Shepherds' Vet Centre

11/07/2024

Can you help our local RSPCA branch?

They are in desperate need of foster homes.

11/07/2024

We have had a deceased cat brought in to the practice. He is an entire male, tabby and white. There is no microchip and no collar to help us identify him 😪 He was found on George law court.

Please contact the practice if he could be yours

10/07/2024

This morning we have had 2 puppies brought into us after being found on Wilden lane hiding under a car. Neither of them have a microchip or collar and tag. We are hoping the power of Facebook can help us find their owners 🥰

We will need proof of ownership and full descriptions of both. Please contact the practice with any information or if you believe they could be your dogs.

08/07/2024

We have just successfully renewed our rabbit friendly accreditation for the 3rd year running 🥳
We are proud to be a RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund) Rabbit-Friendly Silver Practice. This standard is only awarded to practices that: adhere to RWAF’s strict standards of rabbit veterinary care; satisfy an involved application process investigating our standard procedures and invest in continued rabbit-specific staff training. 🐰🐇
Examples of some of the criteria that have been met include
- separate rabbit hospitalisation facilities
- separate waiting area away from dogs
- rabbit specific dental equipment
- We have sophisticated monitoring techniques for bunnies under anaesthesia, including capnography. PLUS rabbit specialist approved medical protocols.
- We are experienced with routine neutering surgical procedures
- We are experienced at providing excellent pain relief to all our patients
- We have specific vets and nurses who take a keen interest in rabbits and who have completed continual professional training in this area.
We invest in membership with RWAF annually to remain up-to-date, reassuring you that we are 100% committed to providing the best in rabbit care. Should you have any further questions about bringing your bunny to Shepherds' Vets, please do not hesitate to call.

03/07/2024

EMERGENCY VET COVER

Did you know that Shepherds' vets in Kidderminster is the only practice in over a 10mile radius that covers its own out of hours emergencies, on site?
Meaning...
*minimal journey time when your pet needs it most
* the familiar faces of Shepherds' vet centre staff to greet/treat your pet at the time you need them most
*very experienced, skilled vets with a century of vet experience between them(😱) treating your pets with full continuity of care possible.
* fabulous skilled Registered Vet Nurses providing patient care and support.
*access to a wide range of diagnostic equipment/emergency medicines and state of the art monitoring
*full access to clinical records/history for Shepherds' vet centre clients
*on site hospitalisation with round the clock care available, with no transfer to/from a remote site each morning/evening when your pet is hospitalised
*no long A&E style waiting room delays unlike other emergency dedicated OOH providers.

We can also provide emergency cover to non-clients out of hours but we do prioritise our own clients, meaning on occasion we may still require non clients attend their own OOH provider if we are already busy.

03/07/2024

Entire Male Adult, alopecia found Offmore about 2.30pm today. Negative for chip. Urinary bleeding. Currently at Shepherds' Vet Centre receiving TLC

28/06/2024

Head on over to Rabbit Awareness Week's youtube channel to watch an informative video from their supporters at RWAF, featuring rabbit expert Richard Saunders. They'll provide you with essential insights into rabbits' diet, what it takes to make it ideal, and the possible consequences of getting it wrong. Find this video by clicking the link below! 🐰

https://youtu.be/XxvNKg8JzA8
The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund

27/06/2024

It's rabbit awareness week!🐰
Aside from hay and grass, what else can your bunnies eat (in moderation?)
-All sorts of garden herbs and weeds( see pics below for bunny safe options)
-All sorts of fruits (again in moderation or can be a source of diarrhoea/obesity and mucky bums)
- the equivalent of an egg cup of pellets daily for an average size 2-3kg bunny. Muslei is not recommended as it allows the rabbit to select for its favourite bits, unbalancing their diet.

27/06/2024

Pet travel scheme/Animal Health Certificates

Did you know that we are able to issue animal health certificates (AHCs) at Shepherds vets? Appointments can be made on reception and are also open to non clients.

Did you also know that the pet travel scheme is not actually particularly geared towards animal health and really only focuses on prevention of major human diseases - rabies and echinococcus (tapeworm)?MANY other tick/sandfly/mosquito-born diseases🦟🪱🦠🐌 need to be prevented/minimised for your own pets health using appropriate antiparasitics.

Please speak to your vet at your AHC appointment and they can advise on best protection.

There is currently a rise in tickborne diseases in Spain including Lyme disease (borellia) and CCHF /Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever but widespread tickborne disease has been recognised on the continent for sometime so prevention and protection is absolutely vital when you travel abroad.

Two dangerous diseases spread by blood-sucking ticks are on the rise in Spain, where the country's health authorities have now launched a new project to monitor the insects.

27/06/2024

80-85% of a rabbit diet should be hay..this should be supplied in the equivalent of your rabbit's body size per day.

27/06/2024

It's rabbit awareness week!🐰🐇 The focus this year is on feeding

🌾Hay There!🌾⁠

Feeding your rabbits high-quality, dust-free feeding hay or fresh grass should make up about 85% of their daily diet. Picture a hay pile the same size as them each day. And, of course, keep it fresh nobody's a fan of stale snacks!⁠

🐰 What's Up with the Hay? 🐰⁠

It's all about fibre! This nutrient is essential for rabbits' health:⁠

Dental health – Bunnies' teeth are always on the grow! Gnawing on good quality feeding hay or fresh grass helps keep them in check and prevent dental problems.⁠
⁠
Digestive health – Fibre is essential to keep your rabbit's digestive system running smoothly, reducing the risk of gut stasis and bloat.⁠
⁠
Did you know wild rabbits spend up to 70% of their time foraging? By providing plenty of hay and grass, you're helping your rabbits fulfil their natural behaviour!
⁠

Picture credit https://www.grit.com/animals/making-hay-feeding-rabbits-zkrz12zreg/

26/06/2024

Male budgie was found at the ca**l in Kidderminster tonight. Somebody is probably missing him.
He is currently in the care of Shepherds vets, kidderminster.

25/06/2024

No more hot dogs!

With the sun shining, the Royal Vet College has launched new evidence regards best approach to treating heat stroke. (Link at bottom).

This is to soak or immerse the dog in cold water (straight from the cold tap, not tepid and not iced) then put a fan or air con on them.
DO NOT COVER THEM IN WET TOWELS. These just warm up then act as insulation.

Heat stroke starts as excessive panting, agitation and drooling. The gums become dark pink to red, they may vomit or pass diarrhoea, the heart rate speeds up and this leads to collapse, organ failure and death if their temperature is not brought back down to normal quickly.

Call us once you have got the dog thoroughly wet and then in a source of air. This could be a fan, air con or driving to the vets with the windows open. They will need to be closely monitored to ensure hypothermia does not set in. You will typically be asked to attend immediately if active cooling has been started.

In a car on a warm day, heat stroke can occur within 6 minutes if they are left unattended, even with windows cracked open. Only walk them in the early morning or the evening when the temperature has dropped as dogs can’t cope with much exercise on warm days, even more so in muggy, humid weather.

It really is true that no dog ever died of not going for a walk.

Rvc study https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/the-rvc-urges-owners-of-hot-dogs-to-cool-first-transport-second

23/06/2024

CLIENT NOTICE

Unfortunately due to staff sickness our out of hours emergency service will be covered by Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service until 8.30 tomorrow morning. You can call them directly on 0121 712 7070. Alternatively, call our usual practice number and they will direct your call to them.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

19/06/2024

UPDATE 2

OWNER FOUND AND WILL BE REUNITED SOON. Thank you all for sharing

UPDATE
We now have further owner details for this cat. We are doing are best to contact the owner. The owner is local to Kidderminster and not further away as first thought. Thank you all for your continued help and support 🥰

Unkempt male, neutered cat found Broomy close,Stourport ....jumped into strangers car. Microchip registered to v.distant address and details not up to date (possibly escaped in courier van or o left behind). Does anyone recognise this cat??

18/06/2024

Update : Owner now locatedDog found at Holy Trinity 1.15pm. Currently at shepherds vets but dog warden called. NO microchip or tag.

28/05/2024

Can you help us find her owners?

This beautiful little girl has been brought to us this evening. Found on church Lane, far forest. No microchip or collar.

She is currently in our care receiving medical treatment for an injury so we would like to find her owners soon!

If you recognise her then please contact the practice on 01562 822986

14/05/2024

Our May offer is still running and we still have availability.

🌟SHEPHERDS' MAY DENTAL OFFER🌟

Dental scale and polish- dog £150.00
Dental scale and polish - cat £130.00
(Includes standard general anaesthetic)

10% discount on any extractions or additional Dental treatment.

We do get requests from non regular clients for this offer. Whilst we are happy to see these patients, we would require a pre-dental consultation. If further dental treatment is performed, we would reduce our standard £48 consultation to £30.

Please call us on 01562 822986 to arrange your appointment.

09/05/2024

Do you recognise this handsome boy?

He has been spending his time around the jubilee drive area for the past month. He has come to us today as he isnt feeling his best now. He is an entire male with no chip or collar.

If you think you know him please get in touch with the practice. Proof of ownership will be required.

09/05/2024

OWNER FOUND

We have had a stray female dog handed in. Found by Blake Marsh nr Habberley.

She is microchipped but the details are not up to date.

If you are missing your dog please contact the practice. Proof of ownership will be required.

07/05/2024

Does anyone near Offmore recognise this cat??
Found Offmore Road 6/5/24

Fluid filled abdomen, fleas, and hair loss. Registered with chip to Offmore Road(which has now been mailed) to an aged owner...we're wondering if the cat is recognised in the neighbourhood...perhaps as a stray or perhaps still owned? Unable to contact O. Not actively registered with local vets either.

26/04/2024

🌟 EXCITING NEWS 🌟

On Monday the 29th of April we are starting the process of expanding the practice 😀

The expansion will see us add a 4th consulting room to the practice, meaning we will have even more availability to see your pets!

Although there may be some noise, our dedicated team of vets and nurses will aim to ensure your beloved pet is kept as stress free as possible. There will be no disruption to the daily running of the practice and the usual 24 hour care we provide.

The builders will be taking up a small portion of our practice car park but our client parking will still be available.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming works then please contact Simone our office manager and she will happily chat to you.

Thank you to all our wonderful clients for your continued support 🥰

24/04/2024

🌟SHEPHERDS' MAY DENTAL OFFER🌟

Dental scale and polish- dog £150.00
Dental scale and polish - cat £130.00
(Includes standard general anaesthetic)

10% discount on any extractions or additional Dental treatment.

We do get requests from non regular clients for this offer. Whilst we are happy to see these patients, we would require a pre-dental consultation. If further dental treatment is performed, we would reduce our standard £48 consultation to £30.

Please call us on 01562 822986 to arrange your appointment.

21/04/2024

We do think we have the absolute best job at times💞.
Yesterday we helped deliver the final 9th and 10th puppies for this rather lovely Golden retriever mum😍 whose uterus had got a bit tired!. The new mum even left carrying her own lead 🤣

17/04/2024

Here at Shepherds vets, our friendly, experienced team of Registered veterinary nurses, student nurses and animal care assistants are here to help!

Our nursing team can offer advice consultations on weight management, dental health, parasite prevention, neutering and new puppy and kitten advice.

They are also proud to be able to offer nail clipping, a**l gland emptying, microchipping, dressing changes, application/administration of veterinary prescribed parasite prevention and laser therapy for arthritis.

09/04/2024

Do you recognise this handsome boy? He was found on Claines Cresent in Kidderminster.

No collar or microchip.
Very friendly boy.

If you think he could be yours then please contact the practice. Proof of ownership will be required.

31/03/2024

🤣🤣
Courtesy of the secret dog walker. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067974246380

28/03/2024

🐰Easter Bank Holiday opening hours.🐰

Please be aware that our 24 hour on site emergency service will be available throughout the bank holiday weekend.

Friday 29th March - Closed. 24hour emergency care available.

Saturday 30th March - Open as normal from 8.30am to 12noon. By appointment only. Emergency care from 12 noon.

Sunday 31st March - Closed. Emergency care available.

Monday 1st April - Closed. Urgent consultations will be available for booking between 10am and 11am. Emergency care available.

We would like to wish all our clients and their pets a Happy Easter 🐰 🐣

Our wonderful vet Max will be on call this weekend for all your veterinary needs.

24/03/2024

Stray staffie has been brought in. Black and Tan entire male, no collar, middle aged, chipped but numbers out of service. Found in Cookley area just roaming streets quite thin.

Please phone practice during daytime hours tomorrow if you know him.