Precious Paws

PRECIOUS PAWS

A little keepsake when you lose a much loved pet

Small paws - £5.00

Large paws- £8.00

All proceeds to be donated to local animal charities

For more information please ask at reception.

Having your pet put to sleep can be very upsetting, if you have any questions about lost loved one it may help to talk to a vet the following website maybe of some help:

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/aboutuspetbereavement/pbssintro.asp

and click on "pbss coping with pet loss"

FIREWORKS AND YOUR PETS

Its that time again when fireworks are let off at any time from now and till well after Guy Fawkes night. This can cause untold damage to pets. We have put together the top ten tips to help reduce some of the stress and make it an enjoyable time of year.

The Gold Standard for getting to grips with a fireworks phobia or any other noise related phobia is to use a product like Sounds Scary; Zylekene do a CD with much the same noises and guide. The process of desensitisation can take weeks or maybe months and should not be hurried.

Tops 10 tips for dogs at firework time

1) Prepare a ‘den’ for your dog, so that he has somewhere to hide during the fireworks. Encourage him to use it by hiding healthy food treats or toys there. If your dog hides in a corner or under a bed, leave him alone and do not try to coax him out. This ‘bolthole’ is where he will feel most secure and must be accessible at all times. You can further help create this comforting ‘den’ for your dog by using a plug in DAP diffuser. This is best done 1-2 weeks before the onset of fireworks season.

2) On the evenings you expect fireworks, ensure your dog is safely inside and secure doors and windows

3) Make sure your pet is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened, confused animals can easily get lost

4)Ensure your dog is taken out for a walk early in the evening before the fireworks start and give them a high carbohyrdrate meal one hour before it gets dark.

5)Draw curtains to reduce the noise from outside and play music or have the TV on to help mask the noise of fireworks

6)Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your pet. The animal will pick up on your anxiety and this may make the problem worse. Fussing a pet that appears frightened can reward and encourage this behaviour

7) Don’t punish your pet. This only confirms that there is something to be afraid of

8) Try not to go out while the fireworks are going off. Seeing you acting normally will help your pet feel more settled.

9) DAP spray can be applied to your pet’s bedding on the night of the event to give him additional support. Zylekene can be given to help calm them down, or skullcap and valerian.

10) If there is not enough time before fireworks start (3-4wks) then soon after the firework season is over you should contact your vet to ask about treatment for your dog's fear of fireworks, hopefully to start a desensitisation program.

This list was complied for dogs, mainly due to the fact that they tend to be more affected than cats but all of the tips apply to fear in cats. There is an alternative to DAP in cats, called Felliway.

Rabbits and guinea pigs can be frightened by the loud noises and flashes of fireworks so it is worth moving their hutches in side or covering the hutches with a thick blanket.


There is a wealth of information on the internet where you can find other ideas and products to help relax your anxious pet. A client came in last week said they had brought a tight fitting body suit for their dog that is supposed to relax the dog and make them feel secure!

You can listen to our radio broadcast discussing fireworks on the following link:

http://www.canstream.co.uk/felixstowe/index.php?id=107

A few useful websites to find out more about the desensitisation cds or the pheromone diffusers:

www.petfireworkfear.co.uk
www.rspca.org.uk
www.fabcats.org
www.guidedogs.org.uk

'09 Animal Charity Open Day @ Whitworth Veterinary Practice

2009 Animal Charity Open Day at Whitworth Veterinary Practice

An Amazing Success

We had a great day and lots of fun raising money for the animal charities and were pleased to have warm weather. Thanks first of all then to every person and dog who came and supported us on the day. All the dogs were well behaved and there wasn't any need to call on a vet, although Tsar, Wendy and Malcolm's dog did get stung by a wasp.

The event was well attended andeven in th ese difficult times people were giving generously. The total raised on the day was just over £600, this was from people donating money at the gate; buying tickets for the grand raffle; entering the dog show; entering the cat photo competition; and donations from the Sausage shop, Cafe 66, Roberto's ices and Mrs Hurren from Shalehurst Hydrotherapy. The Charity stalls also made considerable money on their own stalls that they were pleased about.
The Border Control Agency sniffer dogs unfortunatley had to pull out at the last minute due to illness. However, we were very lucky to have two very well trained gundogs, Mollie aged 11 months and Bullet aged 2yrs, come along and demonstrate their skills. The gundogs were fascinating to watch and amazingly obedient especially with so many other distractions about.

Mollie & Bullet

Mrs. Julie Plumb took hundreds of photos of the event and if anyone would like copies of any of the photos on this site, please email us on whitworthvets@googlemail.com or come into the the veterinary practice to view the others.

Musical Sit!

The Dog Show

Mrs Vicky Thomson-Carr expertly judged all 6 categories, an extremely difficult job with so many wonderful dogs entered.

-Perfect puppy (under 1 years)

1st place: Lucas owned by Jenna

2nd place: Poppy owned by Mrs. Soames

3rd place: Oliver owned by Pat

-OAP (over 7 years)

1st place: Taz owned by Mr. George Stirling-Yeatman

2nd place: Winston owned by Miss Olivia Franks

3rd place: Shandy owned by Miss Laura Hallett

-Best Rescue Dog

1st place: Alfie owned by Mr. Ruddick

2nd place: Tilly owned by Mrs Webster

3rd place: Jess owned by Helen

-Prettiest Bitch

1st place: Rosie owned by Mel

2nd place: Ellie owned by Miss Redfern

3rd place: Nushka owned by Suz

-Handsomest Male

1st place: Shadow owned by Miss Hughes

2nd place: Bo owned by Miss Beaumont

3rd place: Baxter owned by Mrs. Banham

-Fancy dress?

1st place: Meg owned by Cindy

2nd place: Hamish owned by Mrs. Jennings

3rd place: Jet owned by Mrs. Witmore

CAT PHOTO COMPETITION

Mrs. Pat Insley judged the photos, again very difficult decisions due to the high quality of snaps.

-Cute kitten less than 6 months
1st place Olivia Franks with Minstral
2nd place Mrs. Simmons with Tula May

-Work rest and play less than 12 years
1st place ?
2nd place Mrs. Green with Teddy

-Golden oldies more than 12 years
1st place Mrs. Bowman with Bo
2nd place Mrs. Beeson with Sripey

*CONGRATULATIONS* to all the winners and thank you all for entering

GRAND RAFFLE

A lot of money was raised from the raffle which wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for local business donating wonderful prizes for the raffle. These include prizes from Conkers pet shop, Phoenix Fruiteriers, Ipswich Town Football Club, King Pin Bowling, Felixstowe leisure centre, Colchester Zoo, Orwell Fisheries, Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, Riverside Cinema, Deben Swimming Pool, Solar Bowl, Roselea Nurseries, Goslings Farm, Mr. Landles, Tescos, and Morrisons. Thank you to all of them for their help and support.

Donations

A big THANK YOU to the companies: Dunlops, Ceva Animal Health, Vetplus, Merial, Novartis, Hills and Cobby Dogs for donating prizes for the dog show and donating money to enable us to run the event. A big THANK YOU also to Nicola from Novartis for coming along... explaining to people the importance of pet worming and running a worm count competition!!!! For which Miss. Stirling-Yeatmen guessed 278 to win.

Ollie from Novartis

FOOD AND DRINK

The Sausage Shop served up some delicious barbecue food, Cafe 66 prepared vegetarian food and delicious gluten free cake along with home made juice. Roberto's Ice Creams also cycled down to sell authentic ice cream in a cone.

CHARITIES

The Blue Cross, RSPCA, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Cats Protection, Suffolk Animal Rescue and Greyhound walks came along for the afternoon, they had a lot of interest from the public and the weather made it all the more enjoyable for them.

The £600 that was raised on the day will be split between the six charities.

For more information about the charities, please visit their web sites:

Blue Cross - http://www.bluecross.org.uk/

Guide Dogs - http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/

RSPCA - http://www.rspca.org.uk/

Cats Protection - http://www.catsprotection.org.uk/

Greyhound Walks - http://www.greyhoundwalks.co.uk/

Suffolk Animal Rescue - www.onesuffolk.co.uk/suffolkanimalrescue/

EASTER RAFFLE IN AID OF CATS PROTECTION

RAFFLE TICKETS ONE POUND PER STRIP

WINNER WILL RECEIVE THIS FABULOUS EASTER HAMPER

THE WINNING TICKET WILL BE DRAWN ON THURSDAY 9TH APRIL 2009

Mrs. Insley, now retired cats protection volunteer, drew the winning ticket:

***********************A very lucky Mrs. Jacobs' ticket was pulled************************

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CATS PROTECTION, CAT CARE OR HOW TO ADOPT A CAT CLICK ON THE WEBSITE ADDRESS BELOW:

www.cats.org.uk

2008 CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

With Christmas on its way, we have put together a marvellous hamper full of festive goodies donated by the staff at Whitworth vet practice. The money raised from raffling the hamper will be given to the guide dogs for the blind in order to train Star, she is a beautiful Labrador puppy, very intelligent whom we are sure will make an excellent guide dog. We have currently raised £200 pounds from selling raffle tickets and hope to raise lots more before the draw date

Thursday 18th December 2008 at 2pm.

10 week old Star

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the vet practice £1 per strip of 5 tickets

The Day of the raffle draw

Star and Ivan

And the winner chosen by STAR herself!...is.....

MRS. ANDREWS

More information about the guide dogs and their training can be found at
http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/

A to Z of veterinary care

Podcasts from Felixstowe Radio on A to Z of Veterinary Care



Listen to Jamie Whittle talking on http://www.felixstoweradio.co.uk/ :

General information about the Whitworth vet practice
http://www.canstream.co.uk/felixstowe/get.php?web=mediafish-2008-06-15-46663.mp3

A unique series of short interviews starting with A and working our way through the alphabet covering many different topics. If anyone has any comment, past experience of one of the topics or questions, please, email the vet practice or info@felixstoweradio.co.uk

A is for Aloe Vera

http://www.canstream.co.uk/felixstowe/get.php?web=mediafish-2008-08-24-56721.mp3

B is for Brain Disease

http://www.canstream.co.uk/felixstowe/get.php?web=mediafish-2008-09-16-46868.mp3

C is for Cats

http://www.canstream.co.uk/felixstowe/index.php?cat=VeterinaryCare

Useful links to very useful websites for more information about cat healthcare:

Feline advisary bureau www.fabcats.org

Cats protection league www.cats.org.uk

D is for Dogs

E still to be announced

F is for Fireworks

http://www.canstream.co.uk/felixstowe/get.php?web=mediafish-2008-10-23-59303.mp3

A very useful website is http://www.petfireworkfear.co.uk/

Cases

Archives... Interesting/Successful Cases

BURTON

Burton found the ornamental stones in his new garden, very interesting and even thought they tasted pleasant. He was shortly afterwards admitted to the vet surgery having vomited 6-7 times. A stone could be felt within his tummy, and we took him straight to theatre and surgically removed a rounded stone within his small intestines. After 3-4 days of restricted diet he recovered without complications and growing into a happy dog. The ornamental stones have since been removed from the garden.


Leah



Leah is a 6 year old German Shepard dog; she was obtained as a rescue dog at a year old. Soon after settling in at her new home she started fitting. She was diagnosed with epilepsy soon after and was put on medication, it took months to get her stable and need two different medications to keep her fits under control. This condition is both distressing for the dog and for the owner and we have been very fortunate that after 5 years with the condition, the frequency of fits has been decreasing and now she has a fit once or twice a year.


RODNEY



Rodney is a giant lop-eared rabbit and has always been quite big. One day for no apparent reason, he stopped eating. Rabbits are herbivores and their bodies rely on a constant intake of grass and hay. If this stops then they run out of energy very quickly and find it difficult to maintain their correct body temperature. Rodney became very lethargic and weak over a matter of days. Fortunately he was brought in to the vets promptly and we were able to give him fluids, vitamins and dietary supplements. Rodney’s guardians gave him 24 hour nursing for 2 days and slowly he turned the corner and began brightening up.
Since then he has looked back and he apparently eating more than he ever did.

For a useful website all about rabbits use this link: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

Tess




Tess is a 6 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; unfortunately she suffers from bladder
stones. The reason for this in her case is unknown. Bladder stones can grow large and result in considerable pain and lead to water infections. Recently, Tess, has had a stone removed by surgery for the second time. She has come through surgery and is feeling much better. Future treatments will be to increase her drinking and to try a different prescription diet to acidify her urine.




BRAMBLE


Bramble first came to see us with a skin problem in August 2006.
The usual medical treatments gave little improvement so some blood
samples were taken. These confirmed that Bramble had an under-active
thyroid gland, so he was started on treatment and his skin quickly improved.
Then in December 2007 he started having problems with vomiting and he
became very lethargic. He had more blood tests done which showed that his adrenal gland was under-active. He was started on the relevant medications
and he quickly picked up.
Bramble has regular check ups and is now a very bright and happy dog.



POLLY



Polly, a 16 year old cat, came to see us last July when she was depressed and of her food. She was started on antibiotics but didn’t improve so she came back for blood tests and was put onto an intravenous drip. The blood tests showed a pancreatitis and altered electrolyte values due to her inappetance and dehydration. She stayed in the hospital for three days on a drip and medication until she started eating. Then she went home on medication. A few days later she was feeling much better. Since then she hasn’t looked back and is now very healthy.


DIG



On a sunny day in May Dig, a 10 year old cat, was sitting under a bush in the garden watching his owner mow the lawn. Unfortunately, Dig didn’t move when the lawn mower got close to him and his owner only saw him when it was too late. His front paws were badly damaged when the lawn mower went over them. His owner brought him straight to the surgery where he was given pain relief and his paws were bandaged. Once he had got over the shock he was anaesthetised and his paws repaired. Unfortunately he lost his dew claw and one toe on one paw but the skin stitched back together and he is now healing well.


DIVA



Diva is an 8 year old Labrador. She was diagnosed as diabetic in April 2007. She was started on insulin and her diet was controlled. Since then she has been in for regular check-ups to measure her glucose levels and she has her urine tested at home every morning to check if it contains any glucose.
Her owners give her injections of insulin twice a day and her diabetes is well controlled at the moment.


HENRY



Henry is a 6 month old cocker spaniel. His owners had a barbecue one weekend. A couple of days later Henry was being sick and wasn’t himself. He was brought in to be examined. On examination it was possible to feel something hard in his intestines, so we anaesthetised him, took and X-ray and then opened him up. We found three large chunks from a corn on the cob stuck in his intestines. Fortunately we were able to take them out before they caused too much damage.
After a couple of days Henry was back to his usual bouncy self.