Derwent Valley Vets

18/08/2024

We have a new sign in our waiting room.

Our waiting room is (and has always been) divided into a “Cat Side” and a “Dog Side” as demarcated by images on the seat cushions. The reason for the cat end is that for some cats a trip to the vets can be stressful. Cats tend not to go out in the car for a drive with their owner or for a trip to the park like our canine friends so when the cat carrier comes out the nerves start to kick in for some of our feline patients.

Many cats are also not used to dogs in their home environment.
Having separate waiting areas for both means that dogs, who are naturally inquisitive and quite often want to say hello to fellow patients, do not add to the stress of a vet visit for our feline friends.

Part of our Silver ISFM cat friendly award involves us using measures such as providing a waiting place where our feline friends can chill out without risk of disturbance as a way of reducing their stress. Our new sign just helps make it more obvious which end is which.

Why does our sign say Dog Free Zone, rather than Cat Zone?
The cat side is usually quieter, so we advise that rabbits and guinea pigs also use this area

Please understand that the sign does NOT mean that we do not love ❤ all of our doggy patients or that we consider them second class citizens. The good news for them is that they are at the end nearest the reception desk and therefore closest to the cuddles ❤ and treat jars🥓🍖!!!!

18/08/2024

It’s that time of year when grass awns and seeds can become a problem 🌾
Awns can enter a pet’s body through the nose, mouth, ears or by puncturing the skin causing severe irritation and discomfort 🌾
Symptoms include head shaking, weepy eyes, squinting, sneezing, licking feet, lameness and swelling between the toes 🌾
Here are a few ideas of how to stop grass seeds in their tracks 🚦
• Avoid walking your dog in field crops and long grass.
• Keep them on a lead so that you have control over where they are able to explore.
• Consider getting their coat trimmed and keep the fur between the toes short.
• After each walk, check your dog all over for seeds and groom them out. This is important as they can get embedded in the coat or skin.
• Check ear flaps, armpits, groin, under the paws and between each toe and check there are no seeds in the mouth (if the pet will allow you to do this).
We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and have lots of fun adventures with your dog 🐾

12/08/2024

Today is my first day back after 7 weeks away from work. For once I have been on the other side of the operating table having a brand new hip put in place 🦴🦵
Being the patient for a change, and seeing the effect that had on my nearest and dearest, reminded me how worrying operations can be for loved ones. As vets we do operations daily but for pet owners they are thankfully rare occurrences. Together with our amazing team of nurses and receptionists we aim to support you through the times when you are worried or anxious concerning your pet's procedure. Please always ask if there is anything you need explaining further. No question is ever a silly question and we are always keen to help put your mind at rest. I had a wonderful surgical team and a surgeon who I can't thank enough but I still went to every consultation and meeting with a list of questions.
As well as our amazing NHS 💙 I also need to thank the team at Derwent Valley Vets 💙 for their support, best wishes and keeping the practice on an even keel despite being a man down for such an extended period. They are a brilliant bunch of people 💙💙💙
Rebecka

08/08/2024

Happy international cat day to all of our feline friends! 🐱

29/07/2024

Sorry folks, the gremlins in our phone system are playing up again today. They are working but intermittently. Please bear with us while we try and get it sorted. For non urgent enquiries we do have PetsApp but if you have a medical emergency and can't get through on the phone, come straight down to the clinic.
Thank you all for your patience.

27/07/2024

We are having on and off issues with our phone lines today. If you have a concern or need to collect an order, please come straight down. We’re here until 3pm today.

19/07/2024

We are currently having a problem with our phones and computer system. We apologise for the inconvenience. If you have an emergency then please come straight down and we will accommodate you.

18/07/2024

🐈 It’s our Cat Clinic on Thursday July 25th 🐈
Between 8am and 3pm, we aim to have a quieter practice to make your cats visit a bit less of a worry.
The Cat Clinic is an ideal day to book your cat in for microchipping, neutering or any routine appointment.
Rabbits and Guinea pigs are welcome too.
Please call us on 01629 55666 if you would like to book an appointment 🐾

11/07/2024

Some information for any of our poultry owning clients on new changes regarding registration of birds now being mandatory for even a single bird from the 1st of October 2024.

Do you keep poultry? Defra has confirmed that the threshold for mandatory registration on the GB Poultry Register will be reduced from 50 birds to 1, and all poultry keepers will need to review their entry every year. The deadline is 1 Oct 2024. https://ow.ly/rJQs50SsUIm

05/07/2024

We’d like to introduce you all to a special somebody…

Meet our lovely Lenny! 💙

He was found locally with a nasty collar injury but has since responded extremely well to treatment. He is well on his way to making a remarkable recovery.

Sadly, he had no microchip and nobody has come forward for him. So we’re tentatively looking for somewhere he can call home.

He’s a young adult, he has a lovely temperament and has really come out of his shell since spending time with us. We’re ideally looking for a rural home that allows him the opportunity to continue to enjoy the great outdoors, but with a loving home and owner he can come back too. We think he’s spent a significant amount of time sleeping rough and fending for himself, so we’d like to move him on to somewhere safe, but attentive.

If you think you’d be able to give Lenny a wonderful home, please contact the practice on 01629 55666.

02/07/2024

💊 Did you know that your pet’s medication can potentially have a negative impact on our ecosystems?
Help us become a more sustainable practice and make your home as safe as possible for yourselves and other family members by bringing back your unused medications for us to dispose of correctly.
This can include:
• Empty medication bottles
• Partially used medications
• Out of date medications
• Unused medications
Please note that we are unable to provide refunds for returned medicines (this includes unused items), as we are unable to re-stock medicines once they have left the practice.
Thank you 🐾

28/06/2024

🐰 It’s Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰
Annual vaccinations are essential to protect your rabbits against the deadly diseases, Myxomatosis, RVHD1 and RVHD2 (Rabbit Viral Haemorragic Disease).
This single dose vaccine can be given from 5 weeks of age 🥦
The Rabbit Awareness Action Group have lots of useful info on their website.

27/06/2024

🐰 It’s Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰
To prevent unwanted litters, neutering is recommended. Male rabbits can be castrated from 10-12 weeks of age and females from 16-20 weeks. A discussion with your veterinary practice is advised to make sure the timing is right and to talk you through the procedure 🥦
The Rabbit Awareness Action Group has lots of useful information on their website

27/06/2024

We’ve had an entire, adult male, tabby and white cat brought into us. He is injured, but he’s safe and receiving relevant treatment. He was found near Painters Way in Two Dales. If you believe he could belong to you, please contact us with proof of ownership on 01629 55666 🐱

26/06/2024

🐰 It’s Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰
Rabbits are herbivores and need a plant based diet with lots of fibre. An easy way to do this is to offer unlimited access to good quality feeding hay or fresh grass.
Museli type diets aren’t recommended, feeding a small proportion of nuggets with fresh rabbit friendly greens, fresh clean water and lots of hay (90% of their diet) will keep their teeth and guts happy 😊.
There’s lots of information on the Rabbit Awareness Action Group’s website, take a 👀

25/06/2024

🐰 It’s Rabbit Awareness Week🐰
Rabbits are social animals. In the wild they live in colonies of between 10-50 rabbits so companionship is important.
Suitable groups or a bonded pair is ideal but remember to get them neutered to prevent unwanted litters 🐇
The Rabbit Awareness Action Group has lots of information on how to introduce new rabbits and top tips for successful bunny bonding 🥦

24/06/2024

🐰 It’s Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰
Did you know the minimum recommended space for a pair of bonded rabbits is 3m x 2m x 1m high?
You can use tunnels and platforms to make the area more interesting and don’t forget to include hiding places 🥦
There’s lots of useful information on the Rabbit Awareness Action Group’s website 🥕

23/06/2024

On this beautiful sunny day a little reminder not to leave your dog in a parked car even with the windows cracked. Unfortunately all of our vets have treated dogs suffering heat stroke and not all of our patients with this condition recover.
The video below is quite a powerful reminder of how hot it can get in a parked car even with the windows partially open. It is never worth the risk 🥵
(See our previous post from the 2nd of May for more information on recognising and preventing heat stroke)

http://drernieward.comVeterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward stays in a parked car on a summer day to see how dangerous it is to leave a pet inside a car. The car reach...

17/06/2024

We want to wish our beautiful vet Lizzie and her new husband Matt "Many Congratulations" on their wedding this weekend. We all had a fabulous time celebrating with them both and we wish them all the best for their future together 💕.
We may be biased but we have never seen such a beautiful bride 😍
The rest of us managed to find some clothes that are not covered in hair for once and didn't scrub up too badly either 🤣🤣🤣
CONGRATULATIONS LIZZIE AND MATT 🎊

14/06/2024

😻 Our next Cat Clinic is July 25th 😻
Between 8am and 3pm we aim to have a quieter practice with 🐶 appointments booked from 3pm.
Guinea pigs & rabbits are welcome too.
Please call us on 01629 55666 if you would like to arrange an appointment 🐾

14/06/2024

A little SNEAKY PEEK 👀
Our new extension is 90% finished! Just outside to tidy up and new Kennels to be installed but we are starting to use the new theatres from next week and we are super excited about it!
Our team have been so patient during the building work and have tolerated working round sometimes more challenging situations during the last year. We are so grateful to them all.
We also want to say a huge Thank you to Jim and Martin Hurst for all their hard work and dedication to detail that has got us to this point. They have worked tirelessly around their day jobs to project manage and do most of the leg work on this build and we are super grateful 💙
When we are all settled in we will hold an open day for anyone who is interested in having a closer look. We are so proud of this new space that means we can continue to ensure your pets are looked after in the best way possible 💙

12/06/2024

We are closing at 7pm tomorrow (Thursday) rather than 9pm.
Please come in before 6:30pm if you need to collect any prescriptions or food 🐾

10/06/2024

Our popular First Aid Evening is back and we have just one space left available!

Phone us on 01629 55666 to claim your space for an evening of Canine First Aid and learn how to support your dog in a range of emergencies!

Participants will be getting hands on with a variety of activities, including bandaging different types of wounds and transporting collapsed pets.

The evening will take place on the 17th of July at 7pm and is exclusive to clients of Derwent Valley Vets. Places cost £30 which includes your very own first aid kit to take home and a variety of snacks!

04/06/2024

A massive CONGRATULATIONS 🍾🥂🎉 to Meg who has just passed her Veterinary Nursing Qualification and is now no longer a student nurse but a fully fledged Veterinary Nurse (VN).
Meg works so hard at everything she does that it was never in any doubt that she would pass with flying colours.
We are all so proud of her ❤️
WELL DONE MEG. YOU ARE A SUPERSTAR ⭐️

01/06/2024

🐶 It’s National Microchipping Month 😻
Every year thousands of pets go missing. Collars can fall off, break or be removed. Microchipping is the best way to ensure that you and your pet are reunited.
If you move house or change your telephone number, remember to contact the database company your pet is registered with to update your details. It’s easy to forget to do this but it’s really important. Pet owners are responsible for keeping this information up to date.
Legally, dogs in the UK must be microchipped before they’re 8 weeks old.
It is the dog breeder’s responsibility to ensure puppies are microchipped before selling them, so if you’re buying a puppy, make sure they’re chipped before taking them home.
From 10th June 2024, it will be a legal requirement in England to have your cat microchipped before 20 weeks of age. The ideal time to do this is when they’re being neutered.
Implanting a microchip is straightforward and doesn’t take long.
Please call us on 01629 55666 to book an appointment with one of our nursing team.

30/05/2024

It’s our Cat Clinic today from 8am to 3pm 😻
During these times, could dog owners please wait outside and call us on 01629 55666 🐾

28/05/2024

We will be closing at 7pm this evening, sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. You’re still able to speak to one of our team over the phone should you require advice. If you require urgent veterinary treatment, please phone our out of hours provider, VetsNow at Clay Cross, on 01246 930562.

24/05/2024

Unfortunately this morning we have had an adult, ginger entire male cat brought in to the practice (no microchip). Sadly deceased, found near Asker Lane. Please phone the practice is you think he may be yours.

20/05/2024

☀️ May Bank Holiday Opening Hours ☀️
Saturday 25th - 8am until 3pm
Sunday 26th - Closed
Monday 27th - Closed
Tuesday 28th - Normal opening hours resume

15/05/2024

😻 Our next Cat Clinic is May 30th.
😻 Between 8am and 3pm we aim to have a quieter clinic, we hope this will make your vet visit a bit less stressful.
😻 Please call us on 01629 55666 if you’d like to make an appointment.