House Call Vet Colchester

27/10/2023

I if organised an 'Ask Me Anything' event, would you be interested?

You can come along and ask me whatever you want about my time in the dog behaviour world, as well as behavioural questions if you're in need of some help.

And if you work with dogs, or other animals and want to get involved, feel free to contact me and we can have a conversation.

Donations will go to Spirit of the Dog Rescue.

I'm looking for venues where we can get drinks & maybe food so we can make it a social time and make new connections.

31/03/2023

We know from observation that hedgehogs usually come out of hibernation between March and May in the UK. During hibernation, hedgehogs will typically have lost around 25% of their body weight.

So, when they emerge, they urgently need to drink and eat. Hedgehogs are generally shy nocturnal animals and if you see one out in the day something may be wrong. Apart from the obvious visible injuries such as dog bites, open wounds, fractures and burns there are other problems that could need attention. A hedgehog out in the day wobbling, unsteady on its feet, with flies around it or sunbathing (hedgehogs do not sunbathe) will need urgent medical attention.

If you find a seemingly uninjured hedgehog out in daylight during Spring, Summer and Autumn it could be a nursing mother foraging. It is very important if you find a hedgehog and feel you need to take it to a rescue that you write down the details of exactly where it was found. If it is a female and is too unwell to be released immediately then the rescue will be alerted to the possibility of hoglets and hopefully they can also be rescued or reunited quickly.

Please ensure you are leaving some food and water out for visiting hedgehogs.

Remember, support feeding is not feeding their full evenings food. It is important they forage for their natural food as well.

Hedgehogs Out in the Day need professional help, i.e., lying on the lawn, birds/flies around, injury.

If in doubt, please call.

(Exception, a pregnant female, acting with purpose)

17/03/2023

Health over looks

What’s the issue with brachycephalic dogs?

According to the British Veterinary Association there’s been a rapid rise in the number of brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dogs in the UK in the last decade.
In 2018, the French bulldog overtook the Labrador Retriever as the UK's most popular dog breed, with an almost 3000% increase in numbers in the previous 10 years. We’re concerned that celebrity influence and social media have had a big role to play in this rise in popularity.
Flat-faced dogs can suffer from a range of serious health and welfare issues, including breathing problems, eye disease, inability to mate or give birth naturally, and skin and dental problems. Obesity exacerbates these health problems.
According to the BVA, in 2017 Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, vets reported that 56% of the brachycephalic dogs they see in practice need treatment for breed-related health issues. But only 10% of dog owners could recognise these issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd3_s_hC7G4

A full resource is available for FREE on the Kennel Club Academy, which also provides those in the veterinary profession with the tools to diagnose the condition before it progresses into its severe stages.

23/02/2023

🖤In Loving memory🖤

🤍Pets are a privilege to own, they enrich our lives in so many ways. Their unconditional love, their trust and devotion and their loyalty and characters give us so much. Whether they are with us only a short time, or for what feels like a lifetime the memories we make with our pets will be cherished forever.

🖤You may not think about it, but veterinary professionals often experience some emotional burdens from the loss of pets too. Many will look back and remember numerous patients, who they cared for deeply. They may also experience burden transfer. This emerges from a wide range of different veterinarian-client interactions that occur when that client is providing care for a sick pet.

🤍These include situations like the veterinary professional needing to preform euthanasia, or working with clients who are experiencing anticipatory grief.

🖤There is an emotional paradox in the veterinary world. One we haven't quite got the hang of yet. A paradox that entails the need for emotional involvement with our patients, but at the same time we need the ability to detach in order to survive emotionally.

🤍This job is tough. We laugh with you at those silly characters, and we cry with you when we lose a patient. Sometimes we think about your pets all night and can’t sleep. Sometimes we run over cases again and again. And often we think about pets who we have brought into this world, and pets we have allowed to pass peacefully too.

🖤So here is a post to remember all those, whose owners and veterinary professionals alike look back on and smile, remembering all the happy times, all the love and memories.

🤍In loving memory🤍

16/02/2023

Hedgehog Awareness Week is organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and takes place every year. It aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them. This year the charity is asking people to ‘Think Hedgehog!’ Look at your garden or greenspace (or local park.....

23/12/2022

🎁 Wishing you all a very Meowy Christmas and a Pawsome New Year! From our heart to yours, thank you for all your support throughout this past year. We appreciate everything you have done whether it was a simple smile or a compliment, you are the best. 🎉

03/11/2022

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has a three point plan to help keep hedgehogs safe this bonfire night:

🔥 MOVE bonfire material to clear ground just before it's lit, then
🔥 CHECK the pile carefully just before striking that match and
🔥 OFFER an escape route by lighting from one side only.

Find out more at https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/charity-issues-bonfire-advice-to-help-keep-hedgehogs-safe/

26/10/2022

Halloween and pets – it really can be a trick or a treat!

Regardless of whether you personally embrace Halloween or not, here are some ways you can help make this Halloween a safer and less stressful occasion for your pets.
• The candy bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not Scruffy or Fluffy. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets, like chocolate, lollipops containing xylitol, and grapes/raisins. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or Vets Now Colchester on 01206 842224. Lolly wrappers are also an ingestion hazard with many pets eating a fully wrapped lolly without care. If you walk your dog on October 31 or over the next few days after Halloween, keep him or her on a short lead and watch out for any lolly wrappers, chocolates or sweets that have been dropped on the pavement or on the grass.
• Sadly, Halloween is also a time when many pets escape and get lost. Your dog can easily become anxious and frightened when the doorbell is constantly ringing and all he sees are children in strange clothes and masks. Confining him to his own safe haven for the evening (like his crate or a closed room) can help calm his nerves and prevent him from running out of the constantly opening front door. Make sure your pets have identification (microchip, collar, and ID tag).
• Try to keep all decorations well away from your pets, however if they ingest any decoration call your vet immediately.

Happy Halloween

20/10/2022

We would love to hear your feedback about your experience with House Call Vet. Please leave us a review on Google or Facebook and let other pet lovers hear about your experience. 😊 🦔 🐶🐱🐹
https://g.page/r/Ccz3RNdNHGnNEAg/review

20/10/2022

As the months get colder and the nights draw in, it is important
to be aware of the increasing abundance of items that can be
highly toxic and deadly to pets - even in very small quantities.

13/10/2022

House Call Vet is based in Colchester and is providing home visit veterinary services in the town and surrounding areas. We offer a wide range of mobile veterinary services - including pet home euthanasia in Colchester and surrounding areas.

13/10/2022

Strap up your walking boots and join us for the Big Wild Hedgehog Family Walk

What do I need to do?
Get outdoors and enjoy a wonderfully wild walk!
We aim to do this to raise awareness of the sharp decline of rural hedgehogs.

Up to three quarters of all of Britain's rural hedgehogs have been lost in the past 20 years.

While rural hedgehogs have experienced a sharp decline, their urban counterparts appear to have a stable population, and may potentially be growing in number.

More info: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/bigwildwalk

13/10/2022

Found a hedgehog?

Autumn babies and juveniles and young families are still out there and most of them still have plenty time to gain weight for hibernation.
Taking in a healthy animal based purely on it being small can cause all sorts of problems and the stress of captivity can make them succumb to things they would normally cope with.
To help the hedgehogs, make a hedgehog home in your garden and put food and water out, in a feeding station right through the winter.
More information on the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s website:

If you have found a hedgehog you are concerned about please use gardening gloves to collect it up, bring it indoors and put it in a high sided box with an old towel or fleece in the bottom for the hedgehog to hide under. Fill a hot water bottle so that when it is wrapped in a towel there is a...

03/10/2022

Help save Britain’s hedgehogs with ‘hedgehog highways’!

11/09/2022

Is breeding for looks is ethical?

Is breeding for looks is ethical? 🤔🐇

When someone wants to adopt a rabbit, they want the cutest, fluffiest, lop-eared, flat faced bunny around. But what are the consequences?

These qualities that make such ‘Instagramable’ bunnies are not natural. They have been bred to look best in show by our standards, but in reality they are more like a side show!

🐇 Giant rabbits are prone to arthritis.

🐇 Lop ears cannot drain ear wax properly which can cause abscesses.

🐇 The teeth of short-faced (brachy) rabbits don’t align, meaning they overgrow, cause ulcers, and rabbits cannot eat properly.

These are just a few of the health problems faced by ‘designer’ rabbit breeds.

It’s not cute, it’s a form of animal cruelty.

Dr Emma Milne addresses this issue in the latest edition of Rabbiting On magazine which is available now.

Order your copy here: https://shop.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/product-category/memberships/new-members/

07/09/2022

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 6 September in commercial poultry at a premises near Heybridge, Maldon, Essex.

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

Reporting dead wild birds

You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:

one or more dead bird of prey or owl
3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
5 or more dead birds of any species
Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

All bird keepers (whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times.

How to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it.

05/09/2022

What is ‘brachycephalic ocular syndrome’?

Unfortunately, breeds are prone to eye problems – what are the signs and how can you help your pet? Find out more here https://www.tvm-uk.com/bos/

We are taking part in in partnership with

05/09/2022

Careful observation of the way your pet looks and acts and what is classed as ‘normal’ for them is a first critical step for responsible pet care. Regarding eye health, any perceived changes in your pet’s eyes can be a good indication of whether or not a trip to your vet is warranted.

Do both eyes look like each other, are the face and head symmetrical when comparing right to left?

Useful Observations:
• Do they both look shiny and clear, not dull, cloudy or dry?
• Are the pupils the same size and shape?
• Is one eye squinting?
• Is one eye runny with watery or sticky discharge?
• Is the colour the same? Does one look red? Has the iris suddenly changed colour?
If one eye is showing differences to the other eye, or any of the above clinical signs, please get your pet checked by your vet as soon as possible.

• View our Vimeo channel for links – there is a short video on each condition or one video covering them all.

• We are taking part in in partnership with

11/08/2022

In the summer, we recommend ice pods and fans to help keep your buns looking cool 😎 but how do wild rabbits protect themselves in the hot weather? 🤔🐇☀️

In the wild, rabbits live in underground burrows which remain at a cool, steady temperature so they can chill on hot, summer days. Pet rabbits don’t have burrows, so it’s important to provide plenty of shade from direct sunlight.

Also, rabbits are crepuscular, meaning that they are naturally most active at dawn and dusk when it’s a lot cooler, so leaving them in a run all day isn’t their idea of a summer holiday – more like a bummer holiday! So please ensure that your rabbits have a shelter they can retire to for a midday siesta 💤

03/08/2022

Does your fussy p***y have food to donate?

Do you have a supermarket gift card you would like to donate for feline food?

Would you like to make a financial donation towards food?
https://paypal.me/CCFOCcats?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB

We are desperate for kitten food especially. We have mums with kittens and heavily pregnant puss cats munching their way through 40 plus boxes a week!! Yes a week!! As well as specialist foods!!

Kittens born outside and colony cats are massively in need of your help.

We would love to come and visit you this weekend ……

Any donations big or small will make a difference to cats and kittens in our care, many having suffered trauma and neglect.

Thank you for your continued support…..

We can travel to surrounding areas……



X######

Please send us a message to book your visit.

We do have an Amazon wish list but have found many of the items cheaper elsewhere, we can provide a delivery address for online donations.

Our cats and kittens are not brand focused, they see food not the name and love supermarket own.

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🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈

02/08/2022

Think carefully! Ready to give rabbits the life they deserve? Despite being the third most popular pet in the UK, rabbits are among the most abused and neglected. Countless rabbits spend miserable …

26/07/2022

Did you know that rabbits confined to a hutch are more likely to be at risk of flystrike?

Did you know that rabbits confined to a hutch are more likely to be at risk of flystrike?

This is because the cramped conditions mean rabbits cannot clean themselves properly, leading to a dirty bottom attracting flies.

Couple this with hot weather, the risk intensifies, resulting in a dangerous - and potentially deadly - combination.

This is one of the many reasons behind our campaign to improve the living standards and welfare of all pet rabbits in the UK.

Will you stand with us?

Please share and sign our petition: https://bit.ly/3vVhz9o

26/07/2022

With the weather being so nice, your buns are more likely to be spending a lot more time outside – which is great! 😎

With the weather being so nice, your buns are more likely to be spending a lot more time outside – which is great! 😎

But please be aware of every other animal that will also be spending more time outdoors this summer 👀

As a prey animal, there are many threats to rabbits, from cats and dogs to foxes and even birds!

Make sure that your rabbit runs are completely predator proof, they have a safe space where they can hide when they feel threatened or sense danger, and do not leave your buns unattended, especially if they are free range.

19/07/2022

If you have a rabbit, keeping it cool during the hot summer days is very crucial. Rabbits do not feel comfortable in hot temperatures and need your help to remain cold.

Providing your buns with plenty of fresh, clean water is a given but at this time of the year when the weather is very hot, it is especially important to make sure they have constant access to water to help keep them cool and hydrated.

Most rabbit owners have water bottles, but it’s also a good idea to give them a water bowl too as it’s actually easier for rabbits to access more water this way.

They might sometimes accidentally knock over or even lie in their bowls to cool off, so make sure to keep checking if they need a top up 💦

22/06/2022

How to care for non-commercial poultry - Get technically and scientifically accurate information - The course developed by The University of Nottingham

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/poultry-health

17/06/2022

Keep your dog happy and healthy in warm weather

With temperatures rising this week, it's the paw-fect time to remember how to keep pooches safe and happy in warm weather. ☀️🐶💛

10/06/2022

Excellent guide from Hedgehog Haven Essex: What to do when you find a hoglet?

Your annual reminder about hoglets and nests.

FOUND A HOGLET OR HOGLETS? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Alone in the nest without mum
Firstly a hedgehogs’ nest can be a very basic affair. What is a nest to mum may not look like a nest to you! Be careful when gardening!
If you find a nest of hoglets while gardening etc re-cover and leave alone. DO NOT TOUCH THE HOGLETS. You first need to establish if the mum is still around. Observe from a distance. You may have disturbed mum so you need to give her a chance to come back. We want to avoid splitting up a family unnecessarily.
Note the time. Listen. Are the hoglets squeaking/peeping? Making a high pitched sound a bit like a household smoke alarm? Are they squeaking continuously? When a hoglet peeps like this it is hungry. If the mum doesn’t return within a couple of hours then the hoglets will probably need rescuing. While they are alone monitor for dangers such as animal or bird attacks.
If the hoglets look to have fly strike ( tiny white fly eggs that look like tiny grains of rice ) then mum has probably been gone for a while already. They will need to be rescued straight away. In this situation do not wait and observe.
IF UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO PHONE A RESCUE BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING. YOU MUST BE SURE THEY ARE ABANDONED BEFORE DISTURBING THE NEST
Wearing gloves pick up the entire nest and place it in a cardboard box, take indoors to a quiet, warm location. Place a warm hot water bottle or a drinks bottle filled with warm water under the nest. Make sure there is room so the hoglets can move off the heat if they need too.
Get to a rescue as soon as possible.
Out of the Nest
Tiny hoglets only leave the nest if there is a problem or if they've been forcibly removed. If you find one, check first to see if you can find the nest. Found it? Other hoglets still in there? Wearing gloves carefully place the hoglet back in the nest, move away & observe.
Can’t find the nest? Listen. Can you hear the pipping of other hoglets?
Still can’t find the nest? Do not leave the hoglet alone somewhere in the hope that mum will find it. Chances are that a cat or a large bird will find it first and flies will lay eggs on it.
Wearing gloves secure in a box with a towel to hide in & provide warmth from a hot water bottle under the towel. Make sure it can remove itself from the heat if needed. Bring indoors to a quiet, warm location.
Phone a rescue.
If you find one hoglet check for others before heading to the rescue. If mum has been gone a while they may be scattered. Listen for pipping.
Please DO NOT attempt to look after hoglets yourselves. They need specialist care.
DO NOT GIVE MILK.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED. If hoglets are dehydrated feeding them can do more harm than good
DO KEEP THEM WARM &
GET TO A RESCUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
DO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR NEAREST RESCUE IS BEFORE YOU NEED THEM & KEEP THE NUMBER CLOSE TO HAND

10/06/2022

So it begins......... First disturbed nest of the season, uncovered while a new fence was being installed. Just a damp pile of leaves, grass and plastic rubbish to us, but a nest never the less.

This family were retrieved from a garden in Harlow by Ali and Vicky from Stansted, who relayed them to Braintree where I met them for a hand over. Mum and 5 hoglets safely transferred to outside accommodation at our Witham branch.

Over night mum has taken all the barley straw from the hutch into the hedgehog house AND the contents of a straw filled tub I left as a top up! She seems to have settled okay after their long journey and looks as if she's an experienced mum. Hopefully we can stay hands off and let her get on with raising them without interference.

26/05/2022

What to expect when your doe is expecting…🤰

Rabbits don’t get an obvious bump when they’re expecting, so a litter might come as a complete surprise if your bun hasn’t been spayed.

But in the days and hours leading up to the birth, she will start nest building. She’ll also pluck fur from her own body to line it and keep her kits warm. (This can also happen with false pregnancies).

Does can become pregnant immediately after giving birth, so it’s a good idea to remove unneutered male rabbits and have them castrated as soon as possible to prevent any more unwanted litters.

Unlike other animals, female rabbits do not stay with their young and only return to the nest to feed. This is a natural behaviour to avoid leading predators to the nest, so make sure she has her own space.

For more information and advice on does and kits, please visit our website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/accidental-rabbit-litters/

09/05/2022

How much space do rabbits need?

We recommend a MINIMUM space of 3m x 2m and a height of 1m available at all times – not just for limited time periods.

This is so your buns can act out their natural rabbit behaviours, such as running (not just hopping), rearing, and binkying.

This is the same for both indoor and outdoor rabbits.

If you have giant rabbits or several buns, then naturally you will need a bigger space.

A hutch is NEVER suitable for main accommodation!