Health

Looking After Your Dog's Claws

5 mins read

Whether your dog is an energetic puppy or a fully grown adult they will rarely, if ever, need their nails trimmed. But it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your dog’s nails – and know how to clip them, just in case! When you go for walks together, hard surfaces such as the pavement will naturally wear your dog’s nails down, which leaves you with very little work to do. However, if your dog’s nails aren’t looking after themselves, their untrimmed nails can break, bleed or even grow into their feet, causing them a lot of discomfort. If your furry friend is a senior, walking on overgrown dog nails can cause pain if they have arthritic feet. But what should you look out for? Hearing a 'click-click-click' noise as they walk on hard floors is the most obvious sign that your dog’s nails need a clip. Dog nail clipping is relatively simple, but you need to know how to correctly clip your dog’s claws to avoid causing damage or pain, which is easily done by accident. To make things easier and less stressful for your dog and you, always consult your vet or veterinary nurse before attempting to clip your dog’s claws at home. How to clip your dog’s nails If your dog hasn’t had their nails clipped before, or if you haven’t clipped dogs’ nails yourself, it can be a strange experience for both of you! However, if you prepare well, keep your dog calm, and follow these simple steps you’ll be done in no time. And of course, if you’re still not sure, your vet will be happy to help. Before you start • If your dog is a bit nervous, stressed or upset about having his nails clipped, or at worst tries to nip you, do not try to clip his nails yourself – it’s fine to ask your vet to do it. • Most veterinary practices have clinics where dog nail clipping can be done easily and cheaply. This takes the stress away, and you’ll know your dog is being looked after by an expert. • This is especially true if his nails are very overgrown, have grown into the pad, or you have no one to help you. Trying to do it alone for the first time can be tricky for anyone! Clipping your dog’s nails • Had a tutorial from your vet/veterinary nurse? You’re ready to go! First of all, ensure you purchase the correct type of dog nail clippers from your veterinary practice or groomer. • Only use nail trimmers that have been specifically designed for pets, and ensure they are sharp and well-maintained to make the job as easy as possible. • Depending on the size of your dog, sit him on your lap, or sit on the floor next to him – he’ll find the closeness reassuring, as well as it being practical. • Ask a friend or family member to help by holding your dog’s head and providing reassurance. Even if he’s not a fan of having his nail clipped, he’ll probably enjoy the fuss! • Hold your dog's paws firmly and push lightly on the pads to make the dog nail stick out. • Starting at the very end of his nail, clip at a 45-degree angle with the cutting end of the nail clipper towards the nail. Dark dog nails If you dog has dark nails trim very thin cuttings off the end, as it’s easy to accidentally damage the ‘quick’ or soft part of the nail. If you see a black dot in the centre of his nail, you have reached the quick and should stop cutting right away. Again, your vet or veterinary nurse can help you work out how much nail to remove. White dog nails On white dog nails, the quick is in the pink section (which you cannot see in black nails) – again, try hard not to nick it! The quick contains nerves and blood vessels that when nicked will bleed easily. How often should you clip your dog’s nails? Dog nail clipping, if necessary at all, should preferably be carried out once a week, but at least twice a month depending on your dog’s needs and how often you walk on roads. It's better to take off small amounts more often than to remove large portions every once in a while. What to do if your dog’s nails bleed • Have silver nitrate sticks, which are available from your vet, and cotton wool balls nearby in case you do accidentally nick the dog nail quick. • If so, and it bleeds, don't panic – it can happen to all of us. Calmly apply the silver nitrate to the end of the claw and press it with a cotton wool ball for a moment. • If the bleeding doesn’t stop, consult your vet immediately for further help with your dog nail clipping technique. • Silver nitrate may sting, so ask your helper to hold your dog if the need arises.

Puppy Neutering - Your Questions Answered

8 mins read

We answer some of the most common questions owners have about puppy neutering and spaying. Bringing a mischievous bundle of fur home is so much fun. When you’re teaching your puppy to sit and tickling their tummy, it’s unlikely that the thought of them having their own litter will even cross your mind. However, puppies can start to reach sexual maturity from around 6-7 months old up to 18 months, dependent on their breed size, and may therefore become pregnant earlier than you might otherwise have realise! As a new dog owner, you’ll have to think about whether you want your dog to breed or not from a relatively early age. Neutering your dog will help them avoid any unplanned pregnancies and may have a number of other health, behavioural and social benefits. However, there are also some disadvantages, and depending on your particular puppy these may outweigh the advantages of neutering, even if you do not want to breed from them. Your veterinary practice should be able to help you decide what is best for your puppy. What is neutering? Surgical neutering Neutering is a common operation which involves surgically preventing pets from reproducing by removing some or all of the reproductive organs. For male puppies this involves the removal of the testicles, and is called ‘castration’. For females the procedure means the removal of their ovaries and sometimes uterus, and is called ‘spaying’. In male dogs, neutering tends to be minimally invasive unless the dog’s testicles haven’t dropped. If your dog’s testicles haven’t dropped by 6-9 months of age, then they will need to be assessed by your vet. These dogs should not be bred from. For bitches, neutering is slightly more invasive than in males. It may be performed by an incision along her tummy to remove the ovaries and uterus. Alternatively, some veterinary practices offer the option of spaying via keyhole surgery, which is less invasive and may speed up recovery time. However, the decision as to which approach to take should be based on a discussion with your vet. Both operations are carried out under general anaesthetic. They will involve a small risk – as with any surgical procedure – but techniques and monitoring during anaesthetic minimise risks as much as possible. It also means your puppy will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Pain relief and anti-inflammatories will also be provided by the veterinary practice at the time of the procedure, and you will often also be given some to take home as part of your puppy’s aftercare. You will also usually have one or two post-operative checks with your puppy, with a vet or vet nurse. This will enable them to monitor healing, and remove any stitches at the appropriate time if, in female dogs, stitches have been placed. If and when you are thinking about neutering your puppy, the best source of reliable information and advice is your vet. They will be able to answer any questions that you may have about what is involved in the procedure, possible side effects, the cost of neutering a puppy, and more. Chemical neutering There may be reasons you would prefer not to have your dog neutered surgically. In these cases, it is also possible to administer injections and tablets that can prevent your dog from breeding. This avoids surgery, and does enable your pet to breed later in life if wished, but the treatment does need to be administered regularly. There is some risk of side effects and there is an ongoing cost, but this may be a preferential option for some dogs. Your vet will be able to provide further information on this option. When should I neuter my puppy? Your dog or bitch will start to reach sexual maturity from around 6-7 months old up to 18 months, dependent on the size of the breed. The best age to neuter is a controversial subject and does differ according both to the size and breed of your dog. If wanting to avoid unwanted pregnancies it may be better to neuter your puppy at a younger age, and neutering can be carried out before the first season in females, but some vets will advise waiting longer. Particularly in larger breeds, especially male dogs, waiting until fully mature may be advised. There is no clear evidence of the optimum approach, however, and you should discuss what may be best for your individual puppy with your vet. What are the advantages and disadvantages of neutering my puppy? There are several health, behavioural and social reasons why neutering your puppy may be advisable and likely to be of benefit to them, and to you. However, although there are plenty of advantages there are also some potential disadvantages and neutering may not be an appropriate decision for every dog. The benefits of the procedure also vary depending on gender.

Recognising and Treating Ticks on Dogs

3 mins read

It’s not uncommon for a dog to have ticks. These pesky parasites are very adept at attaching themselves to your dog’s coat, even if you do your best to avoid them. Luckily there are simple ways to help prevent, and treat, ticks on dogs. What are dog ticks? Ticks are eight-legged parasites that bite your dog to drink their blood. Although dog ticks are very tiny, they can swell up to the size of a pea once they’ve attached themselves to your dog by burying their mouthparts into their skin. How do I spot ticks on my dog? Dog ticks are just large enough to be visible, especially if they’ve already had a bite – then they can look like small warts, and on closer inspection you can see their legs, too. You’ll usually find them around your dog’s head and neck area - just part your dog’s fur and run your fingers along their skin. Tick bites on dogs can also cause irritation and redness. How do I remove dog ticks? Never pull a tick out of your dog’s skin as you may end up leaving the mouthpart behind, which could cause an infection or inflammation. Instead, ask your vet to give you a specially designed tick removal tool that will get rid of the mouthparts as well, and ask them to show you how to remove dog ticks if you’re unsure. Once you’ve removed the tick, check that its head and legs are intact and there’s nothing left behind in your dog’s skin. If you think there might be, talk to your vet who will be able to advise you and put your mind at ease. Some flea products also kill ticks, while others provide a bit of extra protection against them, although they’ll need more frequent application than usual. Always talk to your vet to find the best treatment for your dog. Brushing your dog can also help remove them in some cases. For more information, check out our easy step by step guide for how to remove a tick from a dog.

Things to Look Out for During Dog Labour

3 mins read

Your bitch is about to become a proud mum, and soon she’ll have some adorable new pups to care for – how exciting! The great news is that most canine pregnancies are problem-free and dogs generally make excellent mothers. Even though dog birthing problems are very rare, there are a few things to keep an eye on before, during and after labour. If you’re at all worried at any stage your vet will be more than happy to give you advice. Things to look out for during dog pregnancy Although dogs usually enjoy hassle-free pregnancies, there are a few signs that could suggest complications. Contact your vet if:

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