Carrick Veterinary Group - Chesterfield

26/11/2025

⚠️ Did you know? Antifreeze is toxic to cats ⚠️

As the temperatures start to drop and we begin to think about keeping our cars running, the likelihood of antifreeze poisoning in cats increases. The smell and taste of antifreeze is very appealing to our feline friends, and they are likely to lap it up if they come across a spillage.

So, as the weather starts to chill off, please be careful when topping up your cars with antifreeze and clear up any spillages made.

🐈‍⬛ For cat owners, check out the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning to
be aware of below.

23/11/2025

💩 When pets have diarrhoea, it’s easy to assume antibiotics are needed - but in most cases, it’s not caused by a bacterial infection.
Diet changes, stress, parasites, or underlying health conditions are often to blame.

💊 Using antibiotics unnecessarily can disrupt your pet’s natural gut bacteria, which play a vital role in digestion and immunity. It can also contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making future infections harder to treat.

✅ Seek your vet’s advice on the best course of action.

22/11/2025

Kennel cough is a common respiratory illness in dogs - but did you know it’s usually caused by a virus, not a bacterial infection?

That means antibiotics often aren’t needed and won’t help your dog recover faster.

🐕If your dog has developed a cough...

✅ Speak to your vet about the best care
✅ Rest, hydration, and monitoring are key
✅ Avoid walks to prevent spread to other dogs

21/11/2025

🩺Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) is a common condition in cats.
Many people are surprised to learn that it’s usually not caused by a bacterial infection.

🐈 Instead, stress is often the main trigger. That means antibiotics aren’t always the right treatment - and using them unnecessarily can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.

❓Find out more about the treatment of cystitis in cats here:
www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/feline-lower-urinarytract-disease-flutd

20/11/2025

💊 Stopping a course of antibiotics early - even if your pet seems better - can allow antibiotic-resistant bacteria to survive and multiply.

🦠These resistant bacteria are harder to treat 🦠

✅ Follow your vet’s instructions
✅ Complete the full course, even if symptoms improve
✅ Never save or share leftover antibiotics

💊 You should return unused medications to us for safe disposal.

19/11/2025

When it comes to treating infections, choosing the right antibiotic is essential. We want to make sure we’re using the right one - not just guessing! 🤔
That’s where cytology, and culture & sensitivity testing come in.

🔬 Cytology
We examine a sample under the microscope to identify the type of bacteria present. This helps us choose an antibiotic with the best chance of working quickly and effectively.

🧪 Culture & Sensitivity
The lab grows the bacteria from a sample, identifies the exact strain, and tests which antibiotics will kill it. This ensures we use the most effective treatment, reducing the risk of resistance and protecting your pet’s health.

💙 If your vet recommends testing, it’s all about giving your pet the best and most
targeted care, while protecting the future of antibiotics.

18/11/2025

Did you know?

🦠Antibiotics are designed to fight bacterial infections - they have no effect on viruses or inflammation.

💊Using antibiotics when they’re not needed can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making future infections harder to treat.

🧫Your vet will carefully assess whether antibiotics are necessary. If the illness is viral, other treatments may be more appropriate.

17/11/2025

🦠 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 🦠

💊Antibiotics are powerful tools - but when used incorrectly, bacteria can become resistant, meaning infections become more challenging to treat.
💊Antibiotic resistant bacteria are an increasing problem worldwide, affecting both human and animal health.

💊Stay tuned for our upcoming posts. Throughout this week, we’ll share some important insights into antimicrobial resistance; what it is, why it matters, and how we can all help to protect the effectiveness of antibiotics.

14/11/2025

12/11/2025

If pet rats could use the internet... what would they be searching for?🧐🐀

Do you have a pet rat? What would their search history look like?
Let us know below 👇😂

(Humans can find our latest pet care and advice at:
vetcollection.co.uk/health)

11/11/2025

💜 Today we reflect on the courage and sacrifice of all who served in times of conflict - men, women, and the animals who stood beside them.

10/11/2025

🍂 Toxins your pet should avoid during autumn 🍂

🌧 The increase in rain during autumn can cause an influx of wild mushrooms, as they thrive in damp climates. You may come across them on walks, or they may appear in your garden.

🍄 It can be very difficult to determine whether a particular mushroom is safe to eat, as many can look very similar but have very different toxicity levels.

If you suspect your pet has ingested wild mushrooms, speak to a vet as soon as possible.
Also, try and either take a sample or get a photo of the type of mushroom you think your pet may have ingested, as it may help the vet to identify the type of toxin and effectively treat it. 📷

For more advice: vetcollection.co.uk/health/autumn-toxins