Is your pup ready for fireworks season?
Is this your pup’s first firework season? Are you concerned about how they might react?
Now is the time to act to get them ready – it is important that from an early age, as much as possible is done to help your pet associate loud noises with pleasant experiences such as their favourite game, chew toy or activity. These activities should be presented to your pet every time there are noisy events regardless of whether they seem stressed or not. Sound desensitisation is a key part of training your dog to accept unpleasant noises and not to be fearful. This approach to behaviour modification can be very rewarding but does require time and effort to achieve success so it is important to start early.
- There are online resources freely available from the Dogs Trust that can be played on your phone or TV – start quietly whilst your pet is relaxed or playing a game and then gradually build up the noise level – keep doing this regularly until your pet barely looks when the loud noises are played.
- Don’t react to any loud noises yourself – your pet will look to you to see how you react so carrying on as normal will give them the best positive response.
- Don’t try to comfort your pet, unless they come to you. Seeking them out to provide comfort just re-enforces the idea that the noise is something to fear.
- Often fearful pets will have a favourite place to retreat to. Ensure that they have access to this place and maybe provide some blankets or toys that smell familiar to support them.
- Make sure your garden and house is secure – scared pets can sometimes run and none of us like the thought of a scared pup running around!
- Make sure your pet’s microchip information is up to date, just in case.
Finally, if you know your pet finds these noises stressful and distressing, please book a video appointment to talk to one of our vets for further advice as there are things we can provide to help.
Changes to Prescribing Guidelines from 1st of September 2023
From 1st September 2023 some new guidance from the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons – our governing body) comes into effect. It is important that you understand how these changes may affect you.
Key changes:
Vets will no longer always need to carry out a physical examination to take an animal ‘under their care’ and prescribe prescription only veterinary medicines (POM-Vs). The examination may take place virtually (via video or telephone consultation) rather than in person.
EXCEPTIONS to this are if:
- a notifiable disease is suspected
- antibiotics are required
- controlled drugs e.g. phenobarbitone are required (unless in exceptional circumstances)
- anti-parasitics (flea and worm treatments), antivirals, antifungals are required
NB: If the vet is unable to safely and accurately select the correct medication required on the basis of a virtual consultation then you will be invited to attend the practice.
How does this affect you?
1) A prescription for flea and worm treatment will be available for your pets for 12 months from the date of the consultation when the treatment is prescribed. Should you wish to change this treatment during the 12 month period, a repeat physical examination will be required. Please note, we may not dispense 12 months worth of treatment but you will be able to request more as needed over the following 12 months via our repeat prescription service.
We recommend always ordering your flea and worming treatments in advance via our website to ensure a vet is available to dispense them. We may not be able to dispense in branch without prior notice.
2) You will be able to use our video consulting service to obtain medication for minor conditions without seeing the vet in practice. Prescribing will be at the vet’s discretion based on the condition being treated. Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, anti-parasitics, and controlled drugs CANNOT be obtained via this route.
3) A physical consultation (usually every 3 months) will be required to obtain controlled drugs such as phenobarbitone.
Repeat medications can be ordered in advance via our website.
Heart Scans at Larkmead
The heart is one of the most vital organs in the body. However, cardiac problems can be quite common in pets and can significantly impact their overall wellbeing.
Fortunately, advances in veterinary medicine have paved the way for early detection and effective management of heart conditions and here at Larkmead, we are able to offer many investigations in-house without the need for expensive referrals.
Heart disease can manifest in various forms such as heart murmurs, congestive heart failure and arrhythmias (abnormal heart beat). Detecting these conditions at an early stage allows us to implement appropriate treatments before the condition worsens. Routine check-ups can identify some signs, but they may not be sufficient to detect underlying heart problems. This is where heart scans, also known as echocardiograms or cardiac ultrasounds, play a pivotal role.
Echocardiography is a non-invasive and painless imaging technique used to examine the heart’s structure and function and can sometimes be performed without the need for a general anaesthetic. By using sound waves to create detailed images of the heart, we can assess the heart’s size, shape, and ability to pump blood effectively. Echocardiograms enable early detection of heart diseases, making them a valuable tool in ensuring our pets lead healthy lives.
At Larkmead we invested in a vivid IQ ultrasound scanner which allows us to get much clearer pictures of hearts and abdomens than a regular ultrasound machine.
If your vet suspects any cardiac abnormalities during a routine check-up, they may suggest a heart scan to get a clearer picture of your pet’s heart health.
Routine heart scans are recommended for certain breeds that are predisposed to cardiac issues, such as Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Maine Coon cats and they can also be recommended for older pets or those displaying symptoms of heart problems such as:
- Coughing, especially at night or after exercise.
- Breathing difficulties or rapid, shallow breathing.
- Fatigue and reduced stamina.
- Fainting or collapsing.
- Cyanosis (bluish tint to the gums or tongue).
- Persistent loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Abdominal distension due to fluid retention.
The primary advantage of heart scans is that they allow us to diagnose heart diseases in their early stages, increasing the chances of successful treatment and improved prognosis. With timely intervention, the progression of heart conditions can be slowed down or even halted, helping your pet enjoy a better quality of life for longer.
If you are concerned about your pet’s heart, please let us know as soon as possible so that investigations can be started.
FIP – What is it and should I be worried?
Some of you may have seen the recent media reports regarding a significant outbreak in Cyprus of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) caused by a type of coronavirus. It is important to understand that this Coronavirus is different from the one causing COVID and has therefore not been identified as a risk to humans.
How could my cat develop FIP?
Feline coronavirus is spread via faeces. FIP occurs due to the spontaneous mutation of a very common variant of coronavirus that is thought to affect up to 40% of household cats without causing any problems. In multi-cat households or colonies this number increases closer to 100%. It is thought that factors such as high cat density and stress, together with a change in an individual’s immune response can trigger the change in the coronavirus to one that causes FIP. The disease is mostly seen in cats under 2 years of age, with the majority affected being between 4 and 12 months old.
What are the signs of FIP?
In many cats, signs may develop over a period of weeks to months. They may start with a fluctuating fever, lethargy and inappetence, progressing to breathing difficulties and a swollen fluid filled abdomen in some cases. Confirmation of the disease can be difficult as there is no single reliable test for FIP. Putting the clinical findings, age and typical changes on haematology together with PCR confirmation will however, give us a likely diagnosis.
What is the prognosis if my cat has FIP?
Unfortunately, many cases of FIP have historically proven to be fatal. Since 2021 however, there has been legal access in the UK to an antiviral agent that has shown to be effective in successfully treating some cases. The drawbacks of this medication however are its very high cost (up to £6000) and the need for medication to be given daily for a total of 84 days. Some variations of this protocol exist but the drawbacks are still similar.
How can I minimise the risk of FIP?
Try to source cats or kittens from small group environments. If you do have a multi-cat household (i.e. more than 4 cats) aim for a ratio of a maximum of 2 cats per litter tray. Keep the environment clean and freshen litter trays as soon as soiling is evident. Minimise stress.
Is the reported Cyprus outbreak a cause for concern?
From our knowledge of feline coronavirus, we know that FIP already occurs here in the UK. We also know that our feline population demonstrates a significantly different demographic here too. As yet, although there has been an increase in the number of cases of FIP reported in Cyprus between January to April 2023, there is no proven evidence to confirm why this is happening. Recommendations have been made to check coronavirus levels in all cats from Cyprus prior to entering the UK. This, together with the benefit of understanding of how FIP may arise, allows vets to monitor the situation and we can get a clearer idea of the risk to the UK cat population, if any.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Pet Proactive Pet Insurance
We are excited to announce our new partnership with Pet Proactive pet insurance which directly benefits Larkmead customers.
As vets, we see pet insurance as a means for pet owners to budget for the unexpected, and if the worst happens, it enables us to carry out the most effective treatment.
However pet insurance can be frustrating with many terms & conditions or exclusions, meaning claims are often not paid in full which can leave you with an unexpected bill. On top of this our customers regularly complain of hefty price increases as their pet gets older, at the time when they are most likely to need insurance.
We have worked closely with Pet Proactive to create a new type of insurance that provides lifetime cover for treatment and referrals through our practice.
The policies are designed for customers who are happy to commit to using Larkmead as their main veterinary practice. We believe this is a much simpler type of insurance which not only removes the worry of unexpected veterinary bills but will also save money for most of our customers over their pet’s lifetime.
“We are delighted to be working with Larkmead Vets. Larkmead is an exceptional independent veterinary practice that puts the needs of their customers and pets first. This enables us to provide great insurance policies that reflect Larkmead’s in-house capability, fair pricing and gives their veterinary team complete freedom to do what is best.”
Elizabeth Graham, Chief Executive Officer Pet Proactive.
Pet Proactive offer cover from £4,000 to £12,000 per year, and whichever policy you choose comes with the following good to know features:
- Complete medical cover including dental illness*
- Any treatment or referral we prescribe is covered up to your policy limit
- A clear and simple policy which confirms any pre-existing conditions exclusions at the start
- Premiums are based on the fair pricing at Larkmead Vets and Pet Proactive will never increase your premium just because you have made a claim.
- Unlike most policies where you may need to pay an excess per condition per year, with a Pet Proactive policy you only pay one excess per year of £100 irrespective of how many conditions you are claiming for, up to your annual claim limit.
- Larkmead will process your claims upon request so you don’t need to worry about paying the balance to us if you’re insured with Pet Proactive.
- Treatment through another vet practice is included if you are away from home.
Pet Proactive can quickly provide prices for your whole pet family under 6 years of age – you just enter the mobile number or email address you have registered with us on their website and your prices are displayed.
And if you already have pet insurance, Pet Proactive’s free “switch check service” will confirm any pre-existing health conditions that would affect your policy before you buy, so you can have complete certainty of cover for you and your pet.
To take out a policy with Pet Proactive you must be registered with, and commit to your primary care with Larkmead Vets. Your pet must be less than 6 years old when taking out the policy – cover is then provided for life as long as you renew annually.
*as long as your pet does not already have pre-existing dental problems
Find out more
Let’s Talk about Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure can affect many older cats without causing obvious clinical signs. Any cat over the age of 7 may be affected. It is more common in cats who suffer from a pre-existing condition such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or diabetes, however it also occurs on its own as a primary condition.
If your cat has untreated high blood pressure there may be damage to the eyes, heart, kidneys, brain and nervous system. This can appear as sudden onset blindness, seizures or breathing problems for example. Problems such as these are preventable with early detection and management.
Screening for hypertension is simple and painless and blood pressure measurements are taken using a cuff just like in humans. Owners are welcome to stay with their cats while they are having their check and can often help the vet or nurse by holding them comfortably. A minimum of three readings are usually taken to find an average. If your cat gets particularly stressed during travel, we can arrange for them to stay for a morning to settle down prior to checking.
If the blood pressure reading is found to be high, medication can be started immediately. This is readily accepted by most cats and stabilisation is often achieved in the first few weeks after beginning treatment. Further checks to rule out a cause for the hypertension will be discussed with you and regular follow-ups arranged to make sure your cat is responding well to treatment.
If you would like to book your cat in for a blood pressure check, you can book online (make sure you choose the appointment type ‘blood pressure check’) or give us a call.
We understand that many pets get anxious when coming to the vets so please mention it when booking if you think this applies to yours. We can provide useful tips and anxiety reducing medication if needed to help make their visit as relaxing as possible.
Surgery at Larkmead
The Larkmead team is pretty unique in that we have a lot of skills in-house that other vets may need to refer patients to specialist vets for. This usually means better prices and of course the familiarity and care from the Team at Larkmead, particularly for post-op follow up care.
Several of our vets have undergone post-graduate training in specific disciplines and we are fortunate to have clinicians who are RCVS Advanced Practitioners in both surgery and medicine. This means we can offer treatment for more complicated cases than many other practices.
Comprehensive investigations and treatment are possible for a range of conditions including cardiology, dentistry, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, neurology, oncology, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery.
In order to provide this service, we continuously re-invest in modern diagnostic aids such as ultrasound scanners, endoscopes, X-ray machines and laboratory equipment to give you accurate rapid results. At Didcot we also have a purpose-built Orthopaedic suite.
Should patients need to stay with us for any period, we have separate dog and cat hospitalisation facilities at both our Didcot Park Road and Cholsey branches. Our own vets and nurses provide 24-hour care for any patient admitted to the practice.
Booking your pet in for surgery can feel worrying but we are happy to answer any questions you may have and will explain what you will need to do before and after their procedure.
Should the vet recommend any procedure for your pet, please feel free to ask any questions (including an estimate of costs) – we want you to feel comfortable with what is going to happen and know that we are going to take good care of them whilst they are an in-patient with us.
How we can help brachycephalic breed dogs
Brachycephalic or ‘flat-faced’ dogs are popular family pets that include Pugs, English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs. If you or someone you know owns a brachycephalic dog, you may have heard talk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) which refers to the group of conditions resulting from breathing difficulties caused by the short nose and narrow airways of these breeds. Research suggests more than 40% of English bulldogs, 50% of French Bulldogs and 60% of Pugs would benefit from surgery to help treat BOAS and widen their airways.
Short noses mean that the soft tissue that usually sits comfortably inside a dog’s nose and mouth, has to fit into a much smaller space. This results in very narrow airways inside the nose and an over-long soft palate (the roof of the mouth) which can obstruct the back of their throat and causes snoring and snorting sounds commonly heard in these dogs. Other signs of BOAS include difficulty breathing during exercise, poor tolerance to heat, retching/vomiting and sleeping with a toy in their mouth or with their head propped up.
If left untreated, over time, the narrow airways and breathing difficulties can result in secondary respiratory, digestive and heart diseases which further worsens the BOAS. This why early intervention is key to minimising the effects of BOAS and stopping disease progression. Some dogs may only need lifestyle changes to manage their BOAS, such as keeping slim and avoiding hot weather. However more severely affected dogs may require surgery to widen their airways and improve their ability to breathe.
The most accurate way of knowing which dogs would benefit from treatment is by doing a non-invasive respiratory function assessment in which a vet listens to a dog’s breathing sounds before and after an exercise tolerance test. We recommend that all brachycephalic breed dogs have an assessment starting from one year old as if needed, airway surgery can greatly improve their quality of life. The cost of an assessment is the same as a standard veterinary consultation and are free to Lifetime Care Club Gold Members, with 20% off for LCC Kite Members.
Booking an Exercise Tolerance Test is very easy – please give our Reception Team a call. You should allow half an hour for your visit as you will be asked to complete a short-survey upon arrival as well as the 20 minute test itself. Appointments are available at Cholsey, Didcot Park Road or Great Western Park.
Our Video Consultation Service
Did you know that you can see one of our own vets from the comfort of your own home? We even have some evening appointments available at no additional cost to routine hours.
Here at Larkmead we are pleased to offer all clients the opportunity to use our video consulting service. Whilst this is not ideal for every appointment, it is very useful if a hands-on examination of your pet is not essential or in some situations, not possible. Examples of when the video service works well include all routine post-op checks (at days 2 and 10 after surgery), 6 month health checks in healthy pets and any queries when you’re not sure if your pet needs to see a vet or not. As with seeing a vet in the surgery, the video vet will have full access to your pet’s medical history plus any test results.
How does it work?
- Head for the Book A Video Consultation button.
- Choose the appointment that best suits your requirements (ie. consultation or pre/post op check)
- Consultations are free of charge for Lifetime Care Club Gold (LCC) Gold members and pre or post op checks. LCC Lark members receive a 15% discount and Kite members a 25% discount.
- Book your time slot – you can sometimes even find same day appointments available.
- Fill in your details and the reason for your appointment. Be careful to check your email address is correct.
- If your consultation is chargeable, you can pay online and confirm details
After booking you will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. On the day of your appointment make sure you have your pet with you and Zoom downloaded on your device. When you are ready just click on your Zoom link at your allocated appointment time. You will be ‘met’ in the call by one of our vets. If an in-house appointment is deemed necessary, this can be booked for you by the vet at no additional consultation cost.
PLEASE NOTE: Video appointments may not be used for emergencies or repeat prescription checks. If the vet decides that your pet requires prescription medication following the video appointment, then a follow-up consultation will be made at the surgery on your behalf.
We’ve received lots of positive feedback on this convenient service so why not give it a try the next time you need veterinary advice?
Our nurse clinics
Welcome to 2023 – we want to tell you a bit about things at Larkmead that you might not necessarily know we offer.
Our wonderful nursing team is an incredibly important part of our practice. Between them our nurses have years of experience, lovingly caring for our patients as well as their own pets. Did you know that as well as keeping things ticking over behind the scenes, they also run their own clinics and appointments?
Clinics are currently held at our Cholsey and Didcot branches with Great Western Park Clinics starting soon. Pre-bookable appointments are available Mondays to Fridays and include the following:
- Puppy and Kitten weigh and worm checks
- Tick removal
- Nail clipping
- Anal gland expressing
- Second and third injections of Librela, Solensia and Cytopoint (N.B. a vet appointment is required to review the patient at the first of every set of 3 appointments)
- Final post-op check appointments
As well as the above, our nurses also can support you and your pet with other problems that may need more time for a detailed examination of your pet and in-depth discussion. Our nurses will work with you to formulate a healthcare plan and can offer ongoing advice and support in conjunction with the vets where needed.
Examples of these clinics include:
Canine de-sensitisation and confidence clinics
These clinics are particularly helpful for dogs who exhibit anxiety when attending the practice or for those pets that have had bad experiences and who are worried about coming to see us. We use tailor made sessions to help your pet feel more comfortable with us and reassure them that coming to see us at the surgery is a fun and rewarding time.
Dental hygiene and care
Our nurses will assess your pet for signs of dental disease and can advise on management and long-term dental hygiene. These clinics are also useful for teaching teeth cleaning techniques and sharing tips on how to continue at home with your pet.
Weight management
These clinics are very popular for helping overweight pets. Our nursing team will cover all aspects of weight control techniques and advise you on the most successful weight loss food and program suited to your individual pet. Weight clinics are free to anyone choosing to purchase our recommended weight control diets from the practice and continue to be free during weight loss and successful long-term management of your pet.
Blood pressure measurement and monitoring
This is particularly important for all senior cats and some dogs too. Often signs of high blood pressure remain undetected until irreversible damage has occurred. Our nursing team will help with diagnosis and monitoring of our hypertensive patients.
As well as the clinics mentioned above, our nurses can help with many aspects of pet care that require an extra hand or further advice such as medication administration and grooming. Periodically we also run additional clinics and promotions focusing on Senior Healthcare and Mobility.
If you’d like to book to see one of our nurses, please speak to our Reception Team on 01235 814991/01491 651379.
