Selworthy Vets

27/11/2024

We know that dental disease in cats and dogs can be a painful condition and go unnoticed for significant amounts of time.

Do you know the signs of dental disease?

🦷Halitosis (bad breath)
🦷Weight loss
🦷 Difficultly eating
🦷 Gingivitis (red and inflamed gums)
🦷 plaque and tartur build up
🦷 fractured, loose or missing teeth
🦷 Swelling of the face
🦷 Bleeding gums or blood stained saliva
🦷 Behavioural changes - sleeping more, eating less, changes to eating habits, quiet or depressed, less energy, not wanting to go out as much
🦷 Oral pain - some animals show little or no signs of oral pain but others you will see difficulty eating, behavioural changes, vocalising, pawing at mouth, restlessness

📞 if you are concerned about the oral health of your pet please call arrange a dental check

26/11/2024

🦷 Fact of the Day 🦷

Did you know that …
80% dogs 🐶
70% cats 🐱
70% horses 🐴
Are living with untreated dental disease‼️

Regular dental checks will help to diagnose and treat dental disease ❤️

If you are concerned about the oral health of your beloved pet please contact one of our veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses who can support your pet to get the right care ☎️

25/11/2024

☎️Contacting us in an emergency…

‼️If your horse or pony is suffering from colic contact your veterinary surgeon straight away.

🌛Don’t forget we also run our own out of hours emergency service meaning that you will be greeted by the same familiar and trusted vets and nurses day or night.

❣️We understand this can be a stressful time as an owner but giving us a clear history can help us to promptly triage your call.

📍It is beneficial for you to give us your precise location so that we can attend quickly.
We recommend sharing a What3Words location. If you do not already have it we would advise that you download the what3words app to ensure this process is quick and easy.

20/11/2024

🐴 Do you know the common signs and symptoms
of Colic?

❗️Colic symptoms can range from mild - severe.

🩺Horses and ponies can deteriorate quickly so
early recognition and prompt veterinary
attention is essential.

📞If you notice any changes in your horses
behaviour or have concerns please contact your
vet.

Remember REACT
🚨Restless or agitated
🚨Eating less or droppings reduced
🚨Abdominal pain
🚨Clinical changes
🚨Tired or lethargic

13/11/2024

❓What is Colic?

❗️Colic is a term used to describe abdominal pain in horses. Equine colic is usually associated with gastrointestinal disease.

⁉️Did you know Equine colic is the most common emergency and cause of death in horses

There are 6 main types of colic:
🐴 Spasmodic colic
🐴 Tympanic colic (flatulent/gas colic)
🐴 Impaction colic
🐴 Sand colic
🐴 Displacement colic
🐴 Strangulation colic

⚠️Colic symptoms can range from mild to severe, so early recognition and prompt veterinary attention is vital.

📞If you would like further information on equine colic please contact one of our friendly team who will provide you with more information.

13/11/2024

🐴This week is Colic Awareness Week

We are excited to support colic awareness week. This has been set up by The British Horse Society, in conjunction with University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.

This week we will be sharing more information about colic, to include types of colic, signs and symptoms and emergency treatment.

11/11/2024

We wanted to take some time today to respectfully commemorate the bravery of those soldiers and animals who served in the war - Lest We Forget ❤️

09/11/2024

Ending the week with a bang 💥

We know that firework celebrations are likely to continue into the weekend and in the coming months and therefore we wanted to give some suggestions for alternatives to firework displays to reduce stress and anxiety for animals 🧡

Here are some useful suggestions provided by the RSPCA- https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks/alternatives

Do you have any suggestions for alternatives or events you are looking forward to over the coming months?

08/11/2024

What to do if an animal gets burnt 🔥

With the increased amount of fires, sparklers, fireworks and candles comes an increased amount of burns therefore we wanted to give you some advice on what to do if your pet gets burnt 🧨🎇

Unfortunately our pets generally have an inquisitive nature that leads to noses, limbs and waggy tails getting burnt 🚒

If your pet obtains a burn:
🧯Take them away from the source of burning
🧯Contact us as soon as possible
🧯Check for injuries
🧯Cool any burnt skin with cool water for 10-20 minutes (if tolerated) - remember this will be painful and your pet may become distressed or aggressive so continue with caution
🧯Ensure your pet doesn’t get too cold
🧯If the burn is on a limb or a foot gently apply a loose piece of clingfilm to protect the burn whilst you travel to us

If you would like further advice please contact us ☎️

08/11/2024

Don’t forget to keep wildlife safe
🌳🐦‍⬛🦌🦔 🐞 🌳🐦‍⬛🦌🦔 🐞🌳

🦉Remember, fireworks can also disturb wildlife so steer clear of known habitats like lakes, woodlands, nature reserves and trees with roosting birds.

🦔Check bonfires for wildlife before lighting as animals like hedgehogs may be hiding.

🆘If you are concerned about the welfare of a wild animal please either contact us or one of our local wildlife rehabilitation centres

07/11/2024

Small pets and fireworks 🐭🐹🐰

Small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice are easily frightened and therefore susceptible to stress caused from fireworks 🎆 🎇

Signs of stress and anxiety in small pets;

* Change in normal routine and behaviour
* Stamping their back feet (rabbits)
* Trembling or shaking
* Increased respiratory rate
* Freezing - Staying very still in one spot
* Trying to escape or hide
* Responsive to sound and/or movement
* Refusing to eat or play
* Tooth grinding
* Aggression
* A change in toileting habits

Here are some tips to minimise stress:

* Partly cover outside cages
* Provide extra bedding for them to burrow in.
* Consider bringing them inside or into a
shed or garage - gradually
* Giving them plenty of hiding places
* If inside close the curtains and play some
quiet, calming background noise
* Distraction with toys and treats - an
appropriate foraging box is ideal - egg
boxes or toilet roll tubes make great
enrichment
* 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
* If they are microchipped ensure their details are
up to date
* NEVER light a bonfire, use sparklers or set
off fireworks close to outdoor hutches
* If your pet is still distressed despite the
above efforts please speak to us for further
advice

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 📞