Well, it’s been a long cold winter, and we are all enjoying a bit of Spring warmth. It’s a busy time of year for Vets for various reasons.
Cats are seasonal breeders and generally breed this time of year. Not only does this bring kittens but lots of hormonal fighting males! If you have an entire female cat, they begin to display behaviour to attract males which may include rolling on their backs screaming- often mistaken for pain!
Vets see an increase in cases of skin problems this time of year. This is due to allergies resulting from rising pollen levels. Signs of skin allergies include ear infections and irritations, chewing paws and general itchy, red skin. There are some fantastic new treatments available to help control your pets itching and it is always worth trying to find the underlying cause of the problem.
Spring is also a time to protect against ticks, a particular problem where animals pass through fields where sheep graze and fleas enjoy the extra warmth.
We also see an influx of wildlife this time of year. We are happy to take in any sick wild animals but would always urge you to call the practice before doing so, baby birds in particular are sometimes better off being left somewhere out of reach as parents may still be feeding them- we can always help advise.
Enjoy the Spring sunshine, Lucy Travers BVSc CertAVP MRCVS Highfields Vets