Senior Health Check

Boy the years fly by! It's senior health check time again and this is the third year I qualify. It's actually a very good idea to have these checks though, your people can help prevent some pretty serious health issues developing by catching any early symptoms at these visits plus how amazing is this deal with everything you get for only $99!

So if you are now in your 'golden years’ get your people to pop you into your local blue cross clinic this month to take advantage of this furrtastic deal!

……..Cotton

Winter's Coming

The days are getting shorter…and colder…winter is on its way! Make sure your humans have stocked up on pain relief for arthritis if you are older and get sore in the cold. Animals with short-hair might need a coat and heat pads in insulated kennels (for those dogs that don't get to sleep in the bed like us cats)! Keep an eye out for anti-freeze under cars - it may taste good but it can cause irreversible kidney damage and make us sick so stay away from it! Get your humans to check under their cars and clean it up if there is any there.

HUMANS! Keep us warm and dry this winter - hypothermia is no fun and can be life-threatening.

…..Cotton

Neutering Cats

Did you know a female cat can produce 15-20 kittens a year? The world is incredibly overpopulated by stray cats….those poor souls have no homes to go to, no beds to sleep in and no humans at their beck-and-call!

My human owners lead the way in responsible pet ownership and make sure that our Tiny Tigers are neutered when they leave for their new homes. Being neutered also means ovarian and testicular cancers are impossible.

Neutered pets tend to be happier, friendlier and less territorial so please make sure “your people” bring you in to talk to one of my Blue Cross Vets about this routine surgical procedure!

……..Cotton

Vaccinations

I bump into many cats and dogs here at the vet centre and I’m glad I am vaccinated as there are a few sniffles out there.

Vaccinating your pet protects them from potentially life threatening diseases such as parvo virus and kennel cough in dogs and flu and FIV (aids) in cats. Cats that fight are very susceptable catching aids from other cats through biting. A thorough vaccination programme keeps me protected against all those nastites. If you are not vaccinated, then make sure you have your owner bring you in to see one of my vets soon!

…….Cotton

Holidays

Holidays are all about relaxing right? Nothing better than a good book or a snooze outside soaking up the sunshine. Because of my pale complexion I must be very careful not to get my ears and nose sunburnt. "My humans” have a special sunblock for me called Filta Clear which means I am well protected from getting skin cancer. Human sunblock is too toxic for us animals so if you are sensitive to the sun like me then send “your people” in to your nearest Blue Cross Veterinary Centre for some animal friendly sunblock today.

I am lucky because "my staff” are available 24/7 over the holidays……I hope "your humans” have you well cared for if they are away….

…….Cotton

Christmas Time

I Loooove this time of year when the Christmas tree goes up. I have an endless supply of tinsel and toys to play with. The girls get a bit grumpy with me helping myself to the tree decorations but they never seem to stay mad too long. We have loads of pet stockings and gifts here ready for some lucky pets out there…. send your humans in to grab you one so you are not left out come Christmas Day.

We are open most days over the holidays and even when we are not, my vets come in and check on their patients. So I am lucky, I will get fed, watered and cuddled everyday. Have you got somebody looking after you if your family goes away?

Merry Christmas….

…….Cotton

School Holidays

Yay school holidays are here. I always get lots more pats from children during the school holidays who visit our Veterinary Centres with their mums and dads. The other reason I love October so much is our poem competition. if you get stuck inside on a rainy day then write a poem for our competition. I love reading them and there are great prizes for you and your school. We have also put in some other fun activities to help keep you busy. And remember Guy Fawkes is early November. We have some handy tips on the back of this pamphlet on how to keep your pet calm and safe or just come and talk to use at your local Veterinary Centre. Catch you next month.

………Cotton

Cotton saving lives

Ahhhh yes Spring is here. Gosh I do love this time of year - all the cute baby animals arriving. There’s also the gorgeous sunshine. Perfect to curl up in and have a well deserved snooze or to do a spot of bird watching (only watching of course. I’ve been told not to touch).

As you can see I’ve been busy saving lives. My people take blood from me sometimes to help another poor cat that has been seriously hurt - just like when humans need a blood transfusion. I have to take it easy for the next day or two but I do get spoilt after I give blood so it’s not all bad. Just talking about this hero stuff really takes it out of me so I might find that cosy spot in the spring sun to take a nap. Catch you next month.

……Cotton

Feeding Birds

The days are getting a little longer, which is great as I can finally play outside again and enjoy my favourite past-time of "bird watching"! I have been watching all the wax eye's snacking on Topflite's wild bird food range: cakes, truffles, pellets and logs which are berry and peanut flavoured! They also have their very own holders and feeders so you can hang them in the trees. They look really delicious - and I don't mean the birds….

I can't catch them anyway, my people here at the Blue Cross Veterinary Centre have put a collar on me that has lots of jingly bells on it, so the wax eye's can hear me coming!!

You should send your human down to your Blue Cross Veterinary Centre to check out the Topflite wildbird range but don't tell them about the awesome range of cat collars available…..it makes catching birds impossible!!

……Cotton

Senior Health Check

Boy the years fly by! It’s senior health check time again and this is the second year I qualify. It’s actually a very good idea to have these checks though, your people can help prevent some pretty serious health issues developing by catching any early symptoms at these visits plus how amazing is this deal with everything you get for only $79!

So if you are now in your ‘golden years’ get your people to pop you into your local blue cross clinic this month to take advantage of this furrtastic deal!

…….Cotton

Flea Treatment

Brrr we are starting to get some cold mornings out there!! Fortunately for me, my people here at my Blue Cross Veterinary Centre have a great winter range of snuggly beds for me to dive into. I think of it as taking them for a “test run” for you!

The cold weather does not seem to be slowing down these fleas yet though, I have a lot of friends coming in to see my vets that are itching and scratching, I hear they are taking the fleas inside and they are biting their humans too….especially the little people - they seem to like them! I am lucky here, one of my nurses gives me a Broadline spot-on flea and worm treatment so I never have to worry about those pesky parasites and my humans are protected too!!

…….Cotton

Joint Care

With winter well on its way I was noticing it was getting harder to get up in the morning. In fact, I was sleeping in so late I was almost missing my afternoon nap. I thought it was a sign of getting “more mature” but my vets have started me on some special foods that have really helped. Our new 4Cyte capsules have some cool ingredients that helps repair joint damage! And they have also put me on a Royal Canin diet. It’s really delicious as well as being super good for me and my joints. No wonder I’m feeling younger already and able to resume my daily schedule. Is that the time already? You can’t keep in top condition like me without your beauty sleep! Ciao

……..Cotton

Arthritis in Cats

Did you know that us cats get arthritis too? I see plenty of dogs coming in to get their anti-inflammatory drugs to ease their pain but often we get forgotten about because we don’t complain as loudly as those whining dogs! But as many as 1 in 3 cats may be affected.

Your human may notice you slowing down, not playing, climbing, jumping, grooming like you used to, perhaps not making it to the toilet in time and being more irritable than usual. The good news is that arthritis can be managed successfully with appropriate treatment and simple changes to your environment or diet. If you’re feeling sore then get your human to bring you in to see one of my vets about a treatment plan today! (Check out www.catswitharthritis.com)

Oh and remember - NO chocolate this Easter! - leave it for the humans, it will only make us sick….

……..Cotton

Neutering

Did you know a female cat can produce 15-20 kittens a year? The world is incredibly overpopulated by stray cats……those poor souls have no homes to go to, no beds to sleep in and no humans at their beck-and-call!

My human owners lead the way in responsible pet ownership and make sure that our Tiny Tigers are neutered when they leave here for their new homes. Being neutered also means ovarian and testicular cancers are impossible.

Neutered pets tend to be happier, friendlier and less territorial so please make sure “your people” bring you in to talk to one of my Blue Cross Vets about this routine surgical procedure!

………Cotton

Fresh Smelling Breath

I love how the team here at the Vet Centre do those extra little things to look after me. Little things like putting Aquadent in my daily drinking water which keeps my breath smelling fresh. The best part though is the dental biscuits and dental treats I get - they are sooo delicious. Did you know 70% of cats and 80% of dogs over three years old have some form of dental disease? My vets can give your teeth a scale and polish which will make your mouth feel much better and protects us from dental disease. So remind your humans that we need dental care too!

…….Cotton

Sun Block

Holidays are all about relaxing right? Nothing better than a good book or a snooze outside soaking up the sunshine. Because of my pale complexion I must be very careful not to get my ears sunburnt. “My humans” have a special sunblock for me called Filta Clear which means I am well protected from getting skin cancer. Human sunblock is too toxic for us animals so if you are sensitive to the sun like me then send “your people” in to your nearest Blue Cross Veterinary Centre for some animal friendly sunblock today.

I am lucky because “my staff” are available 24/7 over the holidays…..I hope “your humans” have you well cared for if they are away…..

……Cotton

Merry Christmas!!

These humans are really good at spoiling my fun! They say it is for my own good! They have hidden all the Christmas chocolates and lollies so I cannot get into them (apparently they can make me really sick). They have even put the Christmas tree and all that fun, sparkly tinsel out of my reach - they say it can be dangerous for me too!

I guess I should thank them really….they say that they love me lots and they just want to keep me safe and healthy. Remember that there is ALWAYS someone here with me at the Blue Cross Veterinary Centre over the holidays so make sure your human calls us on the emergency line (0800 VET 111) if you get into any trouble….we are here to help!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Cotton!!

Summer time.... Flea time.....

Ahhhh Summer is on its way!But that means those pesky fleas are back hanging around looking to cause trouble. My people just gave me my flea treatment the other day that covers me for the next three months. Even better the new Bravecto Plus kills worms too so now my humans don’t have to hide a worm pill in my food anymore. I’ve also had a few furry friends come in lately with the old summer itches but luckily my people have got them sorted pretty quick smart! So if you’re battling with an attack of the itches or those pesky fleas are bothering you, send your people down to your local Blue Cross Veterinary Centre clinic and I’ll make sure you get sorted, that way you can get those fabulous summer bodies out too!

…….Cotton

Treat for fleas

Daffodils, lambs and calves everywhere, I love spring! The birds are out chirping in the sun, oh how I love bird watching! Because we are out and about more now it is warming up, we are more likely to pick up fleas and bring them inside so remind your humans it is time for a spot-on flea treatment. If you have scratchy skin and it isn’t fleas, how about seeing one of our Blue Cross vets to get your itch sorted before summer. I love October for another reason - Poetry Competition! I can’t wait to read about and see all your amazing pets! Catch you next month.

……..Cotton

Spring is here!

Ahhh yes spring is here!  Gosh I do love this time of year - all the cute baby animals arriving.  There's also the gorgeous sunshine, perfect to curl up in and have a well deserved snooze or to do a spot of bird watching (only watching of course, I've been told not to touch).

My people here at the Veterinary Centre are very busy at the moment, out and about helping to deliver all those new fur babies that need a little assistance, but they're still very keen to help out any of you young humans if you need any advice on rearing your brand new pets!  So if you're looking for any tips on how to best care for those new found friends, make sure your big people pop down to see us at any of our clinics and we'll be only too happy to help.  Enjoy the sunshine!

........Cotton