If you’ve visited us recently, you might have noticed a few new faces around the clinic. With some exciting additions to our team, we thought it was the perfect time to formally introduce the people behind the scrubs!
At Mayne Vets we believe that trust begins with knowing who’s caring for your beloved pets. Whether you’re popping in for a routine check-up or a more complex treatment, we want you to feel confident and comfortable with our team.
So, who’s new?
Over the past couple of years, we’ve welcomed some incredibly talented vets to our practice, each bringing their own unique skills, experience, and passion for animal care. Veterinary professionals with years of hands-on experience to compassion, care and kindness our growing team has it all and is here to offer the very best for you and your pets.
Whether you’re a long-time client or a new face yourself, we can’t wait for you to get to know our team a little better.
Thank you for trusting us with your furry family members—we’re excited for what the future holds and proud to have such a compassionate, skilled group caring for them.
Meet all our vets here at Mayne!
Charlotte (Practice Owner and Lead Veterinary Surgeon)
Charlotte is one half of the husband-and-wife duo behind our independent practice, which she proudly runs alongside her partner, Keith. Together, they’ve built a clinic that feels as much like a community as it does a veterinary surgery – a place where pets (and their people) are treated like family.
A much-loved member of the team and a familiar face to many of our clients, Charlotte combines clinical expertise with genuine compassion. She has a keen interest in both surgery and medicine, with a passion for ultrasound imaging and is our go-to for more complex diagnoses.
But Charlotte’s talents don’t stop there! Outside the consulting room, she has a passion for plants and aerial silks. She somehow balances her busy clinical life with an active home life and being a mum, bringing that same energy and dedication into everything she does.
Whether she’s caring for a patient, mentoring the team, or finding the perfect sunny spot for her latest plant, Charlotte brings warmth and precision to the practice every single day.
We’re incredibly lucky to have her leading the way – and if you haven’t met her yet, we know you’ll love her just as much as we do.
Keith (Practice Owner and Practice Manager)
Alongside his wife Charlotte, Keith is proud to lead Mayne Vets with a vision for a thriving, sustainable future as an independent veterinary practice.
Owning a veterinary practice isn’t just about running a business for Keith — it’s about building a place where pets receive the best care, clients feel supported, and the team can flourish. These days, Keith consults on Monday afternoons, but much of his time is spent behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly and leading the practice into the future.
Keith is particularly committed to reducing the practice’s carbon footprint and embedding eco-friendly initiatives into everyday work, while also making staff wellbeing a priority. His leadership centres on creating a positive, resilient workplace where both people and patients can thrive.
Away from practice life, he’s known for his pizza-making talents, his love of family time and a good book.
Zaak (Veterinary Surgeon)
Zaakir is our resident vet all the way from South Africa. He graduated in 2020 and initially worked at a mixed, rural practice focusing on serving a disadvantaged community with minimal resources. It was here that he fostered a holistic approach to veterinary medicine, where both people and animals needed to be taken care of.
Zaakir decided to move to the UK to both further his interests in all facets of the profession, and to explore a different part of the world. From Surrey to Essex, he has been steadily developing his acumen as a thorough and compassionate vet. His dedication to both animals and their owner’s shines through in everything he does, making him a truly valued part of our veterinary team – and of the profession as a whole.
In his spare time, he enjoys all different quirks – from aquascaping, crocheting, sketching to relaxing with his endless collection of plants.
We’re so lucky to have him on board!
Ros (Veterinary Surgeon)
Ros has been a valued part of our practice since 2020. The veterinary world is second nature to her — growing up, her mum ran a veterinary clinic in Essex, sparking Ros’s passion for the profession and her natural ability to support both pets and their owners.
You’ll find Ros with us on Mondays and Tuesdays, whether she’s consulting or in theatre, helping to keep everything running seamlessly. She loves the variety that veterinary work brings — no two days are ever the same — and especially enjoys meeting clients and their pets.
At home, life is just as lively with her three children and her much-loved rescue dog, Macy. Originally from Portugal, Macy came to Ros from her UK rescue home four years ago. She’s now around 13, a Chihuahua cross, and full of love and excitement.
When Ros does get a quiet moment, you’ll often find her keeping fit with dog walks, the occasional jog or gym session, or enjoying arts & crafts, baking, or a good book.
We’re very lucky to have Ros as part of our team, and we know our clients always enjoy seeing her friendly face when she’s here.
Gemma (Veterinary Surgeon)
Gemma is one of the newer members of our team joined us at the end of 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience from working locally across Suffolk and Essex for a number of years. She’s calm and collected under pressure, with a huge depth of knowledge that makes her an invaluable part of the team. Alongside her work here, you may also see her on the odd shift at Vets Now, where her steady approach is a real asset in emergency situations both to our patients and our practice.
Outside of work, Gemma enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs. She’s also a keen runner and regularly takes part in long distance challenges. Living locally, she even walks to work in the mornings, with the occasional run home in the afternoon! We’re all very impressed by her energy and determination!
We’re so pleased to have Gemma on the team and know our clients will enjoy getting to know her too.
Olivia (Veterinary Surgeon)
We’re excited to introduce Olivia, who joined us this summer to cover Martha’s maternity leave.
Olivia brings with her valuable experience from working in a busy charity practice with the PDSA, and she’s already proving to be a fantastic addition to our team. Her caring approach and commitment to animal welfare shine through in everything she does.
Outside of work, Olivia enjoys spending time with her two cocker spaniels and five cats who certainly keep her on her toes!
We’re delighted to have her with us and look forward to our clients and their pets getting to know her over the coming months.
Martha (Veterinary Surgeon)
Martha joined us in he clinic at the start of 2024. She has previously worked in a veterinary clinic further afield in Essex, as well as doing voluntary charity work in Asia supporting neutering clinics and vaccination programmes.
At Mayne Vets, Martha has always brought warmth, skill, and a particular passion for veterinary dentistry, where her keen interest has made a real difference for many of our patients. We miss her energy and expertise around the practice whilst she is on maternity leave, but we couldn’t be happier for her as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.
At the start of this month, we are pleased to share that she welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world and is enjoying those precious early moments of motherhood.
We wish Martha and her family all the best during this special time – and we look forward to welcoming her back soon!
As of 7th October, it is now a legal requirement for any dog entering the UK from Romania to have tested negative for Brucella Canis before importation. This is definitely a step in the right direction the number of dogs being rescued and rehomed from overseas has increased dramatically in recent years.
In 2022 the UK saw the first case of Brucellosis transmission from an imported pet to an owner which not only resulted in the severe ill health of the owner, but also the euthanasia of the imported pet along with the other dogs in the household. In addition, we have also seen two cases of Brucella in the clinic which have been picked up from blood tests after importation.
What is Brucella canis?
This is a bacteria which can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids. It can produce a range of symptoms, including lethargy, fever, swollen lymph nodes and reproductive problems. This is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. There is no treatment for brucellosis and there is no vaccine currently available for dogs.
It is extremely important for owners to fully understand what these risks are and how they can help preserve the disease-free status of the UK to maintain the future welfare of our pets.
If my pet has tested negative before entering the UK, does it need to be tested again?
Many of the diseases seen in Europe can take up to 6 months after infection to show positive on tests, so a negative Brucella test at the time before import does not guarantee your pet is completely disease free. As mentioned, the changes this week are certainly a step in the right direct, but further improvements to pet travel, owner education and legislation is needed. Finally, we must also bear in mind that many imported pets can harbour potentially life-threatening diseases yet show no outward clinical signs, we call these “Trojan pets” and they pose the risk of passing on their infections to other dogs and people and establishing these diseases in the UK.
Why is Romania the only country that is affected?
Based on the current samples that have been carried out in recent years, Romania has provided the highest total number of positive Brucella canis infected dogs imported into the UK. Regardless of the country of origin, we would encourage anyone who is importing a dog from the EU, not just Romania, to follow the updated guidelines for Brucella canis testing.
What is the current imported pet policy at Mayne Vets?
As a nation of animal lovers, we would all agree that adopting a pet to give it a better life is a truly admirable thing to do. However, it is important to understand that adopting a pet from overseas does come with some additional risks and responsibilities. These diseases can have devastating consequences and as such, we have taken the decision to implement a protocol to ensure all our imported patients are tested for the following diseases within 6 months of registering with us:
Canine Brucellosis
Leishmania
Babesia
Ehrlichia
Heartworm (Dirofilaria)
Anaplasma
This not only helps us to protect our team (who are most at risk while handling blood samples and reproductive organs during neutering surgery), but also to help reduce the chance of these diseases becoming established in the UK, affecting the human and dog population.
What are the changes the government have made that will impact me rescuing or rehoming a pet from Romania?
To qualify for importation, two tests must be carried out:
Brucella iELISA (indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) – this test is highly sensitive for detecting antibodies for Brucella canis
Brucella SAT (Serum Agglutination Test) – this test looks for the presence of Brucella canis, by assessing the reaction between antibodies and bacteria in the body
The two tests work in combination, the SAT is more sensitive to antibodies, which are more abundant during early stages of infection, and the iELISA detects antibodies which are more abundant after the early stages of infection and during chronic infection. This combination gives good coverage for detection of disease from early to the later chronic stages of infection.
Both tests must be negative in order for the dog to be allowed to enter UK. The dog is then able to enter the UK no later than 30 days from when the blood sample was taken. If the time period exceeds 30 days a new blood test would be required delaying the process. Once you have been given a negative result, you are able to apply for importation, and results should be uploaded 2 days before travel. If the test comes back positive, you cannot import the dog into the UK.
We have assembled some wonderful advice and guidance to help provide you with some tips on socialising your kitten, as we want all our kittens to have a happy and healthy start in life.
The effectiveness of socialisation provided to your kitten will be affected by their underlying personality type, genetic make-up and environmental influences. Therefore, we have a big role as parents, to give our kittens positive experiences of both humans and the world around them so that they can live their lives as happy pets.
The most influential age of kittens will be between 2-7 weeks, you have probably already got your kitten by then. However, our job doesn’t stop as kittens are constantly learning, so don’t let this deter you!
Getting your cat used to the carrier
We tend to see a lot of adult cats arrive at the clinic who are nervous and anxious about being placed in their cat carrier for transport, which is not only very stressful for the cat and the owner, but also makes the examination more challenging for both pet and staff when they arrive. This is another area where if we can introduce this experience at a young age in a calm and positive way they can learn that it is a safe space to be in and travel happily.
Here are some things we would advise when buying a cat carrier:
It should be big enough for your cat the lay down comfortably and adjust their position. The carrier you are buying needs to also be big enough for when they grow.
Get a carrier that have an opening at the top – this is really useful for getting cats in and out of the carrier both at home and at the vets.
Get a carrier that allows for the entire top section to be removed – again this is really useful when creating a safe space at the vets for handling and examining your cat.
Ensure it is strong and sturdy, we would advise getting a plastic or metal carrier over a fabric carrier. They are also more hygienic in the event of any accidents.
Cat carrier training:
Have the carrier accessible to your cat at all times, to begin with leave it out for them to explore.
Place a familiar bed or a blanket in the carrier (should they not be keen to begin with, leave the bedding outside, but gradually move it closer overtime until it is sitting inside).
Utilise pheromone and calming sprays when cat carrier training, you can also utilise treats for a positive experience as well inside the carrier.
Once they are settled and comfortable with the carrier, get them used to your presence when they are inside the carrier.
The next steps would be to try closing the door of the carrier when the cat is inside, picking up the carrier and moving around with them in it.
Ensure all these steps are carried out gradually and are not rushed, there are lots of resources online with advise on carrier training. Feel free to reach out and speak to our nursing team on 01206 851338 for any advice.
Microchipping your cat
Legislation changes in 2024 making it compulsory for all cats to be microchipped. Kittens must be microchipped by the time they are 5 months of age.
We recommend getting your kitten microchipped at the time of neutering, it is included as part of our Pet Health Club, so there is no additional fee to have this done on the day.
Neutering your cat
We advise getting your kitten neutered before they go into the big wide world and especially if you have two kittens of the opposite sex. We generally would book a kitten in to be neutered from 4 months of age.
The benefits of neutering:
reduces the likelihood of spraying and inappropriate toiletting
reduces calling and wailing (this can often be due to hormones)
reduces the incident of fighting, subsequent contraction of FIV and spread of the disease
reduces the likelihood of cats roaming, getting injured of lost
prevents unwanted litters
supports population control of cats
The operation is a an outpatient procedure, they will go home the same day with some pain relief to be administered and will be seen back for a post op check up up to a week later. If you wanted to have a chat with our nursing team about the pros and cons of getting your kitten neutering, discuss any concerns, or look to getting them booked in call us at the clinic on 01206 851338.
Settling your kitten into their new home
Litter trays
Your kitten will likely come to you already litter trained. Ensure you have at least one litter tray per cat in your household, plus one more. Cats can be particular about the preference on location and type of litter substrate. They should be positioned away from their food and water bowls, busy thoroughfare, child access and noise. Use the same litter substrate your kitten is used to initially.
High Places
Cats are natural climbers and will feel safe resting and watching over their surroundings high up. They are multiple ways this can be mimicked in your home; cat trees and towers, wardrobes, radiator beds and shelving.
Suitable kitten play
Playing with your kitten is a great way to bond and encourage the expression of natural behaviors and the great thing is, they need not be expensive. Providing toys for scratching and that mimic hunting are great ways of allowing them to do this. Play isn’t just for when you have a kitten, toys can be used for enrichment throughout your cats life.
Suitable play toys:
Kickeroo toys
Wand toys
Scratch posts
Puzzle feeders
We would advise against laser pointers, although they may look fun, cats can become frustrated by not being able to catch something physical. In addition to this, avoid ‘hand play’ with your kitten, otherwise they will soon learn that hands and feet are play toys. As kittens grow, so do their claws and teeth, what was fun and games when they were younger, is likely to cause damage and some pain!
Insurance
Whether your kitten is already insured or you’re considering pet insurance for the first time, we know that pet insurance can be a bit confusing. Here are some key points to consider to ensure it is there for you and your cat when they need it most:
It is really important to have insurance that covers a condition “for life”
We advise lifelong cover, your pet will then be covered for a condition throughout their life, an excess would likely be paid each year, but the monetary cover for the condition would be refreshed each policy year.
Some insurance policies offer cover for conditions only for 12 months, therefore if your pet has a ‘lifelong’ condition, such as diabetes or arthritis, they will only be covered for a year, after that it would be classed as pre-existing and is no longer covered. Another type of policy is only covering a condition until the monetary limit has been reached, this may take 6 months, it may take 2 years, but once that monetary limit has been reached it would be classed as pre-existing and no longer covered.
Check what you are covered for?
Dental treatment – For some dental claims to be covered, regular teeth checks need to have been performed by your vets, regular yearly vaccinations help with this. Furthermore, if dental treatment is advised, then this may need to be carried out in a timely manner, for example within 6 months of it being advised. You may presume you are covered, but some insurance companies exclude any treatment related to your pet’s gums.
Consider the limit amount conditions are covered for
Ideally you want your pet to be covered for at least £6000 – £8000 per condition per year. But obviously the more the better. Some insurance companies will offer cover for up to £12,000 and more.
Don’t shop around
Shopping around each year for the cheapest premium isn’t the most cost effective or efficient way to manage pet insurance. Many of us, staff here included, are used to shopping around every year for the cheapest car or home insurance quote on comparison websites. However, doing this with pet insurance is problematic. When you switch providers most policies have a clause that prevents them from covering any pre-existing issues. Therefore any prior issues your cat had can be classed as pre-existing and may not be covered.
At Mayne Vets, we’re passionate not only about animal health but also about the health of our planet. As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we are always exploring new ways to reduce our environmental impact—within the practice and in the wider veterinary profession.
In June, our Practice Manager Keith attended the Webinar Vet’s Veterinary Green Discussion Forum, a fantastic event focused on the latest thinking, innovations, and challenges around sustainability in veterinary medicine.
🔬 Spotlight on Parasiticides
One of the key topics at the conference was the environmental impact of parasiticides (products used to control fleas, ticks, and worms). This is a hot topic in the veterinary world, as emerging concerns suggest that certain parasiticides used in these treatments harms wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. Check out our Pet Owner Sustainability Series – Part One for more information!
While the research is still developing, there’s a growing conversation about how we, as a profession, can adapt. We’re proud to be part of that discussion—and we’re actively exploring ways we can evolve our clinic.
Coming Soon: a reimagined Pet Health Club
We’re looking at the possibility of a introducing a new option for our Pet Health Club, where the need for preventative treatments is discussed on a case-by-case basis with your vet, balancing the health and risks of your pet and household with environmental concerns and discussing testing options as an alternative. Watch this space! You can read more about related topics, including disease risks, in a previous newsletter article.
💊 Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance
Another focus of the conference was responsible antibiotic use. At our clinic, we’re already committed to the principles of responsible prescribing, and we are going to be stepping up our efforts even more.
We’re encouraging pet owners to return any unused or expired medications to us—so they can be safely incinerated and not end up in landfill or water systems, where they can contribute to environmental contamination and antimicrobial resistance. We are planning on running an antibiotic amnesty end of the year, so keep an eye out on our social media pages. In the meantime, if you have any medication at home, please do bring it in to the practice for us to safely and responsibly dispose of.
🌎 Every Step Counts
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination—and we’re learning more every day. We’ll continue to share updates as we implement new practices and explore innovative solutions that benefit pets, people, and the planet.
If you have questions about any of the topics mentioned—or want to know more about how your pet’s care can be more eco-conscious—our team is always happy to chat. Drop us an email to reception@maynevets.co.uk or Whatsapp us on 07360541569.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of species we have living here on Earth, from plant life to mammals, insects to fungi. However, our pet’s love of the great outdoors could be having a negative impact on biodiversity. This blog as part of our Pet Owner Sustainability series will focus on possible adaptations and considerations that could be made in order to support and sustain biodiversity while enjoying the benefits of owning a pet.
Cats are natural hunters, preying on a variety of species, worms, butterflies, insects, mice and birds to name a few. The most direct way cats have an effect on wildlife is through predation. For example, one study in 2003 estimated that cats in the United Kingdom, within a 5-month period, brought home 57 million mammals, 27 million birds and five million reptiles and amphibians. A paper in 2016, has reported cats currently endanger 367 species which are at risk of extinction.
A few ways to potentially mitigate these effects are:
Keeping your cat inside at night time
This is often easier said than done if you have a cat who has been allowed outside at night from a young age. This option may not be for every cat or every pet owner, cats are creatures of habit, often sudden changes to their routine can be stressful. It may not be possible because of your work or life schedule. Therefore weighing up all the pros and cons for both yourself and your cat’s wellbeing should be taken into consideration.
Forming this habit when your cat is a kitten would be the best option. However, this will not prevent cats from catching prey during daylight hours. In addition, the location of your home and the time of year can affect what prey species are impacted by the presence of our pet cats. It should be noted, cats don’t always bring the prey they catch home, so bear that in mind if you think your cat isn’t a hunter.
Use of a bell on your cats collar
A bell will alert birds and mice a little earlier to a predator sneaking up on them. However, they don’t tend to as effective on fledgling birds and eggs. Collars and a bell may not be tolerated by all cats, if this stresses them out at all then the may not be an option for your furry feline.
Ensure predation playtime with your cat
Every cat is different as to what toys they prefer based on their individual instincts, whether a wand toy or a kickeroo. Ensuring you have toys available so they can stalk, pounce, swat and satisfy their hunting instinct is the way to go. Avoid using laser toys as these can lead to frustration.
Consider installing cat proof fencing in your garden
In addition the hunting, an indirect way domestic cats affect wildlife can be with their mere presence alone. Firstly, their scent, smell and presence can disturb feeding patterns, behaviors, reproduction, foraging and stress responses of prey animals. Secondly, should your cat be sharing their habitat with another predator, such as a fox or a bird of prey, this increases the competition and availability for food.
Dogs are lovers of the great outdoors, running through grasses, fields and rivers. As responsible dog owners we should be respectful of the countryside code and consider the impacts our dogs may have on biodiversity. Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust found that dogs off lead were accountable for 40% of wildlife disturbances, compared to only 5% for dog who were on their lead. Here are a few top tips when you are out and about:
Keep your dog under control and in sight at all times
Do not disturb or damage dens and nests. Leave trees, sticks, stones and plants as you find them
Ensure you walk and stay on marked paths
Give wild animals, horses and livestock plenty of space
Follow local signs and Open Access laws on where you can walk your dog and whether they should be kept on a lead
Did you know? On Open Access land your dog should be on a lead no longer than 2 metres in length, between 1st March – 31st July due to ground nesting birds and at all times when around livestock.
Clear up after your dog and dispose of rubbish in dog waste bins
Implement command training and habituation with livestock from a young age
We know that the environmental impacts human have on biodiversity are much more significant, however this shouldn’t negate some of the positive steps and changes pet owners can make to make the world more sustainable, not just for future pets, but flora, fauna, insects and fungi.
We appreciate adjusting routines for pets can be difficult to do. If you are thinking of making a change and want to discuss any of these topics further, please feel free to contact the clinic.
We are aware that there has been some recent concerns about the use of Librela for the treatment of osteoarthritis and its safety. We thought it may be helpful to provide some information as to when and why it has been used, and what updated information we have with regards to its safe use.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, similar to humans, affects many dogs, cats and other species. It is a complex disease with multiple causes. The wear and tear of joints can be age-related (especially in our overweight pets), due to prior injury, infection, it can be an immune mediated issue and even as a result of developmental abnormalities, predisposing our younger pets to an earlier onset (such as hip and elbow dysplasia).
When it comes to taking care of our arthritic pets, our main goals are to reduce their pain, maintain their joint health, their mobility and thus, their quality of life. When your dog is showing signs of arthritis, whether that be obvious issues with their mobility or more subtle changes to behaviour, we will always start with a thorough examination and discussion with you. Depending on your pet: their breed, age, weight, how quickly it began, history of trauma and the examination itself – all of these factors will normally determine the course of action. We may discuss imaging the joints with you if we feel it may be warranted to gather more information or confirm a diagnosis.
As veterinarians, we will always tailor the treatment plan to the pet and our client’s needs. In any condition, our treatment is based on medical knowledge, and comparing the risks and benefits of any medication or procedure to the ultimate goal of – either curing the disease, or making your pet as comfortable as possible. In terms of treatment for osteoarthritis, the options are wide-ranging including pain medication, weight management, over-the-counter joint supplements, physiotherapy and surgery in select cases. In most cases, these remedies are used in tandem due to the complexity of arthritis itself.
What is Librela?
Now lets talk about Librela. It is a monthly injection we have used to treat the pain caused by osteoarthritis in dogs. It was introduced to the European market in February 2021. Since then, Zoetis has reported that 21 million doses have been distributed globally, helping millions of dogs lead a more comfortable life.
It’s effectively an antibody, which is specifically designed to bind to and eliminate something called the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF, is a protein which is involved in nerve function, and is associated with the pain stimulus or sensation in arthritic dogs. By extension, if Librela binds to the NGF and prevents the sensation of pain, this will lead to pain relief for the treated dog.
Librela, Studies and its Safety
Prior to its introduction to the market, as is standard for any medication, safety and efficacy studies were conducted in the US and EU. They demonstrated a reasonable safety profile and efficacy in the dogs treated, usually after 2 monthly doses were administered. However, as with all drugs used in veterinary medicine, safety and efficacy monitoring does not end when a medication is introduced to the market. The safety of all drugs used in the veterinary market in the UK is continually assessed by a regulatory body, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The VMD uses feedback on drug use from owners, veterinary surgeons and the pharmaceutical manufacturers, to survey the effect and safety of the drugs while being used in the market.
As such, the list of potential adverse reactions maybe linked with Librela has been updated as of 2025:
Balance problems or trouble walking
Weakness or trouble standing
Paralysis
Seizures
Drinking more
Urinating more
Loss of bladder control
Vomiting or diarrhoea
It’s important to note that Zoetis (the manufacturer) has issued a statement regarding the above adverse reactions dated 18th December, 2024:
“With over 21 million doses distributed globally, no individual adverse event sign has been reported at a rate higher than rare, as defined by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) – representing less than 10 occurrences per 10,000 treated animals.”
In addition to this, a veterinary-specialist led review of mobility adverse reactions of Librela was conducted and published on the 9th of May 2025. The study highlighted a potential ninefold increase in reports of unexpected lameness or mobility concerns after Librela was introduced to the market.
However, the study noted the limitations of associating Librela with these reports in dogs with concurrent underlying issues such as arthritis or pre-existing conditions. In short, they felt there was a far higher level of reported side effects than they would have expected and that has been reported in the use of other drugs, but they couldn’t look at each individual report to verify a definite link to Librela use. For example, if an arthritic dog jumped off a sofa and presented with lameness to a vet and the case was reported, this would be included in their study.
Furthermore, the study did caution and highlight the need for continuous surveillance of its usage. The main point of contention being that in humans, the inhibition of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) was linked to accelerated joint degeneration in some cases during clinical trials, resulting in a syndrome known as rapidly progressive osteoarthritis. It is important to note that this has not been conclusively demonstrated in dogs yet.
So, is Librela safe to use in my dog?
Ultimately, it has been used safely and effectively in many of our patients and the frequency of side effects reported to it are still rare. However, this does not mean there are no adverse reactions associated with it. As mentioned earlier, we always assess the risk and benefit to each, individual patient.
Most of our arthritic dogs are started on first line pain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs; Paracetamol (dog specific), off licence human medications and a range of other drugs in combination with appropriate interventions such as weight management and physiotherapy. However, every drug has its own set of potential adverse reactions, and in those cases, Librela has risen as an effective alternative management of osteoarthritis for some of our older patients, especially where other drugs have proven to not be safe for them or not as effective. Vets are governed by the ‘cascade system’, which is a legal framework that means we should always first prescribe medication formulated for the intended species and use, such as the licensed use of Librela for arthritis in dogs.
For those of you whose dogs are already receiving Librela, please be aware we are always monitoring any drug we use in our patients for its effect and safety. Our highly experienced nurses are fantastic at providing great care during the monthly injection appointments and a vet will normally review your pet every 6 months or sooner if we have concerns raised through you or by our nurses.
If your dog has one of the following issues after starting Librela or existing signs that seems to be worsening such as:
Balance problems
Trouble standing or walking
Seizures
Urinary problems
Lack of effect in controlling pain
Then, please contact us so our vets can examine your pet and review their management. It’s important to note that most of our patients that receive Librela are our older pets. As such, many more conditions and diseases can cause signs identical to these adverse events. Progressive arthritis may invariably lead to further mobility issues and our arthritic pets can be more prone to the effects of a traumatic injury. By working together, we can identify and treat common conditions that maybe contributing to the above issues, and in the absence of any other cause, alter your pet’s treatment to more suitable medications.
As always, your pet’s health and welfare is paramount to everything that we do at Mayne Veterinary Clinic and the profession at large. We will share any updated information as it’s provided to us. Our vets are always happy to address any concerns you may have. Your pet’s comfort, mobility and safety will always be protected with us.
Your current yearly vaccination protocol covers for myxomatosis, RVHD1 and RVHD 2. You may or may not be aware that a new strain of RVHD2 that has been detected in the recent months which is highly virulent. This strain has primarily been detected in Europe (Hungary, France, Netherlands and Italy), with over 50% of the cases being confirmed as this new highly virulent strain. The presence of this new strain has not been reported in the UK, however as reported from past experience with previous strains of RVHD it is only a matter of time.
The current yearly vaccination your rabbit gets has not been tested to confirm whether it provides immunity against this new strain. Therefore, a new vaccine has been manufactured for this reason. However it means that your rabbit would now require two vaccinations a year.
In order for us to be able to offer this to our clients and their pets we would need to run a scheduled vaccination session over one morning, which we are proposing to be a Saturday. There are two reasons for this:
1) The new vaccination is currently only available as a multi dose bottle, rather than the single dose vials your rabbit would normally get.
2) The new vaccination once opened must be used within 10 hours.
What is RVHD?
‘Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease’ can be spread by direct and indirect contact:
Direct: coming into contact with infected and potentially unvaccinated rabbits
Indirect: coming into contact with infected clothing, kennels, hutches, equipment
Clinical signs:
Unfortunately, the most common sign is sudden death dependent on the strain (RVHD 1 80-90% and RVHD2/variant strain 50-80%). Often there is no indication that your rabbit has been unwell until it is too late.
If they have acquired an acute or subacute form then symptoms are variable: fever, inappetance, neurological symptoms, breathing issues, jaundice, bloody nasal discharge.
Treatment:
There is not specific treatment for this disease, only supportive care for the symptoms. The most effectove way to get on top of this disease is stringent infection control measures, early vaccination in young rabbits and remaining up to date throughout their lifetime.
Frequently asked questions?
My rabbit isn’t due it’s usually vaccination until the summer, should I wait?
The short answer is no. We would advise, as would The Rabbit Welfare Association, to get your rabbits vaccinated against this new strain promptly. This vaccination cannot be given at the same time as the previous vaccination, there should be at least a 2 week period between the two.
My rabbit isn’t up to date on any of their vaccinations, what should I do?
To book an appointment with one of our vets for their vaccinations, please contact us by telephone on 01206 851338, message us on 07360541569 or book your appointment online via our website at https://www.maynevets.co.uk/.
If your vaccinations are up to date, but you would like to register your interest in the new vaccine, then please contact us at Mayne Vets, once available we will be in touch.
We are aware that there is currently an apparent gulf between the cost of medication in veterinary practices compared to online pharmacies. This can result in clients feeling that their vets are “ripping them off” in some way. In reality, it is a comparison of two completely different business models.
At the minute, internet pharmacies can purchase medication in large bulk orders, direct from the drugs companies; have very low staffing and infrastructure costs; and, because they are sending the medication direct to the final user, have fewer regulations monitoring how they get that medication to owners. In contrast, veterinary practices, especially small independent businesses like ours, are too small to buy direct from the manufacturers and must purchase from a wholesaler. We do not get the manufacturer discounts that the internet pharmacies and big corporate veterinary clinics receive. Plus, as we are not the “end user”, the wholesalers must follow much stricter guidance with regards to storage and delivery of the medication to our clinics at a higher cost.
In addition, veterinary practices have much higher running costs. The income we generate needs to support reception, nursing and veterinary staff; high maintenance equipment and higher infrastructure costs. Traditionally, veterinary surgeries have tried to balance the generation of this income evenly across drug sales and consultation prices, but with the introduction of internet pharmacies that is beginning to shift. In some of the Scandinavian countries, vets no longer dispense anything other than emergency drugs. All other drugs go via prescription from a pharmacy, but to balance that they have had to vastly increase their professional fees to remain viable as a business. As this system also increases the number of businesses that need to be sustainable between “pet is unwell” to “pet is better”.
It will be interesting to see how things develop over the next 5-10 years in the UK, there will most likely be a shift in a similar direction over time unless a new model is developed. In the meantime, we appreciate that veterinary medicine is not cheap and would always recommend pet insurance to help alleviate any concerns.
A titre test involves a taking a blood sample from your pet to assess the level of antibodies present to some of the diseases we routinely vaccinate against. The level of antibodies detected will help us gauge the level of immunity your pet currently has, thus guiding our decision for vaccination or not. Currently this is commercially available at an affordable price for dogs.
What diseases can we test for?
We can test for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus, three of the diseases we routinely vaccinate for. We cannot test for Leptospirosis as this is a bacterial disease and harder to measure and we don’t routinely test for Parainfluenza virus as immunity to this disease is rarely thought to last longer than a year.
When would we titre test your dog?
Currently the vaccination program of every dog consists of two phases:
The “primary vaccination” phase in puppies which covers 2 injections 4 weeks apart and then a third injection one year later at the first year booster.
And then a “booster” phase that lasts the remainder of their life.
The “booster phase”:
At Mayne Vets, we rotate this booster phase on a three-year basis. We know that leptospirosis and parainfluenza immunity struggle to last longer than a year, so we continue the immunity to these diseases with a yearly booster, along with kennel cough if needed. However, we also know that immunity to Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus lasts at least three years in most dogs. As such we don’t need to boost the immunity to these dogs until three years after the first year booster, so 4 years old in most cases. Provided your dog has completed the ‘initial vaccination’ phase fully then the first titre test would not be needed until they are 4 years old.
An example of a time line for titre testing:
8 weeks old 1st vaccination (primary course, all diseases)
12 weeks old 2nd vaccination (primary course, all diseases)
1 year old 1 year booster (primary course, all diseases)
2 years old 2 year booster (mini booster, leptospirosis and parainfluenza)
3 years old 3 year booster (mini booster, leptospirosis and parainfluenza)
4 years old 1 year booster OR titre test
How would it work?
Your vet will perform the annual health check and vaccinate for leptospirosis and parainfluenza (plus kennel cough if required) as normal. We would then take a blood sample from your pet and send it to a laboratory to test the levels of antibodies (immunity) for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus.
You will then be contacted with the blood results and can book a follow up appointment with a registered veterinary nurse for further vaccinations if the immunity result was inadequate. If the blood sample showed the current immunity to be adequate, we would discuss the pros and cons of holding off the follow up vaccine and potentially repeat the titre test the following year until an inadequate test result appeared.
What are the benefits?
Although it has been proven to be clinically safe to follow the base vaccine protocol we run at Mayne Vets, some owners prefer to limit the vaccines used on their pet further by titre testing.
What are the drawbacks?
The main drawback of titre testing is that it can only tell us the level of immunity your pet has on the day of testing. Testing cannot tell us how long that immunity will last and we are therefore unable to guarantee immunity until the next annual booster date.
If your dog does have inadequate immunity to one of the diseases tested then you will need to return to the clinic for a booster vaccination. An additional issue is that we are unable to provide individual vaccines to individual viruses. For example, if your dog’s immunity has dropped for Hepatitis, but not to Parvovirus or Distemper, we can only vaccinate for all three viruses in one multi-dose injection.
If you would like to discuss titre testing you dog further, please feel free to contact us at the clinic.
The purpose of this part of our article is to provide you with some information regarding the parasites we routinely treat in veterinary medicine and consideration of any potential risks when not treating for them. As mentioned in Part One, parasite treatment is an area of veterinary medicine currently under heavy debate, with many people raising concerns regarding what impact the drugs we use to prevent parasite infestation may or may not be having on the wider environment.
We have aimed to provide you information about most common parasites we tend to treat for in the UK, along with a summary of the risks involved. We haven’t written this as a “quick read” but have tried to provide a fuller explanation into the challenges we need to consider when treating our pets (a shorter summary can be found here or at the end of the article).
Fleas
The most common flea seen in cats and dogs is the “cat flea”. These fleas can be picked up outdoors and brought inside. Here they will merrily breed all year long, occasionally nibbling their human housemates while doing so (they often tend to have a favourite target!). Once established on our pets, a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. These eggs can then hatch in the environment as larvae which like to find somewhere dark to hide. Here they form a pupae (like caterpillars). This pupal stage can last in the environment for up to a year before hatching out as an adult flea and starting the cycle all over again. When treating a pet for fleas, it is always important to remember to treat the household with a good quality house spray. It is also worth bearing in mind that even the best household treatments cannot kill the pupal stages and so once a flea problem has become established in a household it can take some time to resolve!
What is the risk to your pet?
The main problem fleas pose to your pets is that they can be incredibly irritating, particularly if your pet is allergic to the flea’s saliva. Fleas are also part of the tapeworm lifecycle and some pets with fleas subsequently go on to develop tapeworm infestations. Additionally, over time a large flea burden can also cause an anaemia to develop in your pet. Finally, fleas have been shown to carry bartonella, a species of bacteria that can cause “Cat Scratch Fever”.
Are they a risk to human health?
The most common concern clients have with flea infestation (other than seeing the fleas themselves!) is that family members have been receiving flea bites. However, there is also a disease seen in people, referred to as “Cat Scratch Fever”, which is caused by the infection of a bartonella species of bacteria. The bartonella bacteria can be transmitted via flea dirt in a variety of ways but the most common is via cat scratches. The symptoms of this disease in people are usually mild, but it can cause more serious complications in immunocompromised people. Due to the non-specific and often mild symptoms shown in people, it is hard to really know how commonly the disease is spread or its incidence within the UK.
What are the risks of not treating?
It is important not to ignore the risk of Cat Scratch Fever in households with immunocompromised people, however, the major concern with fleas to most of us is the annoyance factor of bites coupled with the length of time it could take to clear a household of infestation.
Who should consider treatment?
As mentioned, the cat flea is the most common culprit in UK households and so UK households with cats that go outside are more likely to encounter fleas. Many of us believe that dogs that live in cat free households are at lower risk of picking up fleas and so owners may consider not using preventative treatment. While this is probably true, there are no studies to confirm that this is the case. As such pet owners who chose not to treat should be aware that cat fleas can live quite happily on dogs and owners need to be aware of the challenges to treatment should their pet pick up fleas.
Roundworms
Dogs and cats tend to pick up roundworms by ingesting eggs from the environment including direct contact with other dogs; eating undercooked meat; or by eating other infected animals such as rodents, earthworms and birds. Once our pets are infected, the roundworm will complete its lifecycle, develop into adults, and start laying eggs of their own
What is the risk to your pet?
Roundworms rarely cause significant disease in adult dogs and cats, but infection can pass through the placenta and high worm burdens can cause significant disease in puppies and kittens.
Are they a risk to human health?
Yes, but the incidence of infection is hard to know. The roundworm eggs can be picked up via contact with contaminated soil and sand; eating unwashed fruit and vegetables; or by placing contaminated objects in our mouths. Classic examples of environmental infection could be contact with contaminated fur and bedding, or children playing in gardens or parks where infected dogs or cats have defecated.
Ingested eggs won’t develop to the adult stage in people but can cause disease. Again, symptoms of the disease in people are normally mild but worm eggs once ingested may develop to the larval stage and migrate to eyes, brain or liver causing serious problems. Children seem to be at more risk of this disease. Again, with the wide range of clinical symptoms and lack of routine surveillance, it is hard to know the exact incidence of this disease in the UK. It is thought that there are 1.4 billion people affected worldwide, and some studies have shown around 10.5 percent of people tested in European regions have been exposed at some stage. In addition, studies carried out in the UK have shown contamination in public parks all over the UK.
Who should consider treatment?
In the absence of regular worm egg counting, we would advise treating pets for roundworms at least 4 times a year. Households that are at greater risk, such as those with children or whose pets are regular hunters, should consider treating more regularly. It is also very important to help reduce environmental contamination by picking up faeces and disposing them promptly, both in the garden and in public areas. For those who do not wish to treat regularly, it is advisable to perform worm counts on your pets at least four times a year. Faecal egg counts can be performed either via your vet, or via a reliable commercial laboratory in which there is growing availability. But owners who chose this option need to be aware there is a chance their pet could become infected and shed eggs between tests.
Image from ‘Unsplash’
Tapeworms
Both cats and dogs can pick up tapeworm in the UK. Cats tend to pick up tapeworm from hunting or ingesting fleas and lice; dogs can also pick up tapeworm from eating infected carcasses (sheep, cattle, pigs and other livestock) or raw food diets that have been inadequately frozen. Cats and dogs are considered the “definitive host” for these tapeworm species and as such the tapeworms will develop to full maturity and release eggs. However, other mammalian species are involved in the transmission. When the tapeworm eggs are picked up by these “intermediate” hosts (birds/sheep/cattle/pigs) they won’t develop into mature worms. Instead, the immature stage of the tapeworm moves to organs such as the liver and lungs of these species and form cystic disease.
What is the risk to your pet?
Tapeworms are rarely associated with significant clinical signs of disease in pets. Tapeworm segments leaving the anus may cause anal irritation. However, it should be noted that tapeworm does cause more significant disease in the “intermediate hosts” including wild birds in the case of cats, and livestock in the case of dogs. This can have significant welfare impacts to these animals as well as an economic impacts in farming areas.
Are they a risk to human health?
The dog tapeworm present in the UK, Echinococcus granulosus, can cause significant health concerns in people but this rarely occurs in the UK. Like the “intermediate hosts”, this tapeworm infection can cause cystic disease in multiple organs in infected people. This disease is seen more commonly in more tropical climates, but there is thought to be 10-20 new cases in the UK every year.
Who should consider treatment?
Owners of pets that regularly hunt, have access to carcasses or are on raw food diets that have been inadequately prepared should consider treating for tapeworm monthly. Owners of pets that have had a significant flea infestation should consider treating for tapeworm as well as fleas. Pets that receive regular flea treatment and have limited access to hunting or raw food diets are at much lower risk and require less regular treatment.
Travel Considerations
In addition to concerns about tapeworms currently present in the UK, it should be noted that there are also tapeworm species currently in mainland Europe that pose more significant risk of ill health to owners. There are concerns in the veterinary industry that the current legislation regarding pet travel to mainland Europe is not be adequate to prevent the importation of these tapeworm species. As such, in addition to your legal requirement to treat your pet prior to returning to the UK, we would also recommend repeating this treatment after you’ve returned to the UK. This will cover for any potential exposure to tapeworm between the day of treatment while away and your return to the UK.
Ticks
There are several species of tick widespread throughout the UK. These ticks are most often found in wooded areas or areas with long grass, especially in the spring, summer and autumn months. Ticks are multi-host parasites, they attach themselves to one host to feed, then drop off to go through a development stage before attaching to another host. Most ticks in the UK attach to 3 different hosts in their lifecycle. Whilst ticks can cause some discomfort and localised infection, especially if not removed correctly, the main health concern with ticks is the potential of spread of disease
What is the risk to your pet?
In the UK we have several diseases that can be spread to our pets and ourselves via tick bites. The most well-known one of these is Lyme disease. Lyme disease can infect dogs, humans, and (more rarely) cats, causing various problems including fever, lameness and kidney disease. The symptoms of the disease can be significant and prompt identification and treatment is vital. However, other diseases include anaplasmosis in cats, babesia infection and tick-borne encephalitis.
Are they a risk to human health?
While people can pick-up tick-borne diseases, this would be due to a bite from a contaminated tick picked up in the same area as your pet found one, rather than transmission of disease from your pet. Lyme disease has been established in the UK for a long time and can cause a range of symptoms from mild fever through to paralysis if untreated. However, tick borne encephalitis is a relatively new arrival, having spread from mainland Europe, with only a few human cases being confirmed in the UK. It is a viral condition spread via tick bites that can cause a range of symptoms from mild flu-like symptoms up to meningitis. As of October 2024 the disease has been confirmed in ticks in Thetford Forest, Hampshire/Dorset Border, the New Forest and North Yorkshire Moors, but that list is likely to grow.
Who should consider treatment?
We should consider regular treatment for pets that access areas that are more prone to ticks such as long grass or wooded areas. Ticks are more prevalent in the spring, summer and autumn months. Regardless of whether you treat your pet or not, all owners should regularly check their pets for ticks and seek veterinary advice for the correct method of removing ticks using recommended tools to assist. Cats seem to be less susceptible to tick disease than their canine counterparts. It is not clear if this may be because they are less prone to picking up ticks, or if they are better at removing them before we find them; but cats are certainly capable of picking them up, especially if they like to visit animal burrows
Travel Considerations
There are many more disease risks associated with tick bites in pets that have travelled to mainland Europe than we have in the UK, and we would strongly advise discussing any travel plans with your vet. There are no compulsory steps in the travel legislation that will protect your pet against tick borne disease while travelling and some of the tick species in Europe can be brought back to the UK to live quite happily in your household.
One of the European ticks that can carry a disease called babesia has been established in the UK for many years but has not previously been known to carry the babesia infection. However, in 2015 and 2016 there were confirmed cases of Babesia in the UK in dogs that had not travelled to Europe prompting concerns that the disease could be established here if given the opportunity. Prompt identification and management of the affected area seems to have helped reduce its transmission, but it is still an area for concern.
Image from ‘Unsplash’
Lungworm in Dogs
Lungworm is spread to dogs via the ingestion of infected slugs or snails or via toys or bowls that have come into contact with contaminated slugs and snails. Once infected, the larvae develop into worms which reside in the heart and major blood vessel of the lungs.
What is the risk to your pet?
Symptoms of lungworm are variable but can include breathing problems and pneumonia as well as bleeding and neurological disorders. Symptoms can be mild initially but can progress to fatal disease if not identified and treated.
Is there any risk to human health
No
Who should consider treatment?
We know that lungworm presence in the UK can be very patchy, with the disease being much more prevalent in some local areas compared to others. Dogs that like to eat slugs and snails are at more risk and should receive regular treatment, but we should be conscious of the risk to all dogs if they have toys or bowls that are left outdoors. It is an area where more information on local exposure would massively help our understanding of risks to individual households. However, the only route to discovering that information is by regularly testing the pets that have not been treated for disease.
What are the next steps?
Thank you for investing so much time in reading this article, we know this hasn’t been a quick read! The next step is to consider what risks your pet is exposed to on a day-to-day basis and discuss any concerns with our team at the clinic. As it is clear, there is no “one solution fits all” and we are always happy to individualise the treatment plan for your pet and your household depending on what you are concerned about. To help with the costs we have a well-established Pet Health Club. Our Pet Health Club can provide you with an individualised vaccination and parasite treatment plan as well as unlimited vet and nurse consults among other benefits to help provide the care your pet needs.
For more information on this or anything else discussed in either of these articles, please feel free to contact us at the clinic. Otherwise, we hope they have been helpful and thank you very much for your time.
Best wishes,
The Team at Mayne Vets
More information can be found on the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) website (https://www.esccap.org/)
(Summary table containing bite sized information on the article above)
Source
Risk To Pets
Risk to people
Fleas (Cat Flea)
Picked up outdoors or eggs brought into house after visiting infected households. Once established in a household, fleas can breed all year round and can take over a year to clear once discovered.
Irritation, Cat Scratch Fever, the symptoms of which can vary from mild flu like symptoms to serious disease in immunocompromised individuals.
Roundworms
Contact with contaminated soil, Eating undercooked meat Ingestion of other infected animals including rodents, birds and earthworms.
Rarely cause significant disease unless high worm counts in puppies and kittens.
Yes, but incidence is hard to know. Normally signs of infection in people are mild but larval forms of worms can travel to organs including eyes and liver.
Tapeworms
Fleas and Live Hunting, Eating infected carcass (livestock), Raw food diets that have been inadequately frozen.
Minimal risk to dogs and cats but can cause significant disease to other animals in lifecycle.
The dog tapeworm present in UK can cause significant disease in people but this is rare in UK.
Ticks
Picked up in long grass and wooded areas.
Tick borne disease would be greatest risk, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesia.
Tick borne diseases are also a risk to people including Lyme disease and tick – borne encephalitis.
Lungworm
Picked up from eating slugs or snails or contact with bowls or toys that been in contact with infected slugs and snails.
Yes, symptoms can vary from breathing problems and pneumonia through to bleeding and neurological disorders
