Millcroft Veterinary Group

19/11/2024

With the cold weather forecast to continue this week, the RSPCA (England & Wales) have provided some really great advice below on how to keep your pets safe in the cold weather. 🥶❄️☃️

With weather warnings in place for the north of England and Wales and forecasters predicting the first snowfall of winter, now's the time to ensure that you have preparations in place to keep your pets safe during the cold snap ❄️

There are plenty of things you can do to help keep your companions cosy. Get our top tips: https://bit.ly/36Xomno

06/11/2024

This week, members of the team have been involved in an exciting project with the National Trust - North & West Lake District to help increase the number of crab apple trees in the local area. 🍏

The project involved team members gathering windfall crab apples from a specific location in the Borrowdale valley. We then processed the seeds back at the practice ready to overwinter, before hopefully they start to germinate in the Spring.

Whilst it was a chilly job processing apples, the team really enjoyed getting outside and giving something back to a great local project.

We will keep you posted once the seeds start to germinate. The National Trust has exciting plans for these tiny seeds... 🌳

05/11/2024

Meet Sali - this gorgeous Whippet was in for her second vaccination today. Look at those puppy dog eyes 😍

If you are thinking about getting a puppy, or have just got one, take a look at our website where you will find all of the information you need to keep them healthy and happy.

https://www.millcroftvets.co.uk/new-puppy-advice

05/11/2024

It's and we're thinking about wildlife.

Visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society for top tips on how to protect our prickly little friends from bonfires.

It's & we're thinking about wildlife.

A bonfire pile looks like the perfect readymade home to a hedgehog seeking a safe and cosy winter nest to hibernate in. They don’t know we plan to set light to it!
🦔 🚫 🔥
Follow these simple steps & help reduce the risk of harming hedgehogs this November!

🚫 Stop – do you need to have a bonfire this year? The fewer bonfires there are, the fewer wildlife casualties there are too.

🫳 Move - if you do decide to have a bonfire, always build it on the day you plan to light it. Move all accumulated materials to a new site as hedgehogs & other wildlife or pets may be hiding inside.

🔦 Check - before lighting from one side, check the entire bonfire pile carefully for wildlife & pets. Shining a torch inside the pile, gently lift each section with a pole or broom. Never use a spade or fork as these can cause great harm. Listen for the huffing sound of a hedgehog.

STOP. MOVE. CHECK! ⬇️
https://buff.ly/4eo95wC


🖍️ Georgia, St Mary’s RC Primary School

04/11/2024

Thank you to those who brought their lovely dogs into the Workington surgery to donate blood on Saturday. Nine units of blood were collected which could help save up to 36 lives 🌟🐶🩸

Our next donor session will take place on Saturday 11th January and we would really love to have some new donors! 👏

For your dog to be a blood donor, they must meet the following criteria:

🩸 Fit and healthy
🩸 Between one and eight years old
🩸 Weigh more than 25kg
🩸 Have a good temperament
🩸 Have never travelled outside of the UK and Ireland
🩸 Vaccinated or have an annual titre test after the first year booster*
🩸 Not on any medication

To register, follow the link:
https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/dog-blood-donation/find-your-nearest-donation-session/workington-cumbria-millcroft-veterinary-group/

04/11/2024

Check out some of the teams very creative pumpkin carving from last week. What a talented bunch 😮🎃🐱
Did you do an animal themed pumpkin? If so, we would love to see it. Please share in the comments below 🙌

29/10/2024

With fireworks night rapidly approaching, our team have had lots of conversations this week about what owners can do to help their frightened pets 🎆

Our top tips are:

1. Try to walk your dog earlier in the evening and ideally before dark to reduce the risk of any fireworks going off when they are outside.
2. Make sure they are kept on a lead.
3. Close windows, curtains and doors to reduce the noise and light level from outside.
4. Create a "safe space" for your animals, somewhere quiet that is snug and cosy. Some people like to use crates, covered in blankets and containing some of their favourite toys and treats.
5. Play some music or TV to help mask the fireworks.

Please contact the Millcroft Vets team if you have any questions, or if you feel that your pet gets particularly distressed, to discuss further options as soon as possible.

The Dogs Trust and the have some excellent resources to help you prepare:
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/how-we-help/stories/preparing-for-fireworks
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks🎆

29/10/2024

We couldn't have said it better ourselves... ❤️
Thank you to the Lakeland Dog Walker for your great summary of the blood donation process with Pet Blood Bank UK.
Our next donor session is this Saturday at our Workington branch. Visit the Pet Blood Bank UK website to register: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/dog-blood-donation/find-your-nearest-donation-session/workington-cumbria-millcroft-veterinary-group/

This Saturday, Millcroft Veterinary Group in Workington are hosting another Pet Blood Bank UK session.

If you have a dog that:

- is relaxed at the vets.
- happy to meet new people.
- is aged between 12 months and 8 years.
- fit and healthy.
- weighs 25kg or more.
- never travelled abroad.
- is vaccinated.

I strongly recommend you book an appointment and let your dog donate a unit of blood.

Just so you know what to expect, the process we have experienced when Bindi and Noodle donate blood is:

1. We arrive at the vets (I now get dragged in as they love it so much).

2. We are greeted by someone who fusses over the dogs and gives them treats whilst I fill in the forms.

3. The vet takes their temperature (the only part of the process my 2 don't enjoy haha), they listen to their heart, check their gums etc then shave a small amount of fur from their neck and take a blood sample - all whilst being showered in love and treats.

4. The blood sample is checked and if all OK they progress on to the donation.

5. During the donation, the dog is carefully lifted onto a tables and they are laid down on their side. One person stroks their back and one strokes their head and neck, whilst a 3rd takes blood from their neck.

6. I usually stand at the head end and talk to Bindi and Noodle whilst the process is happening. Bindi almost falls asleep during the process. Noodle just lies there watching me, knowing there are more treats to come.

7. Once the donation is complete (my guys usually take about 10mins each), they get a vet wrap bandage around their neck they have to wear (for about 20mins).

8. We then head back to the reception area where the dogs get a photo in their red bandana and more treats.

9. Once the process is completed, the dogs get to pick toy each and a pack of Burns Pet Nutrition dog treats to take home.

Don't delay - sign up today ❤️

28/10/2024

Meet Lightfoot Sharyn, one of Cumbria Greyhound Trusts gorgeous Greyhounds.

Lightfoot Sharyn donated blood on Friday to help out at our Cockermouth surgery. Greyhounds are excellent blood donors as they usually have a negative blood type which can be given to any dog in an emergency.

For more information about re-homing a retired Greyhound, get in touch with the Greyhound Trust

20/10/2024

The purple poppy is a symbol of remembrance in the UK for animals lost in service.

To raise money for the Royal British Legion , this year our very talented Veterinary Nurse Louise, has lovingly handmade some crochet purple poppies for owners and felt collar poppies for dogs.

If you would like one, they are available now in all branches. The suggested donation is £2, of which all proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion.

15/10/2024

We are delighted to support Oak Tree Animals' Charity with their Autumn/Winter Newsletter. 🤩

OUR AUTUMN/WINTER 2024 NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
(Subscribers may have received them in the post together with our Grand Draw Tickets - Check your Post!)

May we take the opportunity to thank all our advertisers in this issue. PFK Estate Agency, Austin Friars, OSCAR Pet Foods Carlisle , Paragon Veterinary Group - Pets , Jill Glencross Independent Funeral Director ,Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors , Colophon Print & Design Ltd , Battlesbridge Home Services, The Workhorse (David Harrison ) Woody’s Motorhome Hire Cumbria , Border Plumbing & Heating Services, Keltic Rose Photography, MH Electrical , Wendy Brown Ear Care , Meadows Farm , Millcroft Veterinary Group

If you would be interested in supporting Oak Tree Animals' Charity with advertising in our Spring/Summer 2025 issue - or our monthly E News which will be restarting from January 2025, please get in touch with [email protected]

https://www.oaktreeanimals.org.uk/about/current-newsletter.html

10/10/2024

Cats are very good at hiding pain. If you notice your cat is having difficulty coming up or down the stairs, difficulty jumping up or down from furniture or is not chasing objects like they used to, it could be arthritis.

If you think your cat might be showing some signs of the condition, we encourage you to arrange an appointment with one of our vets to see what we can do to ensure your cat can continue to do the things that they love most 🧶🐈‍

If you are a Lifetime Care Club Ultimate member, the consultation would be included for no extra fee 🌟

Please visit our website to make an appointment or contact your nearest branch by phone.

07/10/2024

Dogs are very good at hiding their pain. If you notice that your dog appears more tired than usual, is reluctant to climb the stairs or jump into the car, it could be arthritis.

If you think your pet might be showing some signs of the condition, we encourage you to arrange an appointment with one of our vets to see what we can do to ensure your pet can continue to do the things that they love most 🥎

If you are a Lifetime Care Club Ultimate member, the consultation would be included for no extra fee 🌟

Please visit our website to make an appointment or contact your nearest branch by phone.

01/10/2024

We have an exciting new logo to mark 25 years 🌟

Our new logo represents the independent business that we are, our love of the animals under our care and our unique location.

Whilst we are celebrating 25 years, Millcroft Vets has roots of independent practice that stretch back over 100 years. Our heritage derives from six small practices, and it is 25 years since we came together as “Millcroft Vets”.

🥎New logo but same friendly veterinary team 👍

We are really excited about our new logo and want to reassure our clients that everything else within the practice remains the same. We are proudly owned by the Directors, all of whom are Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and are vets working to care for your pets and farms, 24 hours a day, as part of the Millcroft Vets team.

We want to thank our loyal clients for your continued support which enables us to remain proudly independent.

27/09/2024

Each year several hedgehogs come into the practice with injuries from garden equipment like strimmers, hedge cutters and mowers. 🍁

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society recommends initially cutting approximately 30cm above the ground, before stopping, checking the area, and then cutting lower down.

🍂In the last week alone we have seen, and cared, for seven little hedgehogs. If you are looking for advice about when to rescue a hedgehog, or when it is best to leave it - visit:

https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/posters/First-Aid.pdf
https://www.valewildlife.org.uk/hedgehogs/

25/09/2024

September is “Animal Pain Awareness Month”.

Pain can have many causes, but in older animals, one common condition is arthritis. Signs of pain from arthritis can vary, but may include;

Difficulty going up or down stairs,
Muscle loss,
Repeatedly licking an area,
Struggling to jump,
Stiffness in the morning,
Loss of appetite.

If you think your pet might be showing some signs of the condition, we encourage you to arrange an appointment with one of our vets to see what we can do to ensure your pet can continue to do the things that they love most.

Please visit our website to make an appointment or contact your nearest branch by phone.

24/09/2024

🌟This week is Guinea Pig Awareness Week 🌟
Visit the Guinea Pig Awareness Week website to find an excellent "Guide to Guinea Pigs" which provides loads of great advice on nutrition, behaviour, environment and health.

https://guineapigalliance.com/guinea-pig-care-guide/

Some of our team have made these cute origami Guinea Pigs to help spread the word 🌟

Look out for some more team pictures later this week 🐹