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Frequently Asked Questions
We welcome your questions on veterinary related topics. All questions are answered daily and discussed with one of our registered veterinary surgeons for accuracy. If you have a question that needs an urgent response please telephone the surgery for an immediate answer.
Here is a check list of information for you to include to help us accurately respond to questions.
1. Your name
2. Correct e.mail address
3. Species/breed/sex and age of animal
4. If you are a registered client we need your full name, address and name of pet to view medical history.
5. Please note that some questions are difficult to answer as we do not have enough information from the questioner. The more detials you include the better.
Please include a phone number if you can incase we need to ask you for more details.
Q. I have a 7 month old dog that I would like neutering. Is she old enough now? I have been told that she should have a season and a litter first. As she lives with two male dogs I would find this difficult as I don't really want puppies.
A. A dog is ready to be neutered when their deciduous canine teeth have fallen out. This is typically between 5 and 7 months of age. There is debate that having a first season proves that a bitch is physically mature enough to be neutered without any lessening of potential growth. Neutering as early as possible has the greatest statistical chance of a dog harvesting the best advantages of neutering and decreases the longer a dog is left entire. Please read our neutering fact sheet for dogs on our website for a full list of all the advantages. It is a myth that a bitch needs a litter for any advantage to her at all. All pregnancies come with their own risk factors so we would recommend against having a litter. It is difficult to keep entire males away from bitches in season and if they live together it can cause behavioural difficulties within the household. The chances of an accidental pregnancy if she has a season is high. The small advantage of achieving optimum growth if neutered after a season can be weighed against her having an unwanted pregnancy and causing potential behavioural difficulties within your home. We would be more than happy to neuter her as soon as you are ready.
Q. My cat has came home thismorning and his tail is floppy. He does not seem bothered by it. Should I just leave it?
A. Cats can have their tails injured easily, either by a cat fight, a road traffic accident, a crush injury or by having it caught and pulled. It would be a good idea to have him examined by a vet to determine the cause and rule out any other injuries. It may be a muscular insult which would resolve after a couple of days. Even so it would be a good idea to see him to offer pain relief. We would like to check for other more long-term and potentially serious injuries and offer treatment if necessary.
Q. Does my hamster need to see a vet?
A. Please send further details.