Pet Dispensary offers a new Click & Collect service in Ossett.

Pet Dispensary an online company offering affordable veterinary medications recently moved to new premises in Ossett, Wakefield.  From this location Pet Dispensary is pleased to introduce a new Click & Collect Service!

Although most people are happy to wait the day or so for delivery of routine flea and worm treatments there may be times when prescription medications are needed quickly, or you may be passing and prefer to collect your medication from us.

This new service allows you to place an order online as usual but then you have the option to collect the order direct from our offices in Ossett, Wakefield.  You will receive a call or an email to say the parcel is ready to collect and then you can call for your parcel during our office hours Monday to Friday. 

Ordering your pet medication online has great advantages, the main one being the price.  As we only dispense the medications we don’t have the same over head costs as your vets.  It is also convenient for you to order from the comfort of your home and to have the items delivered to your door or to collect the medications if you live nearby. 

For our customers more local to us our service we hope will be of benefit especially if your pet has recently been prescribed some medication and you want to get them started on it as soon as possible.

We keep most medications in stock and available to dispatch on a daily basis.  With a Click & Collect order we will on some occasions be able to get the medications ready for you to collect the same day!  This service can be selected via our website at Check out on the postal options.

We will still need a prescription for the POM-V (prescription medication orders) but this can be faxed or emailed to us to speed things up for you providing it has been written in the last 7 days.  Once your order is ready Pet Dispensary will call or email to let you know it is ready to collect.

This new service will be introduced from Monday 11^th November 2013.

Lynsey Bacon Manager at Pet Dispensary comments, “The majority of our orders are processed and dispatched on the same day, we understand the importance to getting pet medications out to people as soon as possible.  We are pleased to be able to offer our local customers the option of collecting their pet’s medications direct from us as in some cases medications are needed urgently or it may be that they pass our offices daily and want to avoid the couple of days it may take in the post.

Pet medications bought online are often up to 50% cheaper than the vet prices, more and more pet owners are now using online companies for all their pets needs including routine flea and worm treatments and prescription medications.  Our qualified sales team are able to offer help and guidance on routine healthcare and advice about getting prescriptions and ordering medications.  We pride ourselves on our customer service and our Click & Collect option is just another of our services we feel would benefit our loyal customers.”

For more details see our website

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: How do flea treatments work?

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: How do flea treatments work?: How do flea treatments work? There are so many flea treatments now available with many of the veterinary drug manufactures bringing out ...

How do flea treatments work?

How do flea treatments work?

There are so many flea treatments now available with many of the veterinary drug manufactures bringing out a flea treatment the questions is what makes one different to the other and how does each of them work?  The most common ingredients used in flea treatments are Fipronil, Imidacloprid and Nitenpyram, these are active in common flea treatments including Frontline, Advantage, Effipro, Capstar and Eliminall.  More details of each of these active ingredients follow:

Fipronil

The majority of flea treatments commonly used is a fipronil based treatment, fipronil is the active ingredient.  Fipronil flea treatments have a non-systemic mode of action so it kills parasites through contact, not via the pet's bloodstream.

From where you apply the product, fipronil spreads all over the pet’s body. It concentrates (or stores) into the sebaceous glands of the skin and is constantly replenished over the pet’s skin and coat meaning each hair is coated with the fipronil product. The ‘store’ gives the product its prolonged efficacy – even after bathing, swimming and grooming.  Flea and ticks are killed as the fipronil attacks their nervous system.  It causes hyper excitation in these parasites. Disoriented, dying fleas rise to the surface of the pet’s coat – which is why you might actually notice more fleas after applying the product.

Fipronil is the most commonly used treatment and prevention product for flea and tick control of pets in the UK.  Many drug manufactures have brought out their own version and they all work in exactly the same way.  Frontline Spot On is a recognised brand but there are others available which are cheaper!  These include Effipro, Eliminall, Fiprodog, Fiprocat, Fiprospot and Flevox. 

Imidacloprid

Another ingredient used for flea control is Imidacloprid which acts on the central nervous system of parasites.  The chemical interferes with the transmission of stimuli in the insect’s nervous system, specifically it causes a blockage resulting in paralysis and then death.  Imidacloprid is spread over the skin surface throughout the coat of the pet within 12 hours of application. 

Advantage is one flea treatment that uses Imidacloprid as its active ingredient; available since 1996 it is known for its fast action and effective activity against fleas.  Advantage also contains Pyriproxyfen which is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that kills fleas in the immature stages of their lifecycle.  This combination plays a crucial role in existing infestations as in an existing infestation you might only be aware of the adult fleas which only represent around 5% of the full infestation.  Immature flea life stages (flea eggs, larvae and pupae) which live in the pet’s environment consist of around 95% of the infestation and this is targeted by the Pyripoxyfen.

Nitenpyram

Nitenpyram is an insecticide used in veterinary medicine to kill external parasites on pets.  It is used orally on dogs and cats to control fleas.  Capstar is the only flea treatment available that contains the active ingredient Nitenpyram.

Nitenpyram is a neonicotinoid, which means that it is a neurotoxin that blocks the ability for neural messages to transmit through the central nervous system of the flea causing (almost) instant death.

After ingestion of Capstar it begins killing fleas within 30 minutes and kills every adult flea in the pet within 4 hours.  The effects of this pill are approximately 24-48 hours. 

Capstar has no long-term residual activity and therefore is not effective as a longer-term flea preventative. It is usually used to kill adult fleas quickly on an infested animal to give immediate relief for a day. It is then usually followed up with some other longer-term flea preventative to prevent re-infestation.

All the flea treatments listed above are all available without prescription.  The choice is yours as to which you use and all are effective in their own way if used as directed.  Fipronil is still a very popular choice be aware of the choices available that are fipronil based as they do compare in price.  Since Advantage was taken off licence so no longer requires a prescription we have seen an increase in sales of this product mainly due to the requirement of a ‘non’ fipronil based treatment.

Pet Dispensary offers all the listed products and has a helpful qualified sales team that can assist you in making your choice.  Please do contact Pet Dispensary on 0845 6787838 or visit the website at www.petdispensary.co.uk

How do flea treatments work?

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Introducing Activyl a state-of-the-art flea treatm...

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Introducing Activyl a state-of-the-art flea treatm...: Activyl Spot-On is a new kind of flea treatment that delivers benefits beyond excellent flea control. Activyl is the first and only flea t...

Introducing Activyl a state-of-the-art flea treatment

Activyl Spot-On is a new kind of flea treatment that delivers benefits beyond excellent flea control. Activyl is the first and only flea treatment to work by metabolic activation (bioactivation) meaning it only becomes highly active once it is inside the flea. This means Activyl is highly selective for fleas and minimises unnecessary chemical exposure to pets, people and their environment.

Activyl treats and prevents flea infestations in dogs and cats; Activyl Tick Plus, exclusively for dogs, controls both fleas and ticks. Activyl and Activyl Tick Plus will be available only on receipt of a prescription as it is classified as a POM-V.

Activyl is the first flea control product to utilize metabolic activation, or bioactivation of the active ingredient, to kill fleas. It is a topical, once-a-month ectoparasiticide containing indoxacarb, a compound never before used in animal health, with no known resistance in fleas. Following application, indoxacarb enters the flea by contact or ingestion and is converted by enzymes in the flea to an active highly insecticidal metabolite. Fleas stop feeding, become paralyzed and die within hours.

Activyl not only kills adult fleas, but also disrupts the flea’s life cycle by inhibiting the development of flea larvae in the pet’s surroundings. This aids in the environmental control of flea infestation and helps prevent re-infestation for up to a full month. Activyl is able to control developing stages of the flea in the environment, so there is no need for additional insect growth regulators. Activyl may also be used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis

In laboratory studies, Activyl was shown to start killing fleas within hours of application and to keep killing newly arriving fleas within 8-12 hours for a full four weeks.¹ In field studies, Activyl outperformed fipronil-containing products, making more dogs and cats flea free.

Dispensed in easy to use, single-application pipettes, Activyl is fragrance-free, dries quickly and remains effective following shampooing, swimming and exposure to sunlight. Five pipette sizes are available for small to extra-large dogs and two sizes are available for cats, small and large.

Activyl Tick Plus is exclusively for dogs and combines the effective flea control of Activyl with long-lasting protection against ticks. In addition to indoxacarb, Activyl Tick Plus contains permethrin, an acaricide with proven efficacy against ticks, which provides the added benefit, of repellent activity, to keep ticks off dogs in the first place. Studies have shown Activyl Tick Plus to be more than 96 percent effective against four tick species known to carry such diseases as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease.⁴

Once applied, Activyl Tick Plus continues to kill fleas and repel and kill ticks for up to four weeks and remains effective following swimming and exposure to rain or sunlight. The product is also dispensed in easy to use, single application pipettes in a variety of sizes. It is approved for use in in puppies as young as eight weeks of age, weighing more than four pounds.

For more details visit www.petdispensary.co.uk

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Caring for your dog or cat with arthritis

Pet Dispensary - affordable pet medication: Caring for your dog or cat with arthritis: What is Arthritis? Arthritis is a painful degenerative disease of the joints that reduces your pet's mobility. In Arthritis the degeneratio...

Caring for your dog or cat with arthritis

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a painful degenerative disease of the joints that reduces your pet's mobility.
In Arthritis the degeneration of the joint causes cartilage erosion, it is this damage that is responsible for the chronic pain and restricted joint function that can spoil your pet's quality of life. Any joint can be affected, but it is most common in the hips, elbows, shoulders, knees and back.

There are three key types of Arthritis that may affect your pet:

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in dogs. Also Known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), osteoarthritis is the result of excessive wear and tear on the joints that can be caused by a number of factors.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in smaller breeds, and is caused by an abnormality in the immune system leading to an inflamed joint.

Infective or Septic arthritis is usually caused by a bacterial infection of the fluid and tissues of a joint, making them painful and swollen.

Approximately 20% of adult dogs and 50% of cats, over the age of 10 are affected by arthritis in the UK.

Arthritic Damage
Elbow Joint Damage:

Traumatic injury, such as fractures or dislocations, can result in degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the elbow. In addition, large breeds may suffer from developmental problems that can lead to osteoarthritis of the elbow.

Hip Joint Damage

Hip Dysplasia is the most common cause of arthritis in the hip, Dysplasia is particularly common in many of the larger working breed of dog, where a deformity in the structure of the hip joint leads to abnormal wear and tear.

In a dysplastic hip, the ball at the head of the femur and the socket in pelvis do not fit together snugly causing friction when the limb is moved. This is painful and further damages the cartilage surface resulting in inflammation of the joint and more pain.

Stifle (Knee) Joint Disease

Rupture of the supporting 'cruciate' ligaments is one of the most common injuries in dogs. It is a major cause of degenerative joint disease in the stifle (knee) joint.

If untreated, the instability of the joint will quickly result in arthritis. Arthritis caused by stifle joint damage is usually more severe in larger dogs than smaller pets.

Spinal Damage

Spondylosis, or ankylosing spondylitis, is not strictly osteoarthritis, rather it is a disease of ageing that is characterised by the formation of bony outgrowths between vertebrae.

Spondylosis can often be present without showing any clinical signs, but may result in pain through exertion of pressure against the nerves in the spine, and can in turn cause other problems as the nerves become less able to carry information.

Reports suggest that between 25-40% of dogs are overweight. Excess weight is one of the biggest causes of the joint damage that leads to osteoarthritis.

Symptom Spotting

Pet owners often mistake some of the key early signs of arthritis as 'laziness' in their pet, a change in personality, or as simply the natural slowing down of old age.

In fact it is probable that well over half a million cases of Canine Arthritis go unreported in the UK each year. This isn't because the owners don't care, but is a result of dogs bravely adapting their lifestyles to disguise the signs of their suffering. In cats these symptoms are even harder to spot because of their sedentary lifestyles.

Limping - Does your pet suffer from stiffness or limping, especially after lying down or going for a long walk?

'Laziness' - Has your pet stopped wanting to play with you, to fetch a ball or to go for that long walk across the fields he used to love?

Reduced agility - Difficulty in entering or exiting the car, climbing the stairs or even simply getting up.

Twitchiness - Resistance to being stroked or petted, especially around the paws, legs or hips.

Sleeping/resting - Does your pet seem to spend a lot of time lying around and staying in the same spot?

Grumpiness - has your pet become less tolerant and even snappy around other pets and children who want to play?

Detachment - Many pets can appear to becomes detached from their family; seeming disinterested and aloof when actually they are in pain and feeling stressed.

More 'clingy' - Whilst some pets become grumpy, others can get anxious, needing reassurance when once they were much more confident.

Joint chewing or licking - This can sometimes be so marked that it causes bald or raw spots.

Important: it is important that the causes of your dogs symptoms are diagnosed by your veterinary surgeon, as these signs could be also due to other conditions. Your vet may want to x-ray your dog and carry out blood tests to check your dog is not suffering from any other illnesses that need to be taken into consideration.

What causes arthritis in your dog or cat?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in dogs. Also known as degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), osteoarthritis is the result of excessive wear and tear on the joints that can be caused by a number of factors.

Old Age - Just like you and I, as your pet approaches old age the chances of suffering from arthritis increase, older animals are more prone to arthritis caused by years of wear and tear on their joints.

Obesity - This is a growing problem in household pets, and reportedly affects up to 40% of dogs and around 25% of cats in the UK. Weight problems can increase the chances of your pet developing arthritis at an earlier age because of the extra strain it puts on joints.

Genetics - Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to arthritis than others. Larger dogs are most at risk because of the amount of pressure their size places on their joints. Some dog breeds are prone to abnormal joint development such as occurs in 'hip dysplasia' where the ball and socket of the hip joint are poorly formed and ill-fitting leading to arthritis often at a very early age.

Injuries - any injuries to the bone, joints or ligaments, if not properly treated, can increase the chances of your pet developing arthritis.

The good news is there are many affective treatments and therapies that can relieve the symptoms of arthritis, significantly increasing mobility and quality of life for your pet.

Treatments for arthritis

Medication options

Your vet will advise you on the most appropriate medication for your pet. There are a wide range of drugs available for managing arthritic pain and inflammation which can radically improve your pet's quality of life.

The most common medicines used toe relieve the pain associated with arthritis are known as NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This medication comes in a variety of presentations, including injectables, oral suspension and tablets.

It is important to ensure you keep up with any treatment your vet prescribes in order to achieve full, effective management of your pet's condition.

Injectables

Whether you have a cat or a dog, your vet may administer an injection for rapid pain relief. This will normally be followed by a course of treatment you can give your pet at home.

You vet will suggest an initial dosage, but it may take a short while to determine the dose that is most beneficial to your pet.

Once an exact dose has been established, medication can be used over a long period to provide effective ongoing relief from arthritis.

Oral suspensions

This preparation form can be administered directly into the mouth, or simply added to your pet's food.

Oral suspensions are available in a range of strengths to match your pet's size and weight, and will usually come with a dosing syringe that makes administration simple and accurate.

Tablets

Most of the NSAID tablets available are only suitable for dogs. Many tablets are now available in a palatable form making them easy to administer and conceal in treats or food.

Possible Surgery

Surgery is sometimes necessary to treat osteoarthritis, and can involve joint replacement or, in some cases, fusing the joint into a set position to relieve chronic pain by preventing movement. It is advised to speak to your vet about all the options to see if this would be appropriate for your pet.

Therapies for arthritis

Weight management

To reduce the progressions of arthritis ensure your pet eats properly and exercises regularly. Putting your pet on a strict diet may be a difficult part of the arthritis treatment, but weight loss can dramatically improve their quality of life. Today many pet food brands offer specialized diet food ranges containing ingredients that are low in fat and that aid digestion.

Your vet or nurse will be able to advise on the ideal weight for your pet and put together an appropriate weight loss programme.

Exercise

Exercise is just as important as diet in establishing and maintaining an ideal weight. Exercise that puts excessive stress on the joints is not beneficial to an arthritic pet. However, it is important to ensure they undertake the regular, gentle exercise that will help prevent joints stiffening up.

Swimming is an excellent way to give your dog great exercise without too much impact on the affected joints. Purpose built hydrotherapy pools that allow controlled swimming exercise are an increasingly common therapy for both canine and feline arthritis.

Comfort and care

Cold and damp can increase the discomfort cause by arthritis. When it's raining and chilly outdoors, ensure your home is warm and that your pet has a comfortable bed to sleep in.

You may wish to provide orthopaedic foam bed to help distribute their weight evenly; this will reduce pressure on your pet's joints. A pet ramp may also help your dog get in and out of the car, maintaining your pet's independence and confidence.

Nutraceuticals

These can aid joint flexibility and may help reduce inflammation. These supplements usually contain glucosamine, a natural compound that is an essential component of joint cartilage. Dog or cat Arthritis supplements that are available without a prescripton include Seraquin, Synoquin and Cosequin.

Alternative Therapies

A number of complimentary therapies have been shown to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis in certain cases, these include: electromagnetic collars, acupuncture and physiotherapy.

Important notes on treating your pet's arthritis

* Make sure you administer any medication as directed by your vet.
* Discontinuation of medication should only be done in consultation with your vet.
* Your pet's size and weight affects the dosage, so you may need to consult your vet if your pet's weight size changes.
* It is very important to note that human medications should never be given to your pet unless under specific advice of your vet. Human medications can often behave completely differently in cats and dogs, and may be ineffective or dangerous to your pet.

www.petdispensary.co.uk Caring for your pet with arthritis