Open Day Success !

This year’s Open Day at Roydon was a great success.

All of the staff at Sunnyside would like to thank everyone who came on Saturday the 6th of June.

Fortunately the weather was fine despite the forecast. The fun dog show was very popular and Simon Rowe and the KLFM team for entertained us all throughout the day.

We would also like to thank the charities and businesses who took part; Cats Protection, PACT, Paws and Pets as Therapy, Paddling Paws, Royal Canin, Novartis and Animalcare.

Special thanks to Rex Makemson who judged the Fun Dog Show (above)

If you missed Roydon's Open Day watch out for Hunstanton’s Open Day later in the year !

Don't Let Fleas and Ticks Bite !

Did you know that both ticks and fleas can present a threat to the health of you as well as your pet?

Norfolk is one the UK hotspots for Lyme Disease according to the Health Protection Agency.
Lyme disease is a serious and debilitating disease that in severe cases can cause paralysis, blindness and even death.

The Health Protection Agency reported 768 cases of human Lyme disease in the UK in 2006 and estimates give a further 1000-2000 cases which go unreported annually.

Lyme disease can also affect cats and dogs, and may result in fever, loss of appetite, lameness, joint problems, and in severe cases can cause kidney failure.
Simply removing the ticks after they have attached and fed does not prevent infection because they will have already introduced the organisms into the host’s bloodstream.

Fleas also represent a threat to both you
and your pet.

They can transmit “cat scratch disease” and Rickettsia felis, both causing fever. Fleas also transmit the intermediate stage of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum.

Fleas can often trigger allergic skin disease when they inject their saliva before feeding on the host’s blood.

Call us today for your FREE parasite control consultation at Sunnyside and we will advise you on what to do and which product will best suit your pet and your lifestyle.

Pets Have Teeth Too

Sunnyside will be taking part in Pet Smile Month in September.

For over a decade now this national pet health promotion has been helping to reduce the incidence of dental disease in pets.
Dental disease is by far the most prevalent infectious disease we see in pets.

Most dogs and cats over the age of three years have some degree of periodontal disease.
Dental disease doesn’t just mean smelly breath; it’s a whole body disease affecting the kidneys, liver, lungs, throat and heart.

We often find signs of damage to the liver and kidneys in blood tests performed before dental surgery. These organs are targeted by bacteria growing under the gum margin and beneath the hard yellow stone-like material called calculus or tartar.

Regular dental check-ups every six months are required, and descaling must be done as soon as any tartar forms on the teeth.

Daily brushing can easily prevent tartar forming, avoiding the need for descaling. Some diets, chews and food additives can also help.

During Pet Smile Month we are offering FREE dental checks and there will be a 15% discount on ANY dental treatment required.

Shirley Retires

After seven years as receptionist at Roydon, Shirley retired in May.


All the staff of Sunnyside wish Shirley and long and happy retirement.

Food for thought

With around 25% of our cats and dogs now overweight, it is no wonder that most owners of fat pets are unaware that there is a problem.

Cats and dogs would never be able to get overweight if left to hunt for their food, so they have not evolved to be able to cope with obesity. As soon as a pet changes from being an ideal weight to overweight, the risk of death increases.

There are a broad range of diseases associated with obesity, including diabetes, cancer, pancreatitis, liver disease, joint, ligament and spinal problems, heart disease and exercise intolerance.

Why are our pets over-weight?
Obesity is mainly due to overfeeding. Misreading our pet’s behaviour and giving treats instead of attention or exercise is easily done. We sometimes equate giving them food as giving them love. Lack of exercise and the unnatural environment pets inhabit are also key factors. Feeding correct amounts of food can be difficult, given that the guides are only estimates. Feeding the same diet as the pet ages can cause what we know as “middle age spread”. Arthritis, hormonal disorders and neutering can also increase the risk.

Is your pet over-weight? Place both hands on your pet, with your thumbs either side of their spine. Moving your hands along their ribcage, try to feel the ribs. They should be easy to feel, with only a thin covering of fat.

Examine your pet’s profile!
Viewed from the side at the same level as your pet their abdomen should be higher than their ribcage, and their back should not look flat. Viewed from above, they should have a definite waist.

Overweight ------------ Obese --------------

How can we help you?

We think that preventing obesity is extremely important as it extends lives and improves the quality of life or the animals under our care. It is probably more important than curing minor ailments and vaccinating against major ones.

The services we offer include -

Free body condition assessments

Free diet clinics to help you to slim your pet safely and gradually.

Free support to make sure your pet reaches their target weight.

Sensible goals using your pet’s own weight loss curve.

Free expert advice on appropriate diets for all breeds to help prevent obesity.

Free advice on when to start feeding a senior diet.

We also supply good quality diets to help to maintain a normal weight.

Book your pet's FREE weight check with one of our qualified Veterinary Nurses today!

Myxomatosis prevention

Sadly last summer we put to sleep many much loved pet rabbits suffering from the deadly disease myxomatosis.

This is caused by a virus which is transmitted by biting insects. Myxomatosis causes puffy swellings around the head and ears. Infected rabbits usually die within twelve days.

Protect your rabbit from six weeks old by vaccination and boosters every six months.

If you are not sure if your rabbit is up to date, ring the surgery today.

Vaccination - the situation in 2009

Just like us, our pets still need their vaccinations to protect them from life-threatening diseases.

Puppies should be vaccinated twice from 8 weeks of age against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis.

Unlike Small Pox in man, these diseases are not extinct and our pets are all still at risk in 2009. It does not matter if they never go into kennels or visit places where other dogs congregate. Kennel cough vaccination is advisable if your dog has a going to stay in boarding kennels.

Kittens should be vaccinated against cat flu and enteritis at 9 and 12 weeks of age. Feline Leukaemia vaccination is also recommended if they go outside. Rabbits should be vaccinated against myxomatosis at 6 weeks of age and then viral haemorrhagic disease 2 weeks later.

Is your pet at risk?
Canine parvovirus is still widespread and causes severe vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. About 15,000 dogs are thought to have had parvo in the last year.
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria in the urine of infected rats. It causes severe liver and kidney damage and around 4,000 cases are seen each year. It can cause Weil’s Disease in people.
This area is high risk for both of these diseases, both of which are usually fatal.
Boosters are required. Leptospirosis still needs to be given annually but parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis can now be given less frequently; every three years with some types of vaccine. The first annual booster is still very important in providing a lasting protection.

What are the benefits?
There is certainly a chance that a non-vaccinated pet may catch these serious diseases, so it gives peace of mind to vaccinate them. The risk of side effects is estimated to be no more than 0.5% and include mild soreness or swelling at the site.
Because only healthy pets can be vaccinated, we always perform a full clinical examination. As well as giving them a clean bill of health, we are also accepting that they are "under our care" for the next year.
Pets age much faster than we do. This means that if your pet only visits the practice for their annual booster, this is like us visiting our GP, dentist and optician once every 5-7 years!

The early detection or prevention of many other types of disease is a major benefit of continuing to vaccinate our pets.

National Vaccination Month takes place in June.

To help restore your pet's protection against disease Sunnyside will be offering a vaccination amnesty for any pets who have missed their last booster. We will make sure that they are fully protected again for the cost of just a normal booster.

Why worry about worms ?

All dogs and cats can suffer from worms, even if they live indoors. Worms usually live in the animal’s intestines with no noticeable effects, but they can cause weight loss and diarrhoea.

Roundworms, like the one illustrated, are present in most puppies and kittens, being passed via the placenta and milk. Common signs are a thin pot-bellied appearance, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Adult pets are also commonly infested. However, since only the eggs are passed out, only careful analysis of the faeces will reveal whether they need worming more frequently.

It is the contamination of the environment with these sticky-coated roundworm eggs (see photo)that poses the risk to human health.
Remember the eggs hatch inside both humans and pets, occasionally causing blindness in children.



We advise treating your pets only with the safe and effective wormers we can prescribe. The maximum interval between doses is three months. We even have spot-on treatments that enable monthly worm prevention as well as effective flea control.

The goal of any worming regime is to reduce shedding of worm eggs into our environment.

It is our job to advise you on how to keep your pet parasite free.
Sunnyside can provide individual worming advice, knowing your pet and their particular risk. We can remind you if you wish, or give you a personalised plan for your pet. We would not recommend using supermarket products as they are sometimes toxic but ineffective.
We are experts in the lifecycles of these parasites and methods they use to infest your pet.

Ring the practice for a FREE parasite control consultation and we will provide the best regime for your pet and give you 25 % off worming tablets.