Pudsey: another in a long line of pet stars

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Posted on May 16, 2012 by Petplan

You can’t throw a stick without it being chased by a talented animal these days. Pudsey from Britain’s Got Talent is yet more proof… In the last year we’ve seen pets pick up various accolades for their work in entertainment … Read more >

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Pyometra: what to look out for

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Posted on May 11, 2012 by Petplan
Pyometra_crop_lowres

Continuing on a reproductive theme, vet Marc Abraham looks at an extremely common life-threatening condition that affects unspayed female dogs, yet is easily preventable

Pyometra – literally ‘pus in the womb’ – presents with a range of signs, from the obvious (thick creamy pus discharging from the vulva) to the subtle (loss of appetite) Read more >

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Toilet train your rabbit today

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Posted on May 8, 2012 by Petplan

Q: Can I train my granddaughters’ rabbit? She won’t use the plastic tray that we bought. We don’t want her to be uncomfortable in a wet hutch.

A: Rabbits are generally very clean pets and will naturally choose one spot in their hutch to go to the toilet. Watch your rabbit over a number of days and you’ll see which spot she’s chosen, then place the litter Read more >

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The dangers of ‘hidden’ testicles

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Posted on May 4, 2012 by Petplan
Dog breeds such as the Boxer are particularly prone to cryptorchidism

Following on from last week’s piece on pet neutering, vet Marc Abraham discusses the important topic of cryptorchidism – a condition that can lead to all sorts of complications in male cats and dogs

It’s important to recognise if your pet’s ‘bits’ look different to other pets, as these differences can lead to serious life-threatening conditions.

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Video: an amazing real-life recovery story

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Posted on April 30, 2012 by Petplan

Sue Millard will never forget the distraught call from her daughter Rebecca, on 6 August last year, after her beautiful Collie-Spaniel cross Ben suffered a 35-foot fall. Here is the story of his amazing recovery back to health. From the current edition of PetPeople magazine.

‘My daughter had been out walking on a forestry road when Ben went through a hole in a fence and over a sheer drop. His injuries were so bad that he’d been rushed to the hospital.’

Looking back, Sue admits that the next few days were a blur for the whole family: ‘Ben was in such a state – it was touch and go whether they could save him. None of us got much sleep. We cried so much – we thought we’d lose him. Read more >

Posted in PetPeople magazine archive, Petplan customer stories | Tagged , , , |

Neutering: behind the scenes

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Posted on April 27, 2012 by Petplan
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Having our pets neutered is highly recommended by most vets – but what actually happens to our four-legged friends when they have the operation? Vet Marc Abraham explains all

Neutering is an important part of responsible pet ownership: it not only stops your pet having unwanted litters, but also prevents potential behavioural, medical and surgical problems such as breast cancer. It’s also the perfect opportunity to get your pet microchipped. Read more >

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Spraying: everything you need to know

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Posted on April 23, 2012 by Petplan
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Spraying is usually done by cats to mark their territory. But if your cat is spraying inside your home, or excessively, it could be anxious. Here’s what to do about it… From the current issue of PetPeople magazine.

What is?
Spraying is normal behaviour for cats, but is a problem when it occurs in the home. Scent is incredibly important to cats. Read more >

Posted in Behaviour problems, PetPeople magazine archive | Tagged , , , |

What pet owners should know about lumps

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Posted on April 20, 2012 by Petplan
Marc Abraham & puppy_lowres

Finding a mysterious lump on your pet can be a real worry – and while most turn out to be harmless, you should always take the precaution of a veterinary checkup, says vet Marc Abraham Read more >

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Customer story: dealing with diabetes

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Posted on April 16, 2012 by Petplan
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Weeks after getting her characterful cat Horace, Janet Parnell discovered he had diabetes. Luckily, a Petplan Covered for Life policy means Horace gets all the treatment he deserves. From the current issue of PetPeople magazine.

The moment she spotted Horace on The Blue Cross website, Janet Parnell knew he was the cat for her. ‘It was love at first sight,’ she says.

However, within a few weeks of starting his new life, Janet and husband David became concerned that Horace was drinking excessively, sleeping a lot and not grooming. Read more >

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Springtime dangers for pets: what you need to know

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Posted on April 13, 2012 by Petplan
The daffodil is the quintessential spring flower, but it – and the bulb in particular – is harmful to pets, so keep dogs and cats away

With the sunnier and longer days of spring, many of us will be spending more time outdoors – as will our cats and dogs. But did you know that our gardens harbour an array of pet health hazards? Vet Marc Abraham explains

Spring has now sprung – and while April showers and hosepipe bans make easy distractions for pet owners, it’s now time to put our four-legged friends’ health and happiness first

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