Heathfield Vets

24/06/2024

🐰 It's day one of Rabbit Awareness Week 2024 - Healthy Diet, Happy Bunnies!

Rabbits need a healthy, balanced diet consisting of around 85% good quality hay or grass, 10% leafy greens or vegetables and 5% good quality pellets. They can also have the occasional treat, such as small cubes of carrot or apple. Avoid muesli type rabbit foods as buns tend to pick out the tasty high calorie parts and leave the rest! You can keep your rabbit's food interesting by adding in things like parsley, dill and dandelions.

Hiding food is a great way to encourage foraging and provide mental stimulation, you can start by placing food in different areas and progress to hiding snacks under pots or inside cardboard tubes.

Stay tuned for more bunny care tips throughout the week!

21/06/2024

The temperature inside a car on a hot day can sky rocket very quickly. Dogs should never be left alone in a hot car. We would also recommend checking on any dogs being transported in the boot space of cars as often air conditioning may not reach them. If you do see a dog in a hot car, please follow the RSPCA's advice on what to do https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars.

20/06/2024

We'll be closed from 12:30-14:00 today for a staff meeting and training so food and medication cannot be collected during these times, but we are here until 18:00 so please do pop in to see us outside of these times.

As always, if you have an emergency call us on our normal number 01435 864422 and our phone answering service will take a message for one of our team members to call you straight back.

Thank you for your understanding!

19/06/2024

How to update your pet's microchip details - don't just assume they are correct!

1. Find your pet's chip number. This may be on their vaccination booklet or adoption paperwork. If you do not know their number, pop your pet into the practice to have the chip scanned.

2. Find out which database your pet's chip is registered with by visiting https://www.homeagain.co.uk and inputting the number.

3. If the details need to be updated this can be done online in most cases. If you are transferring keepership from a breeder or previous owner, they may have given you a code or PIN to use when changing the details. If you don't have this, please don't give up - many companies will have protocols in place to ensure the correct details can be registered.

4. If the microchip says it is not registered, this means the original owner or chip implanter did not register the chip details online. You can register chip with your details free of charge via the Home Again website.

5. Got a foreign chip? The details may not be registered on a UK database. You can register any non UK chip free of charge with Home Again.

If you have any questions about updating your pet's microchip details, please contact the practice on 01435 864422.

18/06/2024

This lovely girl is Poppy. She belongs to one of our receptionists, Laura. Laura had noticed Poppy, who is 8 years old, had started to get a little stiff after her walks. Poppy came in to see vet Ian who diagnosed some moderate back pain and recommended a course of laser therapy with our nursing team.

Laser therapy is a great complementary treatment for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, joint pain and stiffness. A small, hand held head is gently applied to the affected area and the beam of infrared laser light stimulates energy production within cells, leading to a cascade of beneficial effects including decreased inflammation, swelling, stiffness, muscle spasms and pain, as well as increased circulation.

Laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure, patients don't need to be clipped or sedated and owners are encouraged to sit with their pets during the sessions (although we do ask everyone in the room to wear protective safety glasses - including patients if the laser area is close to their face. Poppy graciously modelled a pair for us!). Most pets are happy to sit calmly during the therapy and enjoy the soothing warmth of the laser.

Poppy had a 15 minute laser therapy session twice a week for a few weeks before a reassessment with Ian. Laura says that the therapy has really helped Poppy's mobility and she is definitely less stiff after her walks. Poppy will be coming in for weekly sessions with the hope of reducing the session to once monthly to maintain her mobility.

If you think your pet could benefit from laser therapy, speak to one of our team on 01435864422.

17/06/2024

Some dogs just love the taste of grass, especially in spring and summer. If you are worried your dog is eating too much grass, speak to your vet. 🌱

14/06/2024

Buzz buzz buzz! It's that time of year when our pets are enjoying soaking up the sun whilst the buzzing insects are out in force. Most mild stings can be treated at home with a cold compress to relieve discomfort, but do call a vet if you're worried. In cases of multiple stings, stings to the mouth (usually from accidentally chomping down on a bee!) or any case where there are signs of an allergic reaction, you should always call a vet for advice. 🐝

14/06/2024

**** Stray found - Please share ****

We have very sadly been brought a deceased cat having been found on Ghyll Road. He is an entire male, not chipped or wearing a collar. He has medium length hair and chocolate point colouring. If you think he may belong to you, please contact us on 01435 864422.

13/06/2024

12/06/2024

Adders are Britain's only venomous snake, characterised by their distinctive, dark zig zag pattern along their back. During spring and summer they emerge from hibernation to sunbathe and breed. They are naturally shy reptiles which will retreat from humans when approached. Bites most often occur to dogs (and people) if they accidentally disturb or step on them. They can be found in woodland, heathland and coastal areas, which are also popular summer dog walking spots. The best way to avoid disturbing an adder is to keep your dog on a lead, stick to paths and avoid long grass or rocky areas where they may be hiding.

In the unlikely event that your dog is bitten, remember to stay calm and call a vet ASAP. If you dog has been bitten symptoms can include vomiting, drooling, lethargy and pale gums. Bites most often occur to the feet or face and may appear as a small dark wound, possibly with two puncture marks.

Please remember that adders are a protected species and should not be intentionally approached, handled or moved. If you do spot one, keep your distance and warn any passing walkers so they may do the same. 🐍

10/06/2024

Spread the cost of your cat's routine health care and save money across the year. sign up online today https://heathfieldvets.co.uk/pet-care-plan/. 🐱

07/06/2024

If you're planning a trip to the EU with your dog this summer, make sure that you have everything prepared to avoid disappointment!

🐶 Get your pet microchipped
🐶 Ensure they have an up to date rabies vaccine
🐶 Get an Animal Health Certificate - visit https://heathfieldvets.co.uk/pet-travel/ for more information
🐶 Find a vet at your holiday destination who can give your dog a wormer before returning to the UK
🐶 Ensure they have adequate parasite control for your destination country, including protection against sandflies and ticks

If you have any questions about pet travel, please call our team on 01435 864422.

06/06/2024

Summer is finally here (mostly)! We would love to see some pictures of your pets enjoying the sun! ☀️

04/06/2024

A reminder that compulsory cat microchipping will come into force from June 10th. We strongly recommend having your cat chipped and ensuring the contact details associated with the chip are up to date, not just because of the new legal requirements but for the sake of your cat's safety. Throughout the year we are brought quite a few stray cats without chips or up to date details and it makes finding their owner very difficult, and sometimes impossible. Please, for your own peace of mind, check your cat is chipped and that the contact details are up to date.

We are offering a 10% discount on cat microchipping (if booked with a nurse) until 10th June, subject to appointment availability ❤

03/06/2024

Taking a blood sample from a dog can be a challenge. While we always try to make the process as stress-free as possible, it is not always easy, particularly for nervous patients. Pet Blood Bank has some excellent advice on how to train your dog to have blood taken, including getting them used to the positions they may need to be held in and the sound of the clippers. With some at-home training, you can prepare your dog should they ever need an emergency blood test or even to eventually donate blood. You can download the advice sheets here: https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/dog-blood-donation/training-your-dog-for-donation.

31/05/2024

Book your pet's next appointment online at a convenient time for you and with your preferred vet. Visit https://heathfieldvets.co.uk/appointment/ to get started.

30/05/2024

Important information about stray dogs

Wealden Council have made us and other local veterinary practices aware that finders of stray dogs should not pass on any stray dog to the care of a veterinary practice. Instead, they should call Animal Wardens Ltd who will return their call within one hour and arrange for the stray dog to be collected from the finder within six hours.

Previously, we have always been willing to care for any stray brought into us by a member of the public. However, in light of the council's agreement with Animal Wardens Ltd we will be unable to do so moving forward. If you do find a stray dog, we are of course happy to scan the dog for a microchip and attempt to contact the owner. If we are unable to contact the owner, you will need to take the dog home and contact the dog warden on 01424 490034 and take care of them until they can be collected, as per Wealden Council's requirements. We will take your details and photos of the found pet, so that if the owner contacts us while you're waiting for collection from the dog warden, we can help speed up the reuniting process.

We are disappointed in the council's protocol and we have raised our concerns about the safety of the stray dog and the finder to Wealden Council. Please visit out news page for more information https://heathfieldvets.co.uk/stray-dog-protocol.

We strongly recommend all dog owners ensure that the contact details on their pet's microchip are up to date. If you are unsure of where your pet is registered, please visit the practice and we can scan your pet and guide you to the correct database.

Stray Dog Protocol 29/05/2024 By Heathfield Vets We have recently been contacted by Wealden Council regarding their protocol surrounding stray dogs after we made enquiries as to why Animal Wardens Ltd, the company contracted as the district’s dog wardens, would not collect a stray dog from our car...

29/05/2024

Generation Pup is a ground breaking study of the health, welfare and behaviour of our dogs throughout their whole lives and they are recruiting puppies to help in their research. If you have a pup under 16 weeks, visit www.generationpup.ac.uk and sign up today!

29/05/2024

**** Stray cat found - please share ****

We have very sadly been brought a deceased cat which we believe was likely hit by a car. He is an entire male, black with white paws, chin and belly, he also has very long white whiskers. He is not chipped and has some previous cat fight injuries to his ears. He was found near Mayfield roundabout on the bypass. If you think he could belong to you, please call the surgery on 01435 864422.

28/05/2024

Dexter came fully prepared for his hospital visit, comfort blanket at the ready! This lovely boy visited us for a neutering procedure and made himself as cosy as possible in his kennel, with lots of snuggles from our nurses. ❤

27/05/2024

Following the widespread bird flu outbreak in 2023, DEFRA has announced new registration requirements for bird keepers in Great Britain. Currently bird keepers are only required to register a flock of 50 or more. From October these rules are changing and all keepers must register their birds, regardless of flock size. You can read more about the new requirements here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-help-protect-poultry-industry-from-bird-flu. Whilst it is not compulsory to register yet, you can voluntarily register your birds using this online form: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poultry-including-game-birds-registration-rules-and-forms and get ahead of the legislation that is coming into force.

Whilst the bird flu threat level has decreased since last year's outbreak, the threat is ever present. It is important that poultry keepers of any size flock maintain excellent hygiene and biosecurity. To limit the risk to our team and other avian patients, we will continue to ask screening questions when booking appointments for birds and ask any bird owners to kindly wait outside until a vet is happy they can enter the building.

New registration requirements for bird keepers in Great Britain - all bird keepers must register their birds and update records annually.

24/05/2024

If you've noticed your cat getting a little stiffer as they get older or struggling to jump or run, it's a good idea to get them checked by your vet as these are common signs of osteoarthritis. Fortunately, there are lots of treatment options available to arthritic cats and there's also lots you can do at home for senior cats to make their later years more comfortable.

🐱 Place rugs on any non-carpeted surfaces in the areas your cat can access, so that they have more grip or cushioned falls.
🐱 Provide cosy bedding that is soft and warm, such as foam or orthopaedic mattresses. It would be ideal to place non-slip material underneath and around the bedding, so they don’t slip when getting off.
🐱 Bring them in for regular nail clips so their gait is not affected by the length of their nails.
🐱 Raise up their food and water bowl so that they don’t have to painfully crouch down to reach them.
🐱 Clear passageways that are cluttered to provide a straight path to walk along.
🐱 Opt for a litter tray with a lower entry and exit, there are some specifically designed for senior cats available.

23/05/2024

22/05/2024

If your dog had pockets, what do you think would be in them? Let us know in the comments!

20/05/2024

Another bank holiday weekend is coming, please order any medication or food via our website https://heathfieldvets.co.uk/repeat-prescriptions-and-food/ or by calling 01435 864422.

17/05/2024

Spread the cost of your pet's all important routine health care and save money across the year. Sign up online today https://heathfieldvets.co.uk/pet-care-plan/. 🐶

16/05/2024

As a vet nurse training practice we are honoured to see people from the very start of their nursing careers through to qualifying and practicing. If you are interested in a challenging but rewarding career in vet nursing please read our article for an idea of the expectations of a vet nurse student https://heathfieldvets.co.uk/how-to-become-a-vet-nurse/. Whilse we do not currently have any vacancies for students, we hope this article gives useful insight into how to get started. 💚