Castle Veterinary Clinic, Dorchester and Weymouth

18/06/2024

We were delighted to welcome the gorgeous Humphrey 💛 to the surgery today. He was very brave for his second vaccine 💉 with the nurse.
Humphrey has joined our Castle Club which covers all primary vaccinations and parasite control for an easy monthly payment 🐾

14/06/2024

This is lovely Loki who came in for his 3rd puppy vaccination today. He was a really good boy for the veterinary nurse. 🐶💉
Although he’s only 14 weeks old, he’s already a big boy and we look forward to seeing how big he is at his next visit! 🐾

14/06/2024

🐝Concerned about bee health and anti parasitics?? We’ve had a few enquiries since the Springwatch article earlier in the week. Just to reassure our clients that the main products we recommend : Simparica Trio and Felpreva are not a concern regarding this.
🩸They are systemic products which enter the bloodstream of the pet. So an insect has to bite the pet to be affected. Bees will not come into contact with these products.
💦They can’t be washed off into the environment and therefore do not contaminate waterways.
☎️If your pet isn’t on Simparica Trio (dog) or Felpreva (cat) and would like to change your products to one of these then please get in touch as we will need to schedule a review appointment with a vet.

06/06/2024

Our friends at RSPCA Taylor’s Rehoming Centre are running this fab rabbit information day. Worth attending if you love bunnies!

04/06/2024

🐾💛NATIONAL HUG YOUR CAT DAY 💛 🐾

Here at Castle Veterinary Clinic we are proud to hold the Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic Award. Which means your cat is in safe hands with us 🐈 🐈‍⬛ 🐾
Show us your feline friends and give them a hug today (if they’ll allow you 😉)

21/05/2024

As we continue to celebrate Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month, here is the last instalment of our wonderful nurses and their pets...But who belongs to whom?? 🤔💙

17/05/2024

Continuing the theme.. something different to celebrate Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month. Round two!
Match the nurse with their pet 📸 🐈 🐰 🐶

17/05/2024

📢 Join Us for an Informative Webinar: "My Vet Has Heard a Heart Murmur, What Does This Mean?" 🐾
Has your vet heard a heart murmur when listening to your pet? Want to understand what this could mean for your pet's health?

📅 Date: Tuesday, June 11th
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📌 Where: Zoom (online)
🎤 Speaker: Dr Brigite Pedro, RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology
🔗 Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6217158737715/WN_57Ikg976SBavY8Rlj64Wkg

In this session, Dr Pedro will cover:
• Common clinical signs of heart disease in pets
• When a heart murmur should be further investigated
• What a heart murmur might indicate about your pet's overall health
This webinar is designed to help you make informed decisions about your pet's care. Don't miss this valuable opportunity to learn from an expert in veterinary cardiology!
Brought to you by our partner Virtual Veterinary Specialists.
We hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you there! 🐶🐱❤️

16/05/2024

Here is round one …… which pet goes with each nurse(names on each photo)???? 🐈 🐕 🦆 🐴 🐹

14/05/2024

Edited. Cat is apparently home now. For clarity, it was never admitted to the vets. We were simply aiding a member of the public who was trying to find the owner.

Do you know this cat? Found in Poundbury Square today with some fight wounds. Should be fine, but if it’s yours then get in touch and we’ll get him home to you

14/05/2024

To celebrate Veterinary Nurse Awareness month (VNAM) we are going to play a game …… watch out for - match the nurse to her “pet”.
Over the next week we will add a photo of each nurse along with pets for you to try and guess who belongs to who.
*disclaimer - there is no prize this is just for fun 🎉

30/04/2024

***MY NAME’S DOTTY, COME WORK WITH ME!!***
We are looking for a full time nurse to join our team of 7 nurses (plus 2 on mat leave) and 2 ANA’s working with our team of 6 vets.
We are looking for full time with some OOH but for the right candidates we would consider 2 part timers to make up 1 nurse.
As the head nurse here at Castle Vets I am full time myself and I love my job! I have worked here for 18 years and every day is different with new challenges and a great team to work along side.
To find out more information and apply for the job please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] and not on the FB post.
Dotty is available at time of interviews for snuggles 😊

29/04/2024

Microchipping your cat! 🐱

***WARNING, NEEDLES IN PHOTOS***

From 10th June 2024, it will be compulsory to have your cat microchipped.

The new rules mean that cats have to be microchipped before they reach 20 weeks.
If you already own a cat over the age of 20 weeks old, you will still be required to get your cat microchipped.

Owners that do not comply will be given 21 days to have one implanted, or they could face a fine of up to £500.

Benefits of microchipping:
🐾 increases the likehood to be reunited with their owners if they are lost or stolen, no matter how far from home or how long they have been missing.
🐾 gives the owner an opportunity to grieve if their cat has been found deceased.
🐾 once the chip is implanted, it is a permanent identification.

If your cat isn’t microchipped please give us a call to get this booked in.

22/04/2024

It’s Veterinary Receptionist Week!

We want to say a huge thank you to all of our veterinary receptionists here at Castle Vets!

Receptionists are often the first and the last point of contact for pet owners. Whether you’re celebrating a new pet, or grieving the loss of one, they are here for you no matter what!

Here’s a quote from one of our receptionists:

“Been a Veterinary Receptionist for 24.5 years and still get asked a new question every day, always a challenge and always something new to learn, it’s much more than being ‘just a Receptionist’ and it’s a privilege to be able to help owners take care of their lovely pets.”

18/04/2024

****FOUND****
Deceased, entire male, black cat.
Unfortunately no microchip so unable to inform the owners.
Found at Chapel Lane, Upwey.
If you think this may be your cat, please give the practice a ring.

11/04/2024

You might not speak the same language as your pet, but they know exactly what you need. If you love your pet your pet will love you too.

11/04/2024

It’s national pet day!
Show us all the different types of pets you have!

10/04/2024

******NEEDED********
We are in need of some newspapers to line our kennels, if anyone would like to donate their used papers to the practice we would be very grateful. Thank you 🐈 🐕 🐇 🐹 🐦

10/04/2024

*****FOUND********
Young male cat in the Bradford peverell area. If you are missing a cat please contact the surgery with your details to see if it’s a match. Thank you.

23/03/2024

It’s national puppy day!
Show your favourite puppy picture 🐶

22/03/2024

🍫Chocolate: Easter Eggs

Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which can cause some concerning signs in our dogs, if ingested in high concentration it can be very serious.

The severity depends on type of chocolate and size of dog so its always best to keep chocolate treats out of our dogs reach.

Remember that dogs can quickly snaffle an Easter chocolates during Easter egg hunts!

Clinical signs of chocolate toxicity usually occurs 6–12 hours after ingestion, so we need prompt response after a patient has snaffled those snacks!

Initial signs may include:
🍫Polydipsia (drinking lots)
🍫Vomiting
🍫Diarrhoea
🍫Abdominal distention
🍫Restlessness

Worryingly, if left too long signs may progress to more severe symptoms.

🍫Hyperactivity
🍫Polyuria (excessive urination)
🍫Ataxia (wobbly)
🍫Rigidity or tremorsand seizures.

Devastatigly in severe ingestion cases we can see:

🍫Tachycardia/bradycardia (worryingly fast or slow heart rate), tachypneoa (fast breathing) cyanosis, hypertension/hypotension (high or low blood pressure), hyperthermia (high body temperature) or coma!

If your pet has managed to get hold of a chocolate treat then call your veterinary practice immediately. If treatment is required, the quicker we can start it, the better.

Treatment may include:

✅ Inducing emesis (vomiting)
✅ Activated charcoal
✅ Supportive therapy for any clinical signs

13/03/2024

CMA investigation!

Many of you will have seen media reports that the Competition and Markets Authority has launched a review of the veterinary sector. Here at Castle Vets we welcome this development. The veterinary landscape has changed enormously in the last 10-15 years, and we share people’s concerns that not all changes are for the better!

The CMA intends to look into practice ownership (particularly by large corporate groups that now own 60% of practices in the UK), industry regulation, drug pricing and transparency of links between various companies within corporate groups.

As the only independent practice in Dorchester and Weymouth we hope this will level the playing field for our loyal clients, prevent monopolies in supply of vet products and services, remove perverse rules on drug supply (like it being illegal for us to use a cheaper human generic drug over an identical animal one) and much more.

We will have to await the CMA’s conclusions, but you can be assured that we will continue to be here for you and your pets in the meantime 👍🐶🐱

27/02/2024

This is beautiful Bella’s spay journey 🐶

Before the surgery the vet performed a TPR (temperature, pulse and respiratory check) to ensure she was healthy enough to go through with the op.

We inserted an intravenous cannula into the vein which allowed the administration of sedative and pain relief medication.

We had to shave her stomach area and clean it with surgical scrub before the incision to reduce the risk of infection.

Her general anaesthetic was monitored closely by one our dedicated registered veterinary nurses throughout the surgery.

After the surgery, we cleaned the area again and put on a bodystocking. This will stop her from licking and irritating the area whilst it’s healing.

Once she recovered from the anaesthetic, she was given some food, cuddles and a walk.

She had a post of check with one of our nurses 2 days and 10 days after her surgery which is all healing well.

She was very excited to be here even when she came back for her post op checks!

20/02/2024

It’s national pet day! Send us your favourite pet picture in the comments. 🐾

15/02/2024

Here’s lovely Dobby during and after his castration surgery.

Before his op the veterinary surgeon did a quick health check and a TPR- Temperature, Pulse, and Respiratory check just to make sure that he was healthy enough to go ahead with the op.

We inserted an intravenous cannula into the vein in his leg which allowed the administration of sedative and pain relief meds.

His general anaesthetic was monitored closely by one of our dedicated Registered Veterinary Nurses.

He also had a microchip inserted which we registered online on Pet Log.
From the 10th June 2024 it will be compulsory to have your cat microchipped.

Once Dobby had recovered from the anaesthetic, he was given some food and had a cuddle with the nurses.

The surgery itself was very quick and simple.
He was such a lovely boy and recovered really nicely.

05/02/2024

February is national spay/neuter month!

It is important to get your pet neutered for many different reasons and health benefits!

What is neutering?
Females are spayed - this means the womb and ovaries are removed

Males are castrated - this means the testicles are removed

Spaying your pet can prevent ovarian cancer, uterine infections and false pregnancies. As well as reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Castrating your pet can prevent testicular cancer and prostate issues and sometimes help with certain behavioural problems.

Follow our posts in the next following weeks to see the journeys of a cat castration and a bitch spay.

29/12/2023

Did you know that dogs can tell the time? Zoologists and other experts reveal everything they’ve learned about our canine companions

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas to all our clients! We are running an emergency service only for today and tomorrow. Open as usual from Wednesday!

13/12/2023

In case of emergency tonight please ring the Dorchester number on 01305267083. We’ve reports that our Weymouth phones have not been diverted.

30/11/2023

Please read if you recently bought a plant like this…

We have been notified that a poisonous plant is being used as decoration in a pot plant that can be purchased in garden centres and possibly florists.

The pot plant is Livistona rotundifolia (footstool palm; also known as Saribus rotundifolius) and pots of these plants are decorated with three fibrous balls. The balls are the skeletonised fruit of Cerbera odollam (su***de tree, pong-pong). Within each fruit is a kernel that is extremely toxic; a single kernel can be fatal if eaten and poses a risk to both pets and people. The toxic compounds in Cerbera odollam are cardiac glycosides, which are also found in foxglove, oleander, lily of the valley and other plants.

If you have these fibrous fruits in your pot plant, remove them and dispose of them safely. It you are worried your pet may have eaten the plant material contact Animal PoisonLine (01202 509 000)or your vet immediately.