Owner FAQs

My pet is drinking a lot of water...

1. Try and quantify how much water your pet is drinking by measuring the amount of water you put in their water bowl over a twenty four hour or three day period. (An animal is drinking excessively if it is drinking 100ml/kg/day which for the average cat is about ¾ of a pint).
2. Note whether your animal appetite as increased or decreased.
3. Note whether your animal’s weight has changed over the last few weeks.
4. Try and collect a urine sample to bring into the surgery to give to the vet for analysis with your first consultation.

Useful links

Dog factsheet - Diabetes mellitus
Cat factsheet - Diabetes mellitus

My pet is itchy...

1. Identify when your animal was last treated for fleas.
2. Decide whether your pet is itchy in any one particular area e.g. near its tail base/ all over.
3. Is your pet biting at its feet?
4. Have you changed your pet's food or changed anything in the home environment recently?
5. Make an appointment to see a vet to discuss the above information.

Useful links

Dog factsheet - Fleas
Cat factsheet - Fleas

My pet has developed a cough...

1. When did you first notice the cough?
2. What is the nature of the cough? Is it dry or productive (i.e. does the animal cough material up then swallow shortly after?)
3. Does your pet have a penchant for eating slugs/snails/grass and has it been wormed recently (see lungworm)? If this is the case try bringing in a faeces sample with your first appointment to see one of our vets.
4. Have you noticed your animal slowing down recently (e.g. on a walk)?
5. Make an appointment to see a vet to discuss the above information.

Coughing can be due to a primary lung problem e.g. bronchitis/pneumonia/worms or secondary to an underlying heart problem. Cats rarely cough unless they are asthmatic or suffering from severe lung disease.

Useful links

Dog factsheet - Worming
Cat factsheet - Worming
Bayer Animal Health: Lungworm

My pet is becoming stiff/slowing down/sleeping more (cats)...

1. When did you first notice the problem?
2. Is your dog stiff in the morning or after a walk?
3. Has your dog become lame?
4. Is your dog reluctant to jump on the sofa/back of the car?
5. Has your cat’s coat become unkempt?
6. Is your cat reluctant to jump and spends more time than normal sleeping?

Useful links

Dog factsheet - Arthritis
Dog factsheet - Senior pet care
Cat factsheet - Arthritis
Cat factsheet - Senior pet care
Metacam website