EUTHANASIA-
a big decision We are responsible for the animal during its lifetime,
and we are also responsible during the time of illness and death.
It is natural to feel guilty when considering euthanasia. Sometimes
we may feel angry that the animal cannot be saved and often think….’If
only I had done….things could have been different’.
It is important to discuss your concerns with the vet, who will
be able to advise and guide you towards the correct decision.
This should re-assure you that the decision you have made, whether
due to your pet being terminally ill, critically injured or aggressive,
has been the most appropriate one at the time.
The death of a pet is a significant and very emotional time in
a persons life. The memory of this event will therefore be a long-lasting
one. Pets are usually considered to be part of our family or an
integral part of our lives and we may mourn at their death as
if we have lost a human friend.
It helps to share your feelings with a friend, a member of the
veterinary staff or someone else who has had a similar experience.
It is helpful to realise that your reaction to losing a pet is
a normal response and these emotions can be considered a tribute
to what your pet has meant to you.
Animal Funeral Services have been providing a pet funeral service
to both vets and members of the public since 1985. Their company
is one of the longest established and most experienced of its
type in the UK, and offers the best possible service at the most
cost effective rate. They currently service veterinary practices
throughout mainland Britain.
They offer a wide and flexible range of services from a single
private burial with an all inclusive package, to an individual
cremation with return of ashes, in a choice of caskets or pottery
urn.
They operate throughout the year so that they are at your service
whenever you need them.
It is difficult at the time of loss of a much loved pet, to consider
whether you want Animal Funeral Services to step in or if indeed
you simply want to make arrangements to take your pet home for
burial.
The vet, or indeed any member of staff will willingly spend some
time with you explaining the options and offering any advice they
can perhaps talking about a general cremation- where other pets
go with yours for cremation and the ashes scattered in the gardens
there on your behalf, or an individual cremation- where your pets
ashes are returned to you, Animal Funeral Services also have a
garden of rest where they will place your pets ashes if you so
wish.
Sometimes people find it really quite difficult to cope with the
loss of a much beloved pet and simply need an understanding person
with whom to talk it through, we hope that at Crossroads you will
always find someone whom will have time for a chat or offer some
advice.
There
is a helpline run by the Blue
Cross – pet charity which offers
support over the phone from 8.30am – 8.30pm
on 0800 096 6606 or indeed you may want
to use the email support service on pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk
RABBIT
FACTS Rabbits are now the third most popular pets in
the United Kingdom.
The average life expectancy is 7-10 years, but rabbits as
old as 15 years have been reported
The Following information has been designed to help you
take proper care of your rabbit and to help prevent some
of the more common diseases. Click
on the links to read the pages
KIDNEY
FACTS
Most of our pets thankfully take normal kidney function for granted,
but for some pets kidney dsease can be a problem- particularly
as they grow older.
Cats
and dogs have two kidneys. Each kidney has three distinct areas:
the cortex, medulla and pelvis. The cortex and medulla contain
billions of tiny units called NEPHRONS. Blood, carried to each
kidney by the renal artery is then filtered by the millions of
tiny nephrons removing protein breakdown, excess salts and water.
These are then concentrated to form urine which collects in the
pelvis before passing via the ureters into the bladder.
Over
a time a proportion of the nephrons will disappear (with age)
and will not be replaced. Other factors such as toxins, infections
or cancer may also destroy nephrons.
However,
the kidneys have excess filtering capacity with the result that
VISIBLE symptoms of kidney disease are not usually
seen until about two thirds of the nephrons have been lost. If
this stage is reached, the kidneys start to lose their capacity
to concentrate the urine leading to large amounts of dilute urine
and increased thirst.
The
filtering capacity fails so toxic waste will accumulate in the
blood resulting in loss of appetite, weight loss, poor coat condition,
apathy and weakness.
Regular
examinations allow us to detect kidney disease before the outward
signs are visible. It is not all bad news however, whilst kidney
disease cannot be cured, new forms of medication and specifically
formulated diets can be of great help. If you are concerned that
your pet is showing any of the symptoms described here, please
do contact us for an appointment!
RABBITTING
ON ... ('what's up.. Doc?')
When the warmer spring weather is about to break, rabbits are
once more at risk from the deadly viral disease of MYXOMATOSIS.
This
disease is spread by biting insects such as flies and fleas. The
disease causes puffy swellings around the eyes, usually leading
to blindness. Sadly, even with medication and nursing, most stricken
rabbits will die of this disease.
Rabbits
are also at risk form VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE.
this deadly virus can be brought home on animals, clothes, petfood
and bedding. Affected animals may show a variety of symptoms including
loss of appetite, lethargy and nose bleeds. Sadly most affected
rabbits will quickly succumb and die. HAPPILY
though, there are safe and effective vaccines which can be given
to prevent both of these diseases, so dont take risks.. make sure
YOUR rabbit is protected!
PINCH
AN INCH AND WIN A TAPE MEASURE!
The winter months are often a time of inactivity and weight gain
for many pets... If you suspoect that your pet is becoming a little
too 'cuddly' or that their 'ground clearance is reducing slightly,
the first thing you should do is arrange for us to weigh him or
her... We will be able to establish whether or not your pet is
overweight and advise you on an ideal wieght. we will also perform
a thorough physical examination to check for any medical conditions
that arise from weight gain. Eg: underactive thyroid gland in
middle aged and older dogs leading to a lowered metabolic rate.
Being overweight is as much a problem for our pets as it is for
ourselves. Obesity is known to cause or worsen a range of conditions
including joint disease (arthritis), heart disease, diabetes mellitus
and heat intolerance, just to name a few!
It's not all bad news though... If your pet needs to lose weight,
we are happy to advise you on the most suitable diety and exercise
programme to give you the best chance of success. Just contact
us for details and make an appointment for your pet.
What
to do in case of EMERGENCY...
We
at Crossroads Veterinary Centre run a
24-hour emergency service
on: (01494)
459095
