Services

Pet Neutering

Neutering is an important consideration and it is the general recommendation. If you do not plan on breeding from your pet, neutering is the most responsible action to take. Neutering or spaying an animal refers to the removal of their reproductive organs. A female animal is spayed by having her ovaries and uterus removed. A male animal is castrated by having his testicles removed. Timing of neutering in dogs depends on age. Small breeds are neutered at approx.. 6 mths old, while large breeds are done later at approx.. 9 mths old. Giant breeds are done at approx.. 18 mths. The exact timing should be discussed with your vet clinic.

Why Female Animals Should Be Neutered

Why Male Animals Should Be Neutered

Pet Vaccinations

Vaccination stimulates your dog and cats immune system, teaching it to recognise and fight important infectious diseases. Some infectious diseases can prove very serious and may even with intensive treatment end up being fatal. Vaccination provides the best way of reducing the risks that these diseases pose.

Your pet will require a minimum of 2 injections initially. These are given 4 weeks apart in the case of dogs and 3 weeks apart in the case of cats. In all cases a yearly booster shot is required to maintain immunity. A puppy can receive its 1st vaccination from 6 weeks of age and a kitten from 9 weeks.

We also advise vaccination against ‘Canine Cough’/’Kennel Cough’ for your dog. Many people think this is only for dogs attending boarding kennels but this is not this case. Canine cough is the most common infectious dog disease in Ireland and very contagious, making it highly likely for your dog to come into contact with it.

Rabies vaccination is a requirement for dog, cats and ferrets who are travelling outside of Ireland. It is not given to animals who do not leave the country as Ireland is free of rabies. If you are thinking of bringing your pet abroad you can check the up to date requirements on the ‘Pet Passport Scheme’.

The cost of the vaccination course/booster includes a health check and clinical exam and is an opportunity for the owner to get advice on any aspects of their pet’s care.

List of Routine Dog Vaccinations

Parvovirus
Leptospirosis
Distemper
Parainfluenza
Canine Infection Hepatitis
Bordetella (Canine Kennel Cough)
Rabies (If travelling abroad)

List of Routine Cat Vaccinations

Pet Dentistry

Dental disease is a very common condition in small animals. Certain breeds are predisposed to dental disease. That’s why it is important that your pet has an annual check up to monitor their teeth.

While certain pets may tolerate daily toothbrushing to prevent tartar build up it is important for you as an owner to check their teeth for build up of tartar, painful red gums and smelly breath.

A general anaesthetic is required for us to carry out a full and in-depth examination of your pets teeth. It is during this examination that your vet can assess the teeth and determine if they need extractions.

Dental check-ups can be carried out during routine vaccinations but if you are concerned about your pet please just call us on 0906626898 to book in for a check up.

Pet Passports

We recommend that you consult with Department of Agriculture of the country you are travelling to or the company your pet is travelling under for the exact requirements as these are subject to change.

General Requirements

Your pet requires a microchip, this can be done any time before a rabies vaccination.
For a rabies vaccination, the microchip has to be read immediately before vaccination so that all is recorded. A rabies vaccination can be carried out once your pet is over 12 weeks old.
A passport can usually be issued at the vaccination appointment, however your pet cannot travel until 21 days after the rabies vaccination has been administered.
Dogs that are travelling back into Ireland from mainland EU and UK will need to be seen by a vet 1-5 days prior to re-entry to be given a tapeworm treatment, and this will need to be recorded on their passport. This is to prevent entry of a specific tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) into Ireland that is widespread in certain parts of Europe and can infect humans as well causing illness and even death. Ireland is free of this disease but we as a country would like to keep it that way.
To further protect your pet and to protect human health and welfare it is also strongly recommended that your pet be treated for ticks at the same time as the tapeworm treatment. Following the first rabies vaccination, the passport will have a ‘valid until’ date.

Keeping Your Pet Passport Up To Date

To keep your pet passport up to date, a rabies booster vaccination must be given on or before that expiry day. If you miss the revaccination date, even by one day, the 21 day rule will be re-applied before you can travel again. The vaccine we use currently in All Creatures requires boosters every 3 years.

Parasite Protection

Regular safe and effective control of internal and external parasites according to risks not only protects your pet but also reduces the likelihood of household exposure. Fleas and ticks can cause serious health problems in dogs and are a year-round risk. Do the best for your pet and keep your pet protected by regularly applying parasite treatments, as directed by your vet.

There are a number of different worms which can infest dogs and cats, including roundworm, hookworm, lungworm and tapeworm. Although they may not be visible dogs and cats are commonly infected with worms.

Facts You Should Know About Parasites

Fleas can infest your dog or cat from a very young age and at any time of the year. A single female ﬂea can
produce up to 50 eggs per day which will fall off your pet into your home. The eggs hatch into maggots-like larvae, then develop over the following weeks in the carpets and soft furnishing of your home.

Flea larvae change to pupae that are resistant to treatment and may lie dormant in the house and garden for many months before emerging as adults. The adults will seek out and feed on your dog‘s blood once emerged, but will also bite humans too.

Ticks are a growing threat. Your pet can be exposed to ticks on walks, in public parks, woodland, grassland or farmland. Ticks are not just a problem in rural areas; urban gardens and parks provide good habitats for ticks. These blood-sucking parasites are a serious health risk, and can transmit diseases such as Lyme Disease to pets and people.

The best product for your pet may depend on a range of factors.

There are a number of different worms which can infest dogs, including roundworm, hookworm, lungworm and tapeworm. Although they may not be visible, dogs are commonly infected with worms.

Human Risk From Parasites

The roundworm, Toxocara canis, can affect humans too, if eggs are accidentally ingested. Children are most at risk, as they may play in areas (sandpits, gardens etc.) where worm eggs are commonly found. The parasite can cause a variety of problems, including damage to the liver, lungs or eyes. Regular treatment will help to protect your dog and this will help to protect your family too.

Frequency Of Parasite Treatment

Worming; depends on age and risk of exposure. As a guideline, all puppies and kittens should be wormed from 2- weeks of age, every 2 weeks until 12 weeks and then monthly until 6mths old. After this all adult dogs and cats are recommended to be wormed, minimum, every 3 months for life. If your cat is a hunter you may need to worm monthly, especially during spring and summer for tapeworm which is easily picked up from prey at this time. If you have several dogs in close proximity you may need to worm more frequently than the standard 3 monthly period.

Remember; not all wormers cover all worm species and no wormer has a residual activity (unlike flea and tick products), so does not provide a protective period against infestation but rather clears the worm burden at the time of treatment.

Flea & Tick treatment; there are countless number of products available to deter/kill external parasites. Our advice would be to use a prescription drug which is licenced to do what it claims. Know what species it kills and use a product that has a stated period of activity eg. 1 or 3 months. Some products kill on contact which very much limits their efficacy.

There are many products available in various treatments such as tasty chews, spot-ons and sprays for fleas and ticks in our shop to help treat and prevent parasites, for assistance ask a member of staff.

Tips On Keeping Up-To-Date With Parasite Protection

Even with fewer doses to remember, it can be easy to forget! Keep on top of your pet’s treatment by:
• Asking our staff about treatment reminders
• Set up a recurring reminder using your smartphone calendar

Large Animals

We provide a complete range of veterinary services for large animals including a 24 hour emergency service

Clinic and Emergency calls
Hospitalisation and IV fluids for calves
Crush and head gate for cattle at clinic
Routine farm management visits
Herd health planning
Animal remedies and retail sales
Laboratory Services
Fertility testing of bulls and calves
Equine scanning (stocks at clinic for horses)
TB testing