Selworthy Vets

06/11/2024

It is not just cats and dogs that are frightened by fireworks. Horses and livestock also become distressed during the firework period.

Here are some tips to keep them safe this season:

🐴 Make your yards safe
🐴Ensure stables are safe and secure
🐴Check fences and gates are secure
🐴Be a calming influence for your horse
🐴 Where possible stick to normal routines,
although you may need to bring routines
forward to ensure your horse is settled
before dark
🐴Keep your horse in a familiar environment
🐴Check your horses more during the firework
season and if possible stay with them if you
know fireworks are being set off in close
proximity
🐴 Stable or turn your horse out depending on
their preference - it is advisable to remove
hay nets and buckets that your horse could
get tangled in if spooked
🐴If you know your horse is reactive to loud
noises please speak to us for further advice

🐄🐑Never set off fireworks near livestock, as frightened animals, can be dangerous or injure themselves

⚠️ Keep yourself safe around horses and livestock especially if they are startled or scared

05/11/2024

Loud bangs and bright flashes can be exciting for us but terrifying for our pets, especially cats and dogs 🎇🎆

Today we want to highlight the signs of stress and what you can do to relieve

Signs of stress and anxiety in cats and dogs:
😾Unsettled and/or pacing
🙀Panting
😾Trembling or shaking
🙀Vocalising
😾Hiding
🙀Trying to run away or hide
😾 Responsive to sound and/or movement
🙀Seeking reassurance
😾 Destructive behaviour - chewing, digging
🙀Toileting in the house
😾Refusing to eat, play or go out
🙀Hyperventilating
😾Tense face with wide eyes and/or ears
back

How to keep your cat or dog calm during the firework season:
😺Where possible try and stick to your normal
routine
😺 Walk dogs before dark and ensure cats are
inside
😺Ensure dogs have had the opportunity to
toilet prior to fireworks starting and cats are
provided with a litter tray
😺 Ensure your cats and dogs have a safe
space - this maybe high up for cats
😺 Close the curtains
😺 Provide calming background noise
😺 Use pheromone therapy if required
😺Provide distractions such as toys or treats -
stuffed kongs are ideal for dogs
😺Be a calming influence
😺Comfort your pet as required
😺Avoid leaving them in the house alone,
although if settled in their safe space
observe from a distance
😺Ensure they are wearing a collar with clear
identification and microchip details are up to
date
😺 if your pet is still distressed despite the
above efforts please speak to us for further
advice

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are worried about your pet 🧡💛

04/11/2024

Remember, Remember the 5th November ‼️

Guy Fawkes night is usually celebrated with social gatherings, bonfires and fireworks🔥🧨

Firework displays, light up the sky with sparkling, whooshing, banging and spectacular displays of colour 🎇🎆

Although enjoyed by many this night presents a risk to many animals. This week we will be sharing the dangers associated with this time of year and help you to keep your pets safe over the coming nights and prepare for celebrations in the months ahead 🧡💜

We recommend that you plan ahead and complete the following:

☑️Start noise desensitisation
☑️Speak to your vet about pheromone or medical treatment to reduce the signs of stress and anxiety
☑️Check your pets Microchip details are correct
☑️ Ensure you are aware of when the local firework displays are.
☑️ Speak to neighbours and establish if they are planning to have their own firework displays

If you would like further advice please contact one of our friendly team 📞💻

02/11/2024

Trick or Treat 👻🧁

We would love for you to share your pets best TRICK or favourite TREAT 💜

01/11/2024

🎶🩶🐾 Tune in 🎶🩶🐾

Thank you Classic FM and RSPCA (England & Wales) for supporting our beloved pets!

For the pets and owners who find fireworks season distressing, try our radio sanctuary: Classic FM’s Pet Classics. 🐾

On Saturday 2 and Tuesday 5 November from 5-9pm, join us for soothing classical music and practical tips from RSPCA (England & Wales).

Just tell your smart speaker to “play Classic FM” or listen on . 🎶

01/11/2024

We hope you and your pets were happy and healthy this Halloween 🧡

We would love to see photos of your pets enjoying the spooky season - did your pets join in any spooktacular fun this year? 👻

31/10/2024

You won’t be the only one feeling terrified this Halloween night 👻🎃💀🪦

Your pets may feel stressed or anxious by the frequent calls at the door from costumed trick or treaters.

Ensure your pets remain safe and calm this Halloween. This can be achieved by ….

🎃 Walking your dogs before dark and
consider keeping cats indoors
🎃 Try not to leave them alone and help build
a calm atmosphere
🎃 Creating a safe quiet space in the house
ensuring that your pets feel calm and
secure
🎃 Close the curtains
🎃 Providing them with some distraction such
as their favourite toys or treats.
🎃 Playing some calming background noise
🎃 Using pheromone therapy
🎃 Leave treats on the doorstep to avoid
frequent disturbance (out of reach of your
pets) a secure box is advisable

If you would like more Information on stress and anxiety or further advice on how to keep your pet calm please call us 📞

30/10/2024

Lots of fun today with our amazing Selworthy Vets team who created some very artistic pumpkins!🎃🎃😍

30/10/2024

Pesky pumpkins 🎃

Have you decorated or carved pumpkins this year?

Candle lit pumpkins are a Halloween favourite but to avoid burns please ensure they are kept out of your pets reach.

Please be aware that mouldy pumpkins are incredibly toxic to animals (including wildlife) please ensue they are correctly disposed of.

Dangerous decorations 👻
Whilst Halloween decorations may look spooktacular please ensure they are hung out of reach of our curious pets!

29/10/2024

Be cautious with candy 🍭

Xylitol 🍬
Some sugar-free sweets and chewing gums contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol, which can be toxic do dogs.

Chocolate 🍫
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs.

Raisins 🍇
A common alternative to candy, this dried fruit is also toxic to dogs.

Hazards ⚠️
Sweet wrappers and lollipop sticks can cause a blockage in your dog's mouth, throat or gastrointestinal tract.

To keep your pets safe this Halloween please keep treats out of reach! 🐾

If you are concerned that your pet may have eaten something the shouldn’t have please contact us straight away 📞

28/10/2024

Treat your pets this Halloween 🧡🎃

Only 3 days left to take advantage of this offer ‼️

28/10/2024

We are approaching a spooktacular time of the year 👻

Do you know how to keep your pets happy and healthy this Halloween? 🎃

28/10/2024

🌈🌈 FOUND CAT - Unfortunately we have had a deceased cat brought in today, found by Aveton Gifford bypass. Male, ginger and not neutered. Sadly no microchip. Please contact us if he might be yours 01548 853322😢🌈🌈

23/10/2024

🐈🐕💉 Don’t miss out!

22/10/2024

Stray cat 🐈‍⬛

Please share 🩶

Black, DSH, Female kitten approx 4 months old found Kingsbridge 🐾

If you have lost a cat missing this description please contact us 📞

14/10/2024

📢 Until the end of October we are offering FREE arthritis reviews with our Veterinary Surgeons ‼️

🩺We are here to support you and help you make the right decisions to keep your pet happy and comfortable by providing an individualised and holistic approach to their care. This may include pain management, nutraceutical supplementation, lifestyle modifications or hydrotherapy.

⁉️ Did you know we now offer an injectable antibody therapy to alleviate osteoarthritis pain for around 4 weeks!

💉If you would like more information and to take part in our introductory offer (based on veterinary recommendations) please speak to one of our Veterinary Surgeons ❤️

📞 Don’t delay call us today- 01548853322

12/10/2024

This is Ivy the winner of our recent photo competition! 📸🎉

We loved recieving photos of Ivy enjoying her prize 😍❤️

11/10/2024

⚠️ Not only are the nights getting darker they are also getting colder!

It is important that you are aware that Ethylene Glycol is TOXIC for all animals - especially cats!

Ethylene Glycol is commonly found in antifreeze solutions, screen wash and some de-icers.

Symptoms of Antifreeze positioning include:
❄️ Vomiting
❄️ Weakness
❄️ Low Temperature
❄️ Twitching
❄️ Abnormal eye movement
❄️ Seizures
❄️Kidney Failure

‼️☎️If you suspect that your pet has ingested ethylene glycol, please contact a vet ASAP

10/10/2024

💛💚🧡❤️💜🩷🩵💙 💛💚🧡❤️💜🩷🩵💙

Today is world mental health awareness day

Research shows a positive link between owning pets and improved health and well-being of their owners.

Did you know that for someone who has suffered a heart attack, the chances of having a second one within a year is 400% less if they have a dog!! This is thought to be due to a combination of increased exercise, lower blood pressure and increased oxytocin created by the loving bond between owners and their pets.

Pets also:
💛Reduce anxiety and depression
💚 Keep us active
🧡Provide routine and structure
❤️Increase social interaction with other
humans
💜Provide companionship and unconditional
love
🩷Are great listeners and provide no
judgement

Here are some of our staff with their beloved pets. We would love to see photos of you and your trusted companions..

10/10/2024

✨🌙As the nights start to draw in make sure you stay safe!

🚑The longer nights and low sun can make it harder to spot pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and horse riders. This is linked with an increased number of casualties, so please remember:

💫 Always remember to look out for pedestrians, dog walkers, wildlife, cyclists, motorists and horse riders

💫 Be safe, be seen. Wear fluorescent clothing during the day and reflective clothing or accessories after dark. To be completely safe, consider clothing items which combine elements of both florescent and reflective material

💫Always choose routes and cross at places that are well-lit

09/10/2024

🐈 🐕 Calling all cat and dog owners!

⁉️Did you know that the weather has a direct impact on your pets mobility?

❄️💧In the cold damp weather the symptoms of Arthritis become more apparent.

‼️Arthritis is a painful, progressive and inflammatory condition of the joints.

Symptoms of Arthritis include:

- limping
- Reluctantence to exercise
- Reluctantence to run and jump (especially our feline friends)
- Difficulty finding a comfortable resting place
- Stiffness
- Persistent licking over joints
- Poor coat condition
- Changes in behaviour such as irritability or quieter than normal
- Sleeping more

🩺It is essential that your pet receives an individual approach to arthritis management. This may include pain management, nutraceutical supplementation, lifestyle modifications or hydrotherapy.

📢 Until the end of October we are offering FREE arthritis reviews with our Veterinary Surgeons to ensure that your pet stays comfortable this winter.

07/10/2024

Companionship

Guinea pigs are social animals 🧡
They are best kept in single s*x pairs or groups, although if neutered male and females can live happily together 🐹🐹

Companionship is linked to:
💕Reduced behavioural problems
💕Reduced loneliness
💕Reduced stress and depression
💕Increased social activity

❓ Do rabbits and guinea pigs make a good pairing 🐰🩷🐹 - NO

We do not recommend that rabbits and guinea pigs live together. This is because:
📡 They are 2 different species and therefore communicate differently
🍊They have different dietary needs - Guinea pigs need extra vitamin C in their diet
🤕 Accidents - Rabbits are much larger and can accidentally injury guinea pigs
🦠Guinea pigs can catch Bordetella bronchiseptica from rabbits

✨Don't forget to like, comment, and share their posts with your fellow guinea pig lovers! 🐹

04/10/2024

FOUND - thanks for sharing!

Has anyone seen Scooter?
Missing from Creek End, Dartmouth. Semi feral, roughly 4 year old female. Missing since Thursday morning which is very unlike her.

Please let us know you have seen or have any information on her!

PLEASE SHARE 🐱

04/10/2024

🚑Health

🐹To ensure that your guinea pigs remain happy and healthy it is important that you check them daily for signs of ill-health.

It is important to check:

🩺Face
🩺Eyes
🩺Skin and coat
🩺Back end
🩺Feet
🩺Demeanour and behaviour
🩺Ensure they have a normal appetite
🩺Passing normal urine and faeces
🩺 Moving normally

⚠️Guinea pigs are prey animals and due to this they usually hide signs of illness until they are feeling very poorly. If you have ANY concerns please contact us as soon as possible 📞

✨Don't forget to like, comment, and share their posts with your fellow guinea pig lovers! 🐹

03/10/2024

🍴Diet

⭐️Understanding their nutritional needs can help you to make the best choices when it comes to your guinea pigs’ diet.

🥗Guinea pigs are herbivores meaning they eat plant based foods. They require a high fibre diet to aid dental and gut health.

❓Did you know that guinea pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C and therefore needs to be provided through a high quality diet

🌱 A balanced diet consists of:
80-90% Grass/Hay
1 Teacup of fresh greens and vegetables
1 teaspoon of high quality pellets
Free access to fresh drinking water

👀Follow us to find out which plants, herbs, fruit and veggies are safe for your Guinea Pig

✨Don't forget to like, comment, and share their posts with your fellow guinea pig lovers! 🐹