Vets4Pets Sydenham

04/09/2024

September is pain awareness month

Nothing concerns parents more than believing their pet is in pain.

Pain is complex. Pets large, small and all those in between feel pain similar to how we humans experience pain. The only difference being the way we perceive their it and the signs they show us.

Not all pets express pain the same way. Cats especially are very good at making signs of pain disappear, but that does not mean they aren’t.

Common signs of pain include:
🙈Becomign withdrawn or hiding
🗣️Vocalising more
😡Aggitation or aggression
🍜Changes in sleeping or wating habits
👅Licking and grooming the same area (like the feet in dogs with allergies ir arthritis)

If you believe your pet is in pain, please contact the practice with your concerns on 02086591777
Or message the practice on whatsapp on 07360267703

01/09/2024

Whipworm 🎣
Anecdotally, older dogs are more at risk of having a whipworm burden than younger dogs.
Whipworms are endemic to the UK and only infect canines. Adult whipworms live in the large intestine and can reach a maximum of 2-3 inches in length. Their eggs are very hardy, and can survive a wide range of environmental conditions – some reports claim they can survive in the soil for up to seven years!

Many dogs who have whipworms do not show any signs at all, however serious numbers may cause:
🎣Bloody diarrhoea
🎣Anaemia (low blood levels)
🎣Dehydration
🎣Tiredness

Thankfully, although you can’t stop your pet being exposed to whipworm, there are lots of options for preventing an infestation with regular worming treatment and cleaning up after your pet quickly.

If you require a new prescription, please call the practice on 0208 659 1777 and allow 24 hours for your prescription to be fulfilled.

Whipworm can cause problems to arise in dogs, especially senior dogs who are more at risk. Find out more about symptoms and possible treatments here.

29/08/2024

Hookworm 🪝
Hookworms are blood sucking intestinal worms. Small and difficult to spot, in large enough numbers they can suck enough blood to cause serious anaemia, especially in puppies.

There are two types of hookworm seen in the UK. Both can also infect foxes, and in fact a study showed 68% of UK foxes had a hookworm infection, but are less commonly found in our pets.

Hookworms can be passed from mother to puppies either via the placenta before birth, or through the milk. They can also be swallowed from dirt in their larvae stage or through the skin (usually the feet).

Symptoms of intestinal infection may include:
🪝Diarrhoea, possibly with dark faeces
🪝Going off food
🪝Tiredness
🪝Swollen pads
🪝Itchiness
🪝Red spots on the skin
🪝Hair loss in the area

Thankfully, although you can’t stop your pet being exposed to hookworms, there are lots of options for preventing an infestation with regular worming treatment, cleaning up after your pet quickly, make sure to worm pregnant or lactating females and regularly checking paws for irritation.

https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/dog-advice/hookworms-and-your-dog/ #:~:text=Hookworms%20are%20a%20small%20type,from%20the%20small%20vessels%20there.

26/08/2024

☀️Bank holiday opening times☀️
Just a reminder that we are open 10am - 3pm here at Vets4Pets Sydenham.

For emergencies outside if this, please contact our out of hours peovider VetsNow Sidcup on 020 8001 1559

23/08/2024

☀️Bank holiday opening times☀️
Our opening times will be slightly different over the bank holiday.
We are open 10am - 3pm here at Vets4Pets Sydenham on Monday 26th August

For emergencies outside if this, please contact our out of hours peovider VetsNow Sidcup on 020 8001 1559

21/08/2024

Heartworm ❤️
Heartworms are thankfully not found in the UK, but are a risk for pets that travel or are adopted from abroad – although cats are at a much lower risk than dogs.
Transmitted by mosquitos, these parasites can cause serious illness and even death.

Heartworms are very thin, thread-worms. You won’t see these worms yourself though, as they live within the right side of the heart, and the main artery leading from the heart to the lungs.

The seriousness of symptoms can directly relate the number of heartworms, how long they have been there and your pets immune system response.

Signs can include:
❤️Coughing
❤️Weight loss
❤️Exercise intolerance
❤️Laboured breathing
❤️ Fluid retention in the tummy

It is important to note that advanced infestations can lead to the blocking of blood flow into the heart, causing death.

Heartworm preventative medication is the best way to protect your pet from contracting heartworm.

If you require a new prescription, please call the practice on 0208 659 1777 and allow 24 hours for your prescription to be fulfilled.

All you need to know about Heartworms care & your dog. Heartworms aren't found in the UK, but they're a serious risk for dogs travelling abroad.

21/08/2024

With the bank holiday Monday around the corner, we would like to make our wonderful clients aware that tomorrow (Thursday 22nd August) will be the last day we are able to order medication.

After this date, normal ordering schedules will resume on Tuesday 27th August.

If you have any queries or need to place an order, please call the practice on 0208 659 1777.
🏥🏥🏥

18/08/2024

Roundworm 🟠
Roundworms are very common in the UK, and this means that your pet can be at risk of picking up worms whenever they head outside.
Roundworms are picked up from contaminated faeces, or even from the soil.

Sadly, toxocara can also infect humans, and while usually harmless in adults, can cause serious damage to children’s eyesight.
(If you would like more information about keeping your child safe, please follow the link below)

Roundworms in pets reproduce by laying eggs within the intestine. These eggs are passed out with faeces, mature for up to a month, and then become infectious. Importantly, larval roundworms can travel out of the gut to a wider range of tissues, including multiple organs such as the liver, lungs, skeletal muscle and the gut wall, where they may form cysts. This also allows them to pass from Mother to kitten/puppy through the placenta or milk!

Healthy adults may not have any sign of infection beyond visible worms in faeces or vomit. However, in young pets you may see:
🟡A pot belly
🔵Diarrhoea
🟣Weight loss, or poor growth
🟢Poor coat quality

If you think your pet might have a roundworm infection, the best thing to do is to go to your vet. They can do a full physical examination, and prescribe a worming treatment plan, which should eliminate the worms.

What are the causes for Roundworms in cats? How do you prevent and treat Roundworms for your cat? Read professional advice form our qualified vets today.

15/08/2024

Tapeworm 📼
Tapeworms match their name, and look like long ribbons or pieces of tape. Itchy, unpleasant, and common, keeping your pet free of tapeworms is simple and a great way to keep them healthy and happy.

They are divided into lots of small segments, which can be up to 1cm each in length. Adult tapeworms live in the small intestine, and attach to the lining. Here, they sit and absorb nutrients from the gut. Tapeworms reproduce when some of their segments break off. These segments are full of eggs, and are passed out in the faeces of your pet. They are often described as looking like moving grains of rice.

They can infect pets a number of ways including; ingestion of undercooked or raw meat, swallowing infected fleas or from contact with other infected pets and ground.

There are no external signs of a Tapeworm infection. One of the first signs maybe the sight of a Tapeworm in your pets faeces. Advanced infections may show:
🪱Diarrhoea
🪱Itching around the a**s (scooting and licking)
🪱Lack of energy
🪱Weight loss
🪱Poor skin and coat condition

The best preventative to Tapeworm include regular worming treatment, regular flea treatment, feeding thoroughly cooked meat and cleaning up pet faeces quickly to prevent spread.

If you require a new prescription, please call the practice on 0208 659 1777 and allow 24 hours for your prescription to be fulfilled.

Tapeworms can cause a lot of distress in your pet dog. Find out the signs, symptoms and how to treat a tapeworm infection in your dog with our advice here.

12/08/2024

We have recently had a patient test positive for Lungworm! Following this we would like to spread awareness of this particular parasite.

It’s important to note that lungworm preventives are a prescription only medication. If you do not think your pet is covered, please contact the practice for more information.

Lungworm is a potentially deadly parasite, which lives in slugs and snails.
They are short worms, only reaching 2.5cm in length as adults, which live within the chambers of the heart of our pets, and in the artery that connects the heart to the lungs.

The most common symptoms of a lungworm infection are:
🪱Coughing
🪱Changes in breathing or struggling to breathe
🪱Going off food
🪱Upset tummy with vomiting and/or diarrhoea
🪱Loss of weight
🪱Tiredness and depression
🪱Unexplained or excessive bruising
🪱Pale gums

If you require a new prescription, please call the practice on 0208 659 1777 and allow 24 hours for your prescription to be fulfilled.

09/08/2024

Over the next couple of posts, we are going to discuss the different types of parasitic worms and the signs of infection. Stay tuned to read about:
🪱Lungworm
🪱Tapeworm
🪱Heartworm
🪱Roundworm
🪱Hookworm
🪱Whipworm

09/08/2024

Everybody meet Harley!
Harley came to see our nursing team for a weight check and a nail clip.
She was such a good girl at only 3.5 months🤩💕

06/08/2024

💉💉💉
Vaccination is a great way to give your pet immunity to some of the worst infectious diseases, and make sure they are as safe as they can be.
Vaccine schedules vary depending on the specie of animal and type of vaccine administered. Your vet will discuss the most suitable option for your pet.

Once any pet has had their initial course of injections, they will only need one injection per year afterwards to keep that immunity ‘topped up’.

For more information, please call the practice on 0208 659 1777.
Or email at [email protected]

03/08/2024

Did you know we offer Complete Care for Rabbits?
They’re designed to help you save and spread the cost of routine healthcare with simple monthly direct debits.

This covers all these essentials:
🩷Annual booster vaccination including a health check with your vet
🩷Seasonal protection against flystrike (spring & summer)
🩷One additional consultation with your vet
🩷Three consultations with a nurse, including weight checks and routine nail clips
🩷Access to the Complete Care 24/7 Vet Careline

Plus some extras:
🩷£10 off neutering
🩷Microchip for just £10 (if required)

If you’d like to sign up to our complete care rabbit, please contact the practice to book an appointment.

Subject to terms and conditions.

We're all for keeping your rabbit in tip-top shape. So our Complete Care health plan* gives you everything you need to protect your furry friend and keep costs down.

31/07/2024

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease is also known as Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease and has several acronyms: RHD, RVHD, VHD and RHD1. This virus is extremely contagious and sadly once a rabbit is infected it is almost always fatal.
RHD causes bleeding to the internal organs of the rabbit so if signs are seen these can include:
🤒A fever
🥬Loss of appetite
😴Lethargy
🫁Difficulty breathing
🩸Blood stained discharge from the nose or mouth
⚠️Seizures (fits)

There is a second strain of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, often referred to as RHD2.
RHD2 has some differences from RHD1, but the virus is still associated with severe internal bleeding, and rapid death in many cases and can remain active in the environment for a long time.

28/07/2024

There are some nasty viruses out there that threaten pet rabbits; these include myxomatosis and both strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease 1 & 2 (RHD1 & RHD2).

Myxomatosis is a highly infectious and usually fatal virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes, fleas or by close contact with an infected rabbit. Myxomatosis kills many rabbits in the UK every year, and all rabbits are susceptible whether kept indoors or outdoors.
Signs of myxomatosis in rabbits include:
👁️Red swollen eyes
👁️Conjunctivitis
🤒Fever
🥬Loss of appetite
😴Lethargy

25/07/2024

If you are travelling with your cat this summer, then there is much to consider. You’ll want to consider getting a good, secure cat carrier. A small dog crate may be more appropriate for longer journeys.

Your cat can also pick up on your feelings very easily so stay calm to keep them calm.

While we know this for dogs, cats are just as likely to die in hot cars. Keep ventilation at an optimum and never leave your cat in a parked car.

Cat’s senses are extremely sensitive, music at top volume could be torture for your cat.

Even if your cat is an outdoor cat, it is important to keep them indoors when in a new place to avoid cats getting lost or getting into fights.

24/07/2024

This is the beautiful Maverick! He came into the practice with an upset tummy.
He was very happy to receive all the cuddles and strokes from our team and we hope he gets well soon 💞🐾

22/07/2024

Grass seeds!
Any pet owner that has had a run in with one of these knows exactly that they are.

Grass seeds are like tiny arrowheads that can get caught in your dog’s paws, eyes or ears and is an extremely common problem during the summer months especially in breeds with hairy ears and feet such as Cockapoos and Spaniels. They will get stuck in your pet’s coat and can then pe*****te the skin.

Your pet may show signs of discomfort, often shortly after a walk. Signs depend on where the grass seed got stuck and can include violent shaking of the head, rubbing at the eyes, chewing at the feet or sudden onset sneezing. Other signs are sudden onset lameness and swelling between the toes.

To help prevent grass seeds getting stuck, you can trim the fur on your pet's paws and around their ears, check your dog for grass seeds routinely following a walk, and avoid meadows and woodlands where these grasses commonly grow.

19/07/2024

Can my dog go swimming?
Some dogs loathe water, but others can’t get enough of it. Though it is important to consider that not all dogs can swim, particularly flat-faced breeds as they can struggle to keep their nose above the water.
It is also worth considering getting life vests for dogs, especially if you’re on a boat or your dog is not a strong swimmer. Seawater can hugely upset their tummies so offer them plenty of fresh water to drink and stop them from trialling a lap from the sea. Currents are impossible to see from the beach. If your dog is ever in trouble, call the coastguard and avoid getting into the water.
🤿🤿🤿

16/07/2024

With our Complete Care Health Plan, you'll receive all the healthcare essentials, expert veterinary care and cost savings on routine treatments.

Plus receive special offers and discounts on additional treatments. We’ll also send you handy reminders of when your pet’s annual vaccinations are due and when to administer their flea and worm treatment, to help you keep on top of your pet’s healthcare.

For more information and T&C's please visit our website.

13/07/2024

Just a little reminder that our Out of Hours practice has changed address!
Should your pet require Out of Hour care, please contact VetsNow Sidcup on 0208 001 1554.

Parkvets Veterinary Hospital
53-55 Maidstone Road
Foots Cray
Kent
DA14 5HB

10/07/2024

The lovely Arlo received treatment at the practice. He was such a sweet boy and was on his best behaviour for the nurses looking after him.
He thoroughly enjoyed his snacks and cuddles with the staff on duty. 🐾

09/07/2024

We had the lovely Jessica visit the practice for her yearly booster vaccination and a nail clip.
She was very good for her health check and throughly enjoyed her pedicure.
10/10 sweatheart 💞

08/07/2024

Just a reminder that we are on WhatsApp!

You can use this platform to contact the practice 24/7 with any non-urgent queries.

Please be aware that we will reply during our opening hours and these lines are not monitored when we are closed.

Alternatively, you can reach the practice via email at [email protected]

04/07/2024

Approximately 85% of a rabbit’s diet should be grass/good quality hay, 10% leafy green vegetables and only 5% pellets or nuggets.
🥬 🥬 🥬
Feeding rabbits is actually simple and straightforward. The best diet for rabbits is one that mimics their natural grass-based diet in the wild as closely as possible. This means they should be fed unlimited good quality hay or grass, and some leafy green vegetables and herbs, which can be supplemented with a small measured amount of nuggeted or pelleted feed.
🥬 🥬 🥬
Fibre is vital for healthy teeth. To cope with an abrasive tough diet, rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout life, and eating a high fibre diet with the right mineral balance helps keep them at the correct length and shape. If they don’t eat enough fibrous food or have a diet with an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus the teeth get too long, change shape and develop painful spikes and spurs.
🥬 🥬 🥬
Always look up what greens are safe and unsafe for your rabbit to eat. You may be surprised by some items that are toxic.

01/07/2024

🐰 Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 🐰
🥕24th June- 1st July🥕

Fly strike 🪰
Fly strike occurs when flies lay egg on a rabbit, which hatch into maggots and then start to eat the rabbits flesh. This is often fatal due to toxic shock.

They are attracted to the smell of faeces, urine, blood and like damp warm areas.

Preventatives:
🪰 Keep your rabbit clean and in good health
🪰 Check your rabbits rear for accumulation of faeces or urine
🪰 Preventative products should be used regularly, particularly throughout fly season
🪰 Ensure your rabbits hutch is cleaned regularly
🪰 Keep an eye out for sores or open wounds

29/06/2024

Unfortunately, a deceased cat has been brought into our practice.

The cat was found along the canal at Riverside walk and seems to have passed a while ago.

Due to the nature of the body, we are unable to determine its s*x and a microchip was not found.
We believe it to be black/brown tabby with a white sock on the back left paw.

If you believe this to be your cat, please contact the practice.

28/06/2024

🐰 Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 🐰
🥕24th June- 1st July🥕

Bunny housing 🏡
🏞 As a minimum, the recommendation is any hutch should be 6ft by 2ft
🐇 Your rabbit should be able to stand on their hind legs in their hutch
🏃🏼‍♂️ Rabbits love to have space to run, if free access to the garden is not available, a run area is a great, safe option!
💭 Your rabbit will enjoy a separate sleeping area to their toilet
🧼 Housing should be spot cleaned daily and deep cleaned weekly

For any more advise on rabbit care, please visit:

https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/rabbit-advice/

26/06/2024

🐰 Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 🐰
🥕24th June- 1st July🥕

Bunny diet
🥦 Approximately 85% of a rabbits diet should be grass/good quality hay, 10% leafy green vegetables and only 5% pellets or nuggets
🫑 Many leafy greens are safe for rabbit consumption, but some are not. Always do your research before introducing new foods to your rabbit
🥬 Try mixing and matching your rabbits hay to keep their diet interesting
🥒 Chews and hay help grind down your rabbits teeth and help to reduce the risk of dental issues
🥕 Carrots are very high in sugar and should only be given as a treat every so often

25/02/2024

When Kelly from our Colton store's Pets Grooming salon discovered a lump on the tail of nine-year-old Rufus she suspected something wasn't right, so alerted his owners Les and Andrea so they could get it checked out. They brought him to Vets for Pets Leeds Colton where it was confirmed he had a cancerous tumour which needed surgery.

Les, who adopted Rufus from Dogs Trust in Leeds as a puppy, said: “Rufus is such a big part of our life; we’re absolutely besotted with him. We probably wouldn’t have noticed the lump if not at the groomers as the tail isn’t somewhere you would usually stroke and feel. Kelly loves Rufus and really looks after him, so we want to say a big thanks for spotting it. Who'd have known what would have happened if she hadn’t noticed.”

Rufus had to have his tail removed, but is now making a good recovery. He's been visiting Kelly for a groom every six weeks for the last three years. She said: “You get to know everything about a dog as you groom them. I’ve discovered similar things before on other dogs so I mentioned it to the owners so they could get it checked out. Dogs are my life and you do worry; I’m so pleased they caught it. Now he’s got a fully docked tail like a little bunny rabbit. It’s lovely and suits him – when he gets washed he wiggles his bum.”

21/02/2024

Arthur's owner Louise says he "looked like a brand-new tortoise" after having his beak filed at Sutton in Ashfield Vets4Pets.

Louise adopted the four-year-old Horsefield Tortoise from a family member in October. Although she has had other pets, Arthur is her first tortoise, so she has been doing some research on how to best care for him.

Louise said: "I noticed Arthur's beak was unusually long, so I brought him in to Vets for Pets; I bring all my pets there. When he came out, I thought 'you beautiful boy, look at you – you look so handsome!"

Vet Steph, who looked after Arthur, says that tortoise beaks continuously grow and normally grind down themselves while they're eating. She said: "Arthur needed a little help as his jaw isn't perfectly aligned; his lower jaw is further out than his top jaw, so I filed it around half a centimetre. He was really good; a real cutie."

18/02/2024

Owner Claire says she couldn't be more grateful to Vets4Pets Hamilton after their quick diagnosis saved the sight of six-year-old Alba.

Claire knew there was something terribly wrong with her miniature dachshund cross when she called her in from the back garden last summer and Alba ran headfirst into a closed patio door. She rushed her to the vets, where investigations led the team to diagnose her with uveitis – an eye condition which causes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

Claire said: "It all happened so suddenly; Alba must have heard my voice and guessed where to go. It was quite scary seeing how bad she was. We couldn't be more grateful for the team in Hamilton spotting the uveitis as quickly as they did, otherwise Alba would have gone blind within a matter of days. Their knowledge saved Alba's sight. I still can't believe it happened. It's taken months of treatments, but it's such a relief to have our girl back to being her funny, bossy self."

Vet Neil, one of the team who treated Alba, said: "Alba's pupil was really narrow and wouldn't respond to light properly, which can be a sign of uveitis. Once we had ruled out other conditions, we were able to get her to an eye specialist for ongoing treatment. She's now doing really well."

16/02/2024

Ducky's owner Antonia was in a state of panic when she saw a fox had dug its way into the field where she keeps him – killing two of her other ducks and chickens.

Antonia was about to move her brood into their pen for the evening when she saw what had happened and noticed that Ducky had severe bite wounds under his wing. She rushed him to Vets4Pets Vets Milton Keynes for emergency surgery – and after having his wound stitched up the one-year-old duck is now making a good recovery.

Antonia said: "I was so worried. You don’t often hear of ducks recovering from fox attacks, but there is something about Ducky and the way he was so brave. I'm sure he was protecting a lady duck, as he's a bit of a romantic. It's the first time we've gone to Vets for Pets, and the team were amazing; they've done an incredible job."

Vet Becca, who treated Ducky, said: "He's a really lucky duck, as it was quite a big wound. When he first came in, he was understandably subdued and quiet but when he came back for his stitches to be taken out, he wanted to explore and tuck his head into everyone’s shoulders."

07/02/2024

Well done to the team at Vets4Pets Guildford who've been awarded a silver level certificate for being a rabbit-friendly clinic.

After head veterinary nurse Ella noticed that more customers were bringing in rabbits the practice took a series of steps to give them as stress-free an experience as possible. Ella, who also fosters rescue dogs in her spare time, said: "There was a long list of things that we needed to prove that we did from making sure the rabbits are kept separate from other animals and not booked in at the same time as barking dogs, to providing heated kennels for those who need to stay in, and using special equipment made especially for rabbits."

Practice manager Kevin said: "All of our vets have plenty of experience with rabbits we have some real rabbit geeks here, so it was a big thing to us. There are so many good people in this world and I'm so proud to be around them."

28/01/2024

Beautiful Bear was born deaf, so he's learned to follow his owner Lisa's visual commands.

Lisa, who shops at our Tamworth store – "it's my second home!" – got two-year-old Bear as a kitten and suspected he was deaf when he didn't respond to her voice. She had it confirmed by her vet soon after. She said: "He was very scatty, and scared of people he didn’t recognise. He wasn’t bothered by loud noises like my other cat Emily and when I came home from work he wouldn’t hear the door open.

"He's doing really well though. I try to do some sign language with him – I point at him and do a solid hand sign at him to stop. He picks up on vibrations and scents too. He meows, making a really loud chirping sound which I’ve never heard a cat do before, and he’s always rubbing his head against my legs and following me everywhere. I was advised not to let him out because he wouldn’t hear cars or other dangers, so he comes outside with me every morning to have a sniff around the garden and always comes straight back in." Bear and Lisa's other cat Emily are on Instagram as

27/01/2024

Ten-year-old Dutch rabbit Alfie has been visiting vet Kate at Vets4pets Wolverhampton for dental treatment for the last eight years – and she says he's such a loveable character that he's become "part of the family".

He's one of the oldest rabbits treated by Kate and the team, and she says his longevity is down to the care and love he gets from his owner Tracy and her family. Kate said: "Alfie is famous in this practice – everyone knows him. We and his family are dedicated to making sure her little old man is happy. The beautiful thing about being a vet or vet nurse is you build these relationships with the owners and their pets – they become your surrogate pets."

Tracy's been keeping rabbits all her life, and says that having space and routine is key. She said: "Alfie is an old man now and has a routine. He goes into a hutch at night and is let out in the morning. He's out all day and has his favourite spots in the house. We clean him out every day and give him a lot of attention. When he was younger he would follow us around; if I was clearing a cupboard out he would be in the cupboard to help. Now he's old and wants to be warm and watch instead. I can't thank Kate and the practice enough. Kate's been fantastic with him."

26/01/2024

Eight-year-old Winnie the Schnauzer cross is running around like a puppy again thanks to laser treatment and physiotherapy after two successful knee operations at Vets for Pets Basildon.

Worried owner Tracy brought Winnie in to the practice after she collapsed on a walk last year – and the team discovered the cruciate ligament in a knee had ruptured. She’s since had ops on two knees and is on a recovery plan led by vet physiotherapist Izzy.

Tracy said: "Winnie has had a tough year with 15 teeth removed, two cruciate ligament operations and two bouts of pancreatitis but thankfully she's hardy. She’s treated fabulously at the Basildon practice. Izzy is great with her – she totally relaxes in her hands and does little snores with her eyes open. Winnie has a new lease of life again and is running around like a puppy."

Izzy said: "When pets have surgery or injure themselves they move differently which causes them to be sore in other places. Winnie has laser therapy then a massage to help the healing process. Laser treatment is a specialist service that not enough people know about – it can help in so many ways after an operation.”

19/01/2024

The team at Vets4Pets Cramlington say greyhound Frank was "an absolute gentleman" when he came in for some dental work.

Seven-year-old Frank was brought in by owner Harriet to get rid of some plaque which had built up and to treat a gum inflammation. Veterinary nurse Vicki said: "Frank was a very good boy and left with clean, fresh and sparkly teeth. It's so very important to get your dog's teeth checked and we advise pets to have an annual dental check. Eighty per cent of dogs over the age of three have dental disease. Prevention is much better than cure and regular checks and routine cleaning keep your pet's mouth healthier for longer and can help to prevent extensive extractions later in life. We are always happy to offer advice on maintenance and dental care at home such as teeth brushing or dental supplements."

18/01/2024

Veterinary nurse Mel from Vets4Pets Bristol Longwell Green loves cats so much she's helped the practice make a number of improvements to give cats as stress-free an experience as possible when they're brought in.

Mel, who has an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour for Veterinary Professionals, helped introduce facilities like a separate feline waiting area and cattery and the use of quiet clippers – and the practice now has a silver level certificate for being a cat-friendly clinic. She said: "I love dogs but I'm really a cat person. Cats can be misunderstood which can lead to them having quite a stressful life, so if we can make things easier for them and help people understand what cats need then everyone will be happier.

"As animal lovers there's always more to learn and understand about what makes them happy. Enrichment at the home is important for a happy cat – and as cats are naturally solitary animals if you live in a multi-cat household it's important to understand what they need. The rule is to have a resource per cat, plus one spare. So if you have two cats you should have three feeding stations, three litter trays and three scratch posts spread around the house so they have the opportunity to move around to wherever they want to go. Scratching is as natural a thing for cats to do as going out hunting is, so if they're unable to go out it's about providing the chance for them to behave as naturally as possible."