Vets4Pets Bishop Auckland

10/10/2024

❤️🐾❤️Following on from our post yesterday here are some handy tips to help keep your pets safe and calm during fireworks season ❤️🐾❤️

🎆Create a safe space for your pet to hide in if they wish to do so. They should have access to this space at all times
🎇Walk your dog when it is still light
🎆Close windows and curtains at nightfall to minimise flashing from fireworks
🎇Play calming music to mask firework noise
🎆Use calming pheromones such as pet remedy to help ease stress
🎇Don’t forget about pets that live outside, provide extra bedding and hiding places. Covering enclosures can also help.
🎆Make sure your pet cannot escape if they are suddenly spooked by a loud noise

Please contact the practice on 01388 660280 if you would like to discuss your pet and fireworks further

09/10/2024

‼️🎆It’s time to start preparing for your pets as firework season is fast approaching! 🎆‼️

We understand that fireworks can be distressing for pets and their owners. The practice stocks a wide variety of pet remedy products designed to help ease stress!

Pet remedy is:

🎇clinically proven
🎇easy to use
🎇very gentle in its effect
🎇available in a variety of products such as plug ins, sprays, wipes, shampoo, and conditioner.

For more information about keeping your pet comfortable during fireworks season please contact the practice, or book in with one of our nurses to discuss the benefits of pet remedy.

12/09/2024

‼️**Our card machine and digital practice payment links are currently down, please bring cash for appointments. We will update once things are back up and running**‼️

04/09/2024

⚠️WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT!⚠️

Meet Pepper. Pepper recently had a pyometra spay with us and as you can see, her uterus is alot larger than a normal cat uterus!
Pepper was very brave during her treatment with us and we are pleased to report she is recovering 💗

🐶🐱 so what is a pyometra? A pyometra is an infection in the uterus, whereby the uterus becomes enlarged and filled with pus.
🐶🐱 How can a pyometra be prevented? A pyometra can be prevented by spaying your pets. Both dogs and cats can be affected. We offer free pre neuter checks with out nursing team if you would like to discuss having your pet spayed.
🐶🐱 What is the treatment for a pyometra? The patient would require emergency surgery to be spayed. Spaying once they have already developed a pyometra is much riskier as they are often unwell and have an infection.
🐶🐱 What are the signs of a pyometra? Signs are usually (but not limited to), lethargy, green/foul smelling discharge from the v***a, abdominal pain/swelling, panting, poor appetite and pale gums.
🐶🐱 what should I do if I suspect my pet has a pyometra? Contact your vet ASAP, as this is classed as an emergency.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful clients who have had their appointments rescheduled this week. We appreciate your understanding as we know this can be frustrating, however, emergencies have to take priority.
Unfortunately, we have had 4 emergency surgeries since Monday. 1 cesarean and 3 pyometras!
Well done to all of our team, who have worked super hard this week 💗

21/08/2024

We will be closed from 12 noon on Saturday 24th August and will re-open at 9am on Tuesday 27th August.

Wear Referrals at Bradbury cover our out of hours. Should you require advice or are worried about your pet when we are closed please ring them on 01388 777770. Thank you.

21/08/2024

🐱CATS PROTECTION NEUTERING VOUCHERS🐱
We have been advised that the cats protection neutering scheme is now coming to an end. Vouchers can no longer be issued, however, cats protection will honor those who already have an unused voucher number.
We will keep you posted of any future schemes 🐱

03/06/2024

*****Cat microchipping offer ********
The law is changing on 10th June and all cats must get microchipped.

We are offering microchips for £10 throughout the month of June for all cats.

Book your place today by ringing the practice 01388 660280.

24/05/2024

We are closed Monday 27th May for Bank holiday.
If you need advice or urgent treatment, please contact our OOH at Wear referrals 01388 777770.

10/05/2024

⚠️IMPORTANT⚠️

**Edit: it would appear Cockton Hill Road has all been affected. phone lines are back up and running, however, our system is running very slow. Please be patient with our team while we deal with this.**

Our phone lines and our computer system have gone down, so we are currently unable to take any phone calls. Please bear with us and only attend the practice if you have a genuine emergency. We will keep you updated and hope to have the issues resolved ASAP.

03/05/2024

We are closed Bank holiday Monday 6th May.
Should you need any advice or urgent treatment, please contact our OOH at Wear referrals 01388 777770.

15/04/2024

We have a new and exciting opportunity for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our team at Bishop Auckland Vets for Pets.

We are a thriving and experienced practice with high clinical standards and wonderful clients. You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team. Due to the size of our team this allows the vets to focus on their priorities.

We are looking for a passionate experienced veterinary surgeon, on either a part time or full-time basis, however we can be flexible as to what the hours look like. There will be 1 in 4 Saturdays mornings 9am-12pm on a rota basis but no OOHs. You must be a team player and enjoy working cases up to a high level and provide a high standard of both patient and customer care.

If interested, then why not apply 🐾

We have a new and exciting opportunity at our Bishop Auckland Vets for Pets surgery for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly team on either a part time or full-time basis to aid the growth of the business.

15/04/2024

We are currently looking for a part time client care advisor here at Bishop Auckland Vets4pets.

Min 16hrs per week, but MUST be flexible to cover shifts between the hours of 9am and 7pm Monday to Friday. Sat mornings 9am and 12 noon. There will be more hours available to cover holidays and sickness.

You will be working as part of a very busy and supportive team.

Experience in admin and customer service is essential.
If interested, please apply!! 🐾

If you enjoy providing great service and working in a team, we have just the opportunity for you at our Bishop Auckland Practice.  

25/03/2024

🐥 Easter Opening Times 🐥

Thursday 28th March - 9am - 7pm
Friday 29th March - Closed
Saturday 30th March - Closed
Sunday 31st March - Closed
Monday 1st April - Closed
Tuesday 2nd April - 9am - 7pm

In case of an emergency or if you need professional veterinary advice while we are closed, please ring Wear Referral’s on 01388 777770.

Hope you all have a lovely Easter 🐥 🐾

18/03/2024

Thank you to all our wonderful clients for their donations. We have delivered another box of goodies today, this time to local rescue Deliverance

25/02/2024

When Kelly from our Colton store's Pets Grooming salon discovered a lump on the tail of nine-year-old Rufus she suspected something wasn't right, so alerted his owners Les and Andrea so they could get it checked out. They brought him to Vets for Pets Leeds Colton where it was confirmed he had a cancerous tumour which needed surgery.

Les, who adopted Rufus from Dogs Trust in Leeds as a puppy, said: “Rufus is such a big part of our life; we’re absolutely besotted with him. We probably wouldn’t have noticed the lump if not at the groomers as the tail isn’t somewhere you would usually stroke and feel. Kelly loves Rufus and really looks after him, so we want to say a big thanks for spotting it. Who'd have known what would have happened if she hadn’t noticed.”

Rufus had to have his tail removed, but is now making a good recovery. He's been visiting Kelly for a groom every six weeks for the last three years. She said: “You get to know everything about a dog as you groom them. I’ve discovered similar things before on other dogs so I mentioned it to the owners so they could get it checked out. Dogs are my life and you do worry; I’m so pleased they caught it. Now he’s got a fully docked tail like a little bunny rabbit. It’s lovely and suits him – when he gets washed he wiggles his bum.”

21/02/2024

Arthur's owner Louise says he "looked like a brand-new tortoise" after having his beak filed at Sutton in Ashfield Vets4Pets.

Louise adopted the four-year-old Horsefield Tortoise from a family member in October. Although she has had other pets, Arthur is her first tortoise, so she has been doing some research on how to best care for him.

Louise said: "I noticed Arthur's beak was unusually long, so I brought him in to Vets for Pets; I bring all my pets there. When he came out, I thought 'you beautiful boy, look at you – you look so handsome!"

Vet Steph, who looked after Arthur, says that tortoise beaks continuously grow and normally grind down themselves while they're eating. She said: "Arthur needed a little help as his jaw isn't perfectly aligned; his lower jaw is further out than his top jaw, so I filed it around half a centimetre. He was really good; a real cutie."

18/02/2024

Owner Claire says she couldn't be more grateful to Vets4Pets Hamilton after their quick diagnosis saved the sight of six-year-old Alba.

Claire knew there was something terribly wrong with her miniature dachshund cross when she called her in from the back garden last summer and Alba ran headfirst into a closed patio door. She rushed her to the vets, where investigations led the team to diagnose her with uveitis – an eye condition which causes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

Claire said: "It all happened so suddenly; Alba must have heard my voice and guessed where to go. It was quite scary seeing how bad she was. We couldn't be more grateful for the team in Hamilton spotting the uveitis as quickly as they did, otherwise Alba would have gone blind within a matter of days. Their knowledge saved Alba's sight. I still can't believe it happened. It's taken months of treatments, but it's such a relief to have our girl back to being her funny, bossy self."

Vet Neil, one of the team who treated Alba, said: "Alba's pupil was really narrow and wouldn't respond to light properly, which can be a sign of uveitis. Once we had ruled out other conditions, we were able to get her to an eye specialist for ongoing treatment. She's now doing really well."

16/02/2024

Thank you everyone who donated to our pet bank. These will be delivered to local charities next week.

Keep your donations coming! 🐾

16/02/2024

Ducky's owner Antonia was in a state of panic when she saw a fox had dug its way into the field where she keeps him – killing two of her other ducks and chickens.

Antonia was about to move her brood into their pen for the evening when she saw what had happened and noticed that Ducky had severe bite wounds under his wing. She rushed him to Vets4Pets Vets Milton Keynes for emergency surgery – and after having his wound stitched up the one-year-old duck is now making a good recovery.

Antonia said: "I was so worried. You don’t often hear of ducks recovering from fox attacks, but there is something about Ducky and the way he was so brave. I'm sure he was protecting a lady duck, as he's a bit of a romantic. It's the first time we've gone to Vets for Pets, and the team were amazing; they've done an incredible job."

Vet Becca, who treated Ducky, said: "He's a really lucky duck, as it was quite a big wound. When he first came in, he was understandably subdued and quiet but when he came back for his stitches to be taken out, he wanted to explore and tuck his head into everyone’s shoulders."

07/02/2024

Well done to the team at Vets4Pets Guildford who've been awarded a silver level certificate for being a rabbit-friendly clinic.

After head veterinary nurse Ella noticed that more customers were bringing in rabbits the practice took a series of steps to give them as stress-free an experience as possible. Ella, who also fosters rescue dogs in her spare time, said: "There was a long list of things that we needed to prove that we did from making sure the rabbits are kept separate from other animals and not booked in at the same time as barking dogs, to providing heated kennels for those who need to stay in, and using special equipment made especially for rabbits."

Practice manager Kevin said: "All of our vets have plenty of experience with rabbits we have some real rabbit geeks here, so it was a big thing to us. There are so many good people in this world and I'm so proud to be around them."

29/01/2024

⚠️ Notice for all clients ⚠️

From Monday 5th February, the main road outside of the practice will be closed and therefore you will not be able to access our car parks.
Please set off earlier for your appointments to allow time for alternative parking.

They are estimating the closure to be for approximately 7 Days.

Thank you for your cooperation 🐾

28/01/2024

Beautiful Bear was born deaf, so he's learned to follow his owner Lisa's visual commands.

Lisa, who shops at our Tamworth store – "it's my second home!" – got two-year-old Bear as a kitten and suspected he was deaf when he didn't respond to her voice. She had it confirmed by her vet soon after. She said: "He was very scatty, and scared of people he didn’t recognise. He wasn’t bothered by loud noises like my other cat Emily and when I came home from work he wouldn’t hear the door open.

"He's doing really well though. I try to do some sign language with him – I point at him and do a solid hand sign at him to stop. He picks up on vibrations and scents too. He meows, making a really loud chirping sound which I’ve never heard a cat do before, and he’s always rubbing his head against my legs and following me everywhere. I was advised not to let him out because he wouldn’t hear cars or other dangers, so he comes outside with me every morning to have a sniff around the garden and always comes straight back in." Bear and Lisa's other cat Emily are on Instagram as

27/01/2024

Ten-year-old Dutch rabbit Alfie has been visiting vet Kate at Vets4pets Wolverhampton for dental treatment for the last eight years – and she says he's such a loveable character that he's become "part of the family".

He's one of the oldest rabbits treated by Kate and the team, and she says his longevity is down to the care and love he gets from his owner Tracy and her family. Kate said: "Alfie is famous in this practice – everyone knows him. We and his family are dedicated to making sure her little old man is happy. The beautiful thing about being a vet or vet nurse is you build these relationships with the owners and their pets – they become your surrogate pets."

Tracy's been keeping rabbits all her life, and says that having space and routine is key. She said: "Alfie is an old man now and has a routine. He goes into a hutch at night and is let out in the morning. He's out all day and has his favourite spots in the house. We clean him out every day and give him a lot of attention. When he was younger he would follow us around; if I was clearing a cupboard out he would be in the cupboard to help. Now he's old and wants to be warm and watch instead. I can't thank Kate and the practice enough. Kate's been fantastic with him."

26/01/2024

Eight-year-old Winnie the Schnauzer cross is running around like a puppy again thanks to laser treatment and physiotherapy after two successful knee operations at Vets for Pets Basildon.

Worried owner Tracy brought Winnie in to the practice after she collapsed on a walk last year – and the team discovered the cruciate ligament in a knee had ruptured. She’s since had ops on two knees and is on a recovery plan led by vet physiotherapist Izzy.

Tracy said: "Winnie has had a tough year with 15 teeth removed, two cruciate ligament operations and two bouts of pancreatitis but thankfully she's hardy. She’s treated fabulously at the Basildon practice. Izzy is great with her – she totally relaxes in her hands and does little snores with her eyes open. Winnie has a new lease of life again and is running around like a puppy."

Izzy said: "When pets have surgery or injure themselves they move differently which causes them to be sore in other places. Winnie has laser therapy then a massage to help the healing process. Laser treatment is a specialist service that not enough people know about – it can help in so many ways after an operation.”

23/01/2024

Sadly we have had a deceased male black cat handed in to the practice. He was found in West Auckland. If you think he could be yours please contact us on 01388 660280.

19/01/2024

The team at Vets4Pets Cramlington say greyhound Frank was "an absolute gentleman" when he came in for some dental work.

Seven-year-old Frank was brought in by owner Harriet to get rid of some plaque which had built up and to treat a gum inflammation. Veterinary nurse Vicki said: "Frank was a very good boy and left with clean, fresh and sparkly teeth. It's so very important to get your dog's teeth checked and we advise pets to have an annual dental check. Eighty per cent of dogs over the age of three have dental disease. Prevention is much better than cure and regular checks and routine cleaning keep your pet's mouth healthier for longer and can help to prevent extensive extractions later in life. We are always happy to offer advice on maintenance and dental care at home such as teeth brushing or dental supplements."

18/01/2024

Veterinary nurse Mel from Vets4Pets Bristol Longwell Green loves cats so much she's helped the practice make a number of improvements to give cats as stress-free an experience as possible when they're brought in.

Mel, who has an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour for Veterinary Professionals, helped introduce facilities like a separate feline waiting area and cattery and the use of quiet clippers – and the practice now has a silver level certificate for being a cat-friendly clinic. She said: "I love dogs but I'm really a cat person. Cats can be misunderstood which can lead to them having quite a stressful life, so if we can make things easier for them and help people understand what cats need then everyone will be happier.

"As animal lovers there's always more to learn and understand about what makes them happy. Enrichment at the home is important for a happy cat – and as cats are naturally solitary animals if you live in a multi-cat household it's important to understand what they need. The rule is to have a resource per cat, plus one spare. So if you have two cats you should have three feeding stations, three litter trays and three scratch posts spread around the house so they have the opportunity to move around to wherever they want to go. Scratching is as natural a thing for cats to do as going out hunting is, so if they're unable to go out it's about providing the chance for them to behave as naturally as possible."

12/01/2024

**********Pet Donation Bank***********

Please donate any unwanted items that have been washed, are clean and fit for use, to our collection point inside the practice.

We accept the following items:
* Dog/Cat Food treats and toys
* Dog coats
* Dog harness/Leads/Collars
* Dog/ Cat bowls
* Dog/Cat baskets/beds etc

🚨 Critical items that are needed are cat items. We are getting loads of dog, but not much cat. 🚨

Also donations will be shared out between all of our local rescue centres who are finding it incredible hard .

Thank you so much for your donations so far 🐾

09/01/2024

A brown tabby cat has been handed in to our practice today. Please contact us if you think he could be yours.

07/01/2024

Four-year-old Sebastian the Jack Russell is back to his usual boisterous self after being treated at Vets4Pets Abingdon for a condition that was causing the knee caps on his back legs to dislocate when he walked.

The condition, known as medial patellar luxation, would cause him to hop or skip when exercising. It's quite common in terriers and small dog breeds, but Sebastian's case was quite severe and he was given surgery by orthopaedic surgeon Joe to deepen the groove his patella runs in on his right hind leg, and also to move and reattach his patellar tendon.

Sebastian is owned by practice vet Hannah who said: "After the operation he just wanted to get back to normal straight away but he couldn't ... and that's where we struggled. He wanted to be out and about, charging around and playing with his toys but he needed to rest." Hannah had to give him medication for six weeks to give his knees time to heal. She said: "He's absolutely fine now – he's fully recovered and running around like a lunatic again!"

05/01/2024

When 11-year-old lurcher Jess was brought into Vets for Pets Leeds Birstall 24/7 Small Animal Hospital on Christmas Eve feeling very poorly with pyometra – a life-threatening uterus infection – the team knew they had to act fast; so vet Emily and nurses JD and Hannah headed straight in to perform emergency surgery on her in the early hours of Christmas morning.

The operation went so well that by lunchtime nurse Krishna was able to call her owner Beth to say she was well enough to come home to recuperate – and Beth made the hour-long drive from her home in Keighley so she could bring Jess home before the family sat down for their Christmas dinner. Beth said: "It was a stressful start to Christmas, as we were worried about Jess because of her age and because she's never had anything wrong with her before. We're so grateful for everything – it was so nice of them to come in on Christmas Day to operate on her, to look after her so well and to get her home on top form. The vets were fantastic from start to finish. Jess is recovering nicely – you can see the happiness is back in her!"

Krishna said: "Our night team always do an amazing job, and performing serious surgery like that at that time of night and on Christmas Day of all days is just brilliant. Jess did amazingly well to bounce back so quickly, and it was amazing being able to call her owners to say that she could come home to spend Christmas with them. It's the sort of call we all love to make, but doing it on Christmas Day was extra nice."

03/01/2024

Six-foot-long boa constrictor Astrix was the centre of attention when he called in for a routine "top to tail" health check at Vets4Pets Penzance.

Astrix, who's four, is part of a menagerie of six snakes, bearded dragons and six dogs belonging to veterinary nurse Lowenna, who works at the practice, and her partner Mark. The team looked at Astrix's eyes and mouth and checked his breathing to rule out any respiratory infections and also checked his scales.

Lowenna said: "He got a clean bill of health, he was absolutely fine and everyone had a turn holding him. Asterix is quite reserved, a little bit shy usually. He did really well when he came in as everyone wanted to touch him and he was like 'okay I quite like the attention.' Astrix has got a lovely big set-up at home. He's quite a big boy, weighing in at nearly 10 kilos, so the vivarium is more than seven foot long. We have a reptile room and he has the run of it. He has a large bucket of water too if he ever wants to submerge himself."

02/01/2024

This brave girl is collie-cross Sherpa, who the team at Vets for Pets Livingston say was "impeccably calm" when she was rushed in for emergency injury after hurting her eye in a freak accident.

Sherpa's owner Caroline was taking Sherpa for a walk when Sherpa caught her eye on a stick as she went exploring a bush. She was quickly admitted into surgery where she received X-rays and, after a two-hour procedure by practice owner Dr Adam, aided by nurse Erin, the stick was removed. Adam said: "Sherpa was amazingly tolerant following an extremely random occurrence. It was astonishing." Sherpa didn't lose her sight and is now making a great recovery.

Caroline said: “We were suddenly thrown into the worst living nightmare, it was absolutely horrifying. It’s truly a miracle what Adam and the team achieved from the moment they answered our call for help. They gave us hope."

31/12/2023

As another year ends and a new one begins, we would just like to wish all of our clients and their pets a happy and healthy new year.

Best wishes for 2024 from Claire and all the team at Vets4pets Bishop Auckland 🐾

25/12/2023

Happy Christmas to all our clients and patients from all the team at Bishop Vets4pets🌲

We hope everyone has been spoilt.

Why not share your Christmas photos of your furry friends for everyone to see below ⬇️

24/12/2023

This little Christmas cracker is Molly, who survived against the odds and gave birth to three premature puppies after being brought in to Vets for Pets Cirencester as a pregnant stray with severe injuries from a fight with other dogs.

Martina, who owns the practice, said: ”It was really touch and go and we thought Molly might not make it. The team treated mum first, got her on a drip and stabilised her before successfully managing to deliver the puppies – two boys and a girl – by caesarean section."

Molly, who's a Cairn Terrier, and her three pups are recovering well at home with Martina. “As they needed 24/7 care I took them home and emptied the whole spare bedroom so there was a nice, warm and comfortable quiet place for Molly and her puppies. I was attached to her for the first five days – my husband Matt even brought food up to the bedroom for me as I stayed there all the time. It was really hard work but it was all worth it. They’re absolute darlings and doing really well now – mum is already brave enough to go on dog walks.”

Martina says Molly will continue living with her in the future, and the puppies will be adopted when they are stronger.

19/12/2023

************THANK YOU **********to everyone that has donated to our Christmas Pet Bank so far.

You will still be able to donate throughout the Christmas period. 🎄

These will be delivered to our local charities in the new year.

Your generosity is much appreciated!! 🐾

19/12/2023

This beautiful buzzard is on the mend after undergoing surgery on a broken wing at Vets4Pets Newmarket after he was hit by a car.

A member of the public rescued the buzzard and brought him in to see if the team could help. After a successful operation and five days of recuperation he's ben taken to The Raptor Foundation rehabilitation centre to continue his recovery.

Practice manager Natalie said: "We put him under general anaesthetic and performed orthopaedic surgery. We'll see him again next month to see how he's progressing and then hopefully he'll be released back into the wild. We wish him a speedy recovery as he's such a handsome chap.”

17/12/2023

Here's a salutary tale in the run-up to Christmas Day ... the story of poor little Tego, who had to be rushed to Vets for Pets Morpeth for emergency treatment after snaffling 48 Quality Street chocolates, their wrappers and part of the box.

Owner Sarah realised chocolate was toxic for dogs so phoned the vets who told her to get the five-year Tibetan Terrier there immediately. Sarah said: "They were brilliant with him. The chocolates were a birthday present for my daughter Olivia, and they were all wrapped up and put in the lounge with the door shut. I went to work and when I came back Tego had somehow managed to get in the room and rip into them."

Vet Eleni and the team helped Tego cough everything up and took blood tests and put him on medication before he was allowed home. Eleni said it's a useful reminder to keep chocolates well hidden – and to act fast if your dog eats any and induce vomiting within one to two hours to prevent the body from absorbing the toxins.

16/12/2023

Five-year-old Buddy will be thinking twice about picking up sticks in future after one pierced his tongue and he had to be taken for treatment at Vets4Pets Lisburn.

Owner Danielle says Buddy doesn't normally play with sticks but one day he saw other dogs having fun with sticks and ran over to join in. "We heard a loud yelp and he came sheepishly over to us, with his tail between his legs, and we realised he was in pain. We took him to the practice where Becky the vet found the hole under his tongue and treated him with dissolving stitches, antibiotics and painkillers. Becky was so lovely."

Danielle says: "Buddy is doing absolutely great now and we are keeping an extra eye on him – we've even bought him a fake fabric bendy stick from Pets at Home!"