Summer 2021

*****Exciting NEW Service*****

CLEANYTEETH FOR DOGS

Teeth cleaning courses for dogs now available using new state-of-the-art ultrasound technology

 

Scroll down for more information or please give me a call to book a course of treatment 

 

Safety is still a high priority, while we are still working our way out of the pandemic.  Therefore the following precautions and safety protocols will remain in place.

I would like to request your co-operation with the following:-  

• Ringing the bell at the front gate on arrival.  Do not enter the grooming room.  Please have your dog ready and on a suitable lead. I will come and collect your dog from you wearing the necessary PPE and maintaining social distancing guidance.
• Be prepared to leave your dog with me if possible. You can wait outside or in your car, or return to collect if you would prefer.
• If you are suffering any of the symptoms of the Coronavirus or are self isolating due to other members of your household showing symptoms please call me first to discuss your needs.

I am very busy at the moment.  If I am unable to answer a call it may be that I am in the grooming room working and I would request that you please leave a message.  I will aim to get back to you as soon as possible to arrange a booking. 

 

Thank you.  Look forward to seeing many of you very soon. 

Avril 

Avril’s Mobile Grooming Service is a small friendly family business based in Pyworthy, Devon. Run by trained veterinary nurse Avril Glessing offering Pet Health Care, Grooming and Microchipping for cats and dogs.

Holsworthy pet health clinic

Currently I am unable to hold a pet health clinic in Holsworthy Pets every 3rd Tuesday of the month, due to the current restrictions. I am hoping to start the clinics again when safe to do so. 
Holsworthy Pets remains open for business as usual with Covid safety measures in place.
Visit us at: 4 Victoria Square, Holsworthy EX22 6AA

Avril’s Latest News July/ August 2021

  Welcome to all my customers old and new and any first timers browsing my website

I can provide a full grooming services for all breeds of cats and dogs am also able to take other small pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits.  As a Qualified Veterinary Nurse (SQP), I am also   happy to provide advice on health and well being issues. I would be pleased to discuss your needs, so please give me a call. 

*** NEW ***  CLEANY TEETH DENTAL HYGIENE for dogs.

 I am now offering teeth cleaning courses using an Ultrasound Toothbrush, providing antibacterial, gentle and quiet tooth cleaning for your dog.

Keeping your pet’s teeth in good condition is particularly important.  Dog’s can both be prone to the build up of plaque which can turn into tartar. 

This can then lead to more serious problems such as gingivitis, infection, tooth loss and gum disease.  Tartar can cause inflammation and sore gums and can be painful when eating and playing.  Regular cleaning can really help prevent this build up. 

The benefits of using a ultrasound toothbrush include:

Non-invasive treatment using special 3 sided brush head

• Cleans the dog’s teeth silently and without vibration
• Suitable for pets who refuse to tolerate normal cleaning
• Sonic cleaning helps to break down tartar and bacteria
• Reaches smallest spaces, crevices and gaps and cleans where normal toothbrushes cannot reach

These pictures show how treatment can really help remove the build up of tartar.  These are the results after just 1 treatment!!    

                

      Before                                  After

 

Please contact me to discuss your treatment options.  A course of treatment can prevent more invasive treatments such as dental operations in the future so it is worth finding out more.

 

Prices start from £5 for a single treatment depending on the level of treatment required or from £20 for a course of treatments over 3 weeks.

 

After that you can request a teeth clean during a regular grooming appointment for an additional £5 on top of the grooming price.

 

Once your dogs teeth are lovely and clean there are lots of ways to help keep them in good condition, that you can do at home.  Daily tooth brushing is by far the best way to keep your pet’s teeth healthy.  Always use a pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrush.  

 

Remember that chews can be high in calories so if you are giving them regular dental sticks you should adjust their diet to account for the additional calories.   However, if your dog’s teeth look like they have a very large build-up of plaque you should seek the advice of your vet as they may need their professional attention. 

 

SUMMER’S  HERE

I hope that you are your furry friends are keeping well.  The weather has been so changeable lately but it’s looking like July could bring some very hot weather so here is some advice on how to keep your pet happy and healthy when the temperatures rise.

 

Can you imagine wearing a thick fur coat when the temperature rises? Our pets need to be kept as cool as possible and there is a host of advice available on how to make rising temperatures more bearable for our pets.

 

Obviously one important piece of advice is never to leave your pet in a confined space, car, conservatory, caravan or outbuildings on a hot day, even in the shade or with the windows open.  Inside temperatures can rise from a comfortable level to dangerously high levels in minutes and this can prove deadly.   

 

There is some excellent advice on the RSPCA website on what to do if you see an animal locked in a hot car.  Don’t be afraid to call 999.  The police will take any necessary action.   Click on the picture for more information.

 

Dogs still need exercise even when it is hot so its best to take them out early in the morning or later when it is cooler.  Dogs are at high risk of getting  heatstroke.  They can only lose heat through panting and can only sweat through their paws.  

They can also receive severe burns to their paw pads from pavements and hot roads.  If the pavement is too hot for your hand it will definitely be too hot for your furry friend’s paws!

 

Believe it or not dogs and cats can get sunburn and so you should use a pet-safe sunscreen for tips of ears and nose.   Do not use human sunscreen.  It often contains zinc oxide which is toxic to dogs.  Pet shops will be able to supply pet-safe sunscreen. Once again, the RSPCA offers some excellent advice on your pet’s welfare during hot weather. Click on link below.

 

Help Dogs Stay Cool In The Hot Summer Weather | RSPCA  

 

Here are a few other tips:

· Always make sure there is constant supply of cold, clean fresh water available.  Take water in a pet safe drinking container if you are out and about.

· Provide areas of shade and cool places for your pet to retreat to if they get too hot.

· Most dogs love playing with water.  Hoses, sprinkler’s etc can provide a fun activity and you can also get doggy paddling pools now!

· Frozen toys and doggy ice cream can also help but be careful with ice cubes.  Not only can they be a choking hazard but also can be dangerous if your pet has heatstroke.  Crushed ice is better but use with caution.  The Blue Cross offer some excellent advice on this subject. Click on link below.

 

 Ice cubes for dogs | Blue Cross

 

Cats and hot weather advice

Kitties are quite good at keeping cool and finding a nice shady place to sit but the advice is similar to keeping your dogs cool, although cats are probably not going to take a dip in a paddling pool!!

 

Ice cubes in water bowls and cooling towels are helpful.  There are also cooling mats available on the market now which provide relief in extremely hot conditions.  

 

White cats and cats with very pink ears can be extremely susceptible to sunburn so again use a pet-safe sunblock if they are out and about when the sun in shining.

 

Help Cats Stay Cool In The Hot Summer Weather | RSPCA

 

And while we are talking about cats….Have you seen the alert re: feline pancytopenia

You may have seen in the news recently a rise in cases of a very rare disease affecting cats called feline pancytopenia.  To date 130 cats have been treated for this disease since April 2021.  It is a serious blood condition and although not proven, is believed there may be a link to certain dry cat food products.  The Food Standards Agency has made a list of the foods that are currently being recalled by the manufacturer as a precaution.  Excellent information and advice is is available by following the link below and includes a link to the list of possible affected products. This includes some Applaws and AVA products and a couple of Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic cat foods.  If have any concerns contact your vet for advice. 

 www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/pet-health-hub/conditions/pancytopenia-in-cats

 

Quick update on TICKS!  Ticks are very prevalent now so please check your pet regularly for the tiny little critters.  If you get them before they bury themselves, make sure to dispose of them safely. 

They will be tiny at this stage and can easily crawl onto you if you are not careful and as you know they can carry a particularly nasty disease called Lyme Disease which can affect humans.  

                                          

Before they start biting they are very tiny         

Once they embed themselves in the skin they swell up.  

Treating pet bedding and other areas where they sit with a suitable repellent will also help stop them finding a tasty host.   You can use a tick remover but you must make sure you remove all the mouth parts buried into the skin.    I can remove them for you safely.

 I also sell a range of products to deal with fleas and ticks such as Seresto Collars and Frontline Plus.    Call or ask me for more information.

   Tick remover - 2 sizes available.  Please contact me for more information.

 

      Seresto° collars protect from ticks, fleas and lice infestations for up to 8 months. 

       I can  supply different sizes available for both cats and dogs.

 

 Please contact me for further information on any of the above issues but if you have any immediate health concerns please contact your vet in the first instance, who will be able to advise on the best course of treatment.

Stay safe and look forward to seeing you with your furry friends

 

Avril