February is...
🦷 PET DENTAL MONTH 🦷
Here is a great video from The Vet Channel listing 10 important facts of pet dental health.
If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to give us a call!
Spring has sprung (well apparently it has), are you aware of the flowers that could pose a risk to your pet?
As of 12th January, the RCVS and VMD have enforced new legislation with regards to the prescribing of flea and worming preventatives. The new legislation requires that a physical examination is carried out by a vet at the time of prescribing flea and worming preventatives. The cost for the examination is £35.50, or free if using the six month health check on the Pet Care Plan or incorporating the exam with your pets vaccinations/upcoming appointments.
The examination covers the pet for a year, providing that the product is not changed in that time. If you wished to change the treatment your pet is on you would need to see a vet for the above examination.
These changes have been implemented by The Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons to ensure drugs are used responsibly, to reduce resistance and any negative impact on the environment.
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/under-care-new-guidance/
Please contact us via our website's "contact us" service if you have any concerns and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, however this is out of our hands and we are required to comply with this new legislation. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Keeping Pets Cool
⛱ Summer Photo Collage ⛱
Share your pics of your pets keeping their cool 😎
We will use as many as possible for our next collage.
Grass Seeds!
It is coming up to that time of year where grass can seem like public enemy number one at many vet practices across the country, all because of their seeds and the many places they can end up inside a pet (especially dogs). They can pierce the skin and work their way under the skin, causing pain and infection, in extreme cases they can work their way into the chest area/lungs, their blades can go up a pets nose & their pollen causes allergy flare ups. The most common presentations at vet practices involving grass seeds are lameness (from grass seeds peircing the skin of a paw) & ear complaints (from a grass seed going into the ear itself) but they have also been known to go in a pet's eyes, mouth & even their genitals! (yep, down there!). In many cases a pet needs a sedation or general anaesthetic to locate and remove suspected grass seeds, most gold standard insurance polices will cover this type of complaint but it is always worth checking your policy.
Today is Identiday! Raising awareness of the importance of microchip implants for our pets. Did you know that most species can be microchipped? Cats & dogs are the most commonly microchipped species but most species can be microchipped including horses, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and even fish! 🐶🐱🐰🦉🐴🐢🐍
Are your pet's microchip details up to date? Now it the time to check! We can help you identify which database your pet is registered with and point you in the right direction, all you need is your pet's microchip number.
Christmas food is everywhere! Most dog owners know about the potential risks raisins/sultanas pose to dogs, however there are still some who do not know. Dried fruits are particularly popular over Christmas, with the above varieties being prevalent in so many recipes - who doesn't like a mince pie? 🥧
There is no concrete evidence as to why some dogs become critically unwell from eating raisins, although research is ongoing. If your dog eats anything containing raisins it is vital you seek veterinary treatment immediately as they can cause kidney failure which can prove fatal.
Inducing emesis (making them vomit) is often the first course of treatment, followed by administering charcoal & putting them on fluids, depending on the individual circumstances a blood test to check the kidney parameters may be recommended. The course of treatment recommended is on a case by case basis & often revolves around how long ago the dog ate the food item & how many raisins/sultanas were in it.
Most insurance providers will cover this treatment, but please do check your policy as not all are the same.
The sooner they are taken to a vet for treatment the better, even if you are not 100% sure if they have eaten it, better to be safe than sorry.
Are you aware of potential dangers at the beach?
Grass seeds are a Summer Hazzard that can affect our pets, especially dogs! They can get stuck in fur and break through the skin, tracking their way up through that area causing swelling, pain & infection (paws and legs are the most commonly affect areas). grass seeds can also get stuck inside the ear canal & have also been known to go up a pet's nose & other places on the body! If you walk your dog in areas of long grass it is important to check their ears, eyes, & coat for any attached grass seeds and remove them to prevent any future problems.
It's so important to make sure you remember to leave water out for wildlife during hot weather. We found this little honey bee drinking from the shallow bird bath in our garden 🥰🐝
If you have a bird bath that is quite deep please fill an area with pebbles or small stones so that bees don't drown trying to hydrate, they can also get trapped in any garden pots that fill with rain water.
We are working towards becoming a bee friendly veterinary practice, this means we are planting more plants that provide a food source for bees and other beneficial insects.
Summer is finally here.. (or is it?! 🌧☔️🧐 )
Keep your pets safe this summer! Here are the key hazards to be aware of.
