Hi Becky, I can only repeat what I have said to Rhiannon, which is work as hard as you can at your subjects. You have to aim for Science and Maths at top grades at GCSE and A level. Animal related work experience is helpful when you can get it but from my experience in practice there is always a queue of people wishing to spend more time at a vets and you would be very lucky to secure a long tby Cathy Wickenden - Veterinary Students
Hi Rhiannon That's a good start towards your goal of becoming a vet, but your grades will need to be the in the A range rather than B's or C's. You will need Sciences and Maths as your A level studies. Just keep working hard, as you clearly are, and also get as much practical experience with animals as possible. It all helps but doesn't guarantee a palce as vet school becauby Cathy Wickenden - Veterinary Students
Hi That does need talking out with your vet and you should ask why the different vaccine was given. It may have been a genuine mistake and no harm has been done. If your cats are to gain protective immunity however, they should receive a second dose against the FeLv. That said, if your cats' lifestyle is not that adventurous you may consider the risk less significant and prefer not to doby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi There is indeed a wide difference of opinion about how often a dog needs vaccinations. It also depends of what the local conditions are in terms of risk and what parts of the vaccine we are talking about. In our area there is incidence of parvovirus outbreaks, and occasionally we see leptospirosis. There is a canal running through the town, and anywhere that rats hang out is considered aby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi I think you need another discussion with your vet about this diagnosis. There are some other causes of seizures such as viral diseases, metabolic diseases or parasite problems-have these all been ruled out? If they are certain there is no other underlying cause of seizures then cats can live with primary epilepsy, it is not a painful condition and can be treated with phenobarb or other drugby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi As an elderly cat he has several problems and the most likely possibilities are either diabetes or an overactive thyroid. Has the blindness ever been given a diagnosis? The symptoms are serious and cannot be left because they will shorten his life if ignored. Only a vet diagnosis and some blood tests can help work out exactly what is causing him to lose weight whilst over eating. Treatmentby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Dawn Your cat is clearly irritated and the skin is uncomfortable. She is making it worse by overgrooming and causing self trauma. the simplest possible cause is a flea dermatitis-do you treat her against fleas regularly? She will need treatment from a vet even if you do treat for fleas and the skin irritation and soreness still continues.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Swollen eye lids is a worry and it could be myxomatosis is the only answer I can give you. There are other eye infections that will cause swelling but if its both eyes then the virus disease is more likely. You need a vet to check this.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Robert, This is a worry. Unless its an obvious cause like its really hot where you keep them which would make them breathe fast, then I think they are sick. Respiratory diseases in birds can have a variety of causes from parasites or other infectious causes. Keep their environment clean and well ventilated and provide good quality food. To diagnose the problem your best move would be to conby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Any short nosed breed or cross breed dog can be prone to making the snorty nasal reverse sneezing noises. As you say its very alarming the first few times you hear a dog doing this as they sound like they are choking-but they aren't. The noise is due to short nosed breed dogs having a relatively long soft palate which is a bit oversized for the size of the dog's pharynx-back of thby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Jessica I certainly think you should try using a lower calorie/light diet as he's a neutered cat who has been a stray and is now an indoor cat. Cats that have been strays tend to always eat as if its the last meal they will ever get-because they have previously had to grab and gobble whatever food they could find. It will be a while before he changes that style of eating and some catsby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Sorry for the delay and you may have made your decision by now. Essentially the kittens have had a form of cat flu, its really common in a stray/rescue cat population. They may have recovered for now with good care and treatment but yes they can/will carry the virus and there is a risk it could flare up at any time when they are stressed in the future. Accepting that risk, it doesnt mean tby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Kennedy A one inch hernia is quite large in my estimation, it wont stop her having puppies but I would consider it less than ideal to breed from her because she has a hernia and it is a defect. I doubt it bothers her but does it bulge out from the skin quite far? Can you gently press and it disappears inside? It could in all probability be easily surgically corrected. Its best if it isby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi That's a big list of different symptoms. As you changed food then yes there might be some related digestive upset or food allergy causing those symptoms. Did you change food because of a previous digestive upset or for another reason? A change to a bland hypoallergenic diet would be a start but I am going to say if this continued then a trip to the vet was a wise move. Many short-nosby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Lynn We have occasionally taken students with an animal studies based degree to become veterinary nurses. Unfortunately you would still have to study for at least a further 2 years for the qualification to become a veterinary nurse. I only employ nurses that study for that qualification or are already qualified VN's. My requirement is for trained nurses and veterinary surgeons. Thatby Cathy Wickenden - Veterinary Students
Hi I cant answer your question specifically and think you should ask the universities directly. Overall I do know that you need to get the highest grades possible to secure a place as the competition is quite fierce. You also need work experience with animals to prove your interest in studying veterinary medicine. Good luck.by Cathy Wickenden - Veterinary Students
Hi Elika Your Mum is right there is lots of usage of computers and complicated equipment in veterinary medicine. You do need the main science subjects for your eventual A level choices. I am not in a position to advise you about the rest of your particular subject options but if its of help I think you should consider picking your strongest subjects or those that interest you most. Good luck.by Cathy Wickenden - Veterinary Students
Hi Nicky The eyes may have an infection. What is also important is are there any other symptoms. Is your hamster active and lively, eating and pooping normally. If the answer is no or you aren't sure it would be a wise move to take you hamster for a vet check up.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Lisa Persistent anal gland infections can take a while to treat and heal and sometimes there is scarring from previous infections present which slows the healing. At the very least I would recommend very regular anal gland emptying in a case like your dog. Empting them before they fill up, and get another infection and risk of an abscess can help. If this keeps recurring and cannot be clearby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Tessa If this has continued since your post you probably know already if there were worse symptoms coming. Hamsters can become ill very quickly as their bodies require a constant source of energy from their food. If they slow or stop eating, it alone can lead to serious consequences. Hope you have taken him to a vet if any worse symptoms have developed.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Celine This has to be some kind of skin disease. If you have done the basics like good flea control and if the rash is spreading. I would advise a diagnosis and treatment from a vet. The longer you leave it the slower the skin will be to heal.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Jody I would say that a small umbilical hernia presents no serious risk to your puppies health. It needs monitoring as the puppy grows but I am sure your vet will do that when you get vaccinations. Even if surgical correction becomes necessary, fixing an umbilical hernia is a simple operation.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Monica Whilst I understand you want to avoid trauma for your cat, if there really is a risk that this is a tumour you should take your vet's advice and let them amputate the tail. I can promise you that a cat manages fine without a tail. If you dont trust your vet's judgement or the diagnosis then I can only suggest you seek a second opinion from another vet before any decision.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi What you read on the internet is correct, that it can take months for the end result of nerve damage to the bladder to be totally certain. The tail almost always remains paralysed when the damage is this extensive and most often tail amputation is needed. Bladder function can return totally, partially or not at all depending on the amount of nerve damage. Bowel function can also sometimesby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Tobie Poor you, I imagine you are haunted by these last images of your dear cat. Internally his heart was failing and stopping so blood was gradually failing to reach his brain, leading to him going unconscious. In the last stages a dying cat, that is going unconscious, may go into muscular spasms and I have known them to bite their tongue. Just as you saw him biting the blanket, your catby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi again Clive Sorry for the delay, I have been away. I dont think Sox's problem is likely to be a foreign body because his symptoms are not that of a blockage. Vomiting features much more prominently when a foreign body exists and dog's are usually very ill and depressed. if you have done the simple things I suggested and he's still got the problem, I would turn to your local vby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Thats quite a complex diet you are using. My preference would certainly be to start by ruling out food allergies by using a commercial hypoallergenic diet. Its simpler than all that preparation! There's lots on the market, made by the major pet food manufacturers and I dont have a strong preference where you start. Just be sure you pick one that says it has a single source of animal pby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hello There's lots of possibilities for this. But here's some things to consider. Does it appear to hurt him or bleed when you touch the bump? Are the rest of his teeth and gums healthy or is there a problem with his oral health generally? Is he a young dog or an older dog? If he's older then one possible cause is something called epulis which is an overgrowth of gum tissue whicby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Anne That doesnt sound good that she's passing blood. It can never be a simple problem for this to keep happening. She's quite an elderly cat so the possible causes get more serious too and are too long for me to list. I really think you should get her checked by a vet as it keeps happening.by Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
Hi Laura Sounds like you and Brutus have both been through rather a lot of trauma. I can't give a specific time frame because every case is different but in my experience it can take many weeks before you find out the full extent of recovery of function in cases similar to Brutus. Bladder and bowels nerve control are quite closely related so you should feel encouraged that at least he hby Cathy Wickenden - Ask The Vet
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