Dogs

Spaying and neutering

It is usually between eight and sixteen months that a bitch is running for the first time. If you wish to breed with your dog, it is possible from the third heat or from two years for breeds that only run once a year.
If you do not wish to breed, it is advisable to sterilize bitches for the following reasons; during the course of time, females change and attract males. During this period they also lose blood and walk away more easily. Non-sterilized bitches have a much higher risk of developing mammary gland tumors. At a higher age, the uterus of a non-sterilized bitch can become inflamed. They must then be operated urgently and this operation is sometimes very risky given the age and often bad condition of the dog.

Sterilization also has side effects, for example; there is a reduction in the basal metabolic rate, as a result of which you give preventive only ¾ of the normal amount of food. Otherwise the bitch can increase in weight. In some bitches, especially in large breeds, it is possible that urinary incontinence occurs due to the reduced hormonal level. There are treatments to remedy this. It is important for you to know that the incontinence rate is much lower for sterilized bitches than the percentage of mammary gland tumors and uterine inflammations in non-sterilized bitches.

Castration of the dog

Your dog can be spayed or neutered from the age of 6 months.
Castration of your dog can be considered if your dog is aggressive to other males, your dog runs away more often or for other medical reasons such as tumors and abnormalities of testes.
By a castration, your dog usually becomes calmer but it will not completely change his character. You will only experience the effect of castration after a few weeks.
During a castration, the testicles are removed and the most important production of male hormones is stopped. There is still a quantity of these hormones in the body so they can continue to exercise for some time. For an appointment or more information about your dog's castration, you can always contact us by phone.

The operation

In both a castration and a sterilization it is important to give your dog no food 12 hours in advance. This is important in connection with anesthesia, otherwise your pet may vomit and this can cause complications.
Castration and sterilization are done under general anesthesia. This means that the veterinarians must properly assess the condition of your dog beforehand.

At Vetocambre we have three check-up options from which you can choose.

• Check up 1 is a general clinical check of your pet.
• Check up 2 is a general clinical check, urine analysis and blood analysis.
• Check up 3 is a general clinical check, urine analysis, blood analysis, ultrasound and Xray.

In these check-ups, the blood levels of your dog are checked to ensure that the liver and kidneys function normally and can effectively eliminate the anesthetic agent. Protein levels provide information about the binding with the anesthetics.
The blood is also checked for signs of hormonal disease, diabetes, infection or inflammation. The echo and Xray are important to look at the size and shape of the organs; heart, lungs and kidneys. Depending on the results, the risks of the intervention are estimated.
Especially in dogs with an older age or a previous history it is very important that a check-up is done.
 
The dog comes sober in the morning (12 hours no more food, drinking allowed to stand). Normally you can pick up your dog between 16.00 and 17.00.

The surgery itself

Vetocambre has two operating rooms and three operating tables.
Both operating rooms have high quality monitors and materials to ensure that the operations run as smoothly as possible. For maintenance anesthesia we work with isoflurane, a very safe anesthetic gas that ensures that patients wake up quickly.
During the narcosis, specialized devices such as a capnograph and a pulse oximeter ensure careful monitoring. All patients also receive an intravenous catheter and they wake up quietly in the recovery that is specially equipped for this. We attach great importance to the prevention of postoperative pains.

The ovaries are removed by bitches through an incision on the stomach. Only when we notice that the uterus does not look healthy anymore (filled with fluids, cysts, ...) will it be removed. Then the belly is sealed in 3 layers. First the abdominal muscles then the subcutis and then the skin.
In male dogs the testicles are removed via an incision just before the ball bag. This wound is also attached. After 10 days there is a check visit. Here the wires are removed and it is checked if everything is in order with your pet.

For an appointment or additional information regarding sterilization or castration you can contact us

Vaccinations

When vaccinated, a bit of a weakened pathogen is injected into your pet. This ensures that your dog can build up immunity against this disease. If your dog later becomes infected with this disease, he will hardly get any symptoms. His immune system will recognize the disease and your dog is protected against this pathogen.
Thanks to the vaccinations, there are diseases that almost no longer occur in Belgium. Yet they remain extremely important, because stopping vaccination can ensure a very rapid return of these diseases.
Puppies are protected in the first weeks by the antibodies through breast milk. This maternal immunity disappears after 5 to 15 weeks. Puppies of this age are therefore very sensitive. Before you decide to buy a puppy, it is also very wise to get well informed.

Different vaccination schedules are possible for puppies. Everything depends on the environment where the puppy is born. The first vaccinations are usually given at 8-9 weeks.
If you have any questions about this, please make an appointment for this.

For adult dogs, it is important to have at least an annual check-up, to keep up with the vaccinations and to check the general state of health. Against which diseases can dogs be vaccinated?

Carré or Distemper disease

Carré's disease is caused by a virus that can cause inflammation of the nose, airways, lungs, stomach and intestines. The virus is closely related to the measles virus. It is easily spread by direct contact with infected dogs. The virus is present in secretions from the nose and eyes, which easily form particles in the air. Infected dogs that survive the infection can continue to excrete the virus for months. Contamination occurs very quickly in a group of dogs, such as kennels and dog shows. Vaccination is therefore mandatory in such circumstances. As with viral hepatitis in dogs, the introduction of an infected puppy, possibly from a bread breeder without a license, is the most common cause of an outbreak of distemper. Outbreaks can also occur in asylum. Fever, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, pneumonia are common symptoms, but neurological problems can also occur. Dogs and ferrets can die of the disease in the worst case. Depending on the environment in which the puppy is, it is possible to vaccinate against this disease from 6 weeks onwards.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a contagious liver disease. This virus causes viral hepatitis that can make dogs of all ages ill. However, it is young dogs that are most sensitive.
The virus is excreted and spread via the saliva, the feces and for a very long time also via the urine.
The symptoms are not always easy to recognize, among other fever, to a very severe inflammation of the liver. If it is detected and treated at an early stage, healing is possible. But once the liver is inflamed, the fever runs high and can be fatal. In young dogs it can even cause a very sudden death. Hepatitis is not always easy to detect. For example, the symptoms may initially closely resemble those of Carré's disease.

Parvovirus

Parvo is a highly contagious disease known to dogs since the 1980s. It is a virus that spreads quickly through the feces and vomit of dogs. It belongs to one of the most resistant viruses and can only be controlled with highly aggressive disinfectants.
All dogs are sensitive to this virus. Yet it is more common in young dogs up to an age of 1 year. At first the dog will become restless, followed by not wanting to eat. Afterwards, vomiting will occur, the dog will not keep anything inside and blood can come along with the vomit. The dog will also suffer from water-thin bloody diarrhea. Because of the many vomiting and the severe diarrhea, the dog has a high risk of dehydration. It is also often accompanied by a high fever. This disease is often fatal for puppies and weakened animals. Vaccination can be from six weeks.

Leptospirosis or Weil's disease

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis, which means that the disease is transmissible to humans. The germ is a type of bacterium and the contamination takes place via contact with the urine. Infected animals, and therefore also dogs, can act as a reservoir and excrete the bacteria via the urine. The leptospires can survive for a while in the environment. An important source of infection is the excretion via the urine of rats. Contamination can also occur through direct contact via bite wounds or eating a cadaver. After infection, the bacterium spreads via the bloodstream. The bacteria can settle in different organs that then function worse. Especially the liver and kidneys are sensitive. First the dogs refuse to eat, they become drowsy and have a fever. Then they get jaundice, they break and have diarrhea that makes them lose weight. Dogs should be vaccinated against this germ at least once a year.

Kennel cough

Kennel cough is a disease that is often caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria. Kennel cough in the dog is an infectious infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, trachea). The name kennel cough suggests that it only occurs in kennels, but that is not correct. Every dog ​​that comes into contact with other dogs can get kennel cough. It is characterized by a dry cough and can sometimes be quite resistant to the treatments given. Dog shows and kennels often require a specific vaccination that must be repeated annually.

Rabies or Rabies

Rabies is a zoonosis, which means that the disease can be transmitted from animals to humans. The disease occurs worldwide. However, Belgium has been free of rabies for years. The cases that are known in Belgium in the last 20 years have contracted the infection elsewhere. The infection is transmitted via the saliva. It is almost always a bite of an infected animal. Infected bats, raccoons and foxes are usually the culprit. Rabies is a serious virus infection of the brain with an always fatal outcome once the symptoms become visible.
The time from infection to symptoms varies greatly: 1 week to 8 months. Also the symptoms are not immediately clear. Common symptoms include behavioral changes, aggression, salivation, difficulty swallowing and paralysis symptoms. Once the symptoms occur, the course is very progressive and usually follows death within 7 days.
Treatment of this disease is unfortunately not possible. However, people and animals can treat if they have just been bitten by an infected animal. Actually, this is a form of prevention, since he does not have rabies at that moment.
You can protect your dog against the rabies virus by having your animal vaccinated. After vaccination a dog is completely protected against rabies or rabies. This is not mandatory in Belgium as long as you stay in Belgium.
As soon as you cross the border with your pet, you are obliged to vaccinate your dog in advance. Your dog must be at least 8 weeks old. Inform in good time of the necessary steps to be taken to travel with your pet. For some countries it takes six months before you can enter the country with your pet.

Babesiose

Babesiosis is caused by the blood parasite Babesia. The parasite is transmitted by ticks, particularly those living in warmer countries.
Between 1-3 weeks after infection the dog gets fever, anemia and he pees red-brown urine. Some dogs only become ill later on.
Babesiosis is easy to treat. If left untreated, dogs can die from this disease. Given the great diversity of the germ and the fact that it is transmitted by ticks, we advise you to apply good tick prevention when you are in a risk area.
For an appointment or additional information regarding our services you can always contact us

Dental hygiene

Dental care is a very important topic. Approximately 60% of dogs, cats and ferrets older than 2 years require dental treatment. The teeth need regular care. Without care, plaque first develops, followed by tartar that is accompanied by gum disease. Dental plaque is a layer of saliva, nutrients and microorganisms deposited on the tooth surface, which we can not see with the naked eye.
If plaque is not removed by cleaning, it mineralizes and tartar is formed. Tartar is the brown, hard attack that you can find on your pet's teeth. Tartar does not disappear with a regular cleanup but must be removed by your veterinarian with an ultrasonic detartration device.
 
Your dog needs to be put under anesthesia for this. Many bacteria develop on the tartar and can then cause gum disease. This causes a bad mouth odor in your pet and eventually leads to loose teeth or even tooth loss. Other complications of gum disease are kidney, liver and heart diseases because bacteria enter the blood circulation of these organs. The many bacteria can also cause abscesses.
It is therefore very important to prevent the formation of tartar. During your annual visit to the vet for the vaccinations, we will always check the teeth of your animal.

How do you notice gum disease in your animal?

Your pet's breath is getting worse and worse. Your pet suffers from excessive saliva or difficulty eating. If this is the case, you can make an appointment here. As with people, it is a maintenance that must be repeated according to the individual needs.

The treatment

The treatment is done under anesthesia and requires the insertion of a tube into the trachea to prevent infected pieces of tartar along with the rinsing water ending up in the lungs. First large pieces of tartar with special tongs are removed, if the gum around the tooth is too sick, it is removed. Then the remaining tartar is removed with the aid of an ultrasonic device, with constant rinsing to prevent tooth enamel. Then the teeth are polished by means of a special paste to get the teeth as cool as possible. The better the teeth are the longer the tartar stays away.

Tartar removal is done under general anesthesia. There is always a risk associated with the administration of anesthesia, which means that the veterinarians must properly assess the condition of your dog beforehand.
At Vetocambre we have three check-up options from which you can choose.

• Check up 1 is a general clinical check of your pet.
• Check up 2 is a general clinical check, urine analysis and blood analysis.
• Check up 3 is a general clinical check, urine analysis, blood analysis, ultrasound and Xray.

In these check-ups, the blood levels of your dog are checked to ensure that the liver and kidneys function normally and can eliminate the anesthetic agent. Protein levels provide information about the binding with the drug.
The blood is also checked for signs of hormonal disease, diabetes, infection or inflammation. The ultrasound and the radiographic examination are important to look at the size of the organs; heart, lungs and kidneys. Depending on the results, the risks of the intervention are estimated.
Especially in older dogs or in dogs with a medical history this is very important.
For an appointment or additional information in connection with our services, you can always contact us

Parasites and prevention

A parasite is an organism that feeds on the body of its host. He lives in this and will try to multiply. He will not kill his host but can seriously weaken it. Some parasites have a limited influence on their host, but others cause serious discomfort or illness. In addition to the risks for the dog itself, there are also those that are transmissible to humans. It is therefore essential that parasites are controlled thoroughly and effectively, especially if small children live in the area.

There are internal and external parasites. Internal parasites nestle in the body of your dog. External parasites are in the coat or on the skin. Common parasites are fleas, ticks and mites. Many problems can be prevented by good hygiene and preventive measures, such as regular checks, cleaning of the sleeping place. Protect your dog against parasites preventively to prevent complaints and infections. At Vetocambre we have various anti-parasitic means adapted to your dog's age and lifestyle. Some antiparasitic products for dogs are fatal for cats, caution is advised. So do not hesitate to ask for advice.

Internal parasites

Pups should be wormed at 2.4.6 and 8 weeks of age. Then every month until they are six months old. For adult dogs, this should be done once a year for animals that live in the home or live in isolation. Animals that come out a lot and are in contact with other animals, are best dewormed three to four times a year. Infections occur through contact with manure from other animals, by fleas and by hunting and eating prey.

Worms

Common types of worms in dogs are tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms and heartworms. Most of them are also contagious to people. Except for a reduced general condition, most worm infections are not fatal for your dog. Pups should be wormed at 2.4.6 and 8 weeks of age. Then every month until they are six months old. For adult dogs and cats living in the home or in isolation, this should be done once a year. Animals that come outdoors and are in contact with other animals are best dewormed three to four times a year. Infections occur through contact with manure from other animals, by fleas and by hunting and eating prey. If your dog is infected, deworming is necessary. In the case of worms that are transmitted by fleas, it is also important to combat the fleas.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms nestle in the small intestine of your dog and live there from the intestinal contents. If your dog is infected, you can find pieces of tapeworm in its stool. Those pieces look like rice grains. A tapeworm infection is usually accompanied by itching at the anus. Your dog will then slide over the floor while scratching.

Hookworms

Hookworms live in the small intestine of your dog. They have hooks and teeth in their mouths that damage the intestinal wall and cause intestinal infections. A severe infection is associated with anemia and diarrhea. You can recognize anemia in your dog due to pale mucous membranes, lethargy and reduced appetite.

Whipworms

Whipworms live in the colon and drill their head through the intestinal wall in search of blood and tissue fluid with which they feed. In doing so, they damage the intestinal mucosa and cause intestinal infections. Typical complaints with a whipworm infection are anemia, diarrhea and delayed growth in young animals.

Heartworms

An infection by heartworms is rare. In those few cases it is usually the French heartworm and that is dangerous. Dogs with heartworm infestation have a reduced appetite, coughing, vomiting and are anxious. Without treatment, the infection can lead to heart failure, breathing problems, lethargy and even death.
In order to prevent worms in your dog, give him a deworming treatment four times a year and ensure a hygienic environment. Do not hesitate to make an appointment for your next deworming treatment.