Advice & Information
Download Leaflets
The Blue Cross has set up a website containing loads of useful information for pet owners, and have given us permission to link to their comprehensive 
collection of free leaflets:
To view or download each leaflet, simply click on the title to be taken directly to the download area of www.allaboutpets.org.uk, the Blue Cross' dedicated pet care website.
Select from the leaflets below:
Choosing the right dog - Caring for your puppy
- Caring for your adult dog
- Caring for the older dog
- Time to say goodbye
- Basic health care
- Staying in shape
- Getting back in shape
- Hidden Danger
- Basic first aid
- Caring for your sick dog
- Skin and ear care
- Coping with cancer
- Dogs and human health
- House training an adult dog
- Training
- Socialising
- Introducing your dog to the family
- Chewing, and how to control it
- Alone at home
- Nervous dogs
- Moving and travelling with dogs
Download the complete series here!
Each month we intend to put a number of popular questions to our vets relating to general pet health and care. Whilst in no way intended to replace a professional diagnosis, we hope that the information and advice provided on these pages are useful. There is also a number of excellent fact sheets created by the Blue Cross pet charity, to the right of this page.
Dog Questions:
Weight Control
The tendency to become overweight in pets is so far not as much of a concern as it is in the human population but there has definately been a steady rise in the number of dogs who are above their average mean breed weight over recent years.
Obesity in dogs and cats can lead to heart disease, diabetes and arthritis but with summer around the corner, overweight dogs will especially struggle to exercise in the heat. It is also important to keep all long-haired or thick coated pets trimmed as short as possible. Dogs and cats can only sweat through their pads or loose heat via evaporation through panting. If your pet is overweight and has to pant excessively to try to lose heat then the laryngeal area of the the throat can swell leading to respiratory distress and heat stroke.
If you have any concerns regarding your pets weight please talk to one of our vets or make an appointment with our dedicated nursing team for the free weight management clinics. We can discuss the extensive range of options to aid weight reduction and hence increase enjoyment, good health and longevity.
More Questions:
Why should I vaccinate my dog?
How often should I have it vaccinated?
What diseases does the vaccination guard against?
What is a microchip and should I get one for my dog?
What are worms and how can I tell if my dog has them?
How can I tell if my dog has fleas?
If I find fleas, how can I treat them?
Are ticks a problem in South Wiltshire?
How can I stop my dog from barking at the postman?
My dog thinks it’s the boss – how can I reassert my role as “top dog” in the household?
How often should I take my dog for a check up?
Our dog has been examined once. Why do we have to have the problem checked again?
My dog’s breath smells. What could cause this?