Dubai: The first month of the year reported a large increase in the number of new pet registrations, said a Dubai-based veterinary hospital.
One reason behind the increase is the festive season being a popular time to give gifts such as new pets.
The British Veterinary Hospital saw a 12 per cent increase in new pet registrations this January compared to 2017. According to the hospital, registrations peak by almost 60 per cent in January, compared to other months.
Dr Sara Elliott, director at British Veterinary Hospital, advised pet owners to organise their pet’s first veterinary visit as soon as possible. “With a new puppy or kitten, we perform an initial physical exam to look for any signs of illness or disorder, along with a variety of other tests to ensure your new pet starts off on the right ‘paw’,” she said.
Dr Elliot pointed out the pets should be registered at Dubai Municipality, as it is mandatory and required to be updated annually.
“If your new pet goes missing, the municipality’s veterinary section has a central database, which will enable your pet to be returned to you via your pet’s microchip,” she explained.
Annual vaccinations for Dhppi/L and Rabies for dogs, Flu/Enteritis and Rabies for cats are important vaccinations for new pets, which should also be carried out annually and are compulsory.
“Even though your pet may appear healthy, they might be sick without you even knowing and can’t express some problems. However by instinct, they are also very good at compensating and hiding detectable signs or symptoms of disease from us,” said Dr Elliot.
Tiger Lily, a stray kitten found in Dubai Marina, was recently adopted by a young executive, Alexandra Williams, who found her near her apartment building.
She explained, “The cat, who I later named Tiger Lily, appeared to be perfectly healthy when I found her. However, when I took her to the veterinary hospital to get registered and examined, they informed me she had broken her hip, which is something I clearly wouldn’t have been able to detect by myself.”
Williams said she was reassured after the full examination was carried out, as it eliminated any doubts or suspicions over her health.
Regular vet check-ups and diagnostic tests can detect health problems early before they become life-threatening for animals. Wellness plans are a cost-effective way to reduce large vet bills and are structured to cover routine care expenses, explained Dr Elliot.
The British Veterinary Hospital, which has 36 staff, deals with more than 60 animal-related cases daily.
The hospital provides a special package for new pets, it includes: health check examination, municipality registration, micro chipping, initial vaccinations including kennel cough, leukaemia, ehrlichia and FIV testing along with other services.
