CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT KILLER DISEASES COMES TO GATESHEAD

Our pets are set to benefit from a health campaign taking place in June to help stamp out killer diseases. As part of National Vaccination Month (www.vaccinationmonth.co.uk) Premier Vets is participating in an amnesty for the UK’s 11 million unprotected, dogs, cats and rabbits at risk from potentially fatal diseases, offering them a full vaccination course for the price of a booster.

Starting on 1 June, the campaign comes as research by animal health company Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health shows that vets are reporting an increase in a number of serious and deadly diseases in Gateshead. The increase coincides with more than a quarter of vets nationwide reporting worries over falling levels of vaccination due to the credit crunch.

One of the potential increasing threats is leptospirosis, which is carried by Britain’s rapidly rising rat population. The disease, which is transmitted through rats’ urine and can be picked up by dogs as they swim in rivers or even drink from puddles, is often fatal. It can also be transmitted to people – tragically, one woman died last year after she was bitten by a wild rat in her garden. According to the most recent data2 in the past six months alone, leptospirosis was seen by 40 per cent of veterinary practices in the UK and vet practices in Gateshead have reported cases.

Data from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s most recent survey of disease in the nation’s pet population shows that 57 per cent of veterinary practices reported suspected or confirmed cases of the killer dog disease, parvovirus, during the previous 6 months.

Cat flu was seen by 87 per cent of the nation’s vets during the past six months making this the most common cat disease reported.
Recent trends towards higher average temperatures favour fleas and other external parasites which can carry the fatal rabbit disease ,myxomatosis, which is particularly prevalent in Summer and Autumn but is now increasingly been seen outside the main risk period.

Premier Vets is urging pet owners to protect against these diseases,

The National Vaccination Month Campaign aims to help save lives and limit the spread of disease by offering pet owners the chance to vaccinate for a discounted rate during June 2009. If your dog or cat has not been vaccinated in the last 18 months, or the last nine months for rabbits, log on to www.vaccinationmonth.co.uk to download your voucher and book your appointment with Premier Vets on 0191 4914400.

Vaccinatination ammesty Primary course of vaccinations for the price of booster (terms and conditions apply see above )

If you get your pet microchipped at same time you will receive this at a discounted price of £10.50.

MICROCHIP YOUR PET AGAINST LOSS

Every year the Dog Wardens and RSPCA pick up thousands of lost pets. However reuniting these pets with their owners can prove very difficult since many of them cannot be reliably identified. This is obviously very distressing for both pets and their owners.

What can be done to improve the situation?

In addition to the traditional collar and engraved tag - which can unfortunately become detached and lost - there is now a far more reliable form of pet identification. A microchip implant which is a simple and permanent form of identification.

A tiny microchip about the size of a grain of rice is quickly and easily injected under the skin permanently identifying your pet. Implantation is no more stressful than a routine vaccination. Each microchip contains a unique ID Code. This code, together with details about your pet are held on a central computer.

Veterinary practices, the police and pet rescue organisation have special hand held scanners that can detect and read the information on the microchip so that your pet can be identified and reunited with you without delay.

Don't take the chance - get your pet microchipped now for £15.00 during the month of june and avoid the heartache of pet loss.
 

OTHER OFFERS IN JUNE

Flea season is now upon us, treat your pets before they become infested.

Buy 4 months Advocate for the price of 3.