Fond Farewell Vets

07/09/2024

Arthritis is thought to cause pain to 1 in 3 dogs of any age, and 8 out of 10 dogs once they reach 8 years old.

The pain is not the acute pain that we usually think of, it does not cause crying or limping, but chronic pain, whose signs are much more subtle. Early signs of chronic pain are often dismissed as normal signs of aging such as being less active on walks, taking longer to find a comfortable resting position, or pausing before using stairs / jumping. Sometimes the signs seem completely unrelated, such as increased anxiety, becoming fussy with food, barking at other dogs / strangers or becoming fearful of noises.

If the chronic pain of arthritis is not recognised early and treated, then it can lead to “wind up” of the central nervous system, which effectively amplifies the pain and can lead to pain even without any painful stimuli.

Sometimes the treatment may be as simple as moderating exercise, reducing body weight, removing the ball from walks or providing a ramp. There are many natural remedies that may help, such as Green Lipped Mussel Extract and Omega-3 fatty acids.

If you think that your dog may be showing signs of arthritis then it would be worth seeing your vet. Sometimes the signs are subtle and nothing will be picked up on a routine exam, if this is the case then you may want to discuss a pain trial with your vet – a period on and off pain relief with close monitoring of signs.

There is an excellent website if you want to know more; https://caninearthritis.co.uk/

At Fond Farewell Vets we offer a gentle and dignified home visit euthanasia service for dogs and cats in Dorset and South Somerset. If we can help, please contact us on:
01300 320332
07442 272728
[email protected]

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23/08/2024

10/08/2024

Losing a pet is such a difficult time, not only for us humans, but also for any other animals they leave behind. Pets can experience grief and loss just like we do, and they may exhibit signs of sadness or behavioural changes. Each pet is unique, and their grieving process may vary. By providing support, patience, and understanding, you can help your beloved pet navigate their grief and find healing. You can find some strategies to support grieving pets on our website https://www.fondfarewellvets.co.uk/.../supporting.../

At Fond Farewell Vets we offer a gentle and dignified home visit euthanasia service for dogs and cats in Dorset and South Somerset. If we can help, please contact us on:
01300 320332
07442 272728
[email protected]

Illustration by

We offer a gentle and dignified home visit
euthanasia service for dogs and cats
in and around Dorset.

05/06/2024

Pets hold a special place in a child’s heart, providing companionship, love and comfort. They can be seen as a best friend and even a sibling. When a beloved pet passes away it is often the first time that they experience such a deep sense of grief and loss, and children can struggle to understand and express how they are feeling. Supporting children through pet loss requires empathy, understanding, and patience. By providing a safe and loving environment, encouraging expression of emotions, and allowing them to grieve in their own way, you can help children navigate the difficult process of pet loss and find healing. The Ralph Site has some very useful information to help children cope with pet loss and you can also find some strategies on our website at https://www.fondfarewellvets.co.uk/resources/supporting-children/

At Fond Farewell Vets we offer a gentle and dignified home visit euthanasia service for dogs and cats in Dorset and South Somerset. If we can help, please contact us on:
01300 320332
07442 272728
[email protected]

04/06/2024

We have had a call from a lady to say that she has seen a black cat on Norden Lane, midway between the A37 and Maiden Newton. Unfortunately, it looks like it has been hit by a car and did not survive. I will go and check if it is chipped on my way home this evening.

17/05/2024

For many of us, the bond we share with our pets is one of the most important we have. They form such a large part of our daily routine, and offer us love, comfort, companionship, laughter and so much more. When we lose a beloved pet it can have a huge impact on us emotionally, the feelings of grief and sadness can sometimes be overwhelming. These feelings are completely natural and a sign of how much you loved them.

The grieving process is different for everyone. It is important to allow yourself time to grieve, seek support when needed, and be kind to yourself throughout the journey. Your pet’s memory will always hold a special place in your heart, and with time, you will find comfort and peace while cherishing the love and bond you shared.

You can find some strategies to help you cope with the loss of a pet on our website at https://www.fondfarewellvets.co.uk/resources/healing-and-comfort/ Blue Cross and The Ralph Site are also fantastic sources of information.

At Fond Farwell Vets we offer a gentle and dignified home visit euthanasia service for dogs and cats in and around Dorset. If we can help, please contact us on:
01300 320 332
07442 27 27 28
[email protected]

We offer a gentle and dignified home visit
euthanasia service for dogs and cats
in and around Dorset.

09/05/2024

For many of us, the bond we share with our pets is one of the most important we have. They form such a large part of our daily routine, and offer us love, comfort, companionship, laughter and so much more. When we lose a beloved pet it can have a huge impact on us emotionally, the feelings of grief and sadness can sometimes be overwhelming. These feelings are completely natural and a sign of how much you loved them.

The grieving process is different for everyone. It is important to allow yourself time to grieve, seek support when needed, and be kind to yourself throughout the journey. Your pet’s memory will always hold a special place in your heart, and with time, you will find comfort and peace while cherishing the love and bond you shared.

You can find some strategies to help you cope with the loss of a pet on our website at https://www.fondfarewellvets.co.uk/resources/healing-and-comfort/. Blue Cross and The Ralph Site are also fantastic sources of information.

At Fond Farwell Vets we offer a gentle and dignified home visit euthanasia service for dogs and cats in Dorset and South Somerset. If we can help, please contact us on:
01300 320 332
07442 27 27 28
[email protected]

We offer a gentle and dignified home visit
euthanasia service for dogs and cats
in and around Dorset.

15/04/2024

The decision to put your much-loved pet to sleep will likely be one of the hardest you will ever have to make. Sadly, it is a decision that most pet owners do have to make, as it is quite rare for a dog or cat to die peacefully in their sleep. It can be very difficult to know when the time has come to say goodbye, especially when we so desperately want them to stay.

One of the most important factors to consider is your pet’s quality of life, essentially are they feeling happy and taking enjoyment from life. There is a very useful tool to evaluate quality of life, created by The Ohio State University. It is used by Vets and owners alike, and allows us to step back a little from our emotions to understand how our pets are really doing. It can be reassuring to use the tool and find that things are not as bad as we feared. It also allows you to track quality of life as old age progresses. This questionnaire and further information can be found on our website https://www.fondfarewellvets.co.uk/resources/time-is-right/

At Fond Farwell Vets we offer a gentle and dignified home visit euthanasia service for dogs and cats in and around Dorset. If we can help, please contact us on:
01300 320 332
07442 27 27 28
[email protected]

04/04/2024

Fond Farewell Vets will be closed from the 4th to 11th April 2024 inclusive. We will be contactable by text/WhatsApp or email, however, we will not be able to offer home visits during this time. Appointments will resume from the 12th of April.

01/03/2024

As pet owners, we do everything we can to make sure that our four-legged family members lead happy and healthy lives, and this doesn’t stop when it comes to their end-of-life care. We believe that deciding when the time has come to say goodbye is one of the most important and selfless decisions we make for our beloved pets.

We created Fond Farewell Vets to provide the most dignified, calm and peaceful way to spend those final moments together. This allows you to stay in the comfort of your own home, eliminating the need for what can be a stressful and difficult journey for everyone. At home euthanasia means that your much-loved companion can spend this precious time in their favourite place with their favourite people.

Our coverage area is a 20 mile radius of our base in Frampton, just north of Dorchester, plus Poole and Broadstone. However, if you fall just outside of this area please do get in touch as we may still be able to help.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries. You can call us on 01300 320 332 or 07442 27 27 28. Feel free to send us a text or WhatsApp if you prefer or you can email us at [email protected]

https://www.fondfarewellvets.co.uk/resources/benefits/

23/02/2024

If you feed your dog dried meat treats, like we used to, this is something to be aware of. I recently diagnosed my own dog, Alfie (pictured), with Jerky induced Fanconi Syndrome, which is likely to have been caused by feeding him “jerky” style treats.

Luckily, we caught it very early, but it can cause significant kidney disease and has led to the death of many dogs. This has been widely reported in the USA, but awareness still needs to be raised in the UK.

Despite ongoing investigations by the US FDA and UK VPIS (Veterinary Poisons Information Service), the exact cause is not yet known. It is not brand specific, but products originating in China seem to be most often involved.

Most common signs are an increased thirst / urination, sometimes with reduced appetite, lethargy, vomit, diarrhoea and weight loss.
A simple urine dip stick will pick up any glucose in the urine, and indicate that further investigation should be performed. If caught early and the treats are stopped, outcomes are very good.

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14/01/2024

With snow predicted for some of us this week, here is some advice from the RSPCA on how to keep your pets safe in the cold weather.

From walking dogs on freezing days to caring for horses in winter, read our advice on keeping your pets warm and comfortable during the colder months.