Cat ownership
Dog ownership
Rabbit ownership
What we expect of you, our client

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Responsible Dog Owners professional recommendations

1. Vaccination – see our page on  the Vaccination debate. Essential
   
2. Neutering – see our Factsheets page for information on neutering
   
3. Identification – a collar with a disc and your contact phone numbers is the minimum legal requirement. We recommend micro chipping as its permanent.
   
4. Regular worming – adult dogs must be wormed regularly. The current recommendation by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association is every 3 months – that’s four times per year. Its irrelevant that you see no signs of worms from your pet – the roundworm eggs that are passed in your dog’s motion are invisible to the naked eye. Puppies need to be wormed even more frequently
   
5. Regular exercise – this is daily walks for most dogs. The dog gets mental stimulation from being somewhere other than the house and garden. It has some interaction with you. Not all dogs need the same type and duration of exercise. For most dogs, however, running around the garden a couple of times is simply inadequate. Like me, and you dogs often become bored in the same surroundings.
   
6. Training and obedience – often incorporated into exercise. Some pets are much harder to train than others! It never ceases to amaze me how many people walk dogs on a leash as they won’t come back. Many of the behavior problems we encounter at this clinic, often relate to a general lack of training. Conversely, we rarely see behavior problems in working dogs. Time, patience and understanding are required. We can give you pointers and contacts for classes if necessary
   
7. Scoop the Poop! – please pick up your dogs faeces. It is illegal to let your dog mess in a public place without clearing up. It is also a health hazard. (In spite of free poo bags from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and dog waste bins provided, 2 by this clinic, there is still a disturbing amount of dog faeces on Cheddleton Recreation Ground).
   
8. Grooming – particularly for long haired dogs
   
9. Care and attention for the life of your dog. Dogs length of life varies between breed, but the average is 12 years. We hope that he/she will be a faithful companion for its life with the recommendations made above An excellent resource is The Dog’s Trust website: www.dogstrust.org.uk

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Responsible Rabbit Owners professional recommendations

1. Vaccination – Unknown to most rabbit owners there are vaccinations available for rabbits against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD). A small percentage of infected animals may recover but most die. Both vaccines can be given to rabbits over 6 weeks of age, but not at the same time.
   
2. Neutering – See "factsheets" page.
   
3. Diet – a suitable diet is very important – See "Services" page
   
4. Companionship – rabbits are very social creatures and like company. Two rabbits will live together but the right combination is important. Littermates are the best to avoid fighting, single sexes will normally be fine but females can fight when in season and remember a male and female will ‘breed like rabbits!’ (see neutering page)
   
5. Handling – rabbits can be very affectionate if handled correctly and frequently.
   
6. Grooming - If done from an early age rabbits will enjoy grooming and stroking in much the same way as dogs and cats will. As well as being beneficial to coat and skin it bonds the owner and the pet.
   
7. General health – rabbits can have numerous health problems (most are related to bad diet). Handling/checking your rabbit daily will help to alert you to any potential problems. Rabbits can suffer from dental disease (overgrown incisors/molars), fly strike (it’s as nasty as it sounds), snuffles and stomach complaints. If your rabbit stops eating please contact the surgery immediately.
   
8. Housing – whilst some people welcome rabbits into their home most still live in hutches in the garden. A good hutch needs two compartments, one for daytime and one for a nest for night time. It should be placed in a in a sheltered spot and elevated off the ground. you should clean the hutch on a regular basis, the toilet area ideally should be cleaned daily, especially in warmer weather. Plenty of warm bedding is necessary as rabbits like to burrow and make a nest of their bedding, high quality straw or hay is ideal.
   
9. Exercise/play – rabbits need exercise and mental stimulation. Rabbits can be frightened of large open spaces and prefer to play with objects that they can hide in and explore. Having a large run attached to the hutch is ideal if your garden isn’t ‘rabbit proof’ – fill the run with boxes, plant pots, logs etc. Hide food around the run so they have to forage for it like they would in the wild.
   
10. Care and attention for the life of your rabbit. Rabbits length of life varies between 8-12 years. We hope that he/she will be an enjoyable pet for its life with the recommendations made above An excellence resource for further rabbit care is www.rabbit.org.

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What we expect of you, our client

• Please provide us with accurate and complete information about your pet's past and present illnesses, medication and any matters related to your pet's health.
  

• Please report unexpected changes in the condition of your pet as early as possible and keep us informed on your pet's progress.
  

• Please tell us if you don't understand the diagnosis or treatment given for your pet, or the cost of treatment.
  

• Please follow the treatment recommended by our vets and staff.
  

• Please keep appointments.
  

• Please ask for estimates on the cost of services beforehand.
  

• Please feel free to make an appointment for a health assessment for your pet even if you think you need only reassurance. We are happier to see a healthy pet, rather than something that’s been left too long.
  

• Please let us know what you think about the care and service we provide for you and your pet. If you are not happy, we need to know why!

Same day appointments

We have a policy that all patients requiring urgent attention will always be seen the same day. We run an appointment system to reduce the waiting time to a minimum.

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