Worming is a treatment, not preventive. Unfortunately there isn't a preparation that will prevent re-infestation. Therefore it is advised that cats should be wormed 2-4 times per year depending on how much they go out or hunt, or if they have fleas, as these little pests carry an intermediate stage of one of the tapeworms. We can worm your cat in the surgery with a single dose tablet.

Vaccinations against 'flu and enteritis are required, both for health reasons and for boarding in reputable catteries, and should be started at the age of 9 weeks with a follow up at 12 weeks. Thereafter, annual boosters are required. In areas where there is a high density of cats we would strongly recommend vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus, which is passed on by direct contact with an infected cat. Carrier cats can look completely healthy. Unfortunately, leukaemia is not uncommon in the Southsea area.

Neutering at around 6 months will prevent unwanted kittens and possible health and social problems in the future.

We advise a spot-on preparation such as Frontline if your cat goes outside or if you are finding fleas. If you wish to prevent fleas breeding in the house you can use Program, given to your cat either monthly by mouth or as a 6-monthly injection which can be given in one of the nurse or vet clinics. If you have a lot of fleas and flea eggs in the house, Indorex household spray is effective for up to 12 months.  Cost is often an issue with these products - prescription medicines are always a bit more than over-the-counter ones, but they work and are therefore more cost-effective. Come in and talk to us about them.

Our aim is to provide a diet that encourages your cat to chew food more actively. This exercises the gums and helps remove food particles from the surface of the teeth thus reducing tartar build up. Although regular dry foods appear solid, they are finely milled and they tend to become very soft very quickly, coating the teeth with debris. There are several diet formulations on the market, so it can be very confusing. We recommend the following:

For Early Dental Disease
Hills Oral Care: Large kibble that the teeth have to penetrate deeply before they start to break up.
Waltham Dental & Digest: A similar action to Oral Care with the added sodium poplyphosphate that binds calcium therefore making it unavailable for tartar  production.
Logic Gel: A tasty gel that the cat licks from your finger. It contains gentle enzymes that will help break down the tartar.
Finger Brushes: Very effective if you have an amenable cat.

For More Advanced Disease
Hills TD Diet: this is more chewy than Oral Care and may help to break down existing tartar. HOWEVER, IN GENERAL IT IS MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE TO BOOK YOUR CAT IN FOR A DENTAL DESCALE UNDER ANAESTHETIC. The teeth will be individually examines, cleaned and polished. The mouth will then be in good shape to use some of the products above to prevent further decay.
 Free nurse clinics are available if you would like your cat's teeth checked.

YES! It gives peace of mind that, should anything happen to your pet, whether it be a road accident or an illness, your veterinary bills will be covered. Just remember it is always sensible to read the policy details first - some policies suit one person (and cat) better than another.

In general, dry food is advised as it contains less fat, salt and only moderate amounts of protein. There are now complete foods available in different flavours for each life-stage of your cat.

We recommend that you feed your cat twice a day as it is better for their digestive system, especially as they get older.

A large number of cats go missing every year. If they are found and brought to a vet, pet charity inspector or the council warden they can be scanned and traced back to you in a matter of hours. The chip is implanted by injection and this can be done during a nurse or vet clinic. We have a chip displayed on our noticeboard so that you can see what we are putting into your cat! It causes very little or no discomfort on injection, and is inert so should cause no problem at all afterwards.

Many cats in Southsea are indoor cats - we live in one of the most densely populated areas of the country, and this goes for the feline population too. "Flat cats" often remain healthier than outdoor cats as they get into fewer scrapes and pick up less disease. However, if you choose to have an indoor cat you will need to think about increased costs of litter and be prepared to spend more time playing with them so that they get enough exercise and do not get bored.

About 50% of cats are overweight! This is mainly due to lack of exercise and overeating. There are many serious health problems associated with obesity, such as heart problems, arthritis and even diabetes mellitus. If you can’t feel your cat’s ribs easily then it may be time to bring your cat to the surgery for a free weight check.