Black Cat Veterinary Physiotherapy

17/03/2025

As a local animal business this is a a topic very close to my heart.
Currently in Grantham there is zero out of hours (OOH) emergency veterinary cover. The closest is at least 45 mins away 😞

Could I ask my local followers to o sign the petition asking the vets of Grantham to form an alliance providing OOH Emergency Vet Care. I understand it’s generally not a popular topic but it really is so important for our animals.

All Grantham vets form an alliance to provide 24 hours emergency cover in the town.

13/03/2025

Do you know how to spot the signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats?

🐱 Poor appetite
🐱 Increased thirst
🐱 Increased urination
🐱 Loss of weight
🐱 Lethargy

🏥 We recommend senior cats have health checks once or twice a year by your vet to help detect the signs of CKD. Support and treatment recommended by your vet can help to slow the progression of the disease and improve your cat’s quality of life.

Find out more 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd-in-cats

08/03/2025

Good luck tomorrow! So very excited that a few of my clients are off to Crufts tomorrow.
Karla, Kenji and Kiri are such beautiful examples of their breed
Have a fantastic day, hopefully some amazing results and above all HAVE FUN!

www.kalkasipyreneans.co.uk

03/02/2025

Local career with first class facilities

Welcome to Brayside Cattery in Grantham Brayside Cattery is located just outside the market town of Grantham we offer a tranquil relaxing stay for your feline friend. Proud holders of a 5 Star Cattery Licence awarded by SKDC CONTACT US We are a licenced 5 star family run cattery set within an tranqu...

16/01/2025

https://onlinepethealth.com/why-your-dog-with-ivdd-needs-a-vetrehabber-on-their-team/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3kYLA4HoeVagDKN3WLdklFjadxW_5BNkhJGczGANhU9GwOAjSD8-qWVPs_aem_WxVDKEtsaaqqhP9lXTnl2Q

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is an area that has become a surprisingly high volume area of my work as a Veterinary Physiotherapist and Hydrotherapist.

Coming from a horse background originally, it’s not something we have need to deal with!

It’s an area I find both sad, fascinating and incredibly rewarding. Some of my clients have operations, some conservative management. Many are successfully rehabilitated and continue to have fulfilling lives.

Some I continue to support with regular physio and hydro sessions

This fabulous article by onlinepethealth Onlinepethealth clearly explains the different types of IVDD (5) and the different approaches to treatment. The common factor they all have is Rehabilitative support with a Veterinary Physiotherapist (and hydrotherapy)

Get in touch today if you feel I can be of help in your rehabilitation journey. We’re here to help and support both your dog and you! 😊😊

08/01/2025

Calling all cat people! 😊😊

Carers of indoor cats - can you help us understand more about environmental enrichment and its impact on stress reduction in cats? A new study with the University of Edinburgh has just been launched and we're looking for participants.

We're looking for households with 1 or 2 indoor only cats. Households where the cats have access to a catio or enclosure can participate. Eligible cats are aged between 6 months and 13 years.

To access the short screening survey please either scan the QR code in the poster below using the camera app on your phone, or visit this url: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/edinburgh/utilising-the-home-feline-stress-score-to-compare-the-impact-of

29/12/2024

As we near the long awaited (for many of us!) New Year we thought we’d take a few minutes to review our Terms and Conditions of Service as so much has happened this year!

At Black Cat Veterinary Physiotherapy, we strive to provide the best care for your animal family. Here's a quick rundown of our terms and conditions:

1. Payment Policy: Payment is required on the day of service unless we've arranged otherwise. This helps us keep things running smoothly for everyone.

2. Owner Presence: We need the owner to be present, especially during the first visit, for legal, safety, and respect reasons. Your presence ensures the best care for your animal.

3. Cancellation and No-Show Policy: Life happens, but please let us know ASAP if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations less than 24 hours before the appointment or no-shows will incur a fee. This helps us serve all our clients better.

4. Upfront Fee Policy: Due to an increase in no-shows and late cancellations in 2024, we're now requesting a 50% upfront fee, which is non-refundable, with the rest payable at the time of the visit. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

5. Vet Referral Requirement: We work strictly through veterinary referral to ensure all treatments are appropriate and professionally guided.

Full T’s and C’s are here - as is our new online booking system 😊 https://www.blackcat-vetphysio.co.uk/terms-and-conditions

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2025!

23/12/2024

It’s a wrap from all of us here at Black Cat Vet Physio.

Thank you for trusting us with your precious animals throughout the year. It’s been an honour with so many loyal faces and many new ones.

What a year it’s been! So many great things in the pipeline for BCVP in 2025!

We hope you all have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and a generous Santa-Paws visits.

Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
Lots of love from our home to yours

13/12/2024

🎄🌟12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS🌟🎄

🥂DAY 7 - ALCOHOL AND ANTIFREEZE 🥂

As Christmas is a time of celebration, many of us like to celebrate with a glass of wine, beer or even a prosecco! The affects these have on us, are much different to what they can cause to our pets. In addition to alcohol, antifreeze is highly toxic to our pets.
If ingested, its time for your pet to see a vet! Alcohol and Antifreeze can cause disorientation, seizures, vomiting and other much more severe symptoms.

If you believe that your pet has ingested alcohol or antifreeze, please call us📞 01509270997

For more information on toxins, take a look at our Christmas Toxins blog on our website!

https://www.phoenixvets.uk/post/christmas-hazards-to-avoid

12/12/2024

Staff Competition at Phoenix Vets in Loughborough where I’m based on Fridays. Some amazing decorations there don’t you think?
Which one is your favourite? 😉

28/11/2024

Little Bo says it’s cold out there. Wrap up warm and keep your peeps open for any stray treats 😂

27/11/2024

A great offer from a lovely local vet.

With the run up to Christmas, the house can feel very busy and scary for our pets. We are offering a 10% discount on none prescription anxiety medications until the New Year.

If you believe that your pet would benefit from a chat with one of our Vets, we are also offering a FREE consultation ONLY FOR ANXIETY discussions.

Contact us today to take advantage of this amazing offer!! 🐾🎄

24/11/2024

Vital IVDD research through Cambridge. More samples needed 😊

14/11/2024

This week we believe we have seen an episode of Seasonal Canine Illness. This is a rare and poorly understood disease, normally presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea after they walk in woodlands:

Symptoms: Usually appear within 24–72 hours and include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, muscle tremors, and high temperature

When it occurs: Most commonly in September, but can occur between August and November

Who it affects: Dogs of any age, gender, size, or breed

Treatment: There is no cure, but early treatment can help most dogs recover. Treatment may include anti-sickness medication, antibiotics, hydration, oxygen therapy, and cough suppressants. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.

Cause: The cause of SCI is unknown, but some theories include mushroom poisoning, algae, or a link to harvest mites.

Hotspots in the UK: Commonly reported hotspots include Sherwood Forest, Thetford Forest, The New Forest, Cannock Chase, Clumber Park, and Sandringham Estate

12/11/2024

SCATTER FEEDING - DID YOU KNOW?

What is scatter feeding? It's the scattering of food an any surface - grass, floors, decks, patios, stones, snuffle mats, in boxes, etc. - so that your dog or cat can search, forage or hunt for their food.

Did you know that MOST dogs love love love scatter feeding as it's internally rewarding to them? It switches on their 'hunting' genes and makes the whole process of foraging for food more exciting...

Did you know the food bowls are a popular thing because of GUARDIAN preferences and convenience? Also, lots of money to be made from different types and colours of food bowls...

Did you know that the best slow feeder you can find is the one outside your door? Also very inexpensive...

Did you know that scatter feeding can improve a lot of emotional and hence behaviour issues.

Did you know that scatter feeding and the subsequent foraging for food fills your dog's brain with positive neurochemicals which help with any stress, frustration, anxiety, boredom, food guarding, fear or low confidence.?

Did you know that most pet dogs never get to engage in a natural activity like scatter feeding while living in captivity because the guardians do not like it, as THEY think that scatter feeding is a weird idea irrespective of what the dog likes?

Did you know that the pros outweigh the cons? A dog's life in captivity is filled with risk everyday irrespective of how they eat. This method does not 'teach' them to sniff for or look for risky things like bird or fox p**p. Eating from a bowl does not teach them to be any less of a dog. Newsflash - irrespective of any eating method, they will sniff, lick and chew things that displease their guardians. After all they are dogs doing what comes naturally. You certainly cannot manage or stalk their every move 24/7...

When a behaviourist suggests scatter feeding, it's because it's based on years of studying the brain and understanding how to create positive emotions by the manipulation of key neurochemical and neurophysiological processes, so that there is a gradual change to more positive behaviours...

Emotions inform behaviour.
Change or improve the emotions and you will notice a change in behaviours.

Scatter feeding is not about throwing food on the floor. It did not take me and others like me years to learn to throw food on the floor. So trust that maybe sometimes, just sometimes, we may know what we are talking about😉

Don't like the idea? Use a Snuffle Mat. Use boxes to hide their food around the house. Use food dispensers. Try something. Shake up the status quo. Enrich their mundane lives somehow!

Try it. What do you have to lose? Some outdated views and beliefs maybe with respect to what makes your dog happy...?