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Mark Overend
BVMS MRCVS
XLVets Small Animal Executive Director
Our policy is to work together, to provide
a compassionate and caring service for
all species of animals and at the same
time offer comprehensive and up-to-date
treatment in all fields of veterinary medicine
and surgery.
As part of our commitment to clinical
excellence, one of our remits is to ensure
that our vets are kept up to date with the
latest advances in veterinary practice. This
involves on-going lectures and training for
our vets, but also our nurse and reception
staff who are all important to the smooth
running of our practices.
We are also keen to ensure
that our clients are kept up
to date with health issues
in pets, and so this
magazine, written by
our own vets, sets
out to achieve this.
I hope you
enjoy it.
Roundworm
Tapeworm
W
inter is behind us, days lengthening
and, with temperatures steadily
warming we start to emerge for
longer from our homes. Not only we humans,
but also our pets, start to enjoy outdoor
activities once more. Many dogs get those
longer walks they have craved all winter and
for our cats the joys of curling up by a warm
fire or radiator are balanced by the need to
get out and check one's local territory as
temperatures rise both by day and by night.
For both cats and dogs the relative isolation
of the winter months now gives way to more
animal contact - and with this comes more
opportunities for potential diseases to spread.
As weather patterns change, so do the
various natural parasites to which our pets
may be exposed. In recent years a deadly
lungworm, which can also cause severe
bleeding problems, has steadily become an
increasing threat to British dogs. This tiny but
lethal parasite may be carried by the slugs
and snails, which, with the new warmth of
Spring, are also emerging to the annoyance
of all gardeners. Some dogs actually consider
these molluscs to be a tasty morsel, whilst
others may innocently ingest the smaller
varieties whilst chewing grass or playing with
outdoor toys or bones. Happily a therapy,
which can easily be applied regularly to a
dog's skin and is effective against this and
many other unpleasant parasites, is now
available from vets.
Whether it is the vaccines used against a
wide range of communicable pet diseases,
or anti parasitic medications to control
debilitating and sometimes lethal parasites,
both are most effective if given at the
appropriate time - so that it is only the joys
of Spring which burst out all over.
‘bursting’
out
is
all over!
by
Dr Krista Arnold
Drove Veterinary Hospital
...to this edition of XLVets
Small Talk
Who are XLVets?
XLVets is a group of independent veterinary practices,
located the length and breadth of the UK, who are
committed to 'Excellence in Practice.'