Amity Veterinary Care

20/08/2024

🍀🌷🌿🌹HOLISTIC VETERINARY HEALTHCARE🌹🌿🌷🍀

Are you interested in holistic care for your pet?

Would you like a more natural treatment for your pet?

Do you want a personalized herbal prescription for your pet, created by someone with all the knowledge of a veterinary surgeon?

Is your pet on long-term medication? Would you like to be able to reduce the potential side effects?

Would you like to be able to give them a lower dose? Would you like to feel better about their regular medication?

Would you prefer to boost your pet’s immune system with a range of herbs rather than regular vaccinations? *

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, we have an exciting new service for you. Headed by Dr Laura Neerings, our herbal medicine introductory package is designed with your pet’s needs in mind. She also practices Western Veterinary Acupuncture and uses both this and phytotherapy alongside conventional medicine to give your pet the exceptional care they deserve.

Our promise to you:

🌿Bespoke, patient-centric health care
🌹High quality, medical grade, ethically sourced herbal ingredients
🍀Holistic veterinary medicine
🌷Customised treatment plan
🌱A Veterinary Surgeon with over 20 years of experience

We are offering a 20% discount on our introductory package for a limited time only.

Call us today and book your appointment now on 01626 247888.

*please note we cannot guarantee protection from disease without regular vaccination

16/08/2024

What do we vaccinate against?💉🤔

Ever wanted to know more about your pet and veterinary medicine? 🙌

Find out about the diseases we vaccinate against in dogs and cats, the availability of titre testing and what happens when you do not vaccinate your pet (the answer may surprise you!). 😱

Passionate about your pet and Mad about you...Family Matters 🐾🩷

14/08/2024

🦎 Meet Kestis, the bearded dragon! 🦎

Here is what Katie & Declan, guardians to Kestis, had to say about Amity. 🖊

“We really value being part of the amity family. It gives us so much peace of mind and we know our little scaly baby is covered and getting the best care possible. We know there are great people and plenty of expertise and being an exotic pet, it was so important to us that we go somewhere that was prepared and knowledgeable about these! “

Have we addressed and resolved all of your concerns sufficiently? If not, please provide details.
“ So far, absolutely! We have no complaints”

Please rate us from 1-10 regarding Value for money, 1 = little value and 10 = immense value.
“10 without a doubt.”

Name 3 of your favourite things you like about Amity.
“ The people are wonderful and friendly and knowledgeable. We love seeing the photos of animals you care for. We love seeing Joey. It's always clean and smells so nice and relaxing! You're always treated like a special guest, not a client. It's all personal and wonderful.”

Name 3 improvements you wish to see at Amity.
“ I can't think of anything I would change!”

Would you recommend us to others?
“Oh yes, 100% and we always rave about amity when we talk about it too people we know.”

Has your experience with us changed the way you view veterinary medicine? If so, please provide details.
“I didn't realise it could be so friendly and feel so easy. There's always plenty of information shared on social media. You get a quality appointment with knowledgeable staff. It's much more personal and you feel valued. We know our baby will be cared for because you feel it in everything the team do. It's far better than anywhere else we've been. Better than human doctors too!

We really love being part of the amity family and cannot imagine going anywhere else now we've been part of it.
Please do let the entire team know they are all fantastic and wonderful and a real credit to the place. It's all of you who really make it special.”

💚🤍💚

If you would like to become a Member of the Amity Family call us now on 01626 247 888.

09/08/2024

08/08/2024

"It's quite a different concept of going to the vet. It's more family oriented"

Steve has had 4 dogs registered at Amity. Listen along to what he and Fly have to say!

Would you like to feel like Steve? BECOME A MEMBER NOW AND JOIN OUR AMITY FAMILY.

We are currently open for registrations. More information can be found at www.amityvets.co.uk

Empowering You Through Education...Family Matters

Amity Culture - Provide Value 1st

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/some-skies
License code: BASFNXQ4JRT34YFK

BECOME A MEMBER NOW AND JOIN OUR AMITY FAMILY.

"It's quite a different concept of going to the vet. It's more family oriented"Steve has had 4 dogs registered at Amity. Listen along to what he and Fly have...

02/08/2024

In Dr Lennon's fifth and final episode of veterinary acupuncture, he talks about the miracle of the reversal of anaesthesia and summarises his animal acupuncture talk.

BECOME A MEMBER NOW AND JOIN OUR AMITY FAMILY.
www.amityvets.co.uk

Passionate about your pet and Mad about you...Family Matters.

amity culture - Provide Value 1st

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amityvets.co.uk

Passionate about your pet and Mad about you...Family Matters.

amity culture - Provide Value 1st

02/08/2024

🐦🐦‍⬛🪶 What to do if you find an injured bird: 🪶🐦‍⬛🐦

For most injured birds, place them gently in a box and keep them quiet, dark and cool. It may be that the bird is in shock and will soon recover so you can let it go.

If it is more seriously injured, this will reduce stress on the bird until you can get advice on how you can help it. You can call the RSPCA or your local vets.

What to do if you find an abandoned baby bird:
Most of the time the best thing to do is nothing. A young bird alone on the ground has not necessarily been abandoned. The young of many birds will fledge after they grow feathers, but before they are able to fly.

They spend a day or two on the ground before their feather development is complete. It is really best not to interfere. The parents will be close by and come to feed the bird as soon as it is safe.

If the bird is in a vulnerable position it will do no harm to move it into shelter but not too far away as the parents will then be unable to find it. Touching a bird will not make the parents abandon it.

Watch carefully - if the parents don’t return and the youngster has definitely been abandoned then please contact the RSPCA, your local vet or a local animal rescue centre. They have the expertise to help and advise you about sick and injured birds and animals.

For any further advice, please take a look at the RSPB’s website:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/injured-and-baby-birds/sick-and-injured-birds-faqs/

29/07/2024

Last month you read our post on Cryptorchidism (retained testicles)...

Now you get to read about Neddy the lovely lurcher. A case treated recently by your Amity Team.

When he was just 1 year old, Neddy was very lucky to be rehomed from a rescue centre by the wonderful Bright family. After settling into his new home, Neddy came to Amity for a health check and registration. A glowing bill of health was delivered...apart from one important finding – or lack of. Only one of Neddy’s testicles had descended. The absent testicle could not be found on palpation during the physical examination.

Dr Lennon discussed the pros and cons re castration and explained in detail regarding cryptorchidism. It was explained to Neddy’s guardians that removal via keyhole surgery would be the best course of action, if the testicle was located in the abdomen.
After much consideration for their dear Neddy, the Bright family booked him in for his procedure.

Before going into surgery, as the location of the second testicle is still unknown, all surgical equipment had to be ready for all possibilities. Will the second testicle be obvious once Neddy was sedated under general anaesthetic? Sometimes this is the case, then Neddy would need a routine canine castration. However, the other possibilities were finding it in the inguinal canal or it may be found in the abdomen.

Neddy was given pre-med, and became sleepy then we started the procedure.

Firstly, the left testicle was successfully removed. Even under anaesthetic we still could not feel the right testicle in the inguinal canal so closed the first surgical site. The next step was to look for the troublesome testicle in the abdomen with the laparoscopy equipment.

Dr Lennon found the right testicle in the abdomen! – Check out the photos on this post to see the difference in appearance from the “normal” testicle to the other one.
Sweet Neddy had an uneventful anaesthetic and the procedure went smoothly. He had the important 2 post op checks, and after excellent after care by his dedicated guardians, Neddy was signed off to go back to his usual exercise and activities after 10 days.

You’ll be happy to read, Neddy got to go on holiday to Cornwall to celebrate being signed off, running around on the beach with his brother – lucky boys!

Have you got any questions about the procedure?

Place your comments below!

26/07/2024

📢 Tick Information 📢

🐾Ticks are grey-brown egg-shaped, blood-sucking parasites.

🐾 They have six or eight legs (depending on life stage), making them look spider-like, and vary in size from about 1mm to 1cm long. Ticks can look small at first and get bigger and darker as they fill with blood.

🐾 Ticks don’t fly or jump, but climb or drop on to your dog’s coat when they brush past them.

🐾 Ticks are very good at passing on infections from one animal to another. They feed by biting an animal and feasting on their blood. Once they have had enough, they drop off.

🐾 Ticks are common in woodland, grassland and heath areas, but can also be found in your garden if you live in an area with lots of wildlife. You are most likely to come across them in areas with lots of deer or sheep between spring and autumn. But they are active throughout the year.

🐾 After feeding, ticks are big enough to spot and feel like a small bump on your pet’s skin. Run your hands over your dog’s body when you get back from a walk to check for them. They tend to attach themselves to areas around a dog’s head, neck, ears and feet.

🐾 Ticks carry diseases, such as lyme disease and babesiosis, so it’s important to remove any that attach themselves to your dog as soon as possible

✋How to remove a tick:

Twisting them off your dog is the best removal method, at the practice, we stock handy tick-removal devices to make this easier, these are also available at most pet shops.

You need to be careful not to squeeze the tick’s body, or allow its head to get stuck inside your dog. Squeezing a tick’s body can cause it to expel blood back into your dog, increasing the risk of infection. Ask your vet for advice if you're worried about doing this.

1. Once you've located the tick, using gloves if you have them, gently part your dog's fur so that you can easily reach the tick
2. Get your tick remover and slowly push it under the tick
3. When you have a firm grasp of the tick, twist it in a clockwise direction several times until the tick comes loose
4. Take a look at your dog's skin and make sure the tick is completely removed

Living in the countryside, it’s a good idea to use a tick treatment that will either repel ticks or kill them quickly if they attach - the longer the tick is attached, the greater the risk of your dog catching a disease. Spot-on treatments, tablets and collars are available, if you need help and advice as to which is most suitable for your pet book an appointment or give us a call at the practice.

18/07/2024

📣📣Does your pet have lumps and bumps? Amity have a service that could be a solution📣📣

Lumps and Bumps on your pet DISAPPEAR without sedation/anaesthetic risk.

When you are relaxing on your comfortable couch with a glass of delicious wine in your hand chilling out, and you are lovingly caressing your beloved pet as you would, do you suddenly feel an unexpected lump or bump that should not be there? Does your pet have a skin tag that feels weird to touch or a wart that is nasty to look at?

If you are considering getting it removed, do you worry about sedation or anaesthetic risks?

Would you like the lumps and bumps on your pet to disappear WITHOUT the risk of sedation or general anaesthetic drugs?

At Amity, NOW YOU CAN! (Well, almost!)

Our recent investment into Cryosurgery would allow several different types of skin masses (lumps and bumps) to be removed from your pet without invasive surgery that usually requires sedation or a general anaesthetic. This safe and proven technique manages this feat by freezing and destroying the cells involved. It is usually painless and can be performed on a fully conscious animal (common procedure in humans!).

Advantages:

✅ No sedation or general anaesthetic risk (as not required)

✅ No stress or fuss (Minimal post-op care)

✅ Great cosmetic results (Your pet will look and feel better)

✅ Save money (More cost-effective than a traditional surgical procedure involving sedation or general anaesthetic)

✅ Peace of mind that you are doing the best for your pet

Imagine how your pet looked and felt before the lumps and bumps appeared in her/his life. Not only will they look better, but they will also feel better! No more unsightly lumps and bumps! For a fraction of the cost of a full general anaesthetic or sedation, the masses can be removed from your pet so that they look and feel like how you remembered it in the past. No more concerns regarding sedation or
general anaesthetic risk either, allowing you to feel relaxed and calm.

Mac, a beautiful nine-year-old Greyhound, had an uncomfortable wart on his elegant neck that was irritating him and bothering his guardians. His wart was successfully removed after two sessions with no sedation or general anaesthetic. His guardians were certainly elated with the results!

Dr Lennon and Dr Laura have been extensively trained to perform this painless, elegant and (potentially) life-changing procedure. Why not make an appointment (complimentary for Amity Essential members) to bring your pet in to check if we can help? What have you got to lose?

Please go on to our website to book https://amityvets.co.uk/online-booking/ or call 01626 247888 during office hours to see if we can help your pet and you.

N.B.
Most pet insurance companies will cover this procedure (please check with your provider).

17/07/2024

Meet Kiwi 🥝

Kiwi is a gorgeous bearded dragon.

Kiwi's guardians came in very concerned regarding Kiwi's foot. She cut it a few days ago and it had started to go black and smelly. Kiwi no longer had any interest in food and seemed very off colour.

Dr Lennon started to investigate...
Kiwi had little to no sensation in her right foot. Dr Lennon and Kiwi's guardians had a long and detailed discussion about the options they had. The decision was made to amputate Kiwi’s right foot and put her on a course of antibiotics.

Did you know? ❔

The anaesthetic death rate is higher in exotic patients than in dogs and cats. While careful patient preparation and monitoring are important for any anaesthetic patient, particular attention to detail may help improve the anaesthetic survival rate in exotic species.

As explained in an article on https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/.../monitoring...:

🦎Anaesthetic death rates in exotic patients have been demonstrated to be higher than in traditional pet species.

🐍Fewer elective procedures, ability to hide signs of illness, unfamiliarity with monitoring and frequent inability to intubate may contribute.

🐢Anaesthetic monitoring requires absolute attention to detail, and changes in monitoring parameters appear to occur more rapidly in exotic patients.

🐦Changes in respiration (rate and/or respiratory character) may be one of the earliest indicators of impending anaesthetic problems in exotic mammals and birds.

To explain a piece of equipment that you can find in the photos of Kiwi’s procedure which we use in most anaesthetic procedures:

The circuit or T-piece tubing administers the gaseous anaesthetic and oxygen from the anaesthetic machine connecting to the ET tube delivering oxygen and gaseous anaesthetic to the patient.

Please write a comment below if there is any other equipment you would like to learn about.

11/07/2024

🐍 Adder Bite Information 🐍

🐾 When a bite or suspect bite has occurred, try to stay calm. Where possible, carry the dog, not walking can help ease the movement of the venom in the bloodstream.

🐾 Get to a vet as soon as possible, preferably your own vet if you are in your local area, as your vet will have your pet's patient history (this may be beneficial if your pet has had any allergies, previously had bad reactions to medicines, on any current medication etc).

🐾 You will see swelling around the wound, this can be severe. It could be possible to see the 2 puncture wounds in the centre of the swelling. Swelling isn’t the only symptom; you may dog may show signs of pain, bleeding, bruising, lameness and they may appear nervous/ distressed.

Anti-venom is not often required. In some cases it can actually cause more problems, like a bad reaction or anaphylactic shock - so it is usually used for bites on the face, this would be assessed by the vet once they have seen your pet.

In summary - See a vet, preferably your own vet, where most likely your dog can be put on a drip to help flush out the venom and help with shock, the vet can administer lots of pain relief for your dog to keep them as pain-free and comfortable as possible and monitor them to assess the situation. 96% of dogs who have had an adder bite make a full recovery, on average in about 5 days!

03/07/2024

📢 Tick Information 📢

🐾Ticks are grey-brown egg-shaped, blood-sucking parasites.

🐾 They have six or eight legs (depending on life stage), making them look spider-like, and vary in size from about 1mm to 1cm long. Ticks can look small at first and get bigger and darker as they fill with blood.

🐾 Ticks don’t fly or jump, but climb or drop on to your dog’s coat when they brush past them.

🐾 Ticks are very good at passing on infections from one animal to another. They feed by biting an animal and feasting on their blood. Once they have had enough, they drop off.

🐾 Ticks are common in woodland, grassland and heath areas, but can also be found in your garden if you live in an area with lots of wildlife. You are most likely to come across them in areas with lots of deer or sheep between spring and autumn. But they are active throughout the year.

🐾 After feeding, ticks are big enough to spot and feel like a small bump on your pet’s skin. Run your hands over your dog’s body when you get back from a walk to check for them. They tend to attach themselves to areas around a dog’s head, neck, ears and feet.

🐾 Ticks carry diseases, such as lyme disease and babesiosis, so it’s important to remove any that attach themselves to your dog as soon as possible

✋How to remove a tick:

Twisting them off your dog is the best removal method, at the practice, we stock handy tick-removal devices to make this easier, these are also available at most pet shops.

You need to be careful not to squeeze the tick’s body, or allow its head to get stuck inside your dog. Squeezing a tick’s body can cause it to expel blood back into your dog, increasing the risk of infection. Ask your vet for advice if you're worried about doing this.

1. Once you've located the tick, using gloves if you have them, gently part your dog's fur so that you can easily reach the tick

2. Get your tick remover and slowly push it under the tick

3. When you have a firm grasp of the tick, twist it in a clockwise direction several times until the tick comes loose

4. Take a look at your dog's skin and make sure the tick is completely removed

Living in the countryside, it’s a good idea to use a tick treatment that will either repel ticks or kill them quickly if they attach - the longer the tick is attached, the greater the risk of your dog catching a disease. Spot-on treatments, tablets and collars are available, if you need help and advice as to which is most suitable for your pet book an appointment or give us a call at the practice on 01626 247 888.

24/06/2024

Have you noticed that you can only feel one of your dog’s testicles? You pass your dog to your partner to ask them to check and they can also only feel one...

You then take your dog to the vets, and it’s confirmed, they can only feel one. This is called Cryptorchidism.

Cryptorchidism, also known as retained testicles, is a condition in which one or both of a dog's testicles fail to descend into the sc***um. This condition is typically identified in puppies by the time they are six months old. Cryptorchidism can occur in any dog but is more common in certain breeds, including Chihuahuas, Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Cryptorchid surgery, also known as cryptorchidectomy, is the procedure performed to remove the undescended testicle(s). The surgery is necessary to prevent complications such as testicular cancer, torsion (twisting of the testicle), and behavioural issues related to hormone production.

Pre-Surgery Considerations:
1. Diagnosis: A veterinarian will diagnose cryptorchidism through a physical examination and possibly ultrasound if the testicle is not palpable.
2. Age: Surgery is typically recommended once the dog is around six months old if the testicle(s) have not descended.
3. Health Check: Pre-surgical blood work may be performed to ensure the dog is healthy enough for anaesthesia.

Surgical Procedure:
1. Anaesthesia: The dog will be placed under general anaesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and pain-free during the procedure.
2. Incision: The location of the incision depends on the position of the undescended testicle. If the testicle is located in the abdomen, an abdominal incision will be necessary. If it is in the inguinal canal, an incision will be made in the groin area.
3. Removal: The testicle(s) will be located and removed. In some cases, if the testicle is located within the abdomen, the surgery may be more complex and invasive.
4. Closure: The incision(s) will be closed with sutures, which may be absorbable or non-absorbable depending on the veterinarian's preference.

Post-Surgery Care:
1. Monitoring: After surgery, the dog will be monitored until they recover from anaesthesia.
2. Pain Management: Pain medications will be provided to manage post-surgical discomfort.
3. Incision Care: The surgical site should be kept clean and dry. Owners should monitor for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge.
4. Activity Restriction: Physical activity should be limited to allow proper healing. The dog may need to wear an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) to prevent licking or chewing at the incision site.

Risks and Complications:
• Infection: As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection at the incision site.
• Anaesthesia Risks: Although rare, there is always a risk associated with general anaesthesia, particularly in dogs with pre-existing health conditions.
• Bleeding: There may be a risk of bleeding during or after the procedure.
• Recurrence: If not all of the testicular tissue is removed, there is a potential for some hormone-related issues to persist.

Prognosis
The prognosis for dogs undergoing cryptorchid surgery is generally excellent. Removing the retained testicle(s) eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and other complications associated with cryptorchidism. Most dogs recover fully and go on to lead normal, healthy lives.

Conclusion
Cryptorchid surgery is a common and generally safe procedure that is important for the long-term health and well-being of affected dogs. It is advisable to follow your veterinarian's recommendations and ensure proper post-operative care to facilitate a smooth recovery for your pet.

23/06/2024

"I felt heard..." - Rosey O

Meet Rosey and Mo; Mo is a local celebrity, she is a beautiful blind Labrador, and her dedicated guardian, Rosey, is an author and fundraiser. You may have met them at Woofstock! They have been part of our Amity family for many years.

Would you like to feel like Rosey? BECOME A MEMBER NOW AND JOIN OUR AMITY FAMILY.

We are currently open for registrations. More information can be found at www.amityvets.co.uk

Passionate about your pet and Mad about you...Family Matters.

Amity Culture - Provide Value 1st
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/som...
License code: BASFNXQ4JRT34YFK

BECOME A MEMBER NOW AND JOIN OUR AMITY FAMILY.

https://youtu.be/80ptuSdb8K4

"I felt heard..." - Rosey OMeet Rosey and Mo; Mo is a local celebrity, she is a beautiful blind Labrador, and her dedicated guardian, Rosey, is an author and...

23/06/2024

ATTENTION YOUNG VETS ( i.e. 0 years to still practising)

When several reviews have mentioned this is information that has taken 20 years to accumulate in a book, can you afford NOT to know this?

Some reviews:

Dr Sarah Schofield - Excellent book for those starting out in the veterinary profession or early career vets - learn these things from Lennon in this book rather than taking a 20 year career to do so! Covers all aspects of clinical and non-clinical topics that is just not taught anywhere or by anyone else.

Dr Sarah Paterson - ‘Vet for Life’ is compulsory reading for every vet, everywhere! This is the book I wish I had read when I qualified in 1993. A candid, authentic read, packed with practical and relatable information, Lennon has proven to be the mentor any of us would wish for.

Dr Christel Caderius van Veen - This book gives the student vet or new veterinary surgeon tools to understand and manage their ethos, work, and life better. It took me eighteen years to achieve most of this on my own, how nice it would have been to have this guidance earlier!
Essential reading for anyone thinking of becoming a vet or already on the path.

Dr Susie Hermit - This book is a game changer! Filled with easy practical solutions which show us how to navigate our way through the highs and lows of being a vet to ensure we come out the other side in one healthy and fulfilled piece. I wish this had existed when I first qualified and cannot wait to share with my colleagues

Dr Olivia Ayres - A book that I wish had been around 20 years ago when I was a young vet. Thoughtful and practical, should be a part of every new graduate's survival kit.

Chocolatepony - I started reading this book and couldn’t stop - so much of the content rang true to me. I think this is a must-read for newer vets joining our profession to give them a toolkit to thrive and to allow them to love the job - which I still do after almost 20 years.

Dr Hannah Drury - A brilliant book full of useful hints and tips to help you enjoy and thrive in the Veterinary profession. It's taken over 20 years to learn many of these the hard way and I still learned new things reading this book! If only it had been around when I took my first steps in this wonderful profession.

Get your copy now.

ADVANCE PRAISES “In a world where so many young vets leave the veterinary profession for a range of reasons, this book should be a must-read for all new graduates, as well as an engaging and helpful read for older vets at all stages of their careers.” – Dr Pete Wedderburn BVM&S CertVR MRCVS, M...

21/06/2024

🐦🐦‍⬛🪶 What to do if you find an injured bird 🐦🐦‍⬛🪶

For most injured birds, place them gently in a box and keep them quiet, dark and cool. It may be that the bird is in shock and will soon recover so you can let it go.
If it is more seriously injured, this will reduce stress on the bird until you can get advice on how you can help it. You can call the RSPCA or your local vets.

What to do if you find an abandoned baby bird:

Most of the time the best thing to do is nothing. A young bird alone on the ground has not necessarily been abandoned. The young of many birds will fledge after they grow feathers, but before they are able to fly.

They spend a day or two on the ground before their feather development is complete. It is really best not to interfere. The parents will be close by and come to feed the bird as soon as it is safe.

If the bird is in a vulnerable position it will do no harm to move it into shelter but not too far away as the parents will then be unable to find it. Touching a bird will not make the parents abandon it.

Watch carefully - if the parents don’t return and the youngster has definitely been abandoned then please contact the RSPCA, your local vet or a local animal rescue centre. They have the expertise to help and advise you about sick and injured birds and animals.

For any further advice, please take a look at the RSPB’s website:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/injured-and-baby-birds/sick-and-injured-birds-faqs/