Is your pet overweight? One study found about 44% of owners of overweight dogs in Glasgow underestimated Body Condition Score (BCS).
Obesity is a risk factor for a variety of diseases in both species and can adversely affect quality of life. Moreover, in Labrador retrievers, it has been shown feeding a controlled amount of calories from weaning, to maintain a BCS of 4, resulted in a longer life compared to dogs from the same environment that ate the same diet, but were kept slightly overweight. These lean Labrador retrievers also showed lower prevalence of osteoarthritis during their lives.
Body condition scoring is a management tool that can be used to evaluate the nutritional status of animals.
WSAVA body condition scoring for dogs and cats uses a range from 1 to 9.
- Healthy dogs and cats should have a body condition score of 4 or 5.
- Dogs or cats with a body condition score of 1 to 3 indicate a management or health problem.
- Body condition scores of 6-9 indicate an excessive amount of condition that could be detrimental to the dog or cat’s health.
Body condition scores cannot be assigned by simply visually evaluating an animal. The animal must be touched and felt in three specific areas of the body:
1.The first is the lumbar area, which is the area of the back behind the ribs containing the loin.
2.The second is over the ribs and
3.The third is the intercostal (between the rib) spaces.
To visualise and read how to body condition score, please go to https://www.wsava.org/WSAVA/media/PDF_old/Body-condition-score-chart-cats.pdf and https://www.wsava.org/WSAVA/media/PDF_old/Body-condition-score-chart-dogs.pdf
If you’re struggling to condition score your pet, please make an appointment with one of our vets or veterinary nurses to help you.
If your dog or cat is overweight, these are simple corrective actions that you can take:
1.Dietary plan
- The use of over-the-counter maintenance diets for weight loss is not recommended – even “light” type diets.
- Maintenance diets are formulated to meet nutrient needs when calorie needs are met; therefore, feeding restricted amounts of such a diet can result in nutrient deficiencies Moreover, energy density of such diets can range widely and they are not necessarily less energy dense than some maintenance diets without weight management claims.
- Veterinary weight loss diets from reputable brands are nutrient dense and can still meet nutrient requirements, even in the face of calorie restriction. Please make an appointment with one of our veterinary nurses to start a weight loss programme with your pet. They will prescribe a tailored weight loss programme.
- Treats should be limited to 10 per cent of the animal’s daily calorie intake, and the calories from them should be calculated into the Daily Energy Requirement.
2.Exercise
- Exercise will increase calorie expenditure and may help maintain lean body mass and stimulate basal energy metabolism. It also provides an interaction between your pet and you as a substitute for giving treats.
- Daily walks may be used to increase a dog’s exercise, and increased play time can be used for both dogs and cats to increase exercise.
- Some cats also respond to daily walks, but increased play with interactive toys may be more useful and also provides a bonding mechanism without using food.
Aim for weight loss
- 1% to 2% bodyweight per week if using a weight loss diet, less than 0.5% if not
- In some cases, eight to 12 months may be required to achieve an ideal bodyweight in severely obese dogs and cats.
- A slower rate of weight loss, such as one per cent to 1.5 per cent of bodyweight per week, is likely to result in a better chance of the animal maintaining the reduced weight long-term
- Our nurses offer weight loss consultations to enable your pet’s weight loss.
Weight maintenance
- Dietary and exercise habits that have been established during a weight-reduction programme need to be maintained after successful weight loss, and this is sometimes the most difficult part.
- The pet should continue to receive a complete and balanced diet for adult maintenance. Portion-controlled feeding should be continued.
- Some owners prefer to continue to use the same reducing diet that was effective for weight loss, but the amount fed should be increased until the pet can maintain an ideal weight.
- Clients should continue to weigh and monitor their pet at least every 14 days, and veterinary examinations are recommended every two to three weeks until the pet’s weight has been stable for three or four consecutive examinations.
Jürgen Theinert BVSc BSc MRCVS
Edgewood Veterinary Group
If you’re considering having your dog neutered, you probably have questions about the procedure itself as well as the pros and cons.
Book an appointment with one of our vets to discuss the benefits of neutering and to ask any questions you may have about the procedure. Neutering is usually carried out at around 6-8 months of age.
Contact us for neutering advice
Reasons to neuter your dog
Females (spaying)
- Stops your dog from coming into season.
- Prevents phantom and unwanted pregnancies.
- Reduces risk of mammary tumours (breast cancer).
- Eliminates the possibility of life-threatening pyometra (uterine infection).
Males (castration)
- Reduces wandering and therefore the chances of being involved in a road accident.
- Helps with behavioural issues.
- Reduces risk of prostate disease.
- Eliminates risk of testicular cancer.
Disadvantages of neutering
As with all operations under general anaesthesia there is some, but very low, risk attached.
Weight gain can be a problem, as neutering can reduce the metabolic rate. So, your dog will need less food – a lower-calorie diet may even be required. Our head vet, Jürgen, advises regular weight checks after neutering with one of our practice nurses.
Urinary incontinence in females can be a problem later in life. This is usually well controlled with medication.
A change in coat texture and colour rarely occurs.
The process of neutering
Your pooch will be admitted for surgery on the morning of the operation and examined by a vet prior to the procedure. Careful monitoring is carried out before, during and after the operation. Pets usually go home on the same day with pain relief; they’re then seen a few days later for a post-op check.
They will also need to have restricted exercise for 10-days post surgery and be discouraged from licking at the surgical site by either having a buster collar (lampshade) or pet t-shirt.
What if I want to breed from my dog?
Breeding dogs can be straightforward but there can be complications. Females can require a caesarean section if they have problems giving birth. Male dogs can have more behavioural issues if used as studs.
Cats in heat: all the facts
Cats reach sexual maturity (and can breed) from around four months old; a female cat coming into heat can be a daunting experience for any pet owner. If you are unsure of what to expect, call Edgewood Veterinary Group on 01621 828381 to book an appointment with a nurse to ask about your cat’s cycle and discuss neutering.
Make an appointment with our vet nurses
Our vet, Jürgen, recommends neutering your female cat (spaying) at four to five months of age to prevent unwanted pregnancies. If your cat is allowed outside at this age without being neutered, there is a good chance that she will mate and become pregnant.
When a female cat is in heat, this isn’t one long period; there can be many short periods repeated every 10-14 days or so. Cats do not ovulate until they are mated, so this period of heat cycles can be lengthy. Longer days can trigger reproductive activity, leading to many kittens being born in March, April and May.
Signs that your cat is in heat:
- Flirtatious, extra affectionate behaviour.
- Rubbing and rolling on the floor.
- Extreme vocalising, yowling as if in pain or even as if having a heart attack!
- Raised hindquarters, moving the tail from side to side.
If you are considering having your pet neutered, the team at Edgewood Veterinary Group are all happy to help with any queries or concerns that you may have, so feel free to contact us .
Benefits of neutering
There are plenty of benefits to having your cat neutered. For instance, your cat’s ovaries and uterus are removed, thereby preventing pyometra – a serious uterine infection.
Neutering also lowers the risk of mammary tumours and reduces the spread of infectious diseases from mother to kittens and it reduces ‘wandering’ and therefore the chances of your cat being involved in a road accident.
It also provides important population control with fewer unwanted kittens, and it eliminates male cats on the doorstep fighting, spraying urine and vocalising. And, that can only be a good thing.
Breeding from your rabbit: what to expect from the pregnancy
Rabbits reach sexual maturity at a very early age – around four or five months for small breeds and five to eight months for larger breeds. So if you have a young female living with a male rabbit, there is a good chance that she will become pregnant. If this is something you’re looking forward to, our nurses at Edgewood Veterinary Group have all the advice you could need, so simply contact us and ask about anything you’re unsure of.
Contact us for rabbit pregnancy advice
Meanwhile, here are a few tips about what to expect when your rabbit’s expecting.
When will my rabbit be ready for mating?
Rabbits tend to mate in spring when the days are longer. You may notice that your bunny starts to flatten her back, raise her pelvis and allow the male to mount. Her vulva may look swollen, red and moist.
How do I tell if my rabbit is pregnant?
- Weight gain is not usually noticed, if at all, until towards the end of pregnancy.
- A more rounded belly appearance may be seen.
- Pulling fur from the abdomen, sides and dewlap to line the nest can be seen a few days before giving birth.
- Mood swings and not wanting to be held.
- Sometimes, very few or no changes are obvious until your rabbit gives birth.
Book a pregnancy check with one of our vets
It may be possible for your vet to examine foetuses in the abdomen of your rabbit 10-14 days after mating; at this stage they’re like a grape in size.
You can also phone to ask one of our nurses for pregnancy information.
Preparing for the litter
The pregnancy period of a rabbit is 28-32 days. Small breeds tend to have four or five kits (babies) and larger breeds have eight to 12 kits.
Feed the mother-to-be good quality hay throughout the pregnancy and have plenty of fresh water available.
Provide a nesting box towards the end of the pregnancy with fresh straw for bedding.
Separate the pregnant female from the male, as he’ll often try to mate with her soon after giving birth and sometimes will even try to mate his female offspring or attack them.
Pseudopregnancy is not uncommon and can occur from unsuccessful mating or from repeated mounting by another female. The doe will display signs of pregnancy such as nest-building and producing milk. The doe can also develop mastitis which is an inflammation of the mammary gland, when milk is produced and this can become infected and be very painful for the doe.
Protect your rabbit
With spring on the way, your rabbit might be outside more often, so at Edgewood Veterinary Group in Purleigh we want to be sure you’re aware of the two main diseases that can affect your pet. Myxomatosis (myxo) and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) can strike even if your pets live well away from other rabbits. Both can be fatal.
Fortunately, vaccines are available to protect rabbits from deadly diseases. So why not call our vet nurses to check your rabbit’s vaccinations are up to date and discuss how to protect your fluffy friend further?
A common misconception of myxomatosis is that your rabbit needs to be in contact with other rabbits to catch it. In reality, it can spread quickly and is passed through fleas, mosquitos, midges and mites, so your pet may become infected even if they never see another rabbit.
The first sign of myxo is severe conjunctivitis. Even with the best possible veterinary treatment, very few unvaccinated pet rabbits will survive, so vaccination is essential.
Viral haemorrhagic disease often occurs in outbreaks, spreading rapidly from rabbit to rabbit. The virus can be carried to new areas in feed, on bedding, by wild birds and insects, and on the feet of rabbit owners who’ve been walking in an infected area. So just like myxo, your rabbit doesn’t need to be in contact with other rabbits to catch it.
Very few infected rabbits recover but VHD is easily preventable by vaccines.
Timing your vaccinations
Protect your rabbit against both diseases with 2 vaccines per year – one for a combined Myxomatosis / Rabbit Haemorrhagic disease 1 and another one a number of weeks later for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease 2. Rabbits of all ages can be vaccinated – check with head nurse Caroline Mills about the most suitable time to bring a new baby rabbit in for their first check-up and vaccination.
If you can’t remember when your rabbit is due a booster
If your rabbit has been vaccinated and you can’t remember when your booster is due, give us a call.
Bringing your rabbit for vaccination also gives you the perfect opportunity to talk to the team in Purleigh about any concerns you have.
Call now and book your rabbit’s check up.
Help your cat beat hay fever
It’s one of the most common illnesses in cats, yet many owners aren’t aware of it. Hay fever, which is at its worst during spring and summer, does in fact plague both humans and animals alike.
At Edgewood Veterinary Group in Purleigh, we’ve seen many cats with a grass or tree pollen allergy. It affects the skin more than it does the sinuses and can make your pet chronically ill. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to help, so please do feel free to drop in at one of our practices in Purleigh, Maldon or Burnham and ask us for some further advice on how we can help you.
There are signs you can look out for that will help you determine if your cat is a hay fever sufferer, and the measures you can take.
Know the symptoms
Excessive licking and scratching are signs often associated with fleas. But they can also be brought on by an allergic reaction to pollen, which can make the skin, ears and bottom very irritable and itchy. What’s more, if your cat has bald patches around the lower back, groin, tail or paws, there’s a high chance it’s suffering.
Exclude fleas
So you don’t confuse hay fever with fleas, check your pet’s fur for flea dirt and ensure you’re up-to-date with treatments. If you use a spot-on product (eg Frontline or Advocate for cats), remember to apply it monthly.
Treatment
If you’re concerned your cat may have an allergy, bring it in to see us. We can run tests to help us pinpoint the problem and, if needed, subscribe treatments such as antihistamines and anti-allergy vaccines.
Preventative measures
It’s hard to avoid pollens, as many hay fever sufferers know. In addition to anti-allergy injections or natural antihistamines, evening primrose oil can be effective in reducing a reaction.
Rather than waste money on the wrong form of prevention, why not ask us first?
Is your rabbit a truly happy bunny? There are many ways in which you can provide added stimulation to really enrich your pet’s environment, which is why Edgewood Vets head nurse Jessica has put together these top tips.
If you still have questions about how you can improve your rabbit’s life – or you have concerns and would like to book a check-up – remember you can always talk to us.
Top five life-enhancing tips for rabbits
1. Stimulating your rabbit’s mind
Rabbits need stimulation and the ability to express natural behaviours to stop boredom or stress setting in. Plastic tubing and cardboard rolls make great tunnels, while containers of soil allow them to practise their digging skills.
2. The perfect companion
Pet rabbits should be kept in pairs if possible, but if you have concerns about a pair leading to lots of little ones, please talk to us about neutering. It’s also important for your rabbit to interact with people from a young age. Familiarity with humans will help it develop into a confident, friendly adult.
3. A nutritional diet
It is important to feed your rabbit the correct diet to maintain digestive health and avoid dental problems. Their teeth grow continuously so they must chew enough fibre to prevent overgrowth. Feed your rabbits quality pellet food, a variety of fresh vegetables and high-quality hay.
4. Your rabbit’s home in Essex
A cosy, safe hutch is the perfect place for your rabbits to sleep, but it should be accompanied by a run that’s big enough to allow them to complete at least three full hops and stand up comfortably.
5. Protect your pet
Rabbits should be vaccinated for Myxomatosis and VHD, but they can also pick up parasites, such as ear mites and fleas, all of which can easily be treated. Grooming your rabbit, cleaning their hutch regularly and keeping their fur clean and dry is essential to avoiding ‘fly strike’, which is a potentially fatal condition.
We offer a full range of veterinary services for our rabbit patients, so if you have any questions or want a check-up you can always book your bunny to see one of our veterinary team, and we’ll help keep your pet in the best of health.
As they get older cats, just like us, may become more prone to weight fluctuations. More often than not, like us, they are likely to put on a bit extra – especially if they prefer purring to prowling.
If a cat is overweight or underweight, it can lead to health problems, which is why it’s important to keep an eye on your cat’s body condition.
You spend a lot of time with your pet so it’s not always easy to spot if it is putting on or losing weight – so our nurses can offer body condition checks for your cat.
Book a Body Condition Score appointment
What to expect at your Body Condition Score appointment
Our Chelmsford Road vet nurses will assess your cat on a scale of one to five, ranging from very thin to obese, and outline the health problems that can come with those extremes.
Once you’ve had your assessment, you’ll have a better idea of how to keep it at a healthy weight; and our downloadable Body Condition Score Chart should help.
Tips for keeping cats a healthy weight
Meanwhile, here are a few tips on keeping your cat in great shape:
Feed the right diet
Take into account the age, lifestyle and health. A 12-year-old overweight cat with diabetes will need a different diet to a plump, 6-year-old.
Measure food
Work out how many calories are used in a day and feed just enough to allow your cat to burn up slightly more than it eats.
Encourage exercise and play
- Get your cat to chase toys
- Feed it in different locations to encourage it to forage
- Provide climbing and scratching posts
- Give it scrunched up paper balls to play with
- Leave boxes and paper bags around the house for your cat to explore and hide in
At Edgewood Veterinary Group we are here to help, so why not call us today to book in for one of our nurse-led body condition checks?
Christmas has come and gone and after all the excitement and fuss it’s no surprise that we all – including our pets – can find it hard to get back into the normal routine. If your dog seems a bit out of sorts at the moment, this could be why.
So, Edgewood Veterinary Group’s head nurse Jessica has some ideas for putting the pep back into your pooch.
In the meantime, remember you can always contact us for advice if you have concerns about your dog’s behaviour.
Signs your dog is bored
If your dog is displaying any of the following behaviours but doesn’t seem ill, it could be that they’re not getting enough stimulation.
Here are some signs of boredom to look out for:
- Chewing
- Restlessness
- Sighing
- Pining for your attention
- Destructive behaviour
- Following you around with a toy when you are home
- Excessive barking
- Chasing their tail
- Digging
Beat the boredom
The good news is that it’s easy to lift that flatness. Here are some ideas:
- Mind-stimulating games, such as playing hide-and-seek with their favourite toys, or teaching a new trick.
- Plenty of exercise is a year-round must, but it’s not so inviting when it’s cold outside. Why not seek out some new or longer walks, so your dog can run off that excess energy and you can both discover new places to explore in Essex.
- Playtime not only entertains your dog, it helps them to positively focus any predatory behaviour. It’s simple to add novelty to the new year by saving some of that inevitable excess of Christmas toys ‘til January.
- Puppy preschool and similar structured classes are a safe environment to teach obedience, communication and socialisation. That goes for owners, too!
- Companionship is as important for dogs as it is for people. If you’re a one-dog household, why not make a regular play-date with a pooch pal? This will give your dog essential social skills, and it’s also lots of fun.
Remember, you can always ask our vet nurses here at Edgewood Veterinary Group for dog game ideas or for advice about improving your dog’s behaviour. Enjoy a happy and healthy new year with your dog.
At this time of year there’s nothing better than curling up with your pet and spoiling both of you with a few choice treats. Obviously you’ll be snacking on different things, but do you know what the best titbits are to feed your cat?
Our head nurse Jessica and the team at Edgewood Vets are on hand to offer advice about the right and wrong ways to spoil your cat when you contact them.
Contact us for advice on treats
What are the best treats for my cat?
While you might like chocolate or sugary treats, you mustn’t be tempted to share them with your cat. Neither should you give them onion, garlic, grapes or raisins. However, there are plenty of types of treats you can offer your cat, but Jessica Ashley suggests always checking the ingredients on the packaging to make sure the calories aren’t too high.
Freeze-dried meat treats are an option, being pure meat and low in calories. They also will come in a variety of your cat’s favourite flavours, from chicken and turkey to salmon.
There are some human foods that are okay to give as treats, such as very small quantities of cheese, cooked fish and chicken.
How many is too many?
Moderation is key when feeding treats – you don’t want to overindulge your cat and cause weight problems. Treats should only make up 10% of your cat’s total daily calories.
Like us, cats develop a taste for treats and will never say no to them. Some cats may even start avoiding their normal food in favour of treats if you’ve been letting them have them often.
If you’re worried you’ve given your cat a few too many, it’s best to get a general check up with Edgewood Vets’ team so they can evaluate your cat’s weight and body condition to make sure they’re still nice & healthy.
We advise giving treats as part of fun and exercise. You can buy special toys so your cat will need to work out how to reach the treat, which will help to keep their brain moving. Or use them to train them in agility exercises or tricks.
Don’t forget, we’re always happy to offer advice and answer any queries you may have.
