Opening times
Monday – Friday
Saturday
7 Lostock Road, Urmston, M41 OSU
Tel: 0161 747 9002
Consulting times
8.30am – 6.45pm
Monday-Friday
9.00am -12.00 pm
Saturday
Consultations by appointment
9.00-10.30am
2.00- 3.00pm
4.00- 6.30pm
9.30-11.30am
Practice News
We would like to welcome Stephanie to our practice as a new member of staff.
Congratulations Shelley!
Just to let you know, Shelley our VN is expecting her 1st child in
September and will be off on maternity leave from the middle of July.
Shelley currently fills in the insurance forms, but we would appreciate
your patience as the rest of us get used to filling in the forms.
Don’t get caught out by the cough!
KENNEL COUGH, otherwise known as infectious bronchitis, is a highly
contagious disease of the dog’s respiratory tract. The cough is passed from
dog to dog wherever they meet - out on walks, on the beach in the summer,
at training classes, dog shows and of course boarding kennels.
Dogs of all ages can be affected and signs include a harsh, dry whooping-type cough. Whilst
some dogs recover relatively quickly, others may cough for weeks and some may get serious
complications such as pneumonia.
This disease can be prevented easily with a simple yearly vaccination! Ask at reception for
more details.
Parasites: Spring into Action!
The warmer months are peak season for pesky parasites and two of the most annoying are fleas
and ticks.
Fleas need little introduction to most pet owners! Adult fleas are 2-3mm in
length and can been seen without magnification. These tiny wingless insects
survive by feeding on your pet’s blood, causing very intense irritation and
sometimes allergic skin disease. Fleas also play a major role in transmitting
tapeworm in dogs and cats.
Ticks tend to be a problem in the warmer months and commonly live in areas
of heathland, moorland and woodland, waiting to attach themselves to passing
animals. Ticks feed on your pet’s blood and can cause problems in two ways –
firstly they can cause a tissue reaction at their site of attachment and secondly
they can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Babesiosis.
Don’t let fleas and ticks make your life a misery – Please let us advise you
on the best form of flea and tick control for your pet!
Beat the heat this summer!
As we enjoy the warm sunny summer weather it’s worth sparing a thought for our four
legged friends. Here we look at a few steps you can take to keep them fit and well!
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Make sure fresh clean water is available to all pets – you may even need to
take some on walks and avoid exercise in the heat of the day – particularly
with old, overweight dogs with heart problems; stick to early mornings and
evenings

Cats are natural sun bathers, but cats with white noses and ear tips are
particularly vulnerable to sun burn and subsequent skin cancer. This risk
can be reduced by keeping them out of the sun, or by applying sunblock to
these areas during the summer months.
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Watch out also for grass seeds (awns) of the meadow grasses. They
commonly become trapped in dog’s ears – causing violent head shaking, or
may become embedded in the feet or other areas.
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Bee and wasp stings are another seasonal problem. Some pets are allergic
to their stings and may need prompt veterinary attention.
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If your pet is going into kennels this summer, don’t forget to make sure
they are up to date with their vaccinations!

Don’t forget to keep treating your pets regularly against fleas, ticks and
worms and never ever leave a pet in a car on a hot day!
Ear tip of cat showing
cancerous changes
Bees and wasps can be a
summer hazard for inquisitive
pets
If Dogs are too hot and unable to reduce
their body temperature, they will develop
heatstroke. In warm weather, heatstroke
can be caused by leaving your dog
somewhere that is too hot or by allowing it
to exercise excessively
Some signs
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to look for include
Heavy panting
A rapid pulse
Very red gum/tongue
Lethargy
Lack of co-ordination
Reluctance or inability to rise
after collapsing
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Loss of consciousness in
extreme circumstances
If your dog shows any symptoms of
heatstroke, move him/her to a shaded cool
area and ring the vet for advice
immediately. Dogs suffering from
heatstroke urgently need have their body
temperature gradually lowered:
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Immediately douse your dog
with cool (not cold) water, to
avoid shock – you could put
your dog in a shower and run
cool water over him/her, or
use a spray filled with cool
water and place your dog in
the breeze of a fan.
Let your dog drink small
amounts of cool water
Continue to douse your dog
with cool water until his/her
breathing starts to settle –
never cool your dog so much
he/she begins to shiver
Once you have cooled your dog
down you should take him/her
straight to the vets!