Ash Tree Veterinary Centre

25/11/2024

Wanted… Additional Receptionist to join our fabulous front of house team Our popular practice is continuing to grow and we’re looking for an additional person to join our front of house team. Suitable candidates must ideally possess: Previous veterinary reception experience An infectiously posit...

25/11/2024

Are you a veterinary receptionist? New year new start? We are recruiting a new team member for 2025. Come and join our busy and thriving independent small animal practice!

Wanted… Additional Receptionist to join our fabulous front of house team Our popular practice is continuing to grow and we’re looking for an additional person to join our front of house team. Suitable candidates must ideally possess: Previous veterinary reception experience An infectiously posit...

11/10/2024

5th November is nearly upon us, and we all know fireworks can be unpredictable around this time of year, as well as very stressful and scary for our pets. Its important we take appropriate steps to help keep our pets calm and safe throughout fireworks, so here are some helpful tips:

PLAN AHEAD
Its never too early to start desensitising your pet to the sounds of fireworks. Ask Alexa, or check out the Dogs Trust download "Sounds Scary": www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/sound-therapy-for-pets

💥By gradually introducing them to sounds at lower levels, over a period of time we can increase the volume while they are in a relaxed state, so they become less stressed. Lower the volume if they become anxious.

💥Use a plug in diffuser a few weeks prior to fireworks starting. These can help to release a relaxing pheromone. Alternatively, there are also sprays containing Valerian which you can spray directly onto collars or bedding. Our team is always here to help choose the products which will benefit your pet the most.

💥Make sure your pets are microchipped- spooked pets can run away.

💥Get cats used to spending more time inside on an evening and ensure dogs are having their evening walks earlier, shorter or at a different time of day. Get used to closing all windows, curtains and blinds and provide a safe, comfortable space for your pet.

💥Provide a distraction- try playing music or turning the TV on to drown out loud noises. In addition, provide them with mentally stimulating toys/treats such as a stuffed Kong, Licky mat and chews etc to help keep them occupied.

💥Stay calm yourself. Act relaxed and behave as normal. Dogs and cats very quickly pick up on your anxiety or strange behaviour and don't like to be watched!

💥If your pet comes to your for cuddles, then this is fine to comfort them. Fear is an emotion and is unlikely to "reinforce" the fear next time. So if they want cuddles, cuddle them!

💥Stay at home- Don't leave them alone if they are fearful.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Sometimes dogs get comfort and can feel safe from feeling as if being hugged. Ask at reception if you would be interested in a Thunder shirt for your pet.

For moderate cases, we can add in stronger prescription anti-anxiety medication . This can only be given under Veterinary supervision and your pet will require a health check before we can dispense these.

Please contact us, if you require any further information.

10/10/2024

***Road Closure***

If you are coming to see us from the Kentford/Bury St Edmunds way, the road is currently closed just prior to our turning for emergency tree work. You will need to take a short diversion through Moulton.

*****Update*****
Road now open as normal.

03/10/2024

💚 Otis was such a good boy when he was with us recently to remove an infected nail!

30/09/2024

Yes I'm lying in my litter tray, yes its comfy, and yes you can keep feeding me licki lix, and no I wont be moving 💚

Remy was certainly making the most of her stay with us when she was in recently to be spayed!

27/09/2024

WHY ANIMAL PAIN AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT

💚 It reminds us to look out for subtle changes in our pets behaviour. Unfortunately they cannot speak to us to let us know when something is troubling them. That's why it is important to learn the signs.

💚 Proper pain management now helps reduce risks later. It can save them from a serious illness or other irreversible issue.

💚 It highlights the need for having a great Vet. Its important to establish a relationship with your Vet for annual check-ups. Should an issue arise, you will know exactly whom to call.

25/09/2024

This is the lovely Monty 💚 Anyone guess what breed he is?

23/09/2024

HOW CAN WE TELL IF OUR CATS ARE IN PAIN?

Cats are very good at hiding pain, its part of their survival strategy- whether this be acute trauma /illness or chronic pain due to long term health issues such as arthritis or dental disease. This can make it extremely challenging to assess for pain, meaning they may suffer in silence. Behaviour problems can also occur due to pain, which can affect a cat's quality of life, the bond between a cat and their owner and the effectiveness of Veterinary care.

BEHAVIOUR SIGNS OF A CAT IN PAIN:

*Reduced appetite.
*Lethargy.
*Decreased interest in positive things like playing, social interaction and exploring
outside.
*Being withdrawn and hiding away.
*Appearing lame and experiencing increased sensitivity to touch in specific areas of
their body.
*Reduction in movement and activity.
*Changes in behavioural patterns. For example, your cat may start to avoid doing
things that they either know or think will cause them pain. They may no longer
jump up onto beds or other raised surfaces due to the expectation that this will
hurt.
*Poor mood and temperament; increased irritability.
*Vocalisation e.g. frequent unpleasant or urgent sounding meowing, groaning,
hissing, growling.
*When in pain, your cat may actively or passively avoid being handled by either
moving away from people or behaving aggressively when approached or touched.
*Decreased grooming in general or increased grooming but to a particular area
(potentially leading to bald patches and/or sore skin).

BODY LANGUAGE SIGNS OF A CAT IN PAIN

A cat in pain may display either gradual or sudden changes in posture, body language and behaviour. This can include more tension in their body, crouching and hunching, or lowering of the head.

FACIAL EXPRESSION SIGNS OF A CAT IN PAIN

Some cats may show an obvious change in their facial expression when in pain, while with others it may be more subtle for example:

Your cat may squint or close their eyes.
Their ears may appear slightly flattened or pressed to the sides.
Their mouth, nose and cheeks may appear tenser and more compressed.
Some cats may be less obvious about displaying signs that they’re in pain and may display some but not all of them.

Do not fear though, there are tools that we AND cat owners can use to assess cats for pain. We can use pain scoring charts that are designed to measure pain in cats according to any subtle changes in their facial expressions.

This pain scoring scoring technique does not involve touching the cat in any way, which is ideal for cats who are anxious or painful and may be reactive.

21/09/2024

💚 DID YOU KNOW?

Cats have around 24 whiskers on their face. They cannot focus on anything closer than 30cm, so rely on their whiskers to navigate the world directly in front of them.

Cat whiskers are thick, long hairs attached to nerve endings and muscles, which allows cats to move them. The tips act as sensors, helping your cat to understand the world around them.

19/09/2024

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACUTE PAIN AND CHRONIC PAIN?

ACUTE PAIN has an obvious cause and short duration. It is an survival strategy to protect the body from harm. It is self-limiting and is provoked by a specific disease or injury and serves a biological purpose- to keep us alive!

CHRONIC PAIN is not just acute pain that lasts a long time. its often defined as pain that persists beyond the time of healing (12 weeks or more) and is maladaptive in form i.e. serves no purpose and is not remotely useful to the patient.

Chronic pain causes:
* Reduction in sleep and quality- causing further pain
* Alteration of posture and strain on musculoskeletal structures- causing further pain
* Alter mood and behaviour, altering the mechanisms by which the patient can cope
- causing further pain

Why does Chronic pain exist?
The mechanisms are the same for acute pain i.e. keeping the body alive and functioning, however chronic pain is in essence a side effect of that life saver. Its tiresome, depressing and debilitating.

It is often under recognised and a lot harder to assess. With chronic pain there are changes that occur in the brain and spinal cord causing a 'wind-up' or breakthrough pain.

Chronic pain send constant signals to the spinal cord (they would usually be suppressed here with acute pain) but they can become irritated to the point they become hyperexcitable. This can then fire signals to the brain (known as CENTRAL SENSITIZATION). If left untreated, changes occur in the brain which suppresses the bodies ability to deal with pain. This can cause ALLODYNIA (Pain due to a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain) or HYPERALGESIA (a symptom where you feel pain in situations where feeling it is normal but the pain is much more severe)

17/09/2024

Post anaesthetic cuddles feel so good! 💚

16/09/2024

5 STEPS TO A PAIN FREE PET

1. Keep an eye on their behaviour. Most often, behavioural changes are the most obvious sign that your pet may be in some sort of distress.

2. Use caution when your pet is in pain. Even the most loving animal can lash out when in pain, so make sure to use caution if you suspect something is up with your pet.

3. Pill popping isn't the only solution. While your pet may need some sort of medication, there are other avenues such as acupuncture, laser therapy, physical therapy and weight management.

4. Your Vet can always check for pain. As part of a routine visit, your vet will check for any indications of discomfort.

5. There are some easy ways to minimise pain. As a pet parent, it's your responsibility to keep an eye on your pets' dental hygiene and weight. Proper nutrition and exercise go a long way.

13/09/2024

Solly here wishes everyone a very happy weekend! 💚

12/09/2024

We have had a small breed stray dog brought into the practice today. If you believe they may be yours please contact the practice on 01638 554477.

12/09/2024

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month. Animals suffer from pain just like people do. Pain comes in many forms; Surgical pain, Arthritis, cancer pain just to name a few.

Acute pain is obvious and distressing. Chronic pain can be subtle and masked as 'getting old' or 'slowing down'. Old age is not a disease, but pain is!

There are many options to treat the various causes of pain in animals including pain medication, laser therapy, acupuncture, physical rehabilitation and massage.

Watch out for posts throughout september. Our goal is to help you learn about your pets health and well-being when it comes to pain management, be it acute or chronic. This can greatly improve a pets quality of life.

10/09/2024

Hugo was much more interested in playing with toys than being bothered by the fact he has just been castrated!

06/09/2024

Isn't Sky adorable? 💚