McMurtry & Harding

18/06/2024

Prevention is better than cure! 🐱🐾

Untreated high blood pressure in cats can lead to serious and irreversible damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes, resulting in blindness in some cases.

By being proactive and booking your cat in for regular blood pressure checks, they could be avoiding the potentially lifethreatening consequences of feline hypertension.

Contact the practice today to book an appointment for a blood pressure check with one of our nurses!

14/06/2024

It's which is why we're spreading awareness of how important it is to know the signs of high blood pressure in your cat 🐱🐾

Quite often, cats will show no noticeable signs of having high blood pressure. Subtle changes in behaviours can be a crucial indicator that something isn't quite right! Blood pressure checks are the best way to diagnose and screen for feline hypertension.

Ceva Animal Health UK International Cat Care International Society of Feline Medicine

10/06/2024

Why Do Senior Cats Need a Blood Pressure Check? 🐱🐾

Signs of feline hypertension are often invisible and unfortunately, many cats only show signs of hypertension after the disease starts to cause serious damage to their heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.

Make sure your cat is getting their blood pressure checked regularly! Call us today or book online for a blood pressure check with one of our nurses!

Ceva Animal Health UK International Cat Care International Society of Feline Medicine

06/06/2024

Did you know that June is Feline Hypertension Month?

High blood pressure in cats, also known as feline hypertension, is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs in around 1 in 5 cats over 9 years of age.

This disease is treatable with medication, but 82% of senior cats don't receive blood pressure checks.

Call us today to get your cat's blood pressure checked with one of our nurses!

Ceva Animal Health UK International Cat Care International Society of Feline Medicine

04/06/2024

Thank you to all the wonderful lifesaving pets who attended our donation day last week ❤️

If you want to sign your pet up for our next donation session please get in touch! 🐾

02/06/2024

June is FELINE HYPERTENSION AWARENESS MONTH! 🐈🐾

Did you know?
🐱Feline Hypertension affects 1 in 5 cats over the age of nine.
🐱ISFM recommends a routine blood pressure check every 6 – 12 months for senior “healthy” cats.
🐱Up to 65% of cats with chronic kidney disease are also likely to be Hypertensive.
🐱ISFM recommend a blood pressure check at point of diagnosis of CKD, and every 3 to 6 months thereafter.
🐱Over 1 in 4 cats with Hyperthyroidism are also likely to be Hypertensive.
🐱ISFM recommend a blood pressure check at point of diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism, and every 3 to 6 months thereafter.

Ceva Animal Health UK International Cat Care International Society of Feline Medicine

01/06/2024

A woman reunited with her cat after it was hit by a car is urging other owners to make sure their cats are microchipped ahead of new legislation. It will become a legal requirement in England to have cats microchipped this June, with owners potentially facing a £500 fine. Read the full story by clicking the link below! ⬇️⬇️

Remember, we are offering £10 off for all cat microchipping! Don't forget microchipping is FREE for Pet Care Plan members!

https://www.pet-advice.thepethealthclub.co.uk/home/cat-microchip-miracle

31/05/2024

Blood Pressure Monitoring - Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 💚🩺🐾

Blood pressure monitoring may be recommended by the vet if the patient has underlying disease which can affect blood pressure or in patients where clinical signs suggest there may be an issue. This is most commonly performed in elderly cats who are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. The readings can be taken by a member of the nursing team, although it is important to note that these results will need to be interpreted and reported back to the owner by a vet.

This brings us to the end of ! I hope you have all enjoyed our posts and learnt lots about the types of nurse consultation that our team can offer. This brings us nicely onto our next monthly promotion as June is FELINE HYPERTENSION AWARENESS MONTH! Keep your eyes peeled for more ... 👀👀

30/05/2024

Dental health check ups - Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 💚🩺🐾

Dental checks are a really useful tool in monitoring your pets dental hygiene. If you notice any changes in your dogs mouth i.e. bad breath, inflamed gums, discolouration of the teeth, or difficulty eating, the nurses can give advice on dental care.

Generally, it is better to start dental care at home before these problems arise, and the veterinary nurse can give you advice on a variety of products that can help prevent build up of tartar and associated tooth decay. Clients often feel if they wouldn’t be able to brush their patients teeth then they aren’t able to provide dental care, however there are many other products available to stop plaque without needing to brush or even go in your pets mouth. 🦷

29/05/2024

Socialisation Clinics - Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 💚🩺🐾

Veterinary practice can be a stressful place for patients and clients for a variety of reasons - not always previous negative experience. Patients that only demonstrate nervous or anxious behaviour in practice, and not in the outside world, are prime candidates for positive reinforcement socialisation sessions.

Socialisation can be of benefit not only to the patient and client but also to the practice team. A more confident patient will be safer to work with and create a more trusting and positive experience for all involved.

The nursing team can offer socialisation clinics to nervous patients, spending some time with them in a consulting room without needing to do a full examination or give an injection etc, whilst offering plenty of treats and fuss. By doing this we hope to build a positive relationship between pets and staff so if they do need veterinary treatment or hospitalisation, their visit is as stress free as possible for them.

29/05/2024

Tomorrow is the day! 🩸💉

Between 12-6 today, the Pet Blood Bank UK team will be here at Ashbourne hosting a donation session.

Please be considerate when coming into reception that we are trying to keep it a calm and quiet environment for the brave dogs who are coming to give blood. For a lot of them, it is their first time donating and so we want to make the experience as stress-free as possible! 🥰

Could your dog join the ? If you are interested in Pet Blood Donation, please contact the practice to register your interest in future donation sessions 🐶

28/05/2024

P*P 6 Monthly Healthy Pet Checks - Vet Nursing Awareness Month💚🩺🐾

For our Pet Care Plan clients, part of the plan is to receive a Healthy Pet Check. This is generally performed in between annual vaccination appointments at the 6 month mark.

During this appointment the nursing team will perform a clinical examination and use the time to identify if they are any changes or abnormalities since the last visit. We can discuss body condition score, coat condition, check their eyes, ears and teeth, provide dental care advice if required, and empty a**l glands/clip nails if required.

25/05/2024

Why do we microchip? For wonderful stories like this one! Click the link to read the full story ⬇️

A couple who thought they’d lost their cat forever were reunited with her after five years — thanks to a microchip. Helen and Simon Evans, from Ipswich, say they feared the worst but couldn’t grieve as they didn’t know for sure what had happened to rescue cat Millie who disappeared in 2019.

However, they were stunned when she was found 25 miles away and they were able to be contacted through details on her microchip.

https://www.pet-advice.thepethealthclub.co.uk/home/cat-reunited-due-to-microchipping

24/05/2024

BANK HOLIDAY - 27TH MAY 2024

A quick reminder that our practices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, but our Ashbourne practice is open on Saturday 25th May from 8.30am to 3.30pm and we will then be open as normal from 8.30am on Tuesday 28th.

We hope you and your pets all enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

We are a dedicated team of Veterinary specialists serving clients across Ashbourne and Wirksworth. Find out more about our practices here.

24/05/2024

Puppy and kitten checks - Vet Nursing Awareness Month 🐾💚🩺

Puppy and kitten checks are a great way for new owners to have a chat about caring for their new pet. The nursing team can help with advice on basic training, teething, a suitable diet for growth, neutering, and discuss the necessary flea and worming protocols for your puppy or kitten. Seeing these young patients regularly in the first few months for a quick weight check and flea/worming treatment can be a great way to build a healthy relationship between the pet and the practice, meaning they aren’t just coming in for an injection and seeing it as a scary place. These visits can help to ensure a confident and happy pet at future vet visits.

See pictures below the lovely kittens Luna and Clemmie with Nurse Rachel and VCA Amanda! Their owner also took the benefit of our £10 off microchipping offer to get them in line with the new legislation 🐱🐈‍⬛

23/05/2024

ONE WEEK TODAY! 🩸🐾😍

Our next Donation Day is next week, 30th May 2024

Is your dog:
• Fit and healthy
• Between one and eight years old
• Weigh more than 25kg
• Have a good temperament
• Have never travelled outside of the UK and Ireland
• Vaccinated or have an annual titre test after the first year booster
• Not on any medication

Then its not too late to get in touch and sign up to give blood at next weeks session. We would love to see you there!

23/05/2024

❗️ Important Notice ❗️

The practice will be closed between 2-3pm tomorrow (Thursday 23rd May) for a whole practice meeting. The phones will still be open and staff available for emergencies only 📞

Many thanks for your understanding,
The McMurtry and Harding Team 💚

20/05/2024

Missing from Ashbourne, around Premier Avenue area. Male cat, neutered and chipped. Please keep your eye out and message our page if anyone sees him so we can contact the owner. Many thanks!

19/05/2024

9 Reasons to microchip your cat before the deadline! 🐱🐾

From 10th June, it will become a legal required for cats in England to be microchipped.

We are offering ✨£10 OFF✨ cat microchipping on the run up to this change in legislation, and don't forget, members of our Pet Care Plan get microchipping for FREE!

https://www.pet-advice.thepethealthclub.co.uk/home/9-reasons-to-microchip-your-cat

17/05/2024

Injections – 2nd vaccinations or repeat medication e.g. Librela, cytopoint

Nurses can perform injections as prescribed by the case vet. These are normally subcutaneous (under the skin) but may also be intramuscular. This might be for a 2nd vaccination, or ongoing medications.
For 2nd vaccinations, a nurse can only administer in cases where the first vaccination has been given by one of our vets. In ongoing medication cases such as Librela or Cytopoint, a vet must initially see the pet to prescribe the new treatment, and then it can be administered by the nurse monthly. These patients require a vet check every 6 months to continue being treated by the nursing team.

See pictured below lovely golden oldie Izzy, who is on Librela for arthritis pain management, having her injection with one of our nurses ❤

15/05/2024

Cat Microchipping - What you need to know ⬇️⬇️

Remember - we are offering ✨£10 OFF✨ cat microchipping on the run up to the change in legislation, and microchipping is FREE for member of our Pet Care Plan! 🐱🐾

14/05/2024

A**l Glands/Nail Clips

Nurses can perform routine appointments such as nail clipping and a**l gland management. The nurses can identify whether the a**l glands and material are normal or abnormal, and if they have any concerns (aka impaction or infection) we would refer to a vet consultation for further treatment if required.

We can also give advice on dietary management for a**l glands to help improve the patient’s ability to express them naturally. Faecal quality and body condition score can both impact this so by making some lifestyle adjustments we may be able to reduce the regularity of manual expression!

See below the lovely Amber having a pedicure last week with Melissa and Bethan! ❤

13/05/2024

Senior Pet Clinics - Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 🐾🩺💚

Senior clinics can be a great way to make sure we are supporting your older pets through their golden years. The nursing team can chat to you about all aspects of you pets wellbeing and what changes you may have been seeing. Often, a lot of these changes are put down to ‘old age’ and ignored, and whilst getting older is the cause, there is often lots we can do to support them as these old age changes take place.

We can chat about their energy and mobility, their sleeping patterns, any changes to their eating and drinking habits, their exercise tolerance, and their sight/hearing.
A basic clinical exam will be performed, and we can give advice on supplements or dietary changes to support them. We can also give advice on exercise, changes round the home such as thick bedding and none slip flooring, and if we think they would benefit from seeing a vet, we can refer for a vet consultation. Generally, we would recommend a vet check if we think any of the changes discussed might require further work up or treatment – for example introducing pain relief for joint disease or blood work up for organ function.

Pictured below is the lovely golden oldie, Dotty, who was recommended to have a dental at her health check. She is pictured here following her procedure with nurse Amy.

BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association)

12/05/2024

Lovely message from a client after their visit last week

"Thank you for taking care of Barney this morning. He’s resting his paw and getting lots of fuss 🐾❤️ Thanks again for fitting us in so quickly. It’s a relief to know his injury is only minor"

Thank for the photos and the message and we are glad Barney has made a swift recovery 💚🐶

11/05/2024

Pre and post op appointments

Following surgery, it is generally recommended that pets are seen back for two post-op check-ups. These are generally with one of our veterinary nurses.

The first post op check is normally within the first 2 days following surgery and is a chance to check in with the owner and how they are managing with the recovery period, ensure that the pet is well in themselves following anaesthesia, and check the wound to ensure normal healing. It may also involve the removal or change of a dressing or bandage depending on the type of surgery.

A final check up is done around 10 days post op, and this is normally confirm a normal recovery and sign the patient off. It might also involve the removal of stitches which can all be done by our nursing team!

See below the lovely Willow pictured before her spay waiting patiently at the door, and then post-op looking great in her pink suit!

10/05/2024

1 MONTH COUNTDOWN ‼️🐱🐾

Did you know that from 10th June 2024, it is going to be a legal requirement in England for cats to be microchipped?

With 1 month to go we are offering ✨£10 OFF ✨ cat microchipping to help get all of our clients comply with this legislation, bringing the cost from £25 to £15.

Remember Pet Care Plan customers get a microchip FREE OF CHARGE, as well as year round flea and worm protection, annual vaccinations, and many more discounts and benefits. Speak to our reception team about joining our Pet Care Plan!

09/05/2024

We have had an injured lamb taken to our Wirksworth branch and are looking to find the owner.
If anyone knows the owner or caretaker of the sheep based in the field opposite Norbreck Farm on Brassington Lane, please could they be asked to contact the surgery ASAP on 01629823034. Thank you.

09/05/2024

Blood sampling - Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 🩺💚🐾

Nurses can draw blood and perform the appropriate lab tests usually as requested by the case vet. This may be in cases of pre-operative sampling, monitoring for long term medication use, or many other reasons.

Blood sampling usually involves collecting a sample from the jugular vein in the neck, although sometimes the leg is used. We will normally take the patient into the prep area whilst the owner stays in the waiting room, so that another member of the team can hold the patient in an appropriate position and raise the vein for sampling.

08/05/2024

A male, entire, ginger tom cat has been handed in to the practice.
Not microchipped, found just outside of Ashbourne.
Unfortunately he has been involved with an RTA.
Please contact the practice if you are missing a cat of this description on 01335 342227

06/05/2024

Neutering advice - Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 🩺💚🐾

Pre-neutering appointments can be performed to check that your pet is a suitable candidate and at an appropriate age/size for surgery. For male patients, we will check their temperament and confidence in social situations and assess both testicles to ensure they are fully descended. For female patients, we will discuss their season history and the appropriate time for neutering, whether they have had false pregnancies, and a physical examination of the vulva/mammary glands to check for milk, discharge or swelling.

See below the lovely Malibu and Martini - brother and sister who both came in for their spay and castrate last week! ❤