A big shout out to gorgeous Mr Smudgins who is looking very content in this pic! The 12 year old came in for a check up with us earlier in the year as he hadn’t been feeling himself, had a dull coat and had developed a limp. Tests showed that he was suffering from diabetes.
Diabetes is more common in aging pets. Typical signs include excessive drinking, an increase in urination with potential puddles indoors, weight loss despite an increase in appetite and becoming lethargic and easily tired. Interestingly, cats can also develop a symptom called diabetic neuropathy, where their hind legs can appear weak when walking – one of Mr Smudgin’s symptoms. A lacklustre coat can also be an indicator of diabetes as a result of nutritional deficiencies caused by the disease and increased urination.
Mr Smudgins was given a new medication which is an alternative to insulin injections – a liquid medication that can be added to food and works by stopping the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose back into the bloodstream, lowering blood sugar levels. Excess sugar is instead passed out of the body through the patient’s urine.
After initially working to establish the right treatment dose in response to his physical symptoms, four months down the line Mr Smudgins is doing brilliantly well. He’s eating and drinking normally, has great mobility and is a happy chap! And looks like a model!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
When 387 Vets is closed, we provide an out of hours emergency service through Pool House Veterinary Hospital in Lichfield. Please continue to ring 01922 411755 and follow the instructions. Are your pet’s symptoms a health emergency? Use VidiVet or our symptom checker to find out.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
When 387 Vets is closed, we provide an out of hours emergency service through Pool House Veterinary Hospital in Lichfield. Please continue to ring 01922 411755 and follow the instructions. Are your pet’s symptoms a health emergency? Use VidiVet or our symptom checker to find out.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
When 387 Vets is closed, we provide an out of hours emergency service through Pool House Veterinary Hospital in Lichfield. Please continue to ring 01922 411755 and follow the instructions. Are your pet’s symptoms a health emergency? Use VidiVet or our symptom checker to find out.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
Yesterday was reported as the hottest day in May on record and today doesn’t feel much cooler! It’s really important we help our pets to stay as cool and comfortable as possible at this time.
Walk dogs first thing in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Take water and a water bowl with you and limit exertion. If you’re dog-walking on pavements, it’s a good idea to do a temperature test before you set out – if it’s too hot for the palm of your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s pads.
Around the house, ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times and can always access shade and cooler rooms. If you’re visiting us in practice today, look out for our extra water bowls dotted around the site! Ice cubes in the bottom of water bowls helps water stay cooler for longer. There are some great products on the market to help pets keep cool, such as cool mats and a doggy paddling pool for the garden which is lots of fun too! Consider an indoor fan. Needless to say, conservatories are a big no-no as they can reach heat extremes incredibly quickly. Likewise, do not leave your dog in the car for any duration in warm or hot weather as cars can become oven-like in minutes.
Cats are more independent and will take themselves off to find shade. Be aware they may choose to take themselves outside, even on the hottest of days! Ensure they have plenty of shady spots and leaf coverage where they can rest. You can make shady spots easily by popping a cardboard box in a choice spot in the garden, by draping a towel or blanket over chairs to form a canopy, or even by putting an open umbrella out on the grass. Again, make sure cats have access to plenty of fresh water to rehydrate. Many cats love running water, so it may be worth investing in a cat fountain to encourage your cat to drink.
Don’t forget that pets with white or very light-coloured hair can be especially susceptible to sunburn, so apply pet-friendly sunscreen to ears and noses!
Remember rabbits too! It’s really important to consider hutch location and how the sun moves around the garden during the day so that hutches and runs aren’t in full sun glare at any point. You can freeze water bottles so that drinking water stays cooler for longer, and it’s worth putting a frozen bottle of water wrapped in a tea towel into the hutch so rabbits can choose to lie against it should they wish. Dampening the tips of their ears with a cool facecloth helps them to feel cooler too. It’s also really important that you protect rabbits’ rear ends from fly strike (an incredibly painful and potentially fatal condition where flies lay eggs in the skin and the maggots hatch and feed on the host’s flesh). Preventative products are available. You should also check your rabbit’s bottom twice daily, and if they have any sore patches of skin, check these too. If you spot fly strike, pleaser seek immediate veterinary support.
If you are concerned that your pet may be suffering from heat stroke (symptoms include excessive panting, noisy panting, drooling, bright red gums, confusion or collapse), move them into shade and seek immediate veterinary advice. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and fast action is essential.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
