Our emergency service, Vets Now, have produced a helpful tool to help you assess what action to take if your dog has eaten chocolate. Chocolate consumption for dogs is not just a problem of an expanding waistline. It can be very serious – even life threatening – because dogs don’t process the chemicals in chocolate in the same way humans do. Please treat it as a potential emergency. This tool can help you decide whether the amount consumed is a potentially toxic dose. If in any doubt please call us or Vets Now if out of hours.
HELLO
HELLO
Taking pets to Europe from January 2021
Of course nothing is certain right now and travelling is probably far from your minds, but I just wanted to update you on the latest situation regarding pet travel to Europe from 1st January 2021. Our updated guide is here Pet travel post brexit Jan21
It has been confirmed that the UK will become a part 2 listed third country under the EU pet travel scheme. This means that most of the process for preparing a pet to travel remain the same but the paperwork is very different.
From 1/1/21 to travel to Europe with a dog or cat (or ferret) you will need to complete the following steps:
Step 1 – Microchip
Step 2 – Rabies vaccine
Step 3 – Wait 21 days
Step 4 – Issue AHC (Animal Health Certificate) within 10 of travel
Step 5 – Leave the UK (good luck with that)
Note there is no blood test requirement.
The AHC will replace the old blue pet passports and is a travel document that must be completed less than 10 days before your departure. It is only valid for ONE entry into Europe and for ongoing travel within Europe for up to 4 months. You will need a new AHC for every trip out of the UK. Should you require an AHC then we can issue one, just book an appointment and we will need you to bring your microchipping certificate, any old vaccination documentation and your old passport to this appointment.
The tapeworming requirement 24 hours to 5 days before your return to the UK is unchanged.
See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021 for more detailed information and if you have any questions feel free to contact us.
Should the situation change we will let you know but please keep an eye on the web link above as nothing that is confirmed every stays confirmed for long these days it seems!
HELLO
Getting a new puppy during lockdown
What a fantastic opportunity! While everyone is at home it is a wonderful time to introduce a new puppy whilst you have plenty of time to bond. But what about when life returns to normal and everyone is back at work and school? Puppies are very open to new experiences when they are young but as they get older they don’t adapt to change very well. This could mean that puppies who have their early socialisation during lockdown never get used to being alone. This can lead to something called separation anxiety, which can be incredibly stressful for both dogs and owners. A dog with separation anxiety will be very distressed when they are left alone, they cry bark and howl, show destructive behaviours such as chewing or digging and messing in the house.
It is crucial that your puppy gets used to being left alone during the day now, even if during lockdown no one is leaving the house. It is best to start with small periods every day. This can be when you leave the house or even with you upstairs or in a different room. Start with 5 minutes at a time, and gradually increase the time you are away so that he or she gets used to it. You can leave a safe toy or treat with your puppy so they are distracted and have a positive association with you leaving. We often find kongs good, you can stuff a small treat in the end or smear something sticky on the inside which will keep your pup busy for ages. It is important that you come back while your pup is calm to build the positive association. If you return when your pup is stressed and crying it could encourage the pup to cry more and more, expecting you to come back.
Then before you know it, you’ll be back at work and your puppy will be at home, calm and content in the knowledge that you haven’t left them behind forever!
For more information on preventing separation anxiety see this link: https://www.rspca.org.uk/documents/1494939/0/Learning+to+be+left+alone.pdf/9a8de76d-08fa-7df6-3c80-df05669f5837?t=1557312518563
Enjoy this lovely time with your new puppy to have some fun! We looking forward to seeing you all with your new furry friends in the coming months!
HELLO
Rescuing from abroad – things to think about
There are many charities dedicated to rescuing and re-homing stray dogs, whether it be here in the UK, or abroad from countries such as Romania or Serbia.
Re-homing a rescue dog is a big undertaking, and as the amount of dogs being brought over from abroad for re-homing rises, there are few things to consider as you might be going through the process.
Some dogs will not have been very well socialised or trained, so may need extra work with a trainer or behaviourist and will take a while to adjust.
There is a risk of exotic parasites or illnesses that will need to be addressed quickly with a vet in the UK as well as general health checks.
And some pets may be brought into the UK without proper checks or documents, so it is often best to find a rescue pet through a reputable source or charity, or look to adopt more locally.
If you have any questions or need help with what to do next, or just a bit of friendly advice, feel free to give us a call and speak to one of our staff – 01442 833198.
Click here for the full advice.
