Ashton Veterinary Surgery

06/09/2024

Happy Friday from the lovely Bovril! 🥰

Bovril came to see one of the nurses this week for his Youth Club appointment, and he was such a good boy! 😇

He was amazingly well behaved for getting his nails trimmed as well! 🤩 Here he is looking very proud of himself ❤

We look forward to seeing Bovril again next month! 😍

26/08/2024

Today is National Dog Day! 🐶

Every day feels like National Dog Day when you are a dog lover - but today we are giving them some extra love ❤

Share how your dog is celebrating with us below! 🥳👇

23/08/2024

We hope you all have a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend! 💙

Please find our opening hours below 👇

For emergencies please call our hospital on 01275 832410 (24-hour emergency service)

17/08/2024

Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day! 🖤

Make sure to show us how your black cats are celebrating their day in the comments below 🥰🐈‍⬛

09/08/2024

Happy Friday from Willow and Howard (aka Howie) 🥰

This perfect pair were in for their final post-op check this week, after they were spayed 10 days ago 😊

We are so pleased to see they’re doing really well and their wounds look amazing 😻

The nurses are really going to miss seeing Willow and Howie! As you can see, they’re such sweet cats! 🥰

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

They’re the most affectionate kitties

03/08/2024

👇

While the risk of your dog being stolen is thankfully relatively low, it’s important to be aware. Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of dog theft:

❌ Avoid leaving your dog unsupervised in public

🏡 If you have a garden, make sure it's secure

🦮 Vary your walking routes and times

🐾 Train your dog on recall practice

🐶 Keep their microchip up to date

🆔 Make sure your dog has an ID tag with your name, address and phone number, but avoid putting your dog's name on it

📸 Make sure you have up-to-date photos of your dog

29/07/2024

The weather is hotting up again 🔥you know what that means? 👇🐶🐱

Whilst it’s lovely to be out in the sun, there a few things to remember when it comes to looking after our furry friends 🐾

🔸Signs of heatstroke: 🥵

- Excessive panting
- Dribbling
- Increased heart rate
- Red gums and tongue
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Collapse
- Seizures

If you suspect that your pet might have heatstroke, move them to a cool area (as long as it is safe to do so) and contact your vet immediately.

🔸Which animals are more susceptible to heatstroke? 🐾

- Animals that are overweight

- Flat faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs, or Persian cats

- Pets with thick coats

- Old or very young animals

- Animals with pre-existing conditions, particularly airway, lung or heart problems

🔸Key tips to help prevent your pet getting heatstroke:

🐾 Make sure your pet has access to clean water at all times, and carry water with you when walking your dog

🐾 Animals can get sunburnt, particularly pale-coloured ones with areas with sparse fur. Ideally keep them inside or in the shade, but if they are in the sun use a suncream suitable for pets

🐶 Dogs’ paw pads can burn on hot pavements. If it’s too hot for your hand it’s too hot for their paws

🐶 During heatwaves, restrict walks to early morning only. On very hot days the temperature is still too hot for dogs in the evening

🐶 Remember it is OK not to walk your dog at all during very hot weather – it's far better to be safe than take unnecessary risks

🐱 Encouraging cats to drink water may require you placing a bowl in a few places around the house or in the garden

🐱 Be careful your cat doesn’t get shut into hot rooms or sheds with no ventilation

🐱 Make some ice lollies for your cat with some of their favourite treats (e.g. tuna brine)

For more information about heatstroke and for more tips on how to prevent it visit the links from Blue Cross UK below 👇

🐶 https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/top-tips-for-keeping-your-dog-cool-and-safe-in-summer

🐱 https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/top-tips-for-keeping-your-cat-cool-in-summer

19/07/2024

Happy Friday from the lovely Koda! 🥰

Koda came to see nurse Emily this week for his first ever Youth Club appointment ☺️

Koda is a bundle of joy and he was so well behaved throughout his check over!😇

We are looking forward to seeing Koda for these monthly visits, where we can help build up a positive association with the vets and get to know him as he grows up 🥰🐾

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

18/07/2024

🌟 Great job Susie! 🌟

Susie recently donated some blood to Pet Blood Bank UK at a recent blood donation session at Bristol Vet Specialists and we're so proud of her! ❤️

Blood Bank UK run donation sessions across the country, where you can bring your dog to give blood and help save the lives of other dogs 🐶

Canine blood donors have to meet certain criteria 🐾 See below for more information on how your dog could become a blood donor 👇

https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/dog-blood-donation/

Find your nearest donation session here 👇

https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/dog-blood-donation/find-your-nearest-donation-session/

17/07/2024

Cat Vs. Carrier 🐱

Advice on ‘Cat Vs. Carrier’ in British Sign Language, with Animal Health Care Assistant, Julie Beckett 🐾

For more pet advice in British Sign Language and to use our SignVideo service visit 👇

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/deaf-bsl-service/

10/07/2024

Today is a purrfect day, National Kitten Day! 🐱❤

We’d love to see some photos of your cats as kittens below, or if you’ve just brought home a new addition, we’d love to see a photo of them too 😍

28/06/2024

Neutering - Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰

Neutering means removing the reproductive organs; this is either the ovaries in females (known as spaying) or the testicles in males (known as castration) 🐾

Neutering is a routine procedure that does not require overnight hospitalisation, with an average recovery time of 7-10 days 🐰

Find out more about the benefits and risks of neutering your rabbit here 👇

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/should-i-neuter-my-rabbit/

27/06/2024

Vaccinations 🩺 - Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰

Both indoor and outdoor rabbits require vaccinations to keep them safe from infectious disease. Young rabbits are particularly vulnerable to serious illnesses, so it’s important to get them vaccinated early 🐰

Rabbits can be vaccinated from five weeks old and will need yearly booster vaccinations throughout their life to maintain immunity 🩺

See below for more information about vaccinations for rabbits 👇

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/vaccinations-for-rabbits/

26/06/2024

Please note 👇

The practice will be closed after 2pm today as we will be carrying out a stock take. Any phone calls will be diverted to our Eastville branch.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

In the event of an emergency, please contact our Whitchurch hospital on 01275832410.

26/06/2024

Microchipping - Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰

Microchipping rabbits is not a legal requirement but is strongly recommended. Rabbits are excellent escape artists and, if they manage to escape the garden, it can be difficult to identify where they have come from 🐾

See below for more about getting your rabbit microchipped👇

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/microchipping-rabbits

25/06/2024

Dental disease 🦷 - Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰

Since it's very difficult to check your rabbit’s teeth at home, it is important to look out for any signs of dental disease 🦷

There are many things that you can look out for that might indicate that your rabbit has some sort of dental health issue 🐰

If you notice any of these signs, it is important that you bring your rabbit to your vet for an oral assessment as soon as possible 🩺

If your rabbit stops eating altogether, this is an emergency ⚠️

See below for more information about Dental disease in rabbits 👇

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/dental-disease-in-rabbits

24/06/2024

Top tips on keeping your rabbit cool during warm weather ☀️

🐰 Provide shelter from the sun (e.g. close blinds, move their hutch into a shaded area)

❌ Don’t cover the hutch, as that can trap the heat in and reduce ventilation

🐰 Ensure all vents are open and clear

🐰 Freeze a water bottle, wrap it in a thin towel and lie it down in the enclosure, so the rabbit can lie against it if it gets too hot

🐰 Stand a frozen bottle of water in front of a gentle fan to cool the room air (acts like a simple air-conditioning unit)

🐰 Provide access to a shady tiled floor (e.g. utility room)

24/06/2024

Flystrike 🪰 - Rabbit Awareness Week🐰

Flystrike is more common in warmer weather ☀️ and in rabbits who have soiled fur (often due to poor diet, obesity or arthritis) 🐾

Throughout spring and summer, rabbits should be checked twice daily and any soiled fur should be cleaned. If you find any sign of fly eggs or maggots, you should arrange for your rabbit to see a vet as soon as possible 🩺

See below for more information about Flystrike 👇

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/flystrike

23/06/2024

Keeping your dogs and cats safe in hot weather ☀️

We hope everyone’s had a lovely sunny weekend! 😍 It looks like it'll get even warmer over the next couple of days! ☀️

Whilst it’s lovely to be out in the sun, there a few things to remember when it comes to looking after our furry friends 🐶🐱

🔸Signs of heatstroke: 🥵

- Excessive panting
- Dribbling
- Increased heart rate
- Red gums and tongue
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Collapse
- Seizures

If you suspect that your pet might have heatstroke, move them to a cool area (as long as it is safe to do so) and contact your vet immediately.

🔸Which animals are more susceptible to heatstroke? 🐾

- Animals that are overweight

- Flat faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs, or Persian cats

- Pets with thick coats

- Old or very young animals

- Animals with pre-existing conditions, particularly airway, lung or heart problems

🔸Key tips to help prevent your pet getting heatstroke:

🐾 Make sure your pet has access to clean water at all times, and carry water with you when walking your dog

🐾 Animals can get sunburnt, particularly pale-coloured ones with areas with sparse fur. Ideally keep them inside or in the shade, but if they are in the sun use a suncream suitable for pets

🐶 Dogs’ paw pads can burn on hot pavements. If it’s too hot for your hand it’s too hot for their paws

🐶 During heatwaves, restrict walks to early morning only. On very hot days the temperature is still too hot for dogs in the evening

🐶 Remember it is OK not to walk your dog at all during very hot weather – it's far better to be safe than take unnecessary risks

🐱 Encouraging cats to drink water may require you placing a bowl in a few places around the house or in the garden

🐱 Be careful your cat doesn’t get shut into hot rooms or sheds with no ventilation

🐱 Make some ice lollies for your cat with some of their favourite treats (e.g. tuna brine)

For more information about heatstroke and for more tips on how to prevent it visit the links from Blue Cross UK below 👇

🐶 https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/top-tips-for-keeping-your-dog-cool-and-safe-in-summer

🐱 https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/top-tips-for-keeping-your-cat-cool-in-summer

21/06/2024

Happy Friday from the lovely Trevor! 🥰

Trevor is 5 years old (although he's a puppy at heart!), and he came to see nurse Emily yesterday for his HPC 6 Month Health Check 🩺

His tail never stopped wagging and he was such a joy! 😄

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

21/06/2024

Take Your Dog to Work Day 🐶❤️

There is no denying the fact that dogs can help to alleviate stress in the workplace 🐾

In fact, a survey conducted by The Kennel Club revealed that 70% of people think dogs reduce stress within a working environment, and even stroking a dog is said to reduce blood pressure ☺️

Is your four-legged friend taking a trip to your workplace today? 🐶

19/06/2024

Meet the team 💙

Meet Sam 🥰

Sam has 10 years of experience working in veterinary practice. She started off as a patient care assistant, qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2018 and joined the Ashton team in December 2022 👭

Sam enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing, but the highlight is looking after all of your wonderful pets, from seeing them for nurse clinics, to monitoring their anaesthetics and caring for them whilst they’re in recovery ❤️‍🩹

In her spare time, Sam really enjoys indoor climbing (at least 3 times a week!) 💪🏼
She rescued a lovely black kitten called Kame 8 years ago, and he has been the king of the house ever since! Kame has an incredible repertoire of tricks, including sit, paw and spin (although he’ll do anything for a treat!) 🤣

18/06/2024

Walking in the Countryside With Your Dog 🐕

Advice on ‘Walking in the Countryside With Your Dog’ in British Sign Language, with Animal Health Care Assistant, Julie Beckett 🐾

For more pet advice in British Sign Language and to use our SignVideo service, visit 👇

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/deaf-bsl-service

10/06/2024

Diabetes Awareness Week 💜

Today marks the start of Diabetes Awareness Week - did you know your furry friends can get diabetes too? 🐾

Diabetes causes levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood to be persistently high. Normally when blood glucose levels increase, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin which adds in a number of ways to lower the blood glucose and prevent it from getting too high.

Want to know what to look out for in your pets? 💜

🐱- For more information on diabetes in cats, please visit:

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/feline-diabetes/

🐶- For more information on diabetes in dogs:

https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/canine-diabetes/

10/06/2024

Please note 👇

We will be closed today between 13:00 and 14:00.

In the event of an emergency, please contact our Whitchurch hospital on 01275832410.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

07/06/2024

Happy Friday from Katya and Trixie! 🥰

Katya and Trixie were very good for their HPC 6 Month Health Checks last week and they had a whale of a time exploring the nurse room and having a roll around! 😄

Aren't they gorgeous! 😻

(We promise these are two different cats! They just look very similar😅)

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

04/06/2024

Grass seeds 🌱❗

It's grass seed season once again!

🔸 Grass seeds are small, pointy seeds attached to long grass stems and they can cause problems to dogs if they end up in their fur during walks 🐾

🔸 Unfortunately grass seeds have very sharp ends, so they can burrow down and pierce the skin.

Here are some very useful tips on how to deal with grass seeds from Blue Cross UK 👇

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/grass-seeds-and-dogs

31/05/2024

Happy Friday from the lovely Juniper! 🥰

Juniper came to see the nurse this week for her HPC 6 Month Health Check 😊

She was so happy to be here, we've never seen a tail wag so fast!! 😆

She was a very good girl for her check over and showed off her squeaky clean teeth! 😁🪥

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

30/05/2024

Polite notice 👇

We are having a new computer system put in place over the coming days.

Whilst this is very exciting for us and will help us continue to work as efficiently as possible for you and your pets, we ask that you bear with us over the next few days whilst our staff are getting to grips with the new system.

Thank you!