GENERAL INFORMATION

Q: What are Dr. Nonie Coutts charges?

A: There is a CONSULTATION FEE when the vet examines your animal. Any medications or other procedures are charged in ADDITION to the consultation fee. For details of these charges please contact the receptionist on (+973) 17-245515.

Q: What is a "wellness" check?

A: As an animal gets older, certain diseases like diabetes and kidney failure become more common. If this is caught early, lifestyle changes can be made to prolong your pet's life and improve the quality thereof. The wellness check is a quick blood test done at our Manama surgery. We recommend yearly checks for animals older than 7 years. Please do not give your animal any breakfast or snacks on the morning of the blood test. Water can be given freely however.

Q: How often and at what age should my pet's teeth be cleaned?

A: Teeth start to get dirty around 5 years of age and should be cleaned under a general anaesthetic. Some people brush their pets teeth with special pet toothpaste from a very young age. This helps to prevent a build up of calculus.

Terriers and small dogs like Poodles are particularly prone to teeth problems and should have 6 monthly dental check ups from the age of 2 years.

Q: When should my dog be wormed?

A: In Bahrain, pups and kittens should be wormed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks and thereafter at 6 monthly intervals.

Q: How often should I bath my pet?

A: Once a week at the most.

Q: What should I use to clean him?

A: A special pet shampoo or a mild baby shampoo, certainly not any perfumed hair shampoos. If the animal has any skin complaints, there are special shampoos available to help.

Q: Why does my pet itch?

A: There are many reasons why pets itch, and often it's not easy or possible to determine the cause. Fleas are rare in Bahrain, but harvest mites are common. Harvest mites don't transmit disease, but some animals are sensitive to them and will lick excessively. Fido's spray can be used on the area to kill the mites. Animals can also itch because of a food or environment allergy.

Q: How do I keep my dog tick free?

A: There is a new anti-flea/tick product called FRONTLINE for dogs and cats. This is applied to one spot on the dog or cat's neck and ensures that he does not have any parasites such as ticks or fleas. This product is special in that it is not absorbed but stays on the oil layer of the skin and kills ticks when they get on the animal. If ticks are persistent you can also spray your dog with Fido's Free Itch to kill live ticks.

It's very important to get the environment (house or garden) sprayed by a reputable pest control company if you find many ticks on your pet. Ticks in Bahrain can carry tick-fever, a sometimes fatal disease in dogs.

Q: What is tick fever?

A: Tick fever or Erlichiosis is caused by the tick borne parasite called Erlichia canis. It is transmitted when an infected tick attaches to your dog. In the acute phase dog usually have a high temperature, decreased appetite and are lethargic. Sometimes they show nose bleeds and spots of bleeding on the skin and gums. Most dogs improve within a week and can then appear normal for 3 months or more before the chronic stage sets in. During the chronic stage dogs can become very ill and die if not treated soon enough. There is NO vaccine available - the only way to prevent it is by controlling ticks. We have spot-on treatments and sprays available to kill ticks. You may also have to spray your garden if your dog has a lot of ticks. If your dog has had ticks and is unwell you need to make an appointment for a check and possibly blood tests.

Q: What is microchipping? Why is it necessary?

A: Microchipping is the process of injecting a small microchip underneath the skin of your animal (just on the neck). This microchip has a unique number which can be used to identify your pet. The number is read using a special reader.

Microchipping is permanent and is a requirement for any animal that is to be exported. Dr. Nonie Coutts sells Tracer^® microchips, these can be put into your animal at any age.

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