Services

Annual vaccination after an initial course  is vital for all dogs, cats and rabbits. We always combine vaccinations with a free health check. Please take this opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your pets health.

Dogs

Vaccination provides protection against Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Infectious Hepatitis and Parainfluenza. Additional protection against Kennel Cough  and Rabies is available.

Cats

We recommend vaccination against cat flu (Herpes and Calici viruses), Feline Infectious Enteritis and Feline Leukaemia virus. For cats living in colonies we would also advise protection against Chlamydia.
 If you are planning to take your cat abroad will he/she additionally need a vaccination against Rabies. 

Rabbits

Vaccination is now available against two fatal diseases - Myxomatosis and  Haemorrhagic Viral Disease. Both diseases can be carried by insects, so house rabbits are still at risk. We strongly recommend that all pet rabbits are vaccinated annually.

De-Worming

Dogs and Cats are both susceptible to round and tape worms. Round worms can cause problems in humans, especially to young children, and so a good worming program is vital. We recommend worming every month, depending on your pets lifestyle, with an all-in-one wormer or a combined flea treatment and wormer which the surgery supplies.

Fleas

Warm summers and centrally heated winters mean that fleas are now a year round problem. Treatment can be frustrating with the wrong products. Please come and discuss your needs with us and we can recommend the most effective products for you.

Lungworm

The larvae of these worms are carried by slugs and snails and can be accidentally ingested by dogs whilst licking or eating grass. The disease appears to be most common in young dogs and is very often fatal. Signs vary from coughing and breathing problems, to bleeding and neurological problems. This is rarely seen in cats.

Ticks

Ticks are not only a nuisance and an irritation to your pet but they can also, in some instances, transmit diseases. Ticks are generally found in grassland, scrubs, shrubs and low-hanging branches waiting for animals to brush against them so they can climb on board. The tick then burrows its head into the skin to suck a blood meal and become engorged. At this point they look like silvery grey or brown bubbles or wart like lesions. The commonest problem associated with ticks is the sores and secondary infections at the site of attachment. Please contact the surgery if you think your pet may have a tick as they should not be pulled off. If you pull them off, it may leave the head behind and this process can increase the risk of disease transmission from the tick.

Ear Mites

These mites are found in the ear canal and, occasionally, adjacent skin of the head. The mites cause irritation of the lining of the ear canal which then becomes full of a crusty black discharge. It can cause head shaking, scratching of the ears and secondary infections.

Dental Care

Pets have teeth too. At the Virginia Water Veterinary Clinic, we can offer treatment for all pets, including ultrasonic scaling, polishing and endodontic treatment. Preventative health care is just as important and we offer a range of products - from toothpaste and dental chews to diets - which are designed to help keep your pet's teeth clean.

We have a visiting vet with a Postgraduate Certificate in small animal dentistry, who is a highly qualified GP Vet dentist, performing a whole range of dental procedures.

Diet

It is now recognised that diet is vital in keeping your pets fit and healthy in all stages of their lives. We endorse this by stocking various diet foods and have trained members of staff to answer any questions. We also stock a range of special prescription diets designed to treat diseases such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Dogs

Unspayed bitches are prone to false pregnancies, mammary cancers and pyometras (womb infections). The latter are common, may be fatal, and treatment is often a emergency ovariohysterectomy, which is not always safe when the dog is old and sick. Choosing to have your bitch spayed at an earlier date avoids such dangers.

Male dogs may be castrated, when necessary, to stop unwelcome behaviour such as vagrancy, hyper-sexuality and aggression, or later in life, to control prostate problems.

Cats

Both males and females are routinely neutered at six months of age. Un-neutered males may spray urine and become territorial, seeking out other cats to fight.

There are many fallacies about neutering pets. If you have any doubts about neutering your pet, please do not hesitate to contact us.

This is a tiny microchip which has a unique Identity Code. This chip is implanted under the skin of your pet, in the scruff of the neck, by a vet. Unlike collar and tag, the microchip is permanent and the code is registered with the owner’s details on a National Database, which is accessible 24 hours a day. It is now law in the UK for all dogs to be microchipped. We can do this for you, so speak to a member of the team. The chip can be read by a scanner which the majority of the Vets, Kennels, Rescue Centres and Dog Wardens use. If your pet is found and taken to any of these centres they will be scanned and re-united with you as quickly as possible. If you’re not sure if your dog has already been microchipped, we can check for you. We can also check the microchip is in place and working. If you would like us to do so, just ask.

Speak to the team about when is best for your pet.