Cat’s whiskers
A FEW weeks ago my beloved pet cat Milly was taken seriously ill. After phoning around numerous vets, trying for an emergency appointment, I found myself ringing a vets at Fence Houses called SimplyCats.
I’d never heard of them before but tried it as a last resort. I explained what was the problem and was told to bring my cat over.
Thanks to all the wonderful staff who work there, my cat had a life-saving operation and is now making a full recovery. Their dedication and expertise was second to none and even now they keep in touch to see how Milly is progressing.
I’m so glad I found this wonderful and most caring place. I’m definitely not letting my pet go anywhere else!
Ashley Veitch and Family
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/letters/Letters-Saturday-November-14-2009.5824965.jp
Howard Jones gigs in Machester and Cardiff. He had Daniel Pearce (ex X factor) singing one of his own songs. (see link below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je4VUjlwwlQ
Sarah & Paul visited the London Vet Show last weekend and attended numerous lectures on feline medicine. Whilst at the show they received a soft toy ‘Giardia’ from one of the laboratories, which Grub the kitten took a shine too.
The photo below is Grub playing with the ‘Giardia’ and it seemed a perfect opportunity for me to write about ‘Giardia’ and explain exactly what it is.
Giardia is a protozoal parasite. Once infected, a cat will be a giardia carrier for life
Infection is relatively rare in healthy cats. It is more common in densely-populated groups of animals, such as in a cattery, pet store, or rescue shelter. Symptoms of giardia are increased during stressful situations: This is why giardiasis commonly occurs among rescue and shelter animals. Also, kittens have been shown to shed more Giardia cysts in their faeces than older cats.
Giradia is highly contagious and can be easily passed from one animal to another. The parasites can also be transferred to humans.
Transmission takes place through the faecal-oral route. This means that the animal defecates cysts and that another animal or human being is infected with this by means of receipt through the mouth. Only 10 cysts are needed in order to pass an infection to a new host. In case of an infection about 100.000 cysts per gram faeces is secreted.
Ingestion of the cyst stage of the parasite leads to infection. Once inside the cat’s intestine, the cyst goes through several stages of maturation. Eventually, the cat is able to pass infective cysts in the stool, where they can contaminate the environment and infect other cats.
Infection can also occur from drinking water which has been contaminated with the cysts.
The first noticeable symptom of giardiasis is usually diarrhoea or soft, discolored faeces. Faeces may also be covered in mucus. Other symptoms include excess gas, abdominal tenderness, loss of appetite and listlessness
It is very important to prevent dehydration; clean water should be easily available
There are many causes for diarrhoea and it is important to make the right diagnosis so that the right treatment can be given
Metronidazole (Metrazol) or fenbendazol (Panacur) can be given although there are some Giardia strains are not susceptible to metronidazol or fenbendazol. All animals in the household must be treated!
A good hygiene is very important. Always wash your hands after having touched your cat. Clean and disinfect the surroundings of your animal, this is important to avoid another infection
Claire
A rare photo of all my three cats together without at least two being locked in mortal combat! After this was taken Katie stayed in the car seat and Maisey sat (if you can call this sitting) on the stairs. It looked really uncomfortable but she stayed like this for over half an hour! Who needs a television to watch for entertainment when you have cats!
Caroline
On my continuing quest to be David Bailey, thought you might like to share some more nature shots. These were taken at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Washington a couple of weeks ago
Caroline
Meet Oscar, he is a regular at the clinic and for some reason decided it was comfiest sat perched on the end of our consulting table 
Some cats find comfort in the most unusual of places.
Claire
Antifreeze, screen-wash and some de-icers may contain Ethylene glycol – a substance fatal to cats. Antifreeze is available as a liquid to be added to the water in your car engine radiators to prevent freezing. Even small quantities can be life threatening.
It is sweet tasting and attractive to cats, but is fatal to them so do be sure to keep such items out of your pet’s reach and mop up any spillages straight away. Dispose of old cartons carefully, and ensure you keep your cat out of the garage.
Signs such as staggering movements; tiredness; increased heart rate; continuous vomiting, or dehydration may suggest that your furry friend has ingested this poisonous substance. Unless your dog is taken to the Vet’s immediately after ingestion.
Ethylene glycol causes;
- Wobbling
- Convulsions
- Vomiting
- Collapse
- Acute renal failure
- Coma
Induce vomiting and give activated charcoal. Obtain immediate veterinary attention.
Click here to view a leaflet provided by the British Veterinary Association on Pets & Poisons.
Should your cat consume any substance which you suspect may be toxic please do not hesitate to contact the surgery immediately.
Claire
9 – 10 week old kitten found on Morley Terrace, Fencehouses on Monday 9th November 2009. Grey tabby with white chest and white paws. Kitten is wearing a purple collar with a bell on.
Please contact the surgery with any information.
Please also see here for more lost and found cats.
Claire
Starting Monday 9th November, we will be open for consultations until 7.30pm.
For all our opening times please click here
Claire
Monday 9th November proved to be a full house at SimplyCats. We had cats in all of the kennels in our recovery area, not including Grub who was in Hospitalisation for the day
All of the cats settled well into their temporary accomodation for the day. Especially Pudden (top right) who has become somewhat of a resident at SimplyCats, following a road traffic accident she dislocated her hip and has been resting, until last Thursday when Paul performed an operation to repair the joint and she has been recovering well. She particularly enjoys lots of fuss and attention.
Claire
We have recently started to use a different type of buster collar at SimplyCats, as the traditional plastic collars are often not tolerated well by cats.
We now stock soft buster collars which are soft and effective whilst allow cats to eat, drink and sleep in comfort while providing a barrier to the treatment area from licking and biting. It is soft, lightweight and easily applied with a simple drawstring design.
Claire
Grub will be 5 weeks old on Monday (where has the time gone?!) He’s growing by the minute and doing fantastically.
For those of you have been following Grub’s progress and have met Grub and seen him grow here is a brief summary of a kitten’s progress through the weeks.
Hand rearing a kitten is an extremely intensive and demanding time condensed into a short period of your life. The rewards of my labours far exceed my sleepless nights.
He been a fantastic lesson for some of the visitors to the surgery, as many of you have seen him taking his bottle and many people have never seen a kitten so small.
Kittens hand reared in isolation from other cats is at risk of developing psychological abnormalities, including nervousness, aggression and a reduced ability to cope with strange surroundings, people or animals. Kittens hand reared in the presence of other cats are less likely to be affected, since they can develop by watching the other cats.
Socialisation is extremely important for well adjusted kittens. Introduce the kittens to other animals as soon as possible.
Grub has been introduced to my three other cats at home (Zippy, Boris & Mable) who despite an initial scared look on their face, have taken to him well. Grub has also been introduced to my two dogs (Jack & Millie) who love him. My dogs have been brought up with cats and are used to cats and small kittens (as I’ve hand reared kittens and puppies several times before).
There are several basic functions to be addressed when hand rearing kittens. These include the provision of a clean, warm environment, a strict feeding regimen, attention to urination and defecation (emptying of the bowels), and attention to general health.
Total dedication and commitment is required by the carer at all times.
0-2 weeks
Kittens’ responses are limited and revolve around thermal stimuli, tactile stimuli and sense of smell. They are relatively immobile but can use a slow paddling movement to travel very short distances. During this time and up until three weeks of age the kitten is totally dependent on the mother’s milk for nutrition, nursing is initiated entirely by the mother. Eyes will open at any time between two and sixteen days but usually between seven and ten days. Teeth start to erupt at about two weeks of age.
3-4 weeks
Vision starts to play a role in guiding the kitten towards its mother. Basic walking appears during the third week and by four weeks of age kittens can move a reasonable distance. The body-righting reaction is fully developed by four weeks. Kittens normally start to eat solid food at four weeks old.
5-6 weeks
By the five week kittens show brief episodes of running. By five weeks of age kittens may start to kill mice. Kittens are no longer dependent on their mother to stimulate urination.
7-8 weeks
Kittens have begun to show adult-like responses to threatening social stimuli, both visual and smell. Weaning is usually complete by seven weeks after birth. By this time a kitten’s ability to maintain body temperature is the same as an adult.
Complex movement, such as walking along and turning around on a narrow fence may not develop fully until ten to eleven weeks after birth. Sexual maturity can occur from six months of age (occasionally earlier) and social maturity (adulthood) at any time between eighteen months and four years of age.
Claire
I think that many people consider a trip to the vets to be an expensive occasion with many considering the bills to be overpriced. Generally it is assumed that Vets are rich people that make lots of money. This may be the case with some, however with a lot of practices it is simply not the case.
The prices charged are very reasonable and fair for the work involved and it is very difficult for Veterinary Practices to make any profits at all within the first few years of opening a surgery as they gradually aim to update equipment and purchase new items in order to improve the practice and facilities available all the time as Veterinary medicine is always changing and improving.
In order to run a Veterinary Practice we firstly need premises which need to be mortgaged or leased. In addition to this are the additional costs that run alongside the building such as the gas and electricity bills, council tax, water rates, insurance, phone bills and repair costs as needed.
The practice requires staff; Vets, nurses and receptionists. All of which need to be paid, be supplied with uniforms, have paid holidays and go on regular training courses in order to keep their skills up to date with the latest developments to help ensure you receive the best possible treatments for your pets.
We need equipment such as Anaethetic Machines, circuits and endotracheal tubes and masks, X-ray machine and processor, Dental Machine, Autoclave, Surgical equipment, blood machines, tables, computers, kennels, vetbeds, washing machine, phones and much much more. (Many of which require regular servicing to ensure they are safe for use).
Equipment, materials and drugs such as fluids, tablets, injectables, suture materials, flea and worm treatments, foods, muzzles, needles, syringes, cleaning supplies etc.
Whenever a pet comes into the surgery for a surgical procedure this always involves at least three staff members. Clients are greeted by a receptionist. The vet or nurse admits the patient for the procedure. During the procedure, the vet always needs the assistance of a nurse and the nurse monitors the anaesthetic and records readings on a chart all the way through the operation. The receptionist mans the desk and answers phones during this.
It can also be extremely hard work in a Veterinary Practice with an awful lot of multitasking going on in the hopes of providing the best possible care we can, in as good and clean an environment as we can whilst also dealing with new people and queries from clients coming into the surgery or telephoning the surgery throughout the day. In addition to this, animals are not always predictable and can often cause chaos if they do not appreciate what we are trying to do with them.
Over all we all love working in a Veterinary Practice and enjoy the challenges it presents. However we would ask that people just stop and have a think next time they visit the surgery with regards to the work put in by all and the reason we charge the prices we do.
Thank you
The Crufts of the cat world is coming up; the Supreme Cat Show at Birmingham NEC on Saturday 21st November 2009.
Click here to see their website for further information
Claire