Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my dog or cat has diarrhoea?

• Firstly, ask yourself if your pet is up to date with its flea and worming treatment
• If you have just taken your new pet home and it has diarrhoea it may be due to a stressful car journey or the new surroundings so give the animal time to settle in.
• If the diarrhoea continues over the next 48 hours you should feed the animal a bland diet e.g. chicken and rice.
• When its motions become more solid you should slowly wean it back onto normal food over a two - week period.
• If you pet still has diarrhoea or its faeces contains blood or if the animal at any stage appears unwell, you should contact your Veterinary Surgeon.

What should I do if my dog or cat vomits?

• Firstly, ask yourself if your pet is up to date with its flea and worming treatment
• if you have just taken your new pet home and it vomits, it could be due to a stressful car journey or the new surroundings so give the animal time to settle in.
• If you have seen your pet eat something that could be potentially poisonous you should contact your Veterinary Surgeon without delay.
• If your animal vomits once and remains bright and responsive you should continue to observe it.
• If the vomitting is persistent or contains blood, or if the animal at any stage appears unwell, you should contact your Veterinary Surgoen.

What should I do if my dog/cat is not eating?

• Loss of appetite can indicate that your animal is not feeling well or is stressed.
• Offering warm and smelly foods such as fish or chicken may stimulate appetite.
• Giving lots of attention and hand feeding can also be used to help tempt an animal to eat.  If your animal hasn't eaten within 48 hours (24 hours if it is a puppy or kitten) or it appears unwell, consult your Veterinary Surgeon.

When and why should I have my dog spayed?

• Bitches usually have their first season between six and 12 months of age, and then every six months thereafter.
• The operation involves the removal of your dog's ovaries and uterus under general anaesthetic.
• Most pets advise spaying at about six months of age, although it may be done at a younger age.  It is usually done before a season, or about three months after (between seasons).
• Advantages of spaying:

1. Eliminates the risk of unwanted litters, messy seasons, false pregnancies, pyometras (womb infections) and unwanted attention from male dogs.
2. If done at a young age (especially before first season), it significantly reduces the incident of mammary tumors.

• Disadvantages of spaying:

Urinary incontinence may be seen in a small percentage of spayed bitches, especially in larger breeds, although this usually responds well to medical treatment.

Myth Buster - Neutering will not make your pet fat.  Controlled diet and exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight.

When and why should I castrate my dog?

• Castration involves the removal of the dog's testes under anaesthetic.
• Most vets will castrate after six months although it may be done at an earlier age.
• Advantages of castration:

1. Sgnificantly reduces the risk of prostate disease and some anal tumours
2. Reduces the risk of unwanted testosterone dependent behaviours e.g. roaming, certain types of aggression.
3. Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer

When should I neuter my cat?

• Cats should be neutered from approximately four to six months of age.  Female cats are prolific breeders and can produce up to 20,000 offspring in five years.  Neutering male cats can curb aggression and antisocial behaviour like spraying.

I have lost my vaccination record, what should I do?

• Phone the Home's Veterinary Clinic with as many of your pet's details as possible:

1. Your pet's reference number
2. Your name and address
3. The date you took it home
4. Name of your pet when it was in the Home
5. Breed of animal
6. Approximate age

• A nurse should be able to re-write another vaccination record and post to to you.

My neutering voucher is out of date, what should I do?

• Phone the Veterinary Clinic with as many of your pet's details as possible (see above).
• The Home should be able to issue you with a new one.

When you contact the Veterinary Clinic please have you pet's reference number with you so we can easily locate your medical details.  The reference number can be found on the front of your pet's vaccination record (blue card).

All animals rehomed from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are able to return to the clinic for free treatment, but only for conditions relating to their stay in the Home for up to three months.  If you are unsure whether you qualify for this treatment or have any general enquiries about the health of your pet please call us on 020 7627 9260 for further information.

Animals are seen by appointment only, between 2.00pm and 3.00pm Monday to Friday at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, London.  Please call 020 7627 9260 to make an appointment.

For appointments at our other centres, please call 01784 494450 for Old Windsor and 01474 875103 for Brands Hatch.

Please note we are unable to reimburse private veterinary fees.