Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice

31/10/2024

🎃👻 Happy Halloween from Behavioural Referrals! 🐾👻

29/10/2024

💥FIREWORK PREPARATION TIPS💥

Your interaction with your dog during fireworks - Be careful to avoid affectionate interactions such as kissing, cuddling or close physical contact during firework events as this can signal uncertainty and make your dog more anxious and fearful. If your dog is actively using their safe haven, you should not encroach their space. It is vital though that you are there for your dog if they need you. Ensure that you are available for them, and do not ignore or reject them if they seek contact. Instead use calm verbal interactions and calm stroking.

28/10/2024

🎃👻 Halloween is just around the corner, and while it’s a fun time for humans, it can be a bit spooky for our furry friends! 🐾

Here are a few tips to ensure your pets stay safe and comfortable during the festivities.

Have a fun and safe Halloween! 🎃✨

🎃🐾

25/10/2024

Halloween can be a scary time for most pets - we have created this poster to display in your window/door for trick or treaters which can be downloaded and printed 👻🦇

25/10/2024

23/10/2024

💥FIREWORK PREPARATION TIPS💥

The Feliway Optimum Diffuser uses the new discovery of the Feline Pheromone Complex to help keep cats calm, this is especially important during stressful events such as fireworks. 💥
Plug the diffuser into the room where your cat spends most of their time at least a week before the anticipated fireworks for the best affect. 🐱

20/10/2024

💥FIREWORK PREPARATION TIPS💥

Pheromone products: ADAPTIL Calm diffuser – this is a synthetic analogue of the natural pheromone which is produced by lactating bi***es, and signals to puppies that they are safe and secure. This pheromone can confirm safety and relaxation to anxious dogs. The diffuser should be left on constantly in the room where the safe haven is positioned (or where you dog will be during the fireworks). Please ensure it is not hidden behind sofas or has anything over it such as cupboards, otherwise it will not work properly. A spray version of the pheromone can also be sprayed on bedding if you then wait 15minutes before allowing your dog on the bed.

18/10/2024

💥FIREWORK PREPARATION TIPS💥

💊Situation medication – these can be used to help reduce anxiety for specific events. There are different types available. Due to side effects, we do trial doses prior to therapeutic use with some of the medication types. Some of these also have memory blocking properties so can help your dog forget a scary event and prevent them gathering memories which might encourage repeated reactions in the future.

Medication is not suitable for all dogs so please discuss this your GP vet or with a member of one of our team if you have been referred to us.

16/10/2024

💥FIREWORK PREPARATION TIPS💥

Interaction with known, low arousal training exercises can provide distraction during firework events. Alternatively, you can use Kongs, chews, or other treat dispensing toys. (Always supervise you dog during this time)

14/10/2024

💥FIREWORK PREPARATION TIPS💥

🎶Background Noise: Using a fan or white noise can help drown out the sounds from outside. You can also increase the volume of the TV or radio, as long as your dog is accustomed to those noises.

🎶Classical Music: Playing soothing music can be beneficial for some dogs, while others who are more sensitive to noise might find it upsetting. It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s reactions to determine what works best for them.

14/10/2024

💥FIREWORK PREPARATION TIPS💥

In the coming days, we’ll be sharing advice on how to get ready for bonfire night! 🐶🐱

05/10/2024

Did you know dogs can hear sounds 4 times further away than humans? 👂
This means the fireworks you hear in the distance are much louder and scarier for dogs. Make sure you plan ahead to minimise stress to your dog this Fireworks Night 🐶
If your dog already has a noise phobia, we recommend speaking to your vet to get advice on how to manage for this year. You can then start the desensitisation process in early 2025 - it is never too early to prepare!

If your dog does not currently have concerns about noises, we suggest using some specially created audio to start getting your dogs used to the sound of fireworks. This needs to be completed somewhere that they feel safe and secure, and it should never be loud enough to cause worry to your pet. These audio files can be downloaded for free, along with a booklet on its use, from the Dogs Trust website:

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/sound-therapy-for-pets

02/10/2024

Yesterday was Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation day! 🤩
We would like to take today and everyday to acknowledge our fantastic administration team and all their hard work and dedication to the practice 🐾

Happy Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation day!

Today, we recognise and celebrate the hard work and dedication of veterinary receptionists, the heart of every practice. From comforting worried pet owners to managing appointments and keeping practices running smoothly, you are truly the unsung heroes of the veterinary world. Your compassion, professionalism, and tireless efforts make a huge difference in the lives of pets and their families.

Thank you for all that you do! 🐾💙

02/10/2024

We are here to help support the interplay between physical and emotional health, to offer the best possible outcome for cat and caregiver alike.

During the initial consultation:
🐱 We explain why your pets unwanted behaviour is happening (by describing the emotions driving your pets unwanted behaviour).
🐱 We will discuss how we interpret animal body language to give you the tools to understand and help your pet, so that their behaviour can improve.
🐱 We will outline a plan that we will support you in implementing, that can begin the work to improve your pets behaviour. Very frequently, there are several phases to the work that we need to do to help our patients. The first stage is often ground work which sets them up for success to improve in the specific context that they have been referred for.

We can provide home visits within our radius and video consultations for those further afield. If you have any questions, please contact the office on 01244377365 or [email protected]

If you are a caregiver wishing to have a consultation, please note that we require a referral from your GP veterinary practice.
https://behaviouralreferrals.co.uk/.../programmes-for-cats/

27/09/2024

🌟Teaching appropriate interactions between dogs and children. 🌟

The Blue Dog CD is an interactive game for children to play to teach them how to be safe around dogs. This has been scientifically proven to educate children how to behave safely with dogs and helps reduce dog bite incidents in children.

https://behaviouralreferrals.co.uk/product/living-safely-with-your-dog-guide/

24/09/2024

🌟 Animal Pain Awareness Month 🌟

Did you know that Veterinary Physiotherapy can play a vital role in pain management for your pets?
At our practice, Veterinary Physiotherapy helps manage pain, build muscle mass, reduce compensatory movements, relieve soft tissue discomfort, and improve joint mobility—all essential for your dog's overall well-being.

Our Veterinary Physiotherapy sessions are led by our Head Rehabilitation Skills Coach, who prioritises each dog's emotional state, ensuring every session is tailored to their unique needs and pace. Your pet's comfort and progress are always our top priorities.

For more information on veterinary physiotherapy please do not hesitate to contact us! 🐾

22/09/2024

Did you know that the way a dog sits can reveal a lot about their physical health? 🐕✨

A balanced and healthy dog should be able to sit squarely, with all four limbs aligned in the same direction, and their back legs positioned neatly behind the front ones.
📸 In the first photo, you'll see Fern's feet are facing the same way, but her hind limbs are positioned much wider than her front limbs.
📸 In the second photo, Fern is sitting on a platform, engaging the muscles needed for a more aligned posture. Strengthening these muscles is crucial as it helps support the hip joint and overall mobility.
Many dogs tend to sit with their weight leaning back on their spine or to one side, with one leg stretched out. While this isn't always a sign of an issue, it can sometimes be an indicator of underlying problems, so it’s something worth paying attention to! 🧐🐾

20/09/2024

Dr Carrie Tooley gave a presentation today at the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists 60th Anniversary meeting. 🐾
Carrie gave an overview on the importance of sleep medicine in a veterinary context and gave practical advice for the vet team on how to investigate sleep compromise, identify beneficial sleep in veterinary patients and provide adequate and appropriate sleep opportunities for non-human animals. Carrie highlighted the importance of considering sleep when dealing with patients with chronic pain and with inpatients within a veterinary context.

On a more personal note I want to congratulate Carrie on a wonderful presentation at the AVA 60th anniversary conference today. Carrie has now completed her residency with me and she is a great asset to the field of veterinary behavioural medicine. It is so good to see her flourish as a speaker and to hear her spreading the word about the importance of the discipline of behavioural medicine in the veterinary profession.
Great job Carrie.