Neutering
The decision of whether to neuter your
pet dog is often one that can cause some
neutered earlier but we would advise you
help to minimise post op pain. They also
consult our vets or nurses about this
generally relax the animal and help to
before booking in.
ensure they aren't too stressed.
On administration of the anaesthetic
owners anxiety.
In most cases there are compelling health
as well as behavioural benefits that mean
neutering is advisable. However it is a
If the decision is made to neuter (spay-
(usually by injection into a catheter
bitches, castrate- dogs) then your pet will
placed in a leg vein) the nurse will then
receive the following care at our surgery:
give your pet a further pain killing
injection, and the operation will be carried
decision that should be made on an
individual basis so please feel free to talk
to our vets and nurses about this topic.
In general, we advise allowing bitches to
have their first season. This allows the
urinary and genital systems to mature.
Spaying before the first season can lead to
increased incidence of post-op urinary
incontinence in some breeds.
We generally also advise castration for
males dogs at between 10 and 12 months.
If there are compelling reasons to operate
before these times, both sexes can be
Firstly, one of our vet nurses will admit
out .
your pet and go over any health concerns
The level of anaesthesia is constantly
with you. At this time you will be offered
monitored both before the surgery starts
the opportunity to have a pre-operative
(during clipping and preparation of the
blood test carried out on your pet which
skin), during the surgery and throughout
can help to rule out some rare but
recovery.
potentially serious internal problems that
vet/nurse taking heart rate, respiratory
could affect the safety of anaesthesia.
rate
Then they will be weighed and taken to
Anaesthetics are monitored and recorded
their kennel, where they will receive a
for all surgery.
premedication injection which usually
Once the operation is complete your pet
combines a sedative drug with a potent
will be placed back in their kennel and
painkiller- these premeds reduce the
continually monitored by our nurses until
amount of anaesthetic we need to use and
they have recovered consciousness-then
This is achieved by the
and
checking
circulation.
they are checked regularly to ensure they
weight checks with our nurses which can
are settled and comfortable. When ready
be continued for as long as is necessary.
they will be offered some light feeding
and some water.
When they are ready to be discharged a
Nurse appointments
nurse or vet will speak to you about the
Monday 4pm – 5.20pm
aftercare of your pet, and explain how to
Tuesday 9am – 11.50pm
administer the post-op pain relief. We
Wednesday 5pm-6.40pm
usually supply buster collars to help
Friday 9am – 11.50pm
DALBLAIR VETERINARY
SURGERY
52/54 DALBLAIR RD.
AYR KA7 1UQ
TELEPHONE 01292 263744/264778
HUNTER STREET, PRESTWICK
01292477082
prevent licking at the wound and the
infections and damage that that can
Vet appointments Ayr
cause.
Monday – Friday
Next we will arrange a wound check 3-4
9am - 12pm
days post op and then stitch removal
2pm – 7pm
usually around 10 days post op.
Saturday 9am – 12pm
At any time in between these
appointments our vets and nurses will be
Prestwick
happy to speak to you by phone or in the
9.30am – 11am
surgery if you have any concerns at all.
2pm – 4pm
As neutered animals can potentially put
5.30pm - 7pm (excluding Tuesday’s)
on weight if the diet is not tailored
correctly, we then offer free monthly
Neutering Your Dog
It is fairly common for your pet to become
Worms
Fleas
infected with a parasite at some point in their
Worms are parasites that live inside the body
Fleas are a common parasite of dogs, cats and
lifetime. Some parasites can even infect and
of an animal albeit different body cavities.
small mammals. Fleas live on your pets skin and
transmit diseases to you and your family,
Dogs and cats of any age can be infected
hair and feed on their blood by biting. They start
especially children.
with worms, some can even pose a risk to
to produce eggs 24 hours after their first blood
humans.
meal and can produce up to 50 eggs per day!

Roundworms – adults are found in
Fleas can also pass tapeworm onto your pet if
the intestines, these worms can be
they accidentally ingest a flea while grooming.
Tips to protect your pet and family
 Wash your hands after stroking your pet
 Wash your hands after exposure to soil,
gardening, sandpits, litter trays and raw
passed to humans and can cause eye
meat
damage, blindness and epilepsy,
 Clean out litter trays daily
 Supervise infants on the floor and don’t

Flea life cycle

Adult fleas – fleas hatch from the pupae
children are especially at risk
into the environment and jump onto your
Hookworms – adults are found in the
pet

allow them to eat food that has dropped
intestines, hookworms are commonly
on the ground
seen with kennel dogs
first feed, these eggs fall off into the
Lungworms – live in the lungs of
environment wherever your pet goes
 Dispose of animal faeces – use poo bags

and dispose of in the poo bins
 Cover sandpits from wildlife/cats/strays
dogs


Female fleas lay 50 eggs per day after her
Eggs hatch into larvae which move away
Tapeworms – live in the intestines, if
from light down into dark areas such as
humans are infected it can cause cysts
carpet pile or gaps between floorboards
on the liver and spleen.

Flea pupae – larvae spin a cocoon to
Pets can be infected by these worms by
become pupae – the pupae are not killed
picking up eggs and larvae from the
by any insecticidal products! Cycle starts
environment by ingesting soil, faecal
over again!
matter ,rodents,slugs,snails and raw meat.
Puppies and kittens can be infected via
the mothers womb or her milk.
Ticks
Ticks attach to dogs and cats when they come
Each pet is different and individual prevention
into contact with them outside, usually in
plans should be thought about for each pet, these
woodlands and long grassy areas. They are
will depend on many factors including the
temporary blood sucking parasites.
environment your pet lives in
They tend to be more of a problem March – June

Kennel dog?
and then August – November, however climate

Lots of time spent outdoors?
change is tending to extend seasonal activity.

Co-habits with other animals?
Ticks can transmit tick borne diseases such as

House cat?
lymes disease, bacteria, viruses and other

Outdoor cat?
parasite infections. The ticks can be removed

Visit catteries regularly?
using a tick hook.

Children in the home?
Beware ticks can also attach and feed from

Age?
humans!
DALBLAIR VETERINARY
SURGERY
52/54 DALBLAIR RD.
AYR KA7 1UQ
TELEPHONE 01292 263744/264778
HUNTER STREET, PRESTWICK
01292477082
Please feel free to come and discuss any aspect
of parasites or preventative treatments with one
of our Veterinary Nurses
Nurse appointments - Ayr
Monday 4pm – 5.30pm
Tuesday 9am – 12pm
Wednesday 5pm -7pm
Friday 9am – 12pm
Prestwick - Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
9am-2pm
PARASITES AND YOUR PET
We offer nurse appointments at the
following times -
All our Veterinary Nurses are fully qualified with
Clinic’s available
years of experience and knowledge.
We are happy to discuss any aspect of
preventative health care for your pet the
Ayr Surgery
Angela our Head Veterinary Nurse has gained her Pet
Monday 4pm – 5.30pm
Arthritis Councillor training so has a special interest
in helping you with your arthritic pets, whether its
Tuesday 9am – 12pm
discussing exercise, weight, diet, supplements,
bedding and ways you can change your pets lifestyle
to help with their condition.
Prestwick Surgery
Weight clinics
We offer weight checks to either monitor your
pet’s weight or to help your pet lose weight. We
can discuss diet, feeding and nutrition to help
Wednesday 5pm-7pm
Friday 9am – 12pm
following are FREE –
Rachael is qualified in companion animal behaviour,
you find the best food for your pet. We usually
she is based at our Prestwick branch and is happy to
see you and your pet on a monthly basis to weigh
help you with any aspect of behaviour issues you
and measure your pet’s chest and waist! These
may have with your pet, whether this be a telephone
clinics are available for dogs, cats and rabbits.
call or an appointment at the surgery with your pet.
Dental clinics
Linsay has a special interest in preventative health
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9am -
care, including dental care, she can advise you on
2pm
ways to help look after your pet’s teeth.
We can check your pet’s teeth for any problems
and show you how to brush their teeth and let
you know about the best toothpastes, brushes,
Puppy Parties
Tuesdays 5.30pm – 6.30pm at our
Prestwick Surgery
(If you cannot make these times please enquire
as we may be able to accommodate you at
another time)
Lesley is our clinical coach who trains our student
mouthwashes and diets suitable for your pet. We
veterinary nurses in all aspects of nursing; she also
may need to refer your pet to the Vet if anything
enjoys working with clients to help their pets to
concerning arises from the oral exam.
lose weight.
Behaviour appointments
Puppy 6 month checks
All our nurses can help you with basic behaviour
We routinely send out a reminder for you to
issues however it may be best to see Rachael our
bring your dog along to the surgery for their six
Behaviourist for more complex cases.
month puppy check, this is a good time to check
your puppy’s teeth to see if all the adult ones are
through, discuss tooth brushing, flea and worm
Senior Clinics
treatments, insurance, microchipping and
If you have an older pet and would like advise on
neutering, this may be especially helpful if you
lifestyle, diet, dental care or just want to keep an
have never had a dog before or have not had a
eye on their weight we are happy to see you.
young dog for a long time.
Nutrition advice
Rabbit/Guinea pig Care
We can advise you on the correct nutrition for
We are also happy to see you and your rabbit or
your pet’s life stage and lifestyle
guinea pig for weight checks, to discuss the best
diet, treats and accommodation for them and
Parasite advice
anything else we can help with.
We can discuss preventative parasite control and
apply your chosen product for you.
We also offer appointments for –
Puppy weight and worm appointments
We see your puppy monthly until 6 months old
Clip nails
for weight checks and to dispense wormers, we
Empty anal glands
can answer any questions you have at these
Microchipping
appointments too, whither it be toilet training or
feeding issues.
DALBLAIR VETERINARY
SURGERY
52/54 DALBLAIR RD.
AYR KA7 1UQ
TELEPHONE 01292 263744/264778
HUNTER STREET, PRESTWICK
01292477082
Nurse clinics and appointments
Indoor rabbit
Companionship
attention. The average lifespan of a rabbit is 6-
Indoor cages and runs are available in variety of
Rabbits are social animals and ideally you
10 years and in general the medium to larger
sizes, but ideally should allow your bunny to
should have more than one, however it is
breed rabbits live longer than the dwarf varieties.
stand on his hind legs and be able to hop 3-4
difficult to introduce two rabbits from different
hops in each direction. If your rabbit gets out
litters or two adult rabbits so ideally litter mates
around the house you will need to bunny proof
should be homed in pairs and neutered before
the room as they may like to chew wires, carpets
sexual maturity, this is around 6 months of age.
Rabbits can either live outside in a hutch or
and furniture! Shredded paper can be used as
Two non litter mate females may tolerate each
inside the home in in-door cages.
bedding.
other if neutered but males tend to fight,
Rabbits are relatively easy to care for but like all
pets they require proper healthcare and
Housing
neutering may help but is often unsuccessful.
Outdoor rabbit
Indoor and outdoor rabbits can be litter trained,
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs do not make good
put the litter tray in the corner of the hutch or
companions and it is not recommended they live
The outdoor rabbit should be housed in a large
cage and place some of his faeces in the tray,
together as they have different nutritional needs
hutch, ideally large enough for your bunny to
he will quickly learn to use it. For the litter tray
and the rabbits tend to bully the guinea pigs.
stand on his hind legs and hop at least 3-4 hops
you can use newspaper or paper based litter –
in any direction. Obviously the more rabbits you
avoid fullers earth products as this can be
have the larger the area they need to live in.
harmful if ingested by the bunny.
Make sure the hutch is secure and safe from
You should clean out your rabbit’s hutch or cage
Rabbits like to play so having boxes, pipes and
predators. The hutch should have an enclosed
at least once or twice a week and remove any
tunnels for them to run through/hide in is a good
area for sleeping and a larger area for during the
soiled bedding on a daily basis. You can use a
idea. You can get toys like balls, willow balls and
day. The hutch should have a secure run, ideally
dilute disinfectant to clean the hutch or cage.
even toilet roll tubes! Hide some vegetables
onto a grassed area. Bedding for outdoor rabbits
Exercise and play
among the hay for them to forage.
is usually barley straw, hay or dust free wood
chippings. Keep the hutch dry and well
ventilated.
Handling
Fresh water should be available at all times.
You have to handle rabbits with care as they have
very fragile spines. Pick up your rabbit by grasping
Good foods
the loose skin on the back of the neck with one hand
while supporting the back end with the other hand
Broccoli, cabbage, chicory, parsley, watercress, basil,
scoop up the rabbit and keep him close to your body
kale, carrot tops, apple(no pips), asparagus, banana,
to make him feel secure. Never pick them up by the
brussels, cucumber, mint, red lettuce, red cabbage.
ears!
You should check your rabbit every day for signs of ill
DALBLAIR VETERINARY
SURGERY
52/54 DALBLAIR RD.
AYR KA7 1UQ
TELEPHONE 01292 263744/264778
HUNTER STREET, PRESTWICK
01292477082
Bad foods
health. Check the eyes and nose for any discharge,
feel the body to make sure he is not thin and his back
Apple pips, potatoes, tomatoes leaves, beans,
bone is not prominent. Check around his bottom for
iceberg lettuce.
any caked on faeces – if left, especially in the
summer this can cause fly strike.
Check the coat for signs of fleas or mites. Check his
teeth to make sure they are not over grown.
If you notice any signs of ill health make an
appointment with the Vet.
Feeding
Rabbits need high levels of both digestible and
indigestible fibre. The digestible fibre comes out as
sticky soft poo which the rabbit eats so he can digest
it twice! Muesli style diets are not recommended as
rabbits tend to selective feed and don’t get all the
correct nutrition they need. Pellet style diets are
recommended as they can not selective feed as all
the pellets are the same. Fresh good quality timothy
hay should make up the bulk of their diet along with
green vegetables.
Rabbit care guide
Housing
the same place so they should quickly learn to use it.
Neutering
Rabbits can either live outside in a hutch with a run or
You can line the tray with newspaper or paper based
Routine neutering is recommended as it should make
in the house in in-door cages.
litter. Avoid fullers earth products as these are
both sexes calmer and less aggressive. This can be
harmful if eaten by the rabbit.
done from 5 or 6 month of age. In the female
Outside rabbits
The litter tray also makes cleaning out the soiled
neutering will prevent uterine cancer, unwanted
Hutches should be large enough for the rabbit to
bedding much easier.
pregnancy and false pregnancies. In the male it can
stand up on his hind legs and hop at least 3-4 hops in
You should clean out soiled bedding daily and clean
reduce spraying and will prevent testicular cancer.
each direction, obviously the more rabbits you have
out the full cage once a week. You can use a dilute
Neutered rabbits can be prone to obesity.
the bigger the hutch required. Make sure the hutch is
disinfectant to clean the hutch and tray.
Vaccination
secure and safe from predators. There should also
be a run, ideally onto a grassed area. The hutch
Companionship
You should vaccinate your rabbit against
should have an enclosed area for sleeping and a
Rabbits are social animals and ideally should have
Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease
larger area for during the day. Ideal bedding would be
more than one. Rabbits from the same litter usually
(VHD). Myxo is spread by blood sucking insects like
hay, barley straw or dust free wood chippings. Keep
get one well. Unrelated females usually tolerate each
fleas and mosquitoes. VHD is spread by direct
the hutch dry and well ventilated.
other but unrelated males and likely to fight.
contact between domestic or wild rabbits but can be
Neutering may help in these situations. Never house
spread by indirect contact like such as from people,
Indoor rabbit
rabbits and guinea pigs together as they are likely to
clothes ,shoes or fleas. Both disease can be fatal if
In door cages and runs are available. The same size
fight. The rabbits should also ideally be of the same
contracted.
applies as for the outdoor hutch. If the rabbit gets out
size and breed.
Insurance
and about in the house you will need to rabbit proof
your home! Rabbits may like to chew electrical wires,
Exercise and play
You are best to get insurance for your rabbit. Rabbits
furniture and carpets. Also watch laminate flooring as
Rabbits like to play so having toys, boxes , pipes,
can get many health problems and may need regular
they could slip and hurt themselves. Bedding for
tunnels, willow balls with treats inside or even toilet
visits to see the Vet.
indoor cages could be soft towels or shredded paper.
roll tubes will give your rabbit stimulation and hours of
play. Encourage your rabbit to forage by hiding food
Litter trays
Rabbits are very easily litter trained. You can litter
train an indoor or outdoor rabbit. Place the litter tray
in the corner of their cage; place some of his soiled
bedding/droppings in to the tray. They like to toilet in
or his favourite vegetables in his hay.