Derwent Valley Vets

24/04/2025

Reminder - this Sunday is the annual Cromford Mills Dog Show. A great family day out supporting an important local cause. Good weather is forecast and our team will be there with freebies and all things dog related. There is still time to register your four legged friend in one of the classes. Come along and join in the fun 🐕🐶🐕‍🦺🐩🦮🏆

Cromford Mills Dog Show 🐶 is THIS SUNDAY! Don't forget to get your dog registered! https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/cm-events/cromford-mill-dog-show/?occurrence=2025-04-27

20/04/2025

Happy Easter from Derwent Valley Vets! 🐥🐰

As always, remember to keep those Easter treats (especially chocolate) and flowers out of reach from your pets🍫🍇

14/04/2025

🐰 Easter Opening Hours 🐰

Friday 18th: Closed
Saturday 19th: Open from 8AM to 3PM
Sunday 20th: Closed
Monday 21st: Closed

When we are closed, our phones will be diverted to our “on call” vet, who can provide you with urgent veterinary advice. If you experience an emergency, please call our Out of Hours provider at:

VetsNow Chesterfield - 01246 930562.

07/04/2025

🦷 Do These Teeth Look Healthy? Think Again! 🦷

To the untrained eye, these teeth might look pristine with their pearly white shine!

But after a closer examination with one of our experienced vets, we can see that there is some mild gum recession and a quick dental x-ray revealed bone loss around the tooth roots! 🚨

🦷What's the problem with bone loss?

Bone loss around the tooth roots in dogs is a sign of periodontal disease which can lead to:

Tooth mobility and loss - When the bone supporting the teeth is compromised, they can become loose and may eventually fall out.

Chronic pain - The inflammation and infection from periodontal disease can lead to persistent pain.

Increased risk of systemic infections - Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, spreading to other organs and potentially causing issues with the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Other complications - In severe cases, periodontal disease can result in oronasal fistulas (openings between the mouth and nasal cavity), jaw fractures, and abscesses.

07/04/2025

Unfortunately we have had a deceased, unchipped, female, all black domestic shorthair brought into the practice this afternoon. If you think she may be yours please give the practice a call.

02/04/2025

🐾 Derwent Valley Vets Vaccine Amnesty 🐾

Are your dog's vaccinations overdue? We’ve got you covered! For a limited time, Derwent Valley Vets is offering a Vaccine Amnesty—you can restart your dog’s vaccination course for the price of a regular booster!

✅ Why Vaccinate?

Vaccinations are crucial to protect your dog from serious, potentially fatal diseases like Parvovirus, Leptospirosis (which can affect humans too!), Hepatitis, and Distemper.

✅ Why are Boosters Necessary?

Initial puppy vaccinations provide short-term immunity, but boosters "top up" that protection. Leptospirosis needs annual boosters, while Parvovirus, Distemper, and Hepatitis need boosters every 3 years.

❓ What about Titre Testing?

Titre testing (a blood test) can measure immunity levels for Parvovirus, Distemper, and Hepatitis—but not Leptospirosis. Annual Leptospirosis boosters are still recommended.

📅 Book your appointment now or reach out with any questions. Let’s keep your pet happy and healthy! 🐶❤️

28/03/2025

Earlier today we had a black, entire male, cat, brought in to us. Sadly he was deceased and it’s believed that he may have been hit by a car. He was found near the Fish Bar in Darley Dale. He has no microchip. If you think this chap could belong to to you, please contact the practice on 01629 55666 💙

26/03/2025

Watch Out Wednesday: Spring Bulbs & Your Pets 🌸

This week, we’re focusing on Spring bulbs and their potential risks to pets. Many pet owners ask about the safety of daffodils (Narcissus species), and while most cases of ingestion result in mild symptoms, they can sometimes cause serious effects.

All parts of the daffodil plant contain alkaloids and glycosides, with the highest concentrations found in the bulb. The bulb also contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are a mechanical irritant that may facilitate the entry of other irritant substances and allergens into tissues. Contact with the sap can also cause itching or redness in your pet’s skin.

🌸 Signs to watch for if your pet ingests a toxic plant:

🌱 Vomiting or diarrhoea
🌱 Lethargy
🌱 Fever or hypothermia
🌱 Dehydration
🌱 Skin irritation

⚠️ Other Spring Bulbs:

- Grape Hyacinth, Tulip, and Primrose are considered low toxicity, usually causing only mild gastrointestinal upset.
- Spring Crocus is also low in toxicity, but keep an eye out for the Autumn Crocus (Colchicum), which is highly toxic!

If you suspect your pet has ingested a harmful plant, don’t hesitate to contact us.

25/03/2025

🎉 Great News! 🎉

Derwent Valley Vets is now OFFICIALLY dog friendly!!!!!

We know that most of you already know we love 🩵🩵🩵 our canine friends but we have just been awarded a NEW accreditation, which has only recently been brought out by the Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association.

This new award helps veterinary practices, in conjunction with dog owners, create a positive and stress-free veterinary practice experience for your pets

We will be sharing some of the steps we have taken to gain this accreditation and some tips to make a trip to the vets stress-free, over the coming weeks.

We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to our fabulous Veterinary Nurse Amber for all her hard work enrolling us on this scheme and making sure we are doing everything just right. Her dedication and commitment to being “Dog Friendly” means that Derwent Valley Vets can proudly say we are doing everything we can to make a trip to the vets as enjoyable for our four legged friends as possible 🐾

24/03/2025

Derwent Valley Vets are once again helping out at Cromford Mills Dog Show at the end of April. Registrations are now open.

20/03/2025

🐾 Happy World Oral Health Day! 🐾

Looking for a simple way to improve your pet's dental health? 🦷✨

We know that brushing your pet's teeth is the gold standard for oral health, but the Hill’s Multibenefit + Dental Diet is also a great way to support your pet’s dental care 🐶🐱

With larger kibbles and unique mono-directional fibre technology, these kibble pieces gently scrub your pet’s teeth as they chew! 🪥

This diet isn’t just about keeping teeth clean—it’s packed with 5 essential health benefits for your furry friend:

🦷 Dental Health: Clinically proven kibble technology that reduces plaque & tartar build-up, keeping teeth and gums healthy.

🍽️ Digestion: An optimal fibre blend, including prebiotics, for a happy, healthy digestive system.

🌟 Skin & Coat: Omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny, healthy coat and smooth skin.

⚖️ Weight Management: Supports optimal body weight with the right levels of L-carnitine and high fibre.

🛡️ Immunity: Packed with antioxidants to help support natural defences.

If you want to give your pet’s dental health a boost, stop by our practice today and ask about Hill’s Multibenefit + Dental Diet! 🐕🐈

19/03/2025

🚨 Watch Out Wednesday! 🚨

This week, we're shining a spotlight on Inhalers—a common tool used by many in the UK to help manage asthma symptoms.

Inhalers typically contain either a steroid or a drug that helps open the airways. Some contain both! So, what happens if your dog chews or punctures an asthma inhaler?

⚠️ What You Need to Know:

1️⃣ Pressurised Containers = Burns
Puncturing an inhaler can release pressurised gas that could cause a "frost-bite" burn in your dog’s mouth. Keep an eye out for soreness, redness, drooling, difficulty eating, or breathing, and any signs of discomfort in the next 24 hours.

2️⃣ Salbutamol Inhalers (Blue) = Poisoning Risk
If your dog bites a Salbutamol Inhaler, you may notice vomiting, lethargy, panting, restlessness, shaking, or even an irregular heartbeat. Serious symptoms could include wobbly movements, weakness, and changes in heart rate.

❗️Please contact us urgently if you think that your pet has gained access to either type of inhaler❗️

👉 Tip: Be careful if your inhaler is kept in your handbag – this is a common place for a dog to find one and always be wary of inhalers discarded outside (e.g. in parks).

18/03/2025

We are currently experiencing difficulties with our phones, if you have a genuine emergency please head straight to the practice.

For general enquiries, please head to PetsApp and we will get back to you as soon as possible! 🐶🐱

18/03/2025

⚠️ Important Notice ⚠️

Our practice will be CLOSED tomorrow between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM for staff training. During this time, phone calls will be directed to our duty vet, and we will still be available for any emergency situations.

We kindly ask that you plan to collect any medications before or after this time.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding!

Thankyou 🐾

14/03/2025

We’ve had a young, female, black and white, cat, brought in to us this morning. She was found sheltering in an outbuilding near Matlock Green. If you believe she could belong to you, please call the practice on 01629 55666.

12/03/2025

🌟 Watch Out Wednesday! 🌟

Today's watch out wednesday is all about... Mould! 🦠

Mouldy foods and plant material, including compost, may contain dangerous toxins called tremorgenic mycotoxins, which are harmful to our pets. Dogs and cats that rummage through the bin or munch on mouldy food and plants are particularly at risk.

Signs of poisoning include:
❌ Vomiting
❌ Wobbliness
❌ Tremors or shaking
❌ Agitation & hyperactivity
❌ High body temperature & panting
❌ Convulsions (seizures) in severe cases

How to prevent exposure:
❗️Don’t feed your pet leftover or mouldy food.
❗️Dispose of unwanted, mouldy food promptly and safely.
❗️Store rubbish bags securely and keep bins tightly closed.
❗️Watch out on your walks for discarded food.

08/03/2025

This morning we’ve had a neutered male, domestic long haired, tabby and white cat, brought in to us at the practice. He was found near Hurst Rise in Matlock. If you believe he could belong to you, please contact us as soon as possible on 01629 55666.

05/03/2025

🌟 Watch Out Wednesdays! 🌟

March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month, and we’re kicking it off with a new weekly series – Watch Out Wednesdays! Every Wednesday in March, we’ll be highlighting a common household poison that can put our pets at risk.

🐾 First up: Vitamin D3! 🐾

Vitamin D is essential for healthy teeth, bones, and muscles. It is often promoted as a supplement for human health, especially during the winter months. However, accidental ingestion of a large number of vitamin D tablets can cause serious harm to your furry friends.

Symptoms of vitamin D poisoning include:

- Vomiting & diarrhoea
- Increased thirst
- Muscle spasms & convulsions
- Kidney failure
- Changes in heart rhythm

We recommend keeping all supplements out of paws reach, stay tuned every Wednesday for more tips on keeping your pets safe this March!