Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: First anti-cancer drug Masivet for dogs now availa...

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: First anti-cancer drug Masivet for dogs now availa...: Some breeds of dog are particularly prone to cancer and one in four will suffer from the disease during their lifetime, a similar proportion...

First anti-cancer drug Masivet for dogs now available at Pet Dispensary

Some breeds of dog are particularly prone to cancer and one in four will suffer from the disease during their lifetime, a similar proportion to humans.

Masivet is a total innovation in the treatment of canine mast cell tumour (cancer).  If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer your veterinary surgeon will define the administration of the tablets and then you can treat your dog at home by oral administration of tablets.

Masivet is the first drug registered against cancer in the history of veterinary medicine.  Masivet is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor able to target selectively tumour cells.  Masivet has been developed to treat mast cell diseases. 

What is masivet?

Masivet contains mastinib which belongs to a class of medicines having an anticancer action.  It is available as round, orange tablets in 50mg or 150mg strength.

How does Masivet work?

The active substance in Masivet, masitinib, is a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.  This means that it blocks some specific enzymes known as tyrosine kinases.  These enzymes can be found in some receptors on the surface of cells, including the c-kit receptor.  Some types of mast-cell tumour are linked to a mutation that caused excessive action of c-kit and stimulates the mast cells to divide uncontrollably.  By blocking these receptors, Masivet might help to control cell division, preventing further development of the tumours with this particular mutation.

There are precautions of administration and these will be discussed with you by your vet.

In trials 40 per cent of dogs were still alive after two years of treatment with Masivet compared to just 15 per cent of those on a dummy drug, according to makers AB Science.

Pet Dispensary manager Lynsey Bacon comments, “Pet Dispensary is pleased to be able to add Masivet to our product range.  We can offer Masivet at an affordable price but we do require a prescription from the vet before we can supply this.  Masivet is not only able to increase the survival of dogs with cancer but also to improve their quality of life. 

Pet Dispensary has a helpful sales team and is happy to discuss your pet’s veterinary requirements and needs.  Further details on both the medication, prescriptions and our service is available on our website http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/”

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Financial Benefits by purchasing your Pets Medicat...

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Financial Benefits by purchasing your Pets Medicat...: Should your pet require long term treatment for medical reasons including arthritis, skin disease or heart problems the prescription medicin...

Financial Benefits by purchasing your Pets Medications online

Should your pet require long term treatment for medical reasons including arthritis, skin disease or heart problems the prescription medicines alone can run into hundreds of pounds a year.   Whilst clients with insured animals may benefit from getting some of these costs returned, many people who haven’t insurance or have exemptions or limits on their policies find pet medication a considerable financial strain.

Although your vet will examine and care for the pet you do not have to purchase the medication from them, legislation allows you to choose where and how you purchase the medications and the savings are worth this consideration.  By shopping around you can purchase medications up to 50% cheaper than you was paying at the vets.

For people who have not got insurance being able to source medication cheaper can mean difficult decisions do not have to be considered about the future of their pets. 

Some people still find it difficult to approach the vet about this option, be assured that they are legally obliged to provide the prescription and this will not affect the level of care your pet receives.  It is such common practice now most vets are expecting to be asked for the prescriptions.

There are many medications such as veterinary flea treatment Frontline or wormer Drontal as well as medications for conditions including allergies, behaviour, digestion, cystitis, liver and renal support, heat and kidney function that do not require a prescription and can be brought at more affordable prices online as and when your pet requires them.

Pet Dispensary is one such internet veterinary pharmacy and Manager Lynsey Bacon comments.

“We are pleased to be able to offer affordable veterinary medications.  People are still learning that this option is available and once they have looked at the costs, some people can save hundreds of pounds a year by purchasing online.

We hear every day of the amount of money people have saved and some people have said if they hadn’t have found us they would not have been able to continue with their pets medication.  Pet Dispensary has been established for several years and we only source UK medication which is identical to that purchased from your local vet practice.  We are able to offer advice and guidance for people over the phone about their pets medication requirements and how to request a prescription, please do contact us if you wish to discuss this”.

Pet Dispensary, affordable Pet Medication

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Protect your home, Protect your pet with Advantage...

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Protect your home, Protect your pet with Advantage...: Advantage protects against fleas in the pet, kills larvae in the home, wherever the treated pet goes. Advantage spot on has been available a...

Protect your home, Protect your pet with Advantage

Advantage protects against fleas in the pet, kills larvae in the home, wherever the treated pet goes.

Advantage spot on has been available as POM-V in the UK since 1997.  The classification is now changed to NFA-VPS.  Containing imidacloprid, Advantage offers genuine choice to the fipronil based products in the NFA-VPS market.

Advantage is an effective flea treatment and like many flea products is should ideally be used in a preventative manner.  Cats & Dogs can be treated monthly to prevent these household pets bringing fleas into the home.  Advantage can be used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis where this condition has previously been diagnosed by a vet.

However, one of the most appealing aspects of Advantage to owners is the environmental effect which the product exerts in the pets surroundings.  Once applied, Advantage works through killing flea larvae wherever the treated pet goes in the house, thus helping to control the flea cycle.  With Advantage the pet that was involved in the spreading the infestation can also help clear it up.  Additional environmental measures may be required during an infestation to fully clear the problem.

Bayer Animal Health commented: “Market research with pet owners has shown the ability to kill the fleas on the pet and kill larvae in the environment is one of the top attributes they would look for in a flea product.  This sits alongside proven effectiveness, another area which Advantage can lay claim.  Advantage is a flea product there is a genuine demand for”.

Another feature of Advantage not currently met by fipronil products is that it is licensed for use on rabbits.  In 2010 there were a reported 1 million pet rabbits in the UK.  Advantage represents an opportunity to grow flea product usage into this segment.  Rabbits in the household can harbour flea infestations initially introduced by cats & dogs or may bring fleas into the home from the garden.  In multi-pet households all cats, dogs and rabbits should be treated to ensure that all potential carriers of fleas are addressed.  Fleas can also be a potential carrier of myxomatosis which can affect indoor and outdoor rabbits.

For more details of Advantage or to purchase click here

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Prepare your pet for the firework season

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Prepare your pet for the firework season: The weeks leading up to November 5 th and continuing through until the New Year can be a traumatic time for some pets. The signs of ‘fire...

Prepare your pet for the firework season

The weeks leading up to November 5^th and continuing through until the New Year can be a traumatic time for some pets.  The signs of ‘firework fear’ or the phobia of loud noises can range from mild behavioural changes to severe destructive or aggressive behaviour.

Firework fears and noise phobias are a common problem in pets, with at least 80% of pets being scared of fireworks.

Signs that your pet is fearful includes hiding away, seeking closer human contact, whining or barking, and destruction of the room left in during the panic of trying to escape.

An animal with noise phobia will start to panic at the slightest noise and the reaction is always a sudden, extreme and excessive response.  The fear of noises tends to get worse over time rather than better.  If you have a pet that is fearful of loud noises a de-sensitisation program has great benefits.  A de-sensitisation program involves playing a CD of noises daily to your dog, initially at low levels and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of the sound until your pet becomes comfortable with the noise.

There are also other medications that can help your pet deal with stressful situations including firework noise and these include Zylkene, Adaptil or Feliway.  These medications use pheromones which encourage a calming influence which helps the pet deal with a stressful situation and are very helpful during the firework season.

Pet Dispensary is an online company offering veterinary medications and has focused on behavioural products for the firework season.  As well as offering useful information and guidance sheets on the website they are also offering a free sound de-sensitisation CD with every box of Zylkene purchased.

Lynsey Bacon Manager comments, “With such a high number of pets showing some sign of fear during the firework season, it is beneficial for owners to know there are medications available to help their pet deal with these anxieties.  Last year Zylkene was our most popular product as this can be used short term and is palatable and easy to give.  The stress management medications don’t require a prescription and we are able to offer advice to pet owners to suggest what would be the best option for their pet.

Pet Dispensary recommends starting a ‘De-Sensitisation Program’ now in preparation for the 5^th November.  Pet Dispensary is offering a Free Sound De-Sensitisation CD with every full box of Zylkene purchased.  Starting the program now could mean a much easier Firework season for you and your pet, further details are on our website”

Three top tips for Firework season

1. Provide a den or hiding place where your pet can feel safe
2. Increase the feeling of security by using Zylkene each day over the festive period or by plugging in and Adaptil or Feliway Diffuser as close to the Den or hiding place as possible
3. Ignore fearful behaviour such as panting, shaking or whining.  Dogs may pick up on their owner’s anxiety which can make the problem worse.

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary completes its team of SQPs.

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary completes its team of SQPs.: "Two more of the sales team at Dewsbury based Pet Dispensary have passed the SQP exams after several months of course work, lectures and exa..."

Pet Dispensary completes its team of SQPs.

Two more of the sales team at Dewsbury based Pet Dispensary have passed the SQP exams after several months of course work, lectures and exams.  An SQP (Suitably qualified person) is an animal health advisor who is professionally qualified and is able to prescribe and supply certain classes of veterinary medications under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

Online company Pet Dispensary who distribute veterinary medications and is based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire helps all their sales team to acquire the qualification so that they can provide helpful advice and guidance for people who want to discuss their pet’s health and wellbeing and want to purchase veterinary preventative care medications such as Frontline and Drontal online.

Pet Dispensary manager Lynsey Bacon comments: “ I am pleased that we have 2 more ladies who have now passed the SQP qualification.  This qualification allows them to provide advice on preventative healthcare and discuss the most effective preventative medications for customer’s pets without the need to visit the vet.  Ordering pet medication online is proving a popular choice mainly due to the price and ease of ordering .  We are happy to discuss with people over the phone the best options for their pet and are we are recognised for our friendly, informative approach.

The SQP qualification doesn’t allow the prescribing of prescription medications and we would encourage people to first call their vet if their pet is ill or injured.   If you do get a prescription from the vet we are then to able to help with providing the medications prescribed at affordable prices.  Unlike some online companies we are happy to take orders both through the internet and over the phone, people appreciate our caring, personal approach which we believe one of the most important parts of good customer service”

The SQP qualification is still relatively unknown unless you are associated with the veterinary or animal health industry.  Once this qualification has been achieved it allows the holder to be able to both prescribe and supply a range of veterinary medication.  As legislation now allows veterinary medications to be sold online, the SQP qualification allows people to provide advice and supply the medications legally.

Rachel Sullivan & Kayley Newsome recently qualified SQPs.
http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary offers an affordable way to protect...

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary offers an affordable way to protect...: "Dewsbury based Pet Dispensary offers an affordable way to protect pets against fleas Pet Dispensary has added Fiprocat & Fiprodog to its ran..."

Pet Dispensary offers an affordable way to protect pets against fleas

Dewsbury based Pet Dispensary offers an affordable way to protect pets against fleas

Pet Dispensary has added Fiprocat & Fiprodog to its range of veterinary flea treatments.  Fiprocat & Fiprodog have the benefits of other popular veterinary flea products but they are cheaper!  Providing effective veterinary flea and worm treatments is still considered an important part of pet care, however with vet’s bills soaring people are using the Internet to purchase their pets medications at a more affordable price.

Manufacture by Dechra, FiproDog and FiproCat which contains fipronil are applied on the back of the neck.  The pipette has a novel feature that allows it to stand up ready for use.  This leaves both hands free to prepare the cat or dog and means you don’t have to hop around juggling your pet and the treatment before you apply it. 

Lynsey Bacon Manager comments “We are already offering people a more affordable way to purchase veterinary medication online.  Adding Fiprocat & Fiprodog gives people another choice of an affordable veterinary treatment which is easy to purchase via the Internet and delivered to their home.  We currently sell Frontline Spot On and feel that Fiprocat/Fiprodog will become as popular due to its price and effectiveness.

Fiprocat/fiprodog  is sold in packs or 3 or 6 pipettes individually or we have teamed it with popular Drontal wormer as part of a flea/worm protection pack where people receive the right amount of flea & worm medication for their pet for 6 or 12 months, we sort out the quantities and dose so it makes it very easy to order ”

Online shopping is already a great benefit to pet owners with a wide range of products and services available but a change in regulations makes it possible to also acquire your pet’s veterinary medications via the internet.  As vets pass on the price of ever increasing overheads to their clients, people now need to find new ways of saving money on the drugs their pets need, the internet provides people with a way of purchasing veterinary medications at a fraction of the price due to online pharmacies not having the overheads associated with a veterinary practice.

Pet Dispensary is one such company who recognises the importance of effective flea and worm control and is pleased to offer an easy to order, cost effective way to purchase veterinary medications which are then delivered to the comfort of their home.

http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Plaqueoff now available for cats - Pet Dispensary

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Plaqueoff now available for cats - Pet Dispensary: "The very popular dental product PlaqueOff is now available for cats. PlaqueOff will soften existing tartar making it easier to remove with..."

Plaqueoff now available for cats - Pet Dispensary

The very popular dental product PlaqueOff is now available for cats.   PlaqueOff will soften existing tartar making it easier to remove with a tooth brush, chews, biscuits or scraped off with a finger nail. PlaqueOff can be used daily and can be added to wet or dry food.

PlaqueOff Cat continues to deliver all the benefits of Plaqueoff but has been specially formulated to appeal to our feline friends with a more discerning palate. By adding brewer's yeast, an ingredient which cats love, to the specially selected seaweed, PlaqueOff Cat has proved irresistible to a panel of cat critics.
PlaqueOff Cat is a patented natural feed supplement containing only especially selected seaweed. When used daily, it is clinically proven to significantly reduce bad breath, plaque and tartar.

Plaqueoff Cat 60gm contains approximately 6 months to 12 months supply (depending on the weight of your pet)

Daily amount according to the weight of the animal, once per day. Add to wet or dry food

Brewer's yeast, an ingredient which cats love, is added to the especially selected seaweed (D1070)

Plaqueoff Cat - manufactured by ProDen Molar Ltd now available from Pet Dispensary

PlaqueOff Cat from Pet Dispensary

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Hair Remover - new product for Pet Dispensary

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Hair Remover - new product for Pet Dispensary: "The Pet Hair Remover has been added the the range of veterinary supplies and medications from Pet Dispensary . The Pet Hair Remover can be..."

Pet Hair Remover - new product for Pet Dispensary

The Pet Hair Remover has been added the the range of veterinary supplies and medications from Pet Dispensary.  The Pet Hair Remover can be used in a number of 'hairy' situations including: around the home, in the car, on carpets, upholstery and on horse rugs. The Pet Hair Remover lifts, gathers and removes pet hairs easily, simply wipe surfaces and it is instantly effective. The Pet Hair Remover is suitable for dogs, cats & horses.
Carpet Pet Hair Remover consists of a plastic inner tube with rubber outer coating. Pet Hair remover is washable, hygenic, odourless and durable.

Approx size 12cm long x 4cm deep.

Pet Hair Remover - manufactured by Carpet now available at Pet Dispensary

http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/shop/carpet_pet_hair_remover.html

Pet Hair Remover now available from Pet Dispensary

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary - Summer News

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary - Summer News: "Pet Dispensarys latest summer newsletter, click below: http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=43544a63e19c81b87dddbdd6b&id=24a0eb05e2"

Pet Dispensary - Summer News

Pet Dispensarys latest summer newsletter, click below:
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=43544a63e19c81b87dddbdd6b&id=24a0eb05e2

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary now posts overseas!

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Pet Dispensary now posts overseas!: "Pet Dispensary is very pleased to announce that they are now posting overseas. Pet Dispensary recognises the high costs of medications over..."

Pet Dispensary now posts overseas!

Pet Dispensary is very pleased to announce that they are now posting overseas.  Pet Dispensary recognises the high costs of medications overseas and has been contacted by many people from abroad wanting the to purchase at UK prices.  Medications can be posted via Airmail and Airsure, more details can be found at http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/shop/Delivery_Postage.html

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: ADAPTIL the new name for DAP (D.A.P)

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: ADAPTIL the new name for DAP (D.A.P): "The DAP range has now been renamed to ADAPTIL, this is to highlight its key benefit of helping dogs adapt to new situations. The product ran..."

ADAPTIL the new name for DAP (D.A.P)

The DAP range has now been renamed to ADAPTIL, this is to highlight its key benefit of helping dogs adapt to new situations. The product range contsists of the Diffuser plug in, refill, spray and collars.

The Adaptil collar has undergone improvements and is now easier to fit due to a new practical buckle and has a larger surface area for better diffusion of the pheromone.

Click here to view the full range of behavioural products by Ceva

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Horses Breathing Rate, Heart Rate & Body Temperatu...

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Horses Breathing Rate, Heart Rate & Body Temperatu...: "Horses Normal Parameters Knowing the normal values for things such as breathing rate and heart rate in your horse can be very useful in id..."

Horses Breathing Rate, Heart Rate & Body Temperature

Horses Normal Parameters

Knowing the normal values for things such as breathing rate and heart rate in your horse can be very useful in identifying stress or disease early. Any changes form these normal values indicate a problem. Below is a list of the relevant factors and their normal values.

Horses Heart Rate
At rest = 28-48 beats per minute
At exercise = up to 200 beats per minute

The heart rate is measured with a stethoscope or by feeling the pulse in the lower leg or jaw and a stopwatch. If at rest the heart or pulse rate is raised this may be a sign that the horse is in pain or stressed.

Horses Breathing (respiratory) Rate
At rest = 10-14 breaths minute

Breathing rate can be measured with a stethoscope or watching the sideways expansion of the chest. The rate can often be raised when the horse is stressed or sick.

Horses Body (rectal) temperature
Normal Temperature = 99.5-101.3°F or 37.5-38.5° C

The temperature is taken by inserting the thermometer into the anus of the horse and holding against the side of the rectum. Low readings may be taken if the thermometer is inserted into a piece of faeces by accident. It is important to seek advice from your veterinary surgeon if you are inexperienced at this.

More details on horses and horse medications and productsFor Affordable Pet Medications and helpful advice Click Here!

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Heart Disease in Dogs

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Heart Disease in Dogs: "Heart Disease in dogs Heart disease affects an estimated 15% of dogs in the UK, making it the second most common cause of death after cance..."

Heart Disease in Dogs

Heart Disease in dogs

Heart disease affects an estimated 15% of dogs in the UK, making it the second most common cause of death after cancer.
 

But science has been coming along in leaps and bounds over the last few years, and the outlook for a dog with heart failure is often not as gloomy as it once was.
 

The canine heart

The heart is simply a muscular pump divided into four chambers; two on the left and two on the right.

The common heart diseases suffered by dogs often lead to heart failure. That's not to be confused with heart attacks experienced by people. Dogs will generally suffer what is called Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), a relatively slow worsening of symptoms - also suffered by people - as the heart struggles to compensate for whatever defect or disease is present. As the condition develops, it will affect all other organs in the body that rely on the efficient supply of nutrient-rich blood.

Types of Heart Failure

Experts classify canine heart diseases in one of two categories (Acquired & Congenital Heart Disease):

Acquired Heart Disease

Acquired heart diseases are those that a dog acquires during its lifetime, usually as a result of normal wear and tear, infection or injury.
 

Acquired heart disease accounts for 95% of all heart disease seen in dogs, and usually appears after they reach middle age.
 

By the time a dog shows obvious symptoms of acquired heart disease, it is likely that irreversible damage has already been done. Usually, the earlier heart disease is diagnosed, the better your vet will be able to manage the condition.
 

So, it's worth asking your vet to give your dog an annual health check regardless. In this way, they'll stand the best chance of picking up any signs that you would not be able to spot yourself.
 

If your dog is diagnosed with an acquired heart disease, the outlook is not necessarily all bad. With the latest drug therapy, he may be able to live a comfortable life for some time to come.
 

Common acquired heart diseases:

* Chronic Valvular Disease when the valves within the heart degenerate with age and start to leak.

* Myocardial Disease when the heart muscle itself weakens, causing the heart to enlarge.

* Pericardial Disease when the protective sac that surrounds the heart fills with fluid, preventing it from pumping efficiently

* Arrhythmias a failure of the electrical system which tells the heart when to beat.

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital defects are those that have been present since birth. Thankfully, they are comparatively rare, accounting for only 5% of the cases seen by vets.
 

Congenital defects will usually cause the blood flow through the heart to become turbulent; making a distinctive whooshing noise that vets can hear using a stethoscope. That's what is meant by a 'heart murmur'. However, if your vet tells you they've detected a heart murmur in your dog, it's not necessarily cause for concern.
 

Many puppies are born with a slight heart murmur (or puppy murmur) that clears up by itself after 4-6 months. In many cases, vets will simply recommend a later check up, just to be sure that the condition has resolved itself.
 

Pronounced heart murmur is quite rare, but may be indicative of a serious congenital defect. However, without specialist experience and equipment, it can be difficult for a GP vet to know what defect is causing the murmur. For this reason, if the murmur is pronounced, or persists beyond puppyhood, patients will often be referred to a specialist veterinary cardiologist.
 

Common congenital defects:

* Patent Ductus Arteriosus a blood vessel used to bypass the lungs of pups as they develop in the womb fails to close after birth.

* Pulmonic Stenosis the flow of blood from the right heart to the lungs is hampered or blocked.

* Aortic Stenosis the flow of blood from the left heart to the body is hampered or blocked.

* Hole In The Heart a hole between the pumping chambers of the heart.

Other Conditions a number of other rare defects of the heart that occur in puppies.

Treatments

It's important to distinguish between heart disease and heart failure. Heart disease is the underlying condition. It can rarely be cured. Heart failure is the consequence of heart disease.
 

Heart failure is rarely a sudden cessation of the heart's function, but a slow complex process in which its decline affects the performance of almost every part of the body. Unlike the underlying disease, heart failure can often be managed with drugs that improve and extend the dog's life.
 

Chief amongst these are ACE inhibitors. First used in man, ACE inhibitors reduce blood volume and pressure, thereby relieving stress on the heart. They are also thought to slow the deterioration of the heart muscles.
 

There are many other drugs, diets and surgical techniques used to treat heart disease or manage heart failure. A special exercise regime for your dog will also be very important.

Drugs

ACE inhibitors

One class of drug, called ACE inhibitors, is recommended as the mainstay of treatment in nearly all cases of heart failure in dogs. ACE inhibitors work at a number of different levels, primarily suppressing the body's compensation system to relieve stress on the heart. There has been no other drug in the history of veterinary cardiology that has undergone such extensive controlled clinical trials proving its value.

Diuretics

Diuretics are usually used, often long term, to stimulate the kidneys in removing excess fluid from the body.

Other Drugs

Nitroglycerin is used short term to dilate the veins throughout the body, thereby redistributing fluids and easing pressure on the heart or lungs. Nitroglycerin is only effective for a day or two, after which the body builds a tolerance. It is commonly administered by the veterinary surgeon.
 

Digitalis is primarily used to control an excessively fast heart rate. It needs to be prescribed with care as it is relatively easy to overdose. Concurrent regular blood testing is often recommended to reduce the risk of overdose.
  

Inodilators directly stimulate the heart muscle and are therefore used when the heart muscle fails, i.e. in dilated cardiomyopathy or in end stage valvular disease.
 

Note that in the treatment of congestive heart failure, other drugs should always be used in addition to, rather than in place of ACE inhibitors.

Diets

One of the effects of heart failure is fluid retention, which in turn causes increased pressure on the heart, and symptoms such as coughing and abdominal swelling.

One of the priorities in the management of heart failure is to reduce fluid retention. The most important thing is that you do NOT feed your pet any food with a high salt content. Especially snack foods prepared for human consumption, such as sausages & pork pies.

Exercise

By the time heart failure is diagnosed, the body's compensation system may have kicked in already, with the effect of placing added stress on the heart. Until the compensation system can be controlled with drug therapy, your vet may recommend a period of complete rest for your dog.
 

Once drug therapy has started to work, it's likely that your vet will recommend a return to normal or near-normal exercise, as it remains important to promote good circulation and exercise the heart.

Surgery

Heart surgery for dogs will only be appropriate for the relatively small number of dogs that have very specific, usually congenital heart problems. However, where appropriate, the success rate is very high, and your dog should benefit from a markedly improved quality and quantity of life. It is worth noting that surgical intervention in the cardiac case is almost always best performed by a specialist cardiologist, although some general vet’s are able to carry out a pericardial drainage.

Procedures

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (keyhole vs traditional surgery).For those dogs with PDA, traditional surgery to seal the blood vessel has a very high success rate. However, relatively new keyhole techniques are less invasive, and generally offer a quicker recovery.
 

Pacemakers
First developed for people, the technique of inserting a pacemaker has now been successfully applied in the veterinary world. A dog fitted with a pacemaker has every chance of living a long and healthy life.
 

Balloon ValvuloplastyThis technique involves the insertion of a balloon tipped catheter into the constricted area of the heart, and inflating to reduce the constriction. About 85% of animals show an improvement in health following the treatment, but it is not without risk. 5-10% of animals will not survive treatment.
 

Pericardial Drainage / Pericardiectomy
Pericardial drainage involves the insertion of a catheter into the pericardium to drain excess fluid and thereby relieve pressure on the heart. In some cases, the problem of fluid build-up is recurrent, and surgery to remove up to half of the pericardium may be called for.

Canine Cardiologists

The most appropriate person to oversee the care of your animal is always your usual veterinary surgeon. They will be familiar with your pet's medical history, and will be best placed to monitor the results of treatment.
 

However, as in human medicine, some veterinary surgeons decide to specialise in certain areas of care, such as cardiology.  In some cases, your vet may decide to refer your pet to such a specialist for advanced treatment or a second opinion.

For affordable heart medication for your dog www.petdispensary.co.uk

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Spring into Action against Parasites!

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Spring into Action against Parasites!: "The warmer months are peak season for pesky parasites and two of the most common are fleas & ticks. Fleas & ticks are very well known to pet..."

Spring into Action against Parasites!

The warmer months are peak season for pesky parasites and two of the most common are fleas & ticks.

Fleas & ticks are very well known to pet owners. Adult fleas can be 203mm in length and can be seen without magnification.  These tiny wingless insects survive by feeding on your pets blood, causing very intense irritation and sometimes allergic skin disease.  Fleas also play a major part in transmitting tapeworms in dogs and cats.

Ticks tend to be a problem in the warmer months and commonly live in areas of heath land, moorland and woodland, waiting to attach themselves to passing animals.  Ticks feed on your pet's blood and can cause problems in 2 ways: Firstly they can cause a tissue reaction at the site of attachment and secondly they can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Babesiosis.

Don't let fleas and ticks make your life a misery. Consider full protection using easy to apply Frontline Spot On or Effipro.

Make sure your pet stays worm free!

No matter how careful you are unless you worm your pet regularly it is difficult to avoid them playing host to worms.  There are 2 major types of worm that can affect your pet:

Tapeworms live in the small intestines and shed segments containing eggs which pass out in the faeces.  The eggs may then be eaten by an intermediate host including small rodents and fleas.  Cats catch and eat small rodents and both cats and dogs swallow fleas as they groom, re-infecting themselves with the tapeworm.

Roundworms are spaghetti like in appearance and also live in the small intestines.  They shed thousands of tiny eggs which pass out in the faeces and pollute the environment.  Dogs and cats are re-infected by unwillingly eating eggs in the environment.  These eggs also pose a risk to humans if inadvertently swallowed.

To keep your pet and the environment worm free:

Worm your pet regularly - Use regular flea control - Clear up Faeces

Keep your pet worm free! Consider Drontal, Cestem or Plerion wormers.

http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/ has medications to keep your pets, your family and your house parasite free!

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Ticks - about ticks and removal of ticks

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Ticks - about ticks and removal of ticks: "About Ticks Ticks are blood sucking parasites that can affect your dog, especially if he or she goes out in the countryside or grassy areas..."

Ticks - about ticks and removal of ticks

About Ticks
Ticks are blood sucking parasites that can affect your dog, especially if he or she goes out in the countryside or grassy areas during summer and autumn months.

What is a Tick?
Ticks are blood sucking parasites. Most live in damp areas on plants and climb onto animals from time to time to feed. Dogs can pick them up on their coat whilst amongst the long grass or woodland. Once a tick takes a bite they then hang on to feed. When the tick first gets on your pet it is very small about the size of a pin head, but as they suck blood they start to swell and within a few days they will be about the size of a pea. This is usually the time you notice them and they can look like a bluish wart or growth. Once the tick has finished feeding it will let go and drop off the pet, usually they hang on for about a week. The most common tick found on dogs and cats is sheep and deer ticks.

Can ticks harm my pet?
Whilst ticks are feeding the skin around them can react and become quite sore. Sometimes this can lead to an infection. Ticks can also carry disease including Lyme disease and this can be passed to your pet.

Should I remove the tick?
Most animals will not remove the tick themselves even if it is making them sore. The longer the tick stays on your pet the more sore the skin will become. If there are only one or two ticks on your pet then you can try to remove them yourself, however if there are more you may want to see your vet for help. It is essential to take great care removing the ticks to ensure that the tick jaws are not broken off and left in your pet's skin. If parts are left then can cause a serious infection or skin reaction.
How do I remove a tick?
The head and jaws of the tick must be removed from the skin along with the tick's body. You may well have plenty of advice from well-meaning friends about the best way to remove a tick, e.g. burn it off, suffocate with butter etc but it has to be done properly to minimise infections and skin reactions.

Regular protection against ticks is great for prevention, Frontline Spot On or Effipro will kill ticks or prevent them. Although Frontline Spot On and Effipro for dogs is suggested to be used every 8 weeks, please note it is suggested that you apply this every 4 weeks if there is a tick problem in your area.

The O Tom tick remover is a common tool to safely remove ticks. It works by hooking the tick and then rotating it from the pet. This is the recommended way to remove ticks so that no body parts are left behind to cause infection.

Can I soothe the area where the tick was?
In most cases any soreness or swelling will go down over a couple of days. If the skin is very red you can use a mild antiseptic to soothe it. If the reaction looks very red or is weeping and doesn't get any better within a couple of days you need to discuss with your vet.

How can I protect my pet from Ticks?
Regular use of Frontline Spot On or Effipro will deter ticks from biting your pet. When your pet comes back from walks particularly during the summer or autumn check your pet and remove any ticks you find using the O Tom.
Pet Dispensary offers affordable Frontline Spot On, Effipro & O'Tom tick removers Click here

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Why Worm your pet?

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Why Worm your pet?: "Why your pet needs Drontal - regularly. Parasitic worms infect nearly all cats and dogs at some time in their lives. They can still damage y..."

Why Worm your pet?

Why your pet needs Drontal - regularly.
Parasitic worms infect nearly all cats and dogs at some time in their lives. They can still damage your pet's health - and worse still, your family's.

The answer is regular worming. If you worm at least every 3 months you will help to keep your pet healthy, and importantly, the number of worm eggs shed into the environment will be vastly reduced.

Some pets need to be wormed more frequently.

It is difficult to prevent worm infection, so it is a good idea to treat your dog or cat regularly for worms.

The kind of life your dog or cat leads will affect their exposure to the threat of worm infection.

Pets can get worms from:
* Contaminated soil - worm eggs and larvae are passed in the faeces of infected animals, and some can survive in the soil for a year or more.

* Fleas - can be infected with tapeworm larvae and pet's can easily swallow fleas whilst grooming themselves.

* Hunting - cats and dogs can be infected with a tapeworm as a result of eating small mammals, such as mice, rats and rabbits. Roundworm can also be transmitted in this way especially when cats eat birds.

* Use the pet profiles to identify how often your pet may need to be treated, and then discuss this with your vet.

What is your pet like?
Your pet's lifestyle will determine its level of risk from worms. Take a look at these typical profiles and then discuss with your vet how often your pet will need worming.

The outdoor type - ALFIE THE BOXER DOG
* Young and energetic, this dog loves the countryside.
* Occasionally catches rabbits and rats.
* He will roll in anything smelly and disgusting.

Alfie's habits make him vulnerable to roundworms, tapeworms and the fox hookworm. Worming should be done at least every 3 months and in some cases monthly worming may be recommended.

The new arrival - FERGUS THE LABRADOR PUPPY

* Like all puppies, Fergus may have been born with roundworm infection, or acquired it from his mother's milk.
* Not yet house trained.

Everybody likes to cuddle puppies particularly children! Therefore, puppies ideally should be wormed every 2 weeks after birth until 12 weeks of age and then at least 3 months thereafter.

The town dog - FRED THE MONGREL

* Very much the family pet and at 7, he's in his prime.
* He's up for a run around in the local park, where foxes are frequently seen.

Fred may be exposed to hookworms, which could infect as many as 7 out of 10 UK foxes, as well as making him vulnerable to roundworms. His owners should also watch out for signs of fleas, as the flea tapeworm could be at risk. Worming should be undertaken at least every 3 months.

Queen of the sofa - SMOKEY THE CAT

* Six-year-old neutered female, hardly ever leaves the house,
* Too lazy to hunt - and why bother, when the finest cat food is at home?

Less exposed to worms than many pets, Smokey's owner should watch out for fleas - they can cause tapeworm infection if she swallows an infected flea whilst grooming. Ideally Smokey should be wormed at least every 3 months.

The mighty hunter - SPIKE THE CAT

* At home, he's just a big softy - but when he's out and about, he's the terror of the mice and rats.
* All his victims can carry worms, so he could catch more than he bargained for!

Spike is more vulnerable to tapeworm infection therefore, ideally, he should be wormed on a monthly basis.

The wannabe tiger - TIGGER THE KITTEN

* One of a litter of six
* Just learning to be independent from mum though he's still not allowed outside.

The main risk is the cat roundworm that he may have acquired from his mother's milk. If mum brings fleas home too, he'll soon have his share of those. Kittens should be wormed at 6 weeks of age then every 3 weeks until 4 months old.

Is Drontal different? Definitely!
Approximately 76.5 million doses of Drontal have been sold in the UK to date - and here are the reasons why:
* Only Drontal kills every type of intestinal worm commonly found in UK dogs and cats.
* Drontal even kills the fox hookworm which can infect your pet.
* A single dose* that doesn't have to be given with food - routine worming made simple!

The Drontal range has a wormer for every cat and dog from a 6 week old kitten to an 11 stone St Bernard.

Drontal - Buy 3 doses Get 1 Free at Pet Dispensary
http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/index.html

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Easy to flea & worm your pet

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Easy to flea & worm your pet: "At Petdispensary we offer a flea/worm protection pack which is Frontline Spot On and Drontal wormers in packs for either 6 or 12 months prot..."

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Scalibor Collar

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Scalibor Collar: " Scalibor Collar - essential for tick control or pets going abroad  The scalibor collar commonly used to prevent against ticks, mosq..."

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: re: Inspection of Online Suppliers of Pet Medicati...

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: re: Inspection of Online Suppliers of Pet Medicati...: "Many people are now using the Internet to source their pet’s medications cheaply. Online pharmacies tend to be cheaper than the local ..."

re: Inspection of Online Suppliers of Pet Medications

Many people are now using the Internet to source their pet’s medications cheaply.  Online pharmacies tend to be cheaper than the local vet mainly due to the lower overheads and the fact they can buy in bulk.  At present the market is unregulated with some companies buying medications from overseas and there are fears that pet owners may be buying ineffective medicines, flea and worm treatments.   

Recently the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) have announced they will be inspecting all online suppliers of pet medicines later this year.  Companies which are approved will display a logo and have a unique number to show they are registered and this will allow people to distinguish between legitimate online dispensaries and those to avoid. 

Pet Dispensary started in 2006 and since then have only sourced UK medications and products the same as those at your local veterinary practices.  Pet Dispensary uses one of the main UK veterinary wholesalers to supply our medications (NVS) and abides to the same regulations as UK Vet practices.  Pet Dispensary welcomes the VMD inspections and new logo scheme.  This will give reassurance to those using online dispensaries and are pleased of the introduction.