Dog Essentials

Change in Eating Habits
Any change in how your pet dog usually eats warrants a trip to the veterinarian. If your pooch is suddenly turning up his nose at regular food or treats, it could indicate anything from digestive issues to a serious obstruction in the intestines which would require surgery.

Drinking a Lot or Too Little
Not drinking enough water or failure to urinate can also indicate digestive issues. If your dog is drinking and urinating excessively, a veterinarian should check them for diabetes or kidney disease.

Difficult or Rapid Breathing
Every dog pants on a hot day or after exercise, but they should not have trouble breathing after a brief rest or a return to cool temperatures. While your dog may only have a cold or be experiencing allergies of some kind, that can determine if there are more serious problems involved.

Vomiting or Changes in Stool
Vomiting and/or diarrhoea for 3 days means a visit to the Vet. Throwing up their food once or having a bout of diarrhoea is not necessarily cause for alarm if the problem goes away quickly and doesn’t return regulary. However, continual changes in stool can indicate digestive inflammation, a blockage, serious allergy or disease. This and especially vomiting could mean your pet ate something poisonous.

Lack of Energy or Lethargy
Although more of a concern in young dogs and puppies, lethargy and general disinterest in more active pastimes can be a sign that your dog is ill or has a physical complaint that is hurting them.

Poor Balance or Difficulty With Regular Movement
Whenever changes to gate, movement or balance are observed in your pet dog, you should make an appointment with the veterinarian right away. While a limp may be as simple as a strained tendon, balance issues and awkward motions can indicate neurological problems.

Irritated, Weeping or Red Eyes
Infection and irritants can change how your dog’s eyes look. If they are red, tearing or producing excess mucus, you probably should get them checked out. Other possibilities include a scratch or other injury to the cornea.

Rashes, Skin and/or Hair Changes
While many skin rashes, dry skin and dull coats result from food and other allergies, nobody should let their dog suffer long with irritations and itches that never go away. Veterinarians can help determine the cause of the skin and hair problems and come up with a solution to make your dog more comfortable again.

Wincing, Whining or Crying
All three of these actions indicate an injury or some kind of pain your dog is experiencing. If you start to pet your dog and they shy away from your hand or whine, you know there is something wrong. Your pet might need x-rays and a full examination to determine the cause.

Aggressive or Unusual Behaviour
Anytime your dog’s behaviour changes for the worse, it is an indication that something is not right. Just like people get cranky when they are ill or in pain, your dog can have the same reaction. Do not assume that a sudden increase in barking, growling, pacing or other aggressive or restless actions are a behavioural problem. The first thing to do is to make an appointment with the Vet so the dog can be checked for illnesses and injuries.

Signs Of Obvious Distress
Cats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it’s cause for concern. Howling, crying, hiding and acting out of character should alert you that something may be seriously wrong. 3 days of such behaviour is a long time for a cat.

Abnormal Litter Box Behavior
Changes in litter box habits can indicate a serious health problem, particularly in male cats so don’t delay. Urinary obstruction is a condition that prevents the cat from passing urine and can be fatal without treatment. If your cat suddenly begins urinating outside the litter box, straining and crying while producing little urine, or begins grooming the genital area excessively, book an appointment immediately.

Repeated Vomiting
Occasional vomiting of food or hair is normal. Repeated vomiting may indicate that something is seriously wrong. If your cat continues to eat and drink, as well as use the litter box, contact your veterinarian to discuss his symptoms. However, if your cat stops eating, drinking and urinating, it should be considered an emergency.

Overwhelming Fatigue
Many cats are naturally low energy, but if your cat suddenly becomes entirely sedentary, doesn’t have enthusiasm for things she normally enjoys and even goes off by herself to sleep in strange areas, something could be seriously wrong.

Sudden Change In Appetite
Cats can have a reputation for being finicky, but you know what is normal for your pet. If appetite changes suddenly, showing either more or less interest in his food than usual, he may have an undiagnosed health issue.

Dragging Back Legs
Aortic thromboembolism is a complication that can develop in cats with heart disease. In this condition, a blood clot becomes lodged in the back legs, causing paralysis and distress. It is vital to get your cat medical attention immediately.

A Lump Or Unusual Growth
Lumps or bumps may be perfectly harmless, but without an examination, it is impossible to tell. Even if the new growth is benign, it can develop in an area that causes discomfort for your pet.

Coughing Or Other Breathing Changes
Any changes to your cat’s respiratory system such as sounds from coughing, to an increase in the number of breaths, to the sound of more shallow breathing, should be taken seriously. Respiratory issues can be a symptom of tumours, parasites, respiratory disease, or exposure to toxins.

Discharge From the Eyes Or Nose
Discharge from the eyes or nose, particularly when combined with shortness of breath, panting or sneezing, can be a sign of a respiratory infection. These infections can progress quickly if left untreated.

After Any Major Trauma or Fighting With Another Cat
If your cat is struck by a car, in a fight or otherwise experiences trauma, a visit to the Vet is in order. Even if they seem fine, may have internal injuries or wounds hidden beneath his fur. A quick trip to the Vet is worth the time to reduce the risk of infection or other complications later on.

First of all congratulations. Maybe you have lots of questions, what to get him/her checked out? Not sure what to do about working, vaccinations, food and toilet training?

Why not book in for one of our Free Puppy, Kitten or Rabbit Checks? We’ll give them a quick check over and you can ask all your questions. We’ll check what vaccinations they’ve been given and let you know what next steps you need to look after such as working to ensure they’re kept healthy and bright.

If you’ve not been to us before, have a new pet and you have some concerns you can book in a Free Check with us, no obligation. 

You may have concerns about your pets teeth, bad breath or need an estimate on the cost of doing a Dental? If so you can book a Free Dental Check so we can advise on the next steps.

Free Checks are not a substitute for a full examination or for known issues. For those you need to book a Consultation.

Your pet desires the best of care and we think so too.

Rather than paying out Vet bills a couple of times a year, we have various Pet Plans to spread the cost into monthly payments spread over the year and can also save you up to 40%.

We have Essentials Plans if you’re on a budget but still want to make sure all the basics such as Vaccinations, anti parasite and deworming are taken care of for the year.

Our all inclusive VIP Plans have unlimited Consultations and also covers you for all routine needs and lots more.

These plans deliver incredible savings and ensure your pet gets the best of worry free care at any time during the year.

Click on Pet Plans for full details. There’s a Plan to suit every pet.

We have an Emergency line available to our clients 24/7 365 days a year.

If you have a worry after normal working hours late at night, during weekends or holidays call us on (021)2067700 and you will be put through to a Vet who can answer your questions and help direct you as to what to do next.

We always encourage people to call as early as they see or think there’s an issue and not to wait until late at night. It’s always best to call us during normal working hours when possible.