Best Friends Veterinary Surgery

23/06/2024

JUST A REMINDER, TO ALL DOG OWNERS.

⚠️🚙⚠️ Despite the warnings, hundreds of dogs in the UK die every year after being left in a hot car. Someone you know may need to read this very important message. ⚠️🚙⚠️

SIX MINUTES is all it takes for a dog to overheat in a hot car.

Your dog could suffer serious injury or die in a matter of minutes if left alone in a car.

• The temperature inside a closed vehicle left in the sun can double within 12 minutes.

• At least 75% of the temperature increase in a closed vehicle occurs within 5 minutes of closing the vehicle, and at least 89% of the temperature increase occurs within 15 minutes of closing the vehicle.

• Leaving windows down more than 2 inches on an unattended vehicle will not prevent a car from reaching extreme temperatures.

• Even if the animal is revived, they can die due to severe internal organ damage.

Your dog trusts you to have their best interest at heart ALWAYS.
Please don’t risk their safety.

If you are not taking your dog inside your destination with you, PLEASE leave them at home where they are comfortable and safe.

16/08/2022

28/11/2021

Important announcement for the keepers of poultry/ birds.
New Avian Flu restrictions in place as of tomorrow- Monday 29th November;
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain

Poultry keepers must take action now to protect their flocks from bird flu this winter.

21/11/2021

As the weather gets cooler sometimes, we might notice subtle changes in our pet's behaviour. Cats in particular, don't express feeling painful in a way that we would obviously recognize. Have a read of the article below and if your cat is showing any of the behavioural signs of pain mentioned, contact us for advice;
https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/health/signs-of-pain

Worried about your cat's health? Take a look at our advice on spotting signs of pain in your cat. We offer advice on how to care for your cat.

14/11/2021

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/story/remembering-animals-second-world-war

08/11/2021

As the weather changes, none of us enjoy feeling cold. If you haven't brought your rabbits indoors yet or made plans to keep them warmer in the winter, here is some great advice; https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/outdoor-rabbits-in-cold-weather/

In the wild, rabbits live in underground warrens where the temperature does not vary much (around 10°C) between winter and summer. Pet rabbits don’t have this luxury so owners must make sure their …

31/10/2021

Helping our pets stay safe, and reducing stress as much as possible during fireworks season is crucial. Don't forget that small pets like rabbits and guinea pigs also need extra care. More information below and contact us if you need any additional advice;
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/fireworks-and-pets

Every year thousands of pets will suffer as a result of fireworks being let off. Blue Cross animal hospitals see a marked rise in pets requiring medication during these times.

25/10/2021

It's never too early to start preparing our pets for the stress caused to them by fireworks. If you haven't built a safe den for your dog already, it's easy to do; https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-care/fireworks

If your dog cowers at Catherine Wheels, is spooked by sparklers or rattled by rockets, Dogs Trust is on hand to help calm those canine quivers!

18/10/2021

As the weather gets colder, sometimes we notice subtle changes in our pet's behaviour and this may be a sign of pain. If you feel your dog is "slowing down" or you notice any changes in their behaviour, contact us as it may be osteoarthritis;
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/what-is-arthritis/identifying-signs/

Osteoarthritis affects 1 in 5 dogs, and its prevalence increases as dogs age; it is therefore very likely your dog has or will get osteoarthritis. Certain breeds are more predisposed, such as large to medium breeds; and certain lifestyles can promote its development such as hard exercise or long-ter...

11/10/2021

Does your dog really want to be touched? Have a look at this brilliant video. As humans we want to interact with our pets but our dogs don't always enjoy touch and the signs are very subtle;
https://youtu.be/-cGDYI-s-cQ

Lots of dogs tolerate being petted but don't really enjoy it. Learn to read dogs' body language signals and do a simple test to see if your dog really enjoys...

04/10/2021

Monday morning, winter on it's way...let's cheer ourselves up by sharing pictures of happy cats and by taking a look at this video on cat body language;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvsfB7sf4QU

Have you ever wondered if your cat’s trying to tell you something? Cat behaviour is subtle but their body language can tell you a lot. Cats Protection behavi...

27/09/2021

If you have ever experienced loneliness, you will understand how awful it is. Did you know that without the company of their own species rabbits are lonely? Some great advice on pairing up rabbits with the company they crave below; https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/bonding-rabbits/

Every rabbit needs a friend. Rabbits evolved to live in groups, never alone. Keeping a single rabbit deprives your pet of one of his most fundamental requirements; the company of its own kind.…

20/09/2021

We all agree that dogs are amazing but do you understand what your dog is trying to say to you?
Have a look at this;
https://youtu.be/bstvG_SUzMo

Bite prevention starts with understand what a dog is trying to say! Please help us spread the word!!If you're a trainer, a vet, a breeder or you work for a r...

16/09/2021

RECOGNISING SIGNS OF PAIN IN CATS
Did you know that in the wild cats would hide signs of pain as it made them more vulnerable to predators? Like their wild ancestors, our domestic cats often tend to hide pain, making it easy to miss. However, there are some key clues to look out for and our Therapy Centre has put together a useful summary to help pet owners.
To download a copy, visit: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/popular-downloads/

13/09/2021

With recent events the benefits of vaccination for protecting human health have come to the forefront of our minds.
Pet's also need their annual vaccinations and full health check to help us ensure they are healthy and protected from horrible diseases.
If your pet hasn't seen a vet in the last 12 months, contact us.
We also offer our clients the opportunity to join our Pet Health Club: https://www.best-friends.co.uk/pet-health-club/

Pet Health Club PET HEALTH CLUB Best Friends Veterinary Surgery has its own Pet Health Club with multiple benefits for owner and pet alike: A simple fixed easy monthly payment by direct debit from as little as £6.95 per month covers all your pet’s routine health care for the year including annual...

06/09/2021

Do you know what your cat is saying to you? Did you know that if they roll on their backs this is a sign of greeting and trust and not an invitation for a tummy rub? We would love to see pictures of your happy cats 😊https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cat-behaviour/cat-body-language

You can help to better understand your cats need by getting to know cat body language. Although cats are subtle, they do communicate their needs

30/08/2021

Did you know that sniffing is really important to your dog's wellbeing? Their daily sniff routine can help them identify what’s happening in their environment as well as lowering their stress levels. Let's celebrate the bank holiday weekend with pictures of your dogs sniffing 😊

23/08/2021

Getting your rabbit's diet and exercise right is important for their health and welfare, and for preventing obesity. Take a look at the dietary advice below;
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-diet/rabbit-diet-obesity-commercial-food-treats/

Does my bun look big in this? Obesity is a huge problem in pet rabbits. Two of the main causes are not enough exercise and poor diet. Whether they live indoors or out, they must have enough ro…

16/08/2021

Our pets are part of our family and we understand how worrying it is if they are unwell. We have excellent on site diagnositics such as xray facilities,in house lab and ultrasound to ensure we can offer diagnosis and treatment for many conditions quickly.
We also have access to specialist vets and referral services should your pet need them.
https://www.best-friends.co.uk/facilities/

Facilities FACILITIES As well has having highly trained and dedicated professional, caring staff the practice also has superb facilities for looking after your best friend. Designed by a team of specialist veterinary architects, the practice has been purpose built with the welfare of our patients in...

09/08/2021

Unfortunately wet, warm weather is perfect for slugs and snails, and these slimy critters are the intermediate host for passing lungworm to your dog. Simply eating grass or playing with toys with a slug or snail slime trail on can lead to infection. Thankfully this dangerous parasite is easily controlled. Contact us to ensure your dog is up to date with their parasite protection.
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/lungworm-advice-dog-owners

Dog owners all over the UK should be aware of lungworm, a potentially fatal condition. Dogs get lungworm by eating larvae found in infected snails, slugs or frogs. They can also accidentally eat infected tiny slugs if they are on a toy or their fur.

02/08/2021

Kennel cough is highly contagious and really unpleasant for your dog so please be alert to any symptoms. It is also highly contagious so infected dogs need keeping away from other dogs.
Please contact us by phone for advice if your pet seems unwell, and for prevention ask us about vaccination.
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/kennel-cough

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection in dogs caused by various bacteria and viruses. For healthy adult dogs, it is not normally dangerous and is likely to need no treatment at all.

25/07/2021

It's about to get stormy and for some dogs this can get as distressing as fireworks. If you know thunder is going to scare your pets, then it's worth getting that safe hiding place ready just in case; https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/dogs-and-thunderstorms

Find out how to keep dogs calm during thunderstorms and how to help them overcome storm anxiety.

22/07/2021

We have an elderly black cat found on Richmond road. If you’ve lost your cat please get in touch with us

19/07/2021

We all know how important it is to be really careful with our dogs in the hot weather but what about helping our feline friends stay cool? Here's some great tips. Enjoy the sunshine but stay safe 😎
https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/cats-and-warm-weather

Although many cats love to soak in the sunshine in warm weather, you should make sure that you keep your cat safe from the sun. Find out more.

12/07/2021

It's that time of year where our dogs have great fun running through the long grass, however beware grass seeds! They have potential to cause great pain to your dog as they get trapped in fur and can also burrow under the skin requiring veterinary intervention. Check dogs carefully after walks, especially around the paws and ears.

05/07/2021

A good diet is so important for keeping rabbits physically healthy as well as mentally stimulated. They need a diet based on 85% grass or hay, 10% greens and 5% good quality nuggets.

A good diet is the cornerstone of a rabbit’s health. A good diet is the basis of everything. It keeps rabbits healthy and can also help to prevent boredom. As a general rule, rabbits need a diet ba…

29/06/2021

Are you watching the Euros with your pets tonight? Send us some pics 🐩🦮🐈🐹🐰

28/06/2021

As all cat lovers know, you never really own a cat as they do as they please 🥰 However, should they get lost or stolen your best chance of them being traced back to you is via a microchip. Contact us for more information;
https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/neutering-and-vaccinations/microchipping-your-cat

Should I microchip my cat? If you’re wondering whether to book in to get your cat microchipped, take a look at our guide.

21/06/2021

Owning a pet is such a wonderful privilege and we all know we cannot put a price on the pleasure their companionship gives us. However, when the unexpected happens having pet insurance can really help.
We do everything we can to help make insurance simple, and it is so important for peace pf mind should a beloved pet fall ill or have an accident. Please contact us if you have any questions.

16/06/2021

⚠ CAT FOOD RECALL | An outbreak of a rare condition that causes severe illness in cats has led to a voluntary recall of multiple brands of cat food ➡ http://whi.ch/CatFoodRecall

Fold Hill Foods is voluntarily recalling a number of its hypoallergenic cat food products, from brands including Sainsbury’s, AVA and Applaws, over a possible link to an outbreak of a potentially fatal cat condition, feline pancytopenia.