAGE OF LABOUR:

In this stage the bitch expels the placentas or “afterbirth”. The placentas may be passed individually along with each puppy or may be passed together at the end of the delivery. The bitch may try to eat the placenta but this can cause vomiting so we recommend that they are disposed of by the owner.

CAUSES FOR CONCERN:

• Over 4 hours elapsed after onset of second stage labour
• Over 30 minutes of persistent strong abdominal contractions without the expulsion of offspring
• Over 2 hours between deliveries
• Failure to deliver pups 24  hours after a 1°C drop in rectal temperature
• Persistent crying or signs of pain and licking at the vulva during delivery
• Prolonged gestation, ie. pregnancy over 70 days from day of mating

If you notice any of the above problems please contact your vet in one of our Dublin Anicare practices immediately.

We are based in Palmerstown, Glasnevin, Blanchardstown, Clontarf and Santry.