Ashfield House Veterinary Hospital Ltd

14/01/2025

As the temperatures drop, it’s important to know how to support your dog out on their walk 🥶🐕‍🦺

You may want to consider a coat for shorter-haired breeds, puppies and older dogs as they are more susceptible to the cold. These are the signs that they may be too cold:

❄️ Shivering or trembling
❄️ Whining or barking
❄️ Seeking shelter or lifting paws off the ground

Here’s some tips for a cold weather walk:
⌚ Limit time outside
🧥 Use doggy sweaters or jackets
👟 Protect paws with booties or balm
👁️ Always keep an eye on your dog's behaviour

Remember, if it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for them! Stay safe and keep those tails wagging indoors❤️

09/01/2025

Cold weather calls for extra snuggles and care! 🐾❄️

Here are some tips to make sure your feline friend stays warm and comfortable this season:

✨ Provide draft-free sleeping spots with blankets or a heated pet bed for extra warmth (though they might still choose their own favourite spot!)
✨ Keep them indoors on chilly days (if they’re happy to stay in)
✨ Check their water bowl regularly to make sure it’s not frozen

How do you keep your kitty comfy in winter? Share your tips in the comments! 🐱

18/12/2024

We hope all your Christmas trees are surviving! 🎄😻

08/12/2024

Stop reading your pet food ingredient list!

https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/stop-reading-your-pet-food-ingredient-list

Misinformation in pet nutrition is abundant. With people playing on your emotions to judge on your feeding choice.

The most important thing is your pet is fed and healthy. Then, also considering quality of the diet, risk of the diet to your pets health or risk to humans (zoonotic risk). We also need to know if the company is supported by a Veterinary Nutritionist, if they formulate only on spreadsheets or if they follow up with feeding trials. You may also need to consider the protein sources if your pet has dietary allergies, if they are fixed formula, and you may also have other requirements or wishes such as sustainability of the protein source.

💙There are strict rules when it comes to ingredients that can be used in pet food and the details that must be provided on packaging. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation and scaremongering that can make reading pet food labels confusing.

➡Here are a few misconceptions:

❎Myth - animal parts that are not safe for human consumption are included in pet food
✅Reality – all animal derived products used in pet food in the UK must be safe for human consumption. Pet food manufacturers may make use of parts that there is a lower demand for in the human food chain but that are still safe and nutritious, for example offal. Using the term 'human grade' does not really make a difference in the UK, we MUST use products safe for human consumption.

❎Myth – the term “meat and animal derivatives” means that the animal derived ingredients are of poor quality
✅Reality – This term is used because of labelling regulations and is an example of category labelling, it does not reflect ingredient quality. Category labelling allows manufacturers to adjust some ingredients without having to print new packaging. This means that they can make use of what is seasonally available, helping to keep the food affordable. For pets that are sensitive to changes, the alternative is that each ingredient is listed individually which is more often the case for foods with a fixed formula such as those in the Purina Pro Plan range.
“Meat and animal derivatives” are ingredients which are often surplus in the human food chain.

For example, parts of animals that are not normally consumed by people in the UK but that are highly nutritious, such as offal.

❎Myth – Pet food often only contains 4% meat/animal derived products.
✅Reality – This misunderstanding is usually due to labelling rules when a specific ingredient is named. For a product to be labelled as “containing” or “with” a particular ingredient, it must have at least 4% of the specified ingredient. For example, a product that “contains chicken”, must be a minimum of 4% chicken. It may contain much more, and it may also contain other species of animal, such as pork or lamb, under the umbrella of “meat and animal derivatives”, (which has previously been explained still provides good nutrition).

❎Myth – dogs and cats shouldn’t be fed grains. They are used as fillers.
✅Reality – properly prepared grains are a great source of beneficial nutrients. For example, they can provide slowly released energy, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Grain allergies and intolerances are uncommon in dogs and cats.

❎Myth – pet food contains ash
✅Reality – the “crude ash” listed on the label under analytical constituents is a legal definition which reflects the mineral content of the food e.g. calcium and phosphorus which help support healthy bones. Other names include inorganic matter or incinerated residue.

❎Myth – higher protein = higher quality food
✅Reality – you can’t judge the quality of complete pet foods by the ingredients list or analytical constituents (e.g. protein %) alone. For example, a higher protein quantity isn’t beneficial if it’s of low quality and not very digestible, or if it is in excess of what the animal can make use of.
Choosing a pet food – you should look to feed a complete diet made by a reputable manufacturer that employs experts to formulate the food following FEDIAF guidelines, has strict quality control procedures and analyses the finished product. Further reassurance can be gained by choosing a manufacturer that performs feeding trials on their products and doesn’t rely wholly on computer-based formulations.

➡The World Small Animal Veterinary Association have an excellent guide to choosing a food
https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/

➡UK Pet Food have lots of great information on ingredients in pet food
https://www.ukpetfood.org/information-centre/industry-guidance/ingredients.html

➡There are some FAQs below:
https://www.purina.co.uk/your-questions-matter

23/11/2024

🎄 PET TOY & FOOD APPEAL 2024 🎄
Each year, we try to collect as many pet toys and food as we can to donate to local animal rescues!

We would be very grateful if anyone could help us - you can drop off any donated pet food or pet toys to any of our branches! ❤️

22/11/2024

The ultimate alarm clock? ⏰🤔

Tell us how many times your pet has served as your early wake-up call this week in the comments below! 😴😂

19/11/2024

Brrr, it’s cold outside! ❄️ Keep your pets happy and healthy this winter with these essential tips:

💧 Hydration: Even in the cold, pets need plenty of fresh water to stay hydrated
🧣 Warmth: Make sure your furry friends have cosy bedding and warm spots to escape the chill
⚠️ Hazards: Watch out for icy paws, antifreeze, and other winter dangers
🪮 Grooming: Regular brushing helps maintain a healthy winter coat and prevents mats that trap moisture
🏃‍♀️ Exercise: Stay active, even indoors - playtime keeps them fit and stimulated!

Stay cosy and care for your pets this winter! 🐾❤️

14/11/2024

Today is World Diabetes Day! 🐾

Just like humans, our furry companions can develop diabetes too. Pet diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly produce or utilise insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Early detection is key to managing this condition and ensuring your pet lives a happy, healthy life.

Some signs to watch for include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, reduced activity/feeling tired, and increased appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms, book an appointment with us right away.

11/11/2024

Good morning,
We have had a beautiful French Bulldog handed in to us (with a very distinctive appearance)
Please contact us if you are missing one xx

11/11/2024

To the animals lost in service, and to those who serve us today 💜

Animals like horses, dogs and pigeons were often drafted into the war effort, and purple poppies can be worn to remember the service of these animals and the lives that were lost.

07/11/2024

Time to show off those winter-ready looks! ❄️🐾

As the temperature drops, it's important to keep our furry friends warm and cosy. Here are some essential tips to ensure they stay comfortable during the chilly season:

🧥 Bundle Up: Train your dog to wear a well-fitting jumper or jacket for warmth during walks or outdoor play. If there's deep snow, keep them on a lead to avoid hidden dangers like frozen water or deep holes

🐾 Limit Outdoor Time: Keep your cat’s outdoor adventures short in freezing or snowy conditions to protect their paws and ears from frost damage

🛏️ Create a Cosy Spot: Make sure they have a soft, warm bed indoors where they can curl up and relax

🌡️ Keep the Indoors Toasty: Ensure your home is comfortably heated and offer extra blankets for snuggles

Share a photo of your pet in their winter gear or cosy spot below! 🐶❄️

04/11/2024

04/11/2024

Fireworks + Pets = Cosy Time! 🎇🐶

Bonfire Night can be fun for us, but it can be really stressful for our furry friends! Here are some top tips to help keep your pets calm and safe during the fireworks:

🐾 Create a Safe Space: Set up a cosy, quiet room with their favourite toys and blankets.
🎶 Noise Distraction: Play calming music or turn on the TV to help drown out the loud bangs outside.
🐕 Walk Earlier: Take your dog for a walk before dark, before the fireworks start.
🔒 Keep Them Indoors: Make sure windows, doors, and pet flaps are closed so your pet can't escape if they get spooked.
🐱 Don’t Forget the Small Pets: Move rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets indoors or cover their enclosures to muffle the noise.

While we enjoy the fireworks, let's make sure our pets enjoy a peaceful, stress-free night!

31/10/2024

🎃 Super Frank! 🎃
This handsome fellow came to see us today - we LOVE his halloween outfit, complete with matching bandage ❤️

31/10/2024

🎃🐾 Happy Halloween from all of us at Ashfield House Vets!🐾🎃

We hope you and your pets enjoy a fun and safe day. Don’t forget to keep those treats out of paw’s reach! 👻🧡

31/10/2024

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🎃

We have some treats for humans & dogs at our Long Eaton and Bramcote branches today! Pop in and say hello!

27/10/2024

🐾🖤 Happy National Black Cat Day! 🖤🐾

Today, we celebrate our beautiful black feline friends! Did you know that black cats are often the last to be adopted? Here are a few reasons why black cats are purr-fect companions:

🖤 Unique Beauty: Their sleek, shiny coats are simply stunning
🖤 Good Luck: In many cultures, black cats are considered symbols of good luck and prosperity
🖤 Loving Companions: Black cats are just as affectionate and playful as any other cats.

Share a picture of your beloved black cat in the comments below and let’s give these gorgeous felines the love they deserve! 🐱❤️

24/10/2024

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 - 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆.

Costumes can be fun and adorable, but it's important to keep your pets safe. Here are some dos and don’ts:

𝗗𝗢:
✅ Ensure the costume fits well, allowing your pet to move freely
✅ Pick costumes made from soft, breathable materials
✅ Avoid small, dangling parts
✅ Make sure the costume doesn't obstruct vision or hearing
✅ Let your pet try it on before Halloween
✅ Always keep an eye on your pet in costume

𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧:
❌ Don't use anything that covers your pet's face
❌ Avoid tight costumes or those that can get tangled
❌ Be aware of materials that might cause irritation
❌ Don't leave the costume on for long, especially if your pet is uncomfortable

Remember, your pet's safety and comfort come first! If they show signs of distress, opt for a festive bandana or collar instead.

Share pictures of your pets in their Halloween gear below! 👻🎃