Keyhole Surgery
At Willow Veterinary Clinic Ltd, we have invested in keyhole (or laparoscopic) surgery. There is a movement within the veterinary profession towards non-invasive methods, and we want to be at the forefront of this, offering our clients the best possible service.
Keyhole surgery uses a camera inserted through a tiny hole in the abdomen and another small hole through which an instrument is introduced. Keyhole surgery has revolutionised human medicine since the early ’80s, and we feel that it is time that our animals benefited from these advances.
The main thing that we will be using keyhole surgery for is bitch spays. Our newest vet, Ted, has performed more than one hundred of these operations. He has found the surgery to be less painful for animals, meaning that your dog will be back to normal much quicker, usually by the next day. Your dog’s activity will not need to be restricted at all, compared to 10 days of rest after a conventional spay. The surgery is less invasive, as we only must remove the ovaries and not the uterus. Plus, it is safer as the surgical field is magnified, meaning that it is easier to prevent or stop bleeding.
The equipment needed to perform keyhole surgery has been very expensive to buy, so we will have to charge more compared to a traditional spay. However, for a one-off surgical procedure such as a spay, we think it is important to keep up with the latest developments in medicine.
Benefits of Keyhole Surgery
In conclusion, keyhole surgery is:
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Less Painful
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Easier Post-Op
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Less Invasive
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Safer
If you would like more information regarding keyhole spay, please contact our surgery. This procedure means that your bitch will be up and running the following day! At present, Ted Cutting will be carrying out this procedure at our Endon practice.
Freya Joined the Keyhole Spay Club
The good news is that with this type of spay, Freya was able to get up to her usual mischief in no time. This cut out the prolonged rest period that is required with a traditional spay and is especially great for Freya as she is so playful and full of life! After lots of cuddles from all our nurses, we reluctantly let her owners take her home.
Freya’s proud owner, Wendy Wild, was thrilled with the results.
"She was ready to play by 9 o'clock the same night! You certainly wouldn't think she had just had an operation. No after effects at all."
If you would like any information about spaying and the different options available, please give us a call during surgery hours.
Cat-Friendly Clinic
We are proud to announce that Willow Veterinary Clinic Ltd has recently received Bronze Cat-Friendly Clinic status at our Endon branch. This is a scheme run by the International Society of Feline Medicine (the veterinary division of International Cat Care), to help veterinary practices cater to the unique needs of cats. We aim to provide an excellent standard of care to all our feline patients, whilst also adhering to the principles of the scheme.
One of the main aims of the scheme is to reduce any stress that cats may experience during a visit to the vets. We vow to handle cats with gentleness and respect, to minimise fear and anxiety during handing, examination, and procedures. We also ensure that cats that need to stay with us in the clinic are hospitalised in a cat-friendly environment.
Plus, we can offer cat-only appointments for nervous cats. If you would like any further information, please feel free to contact the surgery and speak to our Cat-Friendly Advocate, Janet Carroll. Alternatively, please visit www.icatcare.org to find out more.
Janet is our Cat Advocate for the ISFM Cat-Friendly Clinic scheme, ensuring that all cat's needs are met by the practice. We are proud to have a nurse with the ISFM DipFN qualification in our nursing team, and we're sure that our feline patients will appreciate her skills and expertise.
Kidney Disease in Cats
Did You Know that Kidney Disease Affects up to 50% of Cats Over the Age of 15 Years?
Although kidney disease also affects dogs, it is seen about three times more frequently in cats. Unfortunately, this is a progressive disease and clinical signs only appear once the kidneys have already lost most of the normal function.
Signs can include:
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Weight Loss
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Poor Appetite
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Lethargy
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Increased Thirst
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Increased Urination
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Poor Coat Condition
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Vomiting
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Halitosis (Bad Breath)
Although there is no cure, early diagnosis enables supportive treatment to be administered, which can help to arrest the progression of the disease, giving your pet a better quality of life.
Steer Clear of Human Medicines
Did you know that just one 500mg paracetamol tablet is enough to be toxic and fatal to a cat? This includes flu capsules that contain paracetamol.
Occasionally, a curious cat will play with and chew a tablet or capsule that hasn't been stored out of reach. On other occasions, it has been a well-meaning owner that has given the tablet. Cats are very sensitive to paracetamol, much more so than humans and dogs. When the drug is broken down by the liver in a cat, a toxic chemical is produced which results in several complications.
These include severe liver damage and a reduction in the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.
Signs of paracetamol toxicity include:
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Gums Becoming a Bluish Colour
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A Very Fast Heart Rate
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Becoming Very Quiet and Depressed
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Difficulty in Breathing
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Vomiting
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Passing Dark Brown Urine
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Skin May Start to Look Yellow
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Swelling of the Paws and Face
Prognosis depends on how quickly the cat is taken to the vets and how much paracetamol has been ingested. Unfortunately, due to the toxic effects on cats, it is highly possible they may not survive.
Bringing Your Cat to the Practice
By nature, cats are independent, territorial animals that need to be in control of their surroundings. They are sensitive to different smells, sounds, and sights. All these different senses can make bringing your feline friend to the practice a very stressful experience.
Tips to help reduce stress can include:
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Making Sure You Use a Good Pet Carrier; Top Opening Ones Are Easier as the Cat Can Be Lifted Out Gently
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Familiar Smells Can Help, Keep the Carrier Out at Home, so the Cat Can Use the Carrier as a Bed and Feel at Ease Around it
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Don't Introduce the Carrier Only When There is a Visit to the Vet
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Place Bedding or Clothing That Smells of Home into the Carrier
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Spray the Carrier with Feliway, a Pheromone Calming Spray, 30 Mins Before Using
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If Your Cat Becomes Very Stressed, Try Wrapping Them in a Thick Towel Before Placing Them into the Carrier
When travelling, avoid loud noises such as the radio. Cover the carrier with a blanket or towel during the journey to make them feel calmer. Secure the carrier in the footwell, so that it isn’t likely to move, or hold the carrier carefully and securely to avoid swinging. Finally, take your cat to a veterinary practice that has been recognised as Cat-Friendly, like Willow Veterinary Clinic Ltd.
Arthritis in Cats
Until relatively recently, arthritis in cats was not commonly recognised or treated. Cats are masters at disguising pain, due to their natural survival instinct. However, a recent study showed that 90% of cats, over 12 years of age, had some form of arthritis.
How to tell if your cat is affected:
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Hesitant When Jumping Up or Down
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Jumping from Lower Heights
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Difficulty with Going Up or Downstairs
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Stiffness, Especially After Sleeping or Obvious Lameness
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Difficulty Using the Litter Tray
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Difficulty in Getting Through the Cat Flap
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Reduced Activity
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Sleeping in Different Places, Usually Easier to Access
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Increased Grooming Over Specific Places, or Inability to Groom
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Irritable and Grumpy When Stroked or Picked Up
If you suspect your cat could be arthritic, they must have a full check by a veterinary surgeon, so that treatment and medication can begin.
To help at home:
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Place Food and Water in Easily Accessible Places
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Provide Easily Accessed Comfortable, Warm Beds
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Ensure Cat Flaps Are Easy to Open
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Use Lower Sided Cat Litter Trays for Easier Access
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Spend Time Grooming Them If It Has Become Difficult for Them
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Regular Clipping of Any Overgrowing Nails
Antifreeze
As the weather grows colder in the winter months, antifreeze poisoning in cats becomes more common. The toxic substance is ethylene glycol and is found in products such as screen washes and de-icers. Cats are attracted to the 'sweet' taste in this product, and even a small amount can cause severe kidney damage and be fatal.
Clinical signs you may see, include:
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Vomiting
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Unsteady on Feet
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Weakness
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Excessive Drinking
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Excessive Urination or No Urination
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Collapse
If not treated promptly, this can be fatal. If you think your cat could have ingested antifreeze, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Introducing Our New Cat-Friendly Ward
We have recently finished our brand-new cat ward in our Endon practice. This is a room that has been designed following the ISFM feline-friendly guidelines, to provide the very best accommodation and stress-free environment for our feline patients.
We have spacious kennels, allowing plenty of room to keep the sleeping, litter, and food/water areas separate. For long-stay patients, we can open a ‘cat flap’ between the kennels, providing double the amount of space. The fronts are made with tinted glass, allowing the patients to watch the goings-on without looking through bars. With the rest of the kennel made from a specialised plastic, this keeps them warmer and without any reflections, which can cause stress.
We have also recently purchased some ‘cat hides’ that allow our patients to hide under them or sit on top, helping them to feel secure and safe.
Not only is this room used for accommodation, but we also take blood samples, perform full clinical examinations, take blood pressures, and take temperatures solely in this room. This also helps our feline patients stay calm and relaxed, as they are kept in one location instead of being moved from room to room.
We understand the importance of providing the best possible care, and we’re always striving to improve our facilities to achieve this.
For help or advice with any feline problems, we provide feline nurse clinics with our cat-friendly nurse, Janet. Please ring the surgery to book an appointment.
