Animal Health Centre

15/12/2023

Do you have enough medication for your pet to
cover them over the festive period? If not, give
us a call to pick up your pet’s prescription

13/12/2023

Has your pet been nice this year? Santa Paws has brought some goodies to Animal Health Centre, available to purchase at reception!

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

11/12/2023

It is important to keep your pets safe over the festive season. Nothing spoils a Christmas day like a trip to the emergency vet! Here is our Naughty List of items to keep out of reach...

- Chocolate - contains theobromine which is toxic to dogs, in severe cases can cause seizures and heart failure.
- Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, mince pies - Contains raisins which can cause sudden kidney failure
- Bones - Can splinter when chewed leading to digestive tract being pierced or obstructed.
- Onion (and garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives) - Can cause anaemia
- Tinsel, ribbons and fairy lights - These decorations can be particularly appealing to cats, but they can become easily caught and cause injury, and if ingested can tangle in intestines causing blockages
- Lillies, poinsettias, holly, ivy - ingesting these plants can cause pain and stomach upset
- Alcohol - Can lead to dehydration and liver and kidney failure.

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

08/12/2023

Here at the animal health centre we are all for getting your pets involved in the Christmas spirit. So for those of you who like to do stockings here are some stocking fillers we suggest!

As much as dogs love bones they can be dangerous if they splinter and bones made from hide are quite a choking hazard! Why not try a Kong goodie bone which you can stuff with foods like peanut butter and kibble, a much safer alternative!

Lick mats and snuffle mats are also good for keeping your dog or cat entertained during a busy Christmas day. If you’ve reached post-Christmas dinner couch potato but your dog is feeling energetic, these mats help to mentally stimulate and tire your dog out so you don’t have to!

Quick release collars are a good treat for your cat. If your cat roams around areas with branches or objects collars can get caught on, quick release collars help prevent them getting caught or stuck.

Plaque off and other dental treats will help your pet have pearly white smiles for those Christmas photos! Plus oral hygiene is key to a healthy life in the years to come for your pets!

And sometimes the simplest things like cardboard toilet rolls and wrapping paper are just as much fun to our pets as toys so why not let them play with what you already have! Just make sure they don’t eat them!

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

06/12/2023

Our Christmas Opening Times are as follows:

Saturday 23rd - OPEN 8:30am to 12pm
Sunday 24th - CLOSED
Monday 25th - CLOSED
Tuesday 26th - CLOSED
Wednesday 27th - OPEN 8:30am to 5pm
Thursday 28th - OPEN 8:30am to 5pm
Friday 29th - OPEN 8:30am to 5pm
Saturday 30st - CLOSED
Sunday 31st - CLOSED
Monday 1st - CLOSED
Tuesday 2nd - OPEN 8:30am to 6:30pm

Open as usual from Tuesday 2nd January, see usual opening hours on our social media.

For out-of-hours care please contact Highcroft Whitchurch on 01275 832410.

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832.

04/12/2023

Saturday Opening Times!

We are open alternating Saturdays each month from 9am to 12pm. On the Saturdays we are not open please visit Eastville Veterinary Practice. our sister practice, who will have access to your records and will be able to see you. You can contact Eastville on 0117 951 9048.

to book an appointment with us or speak to a member of our team please call 0117 924 7832.

01/12/2023

Save up to £200 a year* on your dog’s routine healthcare.
Vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, health checks
and more are all included to give your dog a healthy and
happy life.

Give us a call on 0117 924 7832
to join your pet to the club today or find out more at
thehealthypetclub.co.uk

29/11/2023

As the nights are getting darker it is important to keep yourself and your dog safe whilst walking at night. Reflective clothing and accessories can make sure you are visible to cars, and keeping a torch handy in the dog walking kit can make all the difference. If possible, walk your dog earlier in the day and stay near well-lit areas. Stay safe!

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

27/11/2023

Have you heard of our Healthy Pet Club?

Did you know we run a monthly payment plan called the Healthy Pet Club? This helps you spread the cost of your vet bills as well as giving you some added benefits!
Benefits include…

10% off ALL vet bills
Annual vaccinations INCLUDED
Flea and worming treatment INCLUDED
Fixed price for a dental scale and polish
FREE nail clips
AND MORE!

For more information visit thehealthypetclub.co.uk or contact us directly!
To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832.

24/11/2023

Socialisation is the best way to prevent loneliness and boredom in your rabbit, and to ensure your floppy-eared friend thrives. Proper socialisation creates many positive outcomes.
Sometimes rabbits do not naturally enjoy being picked up or handled by humans. They are prey animals, and so tend to be skittish if not properly socialised. Here are some tips:

Treats!!
Once your new rabbit has worked up the courage to begin investigating their new surroundings, it is time to break out the treats. Rabbits respond to treat training like any other pets. Treat early and often, and the rabbit will begin associating you with good things, and they will be more likely to approach other humans as well. �
Provide places to hide!!
This step is especially important if you have children in the home or other pets. Rabbits can get easily overwhelmed, especially in a new environment. It is important to provide them places to hide or rest when they don’t feel like socialising. This “safe space” can help the rabbit feel confident enough to continue exploring their new surroundings.

Take it slow!!
Every rabbit is different, and so the socialisation process will take a unique amount of time for each animal. Do not rush things. Let the rabbit determine their own pace. And, try to be patient. Once your rabbit has been socialised and bonded with you and your other pets, you will see that the time and effort was worthwhile.

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

22/11/2023

We are proud to offer SignVideo: BSL Video Interpreting to our deaf clients, to assist them with accessing veterinary care and pet advice for their pets in our practices.

To find out more about using SignVideo, visit: https://www.animalhealthcentre.org/

20/11/2023

Our new high tech dental machine has arrived with us in practice and our vets are using it to the full! Here is our lovely client Pip smothering Vet Amy in fresh smelling kisses after their dental procedure with us.

As a reminder to out Healthy Pet Club Members, you are entitled to a reduced price dental scale and polish under anaesthetic which is a great saving over usual prices. If you think your pet may benefit from this please do book in for a dental check and assessment with a veterinary nurse.

To book an appointment or speak to a member of reception please call us on 0117 924 7832

17/11/2023

Meet Isobel Jarrold BVSc MRCVS!

Isobel joined the Animal Health Centre team in September after Graduating her Veterinary degree at Bristol University. Prior to this Isobel was very busy doing an undergraduate in Biology at Bristol university and took a year out working for the Dwarf mongoose research project in South Africa for three months!
Not ready to rest just yet on her return to Bristol Isobel went straight into a Research Masters in animal behaviour, looking at the effect of anthropogenic noise on fish shoals.

Outside of work she loves to be active, playing netball and participating in running and triathlon events. And to relax enjoys exploring new areas of the UK on walking holidays.

So far Isobel is really enjoying working in small animal medicine and has a particular interest in surgery at the Animal Health Centre. We look forward to introducing Isobel to you all as we think she is rather lovely.

15/11/2023

Thinking of taking your cat, dog or ferret abroad to an EU country? Here is what you need to know...
- Please let us know a minimum of 1 month before you plan to travel so we can make sure everything is ready for your trip! The more notice the better!
- Your pet must be microchipped and registered with up-to-date details.
- Does your pet have a valid passport? From January 2021 UK pet passports are no longer valid, but passports issued by other countries may still be valid.
- If your pet does not have a valid passport, they will need to be issued an Animal Health Certificate. The Animal Health Certificate must be issued within 10 days of travelling, and you must book an appointment to see an 'Official Veterinarian' for this. Nicky and Holly S both hold this qualification and can issue this document for you, which currently costs around £215 if you are registered at our practice.
- All animals travelling must be up-to-date with their rabies vaccination, and this can be done anytime but must be done a minimum of three weeks before your Animal Health Certificate appointment.
- Always check the government website for current guidance on travel for the country you are going to. Some countries may have additional requirements (e.g. a tapeworm treatment), and it is your responsibility to check for these requirements.
This advice is for travel from the UK to EU countries only, for further travel advice and any additional questions, please ring the practice on 0117 924 7832.

14/11/2023

Today is . Most of us would
have heard of diabetes, but did you know that it
can affect our pets too?
Diabetes occurs when there are abnormally
high sugar levels in the blood, caused by a
problem with insulin. Insulin is a hormone made
by the pancreas that works to move sugar out of
the bloodstream and into cells after a meal.
To find out more about diabetes in pets and the
signs to look out for: https://bit.ly/2Tqx0DJ

If you are concerned at all about your pet’s
health, please give us a call on 0117 924 7832

13/11/2023

Whether they are floppy or pointy, pets with poorly
ears needed vet treatment averaging £300.44 last year
(MiPet Cover claims 2022).

MiPet Cover has your pet covered with LifetimeFlex
lifetime pet insurance which offers up to £12,000 in vet
fee cover.

Get a free quote today at mipetcover.co.uk or speak to
their friendly team on 0808 164 8000
T&Cs apply

11/11/2023

Lest we forget – remembering all of the brave
people and animals.

10/11/2023

To book an appointment or speak to our reception team, please call us on 0117 924 7832

08/11/2023

Prepping for fireworks!

With fireworks night past and new years approaching and many of us having pets who react badly to the sudden loud noises, here are our steps to helping calm your animals with plug in adaptors!
We offer many Adaptil and Feliway products to help calm your pets, such as sprays and diffusers. The best way to help your pet stay calm is to let them associate Feliway or Adaptil with a calm space they are familiar with so they are comfortable retreating there when anxious or distressed. This is a process that take more than 24hours as Feliway needs to be built up over time as it isn’t something that works instantly!
If your animal is really trembling with the fireworks it could be a good idea to contact your vet well in advanced of fireworks night to prescribe them with something else.
so…. remember remember to plug in your diffusers before the 5th of November! To help your pets settle with upcoming fireworks.
To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

06/11/2023

All about hypertension in cats!! Introducing out free screening...

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Hypertension is known as the 'silent killer' as it may not show any symptoms and can stay undiagnosed for a long period of time.
Hypertension can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain. More than 80% of cats with hypertension present with sudden onset of blindness.
Hypertension is most common in older cats. It affects 1 in 5 cats from 9 years of age, and are most common in cats with pre-existing kidney disease and an overactive thyroid gland.
We are offering clients wtih cats aged over 7 years old a free blood pressure check with a nurse to screen for hypertension. The measurement is taken using a small inflatable cuff, similar to that used for people. Taking a measurement is quick, painless, and usually tolerated well by most cats.

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

03/11/2023

To book an appointment please call reception on 0117 924 7832

01/11/2023

This month, we’re working with the vet sector and the NHS to encourage the return of out-of-date and unused antibiotics to help tackle the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance.
During our amnesty, we are asking our clients to return out-of-date and unused medicines to our practices for safe disposal.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a world-wide health threat, as bacteria are becoming resistant to many antibiotics we use.

A third of people hold onto unused antibiotics for potential future reuse and pet owners may similarly store them for their pets, but re-using antibiotics poses a high risk of AMR emerging and spreading.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or speak to our reception team please call us on 0117 924 7832

30/10/2023

Helpful tips for noise phobias!

https://www.thehealthypetclub.co.uk/noise-phobia/?fbclid=IwAR3cc3R2TF-aF5OfoypzeeFu4yX-AZ7Q_mLd8Bv9zQCeVNq-X41ubuvzfiY

Millions of dogs fear the noise of fireworks going off. Find out what noise phobia is, how it develops and what to do about it. Follow our advice here.

27/10/2023

Let's appreciate black cats!

Black cats are surrounded with a stigma of an omen for bad luck and evil notions. Due to this, they are often least likely to be adopted from rescue homes and in some cases refused by adoption homes around Halloween.

But a stigma is just a stigma and we want to take the day to show our love for them here at Animal Health Centre.

Here is our receptionist's beautiful black cat Percy among our patients' cats too.

Please do share your black cats to our page or tag us in your Instagram posts!

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

25/10/2023

Bonfire night can be treacherous for hedgehogs!

Here are some tips to keep our prickly friends safe...
- Only build your bonfire on the day you intend to light it! Building ahead of the day you intend to light it gives more time for hedgehogs to see it as a cosy resting place, putting them in harms way. If you are able to, move the bonfire by a few meters immediately before lighting it.
- Place your bonfire on open ground. Placing on any clutter such as leaves can increase the likelihood that a hedgehog may be underneath.
- Always check the entire bonfire for hedgehogs before lighting it.
- When checking, lift parts of the bonfire section by section using a blunt object such as a pole or broom, pointed objects such as a fork or spade could injure any hedgehogs you find. Use a torch to look, and listen for a hissing sound as this is the sound that hedgehogs make when disturbed.
- Light your bonfire from one corner, this will give any hedgehogs time to escape if they need to.

If you find a hedgehog, transport it as far away from the fire as you can, whilst wearing gardening gloves.

For more tips and general wildlife advice we recommend Secret World Wildlife Rescue.

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

23/10/2023

Follow the link below for tips on keeping your pet safe in the dark!

https://www.thehealthypetclub.co.uk/keeping-your-pet-safe-in-the-dark/?fbclid=IwAR2haJ6O5lg1h0do_BAFQjaN0414u4oD9vFmaBkEtLGY3cMM1bcdrWzLDYM

We humans are probably not looking forward to the shorter days of autumn and winter. For many people this often means getting up in the dark and coming home in the dark too. It can have implications for our pets as well, so now is a good time to review what we can do to […]

20/10/2023

How to train perfect recall...

When you get a new dog it is important to know that they are going to come back when you call!
1. Begin the training indoors in enclosed spaces. You don't have to start from far away, a few feet is fine.
2. Make sure you smell appealing! Smell is a dog's main sense. Keep your pockets full of treats! It is important to reward your dog with something valuable to them, be it a high-value treat or a big fuss from you!
3. Once you are happy that the recall can be tested outside, make sure you test it every few minutes and then allow your dog to wander freely again! Associating recall only at the end of the walk might make them less inclined to come back if they know it always means the fun is over!
See the link below for more tips and info...
https://www.thehealthypetclub.co.uk/train-your-dog-perfect-recall/?fbclid=IwAR3cc3R2TF-aF5OfoypzeeFu4yX-AZ7Q_mLd8Bv9zQCeVNq-X41ubuvzfiY

To book an appointment or speak to a colleague, please call 0117 924 7832.

10 top tips to help achieve a perfect recall with your dog! Teach your dog to reliably come to you when called, even with distractions around!

18/10/2023

Healthy pet club is a preventative health care scheme that gives you 10% off all vets bills including medication like Adaptil, Feliway and subscription anxiety medications when advised by our vets for stressfull situations.
To see how to best care for your pets during firework season see our previous post or call us on 0117 924 7832

16/10/2023

Prepping for fireworks!

With fireworks night dawning and many of us having pets who react badly to the sudden loud noises, here are our steps to helping calm your animals with plug in adaptors!
We offer many Adaptil and Feliway products to help calm your pets, such as sprays and diffusers. The best way to help your pet stay calm is to let them associate Feliway or Adaptil with a calm space they are familiar with so they are comfortable retreating there when anxious or distressed. This is a process that take more than 24hours as Feliway needs to be built up over time as it isn’t something that works instantly!
If your animal is really trembling with the fireworks it could be a good idea to contact your vet well in advanced of fireworks night to prescribe them with something else.
so…. remember remember to plug in your diffusers before the 5th of November!
To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

13/10/2023

After a stay at the vets, you may need to
take special care of your cat when they get
back home:

• If your cat has had anaesthetic that day,
they may be subdued or a little unsteady.
• Cats may be nervous and disorientated
- talk and stroke them gently and allow
them to come to you first.
• Try to prevent your cat licking any wound
or pulling at stitches. If this happens, your
vet can provide a soft collar for your cat
to wear temporarily.
• Call your vets if you have any concerns
that a wound is red, swollen or has
discharge.
• Make sure any medications are given.
• Signs of pain include loss of appetite,
hiding or being withdrawn.
• You may need to keep your cat indoors
for the first night or longer.
• Provide a quiet, warm spot in the house
for your cat to rest.

For further help or if you have any concerns
about your cat’s recovery, give us a call for
advice on 0117 924 7832

11/10/2023

Our Practice Dogs Huxley and Rupert are here to remind you we are fundraising for Guide Dogs For The Blind!

Please donate if you can to the link below or in our bio on Instagram. Thank you for your support and donations!

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ahc-guidedogsfortheblind?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fahc-guidedogsfortheblind&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

09/10/2023

This year we are fundraising for Guide Dogs For The Blind! Together as a team we are litter picking with 'Clean Up Bristol Harbour' this October while also asking for your donations to Guide Dogs. If you are able to donate please follow the link (in our bio if you are on instagram) or pop into the practice. Every donation is appreciated and we will keep you up to date with our litter picking antics!

Thank you all for your generosity,

AHC team

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ahc-guidedogsfortheblind?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fahc-guidedogsfortheblind&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

06/10/2023

This year our chosen charity is Guide Dogs!! We have a fundraising even coming up soon so watch this space to see what our team gets up to! In the meantime we wanted to give you a look into the work that guide dogs do...
Have you ever wondered how guide dogs start their lives before they become the
faithful friends to the people they support?
In this video from Guide Dogs, Matthew Bottomley, Head of Breeding Operations, and Tom Lewis, Head of Canine Genetics, discuss the very first step of the journey of a guidedog: canine genetics and breeding.
Ask us in practice about how you can donate to Guide Dogs.
0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNa_MYYZvyQ

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832.

04/10/2023

To speak to a colleague or book an appointment please call us on 0117 924 7832

27/09/2023

We are proud to offer SignVideo: BSL Video
Interpreting to our deaf clients, to assist them
with accessing veterinary care and pet advice
for their pets in our practices.
To find out more about using SignVideo, visit: https://www.animalhealthcentre.org/

25/09/2023

The safest way to dispose of your pet’s
unused/out-of-date flea and worm treatments
and veterinary medicines is to return them
to your veterinary surgery. Disposal at home
could be harmful for the environment.
Please look after our environment by taking
care to return any medicine you don’t use.

To find out more or book an appointment call us a call on 0117 924 7832

22/09/2023

Has your vet recommended that your cat
needs a change in their diet?
Following a few simpletips can make
changing your cat’s diet much easier.
Always follow your vet’s advice on how to
introduce a new diet:
• Make the change to a new diet gradually
over 3-7 days
• Start mixing a small amount of the new
diet with the old diet
• If your cat accepts the new diet,
gradually decrease the old diet and
increase the new one.
• If your cat is reluctant to eat the new diet,
make the change over a longer period of
time.
• If using wet food, you can try warming it
slightly to body temperature to make it
more palatable.
For further help or advice on changing
your cat’s diet, give us a call to book an
appointment to speak to one of our vets on 0117 924 7832

20/09/2023

18/09/2023

Myxomatosis and VHD1 & 2 annual vaccinations are
included when you join The Rabbit Healthy Pet Club.
Vaccinations protect your rabbit from these fatal diseases.

💜Find out about all of the other benefits at www.thehealthypetclub.co.uk
or call our reception tem on 0117 924 7832