Did you know that animals have evolved to hide obvious signs that they are in pain? If you want to be sure that your pet isn’t suffering in silence, you should bring them to see us at least once a year. In these check-ups, our vets will examine your pet from nose to tail, as well as looking at their eyes, ears, teeth, paws, skin and coat. It’s also a great time for you to ask any questions you may have about your pet’s health or lifestyle.

Getting a pet is a new and exciting challenge. Your new friend will need constant monitoring within the first six months of their life, to make sure that they are developing and progressing as they should. We recommend combining their first visit with their all-important vaccinations; after 10 weeks of age, they are vulnerable to various nasty diseases. See below for more information.

Just like you, your pet needs to be vaccinated against horrible diseases. They should receive their immunisations before 10 weeks of age as their immune system can be particularly weak at a young age. After this, they only require yearly boosters for life-long protection.

– Parvovirus
– Distemper
– Leptospirosis
– Hepatitis

– Feline influenza
– Feline enteritis
– Feline leukaemia

– Myxomatosis
– Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD)

Keeping an eye on your pet’s waistline is just as important as your monitoring your own. Excess weight affects their ability to get around and can put them at risk of some nasty health problems.

When you look at your pet from above, you should be able to see the outline of their ribs. From the side, their tummy should be tucked up out of view. If this is not the case, your pet might be over or underweight.

If you think your pet needs a bit of help in this area, our nurses hold regular weight loss and diet clinics to give you valuable advice on how to keep your pet trim with the right food and exercise. These clinics can also be a chance to monitor your pet’s weight and make sure any changes are on the right track. These are available at our Berwick, Galasheils and Kelso practices.

You brush your teeth every day, but you still go to the dentists regularly to make sure nothing is wrong with your oral health. Your pet should also be going to visit a specialist regularly. Even if you brush their teeth every few days and feed them a dry diet to help with their natural teeth-cleaning, their mouth still needs to be checked.

Gum disease is just as bad for pets as it is for us. It’s not only painful, but can sometimes lead to loss of teeth. Bacteria in your pet’s mouth can also get into their bloodstream if left untreated, and in the most severe cases this can cause damage to their internal organs. Bring them in to see us and we can give their teeth a scale and polish, leaving their mouth odour and bacteria-free.

Microchipping is the most effective way to locate your companion if they get lost, but that’s not the only reason your pet should have one; it will also soon be a legal requirement for dogs.

A microchip – which is as small as a grain of rice – is quickly and painlessly inserted between your pet’s shoulder blades using a special device. If you feel a little anxious on your pet’s behalf, don’t worry; getting a microchip is no more painful than getting a routine vaccination. It also only needs to be implanted once to last a lifetime. If your pet does go on an adventure, their microchip can be scanned by an animal professional, revealing a code that links to your details on a national pet database. You can then be reunited with them as quickly as possible – it’s as simple as that.

Are you planning to breed from your pet? If the answer is no, then getting them neutered is the most responsible action to take. Neutering refers to the removal of your pet’s reproductive organs: if you have a female, she will be spayed (her uterus will be removed) and if you have a male, he will be castrated (his testicles will be removed). Not only does this remove the chance of surprise litters, but also comes with additional benefits: a reduced chance of reproductive organ cancer, reduced aggression or dominant behaviour in males and elimination of coming into season for females.

If you feel a little nervous about bringing your pet in to be neutered, we can assure you that our vets are highly experienced in carrying out this procedure. They will ensure your pet’s safety and maximum possible comfort at all times, and your little friend will most likely be able to go home and recover with you on the same day as their operation. Parasites

Fleas and worms. They’re not nice to you or your pet, and definitely not welcome in your home. Fleas are microscopic insects that feed off your pet’s blood, whereas worms live inside your pet and get nourishment from their intestines. Both can make your pet very ill, and can even affect you and your family too. Preventative treatment is available within all Galedin practices, but will differ depending on the size and breed of your pet.

Taking your furry friend to the groomers can be a chore. Don’t you wish you could get your pet groomed at the same time as taking them for their vet check-up? Look no further. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays our Berwick practice has a visiting groomer – handy if your pet doesn’t enjoy getting groomed, as there is also the option of sedation within the practice.