Fritz, a 14-year old cat, was drinking more last summer. After an examination and blood test, Fritz was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. This is fairly common in older cats. When kidney function is compromised, waste products build up in the bloodstream and our blood tests detect this. Some cats with kidney disease will have high blood pressure too. 

Whilst this condition cannot be cured, an early diagnosis and management can lead to a much longer and healthier life. Fritz was changed onto a prescription kidney diet which he loves! No other treatment or medications were required. Today, Fritz came back into the clinic for a follow up blood test and blood pressure check. We were all thrilled to discover that all of his kidney results were back into the normal range and he had put on a little weight as well (not too much though!). 

So if your cat is over the age of 8 or drinking a little more than usual, pop him into one of our senior wellness clinics for a check over with a nurse. Even if we find a problem, some conditions can be  controlled with a simple change of diet and lifestyle- like Fritz!

We have seen an awful lot of gastroenteritis in the last couple of weeks in Ilfracombe. We think the cold wet weather has provided ideal conditions for infectious bacteria to flourish in the major dog-walking areas such as Hillsborough and the Torrs. Until the weather dries up a bit, it may be as well to exercise your dog on the beach or in less popular areas to avoid exposing him or her to infection.

The infection can be cleared up quite easily with treatment but obviously we would rather your pet didn't get ill in the first place.

Here's the promised photo of Rachel at the London Marathon finish, celebrating in style and quite right too! She did magnificently well and finished in 4 hours 14 minutes, doubly impressive when you realise that 2 weeks beforehand she was told by medical experts that she would probably not be able to run due to an injured knee.

She has also raised in the region of £4500 for the Prince Alice Hospice in Surrey which cared for her dad in his final weeks so a very heroic effort all round. She sends enormous thanks to all who supported her, and points out that donations will still be gratefully received by any means possible, including her justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/Rachel-Kyle2011.

Well done Rachel from all of us at the practice.

(We'd love to say 'Put your feet up for a while' but sadly too much work to be done!)

We are delighted that our Ilfracombe practice was nominated for 'Veterinary Practice of the Year', the 'veterinary Oscars' run by Petplan. One of our vets was nominated for 'Vet of the Year' too - see blog for more details. I wanted to put in a photo of the Ilfracombe team holding their nomination certificate, but they've been so busy they haven't had time to get together - so I've only got the certificate!

Thank you very much to whoever nominated us. We really appreciate it. We all work hard at our jobs because we want to do the best we possibly can for the pets under our care, and when they get better that is its own reward. But it is really nice, occasionally to be told that we are appreciated. Thank you.

Second bit of news - Hayley gave birth to twin boys on April 4th - the biggest twins we have ever heard of! Harrison and Elliott averaged 71/2 pounds each - ouch! I hope to publish a photo of the proud mum and babies as soon as possible!

Thirdly but by no means last, Rachel ran the London marathon in 4 hours 14 minutes, a fantastic achievement especially considering she injured her knee 2 weeks beforehand and thought she might not be able to run after all her sacrifices. She has raised a lot of money for the hospice that looked after her dad so very well done Rachel - photo to follow!

Here are some of the puppies and their owners attending our latest 'puppy party' at Roundswell surgery. This is a free service offered by ourselves and Tracey Berridge of Puppy Gurus, to owners of young puppies vaccinated at our surgeries. (The puppies have to be a certain size and age so that there is no bullying) There is a lot of running around involved to try and keep the puppies focussed, but a good time is always had by all and puppies and owners always learn something new and valuable.

Socialisation is such an important part of a dog's education, and if they do not receive suitable exposure to all sorts of experiences before 14 weeks of life then they can be emotionally damaged for life, with antisocial behaviour often a consequence. If you would like details of our 'puppy parties' please contact the surgery. Puppy Gurus website is on our Links page.

Rachel is going to be running the London Marathon in April in memory of her father, who died in December 2009. He and the family gained a huge amount of support from the Princess Alice Hospice near his home in Surrey, so that seemed the obvious charity for Rachel to support. She needs to raise £2500 and is holding various fundraising events between now and April. The first is a music gig at the White Lion, Braunton, on Saturday 5th Feb, so get your tickets and get along there! Tickets will shortly be available from our three surgeries or the White Lion itself. She also has sponsor forms at the reception desks or a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Rachel-Kyle2011, and is extremely grateful for any donations.

Lucy Kemp, Braunton receptionist, is also going to be running the marathon. Five of us agreed to enter, but 1 got pregnant (good excuse, Hayley!) and 2 didn't get a place. Maybe next year!

Good luck to both our runners, it's an amazing effort.

Julie, our Braunton receptionist, got this picture of her border terrier Hunter to us a little late for Christmas - but it's too good to waste so I'm using it to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Our opening times over the bank holiday weekend are below with our Christmas ones.

See you in 2011!

Kennel cough, or to give it its correct name, infectious laryngo-tracheitis, has been causing lots of problems in the area recently. The term 'kennel cough' is a bit of a misnomer really, as it makes people think their pet can only pick up the infecion in kennels. It is called that because once it gets into a kennel situation, it spreads like wildfire due to the dogs being in close proximity, but it doesn’t mean they are not at risk in the wider community. 

We have seen a large number of kennel cough cases recently. None of the dogs had been in kennels and we suspect they had picked it up from other dogs when being exercised, as the infection can spread indirectly as well as directly. 

The infection is caused by a combination of bacteria and viruses and often lasts 3 weeks or more. During this time the dog is highly infectious to others. It causes a retching cough and sometimes sneezing, which is usually worse at night, (thus keeping dog and owner awake), on exercise and on excitement. Usually a course of antibiotics is required, and most dogs will make an uneventful recovery. Some, however, will go on to develop chronic bronchitis or even pneumonia. 

Vets have seen a lot of cases this year in holidaymakers’ dogs as well as local ones, so it seems this is a nationwide increase – although talking to vets in the east of the country, they have not had such a problem. We suspect that the wet summer on the west side of the country may be responsible for allowing the causal organisms to thrive and multiply into the current epidemic.

Prevention is the answer. There is a vaccine available against the main bacterium and virus that cause kennel cough. It does not guarantee to prevent infection but it makes it much less likely. Even if a vaccinated dog does go down with the disease, it has a much shorter course and  less severe symptoms. Whilst most kennels have been recommending vaccination for many years, we also recommend it for dogs which may never go into kennels. If your kennel does not insist on vaccination, be doubly sure to get it done because there will be more risk.

If your dog is coughing or sneezing, bring it to us for treatment, and keep it out of contact with other dogs until the cough has completely gone. To prevent the infection, ask for the kennel cough vaccination.

We've seen a lot of ticks recently. The other day I removed 26 from a spaniel; here are some of them! Ticks have several stages of development that involve various 'hosts'. There are many different species of tick in this country but they are not choosy and most of them are quite happy to grab their meals from a passing dog, cat or human. Moorland areas may have heavy tick burdens, especially in spring/early summer, and autumn; however, we are also seeing a lot from coastal areas.

Most people are aware that they can carry several nasty and potentially fatal diseases. They also cause local skin infections and general malaise.