FAQ

How do I register my pet with Calder Vets?

If your pet is new or has not been seen by a vet before, all you need to do is contact reception and they will take your details to register your pet and make them an appointment, should one be required.

If your pet is currently registered at another veterinary practice you can transfer your pet to us by contacting your current practice and requesting that they send us your pets' clinical history. We will then see your pet at the first routine appointment you make.

If your pet is currently being treated for an on-going problem by a vet at another practice and you wish us to take over your pets' care then you will need to contact your current vet and request that they provide us with not only your pets' clinical history but also details of any blood test results, the results of any investigations and also details of any treatment your pet is receiving. An appointment will then be made for one of our general practice vets to fully assess your pet and offer treatment.

I am worried about my pet having an overnight stay. Will someone be there?

Here at Calder Vets we offer exceptional 24 hour in-patient care. We have veterinary and nursing staff on the premises, on duty and caring for in-patients 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Our patients benefit from continual monitoring and attention from fully qualified, trained veterinary and nursing staff, whether during the day, the night or on weekends and public holidays.

Also If the vet on duty has a case that would benefit from specialist investigations or treatment, he or she can, with the consent of the owner, contact one or more of our specialist vets who are on emergency duty. Our specialist services include: orthopaedics, ophthalmology, soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, diagnostic imaging and dermatology.

Why does my pet need vaccinating?

Just as humans need protection from certain diseases, animals too need to be protected from various illnesses. Dogs, cats and rabbits should receive annual vaccinations. We regularly see preventable illness in un-vaccinated animals, some of which can be fatal. Puppies and rabbits can be vaccinated from 8 weeks, Kittens from 9 weeks. Thereafter annual boosters are required to act as a ''top up'' against disease. Boosters act as a reminder to your pets' immune system as to how to fight the disease. A booster is seen as the most reliable method of making sure your pet stays immune to potential infections.

The main threat to dogs in West Yorkshire is still parvovirus - an often fatal cause of vomiting and diarrhoea and still prevalent due to large numbers of unvaccinated dogs in the area. Puppies get parvo protection as part of the primary course of injections - normally 8 and 10 weeks. We do strongly recommend that clients also consider an extra injection against parvo at 16-18 weeks of age. This tops up their immunity and also helps protect those puppies that may not have responded totally to the primary course of vaccinations. We only charge £12 for this as we feel it is important to encourage uptake and maximise protection.

Why should I have my pet neutered?

There are long term health benefits to your pet from neutering. The primary benefit is in controlling the pet population by reducing the amount of unwanted pregnancies.

In male animals castration is when their testicles are removed. In dogs this may reduce roaming tendencies, limit some forms of aggression, removes the risk of testicular cancer, reduces the incidence of prostrate problems and can prevent certain other cancers. In Tom cats it can stop him roaming and the spread of disease through fighting. 

In female animals spaying is when the ovaries and womb are removed. In bitches it removes the risk of phantom pregnancy, potentially life threatening uterine infections and reduces the risk of breast cancers. In the female cat it will stop her from coming into heat which can be uncomfortable for her and cause her to roam for tom cats.

For rabbits neutering will allow a male and female to live together without producing unwanted babies, this is important as rabbits need company. Simply being brother and sister does not stop rabbits from mating! Female rabbits are at a high risk of developing tumours of the womb (uterus) before the age of five if they are not neutered. Neutering rabbits can also help with certain forms of aggression.

How often should I worm my pet?

We recommend worming for dogs and cats every 3 months, although if your cat is a regular hunter then monthly worming may be necessary. Worms are not only harmful to pets but to their owners too. Dogs who live with, and are petted by small children, should ideally be wormed monthly. Please speak with your vet about the range of products on offer and the most suitable and effective one for your pet.

How do I know if my pets got fleas?

Fleas can cause itching, chewing and licking. The skin may become red and inflamed. You might see fleas on your dog or cat (though this is quite uncommon), or you might see small dark flecks (flea ''dirt'') in the fur and on the skin. If you notice any of these signs, take your pet to see the vet. As well as causing severe skin irritation, fleas play a vital part in the tapeworm''s life cycle. If your pet has fleas it''s important to treat your house, your pet and all other pets in the household. Your vet can recommend safe and effective products to use. The house should be treated with an effective household spray after vacuuming, because flea larvae and eggs live off the animal, in places like carpets and rugs. Particular attention should be paid to areas where your pet spends time, as well as warm areas such as near to radiators.

As well as thinking about fleas, it is important to follow the worming regime recommended by your vet.

Can I use a low dose of my dogs flea product on my cat if it has fleas?

No, canine products are potentially fatal for cats.

What about Pet insurance?

We always advise that pets should be insured. It allows you to benefit from the very best care for your pets without the stress of financial concerns. This practice is one of only a handful of practices in the UK that is directly authorised by the FSA. This means that we can offer independent insurance advice and administer insurance claims on your behalf. If you have any queries or want to understand what your policy actually covers, feel free to give us a call. We can claim direct for the majority of insurer companies, rather than requesting payment from our clients up front. This is subject to terms and conditions as set out under the insurance heading on this site.

Why can't vets advise, diagnose and/or prescribe over the phone to save me time and money?

Not only is it unethical and illegal to prescribe for an animal that hasn't been physically examined by a vet, it is also impossible to come up with an accurate diagnosis and rational plan for treatment.

A vet can't make a diagnosis based on symptoms only as observed by an owner. The outward signs may be an indication of any number of internal causes with a wide variety of clinical treatments. A complete physical examination and other diagnostic tests are required to determine the cause of the symptoms and best course of treatment.

Why is there such a wide range of prices for the same procedure(s) among veterinarians?

Fees are set by each individual veterinary practice and each has different expenses that are covered by the fees charged (i.e., salaries, rent, utilities). Often, the different fees do not reflect the same set of services, although there may be certain basic procedures in common. Each practice sets their fees for services based on varying criteria, such as products, anesthetics, antibiotics, medical techniques and staff capabilities and training which may have a bearing on the cost of the services.

Why can’t I feed my dog chocolate?

Chocolate is severely toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine which is a stimulant that affects the nervous system and heart muscle, as well as increasing the frequency of urination. Dogs can't metabolise theobromine as effectively as humans. This allows it to build up in their system until it reaches toxic levels. This may lead to a variety of health problems including death due to cardiac arrest.

The less your dog weighs the more you should be worried because the toxicity levels are higher.

Can I give Paracetamol or Ibuprofren to my pet?

No. It is never a good idea to give any human medicine to an animal. Paracetamol is very poisonous to cats. And ibuprofen is much more potent in dogs than in humans and can potentially cause severe gut ulceration and kidney damage even at low doses.

I would like to come and see a particular vet, is this possible?

Yes, we will always try to accommodate your wishes if you are keen to see a particular veterinary surgeon. This will be dependent on availability and field of expertise, but will almost always be catered for. 

How will I know what is happening when my pet is in hospital?

When your pet is admitted to the practice we will make every effort to explain what will happen during the course of the day. Once our investigations or surgery are complete we will immediately try to contact you by phone to update you. If your pet is hospitalised you will receive at least one call from the vet every day. We strive to be as honest and reliable as possible with keeping you up to date as possible. You are free to call us at any time to ask for an update if you are concerned. There are occasions where emergencies prevent us from calling immediately to update you. If you haven’t heard from us and are worried, please do not hesitate to call us to get an update. 

Can I come and visit my pet in the hospital?

Visits can be arranged for hospitalised patients. We usually aim for these to take place later in the afternoon. Some patients respond very well to having their owners visit. Others can become very distressed when they leave. Whether to visit or not can be discussed with the referral vets and nurses.  

Who looks after my pet overnight in the hospital?

We have suitably qualified staff taking care of all of the inpatients 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Patients are walked and cared for during the night just as much as they are during the day.  

My pet is very nervous, will he/she be OK in the hospital?

We see all sorts of different temperaments in our patients. If your pet has specific needs i.e. if he/she is very nervous, we make every effort to reduce this by moving them away from noise and movement and treating them as gently as possible.