City & Guilds Qualification At PamPurredPets we actively encourage our staff to be knowledgeable in all aspects of pet keeping. We have our own in - house training programme which all staff follow during their first six months with us. After completing this programme many progress on to the City & Guilds in Pet Management, which is a nationally recognised qualification.

Worms Worms can infect both dogs and cats at any stage in their lives, therefore routine treatment is recommended every 3 to 4 months. The two most common types of worms found in cats and dogs are roundworm and tapeworm. Roundworm Roundworms look similar to earthworms, though much thinner and whitish or pale in colour. They can reach several inches long and live in your pet’s stomach and intestines. The eggs that roundworms lay are usually passed through the rectum and can stick to surfaces, this means other animals can ingest them causing them to become infected. People can also become infected with roundworm larvae if the eggs are accidentally ingested, for example if your dog licks your face or you put dirty fingers in your mouth after playing with your dog. If ingested this can cause serious health problems, including blindness especially in young children. Roundworms are more common in puppies and kittens, they are passed through the blood stream to puppies before they are born whereas kittens can become infected either by ingesting the eggs or by ingesting the larvae that are passed through in the mothers milk. Puppies and kittens need treatment from as young as 2 weeks old until they are fully weaned and then every 3 to 4 months throughout their lives. Symptoms of Roundworm In puppies and kittens worms may cause a swollen abdomen, loss of weight, sickness, diarrhoea, bad breath, loss of condition, stunted growth, coughing and in extreme cases death. In older animals it is difficult to tell if they have roundworm however you may see them in faeces or in vomit. Nursing bitches and queens should be treated for roundworms when the puppies/kittens are 2 weeks old and then every 2 weeks until 16 weeks, then at 24 weeks and thereafter every 3 months. Tapeworm Tapeworms can reach up to a metre long. It consists of a head, which attaches itself to the lining of the intestine by hooks, and a long, flat, segmented body. These segments are filled with eggs, which break away and are passed out in the faeces. They look like grains of rice, which may still be moving, this can cause discomfort for your pet around the anus. Other symptoms of tapeworm can be sickness or diarrhoea if the infestation is a severe one. Animals cannot catch tapeworm from one another, they are transmitted through an intermediate host, most commonly the flea. The flea will ingest the tapeworm eggs then the dog/cat, whilst grooming, may ingest the flea which is carrying the tapeworm larva therefore infesting itself. It is important to de-flea your pet and home regularly to help prevent the re-infestation of tapeworm occurring. Please see our ‘Guide To Flea Control’ or ask a member of staff for advice.

Treatment Puppies and kittens must be treated for roundworm at 2 weeks of age and then every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old. Dogs and cats should be treated for tapeworm and roundworm every 3 months from 6 months old. What to Use There are a number of products available from our stores, which are effective worming treatments these include: TABLETS - Including Drontal® taken whole or some tablets may be crushed and given with food. SYRUPS - Usually for roundworm. Administer direct into corner of mouth or put with food. CREAMS - Usually for roundworm. Smear on nose or mouth so it can be licked off or put with food. GRANULES - Usually for roundworm. Put with food, it has no taste or odour. MULTI WORMERS - For roundworm and tapeworm. Tablets taken over a 3 week period. ONE DOSE WORMERS - For roundworm and tapeworm. One dose only, then every 3 to 4 months. Always read the instructions on the packet carefully. Consult your vet before worming pregnant, sick or convalescing animals. For hygiene and health reasons always clean up after your dog and dispose of the waste properly.