Category: News

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.

Part Two: What are the risks?

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.

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.

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)

Image 1: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-sheep-standing-on-a-lush-green-field-PvWLieySGsM

Image 2: https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-snail-in-rule-of-thirds-photography-SHpbGW-sSYE

One of the more hotly debated topics in veterinary medicine at the minute is the use of parasiticides to protect our pets both from parasites and the diseases that these parasites may transmit to our pets and ourselves. 

On one side of the debate, we have the parasitology experts who readily acknowledge that there is evidence that some of the products may be causing an environmental impact, and we should take care with their use, but point out we have a social obligation to be conscious of the impact that not treating for parasites may have.  Not only on the welfare of our pets, but also the impact they can have on other animals including farm animals, wildlife and disease risks to the more vulnerable members of the human population. 

On the other hand, those studying the environment are rightfully concerned that there is definite evidence that levels of the older generations of parasite drugs are building up in the environment and that these levels are having a negative impact on wildlife and the biodiversity of our planet.  They are also concerned that, while there is currently little evidence to support the argument that the newer generation of parasite products are having an impact, if we wait for that evidence to arrive, it may be too late to act.  As such we also have a social obligation to minimise the use of parasiticides wherever possible.

What we have tried to provide for you in this two-part article is a summary of what we know, what we suspect, and where we may need to gather more information.  Part One will look at how we have approached parasite treatment in the past, what we know about the build-up of these products in the environment and what information we need to seek moving forward.  Part Two will give more information about the parasites we would regularly treat in small animal medicine and the potential risks owners should be aware of when considering their personal treatment strategies.

A Quick Summary

As this is obviously a complex issue, we have started with a summary of the main three points:

1. We must stop using Fipronil and Imidacloprid products immediately

While the use of parasiticide drugs is under hot debate, there is little doubt from either side that these two drugs are causing real harm to the environment.  They are possibly not the only issue but are certainly the two that there is a significant amount of evidence to show there is a problem.  Their use in agricultural settings is already heavily regulated, however, there is significant evidence that their use in pet products is harming the environment.  The levels found in wastewater coming from households is considered to be high enough to be causing an impact, and the drugs survive sewage treatment to make it into water environments.  In addition to being found in our waterways, a new study has shown the levels of these drugs present in pet hair used to line nests may be causing a reduction in hatching of eggs in songbirds in the UK.  In the absence of better government regulation in this area, it is down to vets and pet owners to ensure we are no longer using these products.  Fipronil has been at the front line of treatment for fleas in dogs and cats for over a decade.  It is currently present in several different products on the market.  While these products are rarely prescribed in veterinary surgeries these days, Fipronil products are still one of the most popular “over the counter” products now available at pet shops and online without a prescription.  On the other hand, Imidacloprid is still present in some parasite treatments prescribed by veterinary surgeons although many will no longer advocate their use due to environmental concerns.

• If we want to reduce the amount of parasite products used, we will need to test more

For decades we have been using preventative treatment to reduce the risk of our individual pets catching parasites.  It has been cheaper for the owner, easier and safer for the pet to do so.  Now that we are moving away from the overuse of these drugs, it is important to realise there is a responsibility to ensure our pets are not infected.  The only way we can do that is by regular testing for disease.  The balance between regular testing and regular treatment is something that can be discussed with your vet to decide on an individualised parasite plan suitable to your pet.

• We need to become more comfortable with the understanding that a reduction in use of preventative treatment for our pets may increase the level of risk to our pets and the wider human population

There is no getting away from the fact that the parasites our pets carry can result in disease risks both to themselves, their owners and the wider community.  To be clear, these disease risks in the UK are low but the true level of their impact is hard to measure. It is important that any pet owner deciding on whether or not to treat their pet for parasites is clear on what these disease risks are, and how to minimise them.  This is covered more in second part of these articles.

The Detailed Article

With the summary done, if you want to know more, please read on… It’s not going to be a short story… (maybe sit down with a cup of tea!) but we hope it will give a clear and full explanation of the challenges faced in this topic.  This information is mainly considering the UK pet population and is a summary of where we are at in March 2025.

Where have we come from?: “Evidence based medicine” and “Do Least Harm”

Two of the tenants that form the foundation of responsible veterinary medicine are:

1. To make treatment plans based on all available evidence,
2. In the absence of sufficient evidence, to precede in a way that does the least harm.

One of the major challenges with deciding on appropriate parasite treatment protocols has always been the lack of definitive evidence on localised parasite risks. For example, we know Lyme disease, a disease transmitted by ticks, used to be mainly located in areas including the New Forest, the west coast of the UK and the highlands of Scotland. However, there is now evidence of it being found in tick populations throughout the UK, but little specific data of how prevalent it may be in any given area. We also know that lungworm has become established in the UK, especially in the south of England, but we don’t know how prevalent it is in local pockets around our local environment.

Given the serious health consequences of developing some of these parasitic diseases and the risk to human health in some circumstances, we as veterinary professionals and pet owners have traditionally decided the “least harm” route is to treat our pets with preventative treatment against these parasites to reduce the possibility of disease developing. This choice has been exacerbated by the fact it is usually cheaper for the owner to give preventative treatment to treat for parasites, than it is to test for the presence of the parasites themselves. Further to this, to make this treatment easier for most owners to give, companies have developed products that aim to treat all parasites in one tablet or spot on which can lead to over-treating for parasites that aren’t necessarily a concern for the individual animal.

What has changed?

The environment around us!

Again, the arguments around this area are heated and often contradictory. What we do know is that studies have shown a dramatic drop in the insect population within the UK along with a reduction in the biodiversity in our waterways. In addition, there are studies showing the level of drugs contained within some of the parasite treatments we use in the pet population have been found in our waterways (mainly fipronil and imidacloprid).

Now it is important to clarify that fipronil and imidacloprid have both been used in the agricultural industry for some time and this would have a significant impact on the levels found in waterways, but there is also evidence of these drugs present in waterways that were not near treated farms. A further study done in 2022 summarised that there was currently no clear evidence that parasiticides used in our pets were having a negative effect on the environment, but strongly stressed that this may be due to lack of evidence and called for in-depth regulatory investigation of the environmental risks of these drugs. A single study in 2017 also found moxidectin in waterways, and one Dutch study has shown evidence of flulaner in a water environment following a swim test with a dog that had been treated with that drug. Ultimately, a lot more research needs to be done to assess whether these drugs are truly having an impact on the environment.

We also need to see changes in the regulations surrounding what drug companies publish about their effects. While the use of parasiticides in agriculture are heavily regulated with regards to their environmental impact, there is less regulation regarding their use in pets. The argument being that the treatment of one dog or one cat has negligible effect on the environment, not taking into account the millions of pets being treated across the UK. This is something we believe needs to change.

So what to do next?

So while the cogs slowly turn in the regulatory bodies of the government and pharmaceutical industry, the question remains, what should we as pet owners be doing next?

Consider our individual household risk:

While the debate rages on as to whether and how much impact the use of parasite treatment used in the pet population has on the environment. It would seem prudent to reconsider the way we approach its use. We need to shift our thinking from simply “do least harm to the pet in our house” to also include “and do least harm to the environment around us” while also considering any potential health risk to the people living in our households and the local area.

However, this involves some difficult decisions and will ultimately come down to owners’ personal preference. There are risks that owners who chose to reduce their pet’s parasite prevention strategies should be aware of. Many of those risks are low, but again, it is an area that is hard to fill with absolute facts or figures.

With regards to discussing these risks, we have tried to summarise them as clearly as possible in Part Two of this article. Our goal has been to provide the information as clearly as possible, without being too alarmist! Our suggestion would be for you to read the information available, discuss it further on a one to one basis with your veterinary surgeon, and devise a parasite control strategy that you feel is best suited to your household.

Gather more information:

I suspect if you’ve read this far, you would agree that the most frustrating aspect of looking at the use of parasite treatments in pets is the persistent lack of information. We lack reliable information on:

• how many cases of human illness derived from pet parasites are seen in the UK every year;
• we lack data from the drugs companies about how these drugs are excreted into the environment and in what form (which they are currently under no legal obligation to research or provide);
• we don’t have enough information about the prevalence of these diseases in our local environment.

We are collectively trying to navigate a sensible solution to the treatment of our pets while dealing with some significant information gaps. Now some of these measures are out of our hands. We need a clearer national (human and pet) disease monitoring systems; we need legislation changes for the drug manufacturers to publish more information about how these drugs are excreted; and we need continued environmental research into whether the use of these drugs are impacting the environment and to what level. Monitoring of parasiticide levels in waterways are still on going, but as far as we are aware, there is no testing being done on soil.

Test not treat:

However, the only way we can learn more about the prevalence of disease in local area is by testing our pets. This will take a shift in the mindset of pet owners and veterinary professionals alike. For example, it has been far cheaper for us to treat for intestinal worms rather than to test for them, so that is what we have generally suggested, and what clients have happily embraced. Similarly, we know that lungworm tends to exist in pockets in local areas, but it is only by testing our patients and forming a database of where pets have been, that we can start to form a map of where those pockets are.

Ultimately, the cost of these tests would need to be borne by the pet owners themselves. In an environment where the costs of providing veterinary medicine have escalated heavily in the last 4 years, we appreciate that the discussion of increased costs for veterinary care won’t be welcome to many. However, it is worth looking at the UK horse population as a good example of how positive change can be achieved.

Twenty years ago, horses were routinely treated for intestinal worms, but horse owners often struggled with accurately weighing and dosing their horses correctly. This led to a situation where horses may have been treated too often and with dosages of medications that were too low. We know that under dosing of parasite treatment can lead to the development of resistance and we were certainly seeing a developing issue in the horse population at that time. However, the industry responded very well and there has been a clear shift from “regular worming treatments” to “regular worm egg counts”.

This has subsequently led to appropriate dosing only when necessary which is not only beneficial to the horses themselves, but also to the reduction of developing resistance. While we would need to be more careful replicating this system in the pet population as there is a greater risk to people that are exposed to eggs produced by intestinal worms from our pets than those from intestinal worms in horses, a switch to regular worm counts rather than medicating could be possible if done correctly.

In summary

We need to consider making some major changes from funding of studies and regulatory changes from the government, right down to the way we discuss parasite treatment in our consult rooms and in our households with our pets. In the absence of concrete information, a lot of these decisions will come down to our personal assessment of risk. There are no right or wrong answers, but we would encourage you all to read the information provided, (avoid the misinformation found online!) then come and discuss your personal situation with a member of our vet team.

In mean time, please click here to find Part 2: What are the Risks?

Further information

Among other sources:

To Flea Or Not to Flea: survey of UK companion animal ectoparasiticide usage and activities affecting pathways to the environment

Rosemary Perkins and Dave Goulson

https://sussex.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/To_flea_or_not_to_flea_survey_of_UK_companion_animal_ectoparasiticide_usage_and_activities_affecting_pathways_to_the_environment/25133792?file=44374835

Pet dogs transfer veterinary medicines to the environment

N.J. Diepens, D. Belgers, L. Buijse, I. Roessink

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722066499

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-horse-on-green-grass-field-near-trees-during-daytime-pqX8m4ME5yw ↩︎

With the sudden growth in “anaesthesia-free” dental cleaning offered by groomers and other non-veterinary professionals, it is important to understand the health risks involved within these procedures and why they have been banned by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with support from the British Dental Veterinary Association and the European Veterinary Dental College.

What is anaesthetic free dental cleaning?

As the name suggests, this is the act of cleaning a pets teeth without the benefit of anaesthesia. Often with the use of sharp tools or an ultrasonic scaler. Just like in humans, this process requires the pet to sit still and not move their mouth during the procedure; an act that many humans find stressful enough, never mind our pets who don’t understand what is going on and why. At the end of the procedure you may end up with a pet with teeth that superficially look clean and shiny on the outer surface, but there are many potential problems to consider when assessing dental disease and the “shiny clean teeth” are most likely hiding the problem!

What can go wrong?

There are many concerns with anaesthesia free dental cleaning but the main three are:

1. Damage to teeth and gums: The periodontal tissue attaching teeth to gums is very delicate and can be easily damaged, especially if the patients moves their head while conscious during scaling with sharp or ultrasonic instruments. Damage to this tissue may lead to further dental disease or tooth loss.
2. Is the periodontal pocket being reached?: One of the most important areas of teeth to assess is the periodontal pocket. This is an area below the gum line that is the most impacted by dental disease. Assessment and cleaning of this pocket is a vital stage of any dental cleaning. It is not possible to do this effectively in a conscious pet. Cleaning and assessing this periodontal pocket below the gum line is considered to be an act of veterinary surgery and, as such, it is illegal for a non-veterinary surgeon to do, or to advertise this service.
3. What is being missed?: It is vital to remember that “cleaning” the teeth is only a small part of a dental scale and polish performed at a veterinary surgery. Many oral problems from dental disease through to early detection of oral tumours can only be diagnosed during complete general anaesthesia. Some even require the use of dental x-rays. While anaesthesia-free cleaning may result in clean looking teeth, it will also most likely delay the diagnosis of these diseases which may limit treatment options.

So why can I still see this service being advertised?

While the governing body of the veterinary profession, the RCVS, has powers to tackle and punish Veterinary Surgeons and Registered Veterinary Nurses that are acting in a way that is not in the best interest of the health and welfare of our patients. They have limited power to act on non-veterinary professionals advertising and performing acts of veterinary surgery illegally. Technically this would come under the remit of the Trading Standards, but they are notoriously slow to act within the veterinary field.

One of the hopes within the veterinary profession is that the CMA investigation may lead to updated legislation to improve the powers of the RCVS and close some of these loopholes. However, The RCVS and their standards committee have advised members of the public offering these services that they should be aware it is illegal for a non-veterinary surgeon to perform acts of veterinary surgery such as include cleaning under the gum line or tooth extraction. They are also reminding pet owners considering non-anaesthesia dentals that they have a responsibility under the Animal Welfare Act to avoid doing so.

More information on the RCVS stance on this can be found here: (https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/a-statement-on-anaesthesia-free-dental-procedures-for-cats-dogs/)

What does a dental assessment at Mayne Vets involve?

When you book your pet in for a dental assessment with us, your pet will need to be placed under general anaesthesia, so the dental procedure can be performed far more safely and effectively. A dental assessment includes:

• Full mouth dental x-rays
• A dental assessment, to include probing, charting of the teeth and gums
• Scale and polish of ALL surfaces of the teeth

These x-rays and dental charting will be assessed by one of our Veterinary Surgeons, who will then be able to provide feedback and advice on whether treatment, such as tooth extraction, is required.

If the dental assessment reveals that multiple or deep rooted teeth need to be extracted we will arrange this to be done as a second stage procedure. Doing this as a second stage procedure is better for:

– The patient as it reduces the anaesthetic risk for your pet by splitting the procedure over two shorter anaesthetics rather than one longer one.

– The owner as, following the assessment, they have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done, and why and at what cost before the second stage procedure has been started

– The veterinary team as it allows us to plan ahead for all the requirements for the anaesthesia but also, for the dental procedure itself, which can involve complicated and timely extraction of teeth in order for it to be done safely and correctly.

This February we are offering our clients 20% of dental assessments, spaces are limited to don’t forget to give us a call to get your pet booked in. Should your pet need to have a second stage procedure, Pet Health Club members get 10% off if booked in by the end of April.

As part of ‘National Pet Dental Month‘ we are offering our patients a FREE dental check with our wonderful Veterinary Nurses.

What will be included in the nurse dental check?

During a nurse dental check we can discuss with you the signs of dental disease, along with the treatment we are able to provide to treat it. More importantly we can discuss what steps you can start putting in place to prevent the dental disease returning, which we can then help you introduce with follow up checks if further treatment is needed.

Should they be recommended to book in for a dental assessment, we are offering 20% off throughout the month of February.

What if I am recommended to book in a dental assessment?

In order for us to carry out this assessment, your pet will need to be placed under general anaesthesia. A dental assessment includes:

• Full mouth dental x-rays
• A dental assessment, to include probing, charting of the teeth and interpretation of x-rays
• Scale and polish of the teeth

We are offering 20% of dental assessments throughout February, so get yours booked in before the offer runs out!

Your pet will have x-rays taken of their whole mouth, an anaesthetic allows for us to do this safely and facilitate positioning for x-rays to be taken. The machine is positioned at a specific angle near your pet’s mouth, and an x-ray film is placed inside their mouth to capture the images. The process is painless and a full mouth series takes around 20 minutes to complete. Your pet will then have their teeth scaled and polished and a thorough dental assessment, involving charting, probing and scoring all surfaces of the teeth and gums. These x-rays and dental charting will be assessed by one of our Veterinary Surgeons, who will then be able to provide feedback and advice on whether treatment, such as tooth extraction, is required.

What if my pet requires a second stage procedure?

If the dental assessment reveals that multiple or deep rooted teeth need to be extracted we will arrange this to be done as a second stage procedure. Doing this as a second stage procedure reduces the anaesthetic risk for your pet by splitting the procedure over two shorter anaesthetics rather than one longer one. It also allows us to plan ahead for all the requirements for the anaesthesia but also, for the dental procedure itself, which can involve complicated and timely extraction of teeth in order for it to be done safely and correctly.

And finally as an owner, following the dental assessment, you will have a much clearer idea of what teeth need to be removed in that second stage dental and why, along with a far clearer estimate of what the cost of the procedure will be.

To help with these costs we are offering our Pet Health Club members a further 10% off their dental procedure should a second stage be required, if it is booked in before the end of April.

We all love to treat our pets, whether it’s with a frothy puppacino or even a new toy this Christmas season. We have to work out ways we can live more thoughtfully and deliberately to create a better world for the future. Next time you dive in your bag for your wallet, have a think about the environmental impact of what you are about to buy, could it be substituted for something else more sustainably made or sourced, be bought second hand, be home made, or even not purchased at all?!

I want to treat my pet to something new…

Many toys, beds, leads, outfits and plastic will end up on landfill. We all know that globally there is an issue with plastic pollution. A great swap this Christmas time would be to consider purchasing sustainable and responsibly produced products for your pets (and human family members), or buying locally. As mentioned above, how about not even making that purchase in the first place and give them something enriching and homemade. Who doesn’t love receiving a thoughtful, homemade gift?! This Christmas at Mayne Vets, we are spreading some sustainable Christmas joy. Secret Santa gifts are to be either homemade, second hand or re-useable.

Here are some ideas on some homemade and simple presents for your furry friend this festive season. How about getting crafty and making a snuffle mat for your dog or a wand toy for you cat! Or even getting your GBBO chef hat on and baking your pawesome pet some biscuits!

Enrichment doesn’t have to be complicated, your pet will appreciate something as simple as a scatter fee or treats hidden in a cardboard box with scrunched up paper. Have a look online there is so much out there, we will also share some ideas with you on our Facebook page over December.

Even these simple swaps will have a positive impact on the planet:

• biodegradable cat litter (clay based litter containing sodium bentonite are often mined through a destructive process, do not decompose and can contain chemicals)
• biodegradable poo bags
• shampoo bars rather than bottles

Pet food and packaging:

Some traditional pet food comes in tins, which we have been able to recycle for a number of years through our local councils. There are some great initiatives which have been set up for previously non-recycled pet food packaging. Many Pets at Home stores have the facilities to recycle your wet food sachets and dry food bags. If not, visit the Terracycle website to find a collection point local to you.

Waste is tangible and visible and it’s a lot easier to understand when we are talking about the impact on the environmental. However, sustainability is more than just the packaging and recycling of the pet food we choose. The ingredients used and the transportation of pet food actually has a greater impact on the environment, than the materials used in its packaging. Stay turned for our blog post on ‘Sustainable Pet Ownership – pet food and it’s carbon footprint’ in the new year!

We hope you’ve been enjoying out ‘Pet Owner Sustainability’ series, stay tuned for more insightful, educational and thought provoking information soon. We will you all a very merry Christmas.

Image 1: https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-brown-cat-on-red-and-white-floral-textile-FDjHs2Uv8MQ