Rathfriland Veterinary Clinic

08/05/2024

**Important Information**

Due to technical issues in the clinic, our card payment and computer systems are currently down.

We are working to get them fixed ASAP. In the meantime we ask you to have your pet medication information to hand when ordering more or bring in the packet when coming to the clinic.

Also please pay by cash or cheque for appointments, medicine etc.

We thank you for your patience and cooperation at this time and hope it won't be long until we're back to normal in the office. Any issues, please call the clinic at 02840630385.

08/03/2024

Happy International Women's Day to all those wonderful women out there! A particular mention to each of the women in our team here in Rathfriland and all the hard work they do, to Rebecca, Ruth, Sharon, Emese, Nuala and Hannah, thankyou!

26/02/2024

🕶️ We know it's still February and those much needed summer holidays still feel so far away, but they'll come around faster than you think...

🐶 Are your pets vaccinations up to date? Some vaccinations need a booster before a kennel/cattery will accept your pet in through the door, so be sure to check what is needed and when, and book your slot in time.

🐱 This also applies if you're not going away this year as you don't want the vaccinations to lapse. It's better you keep on top of them and your pet will be healthier for it too.

05/02/2024

If only the cows could tell us when they'll calve and if they'll need any help - it would make our jobs a lot easier 🐄 😂

🐮🥛 F E B R U D A I R Y 🥛🐮

Farmers are on hand all the time to make sure calving problems are kept to a minimum. Sometimes checking cows in the very late or early hours because we care. Farming isn’t just a job. It’s a passion it’s part of our genetic make up.

Did you know…
A cow is pregnant for around 283days, that’s about nine months

During this time she will spend on average 60 days on holiday. This deliberate inactive period given to all dairy cows is super important so they can rest, recuperate and replenish.

Once calved the cow will join the milking herd and will naturally come bulling or on heat 30days later. This heat will occur every 18-24 days and lasts on average 14-15 hours. This change in behaviour continues until the cow is back in calf. And so completes the pregnancy cycle.

The Dairy Shorthorn is renowned for excellent fertility, easy calving and being excellent mothers. It’s one of the many benefits of the breed

11/01/2024

A dark grey tabby cat has been found on the Redbridge Road. Unfortunately he came to us already deceased. We would love to reunite him with his family. If you think this is your cat, please contact us here on 02840630385 💔

09/01/2024

Wishing Blue all the best 🐕‍🦺

🐾 Blue
🏥 Referral - Internal Medicine
🩺 Advanced Practitioner - Alison Irwin

Blue, a beautiful young Labrador retriever, was referred to NIVS following a 3 month history of inappetence, weight loss and persistently elevated liver enzymes.
On presentation Blue was underweight and had a slightly elevated temperature 🤒 Blood work confirmed marked increases in her liver enzymes and a mild increase in her bilirubin level. A hepatopathy can be due to a primary liver problem or secondary to extra hepatic disease e.g. anaemia, gastrointestinal disease etc. Screening for infectious diseases which can cause liver inflammation was negative. Tests for malabsorption (due to the weight loss) did not support this diagnosis and a rare disease, which can lead to poor body condition, called Addison’s disease was excluded by measuring Blue’s cortisol levels 🩸

An abdominal ultrasound examination did not reveal any marked abnormalities however this does not completely exclude inflammatory disease.
To investigate the cause of the elevated liver enzymes further Blue required a liver biopsy. Her blood clotting times were checked prior to surgery as the liver is responsible for producing clotting factors. In cases where liver function is a concern it is a wise precaution to ensure these times are not prolonged due to deficiency of clotting factors before considering surgery. We can sometimes supplement the dog prior to the biopsy being taken and if there is a high risk of bleeding we can have typed blood available in case a transfusion is necessary. Luckily Blue’s clotting times were normal and a feeding tube was placed (to be able to provide nutrition) at the same time as biopsies were obtained under general anaesthetic.

Blue’s liver biopsies revealed inflammation with some mild areas of fibrosis (scarring). Culture of her liver tissue and a bile sample were both negative. A separate sample was submitted for copper estimation and Blue’s level came back as being markedly elevated leading to a diagnosis of Copper associated hepatitis.

In some breeds, this disease is an inherited defect in copper metabolism however in others it is unclear whether copper accumulation is a primary or secondary condition.

Blue was started on a copper restricted diet and prescribed chelation therapy – a drug to try to remove copper from the liver. She also receives some liver support drugs, antinausea medication and appetite stimulants and will require close monitoring of her liver parameters and possible repeat liver biopsy to recheck her copper levels.
We keep fingers crossed for a good response for beautiful Blue 🤞

Thank you to our colleagues at Rathfriland Veterinary Clinic for the referral 🏥

09/11/2023

✅ Date for your diary

🐑 Sheep Health Event

📍Hilltown Sales Yard

📅 Monday 20th November

⏰ 7.30pm

13/09/2023

Back British Farmers today and every day 🐄🐑🥕🥦🥔🥛

29/08/2023

🐶Black and white collie found Barnmeen area has been handed in to the clinic. No chip unfortunately. We hope to reunite the dog with the owners asap (proof of ownership will be required).

05/04/2023

This free event is taking place tomorrow, Thursday 6th April at First Rathfriland Presbyterian Church. Be sure to book your place.

13/03/2023

by signing the Dogs Trust petition.

02/03/2023

Have you ever thought of adopting a cat from a local centre or even keeping the one that randomly showed up at your door one day? They are truly wonderful pets to have (although all the jokes about them being the boss of the house are all completely true in our experience). They bring joy to so many people, they are fiercely independent as well as loving - they'll even bring you presents to prove how much they care about you...

If you haven't thought about rescuing a cat, please do. There are so many in local shelters that get overlooked for the cute puppies and kittens. Your home can be made better with a cat in it. If you do take the step, be sure to ask the shelter or us for advice on what to do for the first while until they get used to being in their new surroundings. The last thing you want is for them to get out and not know how to get back to their new home.

Share your pics of your rescue cats below.

22/02/2023

** Update - Tabitha has been found **

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Tabitha has gone missing from Dundrum and may have got in a van. She's chipped and spayed. Please keep an eye out and let us know if you see her 🐈

20/02/2023

*UPDATE*

Returned home safe and sound

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Have you seen this cat? He's been missing for a few days from Cabra area. He has a red collar and a sore paw. He's quite wild as he's only been domesticated lately.

20/02/2023

We all love our pets, right? So we do what's best for them.

We feed them, make sure they have enough clean, fresh water, we walk them or play with them regularly (this one depends on the pet obviously), we make sure they have a clean bed, their vaccinations are up to date, we chip them, register them...

What do you mean the last ones aren't done??

When was the last time you checked the vaccination status of your pet? Or do you only look at it if you're going to be going away on holiday and need to use a kennel/cattery? What if your pet gets sick from something that is easily preventable with a jab or a tablet?

Did you know that microchipping isn't just for dogs? Cats can and should have a chip as well - it could save you a lot of heartache if they wander off, get lost, etc.

Microchipping isn't enough in itself, the chip also has to be registered with up to date information so that if we get lost pets into the clinic we can scan it and get in touch with the owner immediately.

Don't wait until your pet gets sick or lost to think about doing these things. There are many health benefits for them, as well as peace of mind for you, if you do all these things.

11/01/2023

Have you ever thought about the benefits of drinking milk? Not only is it at least 96% fat free, it's got all these good nutrients in it as well! Have a nice cold glass of the white stuff today and make it part of your diet on a regular basis. Remember, you can pick up locally produced milk in any shop but also fresh from the farm at Weir Farms right here in Rathfriland.

03/01/2023

If you see this cat please get in touch. The family is very worried.

03/01/2023

Update- reunited
*Found*
Approx 2 miles outside Spelga Dam, Hilltown/Rathfriland area. No microchip. Please call us on 02892628088

23/12/2022

Merry Christmas from all of us here at The Veterinary Clinic 🎄

14/12/2022

08/12/2022

**FOUND**

All white cat on Gransha Road, Rathfriland. If you know anyone missing this lovely friendly cat get in touch. We'd love to reunite them with their family.

25/10/2022

**Reunited with Owner**

🚩Deceased grey cat found on newry street and handed into the clinic, if you are the owner or know of anyone missing a grey cat then please get in touch with us 🚩

18/10/2022

UPDATE - Reunited with their owner 🎉

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Is this your cat? Found Downpatrick Street area. Contact the clinic or send a message here to the page. Let's get this little one reunited with its family 🐈

12/10/2022

Following on from last week's post about common problems dogs face over autumn here are the next few to keep an eye out for:

🐀 Rodents and pesticides - Most people feel that pesticides are a necessary evil as mice especially can take over your home during the colder months. Their urine can make your family and your pets very ill. If you’re able to keep them out of reach of pets and children, use spring traps instead of poison as a more humane resort. If you do decide to use poison, keep in mind there’s always a chance that your dog could get a hold of it and eat it.

🪲 Ticks (and fleas) - We hear about ticks and fleas more often when we’re hiking and camping during the warmer part of the year, but they’re just as prevalent during the months of autumn. So make sure to continue using flea treatments and tick preventatives. If a tick isn’t removed within 24 hours, the likelihood of ticks transmitting a virus-like Lyme disease to your dog is higher. After you bring them inside from walks, thoroughly check between your pet’s toes, inside ears, nose, and gum flaps.

🌳 Seasonal Canine Illness - You might not have heard of Seasonal Canine Illness before, a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that affects dogs in autumn, usually after a walk in a wooded area. There is no known cause yet and its signs or symptoms might be confused with gastroenteritis, but it’s much more serious than an upset tummy. Some professionals believe that harvest mites might play a role as a lot of the dogs who have fallen ill have been found to have mites. You can speak to your vet about buying a repellent spray to use when you’re headed on a woodland adventure as they’ll be able to advise you on what’s best for your dog. Be sure to keep an eye on your dog’s health following a trip to the woods and if any problems arise then always speak to your vet.

05/10/2022

Over the next few days we will be providing you a list of common problems dogs face in autumn. These are not the only things that could affect your dog at this time of year, but they are some of the most common ones.

🍂 Acorns and Oak Leaves - You’ll see plenty of these lying around in autumn months, and they can be deadly to dogs. The small nuts can seriously disrupt your dog’s stomach health. If your dog has kidney disease, the acids in an acorn will further aggravate their condition. Oak leaves are also problematic for dogs depending on their weight and how many they’ve eaten. Pets that have consumed either of these might have bloody diarrhoea. When you see this, take them to the vet.

❄️ Antifreeze - Radiators from cars start to break and leak, leaving fluid on the ground that’s easily accessible to pets. If your pup doesn’t step in it, there’s still a chance that they might try to lick it up due to its sweet smell and taste, and that will cause antifreeze poisoning.

🍄 Mushrooms - Common signs of mushroom poisoning are excessive drooling, attempting to vomit and difficulty walking and standing so keep your eyes peeled for hidden spores and other bacteria.

Stay tuned for more in the coming days...

26/09/2022

Tortoise shell kitten found Loughbrickland Road area of Rathfriland. Family pet as very easily handled. If it's yours contact Esther on 07506762233