Complimentary Meet & Greet
All new pets are invited to attend a complimentary Meet & Greet visit with one of our nurses. This is a stress-free visit to explore our reception area and consult rooms, and meet some of our team, ensuring their first experience in our clinic is a positive one. Please ensure to bring along any medical records you have so that our nurse can review them and ensure your pet is up to date with all their preventative healthcare needs.
Parasite Treatment and Prevention
Parasite treatment is important for both the animal and human members of your family. What parasites do we treat for?
- Worms can affect growth and development of young animals, and cause digestive problems in older animals. Certain types of worms can also be transmitted to and cause health problems in people, particularly young children.
- Fleas can infest the coats of dogs and cats causing itchy bites and allergic skin reactions, as well as transmitting tapeworm larvae. They can cause very uncomfortable bites on people as well. Thanks to central heating, they can live in your home year-round, particularly in areas like bedding, furniture, and floor crevices.
- Ticks are often thought of as a seasonal concern, but due to the mild Irish climate, peak tick season here is long, lasting from April through October. Ticks can bite both pets and humans, and transmit potentially serious infections like Lyme’s disease.
- Our Pawsitive Pet Health Plan includes year-round parasite cover for your dog or cat. Click here for more information!
Vaccinations for dogs, cats, rabbits, and ferrets
What do we vaccinate against?
Dogs - Core vaccination protects against:
- Parvovirus
- Distemper virus
- Adenovirus
- Leptospirosis
We also recommend the Kennel Cough vaccine, which covers Parainfluenza virus and Bordetella.
Cats - Core vaccination protects against:
- Calicivirus
- Herpesvirus (cat flu)
- Panleukopaenia virus (similar to Parvo in dogs)
We also recommend vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), especially for outdoor cats.
Rabbits:
- Myxomatosis
- Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) 1 & 2
This is especially recommended for rabbits who spend time outdoors.
Ferrets:
Primary and Annual Vaccinations for dogs and cats are included at discounted rates in our Pawsitive Pets Health Plan – more details here!
Microchipping
According to Irish law, all dogs must be microchipped and registered with a recognised database by 12 weeks of age, or before any sale or change in ownership.
There is no legal requirement for cats to be microchipped, however we recommend microchipping for all dogs and cats to maximise the chance of being re-united should your pet ever become lost or stolen
What is a microchip and how does it work?
- A standard microchip is approximately the size of a grain of rice, inserted by injection under the skin (like a vaccine)
- Smaller microchips are available for cats and very small dogs
- Should your pet ever get lost, the finder can bring them to any vet or rescue who can scan the microchip number. This number can be entered into a database search to pull up your contact information - this is especially important if they happen to need medical attention.
- A microchip is only as good as the registration information! Don’t forget to update your pet’s registration anytime you move house or change your phone number.
Dentistry including dental x-ray
Dentistry is an essential part of preventative healthcare, with up to 80% of dogs and cats suffering from some degree of dental or gum disease by 3 years of age.
- We offer preventative aids including enzymatic toothpaste, soft toothbrushes, and supplements designed to help soften and reduce tartar
- For those with more advanced dental disease, we offer a cleaning (descaling) and polishing package (with a 10% discount if your pet is on our Pawsitive Pets Health Plan!), dental x-rays, and extractions if needed.
- Rabbits can suffer with dental problems too! Their teeth are constantly growing, and need to be worn down with lots of chewing to prevent overgrowth and sharp edges. The best prevention is ensuring they have a good diet with plenty of hay. For those who do have overgrowth or malocclusion, regular dentistry is important to help prevent oral pain, infection, and knock-on problems like gut stasis.
Laser Therapy
Laser is a non-invasive, non-painful, non-pharmaceutical treatment option. Also known as a ‘cold’ laser, therapeutic lasers emit specific wavelengths and frequencies of light to target a variety of tissues. This has been shown to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling, as well as improve circulation and speed healing.
Depending on the type and severity of your pet’s condition, it can be used on its own or alongside a wide variety of other treatments. It is a great option for pets who
- Just starting to develop symptoms of arthritis
- Are still showing signs of discomfort despite receiving pain medication
- Experience significant side effects from pain medication
- Have limited medication options due to other health conditions (e.g. kidney or liver disease, recent gastrointestinal surgery)
What can Laser Therapy be used for?
- Arthritis
- Cruciate Ligament injuries
- Muscle and tendon injuries
- Pain and inflammation caused by hip or elbow dysplasia
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (aka ‘Slipped Discs’)
- Post-surgical pain and healing
- Traumatic Wounds
- Bone fractures
- Pancreatitis
- Lick Granulomas (aka ‘Hot-spots’)
- Burn wounds
- Otitis
- Gingivitis
- Feline asthma
How long does it take and when can I expect to see results?
This depends on your pet’s condition. Sessions can take anywhere from 15-45 minutes, depending on the temperament of your pet and the size of the area that needs to be treated.
The number and frequency of sessions will also vary. For example, for treatment of wounds or acute injuries, sessions may initially be recommended as often as every day. For major flare-ups or first-time treatment of arthritis, we offer an induction package of twice weekly sessions for 5 weeks. This can then be followed up with our maintenance package of 4 weekly sessions on an as needed basis.
Most patients experience improvement within the first 2-3 sessions, but for more severe or long-standing problems it can take a little bit longer. It can take a couple of weeks to see maximum results. Patients with chronic issues like arthritis may benefit from ongoing treatment.
Hip and elbow dysplasia screening
Screening for hip and elbow dysplasia.
Behaviour management
Advice and support on behaviour management.
Veterinary Exclusive Life Stage diets
Advice on food and nutrition for each life stage of your pet.