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Spring 2008

Acorn Spring Photo Competition

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

We will be running a photo competition between now and May 31st. The competition will be split into three categories- "The Good", "The Bad" and "The Ugly". Simply bring your photo in with your pets name, your surname and contact details on the reverse. Also don't forget to tell us into which category your photo should be entered. The winner of each category will be picked in the first week of June and the three winners will receive a goody hamper for their pet full of lots of fun and treats!

No More Scratches

If you get torn to ribbons every time you try to get a worming tablet into your cat, you may be interested in a new worm control medicine from Bayer. Profender is a "spot-on" treatment - you dab it on the cat's skin between the shoulder blades - which deals with roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.

Roundworm eggs pass out of an infected animal's body in its faeces and can survive for up to three years, long after the faeces have decomposed. Other animals pick up the eggs as they graze or snuffle around on the grass, and the eggs go on to develop inside the body. Humans may pick up eggs on their hands in the gardens and inadvertently transmit them to their mouths (children are particularly at risk!). Roundworms may cause blindness as the larvae circulate around the body and gather in the eye behind the retina.

Hookworm eggs are also shed in faeces, and are usually caught through the soles of the feet as the larvae burrow into the skin! However, hookworms rarely affect humans, although they can cause severe anaemia in animals.

Tapeworms come in three varieties, but the most common one found in the UK (dipylidium) does not pose any great health risk to people or pets, but an infection with this type of tapeworm is unpleasant and can cause itchiness and discomfort.

Special Offer - Cats need to be treated with Profender four times a year, and until the end of April we can offer four packs for the price of three. For more details about Profender and how it works, please call either surgery or drop in and pick up a leaflet.

February 2008

Get even fitter for your pet!

We all know we should take more exercise, and dog owners can remind themselves how much they're doing for their dogs as well as for themselves when they take their dogs on a long walk - overweight pets (like their owners!) will die younger, and have heart, joint and digestive problems. If excercise alone isn't working, book your pets into Kaye and Zoe's podgy pets slimming club at the Acorn surgery in Portland Road, which started last November.

"Were you the only one in your household who overindulged at Christmas? Have you got a podgy pet who needs to start the year with a diet? If so, come and join our Podgy Pets club. Rosie, pictured on the right wearing her prize "Best in Show" t-shirt, is our current slimmer of the month; since giving up her bad ways she has lost two kilos (nearly five pounds) and is on track to reach her target weight soon. The club is free and we offer advice and help on how to knock off those stubborn pounds"

Kaye and Zoe are really pleased that after a few short weeks they have quite a few podgies wanting to take advantage of this free service. If you would like your pet to join, please give Kaye or Zoe a ring on 720755; they will be happy to chat to you about the club.

January 2008

Get Fit For Your Pet!

If you're struggling with your New Year's resolutions to cut down, keep fit and give up the cigarettes, it might help to think of the effect of your lifestyle on your pets. Cats who live with smokers are three times as likely to get lymphoma (cancer of the lymph) and dogs are 60% more likely to get lung cancer. Long nosed dogs such as collies and greyhounds are twice as likely to get nasal cancers, and any animal which grooms itself is as risk from smoke particles lodged in their fur. We know you're a selfless bunch when it somes to your pets, so give it up for them!

Unwanted Pets

If anyone is regretting the decision to buy a new pet for Christmas, PLEASE do not abandon the animal out of desperation. Any pet rescue charity will willingly rehome small animals rather than see them suffer, and will not try to make you feel like a bad owner for giving up your pet. In fact, taking an animal you can no longer care for into a rehoming centre shows just how responsible an owner you are. If you have trouble getting the animal to a rehoming centre, please have a word with staff at either surgery. They will be happy to offer help and advice.

Unwanted Gifts

Received any unsuitable Christmas presents this year? Don't shove them to the back of the wardrobe but take them into your local charity shop instead. Better still, drop them into either surgery and we will pass them on to Sussex Pet Rescue, who will use them to raise funds to continue their invaluable work re-homing companion animals in Sussex. For more information on the work of Sussex Pet Rescue, log on to www. sussexpetrescue .org .uk or telephone Marcia Harris on 01273 551815.

December 2007

Ready for Christmas?

If you're having trouble compiling your Christmas list or are already worrying what to get the man (or woman) who has everything, what about choosing an "ethical" present this year? Most charities now offer the chance to buy a range of "gifts" such as goats, bees or even latrines to improve the quality of life for poor families in the third world. Vetaid is an Edinburgh based charity which provides training in animal health, veterinary supplies and education in animal care to help poor communities to keep their livestock happy, healthy and productive. As well as "paravet" training (where training and supplies are given to a Community Animal Health Worker to improve the welfare of farm animals) and camel herd management, you can choose from a range of greetings cards and low-priced bead ornaments keyrings made by a women's groups in Tanzania. Visit their website on www.vetaid.org or telephone 0131 445 6241 to find out more about their work.

Ready for your Summer Holidays?

Believe it or not, now is the time to start making sure things are in place if you intend to take your pet (usually your dog) on holiday with you next summer. If you are taking your pet abroad for the first time, he or she will need a rabies vaccination at least seven months before travelling - in other words, if you are going on holiday with your dog in June, you need to get vaccinated NOW! For pets travelling under the Pet Passport scheme, boosters are needed at intervals dictated by the country you are travelling to. If you have any questions about taking your pet abroad, please do not hesitate to call the surgery - better sooner than later.

October 2007

Fireworks

Autumn is the season of Guy Fawkes Night, Hallowe'en and Diwali, so while you may be outside celebrating, spare a thought for your pets. Cats and dogs should be kept indoors while the fireworks are flying, and if they are particularly frightened by the bangs and crashes, it may be worth speaking to one of our staff about obtaining a tranquiliser or sedative to calm the nerves. (These are "prescription-only medicines" which decrease the blood pressure, so we may need to examine your pet first in order to ensure that they can be used safely.) However there may be another solution to the annual problem. There is a device, introduced 3 years ago, called a DAP Diffuser, which gives off a pheromone scent that relaxes dogs. It should be plugged in two weeks before fireworks are expected, so now is the perfect time to buy one for Guy Fawkes' Night. On the big night the dog should be kept in a darkened room to avoid the effect of flashes of light, and the diffuser used, with or without tranquilisers/ sedatives, to achieve the best possible "air of calm." For cats, a similar product, called the Feliway Diffuser, may have a similar calming effect, although no trials have been done as yet. If you need more information, pick up an information sheet at the surgery or visit the "News" page on our website. Do let us know if you have any experience, either good or bad, with either product.

For more information on coping with frightened pets during the firework season, see October 2002 below.

Walkies

Vet Sandy Enzerink and her dog Millie again successfully completed their sponsored walk for Sussex Pet Rescue on Sunday 9th September. They would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored them - thanks to your generosity they raised over £500! If anyone has any sponsorship money still to hand in, please take it to either surgery - every penny helps Sussex Pet Rescue alleviate the suffering of ill and abandoned animals in distress. To find out more about the charity's work, visit www. sussexpetrescue. org. uk or call Marcia Harris on 01273 551815.

Lighting Up Time

Now that the evenings are getting darker, car drivers find it more difficult to spot pedestrians, pets and wildlife on the roads. Remember to always wear reflective clothing so that you are visible when crossing or walking alongside roads; Klippon have a new range of clip-on reflective shapes which can be attached to cuffs or belts (good for cyclists and children as well as dog walkers!) - and don't forget your pets! There are plenty of reflective collars on the market (make sure it's a quick-release one for cats), as well as extras such as reflective leads, doggie coats and "Blinkies," lights which attach to your dog's collar and blink! Drivers can play their part too by cutting their speed, particularly in more rural areas or on the edge of the town, where dead badgers and foxes are an all too common a sight.

It's also worth checking at this time of year that the hutches and shelters of outdoor pets are in a good state of repair. Check for leaks and draughts, and think about increasing the thickness of bedding.

September 2007

Star Student Zoe!

As you may know, Acorn nurse Zoe has been formalising her years of nursing experience by studying at Plumpton College for her Veterinary Nurse qualifications. We were absolutely delighted to learn last month that her tutors have named Zoe Student of the Year - they obviously think of her just as highly as we do! Zoe has also just found out that she has passed her final written and practical exams and, with just her course work left to be formally assessed, we can confidently predict that another qualified nurse will be working at Acorn very soon!

Ouch!

Betty, the chickens belonging to the family of Acorn vet Andrew, are now over a year old. They are kept safe from foxes in a run most of the day, but enjoy a bit of freedom when Andrew's daughters come home from school and let the birds out to rootle for woodlice, slugs and snails. They will wait for flowerpots and tubs to be lifted so that they can hoover up any bugs lurking beneath! The hens still give the family two tasty eggs every day, and the eggs do vary in size from quite small to quite large - but none quite so large as the one laid by Betty at the beginning of September. Quite eggstrordinary!

Beachwatch

This year's annual beach cleanup, organised by the Marine Conservation Society, is being held 15th to 16th September at beaches all around the world. Anyone who has a few hours to spare can get involved and help clean up the vast amounts of rubbish which wash up onto our beaches daily - the MCS reports that litter on beaches has increased by over 90% since 1994, much of it plastic, most of harmful to wildlife, and all of it unpleasant to look at. For more information please contact the Brighton Adopt-a-Beach organiser of this year's event, Danielle Crane, on 01273 604234, or visit www.adoptabeach.org.uk

Give 'em the Snip

If you buy beer or soft drinks held together by plastic "yokes," make sure you dispose of them carefully. Snip through all the loops and put them securely in the dustbin - International Coastal Cleanup found 60,520 on beaches around the world on a single day last year. It also found 101 animals tangled up in them - and this is just on beaches......

Give us a Smile!

September is Pet Smile Month, and once again Acorn is pleased to be joining veterinary surgeries around the country in providing free Pet Smile Check-ups. During these check-ups a member of the Acorn team will assess the oral health of you pet, and offer advice on tooth brushing, oral hygiene and diets and treats that have been shown to reduce dental disease. 80% of pets over the age of three are suffering from dental disease - causing untold pain and illness - most of which is treatable. In addition to the check-up, cat owners will receive samples of dental diets, and dog owners will receive special doggy oral hygiene chews.

August 2007

Goodbye Chris, Hello Margaret!

At the beginning of the month we waved goodbye to Chris, who has worked mainly at our Hangleton branch for the last four years. We were very sad to see Chris go, but working closer to home near East Grinstead was just too tempting for Chris! Stepping ably into Chris's shoes is our new vet who, like Chris, will be mainly based at our Hangleton branch. She writes:

"Hi, I'm Margaret Ankers and I have recently joined the veterinary team at Acorn Vets. I have had over 25 years' experience in working with animals (is it that long!)...and although I hail from Bonnie Scotland, I have worked in many different parts of the country including my first job in the Shetland Islands and seven years at the PDSA in Manchester before moving with my husband and daughter to Sussex. I have lived in Lewes for the last 15 years and love to spend time walking our labrador, Molly, on The Downs. I am enjoying working with the vets and nurses at the practice and am looking forward to meeting Acorn's many clients!"

Millie's Marathon

"On Sunday 9th September I'll be taking part in the Sussex Pet Rescue sponsored walk. Every year this event raises thousands of pounds to help Pet Rescue care for and rehome hundreds of unwanted animals. To help me in my efforts, my owner (vet Sandy Enzerink) will be coming along too, and we would be very grateful if you could sponsor us. Sponsor forms are on the counters at both the Portland Road and Hangleton surgeries - so please either pop in andadd your name to the list, or send a donation c/o Sandy Enzerink, Acorn Veterinary Surgery, 49 Portland Road, Hove. Thank you for your support - Millie Enzerink"

Foxy Tales

Amazingly, it only takes about twenty years to turn a fox into a dog, according to the QI column in The Daily Telegraph. In the 1950s a Russian scientist, Dmitri Belyaev, trapped wild silver foxes and set out to breed them until they became tame. He selectively bred from only the tamest foxes, and gradually each successive generation began to look and behave more like border collies, with floppy ears and black and white coats!

Cycling Success

For the fourth year running Andrew pedalled his way from London to Brighton on his bike in aid of the British Heart Foundation and raised just under £400. Andrew cycles with an old college friend, and this year they were joined by Peter Haggis of the Wilbury Veterinary Clinic. Thank you all once again for all your kind sponsorship.

Martlets' Thanks

Mary, the practice administrator, would like to thank all those people who sponsored her for the Midnight Walk for the Martlets Hospice on the night of June 1st. Support, even from people who don't know her, spurred her on to complete the course in the wee small hours!

June 2007

Zoe Goes to Africa part 2

Welcome back to the second instalment of my fabulous South Africa trip.

Monday 9th April Today we moved across to the tented camp. The camp is set in a non-predator reserve, meaning no animal would eat us !!! However the outside bathrooms did have locks on the outside of the doors to stop the baboons pinching your shower gel! The evening was spent on a night game drive where we had a close encounter with a male and female lion. We also saw bat eared foxes, impala, rhino, elephants and a porcupine. Bed time came and the three of us sharing our tent were happily listening to the night time noises, when all of a sudden I had a visitor trying to share my sleeping bag. It turned out to be a mouse who we named Gerald.

Tuesday 10th April We got up at 5am to go and track and dart a rhino. It took about an hour to locate him, then it took about another hour to dart and load him into a trailer. He was then moved to a holding boma where he was due to stay for a few weeks before the big game sale. In the afternoon we had a talk from the neighboring reserve's vet.

Wednesday 11th April 5am start again today. Not quite as successful a track as yesterday as the rhino we were due to dart had taken to hiding. After 4 hours the darting party was called off. However, one of the jeeps had found a rhino with quite a nasty wound on his hock. After Johan (the vet) had seen the wound he felt it necessary to dart the rhino and treat the wound. Once the rhino was darted we were allowed to get out of our jeep and watch the procedure. Just slightly bigger than dealing with a cat bite abscess! The afternoon was spent at the Born Free Foundation feeding the 4 resident lions and 3 leopards.

Thursday 12th April Off to have a go at rifle shooting today. ONLY AT TARGETS!! Andrew (from safari school) was our tutor. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting and was told that I was better than some of the rangers, so watch out if you don't pay your bill.....

Friday 13th April The morning was spent watching DVDs about Shamwari and about elephant populations and how to control them. The afternoon was spent in the local village of Alicedale playing with the children from the day care center.

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th April Saturday was spent shopping in Port Elizabeth and on Sunday two other girls and I went on a quad bike safari. Having never driven a quad bike it was great fun. I definitely think I will be starting a few new hobbies. Sunday evening was then spent removing the huge rain spiders from our tent.

Monday 16th April Our last full day was spent on an all day game drive. Jaco, one of the rangers, kindly tried to track a leopard for us but we were not able to get the jeeps close enough to see her. However, he did stumble across a female cheetah who gracefully posed while we took loads of pictures.

Then just to finish the holiday off on our drive back to camp we came across two young giraffe, a herd of impala and a black rhino covered in ox pecker birds, and all in one photo. For our last evening we went star gazing. It was a little cloudy but we saw 2 planets, the Milky Way and the Southern Cross, which can't be seen in our hemisphere.

Tuesday 17th April The whole day was spent flying home and we didn't land in Heathrow till Wednesday 18th April 2007, all very tired with very numb bums and not wanting to be back in England.

That's the end of my little adventure I hope you enjoyed the diary and if you want to see further pictures please come and see the Portland Road news board. ZOE

May 2007

Zoe Returns!

Hello! Well, where do I start? Firstly what fantastic scenery South Africa has to offer and secondly what wonderful wild life! For those of you who didn't miss me I have just spent two and a half weeks in April experiencing life on a South African game reserve. Here's just a bite size taster of how I spent my first week.

"Sunday 1st April 4.30pm. Arrived at Heathrow awaiting our 12+ hour journey. We finally arrived in Port Elizabeth at 11am on Monday 2nd April after two flights and a very energetic run from one plane to the other!! We were then transferred to Shamwari game reserve, just in time for lunch and a talk about the reserve, followed by dinner!!

Tuesday 3rd April Breakfast at 7.30am followed by an hour's drive through the reserve to the main vet clinic for a talk on the running of the reserve. On the way we spotted a white rhino and her six week old calf. WOW to the first day! The talk was interesting as well. The rest of the day was spent game driving and more animal spotting - giraffe, zebra, rhino, impala, blessbok, elephant, hippo, warthog and a jackal buzzard.

Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th April. We went on a bush walk in the afternoon of Wednesday on Wayne Voss's non-predator reserve across the road. We saw impala, black wildebeast, zebra and giraffe. We then camped out under the stars and listened to the jackals calling most of the night. Thursday we were up with the sun and off to find the bushman caves and paintings. Three, maybe four kilometres later we found them - next time I want a ranger who knows where he's going..... Very interesting paintings 20,000 years old! Three kilometre walk back to camp for lunch and 32ºC is not weather to be walking in - only a few of us made it without waiting for a lift!!

Friday 6th April. Very heavy legs this morning; I wonder why?! Also weather had gone from one extreme to another, overcast and drizzly rain. Well, back to the vet clinic for a talk from a reptile and raptor specialist and a second talk from a historian telling us about different people who have lived in South Africa over the years. Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April were ours to do with as we pleased. On Saturday several of us went to a beach called Jeffrey's Bay (where all the surfer dudes hang out) but it was typical bank holiday weather, overcast and windy. On Sunday we went to Kenton beach where most of us went horse riding along the white sandy beach."

Well, I've run out of room on the news letter so the rest of the trip will be in next month's. But I will get round to putting up a more detailed diary with photos on the notice board in the Portland road surgery. Till next month, Zoe.

It's May- must be nearly time for the bike ride again......

For the last three years Acorn vet Andrew has taken part in the British Heart Foundation's annual London to Brighton bike ride, and with your help has raised over £1300 for the charity. The BHF funds research into heart disease, provides education, training and equipment to raise awareness, and also cares for long term sufferers of coronary disease. If anyone would like to sponsor Andrew, forms are at the desks in both surgeries. He's already in training for this year's event so you'd better keep off the bike path on the seafront!

April 2007

Caption Competition

It's National Pet month and this year the theme is "Love is...." For a bit of fun we thought we'd hold a caption competition. All you have to do is bring in a picture of your pet (or of your pet and you) and a caption to go with it of not more than twenty words, starting "Love is..." Remember to put your name, pet's name, and telephone number on the reverse, and hand it in at Reception at either surgery. First, second and third prizes to be won! The competition closes on 30th April.

Love is... a warm tummy to tickle

March 2007

Zoe Goes to Africa

Hello! My name is Zoe and for those of you who don't know me I've been at Acorn for three and a half years. For the last year and a half I have been attending Plumpton College to achieve my veterinary nursing qualifications. This year Plumpton college has given its veterinary nurses the opportunity to take a working holiday to South Africa. And I'm pleased to say that after extensive scratching around in my piggy bank I can afford to pay for myself to go on this once in a lifetime experience.

A group of about twenty nurses are going on the trip and we will be setting off on our journey on the 1st April. For the two and a half weeks we are in South Africa we will be staying/studying and working on the Shamwari game reserve, which is situated in the eastern cape of South Africa. The Shamwari game reserve has recently been on our tellies, as it was the location for the BBC2 celebrity show called Safari School. It has also appeared on a show called Vets go Wild. While we are on our 16 day placement we will surely be experiencing some close encounters, as Shamwari supports the BIG 5, which are Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo. We will be taking part in reserve conservation, which ranges from fixing fences to tracking animals. Also Shamwari works very closely with the Born Free foundation which rescues and rehabilitates wild cats and Save the Rhino International.

While I am on my trip I will try to keep a daily diary so I can tell you all about my experiences of South Africa. If you are interested in the meantime please go to www. worldwideexperience. com, where there is a direct link to the Shamwari game reserve site. You can see and read about my trip in May's newsletter.

Feed the Birds

Now that spring is on its way, don't be tempted to stop feeding the birds. Natural food supplies are at their lowest as last year's seeds and fruits have all gone, and this year's insects have yet to hatch. With winter visitors still here and early summer migrants arriving, the pressure on dwindling food supplies increases. High energy, fatty foods are especially welcome, and water is always needed, not only for drinking but also for bathing. Now is a good time to clean out last year's nesting boxes or to put up new ones - the Sussex Wildlife Trust's website (www.sussexwt.org.uk) has lots of information on making boxes, or phone for a leaflet on 01273 492630.

Chicken Chat

Andrew's chickens are as daft as ever and enjoy rampaging around the garden whenever they manage to escape from their run. They have particularly enjoyed rootling around in the leaf litter under the trees, and taking dust baths (or mud baths, at the moment!) wherever Andrew's wife has planted anything! As of the beginning of March, the hens had laid over 140 eggs, which are quite different to supermarket eggs, with vivid yellow, spherical yolks. Betty gave the family a day's concern, when she seemed to be off her food (which is not like her at all), but a bowl of warm porridge soon put her right!

February 2007

New Year, New Act

The RSPCA is welcoming the new Animal Welfare Act, due to come into effect in England in April. Based on the "five freedoms" designed to protect farm animals, the Act contains a Welfare offence which will allow steps to be taken to prevent the suffering of domestic pets before it happens. The RSPCA also hopes it will help educate and encourage owners to think seriously whether they can adequately care for an animal before they buy one. Under the Act all animals are entitled to :

- a suitable environment

- a suitable diet (this part of the Act allowed the RSPCA to successfully prosecute the owners of a labrador who had allowed him to become dangerously obese)

- the opportunity to behave in a normal manner (eg for caged birds to have the opportunity to fly)

- be housed with or without other animals as appropriate (eg chinchillas should not be kept on their own, but many adult Syrian hamsters should be)

- be protected from pain and suffering, and to get veterinary treatment when necessary

For more information log on to www.rspca.org.uk or telephone 0870 33 35 999

Whatever the Weather...

Although we've been enjoying a mild spell recently, forecasters are predicting clear skies and chilly temperatures in the weeks ahead. Don't forget to check any garden ponds which may have frozen over - toxic gasses build up under the ice, killing fish and hibernating frogs. Never try to smash the ice or pour boiling water on it. Instead, place a saucepan of hot water on the surface to melt the ice gently. Make sure wild birds have access to clean water for drinking and bathing (brrr!), as well as providing high energy foods such as sunflower seeds, fat balls and cheese. For the less squeamish, mealworms and maggots can boost the survival chances of many garden birds, particularly wrens (although Acorn vet Andrew was not impressed to find that the maggots his daughters stored in the fridge had escaped and wriggled their way into a bag of salad). Dog owners should remember to keep dogs away from frozen ponds and rivers; the ice may be thinner than expected, and may break under the dog's weight. Snow can also build up under the dogs pads, so check while you're out enjoying a winter walk.

Forward Planning!

If you're starting to browse through holiday brochures to plan a summer break, don't forget about your pets. If you leave your pets at kennels or in a cattery it's a good idea to book your pet's place as soon as you know when you are going away as the best places get booked early in the year - no-one wants to spend a well-earned break worrying about Tibbles or Fido! If you intend to take your pet abroad with you, it can take up to seven months to complete the necessary vaccination courses and comply with all the regulations to avoid quarantine on your return, so now is the time to start the process with a microchip and a rabies vaccination. If you're not sure what you need, give us a call or ask at reception at either surgery.

January 2007

Christmas Thanks..

Once again this Christmas we have been surprised and delighted by the number of cards and presents received by both surgeries for the staff. The messages contained have often been very touching, and remind us of both happy and sad events that have occurred over the last year whilst caring for your pets. So thank you all, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year!

Chicken Chat

Andrew's chickens, Jolene and Betty, are continuing to thrive, and by January 1st had laid 25 eggs between them! Betty is in the lead on the egg league table, laying most days, while Jolene lays every other day. The family hadn't expected to get any before spring, as egg-laying is controlled by the length of the day; traditionally chickens stop laying on 5th November and start again on Valentine's Day, so scrambled eggs on Christmas morning was a real treat. Of course, battery hens lay all year round as egg producers control the 'daylight' in battery units. Three 'days and nights' are fitted into 48 hours, which increases egg production to 3 eggs in 2 days. By one year old battery chickens are worn out and most are dispatched, but the lucky ones are rescued by the Battery Hen Welfare Trust. The Trust is based in Devon, but has co-ordinators all around the country. Last year the Trust rescued 12,839 birds from farmers who were happy to see at least some of their birds go on to a happier life. To find out more about the trust's work, phone the Sussex co-ordinator on 0777 908 7006 after 6pm Monday to Friday or visit their website at www.thehenshouse.co.uk

The Beef about Pet Food

Have you ever wondered exactly what goes into your pet's tin of dog or cat food? We often hear about 'pet-food grade meat', usually in relation to a health scare story where 'contaminated' meat has entered the human food chain. So is pet food so awful? Not at all, says the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, whose members use only meat taken from healthy animals who have been inspected and passed as fit for human consumption. Manufacturers use parts of the carcass that we prefer not to eat, such as tripe and heart, and usually process it into a 'complete' food. By law this must contain everything your pet needs - protein, fats, minerals, vitamins and roughage - and is the best way for many people to ensure their pet is getting a healthy balanced diet. Of course, it is perfectly possible to construct a "homemade" diet, by following a recipe to achieve a similar balance of nutrients, much as you would do for yourself, or using raw joints of meat, as described by Tom Lonsdale in his book "Raw Meaty Bones" and discussed further at www.ukrmb.co.uk. Either of these two options allow you to be more certain of the quality of the ingredients but require rather more effort and thought- rather like ready meals versus freshly-prepared!

December 2006

For the Man (or Woman) Who Has Everything...

If you're having trouble thinking of presents for those friends and family who seem to have everything, what about choosing an "ethical" present? At Farm Friends (part of Farm Africa) £10 buys a chicken for a struggling family, and your friend will get a toy chicken to unwrap on Christmas Day. Other gifts include bees for £15, a goat for £30 or even a camel for £120! Farm Africa also provides training for local people to ensure high standards of animal welfare. Visit Farm Friends website on www.farmfriends.org.uk or phone 0845 270 4480 for more information.

Chicken Chat

Andrews's chickens, Jolene and Betty, are enjoying their new life in an eglu on Andrew's patio. At first they spent most of the day inside the eglu, only venturing into their run when someone from Andrew's family was outside with them. Andrew wondered for a while if the seagulls soaring overhead had a similar silhouette to a hawk, but after a week the chickens began staying outside all day, even when it rained! Luckily they have a cover over their run to keep the woodchips dry, so thay can still scratch around without getting wet feet. When the family can keep an eye on them, Betty and Jolene are let out onto the patio, where they have completely destroyed a number of plants in pots! They also peck for hours at a plastic watering can, or sneak into the kichen where they steal food from Bluebell the cat!

November 2006

Chicken Chat

While the rest of the country prepared for Bonfire Night, 4th November was "C Day" in the household of Acorn vet Andrew, as the family took delivery of two new family members : Betty Clucker and Jolene Pecks (fans of the Archers will appreciate the names!). Betty and Jolene are Gingernut Rangers, a Rhode Island Red hybrid chicken, and hopefully will provide the family with up to 300 eggs a year - from each bird! However, the birds won't start laying for at least four weeks, by which time they'll be 22 weeks old, but Andrew's not holding out too much hope for many eggs before Spring when the days lengthen.

The birds are housed in an "eglu" (readers of last month's newsletter may remember the article on the rabbit run made by the same company) and during the day they have constant Filling the nest box with hayaccess to a fox-proof run. For now the run is on the paving outside Andrew's kitchen to enable the family to keep a close eye on them - but don't worry! The run is bedded on 3" of bark chippings, kept in place by a frame constructed by Andrew. The deep litter of bark chippings allows the chickens to scratch and peck, but when it gets a bit soiled, it can be raked out and changed for a fresh batch. In fact, Omlet, the company who makes the egglu, recommend that even runs placed on grass have a bed of chippings to prevent the area becoming muddy and smelly!

The birds will be fed on organic "layers pellets" but to the delight of Andrew's wife, they made a quick meal of slugs and small snails collected from around the garden by Andrew's little girls! Once Jolene and Betty have settled in, they'll be allowed to roam the garden under close supervision - hungry foxes may well be hunting in the daytime!

Prize Winning Windows

We were delighted to learn that the window display at Hangleton, by Head Nurse Mena, had won first prize in a national competition run by Ceva. The company manufactures Feliway and DAP, which contain calming pheromones for cats and dogs respectively that are particularly useful around Firework Night. Mena writes:

"I take great pride in my window displays at our Hangleton branch. I believe it is important that they are both informative and interesting to look at - some clients get nervous asking questions, so I like to include as much information as possible in a light-hearted way. Fetch the Vet often features, wearing a variety of outfits. This month he is a wizard, but look out for him next month when he'll be starring as Father Christmas!"

Thank You!

Sandy and her dog Millie successfully completed the Sussex Pet rescue walk on Sunday 3rd September. Thanks to your generosity they managed to collect over £500 for the charity which provides comfort and relief to sick and suffering animals in Sussex. They would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored them. Anyone who is interested in learning more about their work can visit their website www. sussexpetrescue. org. uk or phone them on 01273 725943

October 2006

Bunny Heaven

Rabbits are probably the most neglected pet most vets see. Unable to express their distress, these naturally sociable little animals, who live in large groups in the wild, are most often kept alone in small hutches. The Rabbit Welfare Association advises that a rabbit kept alone in a hutch needs ten minute visits from its owner - five times a day! Rabbits with all-day access to a run are far more content, but many of us see far too many foxes in our gardens to risk that! So what is the answer? At a visit to the Royal Berkshire Show last month Acorn vet Andrew was very impressed with the rabbit cage and run made by Eglu (you may have seen their chicken houses). As a rule, we do not promote commercial products, but have made an exception for these exceptional houses for rabbits. The house itself is easy to clean, and the foxproof run means that your bunnies - the house is suitable for two - can stay out all day. The downside is the price, although apparently second-hand products from Eglu sell for little less than their original price on eBay, so there is always the chance of recouping much of the cost once the house is no longer needed. The houses are available from www.omlet.co.uk

Time for Bed

Now that the days are getting cooler and shorter it is time to start preparing to hibernate your tortoise. Tortoise Life recommends only allowing your tortoise to sleep for six to ten weeks, which is the length of time they would hibernate in the wild. Bringing your tortoise indoors in the evenings and in damp weather can help stave off hibernation, and allows your tortoise to build up more condition. Tortoises should not be fed for a week prior to hibernation to ensure their guts are empty; ideally they should also be wormed. For more information on this and other aspects of tortoise care, visit Tortoise Life's website www.tortoiselife.co.uk.

September 2006

Cat worming- there's no excuse now!

You all know the situation- you come in for a vaccination or routine appointment and the vet or nurse asks you when you last wormed them. Visions of battling to get a steadily disintegrating tablet past those pointy yellow teeth, while fending off several sets of slashing claws, swim before your eyes and you mumble that it must have been done recently, as the memories (and wounds) are still fresh, at least in your mind's eye! Well it would seem that all that has changed....

Bayer, the company that make the broad-spectrum tablet wormer that we usually recommend for cats, have recently developed the world's first "spot-on" broad-spectrum wormer. You may have seen their cartoon TV adverts raising public awareness about worms and the problems they can cause. Like the popular and effective "spot-on" flea treaments, a liquid is applied to the back of the neck, so anybody who can use one should have no problems applying the other! Of course, there are one or two cats out there where even this is impossible, but the vast majority of cats should now be able to complete a year-round worming programme. We usually recommend worming your cat (or dog) every three months, but if you have a very efficient hunter, then monthly treatment might be necessary to keep away tapeworms. However, the main reason for an effective worming programme is to avoid Toxocara - the common roundworm. These worms can be transmitted to people - and children are particularly vulnerable. So share your life and your house with your cat - just don't share worms! Ask at either reception about this new breakthrough and hopefully we'll all get away with fewer wounds - owners, vets and nurses alike!

Good News for Portland Parking!

Since the Portland Road surgery opened in 1978 the parking situation has gradually deteriorated to the point where clients find it difficult to find a space within reasonable walking distance. This is particularly noticed by our infirm and elderly clients, but also by those carrying cats in baskets or smaller pets in large cages. The situation has been made worse by the fact that Poets' Corner has the only free parking within walking distance of Hove railway station and the George Street shops. And as Portland Road is the first road beyond existing restrictions in Sackville Road, some people living just the other side understandably try to avoid buying a resident's permit by parking in Portland Road. However all this is about to change...!

You may have noticed the marked bays throughout Poets' Corner and the arrival of ticket machines and notices. From Monday September 11th, parking restrictions will apply in Portland Road :

North side (our side) - residents and "long term" pay-and-display (up to 4 hours)

South side (opposite us) - residents only

There is also a handy delivery bay just to the west of the surgery outside the Flower House. If other areas are anything to go by, the new regulations should result in almost deserted kerbside in the daytime which hopefully will make life easier for all our clients.

Walkies

On Sunday 3rd September vet Sandy Enzerink and her dog Millie took part in the 2006 Sussex Pet Rescue Sponsored Walk, fom Hove Lagoon to Brighton Pier and back. Sandy would like to thank everyone who pledged their support and to ask anyone with sponsor money still to pay to drop it in to the surgery as soon as possible. Sussex Pet Rescue is a small charity working in Sussex whose aim is to relieve the suffering of sick and abandoned animals and to re-home companion animals. For more information log on to www. sussexpetrescue. org. uk or phone 01273 551815.

August 2006

A Cautionary Tale

We recently heard a sad tale of a cat who died after its owner used an ear mite remedy bought in a pet shop. This ear mite remedy contained pyrethroids, which can be fatal to cats if ingested. Ear drops falling outside the ear were taken up by the cat during grooming, and vets were unable to save the cat's life. And it is not only ear mite treatment that can cause problems. Some irresponsible manufacturers use pictures of dogs and cats on dog flea treatments, which may prove toxic to cats. Always read the label carefully, use the correct dose, and if in doubt, give us a call. Incidentally, one of the flea killers we recommend (Stronghold) is effective against ear mites and roundworms as well as fleas.

Lethal Lilies

Some of our clients may have seen recent reports on the extreme toxicity of lilies to cats. A thirteen year old cat died after licking lily pollen from a bouquet of flowers from her coat, suffering vomiting, blindness, paralysis and eventually death in just hours. Every part of all lilies can cause rapid death in cats with little warning - according to the RSPCA just one leaf can prove fatal. Never leave cut liles where your cat can reach them, and remove the pollen-laden stamens from the centres of the flowers to avoid it dropping onto your cat's fur. Many plants are poisonous to cats and dogs, but our pets don't often eat them; it's usually a bored kitten or puppy who will chew on anything and everything, so digging up liles in the garden may not be necessary. John Cushnie of Gardeners' Question Time suggested only growing tall lilies and keeping them well staked to ensure the pollen is above ground level, but some gardeners may not want to take the risk. It's also worth remembering at this time of year that cocoa shell mulch is highly poisonous to dogs, containing the same substance (theobromine) as chocolate, causing vomiting, kidney failure and possibly death. If you think your dog has eaten cocoa mulch, please seek veterinary advice immediately.

Hot Cats

Amidst warnings of skin cancer parents slather their children in suncream, insist on them wearing sunhats, and may even try to keep young children indoors at the hottest time of the day, but it's easy to forget the sun can be just as harmful to our pets. White cats and dogs such as white boxers are particularly susceptible, and skin cancer is 13 times more likely to affect a white haired cat than a dark haired one. Try to keep cats in during the hottest part of the day, and if possible use a high factor suncream on the ears, which are most at risk. We've heard that E45 suncream is suitable for cats, and other veterinary websites suggest baby suncreams. If you pet shows signs of crusty patches around the edges of their ears, take them along for a check up.

Walkies

And finally......as in previous years vet Sandy Enzerink and her dog Millie will be taking part in the Sussex Pet Rescue Sponsored Walk - due to your generosity last year Sandy and Mille raised over £450! This year the walk is taking place on Sunday 3rd September, so if you would like to sponsor Sandy and Millie in their efforts, sponsorship forms are available at both Portland Road and Hangleton surgeries. Thank you.

July 2006

Are You Dependent on Your Pet?

The New York Times recently reported on the rise in the number of "emotional support" animals, whose owners insist they are treated in the same way as guide dogs for the blind, taking them into food shops, restaurants and other areas usually banned to animals. The US Department of Transport has ruled that animals used to aid people with "emotional ailments" should be given the same rights and privileges as guide dogs, leaving airlines to grapple with the problem of accomodating 90 kilo dogs in the cabin, and even emotional support goats! Apparently animals do not need to be trained, and if they are used for emotional support may be defined in law as "assistive aids" rather like wheelchairs - landlords with a "No Pets" policy may not ban tenants from keeping them so long as they have a note from their doctor. Some Americans are even using miniature horses as their "assistive animals," either for emotional support following a trauma such as a mugging, or in the place of a guide dog where the blind person is allergic to dogs (see www.guidehorse.com if you don't believe us!).

Cycling Success

For the third year running Andrew pedalled his way from London to Brighton on his bike in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Luckily the day was not as hot as last year (when the tarmac melted on some stretches of road) and Andrew made the trip in a little under eight hours. He claims he would have been faster if it hadn't been for all the bike jams (and cake stops, bacon roll stops, coffee stops....) With the terrific support of Acorn clients andrew raised over £400, so a big thank you to all who supported him. Anyone who still has money to donate can drop it in to either surgery.

Watch Your Butt

With the continuing drought many of us have invested in water butts to save rainwater. But even if you don't have young children, please make sure your butt has a securely fitting lid. We have recently heard of a much loved cat who drowned in a half-full butt next to her owners garage, after the lid became brittle with age and gave way when the cat jumped up onto it. Check the condition of the lid regularly, and perhaps place scrunched up chicken wire to deter cats from using butts as a halfway post from ground to fence.

Summer Shortages

We tend to think of the summer as a time of plenty, but actually for some birds July and August can be as hard as the winter months. Seeds and berries from last autumn have all gone, and this year's harvest is not yet ripe. Now is the time birds need high protein food, and foods such as sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked raisins and sultanas, and mild grated cheese will all be appreciated, as will maggots from bait shops! Birds will also enjoy soft apples and pears - in fact, Andrew's daughters put out their apple cores which the blcakbirds greatly enjoy. Don't forget that birds also need water both to drink and bathe in, but it must be kept clean by changing it daily.

June 2006

Whale Watching

Most of you will remember the news story earlier this year, flashed around the world, of a Northern Bottlenose whale swimming in the Thames. The rescue operation was mounted by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and, at the end of May, Acorn vet Andrew was pleased to undertake some special training with them. At Bewl Water in Kent Andrew learnt how to handle injured and stranded seals, dolphins and small whales, how to monitor vital signs, take blood and administer drugs. The morning was spent attending a series of lectures, and then it was on with the wet suit for the practical session, manhandling water-filled model animals in the driving wind and rain!

Using air-filled pontoons to refloat a "stranded" pilot whale

Restraining & examining an "injured" seal

Next month he hopes to attend a "simulated mass stranding" in Rye Harbour to practice the new skills, while working with a group of more experienced Marine Mammal Medics. These volunteers are on call to attend any strandings of whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals or other marine mammals anywhere along the British coast, and, although more strandings occur in Scotland than anywhere else, the BDMLR have dealt with emergencies in Hove, Brighton, Newhaven and Seaford in recent times. For more information on the work of the BDMLR and for news of the many marine mammal sightings along our stretch of coastline, log on to www.bdmlr.org.uk or telephone 01825 765546.

Surgery Facelift

At last external repairs to the Portland Road surgery have just about finished. The scaffolding has been removed, and only some minor works remain to be done to the canopy over the entrance.

May 2006

Flea Alert

At last the weather is warming up, so make sure your pets are up to date with their flea treatments. An adult female flea can lay 50 eggs per day, and each egg can survive in carpets and bedding for up to two years before hatching, so prevention is better than cure! We generally prescribe Frontline, a spot-on liquid applied to the back of the neck of your dog or cat. It kills any flea which comes into contact with your pet, so stopping the lifecycle dead. If you've already noticed unwelcome visitors on your pet, start treatment straight away, wash all pet bedding and vacuum thoroughly, paying particular attention to corners.

Incidentally, a correspondent to Celia Haddon's pet column in the Telegraph is compiling a "flea atlas" of the UK, and has requested information on the number of fleas found (all types), and their whereabouts (National Grid reference needed). You can also send specimens, wrapped in kitchen paper soaked with gin, meths or scotch, then wrapped again in kitchen foil, to R S George, 54 Richmond Park Avenue, Bournemouth, BH8 9DR. It takes all sorts......

On Your Bike

For the last two years Acorn vet Andrew has taken part in the British Heart Foundation's annual London to Brighton bike ride, and with your help has raised over £900 for the charity. The BHF funds research into heart disease, provides education, training and equipment to raise awareness, and also cares for long term sufferers of coronary disease. If anyone would like to sponsor Andrew, forms are at the desks in both surgeries. He's already in training for this year's event so you'd better keep off the bike path on the seafront!

A Sad Tail...

Sadly we often see dogs and cats who have caught the tips of their tails in doors. This painful injury can sometimes result in amputation, but for years one of Acorn's nurses, Ann, has been making her own special "doorstops" to prevent this happening. Using the legs of colourful woolly tights, Ann makes a "scoubidou" - you'll have to ask your children, grandchildren, nephews or nieces how to do this, or visit www.scoubidou.co.uk. Ann finds it easiest to start the first knot of the scoudidou doorstop on a broomhandle or pole. This gives you a loop to place around the doorhandle. Finish off with a tight knot, and make the ends into another loop to place around the doorhandle on the other side of the door. To make the doorstop thicker, feed another pair of tight legs inside the first pair. The doorstop prevents the doors from slamming shut and trapping tails (or fingers!) - perhaps we should ask Ann to hold a "Doorstop Masterclass!"

April 2006

Congratulations!

From the beginning of this month Mena Smith has been appointed head nurse at Acorn. As well as continuing to run the popular puppy parties, Mena will oversee the day-to-day responsibilities of the nursing staff, and will be happy to help with any queries or questions.

Congratulations too, to Sarah Barnard who has been appointed deputy head nurse, and will be there to help in Mena's absence.

Bird Flu

We were saddened to read in the press last week that in some European countries people were being encouraged to destroy birds nests in an attempt to ward off bird flu. Bird flu can only be caught from close contact with infected birds and their droppings, and it is extremely unlikely that bird flu could be caught from a bird nesting in your garden. It is also an offence to disturb birds making or repairing a nest. The best defence against bird flu, while it remains in the bird population, is to avoid touching sick or dead birds and to wash your hands properly after filling bird feeders or bird baths. The RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology have issued a joint statement on the subject, which can be found at www.rspb.org.uk. The charities also remind us that this is a vital time of year for birds and that food put out on bird tables can greatly increase their chances of survival.

Surgical Facelift

Essential repairs to the Portland Road surgery are progressing well. All the windows have now been replaced, the roof repaired, and the old render hacked off, replaced and repainted. But business continues as usual inside the building, which is unaffected by the building work.

March 2006

Summer Holidays

Spring may not have quite sprung, but if you're starting to make plans for the summer holiday remember that kennels and catteries often get booked up for the summer months quite early in the year. Book your pet a place as soon as you finalise any holidays, and make sure your pets' vaccinations are up to date, as you'll need to show the kennel/cattery proof that they're fully protected. Dogs must be vaccinated against the usual seven diseases (including distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus), but may also require vaccinating for kennel cough with an intranasal vaccine; cats generally only require the usual basic flu and enteritis vaccines. However, do check with the kennel or cattery exactly what they insist on.

Fat Cats...and Dogs!

According to a survey by Hills, the pet food manufacturers, 50% of dogs and cats in this country are overweight but only 24% owners think their pet is podgy. Modern lifestyles can mean our dogs get less exercise than they need - in fact, on Radio 4's Inside Out the RSPCA reported that one in four dogs is never exercised at all! Researchers studied pets in eight cities in the UK and found that Nottingham had the fattest pets, with the condition of their coats, eyes and paws all giving concern. Overweight pets also face an increased risk of diabetes, circulation problems, skin disease and respiratory conditions, and will almost certainly have a shorter life expectancy. The RSPCA is so concerned that it has set up classroom sessions with children in Nottingham - children are often guilty of overfeeding their pets! - to explain the differences in pets' needs from our own.

Spring Chicks

Now that Spring is nearly here the birds are busy in our gardens again. Blackbirds are among the first to lay eggs, and in a good year can hatch up to five broods! House martins will soon be returning from Africa where they have overwintered, and will begin making new nests or repairing old ones. If you want to encourage house martins, make sure they have a ready supply of nesting material - mud! If any large shrubs or trees in your garden need pruning you'll need to get your skates on and get out the secateurs before any birds set up home in them, as it's illegal (and not very nice!) to disturb nesting birds. It's also a good time to clean out any nest boxes in your garden or to put up new ones. Site boxes on the north or east side of trees or buildings to ensure the chicks don't bake in the summer sun, and make sure they are the correct distance from the ground, depending on which type of birdbox you have (visit www.rspb.org.uk and click on the nestboxes link). Some people like to encourage the birds by putting out "nesting materials" - some people swear by the fluff from their vacuum cleaners, but hay or bits of wool will do just as well!

Since 1985 the RSPB has run a scheme to send unwanted, good quality binoculars to conservation groups and educational projects in Africa, Asia and South America. If you are having a spring clearout and come across unwanted binoculars or telescopes, please contact Ann Favell on 01767 680551 or email at binoenquiries @ rspb.org.uk.

February 2006

Puppy Party

Bought a new puppy? Planning to get a new puppy? From the beginning of February Mena and Hollie will be hosting Puppy Parties at the Portland Road sugery, 6.30 to 7.30pm. As well as providing an opportunity for your puppy to socialise with other dogs of a similar age, the parties will cover many aspects of dog care, from grooming and parasite control to dental care and nutrition. Places are limited so if you would like to come, please phone the Portland Road surgery (01273 720755) to book a place, or call in and ask at Reception.

Forward Planning!

Prize Clients

Sussex Pet Rescue would like to thank the Acorn clients who have kindly donated unwanted Christmas presents for the charity to sell or use as raffle and tombola prizes. All money raised will help Sussex Pet Rescue to continue their work relieving the suffering of abandoned animals. Anyone who still has a Christmas present they just don't know what to do with can take it to either surgery, and we will be happy to pass them on.

Rubbish!

Living so close to the sea is one of the many bonuses of living in this area, but how often do you find the beach strewn with litter on a stroll along the prom? Much of it is jetsam, rubbish thrown from boats and washed onto the shore, but there is also quite a bit left by picknickers and other visitors to the beach. Not only is this litter ugly, but it is also dangerous to many forms of wildlife. Seabirds suffer agonising injuries when rope or fishing line gets wrapped round their legs. Thousands of dolphins and sharks drown each year after becoming entangled in nets, and some species of turtle starve to death after eating plastic carrier bags - in the water these bags resemble jellyfish, the turtles' main source of food, but once eaten the bags remain in the turtles' stomachs and prevent them from eating. So when you are next going to the beach, stick a pair of rubber gloves in your pocket and pick up any litter you see before the next tide washes it all back out to sea. There are plenty of bins along the esplanade, so you won't have to carry it home with you!

For more information on the problems faced by turtles and other marine animals, log on to www.adoptabeach.co.uk which is run by the Marine Conservation Society (tel : 01989 566017)

January 2006

Birdwatch 2006

The RSPB's 2006 Big Garden Birdwatch takes place at the end of January, and all you need to do to take part is to watch the birds in your garden or local park for an hour. Last January nearly 400,000 people took part, recording over 6million birds in more than 200,000 gardens. The RSPB will analyse the results by postcode to build up a picture of bird populations across the UK. Last year the house sparrow was the most common garden bird, beating the starling into second place, and for the first time the song thrush didn't appear at all. The next Big Garden Birdwatch runs on 28-29 January 2006, so if you'd like to take part, log on to www. rspb. org. uk for more details or telephone 01767 680551.

Unwanted Gifts

Received any unsuitable Christmas presents this year? Don't shove them to the back of the wardrobe but take them into your local charity shop instead. Better still, drop them into either surgery and we will pass them on to Sussex Pet Rescue, who will use them to raise funds to continue their invaluable work re-homing companion animals in Sussex. For more information on the work of Sussex Pet Rescue, log on to www. sussexpetrescue. org. uk or telephone Marcia Harris on 01273 551815.

December 2005

For the Man (or Woman) Who Has Everything...

If you're having trouble compiling your Christmas list, what about choosing an "ethical" present? At Practical Presents Unlimited (www. practicalpresents. org. uk tel 01926 634400) £15 buys a third world family a goat, from which the family gets milk, wool and manure. The first kid is returned to the charity to be given to another needy family, but any future offspring may be kept, the extra income from milk helping with medical bills and schooling costs.

At Send A Cow (www.sendacowgifts.org Tel 01225 874222) £15 will buy a poor family 20 chickens, providing much needed extra protein from their eggs and poultry manure for their crops. Amongst other things you could also choose a goat, bees, trees or rabbits, and of course, you can also send a cow (£750) or a share of a cow (£75)! Send A Cow also provides training in animal care and low cost veterinary services.

November 2005

Pebbles on the Beach

Last month Roger Mussel of the Wildlife Rescue Service had a tricky (and heavy!) task when he had to rescue a badger from the beach near Howard's Park in Telscombe. The young female had fallen over the cliff, and had to be carried back along half a mile of pebbly beach and up the cliff path in a cardboard box. The badger, now named Pebbles, appeared to have broken her front leg, and Roger brought her into Acorn for an x-ray and general check-up. The x-ray revealed that her leg was not broken, but that the nerves in Pebbles' leg had been damaged. We all hoped that in time the nerves would heal, but unfortunately Pebbles is still not using the leg, and consequently she would be very unlikely to survive if released back into the wild. On a more hopeful note, Pebbles is feeding well, and soon Roger will try to find a sanctuary where Pebbles can live long term. If you would like more information about Roger's work or wish to make a donation, please call the Wildlife Rescue Service on 01273 308268

October 2005

Fireworks!

Autumn is the season of Guy Fawkes Night, Hallowe'en and Diwali, so while you may be outside celebrating, spare a thought for your pets. Cats and dogs should be kept indoors while the fireworks are flying, and if they are particularly frightened by the bangs and crashes, it may be worth speaking to one of our staff about obtaining a tranquiliser or sedative to calm the nerves. (These are "prescription-only medicines" which decrease the blood pressure, so we may need to examine your pet first in order to ensure that they can be used safely.) However there may be another solution to the annual problem. There is a device, introduced 2 years ago, called a DAP Diffuser, which gives off a pheromone scent that relaxes dogs. It should be plugged in two weeks before fireworks are expected, so now is the perfect time to buy one for Guy Fawkes' Night. On the big night the dog should be kept in a darkened room to avoid the effect of flashes of light, and the diffuser used, with or without tranquilisers/ sedatives, to achieve the best possible "air of calm." For cats, a similar product, called the Feliway Diffuser, may have a similar calming effect, although no trials have been done as yet. If you need more information, pick up an information sheet at the surgery or visit the "News" page on our website. Do let us know if you have any experience, either good or bad, with either product.

Also see "Firework Season - Advice to Pet Owners" under November 2002, below

Prickly Heat

On the subject of Bonfire Night, do remember that to a sleepy hedgehog a newly built bonfire looks like a ready-made nest, perfect for hibernating. Try to build your bonfires as close to the actual night as possible to reduce the chance of a hedgehog moving in. Ideally, stack the timber etc and re-build prior to lighting. Before lighting gently probe the bonfire and search with a torch - if you do find any hedgehogs move them to somewhere dry and safe well away from the fire.

Lost!

Recently there seems to have been a huge number of lost pet posters on trees and lamp-posts, appealing for news of cats and dogs who have gone missing. Although we all hope that our pets won't stray, it's best to be prepared. Make sure you have good, clear photos of your pet, showing any unusual markings which may help identify it. Identichipping is also a very good idea, but most important of all is ensuring your pet is wearing a suitable identity tag. Barrels which store a roll of paper with the pet's address details often come undone and Mike Tully, of the City Cat Shelter, comes across many, many cats with only half a name barrel. He strongly advises people to use the "Identitag" style of identity tag. These are light plastic discs with the animal's details clearly visible from a short distance.

September 2005

Walkies

On Sunday 4thSeptember Sandy and her dog Millie took part in Sussex Pet Rescue's Sponsored Walk and raised a staggering £457 for the charity! They would like to say a big thank everyone who sponsored them. If anyone hasn't yet paid their sponsorship money Sandy and Millie would be grateful if you could do so in the next week. Thank you.

Pooper Scoopers!

We're sure Acorn clients wouldn't dream of allowing their dogs to leave little packages on pavements and in parks, just ready to be trodden in by unsuspecting runners, toddlers, other dog walkers, etc, but we thought it was a good idea to remind you what a good job you're doing by disposing of your dogs' mess responsibly. Animal waste contains bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that can cause illness in humans. Most significantly, toxocara in the faeces of unwormed dogs can cause toxocariasis in humans, leading to breathing difficulties, pneumonia and, in extreme cases, blindness. The Toxocara roundworm is estimated to be present in 10-40% of all adult dogs and up to 70% of puppies, and your dog may not have any symptoms. The local council is launching a campaign to encourage more people to clean up after their dogs, and are distributing pink biodgradable plastic bags free of charge. Bags can be picked up at the campaign's launch at Hollingbury Asda on 6th September, or phone 292400. Cat owners can do their bit too, by providing their pets with a litter tray indoors or a sand box in the garden: dig a pit in a dry area of the garden under a bush or a hedge, and fill it with sand. Put some used cat litter into it to encourage your cat, and periodically remove waste and replace some of the sand. If nothing else, your neighbours will thank you!

Star Pets!

Anyone who watched Channel Four's It's Me or the Dog may be interested to know that two of the Jack Russells featured in the opening titles belong to Acorn nurse Jo. The two dogs, Monkey and Beetle, spent a day recording the sequence at a television studio two weeks ago, and are far too well behaved to take part in the actual programme!

August 2005

Hot Dogs

Warmer weather means we should be careful when leaving dogs in cars. Even on a mild sunny day temperatures inside a car can soar to 120F, and leaving a window open a crack is not enough. Pug nosed dogs are less able to cool themselves by panting because of the shape of their nasal passages, and overweight dogs, puppies and elderly dogs are especially at risk. If you will have to leave your dog in your car, it may be better to leave him at home. Gardens can also be sun traps, so make sure a dog left outside for any length of time has access to shade and plenty of fresh water. On hot days avoid excessive exercise, and take advice from your dog groomer about summer trims for long haired breeds. Symptoms of heat stroke include panting, failure to obey commands, staring, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, fever, warm dry skin and collapse. If your dog does succumb, move the dog to a shady place, cool areas of bare skin (such as the pads of the paws and the ears) with cold water, provide fresh water to drink and seek veterinary advice immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal and needs to be treated as soon as possible.

Sore Paws

Towards the end of the summer grass seeds can be a real problem, particularly in long heaired breeds of dogs. Seeds can get stuck between the toes, and then work their way under the skin, causing pain and infection. Dogs may limp or chew at their paws. Check paws carefully after every walk, and preferably keep hair around their feet trimmed short. Grass seeds can also get into ears, eyes and noses - look out for head shaking, and runny, sore eyes and noses.

These shoes are made for walking......

….and that's just what they'll do! On Sunday 4th September I'll be taking part in the Sussex Pet Rescue sponsored walk. Every year this event raises thousands of pounds to help Pet Rescue care for and rehome hundreds of unwanted animals. To help me in my efforts, my owner (vet Sandy Enzerink) will be coming along too, and we would be really grateful if you could sponsor us. Sponsor forms are on the counters at both the Portland Road and Hangleton surgeries – so please either pop in and add your name to the sponsors list, or send a donation c/o Sandy Enzerink, Acorn Veterinary Surgery, 49 Portland Road, Hove. Thank you for your support - Millie Enzerink

July 2005

Watch your bunny's bottom!

Summer may be well and truly sprung, but with the warmer weather comes the threat of "fly-strike". Maggots of the greenbottle fly grow from eggs laid on a rabbit, and feed on living tissue particularly around the hindquarters and in the folds between the back legs and under the tail. The pain and stress may lead to shock, and death follows due to bacterial infection of the open wounds. As you can imagine, the surgery staff find cases particularly upsetting to deal with, and treatment is not always successful. Although the risk of attracting flies is reduced by regular hutch cleaning, rabbits still get dirty bottoms because of diarrhoea and/or poor grooming. However there is a new product, Rearguard, that will stop maggots from attacking your rabbit. One application will last for 8-10 weeks, and the liquid should be used repeatedly from April to October. For a leaflet, or a CD-ROM which contains a video showing how to apply Rearguard, ask at reception and find out how to keep your bunny fly-free.

Incidentally, a correctly fed healthy rabbit should not get diarrhoea. The digestive system of a rabbit has evolved to digest grass and hay, and this is what it digests best! Some vets believe Timothy grass is the best for rabbits, as it is high in fibre with more stem and less leaf. Timothy grass hay can be ordered from West Wales Willow (tel : 01437 741714 www.willowwarren.co.uk) or from Vetbed (01284 754256 www.vetbed.co.uk). Also, silicates naturally occuring in the grass help to wear down rabbits' teeth, which grow throughout life and cause all sorts of problems if they are not worn down. If you prefer to get your rabbit food from a pet shop, avoid grain and flake mixes which allow rabbits to select only parts of the mix; special rabbits pellets will provide a balanced diet, although even these will not have the positive effects of grass and hay on a rabbit's gut and teeth

Flea Alert

It's not surprising that many of our pets will have acquired a few unwelcome "visitors" during the warmer weather. In optimum conditions, an adult female flea can lay more then 50 flea eggs per day, and each egg can survive in carpets and bedding for up to two years before hatching, so if you see a flea, it's time for action! We generally prescribe Frontline, a spot-on liquid for applying to the back of the neck, for any dog or cat under our care. It kills any flea that comes into contact with your pet, so stopping the life-cycle dead. Some pets go on to develop flea bite dermatitis, or flea bite allergy. With this condition, present in dogs and cats, the animal becomes hypersensitive to the saliva the flea injects to prevent the animal's blood clotting. Instead of the small red bump a flea bite usually causes, each bite becomes inflamed and sore). Flea bite allergy mostly occurs after the age of five, and is easily treated with injections whenever there is a flare up of the condition.

Sweaty Success

On the hottest day of the year Andrew sweltered his way from London to Brighton on his bike in aid of the British Heart Foundation. It was so hot that in one village the tarmac on the road melted, but luckily many kind-hearted residents along the route got out their garden hoses, and sprayed the riders with water (as did loads of little boys with water pistols!). With the terrific support of Acorn clients andrew raised over £340, so a big thank you to all who supported him.

Summer Shortages

We tend to think of the summer as a time of plenty, but actually for some birds July and August can be as hard as the winter months. Seeds and berries from last autumn have all gone, and this year's harvest is not yet ripe. Now is the time birds need high protein food, and foods such as sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked raisins and sultanas, and mild grated cheese will all be appreciated. Birds will also enjoy soft apples and pears - in fact, Andrew's daughter's put out their apple cores which are soon devoured by blackbirds! Don't forget that birds also need water both to drink and bathe in, but it must be kept clean by changing it daily.

June 2005

The Felix and Henry Cat Companion Programme

Do you live alone? Would you like to have a feline companion living in? If so, the Felix and Henry Cat Companion Programme could provide you with a cat companion. They have several cats needing homes urgently, and can offer these to elderly residents in the Hangleton area only. Fully trained volunteers are able to look after the cat for you, so if you think you might like the company of a feline friend without the worry, please call Gillian on 01273 421251.

How Old?

We are often told to multiply a dog's age by seven to get the human equivalent, but does this work for cats? Apparently not! Simply multiplying by 7 underestimates its rapid rate of growth in the first two years and overestimates it in later years. Cats develop from helpless kitten to skilled hunter, capable of looking after itself and of reproducing within a year, so by one year old we can say a cat is about 15 in human terms. The next year it matures further without actually growing a great deal, equivalent to getting to about 24 years of age. From then on multiply each year by 4. So, for example at ten years old a cat can be said to be 56 - 24 years for the first 2 years of its life and 8x4 (32) for the next 8. This method calculates a 14 year old cat to be 72 in human terms, whereas multiplying by seven makes the cat 92 - not quite so realistic!

May 2005

Pet Passports

Some of you may have read last month's newspaper report concerning the problems faced if your pet's identity chip fails when you are going on holiday or returning to this country from abroad. All pets must be chipped to travel on a pet passport, but on rare occasions it can be impossible to get a reading from the chip. The chip may have been dislodged and moved elsewhere in the body, or it can be hard to get a reading on overweight animals. If the problem occurs on your return from your travels, your pet will have to go into quarantine for six months, unless you decide to opt for exploratory surgery to retrieve the chip, which can then be sent to the manufacturer. Failure to get a reading is extremely rare (most of the animals refused entry into the country get sent into quarantine due to incomplete vaccinations), but if you want to set your mind at rest, please bring your pet into the surgery just before you travel, and we will be happy to check that the chip can be read.

Hedgehog Alert

With Spring well and truly here it's worth watching out for hedgehogs in our gardens. Even though hedgehogs are known as "the gardeners friend" because they eat many garden pests such as slugs, caterpillars and beetles, they face many potential dangers and hundreds are injured or killed in gardening accidents annually. Wildlife organisations warn us to be especially carefully when using strimmers to cut back hedges or in areas of undergrowth, as hedgehogs - and other animals - are likely to be resting there during the day. Strimmers can inflict horrific injuries so please take a few moments to thoroughly check the area to be cut - doing this alone could help save many hedgehog lives. There are many other garden hazards, such as slug pellets laid down for pest control, which are fatal to hedgehogs, and garden bonfires, which kill and badly burn many hedgehogs every year. Although good swimmers, hedgehogs can also lose their lives by drowning in garden ponds because the sides are too steep for them to climb back out. Rubbish can also be dangerous so gardeners should make sure that they dispose of any empty containers properly. Naturally inquisitive, hedgehogs can get their heads stuck in empty tins and plastic yoghurt pots leading to death by starvation. And please never put bread and milk out for hedgehogs; milk can cause severe diarrhoea, so cat food is much better.

Spring Kittens

If you are considering getting a new kitten (and can't be persuaded to take an older cat in need of re-homing!), please consider carefully where to obtain it. The best kittens are home-bred, born to a mother who is not having 5 or 6 litters a year, and who will have grown up in a normal family environment. Unfortunately, with kittens costing around £50, some people see breeding them as an easy way to make money from home, keeping three or four breeding queens who have litter after litter after litter. Always try to buy from a friend or by recommendation, and make sure you visit the seller's home. Supporting unscrupulous breeders ensures this trade continues, and by the summer rescue centres are full of young cats past the saleable cute kitten stage and no longer wanted. Of course, this makes summer a good time to visit the rescue centres......

April 2005

Sudan 1 Food Scare

The recent scare concerning the potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) food colouring, Sudan 1, may have prompted some of you to wonder about how safe the food is that we feed our pets. According to Celia Haddon's pet column in the Telegraph, pet food produced by manufacturers who belong to the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association contains only food that is fit for human consumption. This includes dyes and additives. So if you buy only pet food from reputable companies, your pets should be as safe as we are......

Spring Chicks

Now that Spring has arrived the birds are busy in our gardens again. Blackbirds are among the first to lay eggs, and in a good year can hatch up to five broods! House martins are also returning from Africa where they have overwintered, and will begin making new nests or repairing old ones. If you want to encourage house martins, make sure they have a ready supply of nesting material - mud! For more ideas and information on Spring birds, visit the RSPB's website www.rspb.org.uk. Now is also the time of year when we may find young chicks who have fallen from their nests. The RSPB advice is to leave the chicks alone; the parent birds are usually nearby, and will wait for a safe time to rescue their chick. If you suspect cats are in the area, place the chick in a box and put it up high out of harm's way but in full view of the parents.

Open Wide....

Most of us know how painful toothache is! However, our pets do not readily show signs of toothache, despite many of them having fairly painful dental conditions. As well as suffering from gingivitis (infection and inflammation of the gums), many cats suffer from tooth resorptive lesions, where the tooth enamel and dentine are lost, leaving the nerve painfully exposed. Gingivitis and other dental problems can also lead to kidney, liver and heart problems so regular dental check ups can catch problems before they become serious. Dental checks are FREE, so please do not hesitate to telephone either surgery to book an appointment. Owners can do their bit by ensuring their pets have a healthy diet - sugar causes dental decay in animal just as it does in humans, so avoid pet treats with sugar. We've even seen rabbit treats that contain sugar in the form of fructose, so read the labels carefully before you buy. Some dog owners find dental chews useful in breaking off tartar and dry food for both dogs and cats can have an abrasive, scrubbing action on the teeth. Brave owners may even attempt to brush their pets' teeth, though this is best done from puppy and kittenhood, and a specially formulated toothpaste must be used.

Planning Ahead

If you're starting to make plans for the summer holiday remember that kennels and catteries often get booked up for the summer months quite early in the year. Book your pet a place as soon as you finalise any holidays, and make sure your pets' vaccinations are up to date, as you'll need to show the kennel/cattery proof that they're fully protected. Dogs must be vaccinated against the usual seven diseases (including distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus), but may also require vaccinating for kennel cough with an intranasal vaccine; cats generally only require the usual basic flu and enteritis vaccines. However, do check with the kennel or cattery exactly what they insist on.

March 2005

Recycling

At Acorn we are committed to the three R's of recycling - reduce, re-use, recycle - and we very pleased to learn that Anne, one of our newer nurses, shares our approach. Anne writes:

I've been a keen recyler since childhood, when my mother taught us 'to waste not, want not.' As I grew up and became interested in wildlife and nature conservation I appreciated the amount of unnecessary damage we cause to the environment when we use natural resources only to discard them.

My colleagues at Acorn are also keen to produce less rubbish destined for landfill, and even rubbish in the staff kitchen is sorted into paper, glass, plastic cartons and metals. At Hangleton we are lucky to have a nearby recycling centre, and can walk there with a couple of bags full of recycling whenever necessary. All paper and junk mail is shredded and disposed of in a secure way by Magpie, and ink cartridges for our printers are sent to be refilled. Of course, there are some things we cannot recycle, such as post-surgical waste and certain surgical instruments which cannot be re-used, and these are collected by the refuse service also used by the RSCH.

At one time we used inco-pads to line the cages where animals wait for and recover from surgery, but last year we invested in a washing machine (energy rating - A), and now use fleece liners, which not only keep pets warmer and drier, but also can be washed with non-bio powder.

The Cinnamon Trust

Last year the Daily Mirror published a list of twenty pets who stood to inherit a fortune. The list was topped by German Shepherd, Gunther IV, who inherited £60m from his owner when she died, and also included a chimp worth £53m, a hen who will inherit £10m, and a cat who has her own cottage and housekeeper. However, not all of us can ensure our pets will have such a comfortable life after we've gone. For many older people this can be a real worry, but luckily a charity, the Cinnamon Trust, is there to help. The Trust, named after the founder's dog, will try to rehome pets, or will care for them at their sanctuary in Conwall. Volunteers from the charity may also foster pets should their owners go into hospital, and can also walk dogs when the owners are unable to due to frailty or illness. The service is available countrywide free of charge to the elderly and terminally ill. For more information visit their website (www.cinnamon.org.uk) which also gives details of how volunteer or to make donations. Alternatively, call them on 01736 757900.

Photo Call

As we have so many lovely pictures of your pets we are running out of room on the walls, so we have decided to put them in to albums which you can browse through at your leisure. Please carry on bringing pictures in to us to add to our collection!

Feed the Birds

Now that spring is on its way, don't be tempted to stop feeding the birds. Natural food supplies are at their lowest as last year's seeds and fruits have all gone, and this year's insects have yet to hatch. With winter visitors still here and early summer migrants arriving, the pressure on dwindling food supplies increases. High energy, fatty foods are especially welcome, and water is always needed not only for drinking but also for bathing. Now is a good time to clean out last year's nesting boxes or to put up new ones - the Sussex Wildlife Trust's website (www.sussexwt.org.uk) has lots of information on making boxes, or phone for a leaflet on 01273 492630.

February 2005

Do it for Your Pet!

How many people have already given up on their New Year's resolution to give up smoking? It may help any pet owner who is currently wavering to know how much damage is done to dogs and cats from passive smoking. Not only can smokey atmospheres trigger illnesses such as asthma, but dogs and cats of smokers are at increased risk from lung, nasal and sinus cancers. An oncologist (cancer specialist) at the University of Queensland has confirmed that cancer is the most common killer of pets in Australia, while a study carried out at the University of Massachussetts has shown a significantly increased risk of feline or canine lymphoma, a type of cancer which affects the lymphatic system. On a less dramatic note, the loss of the sense of smell and taste experienced by smokers is shared by their pets. Imagine how much this must affect dogs, who rely on their sense of smell for information about the world. Luckily many pet owners are selfless individuals, who think nothing of putting their pets before themselves, so if you can't convince yourself to give up for yourself, do it for your pets!

Hypothermic Hamsters

Hamsters are often seen as the perfect pet for children - quiet, friendly (if handled properly and frequently) and relatively low maintenance. But don't forget your hamster needs heat to stay active during the winter months. One hamster made the news recently when she apparently died, was buried in the garden, then proceeded to dig her way out and to scurry back home. The temperature in her owner's home had dropped below 5 degrees, and the hamster had entered hibernation. In this state it is very difficult to detect either heartbeat or breathing, and it becomes hard to tell the difference between a hibernating hamster and a dead one. Although hamsters can be warmed carefully with a hairdryer and wrapped in foil to help them retain heat, prevention is better than cure, so please make sure your hamsters are kept warm and snug this winter.

New Nurse Clinics

Now that our new nurse specialists, Anne and Jo, have settled in at Hangleton Way, we are pleased to offer their services for weight checks and dietary advice, worming, removal of sutures, identichips, nail clipping, dental checks and general advice. Please ask at the Hangleton desk for an appointment.

Feasts for Feathery Friends!

At this time of year especially, garden birds require high-energy (high fat) foods to maintain their body reserves and survive the frosty nights. Good quality food should be put out twice daily if possible, in the morning and early afternoon. Try to feed at the same time(s) each day and don't put out more than is usually eaten in a day to avoid attracting rats. Fresh, clean water is especially important for both drinking and bathing and it is a good idea to try to site bird baths near dense bushes where birds can wait safely to dry off after a bath. Birds also appreciate cover near birdtables or ground feeding sites, where they can perch until sure it is safe to visit the bird table. For a recipe sheet detailing how to make some delicious treats, including "Speedy Bird Cake" and "Crumble Pastry Maggots"(!) please ask at either reception, or consult the RSPB website (www.rspb.org.uk).

January 2005

Happy New Year!

Christmas thanks..

Once again we have been overwhelmed by the number of cards and presents delivered to both surgeries during the run-up to Christmas. Even more pleasing for us are the accompanying messages which are often supportive and touching, and help us relive happy memories from the past year. So thank you all, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year!

Eat Now, Pay Later...

With all the extra food about over Christmas it is only natural that some loving pet owners will have shared some of their treats with their pets. But our pets only need 3,500 calories to store away one pound of body fat - that's only 1,100 low cal doggy chocs, which means that iyour dog could put on a pound a year from just three doggy treats a day! Research done by vets the University of Minnesota has found that obese cats have only a 53% chance of living past the age of four, compared to 83% of cats with a normal bodyweight. More research done by the makers of Purina pet foods followed a group of forty labradors for fourteen years. Dogs who were fed a restricted diet to maintain the correct body weight lived on average two years longer than those who had unlimited access to food and who were consequently overweight. By the age of 12 only one overweight dog was still alive, compared to eleven lean dogs! Overweight cats and dogs face joint and heart problems, as well as an increased risk of diabetes, and dental disease. If you are tempted to give your pets scaps from the table or a bag of pet chocs, reduce the amount of food you usually feed your pet to take into account any extra calories consumed during the day and make sure your pets (especially dogs) get their regular exercise and start the New Year in good shape!

New Year New Faces

With Amy leaving to start paramedic training and Helen moving to Devon, we are delighted to welcome two new nurses to Acorn:

Hi. My name's Jo. I've been nursing for ten years and passed my exams in 1997. I've previously worked at another surgery in Brighton, and now have joined Acorn. I have a terrier called Monkey (who lives up to her name!) and six cats - I tend to take home all the cats nobody wants - perks of the job, I guess! I'm based at the Hangleton branch, and look forward to meeting some of you soon.

Hello, I'm Ann. Guided towards veterinary work by my first dog, I started working as a veterinary assistant at the PDSA in 1986. I started training as a veterinary nurse when the RCVS decided to let part-timers have a go, and passed my exams in 1997, on my 42nd birthday! I've since worked for Southdown Veterinary Centre, and started here in December. My main interests are a husband, two badly behaved dogs, gardening, conservation and recycling!

December 2004

One Man's Meat.....

Or should we say, one man's chocolate is another dog's poison? Despite recent findings that chocolate is actually good for humans, containing twice the anti-oxidants of red wine and stimulating the release of feel-good endorphins, the theobromine responsible for the benefits in humans is highly toxic to man's best friend. Last Christmas local physiotherapist and Sussex Pet Rescue volunteer Lyn Burroughs discovered that her rescue Bassett hound, Charlotte, had sniffed out the stash of chocolate wrapped and hidden ready to go in Lyn's nieces Christmas stockings. By the time Lyn found her, Charlotte had eaten three Terry's chocolate oranges and a box of maltesers. Luckily Lynn knew how dangerous chocolate can be to dogs, causing pain, vomiting, muscle tremors, circulatory collapse and even death, and rang the surgery immediately. Lyn was advised to feed her hound bread and milk, and Charlotte vomited violently for the next twenty four hours. Fortunately she made a full recovery but not all dogs are as lucky - a Boxer rehomed by Sussex Pet Rescue died two years ago after eating a box of chocolates from under the Christmas tree - so please do keep all those chocolate Christmas goodies out of reach of your dogs.

Season of Stress for Pets

Christmas can be an anxious time for our pets The usual household routines are disturbed, and we may not have much time to spend with them. To make matters worse, the house may be full of noisy visitors. Make sure your pet has somewhere quiet to hide if necessary and don't neglect your dog's usual exercise (it won't do you any harm to walk off the turkey, either!). If you're using a new collar or lead brought by Father Christmas, check they fit before leaving the house - a lost dog at Christmas won't help the Christmas cheer! Try to keep hazards to a minimum. Tinsel seems just too tempting to some pets, but it can cause intestinal blockages if eaten which need to be removed surgically. Glass baubles can also be dangerous, particularly if you have a cat who cannot resist climbing the Christmas tree! Consider using plastic baubles, and always turn off the Christmas tree lights when you are not in the room. Both mistletoe and poinsettias are toxic to dogs and cats if eaten, so make sure these are kept too high to reach.

And before you throw away all the cardboard boxes your presents came in, visit www.makingfriends.com andfollow the links to their "pet projects" page for ideas on making a wonderful "Kitty Condo" for your cat!

November 2004

Purrfect Presents?

A Californian company has become the first to offer a commercial pet cloning service. Five customers have already signed up and several hundred have had a small sample of their pets' tissue taken to be preserved for possible use in the future. It took more than eighty attempts to produce the first cloned cat, called CopyCat, as many cloned embryos do not survive. Many more develop tumours and other abnormalities, and die young. And although the cloned animals are genetically the same as the original, differences in personality will occur. If this doesn't put you off ordering a perfect copy of your moggy for Christmas, maybe the price tag will - each copy will set you back £28,000. Maybe a trip to a cat rescue centre for a new friend would make a lot more sense!

Antifreeze Alert

As the weather turns colder motoring organisations tell us to keep our car radiators topped up with antifreeze. However, it is worth remembering that some cats and dogs like the smell and taste of antifreeze which causes kidney damage and can even be fatal. As little as one teaspoon can kill an eight pound cat and a tablespoon can kill a ten pound dog. This means a small puddle under your car is potentially enough to pose a real threat to passing pets. Thoroughly clean up spills at once and keep containers tightly closed. Store bottles where your pets cannot get to them, and make sure the empties are tightly wrapped before you put them in the dustbin.

October 2004

Fireworks!

Autumn is the season of Guy Fawkes Night, Hallowe'en and Diwali, so while you may be outside celebrating, spare a thought for your pets. Cats and dogs should be kept indoors while the fireworks are flying, and if they are particularly frightened by the bangs and crashes, it may be worth speaking to one of our staff about obtaining a tranquiliser or sedative to calm the nerves. (These are "prescription-only medicines" which decrease the blood pressure, so we may need to examine your pet first in order to ensure that they can be used safely.) However there may be another solution to the annual problem. There is a device, introduced 2 years ago, called a DAP Diffuser, which gives off a pheromone scent that relaxes dogs. It should be plugged in two weeks before fireworks are expected, so now is the perfect time to buy one for Guy Fawkes' Night. On the big night the dog should be kept in a darkened room to avoid the effect of flashes of light, and the diffuser used, with or without tranquilisers/ sedatives, to achieve the best possible "air of calm." For cats, a similar product, called the Feliway Diffuser, may have a similar calming effect, although no trials have been done as yet. If you need more information, pick up an information sheet at the surgery or visit the "News" page on our website. Do let us know if you have any experience, either good or bad, with either product.

Also see "Firework Season - Advice to Pet Owners" under November 2002, below

Sore paws

On Sunday the 5th of September Sandy (and her dog Millie) completed the Sussex Pet Rescue Sponsored Walk. They would like to thank everyone who sponsored them. Thanks to the generosity of many of our clients they raised just under £500 for this worthwhile cause!

More adventures of Horace...

Some clients may remember a story about Horace's "Incredible Journey," first published (and still on the website "News" page) in October 2002. Well, Horace recently got into another scrape that his owner wrote to us about...

On Saturday morning, on my way out shopping, I heard Horace miaowing but couldn't see him, and eventually realised he was about 25ft up the tree in our front garden, sitting in a fork between several branches. I thought he would find his way down while I was out but when I came back he was still there, and obviously wanting to come down but unable to. He was climbing out on each of the branches to find a way down, but it was too high to jump. I tried to encourage him and got the step ladder to see if I could get near him, but that was no good. I got some food to see if that would entice him to try a bit harder, but there was no way down the vertical trunk, which had obviously been much easier to climb up. About 4pm I rang the RSPCA, but they said their policy was not to do anything for 48 hours, and that most cats found their own way down when they got hungry. He was still there at bed time, but I reckoned he might come down during the night if he got really desperate. But on Sunday morning he was still up the tree, and miaowing pitifully. There was no way I could leave him another 24hrs before calling the RSPCA again, and in any case heavy rain was forecast for the afternoon, so I rang the fire brigade. They arrived within a few minutes and fortunately their ladder was just long enough. They sent up the youngest fireman, fully protected in helmet, visor and thick gloves, but rather nervous at having to deal with a cat rather than a fire. After several attempts he manged to grab Horace and carry him down to safety. Horace's first priority was to rush into the bushes and dig a hole - he was bursting! The fireman said that despite the stereotypical view of firemen rescuing cats up trees, it is actually quite an unusual thing for them to do. Apparently, it is usually kittens that get stuck up trees because they are inexperienced at climbing, and that usually they do come down by themselves.

So the message is, don't phone the fire brigade straight away - leave some food at the bottom of the tree and try to encourage the cat to come down. But after 24hrs, if the cat is still stuck and in distress (as Horace was) the fire brigade will certainly try to help, but don't ring 999 - dial the non-emergency number in the phone book.

September 2004

"Funniest Furry" Photo Competition Results

After a short delay to gather in the judges marks, we can finally announce the winners of the "Funniest Furry" photo competition. The 8 judges (children of staff at Acorn, ranging in ages from 4 to 15) scores produced a very close result, and of the 25 entries, 21 received marks, which probably goes to show that what tickles one person, leaves another cold! After much deliberating, the winners were:

FIRST PRIZE - Jojo Dowling

RUNNERS-UP (equal) - Tansy Penn

& Mindy Muller's kittens

We would like to say a big "thank you" to all those who took part in the competition - the photos will be returned as soon as possible. Keep looking out for more pictures for next year when, hopefully, we will run the competition again. Incidentally, Mr Penn, "Tansy's" owner, has a family website (www.geoffpenn.com) with more pictures of his pets and an intriguing page called Biggles' Amazing Card Trick- see if the family rabbit can outfox you!

Mirror images?

Researchers at the University of California have found evidence to support the long-held belief that dogs and their owners tend to look alike. In a recent study, separate photographs of 45 dogs and their owners were shown to a group of "judges"- 28 undergraduates- and they were asked to try to match the dogs with their owners. Of 25 pure-bred dogs and their owners, the judges made the correct match on 16 occasions (the dog was considered to resemble the owner if more than half the judges matched them up correctly.) In contrast, only seven of the 20 cross-breds were correctly matched with their owners. The reseachers found no link between how long an owner had owned the dog and the similarity in appearance, and suggested that, because prospective owners have a "picture" of what a particular breed looks like, they choose a dog that looks like them in some way, rather than changing their own appearance with time to become more like their dog! So....what made you choose your dog?

July 2004

Hot Dogs

Warmer weather means we should be careful when leaving dogs in cars. Even on a mild sunny day temperatures inside a car can soar to 120F, and leaving a window open a crack is not enough. Pug nosed dogs are less able to cool themselves by panting because of the shape of their nasal passages, and overweight dogs, puppies and elderly dogs are especially at risk. If you have to leave your dog in your car, it may be better to leave him at home. Gardens can also be sun traps, so make sure a dog left outside for any length of time has access to shade and plenty of fresh water. On hot days avoid excessive exercise, and take advice from your dog groomer about summer trims for long haired breeds. Symptoms of heat stroke include panting, failure to obey commands, staring, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, fever, warm dry skin and collapse. If your dog does succumb, move the dog to a shady place, cool areas of bare skin (such as the pads of the paws and the ears) with cold water, provide fresh water to drink and seek veterinary advice immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal and needs to be treated as soon as possible.

Allergy Alert

If you saw last month's newsletter you may remember that Bluebell, the cat belonging to Andrew's family, went missing for over a week. During that week she missed her regular Frontline flea treatment, and returned home a bit of a fleabag! Unfortunately she developed flea bite dermatitis, or flea bite allergy. With this condition, present in dogs and cats, the animal becomes hypersensitive to the saliva the flea injects to prevent the animal's blood clotting. Instead of the small red bump a flea bite usually causes, each bite becomes inflamed and sore, and in Bluebell's case her back and tail area were covered in scabs, caused by constant scratching and licking (which also led to daily furballs). Flea bite allergy mostly occurs after the age of five, and is easily treated with injections whenever there is a flare up of the condition. Obviously, prevention is better than cure, and Bluebell's monthly flea treatments are now ringed in red on the calendar! Incidentally, Bluebell is continuing to use up her nine lives; last week she fell in a neighbour's pond, and had to be bathed in the kitchen sink to remove vast amounts of smelly green slime!

Photo Competion

If you're just getting round to training your pet to look cute in sunglasses and a wig in order to enter a photo in our competition, you're too late! Entries have now closed and the judges are preparing to choose a winner. The results will be displayed on the noticeboards and announced in the August newsletter and on the "News" page of our website, so watch this space! (To avoid having to deal with an abscess resulting from a stick injury to a dog's mouth, do like this owner and throw frisbees instead- much safer!)

Cycle Success

In June Andrew braved the wind and rain, and completed the London to Brighton Bike Ride in a little under eight hours - he claims he could have done it faster but was delayed in a number of bike jams..... Anyway, Andrew had terrific support from a number of clients and should raise over £250 for the British Heart Foundation. A big thank you to all who helped. (Please leave any remaining sponsorship money at Reception!)

Flown the Nest?

The RSPB and RSPCA have joined forces this month to send out a seasonal appeal to the public asking them to leave baby birds and animals alone. Every spring and summer, both charities are inundated with calls from people who pick up young animals, thinking they have been abandoned or orphaned. Often the parents are waiting nearby and, in many cases, the youngster would be better off left alone. Last year, more than 20,000 fledglings were passed to the RSPCA. Many were perfectly healthy, but instead of being fed by their parents and learning to fend for themselves in the wild, they suffered stress from human handling. Only intervene if the youngster is injured, in danger, or truly abandoned.

June 2004

Poison Perils

At last warmer weather is here, and many of us have spent the last few weekends giving our gardens a spring tidy-up. However, it's worth remembering how hazardous some garden chemicals can be for pets and wildlife alike. Many brands of slug pellets contain metalde- hyde, which is the cause of a number of deaths in dogs and cats each year. Unfortunately information on some boxes of slug pellets would seem to suggest that they may be safe for pets. Look at the list of ingredients - if it contains metaldehyde then it is poisonous. Strangely, dogs seem to find the pellets tasty. The poison causes severe excitement and convulsions, and has no antidote. Many cases will respond with veterinary attention (intravenous fluids and sedatives to calm convulsions) as dogs are usually able to clear their own system of slug poison if they can be kept alive long enough to do so. Hedgehogs too can be affected, though it is not really known whether this is from eating poisoned slugs or the pellets themselves. Instead of sprinkling pellets all around your garden, place a few under a slightly raised tile or upended flower pot. Slugs love to spend the day in such cool, damp places, and both pellets and dying slugs will be hidden from pets and wildlife. Better still, use a slug pub! Sink a yoghurt pot into the soil near susceptible plants, and fill with beer. Place a few twigs across it to allow any boozy beetles (great slug predators) to escape, and empty out the drowned drunk slugs into your compost heap in the morning.

Lost and Found!

Last month the rescue cat belonging to Acorn vet Andrew's little girls did not turn up for breakfast, and was not seen again for over a week. The family put leaflets through doors and posters on trees and lamp-posts asking people to check garages and sheds, and to call with any information. "We received loads of calls, and would like to thank everybody who took the time to phone with information or advice," says Andrew. Bluebell was microchipped, and also had a "barrel" name tag - a metal cylinder containing a piece of paper with her details on it. However, the bottom half of the barrel had fallen off, so the people who noticed a strange cat in their garden had no way of knowing where she came from. Luckily they were advised by their neighbours to contact the City Cat Shelter, which coincidentally was the charity that originally rehomed Bluebell with Andrew's family, and soon she was reunited with her owners. Mike Tully, of the City Cat Shelter, comes across many, many cats with only half a name barrel, and strongly advises people to use the "Identitag" style of identity tag. These are light plastic discs with the animal's details clearly visible from a short distance - and one is currently on order for Bluebell!

"Funniest Furry" photo competition

As you may know, we are holding a photo competition for the funniest photo of your pet! It's not too late to enter so please bring in your photo, with your name, pet's name and phone number on the back. There will be prizes for the ones that make our panel of judges (the children of the staff at Acorn) laugh the most! The closing date for entries is 1st July 2004 and the winners will be announced in the August newsletter and on the noticeboards. Good luck!

On your bike..

This year Acorn vet Andrew Belton is taking part in the 54 mile London to Brighton Bike ride on Sunday June 20th, run in aid of the event organisers, the British Heart Foundation. Andrew has already previously completed the ride but that was in 1990 - just 14 short years ago. Unfortunately, what with the ravages of time and the passing of a fortieth birthday, the event may be not quite so easy to complete this time! If you would like to sponsor him and help the British Heart Foundation, sponsorship forms are at the reception desks at both surgeries - please give generously!

May 2004

"Funniest Furry" photo competition

We are holding a photo competition for the funniest photo of your pet! If you would like to enter, please bring in your photo, with your name, pet's name and phone number on the back. There will be prizes for the ones that make our panel of judges (the children of the staff at Acorn) laugh the most! The closing date for entries is 1st July 2004 and the winners will be announced in the August newsletter and on the noticeboards. Good luck!

Wakey Wakey!

If you have a hibernating tortoise, you probably have started checking its box for signs of movement. Once your tortoise is awake, check its eyes, mouth and tail for any discharge, as this could be a sign of infection. Give your tortoise a warm bath for at least half an hour, making sure it can get out if it wants to. It's important that it empties its bladder to get rid of accumulated toxins - and very important to replace lost fluid. As well as providing plenty of warm water for drinking, offer food with a high moisture content, such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Your tortoise may not eat for a few days (hand feeding may help) but if it hasn't eaten anything after a week it may need a post-hibernation check up. Bring newly emerged tortoises in at night until the nights warm up. For more information about tortoises try www.tortoisecare.co.uk, or contact the British Chelonia Group on www. britishcheloniagroup .org.uk.

Walkies

Many of you will be taking advantage of the lighter evenings and warmer weather to enjoy long walks with your dogs. If your dog likes playing "fetch," do please remember to take a safe toy with you. Many balls are too small for larger dogs and may be swallowed, which can cause blockages in the gut. Worse, they can get stuck in the dog's throat, choking the dog. A thrown stick can land on its end and bounce back towards the dog, puncturing the back of the throat. Stones can also be a problem, either when swallowed (like small balls, causing blockages) or by breaking teeth. All good pet shops should stock a range of safe toys - try frisbees, knotted ropes or rubber rings.

Good for our Health

We've known for a long time that owning a pet can reduce our anxiety levels, but now researchers have found that pet owners have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol. They make 21 per cent fewer visits to the doctor and report fewer headaches, and less indigestion, depression and insomnia than non-pet owners. Pets can also help us to recover from illness; the charity Pets As Therapy (PAT) take cats and dogs into hospital wards to meet patients and help lift their mood and speed their recovery. Studies of heart attack victims, in fact, have shown that pet ownership was the second most important factor for long term survival, behind only the condition of the heart itself.

Someone else who is looking after our hearts is the British Heart Foundation, a charity which funds research into heart disease, provides education, training and equipment to raise awareness, and also cares for long term sufferers of coronary disease. Each year the charity organises the London to Brighton bike ride, last year raising over £2.5 million in sponsorship money. This year Acorn vet Andrew Belton is hoping (!) to complete the 54 mile ride, so do look out for him on the finish line. If you would like to sponsor him and help the British Heart Foundation, sponsorship forms will be at the reception desks at both surgeries.

April 2004

Easter Bunnies

Over recent years it has become increasingly popular to give children a baby rabbit as an Easter present. Before you do, remember that rabbits are naturally social animals which live in large groups, and it has been estimated that a rabbit kept on its own in a hutch will need you to spend 10 minutes with it - five times each day! Rabbits have been judged to be the most neglected pets; not having a 'voice' means rabbits cannot let us know the depths of their loneliness or boredom. One solution to this may be to keep your rabbit as a 'house rabbit.' The Rabbit Welfare Association can give advice on house training rabbits and rabbit proofing your house (www.houserabbit.co.uk or telephone 0870 046 5249) If you do decide you can give a good home to a rabbit, visit a local rescue centre. Many are innundated with rabbits, and some are forced to put a number of rabbits to sleep every year, so any potential adopters are most welcome. For more information on caring for rabbits the website of Rabbit and Guinea Pig Welfare (www.rngp.org) may be useful.

Meet Sarah

On April 2nd, a new member of staff started at Portland Road. Sarah Booth, pictured here with one-year-old son Luke, is a qualified Veterinary Nurse but, more importantly, an assessor for Veterinary Nurse training. As well as working as a part-time nurse, her main role will be supervising our student Veterinary Nurses, so you may well see her around the practice with clipboard in hand grilling some poor unfortunate and making sure they come up to scratch! Sarah has been married to Adam for 8 years and has worked in several other local practices including the PETS out-of-hours service, so you might have seen her before. We would like to welcome her to the practice - with a one-year-old at home, Portland Road may seem like a haven of peace and tranquility by comparison!

Pet Passports Update

Many of you will already know that we have been issuing P.E.T.S. certificates for the entry of pets into France and their return to the UK without the need for quarantine. Under this scheme your pet must be micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies and blood tested to prove that the vaccine has taken, six months before returning to the UK. Entry into other European countries requires additional health certificates which owners must order by calling DEFRA (Dept of Food and Rural Affairs) on 01737 242 242. These forms will then be sent direct to either of our surgeries, as required, and an appointment will be required for one of our Official Veterinary Surgeons to examine your pet and complete the paperwork. The Ministry has promised that new 'pet passports' will be available from July 2004. We are hopeful that these will allow UK pets to enter most European countries without the need for more forms, certificates. etc. Watch this space!

Hangleton Cats

Anybody who has sat in the Hangleton surgery waiting room for a few minutes will probably have noticed the framed cat prints on the wall. They are by Jill Latter, a local artist from Lindfield, and have proved popular as they capture the different moods of the cat to perfection. Some prints are still on display and can be bought at the surgery (a percentage goes to Jill's local Cats Protection League for any we sell) but if you would like to see the full range for yourself, together with 8 new pictures, then visit www.jillscats.co.uk.

March 2004

All covered up?

Background

The importance of veterinary insurance to our clients has increased over the last few years. Until ten or fifteen years ago, vets were expected to "have-a-go" at anything that came their way. Only the most complicated or unusual cases were seen by specialists at the Vet Schools. More recently, however, veterinary medicine has seen a huge change in the range and speciality of treatments available, with some vets undertaking further training and exams to take on a "consultant"-type role. Local veterinary surgeries like Acorn are now more like a GP's surgery (although few GPs could manage to carry out the sort of surgical operations performed by all the vets at Acorn!). For many years, ophthalmology has been a specialist subject, but now cardiologists, dermatologists, neurologists and specialists in soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery are springing up everywhere!

However, treatment at specialist centres generally comes at a price with first consultations starting at £80-100. Further investigations are nearly always required, such as blood samples, X-rays and ultrasound, possibly followed by surgery involving incredibly expensive equipment. It is not unusual for the total bill to top £1000! For example, a few months ago we arranged for one client to visit the excellent Veterinary Referrals Cancer & Critical Care Centre (VRCC) near Dartford for cancer treatment. The facilities and treatment were first class, but the bill topped £1200. Luckily the owners were insured, and they had to pay just £50.

At Acorn, we really notice the dilemma faced by uninsured owners when faced with an expensive course of treatment. On at least four occasions in the last 5 years we have had to amputate a cat's badly shattered leg because this operation cost a fifth of what an orthopedic specialist would charge to repair it. In all cases, it is important to weigh up the benefit of a particular procedure, versus the risk of that procedure, versus its cost. When clients are insured we can ignore the cost involved, and after discussion with the owner, go ahead with what we jointly decide to be the best course of treatment.

Insurance basics

The most important point for dog owners to consider is third party liability. Legally, dogs are owned (cats are wild) so as the owner you are responsible if they cause a road accident or bite the postman. Normal house insurance may cover this risk, but if not, it can often be added for little cost without the need for a separate policy.

For veterinary expenses you will need to think about the following:

The premium (monthly or annual payment). The cheaper policies usually come through the supermarkets (eg Tesco, Sainsbury's) or via the internet (eg Directline, More Than), the dearer ones from the big insurance companies (eg Pet Plan and Pet Protect). The premium may go up sharply once your pet reaches a certain age to the point when it may not be worth insuring them - just like human medical insurance once you get to 65 and need it most!

The cover. This varies from company to company. Some require annual renewal, when insurance companies may take the chance to exclude chronic (ongoing) conditions. They may also refuse to cover your pet once they reach a certain age.

The excess. The amount you have to pay each time you claim varies from company to company, so read the small print. It may also increase with your pet's age.

Claim settlement procedure. Some companies will pay the veterinary surgery direct, which means you do not have to be out of pocket while the claim is being processed. All you need to pay to the vet is the excess. Bearing in mind the large sums which can be involved, this may help you to decide on a particular company.

Choosing an insurance policy can be a confusing business, and if you need help speak to Helen at Portland Road. We do not sell policies or receive commission for recommending them, but Helen deals with them all on a daily basis, filling out claim forms and battling with the finer print in her efforts to secure payment for our clients! (Unlike GPs, we do not charge for this). However, if you have had any experiences, good or bad, with insurance companies, we'd be interested to hear about them.

January 2004

New Year, New Pet

Animal rescue centres all over Britain are now bracing themselves for the busiest time of the year, when old pets are abandoned in favour of cute new puppies and kittens. If you are planning to get a new pet it's worth considering a "pre-owned" pet in need of a new family. Most charites will have had the animals checked by a vet, vaccinated, wormed and treated for fleas. Some will also identichip and neuter them. Some dog breeds even have their own rescue societies, so it's worth contacting them direct if you are keen on a particular type of dog. Ask to see our directory of rescue organisations at the desk, or try The Dogs' Trust (previously the NCDL) on www.dogstrust.org.uk or the Cats Protection League on www.cats.org.uk.

If you prefer to buy a puppy from a breeder, please make sure it is a reputable one. Many of you will have been shocked by the BBC programme Inside Out at the beginning of January in which an undercover vet was sent to check on puppies bred at a Hampshire puppy farm, and found them in a very poor condition. Check with the Kennel Club (www .the-kennel-club. org. uk) for registered breeders in our area and always ask to see "mum" - if you can't see her, go elsewhere as you're probably talking to a dealer, not the breeder. Always choose the bright, alert, outgoing puppy as very few owners return a puppy if it's later found to be in poor health - and unscrupulous breeders know this very well.... For further advice please speak to one of the vets or any member of staff if you need any help before making the first step.

Emergency, Emergency!

Just a short year ago, our out-of-hours arrangements changed when we decided to join the Priory Emergency Treatment Service (or P.E.T.S. for short) situated at the New Priory Veterinary Hospital, The Deneway, London Road, Brighton. After quizzing numerous clients who have used the service, the majority have been very pleased with the standard of care, and so we are happy to be staying with PETS for another year. For further details and a map with directions, please call in at your local surgery.

Out-of-hours telephone 01273 566993

Don't forget, they are ALWAYS there when we are not, ready for your call or for a word of advice, and we would be interested to hear what you think about any aspect of the PETS service.

Pet Passport

Mike Westnedge, our new vet, and Sandy Enzerink are certificated by DEFRA (the old Ministry of Agriculture) to fill out the final health certificate each pet requires before leaving the country on the Pet Travel Scheme. Although at first glance the scheme seems confusing, the qualification process is relatively straightforward, involving, in order, a microchip, rabies vaccine, blood sample to check that the vaccine has produced the required immunity, and final health certificate. However, the pet cannot return to the UK until 6 months after the blood sample, which is 30 days after the initial rabies vaccination! So, if you're planning to go away this Summer, you need to hurry. Ask at reception for advice or to make an appointment with Mike or Sandy, or try the "easy-to-remember" Pet Travel Scheme website (www .defra .gov .uk/ animalh/ quarantine/ pets/ index) or helpline (O870 241 1710) for up-to-the-minute hints and details.

December 2003

Meet Mike!

In November, we welcomed our newest vet, Mike Westnedge, to the practice. Mike, who qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1974, may be familiar to some of our clients as he has been practicing in Sussex for the last twenty five years, firstly in Bognor, and then, from 1982 onwards, in Kingston (near Lewes) and Seaford, where he built up a thriving and popular small animal practice. He sold the business in 2001 and has since been working part-time for the new owners. Luckily for us, Mike was looking around for a new challenge just as Mark retired and the fact that their initials matched seemed too strong a hint to ignore! Mike is married to Gill and has two grown-up children. He will be working on Thursday, Friday and every third Saturday morning at the Portland Road surgery.

Christmas is coming......

The old National Canine Defence League (now the Dogs Trust) slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas" is well worth remembering at this time of the year. However it's always tricky when the children are just dying for a new puppy/kitten/rabbit and you just want a bit of peace. Try giving a soft toy substitute instead with a promise to get the real thing later. It will certainly make the holiday season a little easier- after all, the bedlam of a family Christmas is hardly the ideal environment for a new member of the family! Why not wait until after Christmas and offer to adopt an unwanted pet from one of the rescue societies? For more information, try the Dogs Trust (www.dogstrust.org.uk) or the Cats Protection League (www.cats.org.uk).

Death by chocolate

As Christmas approaches, don't forget to keep those chocolates well away from your dog or cat. Chocolate, particularly the plain type, contains theobromine, a caffeine-like chemical, which gives chocoholics their "buzz". In dogs however, due to their relatively slow breakdown of this substance, a similar amount can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, excitability and muscle tremors and eventually circulatory collapse and death. To emphasise the danger, a 200g bar of plain chocolate contains enough theobromine to kill an average-sized spaniel. This poison is also found in variable amounts in all other cocoa products, such as cocoa shells which are often used for mulching the garden. So if you own a "hoover" who just can't resist trying new and exciting foods take particular care this Christmas. And if you find it difficult to hide away those chocolates, then please feel free to leave them at either surgery for safe-keeping...

Festive feasts for feathery friends!

At this time of year especially, garden birds require high-energy (high fat) foods to maintain their body reserves and survive the frosty nights. Good quality food and water should be put out twice daily if possible, in the morning and early afternoon. For a recipe sheet detailing how to make some delicious Christmas treats, including "Speedy Bird Cake" and "Crumble Pastry Maggots"(!) please ask at either reception, or consult the RSPB website (www.rspb.org.uk).

November 2003

Mark's retired!

On October 31st 2003, Mark Wilson retired from Acorn Veterinary Surgery after “just” 25 years. He left with a stack of cards and presents from clients, after a surprise dinner party with all the staff from both surgeries at Tottington Manor in Edburton. His retirement present was a beehive and all the equipment for starting honey production, so if you see “Henfield Honey” in the shops in the next few years, remember -it all started here!

Mark writes- To all the pet owners I’ve known over the years: It’s impossible to thank everyone individually, so please accept this as a thank you note to everyone. Thank you for your loyalty. It’s been wonderful to see owners and animals returning over and over again during my time at Portland Road. I’ve seen 2 or 3 generations of pets with the same owners; I’ve also seen young children with their parents’ animals, in turn becoming parents themselves and continuing the process with their own children. We’ve seen sadness; but we’ve also seen a huge amount of happiness which far outweighs all. Thank you for your very kind words - they mean so much to me, and I won’t forget them. With so much well-wishing, my wife and I are certain of a truly happy retirement. Thank you for your gifts; I’ll try not to become an alcoholic but it’ll be difficult! For all the cards, and their sentiments; flowers; food; for the contributions to my new, and as yet unexplored, hobby of beekeeping (apiculture!) Thank you everyone, for making my time at Anicare/Acorn so worthwhile and fulfilling. I wish you all health and happiness, and please continue to visit Acorn. Don’t forget!

Top tip!

In a recent study in cats looking at the time it takes for a tablet to pass from the mouth to the stomach, researchers found that this "transit time" was significantly reduced when tablets covered in butter were given when compared to dry tablets given either by hand or by pill gun. In some of the cats given dry tablets, the tablet remained in the oesophagus (the tube which runs from the throat to the stomach) for more than eleven minutes! In these cases, a smear of butter applied just below the nose was successful in stimulating licking and swallowing which moved the tablet to the stomach in less than one minute. The retention of dry tablets in the throat of the cat is thought to be commonplace, and may, in some cases, lead to local inflammation or long-term scarring and subsequent narrowing of the passageway, so if you want to help those tablets slip down don't forget the butter!

October 2003

Mark retires!

At the end of October, Mark will be retiring as Senior Partner of Acorn Veterinary Surgery. Over the last 25 years, he has built the practice up from scratch to the thriving enterprise you see today.

Sandy writes- Mark qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Bristol University in 1963 (the same university in fact where the 'Vets in Practice' series was filmed!) and apart from a short spell spent working with his father, has been practising veterinary medicine ever since. In 1978 Mark opened the Portland Road 'Anicare' surgery, ably assisted by nurses Lorraine and Leonie. Since that time numerous vets, nurses and work experience students have passed through the practice doors including me ….I joined the practice in 1983 (yes it really has been 20 years) in the early stages of my career and Mark helped me to develop my skills over the years ….whilst still managing to keep all of the clients happy! Has it all been plain sailing? Well almost ….if you don't count being hospitalised twice - once after being bitten on the hand by a client's cat and again after breaking a hip trying to leap over a cardboard box which was sitting on the surgery floor. So does Mark plan to take it easy in his retirement? - unlikely given that he has 3 daughters, 1 son and 11 grandchildren to occupy his time. He does however, plan to spend more time with his (long suffering) wife Sally at their holiday home in France. Mark has always been a very caring, approachable person and I would imagine that most clients (and most of their pets) think of him as a friend rather than their vet. He has instilled great loyalty in both clients and staff alike and I am sure that you would join me in wishing Mark all the best for the future.

Mark's last consulting session will be the morning of Thursday October 30th, so book an appointment early to avoid disappointment. Just this once, clients do not have to have a medical reason for a visit... or even an accompanying pet!

September 2003

Grass...grass...and more grass!

Throughout the Summer the Acorn vets see many rabbits. They are brought in by their owners for a range of conditions, from weight loss, bad eyes, diarrhoea and abscesses, to fly-strike, difficulty eating or superficial skin conditions on the ruff or front legs related to dribbling. Surprisingly, all these apparently different conditions are linked together by one thing - diet! In the wild state, rabbits eat GRASS and very little else. Now they are domesticated, their diet has changed, and invariably owners feed a mix of grains and flakes, eg. “Russell rabbit.” Unfortunately some rabbits eat only certain parts of these mixes, and a better alternative is a pelleted food, where the rabbit receives a balanced diet with each mouthful. But by far the best choice is GRASS. Nothing else, just GRASS. Possibly hay, but that’s just dried GRASS. The important difference is that grass contains silicates, which act as an abrasive, grinding down the molars as they in turn grind down the food. This is crucial, as rabbits, like all herbivores, have teeth that continually grow. If the rate of growth is not matched by the rate of wear, the molars become overgrown, which leads to dental problems, over-salivation and pain due to mouth abrasions, possibly causing weight loss over time. Molar overgrowth can also lead to abscesses along the jawline, as well as bad eyes due to compression of the tear duct by the overlong molar roots which restrict tear drainage from the eyes. Dental problems can also lead to diarrhoea (and in turn, fly strike), as the food is not sufficiently ground down and is poorly digested, resulting in soft faeces. If possible, prevent problems by feeding grass or hay from birth. If you are still using a “mix”, then gradually wean your pet onto a diet of grass or hay over several weeks. At the very least, try one of the pelleted foods such as “Suparabbit Excel”. In this way many of the problems seen in rabbits will simply disappear, your rabbit will have firm pelleted droppings, and will live to a ripe old age!

Commuter friendly

In recent years we have become increasingly aware of how difficult it can be to take time off work to bring a pet to the vets. Some time ago the morning consulting session changed from a 9am start to 8am at Portland Road to allow pets to be seen and to enable those needing operations to be dropped off before work. However the 6pm closing time sometimes made collection post-operatively difficult. Because we are now open for consulting until 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, it may be possible to arrange later collection on these days. If you would like to take advantage of this facility, please mention it to the nurse when booking your pet in.

Winter wildlife

Now that Autumn is approaching many of us are beginning to get our gardens ready for winter. However, before you grab the secateurs and the rake, don’t forget the wildlife in your garden. Many insects overwinter in the hollow stems of dead flowers, and emerge in the spring to provide food for next year’s nestlings. If you prefer neat borders over the winter months, trim the hollow stems into manageable lengths, bind them with string, and wedge them securely into a sheltered hedge or bush to make your own “insect hotel.” If you can spare a corner of your garden, a small log pile will provide shelter for toads, spiders, and possibly even hedgehogs, who need quiet places in which to hibernate. It is also time to clean out ponds, but make sure you leave any debris cleared from the pond at the water’s edge for a day or two. This gives any pond creatures a chance to return to the water. Adult male frogs may hibernate in mud at the bottom of garden ponds, so don’t leave it too late. Finally, don’t forget the birds, who appreciate any help they can get to survive the colder weather. Wildbird seed mixes are always welcome, but providing live food such as maggots may attract wrens, which only eat live food, as well as robins, blackbirds and thrushes.

July 2003

Slowly but surely...

Meet Charlie! He belongs to Mrs Ovard, one of our Hangleton Way clients. Last August Charlie weighed in at 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs). Not huge maybe, but definitely overweight if both your kneecaps have a tendency to dislocate! A weight loss programme was suggested with regular weighing every fortnight to monitor progress. Charlie lost a creditable 0.3 kg in the first 7 weeks. The weight loss programme then continued and, despite the usual hiccough at Christmas time, Charlie reached an excellent 4.8 kg (10.6 lbs) in May, for a total loss of 1 kg (2.2 lbs)! This doesn't sound like much but, in percentage terms, represents over 17%! (calculate that in human terms...) The real secret was Mrs Ovard's determination to get Charlie to lose weight- not easy with any cat, but particularly difficult bearing in mind he lives in a flat and gets very little exercise! Also, the food used had to be one of the Hills range of prescription diets, because of Charlie's ongoing tendency to produce bladder stones, rather than a calorie controlled ration. Mrs Ovard made use of the accurate scales at the surgery (and has become somewhat of a regular on Tuesday mornings) and measured the amount of food put down day-by-day. The bottom line is it can be done whatever the food- just weigh regularly, react to the results and stick to it like Charlie and Mrs Ovard!

A big thank you!

After staggering out of the Portland Road surgery for the last time on Thursday June 26th, heaped with cards, presents and enough flowers to supply a florists’, Lorraine wanted to express her thanks as she heads off into retirement-

“A big thank you for all the cards and presents, but most of all for all your lovely words. Bless you all. Love Lorraine”

Puppy Talk

Do you feel confused about all the different advice coming your way about caring for your new puppy? Words of “wisdom” (often contradictory) from the breeder, pet shop owner, vet, dog trainer, neighbour, bloke in the park and even the internet all add up to a spinning head and a migraine! So why not sort it all out with Jackie Marriott, a local dog trainer with over 20 years experience, and Valerie Spiteri, a qualified veterinary nurse with a sunny smile! We are running free sessions at our Portland Road surgery every Wednesday at 6.30pm. Puppies are welcome to attend from two weeks after completing their initial vaccination course (about 14 weeks old) until 20 weeks of age. New owners can come alone before this though for earlier guidance and advice. The discussions will be informal and question-led, so bring your list of queries along with you and put our experts to the test. For further information and to sign-up (maximum of 6 owners per session), telephone either surgery or ask at reception.

June 2003

Lorraine retires!

At the end of June, Lorraine will be retiring as Head Nurse of Acorn Veterinary Surgery. Over a quarter of a century or so, she has made the Portland Road surgery her own, injecting love, light and laughter into our working days.

Mark writes- Between 1976 and 1978 I was working for the original Anicare Veterinary Group in Southwick as a "wandering vet", covering the needs of four different surgeries. The opportunity came up to open a branch surgery at 49 Portland Road in Hove, and strangely enough Lorraine, as a client of mine at the time, got wind of the possibility of a job in the new practice. We opened on 10th April 1978; Lorraine alternated daily with another nurse/receptionist, Leonie (some of you may remember her). Our first day was reasonably auspicious with one client. Two clients appeared on day 2. Then on day 3, disaster - no clients! But after that folks obviously began to think we weren't too bad and numbers started to increase. As everyone knows Lorraine has been with the practice ever since, for over 25 years in all. Her smile and friendly approach have always made everyone welcome. She has nannied nearly 30 full-time and part-time vets and numerous nurses and receptionists. Lorraine has seen us through good times and bad times, sad and happy and sometimes hilarious occasions. She has been an inspiration to us all - a truly indispensable tower of strength. She will be sorely missed, not only by everyone at Acorn, but also by our thousands of clients and pets who have been personally attended to and cared for by Lorraine, and who have benefited from her reassuring manner. We all wish her good fortune and happy days in her well-earned retirement. Knowing Lorraine, I doubt there will be much retirement - she will doubtless prove there is life after Acorn!

Lorraine's last day will be Thursday June 26th, after which she will head off into the sunset leaving a large gap in our daily lives. (However she is starting a pet-sitting service to keep herself out of trouble, so please form an orderly queue to make a booking!)

More late nights...

In addition to our current late night surgeries on Monday and Thursday, we will be adding a Tuesday late night from June 10th onwards at Portland Road. Appointments should be made in the usual way and, although open to all, we are hoping that they will be popular with those unable to make our daytime surgeries due to work or childcare commitments.

Congratulations!

We are pleased to announce that Sarah, one of the nurses at our Portland Road surgery, has recently passed the Pet Nutrition Counsellor course run by the Hills pet food company. If you would like to take advantage of her recent studies, please come in and discuss your pet’s diet, especially if there are a few extra pounds to shift! (For Hangleton, try Mena and Amy who also passed recently)

May 2003

Microchip muddle!

Owners may have read an article in Celia Haddon's "Pet Subjects" column in The Daily Telegraph of Saturday March 29th, brought to our attention by an eagle-eyed client. Essentially, there are several companies in the market supplying microchips. The problem concerns those who had a Pettrac microchip fitted, but not those from Pet-iD, who supply our current chips. Acorn Vets (then Anicare) used Pettrac chips for a period before December 1999. If you have a microchip certificate from Pettrac, or have a microchip number which starts with a "1" and ends in an "A", or starts with "977" or "250", then your pet may no longer be registered with Petlog, the central computer whichs holds all the microchip numbers and corresponding addresses for all the UK chipping companies. Pettrac removed the details of all pets with a Pettrac chip from Petlog, and now hold this information on a separate database. Apart from creating confusion, the Pettrac lost-and-found telephone number (0800 652 9977) is only open during office hours in the UK. Although still free, calls are transferred to California outside these hours!

The best solution to this problem is to re-register a Pettrac-chipped pet with Petlog in order to get a 24 hour British service and ensure that you have the best chance of getting a lost pet returned. Contact Petlog (PO Box 263, Aylesbury, HP19 8ZH) or e-mail its website www.petlog.org.uk, stating your chip ID number and full details and they will restore you to the register free of charge. If you cannot find your certificate, then we will gladly scan your pet to determine the chip number at either surgery and help resolve this problem.

Cover up!

Last month we arranged a referral for Max, a large Rottweiler, to the Veterinary Referrals Cancer & Critical Care Centre (VRCC) near Dartford. A rapidly-growing lump had previously been removed from Max’s right hindleg at Portland Road, and this had proved to be a malignant melanoma. The VRCC recommended further surgery to clear the site, and, happily, no more malignant cells were detected. The result? One healthy dog, one very happy and relieved owner ......and one bill for £1200 from the VRCC. The owner was delighted with the care Max received and would recommend others to use this new centre in similar circumstances, but the cost? Luckily Max was insured and the owner’s liabilty was limited to the excess of £50. If you would like to discuss pet insurance then call in and speak to Helen at Portland Road. Please note we are not agents for any of the insurers, but Helen does deal with them all on a daily basis and is used to battling with the finer print in her efforts to secure payment for our clients!

Itching & scratching & homoeopathy

Spring is upon us, and with the spring comes the warmer weather ......and the fleas and the pollen. This can be fine for pets that don’t suffer from allergies and where their owners manage flea control well. However, for many dogs and cats the onset of hot weather can mark the onset of the “itch and scratch” cycle. We have lots of conventional products that can help get these problems under control but for a handful of pets the itching keeps coming back. In thess cases homoeopathy can be very helpful. There are many homoeopathic remedies that can be very effective in treating skin complaints, so if hot weather brings a sigh of despair to the pets in your house, help is at hand. Chris Aukland will see pets for homoeopathic treatment at Hangleton Way or Portland Road - just call for an appointment.

April 2003

Silver Anniversary

On April 10th 1978, the Portland Road surgery (then Anicare) opened its doors for the very first time. Twenty five years on, the original team of vet Mark Wilson and head nurse Lorraine Mower are still hard at work (although neither of them looks a year older). Mark qualified from Bristol University in 1963 and spent time in various practices in the West Country, before working for 10 years with his father-in-law in the building industry. Wishing for a return to his old life, he joined the Anicare Group in 1976 before opening the Portland Road surgery in 1978. He met Lorraine when she brought her Cocker Spaniel "Happy" into the Southwick Anicare surgery for treatment. She had worked for 17 years at George's Chemists in Portland Road and, fortuitously, was looking for a change of direction. The rest, as they say, is history!

Watch your bunny's bottom!

Spring may be well and truly sprung, but with the warmer weather comes the threat of "fly-strike". (At this point we would normally try to include a shocking picture to grab your attention, but this condition is not for the faint-hearted, so the cute product logo will have to do!) Maggots of the greenbottle fly grow from eggs laid on a rabbit, and feed on living tissue particularly around the hindquarters and in the folds between the back legs and under the tail. The pain and stress may lead to shock, and death follows due to bacterial infection of the open wounds. As you can imagine, the surgery staff find cases particularly upsetting to deal with, and treatment is not always successful. Although the risk of attracting flies is reduced by regular hutch cleaning, rabbits still get dirty bottoms because of diarrhoea and/or poor grooming. However there is a new product, Rearguard, that will stop maggots from attacking your rabbit. One application will last for 8-10 weeks, and the liquid should be used repeatedly from April to October. For a leaflet, or a CD-ROM which contains a video showing how to apply Rearguard, ask at reception and find out how to keep your bunny fly-free.

February 2003

The public has spoken...again!

After a very positive response to our Monday evening consultations which started on January 13th at the Portland Road surgery, we have decided to add a second evening surgery on Thursdays from January 30th. Both sessions will run from 6.30 to 8.00pm and, as usual, consultations will be by appointment only, so please phone 01273 720755 during normal opening hours (8.00am-6.00pm weekdays and 8.00am-12.00 midday on Saturdays) to make a booking. Together with the Saturday morning surgeries, this should benefit our clients for whom time away from work is difficult.

Meet Chris...

A new vet has joined the team! We would like to welcome Chris Aukland who brings with him 16 years of very mixed experience in small animal practice. Having qualified as a vet at Bristol University in 1986, Chris developed a keen interest in homoeopathy. After training in this discipline for the next 4 years, he worked as a veterinary homoeopath in several practices, ran his own referral clinic in Bath, wrote for the Soil Association on various homoeopathy-related subjects, and even worked as veterinary consultant on the BBC programme Vets to the Rescue (so you may have seen him before!). Chris will work as a conventional vet during normal consulting hours, but will also offer homeopathic treatment when requested, alongside or instead of conventional treatment. To quote from Chris's CV, "My goal as a veterinary surgeon is to restore the animal to the optimum level of health, and to support the owner to keep it that way." He will be working mainly at the Hangleton Way surgery, but will be available at Portland Road on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings.

Congratulations!

After last month's short article on the availability of dietary advice at our surgeries, we are pleased to announce that Amy and Mena, the nurses at our Hangleton surgery, have recently passed the Pet Nutrition Counsellor course run by the Hills pet food company. If you would like to take advantage of their recent studies, please make an appointment to discuss your pet's diet, especially if there are a few extra Christmas pounds still to shift!

A New Arrival!

On January 8th, Tiffinny, one of our Portland Road nurses, gave birth to a bouncing baby girl at Haywards Heath Hospital. Sophia weighed in at 8 lbs 5 oz and mother and baby are doing very well. Tiff is hoping to return to work in September 2003 for a bit of a break...

January 2003

Losing lbs and saving pounds?

After encouraging us to eat fattening high-calorie foods for months before Christmas, the glossy magazines generally urge us to "fight the flab" in the New Year. Well, as far as the latter is concerned, we're no different! If your pet is looking a little overweight and in need of some toning up then we may have the answer - the free "Podgy-Pets" clinic! You can make an appointment to discuss any aspect of dietary health with one of the nurses, and we have the dreaded scales to weigh any size of pet at either surgery to monitor your progress. It seems that there are very few diseases or degenerative processes that do not benefit from losing weight - diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease - the list is endless! So to give your pet the best chance of a long and healthy life, phone for an appointment.

December 2002

Meet L'Orange!

Last month we had an unusual patient at the Portland Road surgery- a six month old male Aylesbury duck with the rather unfortunate name of "L'Orange." He had a wound below his left eye which required treatment. Not too unusual so far, but it had been inflicted, not by a fox or barbed wire, but by his constant companion, a six year old rabbit called (obviously) "Bunny". It seems that the rampant rabbit, mistaking the duck for a doe, was in the habit of chasing L'Orange around the garden. This worked out well generally, until one day the duck, presumably having a headache, decided to turn the tables and chase the rabbit, pecking at his tail as he ran. L'Orange, however, had not reckoned on the power in a rabbit's back legs, and one kick left the poor duck streaming blood.

The wound was inspected and treated by Sandy, one of our vets, and, with the help of a suitable anaesthetic agent, stitches were placed to close the gash. L'Orange, however, had other ideas about wound management and proceeded to remove stitches as fast as we replaced them by rubbing his eye on his body until they came out. The solution was a homemade eyepatch, much to the amusement of the staff and other clients in the waiting room. It was less popular with a frustrated and possibly embarrassed L'Orange though, who tried his best to remove it between dressing changes. A very scruffy and generally soggy bandage had to be replaced every two days until, finally, the last stitches were taken out several weeks after the original injury. L'Orange returned home to Bunny and now is rather more careful as he follows the rabbit, busy in his usual occupation of hoovering up the deposited droppings, but now at a safe distance!

Aromatherapy?

After last month's article about the effect of fireworks on your pets, it seems that there may be a new solution to the annual problem. There is a brand new device, called a DAP Diffuser, which gives off a pheromone scent that relaxes dogs. It should be plugged in two weeks before fireworks are expected, so, unfortunately, it may be too late to use for Guy Fawkes' Night this year. However, for future celebrations, perhaps at New Year, the dog should be kept in a darkened room to avoid the effect of flashes of light, and the diffuser used, with or without tranquilisers/ sedatives, to achieve the best possible "air of calm." For cats, a similar product, called the Feliway Diffuser, may have a similar calming effect, although no trials have been done as yet. If you need more information, pick up an information sheet at the surgery or visit the "News" page on our website. Do let us know if you have any experience, either good or bad, with either product!

October 2002

Firework Season - Advice to Pet Owners

As more people buy fireworks for home use, the period of celebration has grown and now stretches from Halowe'en through Diwali to Guy Fawkes' Night, and on to New Years Eve! Although we are able to prescribe mild sedatives to relax your pet throughout the evening, this is only a short-term solution to an ongoing problem. A more permanent and increasingly popular treatment involves the use of animal "pheromones" to control behavioural problems.

Pheromones are natural scents that induce calm and a feeling of well-being. They are released by the mother at the time of lactation and act by stabilising the emotional state of the offspring. In later life, they still have an effect, appearing to alleviate fear and stress. For dogs, D.A.P. (dog appeasing pheromone) has been produced to mimic the natural pheromone, It comes in an easy-to-use plug-in diffuser which, when used in conjunction with the list of DOs and DON'Ts below, produced an 80% improvement in firework-related signs of stress in clinical trials. For cats, the Feliway (cat facial pheromone) diffuser is thought to work similarly, but no trials have yet been carried out. For more information on the use and availability of either product, please ask at the surgery.

If your pet suffers anxiety from fireworks, then here are some guidelines which, even when used alone, should help to reduce the distress.

DOs and DON'Ts

Don't punish the pet when it is scared

Don't fuss or try to reassure the pet when it is scared, as this rewards the nervous behaviour

Do ignore fearful behaviour that occurs for no good reason

Do feed a good meal rich in carbohydrate mid- to late- afternoon (beware if your dog suffers from diarrhoea when scared)

Do make sure the pet is kept in a safe and secure environment at all times, so that it doesn't bolt and escape if a sudden noise occurs

Do keep the pet in a familiar room with the curtains drawn from sundown. You will need a litter tray in the case of cats

Do use music or the television to mask outside noise.

Do ignore the noises themselves and try to engage the pet in some form of activity.

Do find a friend’s dog, which is not scared of fireworks, to come and socialise with your dog. Socialising the dogs may reduce the overall fear of noise.

Do remember that drugs, used for calming, must be given so that they take effect before any noise starts.

The Incredible Journey

Meet Horace! This lucky cat is back with his thankful owner in Hangleton after disappearing on April 16th this year. His owner had adopted him from the RSPCA in February, but then noticed a lump enlarging on the back of his neck. This was treated with injections and two courses of tablets, before Horace was anaesthetised and the lump removed, leaving a large healing wound and a cat confined to barracks. The elizabethan collar was the final indignity, so a disgusted Horace made his escape through the new cat flap and seemingly disappeared forever. His distraught owners produced posters, contacted all the local vets, rescue societies, The Evening Argus, the police and the Council, but all to no avail. Despite a few false alarms, Horace had vanished! So, after one month, the feeding bowl and litter tray were put away in the loft.... Then, on June 4th, seven weeks after he ran away, the owners received a telephone call from the local Cats Protection League. Horace had been found in Stanmer Park Tea Rooms, where he had taken up residence, much to the annoyance of the local cats. The charity was able to identify him because of the micro-chip implanted in his neck. Despite a cut leg and some weight loss, Horace seemed fit and well after his long absence and 8 mile walk. And the really strange part? The owner’s husband works at Sussex University, just a stone’s throw from Stanmer - time for a remake of “The Incredible Journey” perhaps?

If you would like to offer a loving home to cat or dog, just ask at the surgery for details of the local rescue societies

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