Dick Vet General Practice

14/06/2024

Update on Parasiticides

You may have wondered why the advice we give on parasiticides changes over time.

As scientific evidence accumulates, we tailor our advice on how to best protect your pets against fleas and ticks, whilst safeguarding the environment.

As highlighted by BBC Springwatch earlier this week, the use of topical parasiticides for fleas and ticks can contribute to contamination of waterways. These ‘spot-on’ products contain chemicals that are harmful to our insect and aquatic life and can have knock-on effects up the food chain. We know this is a concern for many owners.

Here at DVGP we have been working for some time to reduce this risk, while still keeping our patients safe. We have taken the decision to prescribe oral parasiticides most of the time, reserving specific topical treatments for cases where they are really needed.

Unlike topical products, which can wash off into waterways when animals are swimming, or end up in waterways after the pet or bedding are washed, oral products are excreted in your pet's faeces (poo). Collecting your pet’s poo and disposing of it in general waste also minimises environmental contamination.

If you would like to book an appointment with one of our vets to discuss preventative parasite treatment for your pet, please contact reception: 0131 650 7650.

15/05/2024

JOB OPPORTUNITY: We are looking for an experienced veterinary clinician to join our Dick Vet General Practice team for a fixed term maternity cover contract.

The successful candidate will join the vibrant and friendly veterinary team and be responsible for a share of the practices first opinion feline and canine caseload, clinical undergraduate teaching and supporting core clinical research activities.

Based within the Hospital for Small Animals, this role offers the post holder a fabulous opportunity to develop an exciting career in the primary care sector with ample scope to develop novel interests and clinical skills.

We offer generous staff benefits and many opportunities for CPD and career progression.

For more information about this full-time, 14 month contract, visit https://edin.ac/3Iutp15

Applications close at 23.59 on 28 May.

07/05/2024

UPDATE: OWNERS FOUND 😊

A member of the public has handed in this handsome chap found in the Bilston area. He has no microchip or collar, but appears to be healthy.

If you think it may be your cat please phone our reception team on 0131 650 7650 or email [email protected].

03/05/2024

May is Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month.

We are so proud of our nursing team and their knowledge, experience, dedication and skills. They, along with our clinicians and animal care assistants, provide the highest standard of care to our patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Throughout this month, we will be sharing posts highlighting the roles of some of the Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) who work at our practice on our page, some of whom are pictured below, to help champion the veterinary nursing profession and their diverse range of skills and abilities.

Our colleagues at the Dick Vet Hospital for Small Animals and Dick Vet Equine will be shining a light on some of their amazing nurses on their social too this month. And you can see all the posts on the main instagram account too!

To all the RVNs out there - thank you for the vital role you play in caring for our pets.


BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association)

29/04/2024

*URGENTLY LOOKING FOR OWNERS*

A member of the public handed in a young black and white female cat yesterday. We suspect it had been hit by a car near Howgate Farm.

It had no microchip or collar.

If you think it may be your cat please phone our reception team on 0131 650 7650 or email [email protected].

27/04/2024

Today is World Veterinary Day, a day to celebrate veterinary surgeons worldwide and thank them for their dedication to animal health and well-being.

Our vets are devoted to the health and welfare of the patients in their care. They also play a huge part in the education of our veterinary students and make a significant contribution to advancing veterinary knowledge through their research.

Thank you for all that you do.

12/04/2024

Today, on World Hamster Day, we would like to introduce you to Silver – the resident Syrian hamster at the Exotic Animal Teaching Facility at our school.

Like all hamsters, Silver is nocturnal, however, he will occasionally make an appearance during the day if tempting treats are on offer.

He is the star of the show during exotic animal classes with our undergraduate students and he often comes out to say hello!

Hamsters are extremely territorial and don't like to be housed with other hamsters. They also need lots of exercise and stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. Silver lives in a double cabinet-style enclosure which measures over three meters in length. He has a variety of different areas, substrates and levels to explore, and an array of tunnels to allow him to exhibit natural behaviours.

We’d love to see photos of your pet hamsters in the comments below!

01/04/2024

April is National Pet Month, a time to celebrate and raise awareness of responsible pet ownership. It is also an opportunity to highlight the many benefits our cherished companions bring us.

We know that pets come in all shapes and sizes; from ferrets to frogs, dogs to donkeys and rabbits to rodents. We'd love you to share a photo of your beloved pet in the comments below, with a message explaining why you love them!

29/03/2024

Happy Easter from everyone at the Dick Vet General Practice!

Easter is a lovely time to spend with loved ones as well as fun activities like Easter egg hunts and of course chocolate!

But some of our most popular Easter treats and spring flowers can be very dangerous if eaten by our pets.

Read our guide to remind yourself what to watch out for this spring and over the Easter period, to help keep your pets happy and healthy.

https://edin.ac/3nIsTFl

Spring (especially Easter time) is a lovely time of year, but there are lots of potential hazards for your pets too! Read our guide to help keep your pets happy and healthy.

23/03/2024

Huge congratulations to our colleague Jasmin Paris, who has made history as the first woman to complete the Barkley marathons.

Jasmin is a record breaking ultrarunner, who competes in ultramarathons around the world when not working as a vet at our Hospital for Small Animals.

Infamous for being one of the hardest ultramarathons in the world, the Barkley Marathons sees runners race to complete five loops of a 20-mile circuit in under 60 hours.

Held annually in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee, competitors will climb 63,000 feet (twice the height of Mount Everest) over the course of the self-navigated race, collecting pages from books at specific checkpoints to prove that they have complete the course correctly.

This year, Jasmin was the 20th person to complete the race in its 38-year history, and the first ever woman to cross the finish line.

Read more: https://edin.ac/3TXd7V3

We are so proud of your incredible achievement Jasmin 👏

BM100 photo credit: Howie Stern

23/03/2024

Happy National Puppy Day!

We love seeing puppies come into our general practice for their first vaccinations and health checks. These initial consultations allow our vets and nurses to pass on advice to owners about puppy training, diet and health and answer any questions they may have. Owners also receive a free goodie bag with some puppy food and information about puppy health too.

Look at these gorgeous working cocker spaniel puppies that had a health check with our vet Angus recently. 😍
We’d love to see photos of your dogs when they were puppies! Please post them in the comments below and share some puppy love on this special day!

16/01/2024

We are delighted to announce the launch of our Health Plan, designed to give your cat or dog exceptional preventative healthcare.

With convenient monthly Direct Debits, our plan allows you to spread the cost of preventative healthcare throughout the year and covers the cost of essential vaccinations, parasite protection and regular health checks for your pet.

As well as receiving an annual saving, clients who register can benefit from additional discounts on routine neutering, nail clipping and dental scale and polishes for their pet.

For more information and link to register visit: https://edin.ac/3MUsHg8

14/12/2023

In the run up to Christmas, please make sure your pet has all its’ medications and food, as deliveries and ordering can be delayed over the festive period.

For clients who require immunotherapies to be posted to them for their pet, the deadline for orders is 2pm tomorrow (Friday 15 Dec).

You can order repeat prescriptions and food for posting or collection through our on-line ordering service. https://edin.ac/3TqplFQ

If you need to contact the practice over the festive period, you can find our opening hours here - https://edin.ac/3W33vq8.

Our hospital will remain open 24/7 throughout Christmas and the New Year bank holidays for emergencies.

We hope you and your pets have a happy and relaxing festive season. All the best from everyone at the Dick Vet General Practice!

09/12/2023

Today, on International Day of Veterinary Medicine, we want to thank all the talented and passionate veterinarians working in education, research and practice around the world.

We also want to give a big shout out to our own clinical team and support staff at our practice. We appreciate all that you do, today and every day, to safeguard the health and welfare of our patients.

06/12/2023

From keeping your dog warm and safe when out on winter walks to making sure your outdoor pets are protected from the extremes of weather, there is lots you can do to keep your furry friends safe this winter.

With Christmas and New Year fast approaching we also highlight what festive food and plants are a danger to pets and share some suggestions to help keep your pets calm when friends and family visit!

Click on the link below to read more ⬇️

With winter upon us, our veterinary experts have put together some tips to keep your pets happy and healthy over the coming months.

20/11/2023

To raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance, our practice is participating in Antibiotic Amnesty this November.

There is still time to return unused and out-of-date antibiotics to us so we can dispose of them safely. You can bring the medicines to our reception or post them to us (FAO HfSA Pharmacy). We are unable to provide refunds for returned medicines.

Let's keep antibiotics working!

02/11/2023

Bonfire Night is just around the corner.

Fireworks can be scary for some animals, so check out our top tips to keep your pet happy and healthy this year.

Wishing you, and your pets, a happy Bonfire Night!

Halloween and Bonfire Night are enjoyed by millions of people but can be stressful for pets. Read our top tips to help keep your pets healthy and safe this autumn.

01/11/2023

Eight years ago today we hosted our first session for the Pet Blood Bank. Since then, we have hosted a further 42 sessions, and collected an incredible 646 donations from amazing donor dogs from the Edinburgh area.

We want to thank all the wonderful dogs who have come along to the donation sessions we have hosted over the last eight years. Dogs like Morse; a gentle giant who, though his regular blood donations, has saved the lives of nearly 100 other dogs.

This beautiful Italian Spinone has been coming to our practice for his routine health checks and vaccinations since he was a puppy. His confident, calm nature made him the perfect candidate for blood donation. Morse gave his first donation shortly after his first birthday and continued to give regular donations until he retired earlier this year when he turned eight years old.

Pet Blood Bank UK is a registered charity that provides life-saving blood products for veterinary clinics all-over the UK to help pets in need. If your dog is over 25kg, healthy, confident and between 1 and 8 years of age, please visit the Pet Blood Bank UK website to see if your dog could be a life-saver like Morse!

30/10/2023

To raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance, our practice is participating in Antibiotic Amnesty this November.

Antibiotics are an essential treatment for many conditions and we must use antibiotics carefully to keep them working:

💊 You should never give your pet leftover or out-of-date antibiotics. Using antibiotics when not needed could risk side effects, delay an accurate diagnosis for your pet, and contribute to antimicrobial resistance

💊 Antibiotics should be disposed of safely. Inappropriate disposal of unused antibiotics could contribute to antimicrobial resistance and pollute the environment through waterways, affecting our wildlife.

Please return unused and out-of-date antibiotics to our practice so we can dispose of them safely. You can bring the medicines to our reception or post them to us (FAO HfSA Pharmacy). We are unable to provide refunds for returned medicines.

Let's keep antibiotics working!

17/10/2023

Halloween and Bonfire Night can be a lot of fun for humans but can be very stressful for our pets. We've put together some information to help you keep your pets happy and healthy this autumn.

https://edin.ac/3EAZErr

Wishing you, and your pets, a safe and enjoyable Halloween and Bonfire Night from everyone at the Dick Vet.

13/10/2023

Congratulations to Susan Campbell, who runs the ‘Fit for Life’ nutrition care clinic at our practice, for winning a Most Transformed Life award from Hill’s Pet Nutrition at this year’s BVNA Congress.

The award was in recognition of Susan’s work with two dogs from the same home; Nelson, a seven-year-old cross-breed dog and Zeena, a German Shepherd pup.

Nelson was referred to the Fit for Life clinic as he needed to lose some weight as he approached his senior years. He was placed on a bespoke diet and feeding plan to help him lose weight, maintain his muscle score condition and help his joints. Two years later, Nelson is now almost at his target weight, having lost 10% of his body weight.

When Zeena joined the family, she attended our Fit for Life – puppy care clinic, where Susan monitored her growth, weight, and muscle condition score to ensure healthy development. At nine months old, Zeena was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia so she has been transitioned to a special diet to help her joints. She also receives regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy using an underwater treadmill at our REPAIR suite to maximise muscle strength and mobility.

If you would like to learn more about our Fit for Life clinic, please contact our Client Care team on 0131 650 7650 or email [email protected] ”

BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association)
Hill’s Pet Nutrition

29/09/2023

Today, on World Heart Day, here's a lovely story from our colleagues at the Dick Vet Hospital for Small Animals...

Meet Salt. His vet referred him to our Cardiology Service last month after they diagnosed him with 'Patent Ductus Arteriosus' (PDA).

The ductus arteriosus is a normal structure in the foetus and allows blood to bypass the lungs, as they are not needed to oxygenate the blood in the womb. This vessel normally closes shortly after birth but can sometimes remain open, as was the case with Salt. If not repaired, it can lead to congestive heart failure.

Our surgeons successfully closed the vessel and Salt now has an excellent prognosis.

31/08/2023

*WE ARE EXTENDING OUR OPENING HOURS*

From Monday 4 September we will be extending our opening hours.

Our practice will now be open from 9am -7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 12 noon on Saturdays.

By offering evening and weekend consultations, our clients can benefit from the flexibility in booking appointments at a time that suits them.

08/08/2023

Happy International Cat Day! 🐱🐾 We love all the animals we see here at the Dick Vet General Practice, but today we are celebrating our feline friends!

The theme this year is 'Purrfect Play Every Day' and highlights how playing with your cats can improve their physical health and mental wellbeing - and yours too!

We'd love for you to share photos of your cats for everyone to enjoy in the comments! Have a wonderful day having fun with your furry friend.

02/08/2023

Could your cat help support our research and help advance veterinary medicine?

We are looking for healthy indoor, adult cats to help validate a novel test to highlight potential gastrointestinal problems in our feline patients.

The Internal Medicine team at our Hospital for Small Animals has adapted a test currently used in humans with Crohn’s disease. The test measures the level of a protein called Calprotectin in the patient's faeces, and provides an indication of any inflammation in the patient's gut.

The team believes that this non-invasive test could also be used to highlight potential gastrointestinal problems in cats. However, before the test can be used routinely, we need to establish a reference range for Calprotectin in healthy cats.

We are therefore looking for cat owners in the Edinburgh and Midlothian area to complete a quick health questionnaire for their cat and, if selected, provide the team with a faecal sample from their cat for testing.

Volunteer cats should be over a year old, fully vaccinated, kept indoors and not on any prescription diets or medications (including probiotics).

If you think you (and your cat!) can help, please email [email protected] and someone will get back to you.

31/07/2023

JOB OPPORTUNITY: We are looking for an enthusiastic veterinary nurse for a part-time maternity cover contract at our General Practice.

Working 22.5 hours a week, the successful candidate will join the team of friendly vets and nurses in our first opinion practice; however nursing support in other areas of the Hospital for Small Animals may occasionally be required. If you relish patient care and thrive on attention to detail, then this job could be ideal for you!

Full training will be provided, shadowing experienced staff while learning the ropes.

For more information about this part-time fixed-term (12 month maternity cover) contract visit http://edin.ac/3JTcIMv

Applications close at 23.59 on 10 August 2023

BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association)
Vet Times Jobs
VetNurse.co.uk Jobs
Scottish Veterinary Jobs Alert

28/07/2023

**ALERT**

We have had a stray dog handed into our Small Animal Hospital. If you or anyone you know is looking for their dog please contact reception on 01316507650 or 01316506235.

Will need to provide proof of ownership upon collection.

Dog is safe and well in our kennels.

30/06/2023

Are you struggling to know what plants are safe for you cat?

Cats protection have designed a handy guide to help you see plants that are both safe and unsafe for your feline friends. Follow the link below to find out more:

Find out more about plants poisonous to cats in our guide. Some plants can actually be poisonous for cats and cause them harm.

15/06/2023

This month we welcomed Rachael, who is a new full time nurse here at DVGP. We are very pleased she has chosen to work with us and know she'll be a great asset to the team.

Here's what she had to say:

"Hello! I’m Rachael and I’ve just started in Dick vet general Practice. I’ve been qualified for around 2 years now and was ready for a new challenge at the vet school. I worked in South Africa for a year looking after Monkeys and covered the vet nurses days off leading me to going into nursing. I have interest in all areas including theatre, wards and consults. I am keen to develop in all areas of the hospital and provide the best care for patients. In my spare time I like to cook and bake for family and friends, otherwise I’m either running around Edinburgh or at the gym."

14/06/2023

Today on World Blood Donor Day, we are celebrating the amazing cats that donate blood to help their fellow felines in their time of need.

When a tiny kitten was handed into our Hospital for Small Animals late one Saturday evening, he was close to death. Found abandoned in someone’s garden, he was seriously underweight and severely anaemic.

The Hospital's Emergency and Critical Care team named the kitten Finn and concluded that he needed an emergency blood transfusion to survive. Following an urgent appeal to local cat owners, a willing donor called Hector was found.

Hector’s donation of blood was a vital lifeline for Finn, who showed an immediate improvement following the transfusion. Six days later and after some TLC, Finn was strong enough to be discharged. He was adopted by one of the Hospitals’ emergency nurses who had helped care for him and quickly settled into his new forever home.

Could your cat be a lifesaver like Hector? We are looking for healthy cats over a year old in the local area that could be blood donors and help other cats that urgently require blood. If you would like to know more, please contact the Hospital Transfusion Unit via [email protected] or call 0131 650 7650.

Read more about Finn’s story, and how Hector came to his rescue here https://edin.ac/43O5jHm

Local cat saves the day following emergency appeal for feline blood donors