Scamps Pet Health People

  **This December, Scamps is offering a 25% discount on all professional fees** —including consultations, vaccinations, microchipping and at-home euthanasia services. In these tougher times many families are feeling the pinch and it’s easy for pet care to be put on the back burner. From the perspective of pet health this may mean dealing with issues yourself and/or putting off seeing the vet. I am an experienced small animal vet and I am able to offer some guidance and suggestions to those who find themselves in either of these camps. I like to solve problems in a practical way and finding cost effective solutions is part of that. I prioritise the well-being of your pet while working within your budget. There are often affordable options for a variety of pet health concerns. Veterinary care doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision. If you’re dealing with a pet health issue but are worried about costs, please reach out. I can offer advice and solutions for y...

Wh at is a healthy weight for a dog? I prefer to use body condition score (BCS) or BFI (body fat index). When a pet has an ideal BCS or BFI, they are at their ideal weight. This method works for the individual animal, regardless of their conformation. A body condition score estimates the leanness of the pet. For dogs, the main points are: Feel the ribs but not see them (when running your fingers across or perpendicular to the ribs). This assesses the fat under the skin. In lean dogs, there is little thickness, and in overweight dogs, there is more. The dog should have a discernible waist when viewed from above. There should be a narrowing over the lumbar area – behind the ribs and in front of the pelvis. The dog should have a tuck when viewed from the side. There should be an upward slope from the bottom of the chest (sternum) to the pubic bone (between the hind legs). Some breeds have a lean conformation, while others are more stocky, so the extent of the waist a...

  Chronic pain is a persistent or waxing and waning pain. A common cause in pets, especially in the second half of life, is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is inflammation of the joints, which over time may lead to an increase in the size of affected joints and a decrease in the range of motion. Lameness is relative. A pet with one sore leg and three non-painful legs will appear worse than a pet with multiple sore legs. To many people, a dog with arthritis in all four legs doesn’t seem to be lame. Just as in humans, arthritis begins with waxing and waning pain. Osteoarthritis in pets is a progressive condition, meaning it tends to worsen over time. The following signs may be seen as the arthritis progresses in dogs: Slower to get up from rest Stiffness after rest that the decreases as the dog gets moving Less able to cope with exercise and may lag towards the end of a walk Lame and more tired after longer periods of exercise, for example, longer walks on the weeke...