Burghfield Veterinary Surgery

28/06/2024

RABBIT NEUTERING
Neutering means removing the reproductive organs; this is
either the ovaries in females (known as spaying) or the
testicles in males (known as castration). Neutering is a
routine procedure that does not require overnight
hospitalisation, with an average recovery time of 5-10 days.
Find out more about the benefits and risks of netuering your
rabbit here: vetcollection.co.uk/health/should-i-neuter-myrabbit

27/06/2024

RABBIT VACCINATIONS
Both indoor and outdoor rabbits require vaccinations to keep
them safe from infectious disease. Young rabbits are particularly
vulnerable to serious illnesses, so it’s important to get them
vaccinated early.
Rabbits can be vaccinated from five weeks old and will need
yearly booster vaccinations throughout their life to maintain
immunity.
Find out more about vaccinations for rabbits here:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/vaccinations-for-rabbits/

26/06/2024

We have sadly had a young, black female cat brought into us, who has passed away. There is no microchip and she was found near Padworth Park. If you think she may belong to you, or you have any information. Please contact the practice on 01189 832465.

26/06/2024

RABBIT MICROCHIPPING
Microchipping rabbits is not a legal requirement but
is strongly recommended. Rabbits are excellent
escape artists and, if they manage to escape the
garden, it can be difficult to identify where they
have come from.
Find out more about getting your rabbit
microchipped here:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/microchipping-rabbits

25/06/2024

RABBIT DENTAL DISEASE
Since you cannot check your rabbit’s teeth at home,
it is important to look out for signs of dental disease.
There are many things that you can look out for that
might indicate that your rabbit has some sort of
dental health issue.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important that
you bring your rabbit to your vet for an oral
assessment as soon as possible. Stopping eating
altogether is an emergency.
For more information about Dental Disease:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/dental-disease-in-rabbits

24/06/2024

RABBIT AWARENESS WEEK
FLYSTRIKE
Flystrike happens more often in warm weather, and in
rabbits who have soiled fur (often due to poor diet, obesity
or arthritis).
Throughout the spring and summer rabbits must be
checked twice daily and any soiled fur cleaned. If you find
any sign of fly eggs or maggots you must arrange for your
rabbit to see a vet as soon as possible.
For more information about Flystrike:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/flystrike

22/06/2024

BRING YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY:
Spud, Reuben and Nacho, all love coming to spend the day at Burghfield Vets!

21/06/2024

TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY!

There is no denying the fact that dogs can
help to alleviate stress in the workplace. In
fact, a survey conducted by The Kennel Club
revealed that 70% of people think dogs
reduce stress within a working environment,
and even stroking a dog is said to reduce
blood pressure.
Is your four-legged friend taking a trip to your
workplace today?

20/06/2024

GUIDE DOGS
Donations raised through Pennies when you pay by card help
support Guide Dogs. Just a small donation can make a big
difference!

18/06/2024

18/06/2024

The wonderful Jo Fielder is the official Veterinarian, who can issue Animal Health Certificates for travel abroad for our Goring and Burghfield clients.
If you are looking to travel abroad with your please do contact the practice on 01491 873638 to book in with Jo.

18/06/2024

It's Diabetes Week. Our brilliant clinicians are running a long term improvement project in 30 small animal practices to increase the use of the The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) 's recently validated Diabetic Clinical Score (DCS).

It aims to use it in over 80% of cases to improve the treatment and control of this life-limiting disease, whilst developing skills and knowledge to manage this challenging condition.

Diabetes mellitus affects 0.26-1.3% of dogs and 0.4% -1% of cats during their lifetime. If not diagnosed and treated quickly it can shorten life expectancy. Its effects can also have an impact on the wellbeing of owners.

The condition can be challenging to diagnose in cats due to increased blood glucose levels from stress in practice. The disease is difficult to control consistently. Insulin injections also affect an owner’s relationship their animal, though a new oral feline diabetes drug has recently come to market.

The DCS is a simple standardised scoring system to record clinical signs of diabetes. Designed by The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Stijn Niessen, it’s been turned into a Pet Diabetes App for clients – to record and monitor indicators in diabetes treatment and control (including: weight, appetite, thirst and urination changes, urine and blood sugar values). A resulting ‘diabetes log’ of parameters and clinical signs can then be shared with a vet to enable them to fine-tune the pet’s diabetes management.

Our practices are using the DCS, and blood glucose measurements, to diagnose and monitor patients. Nurses refer animals coming in for six-monthly Healthy Pet Club check-ups to a vet for a possible diabetes diagnosis, whilst vets diagnosing diabetes will introduce owners to the DCS to record a diabetes log, so a pet’s condition can be managed.

Thank you to everyone on this project for helping us improve the care we provide to our diabetes patients!



[Visual description: A picture of an overweight cat eating a bowl of food]

18/06/2024

ITCHY PET? Have an evening with the Vet!
Our wonderful Head Vet Jenny at Burghfield, is hosting out first client evening at our Burghfield practice on all things itchy pets.
If you would like to come along please either call the Burghfield practice on 01189 832465 or email [email protected] to book your place, or for more information.
We look forward to seeing you there

17/06/2024

MAY'S COMPETITION WINNERS!
How adorable are out smiling May winners?
Look out for our June competition.

14/06/2024

JUNE COMPETITION:
PRIDE MONTH:
To celebrate pride month, we would love to see your best Pride Pet photos.
As always the top three will feature on our social media and practice TV's and the winner will get a gift from the practice!

13/06/2024

GUIDE DOGS
Live independently. The advice and skills Guide Dogs provides
will give people the freedom to live life on their own terms, in
their own way, so that they can achieve their hopes and
ambitions.
Press GREEN to make a micro-donation when paying by card at
our practice and help support the charity Guide Dogs. Just a small
donation can make a big difference!

11/06/2024

This week is Diabetes Awareness Week - did you know
your furry friends can get diabetes too?
Diabetes causes levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood to be
persistently high. Normally when blood glucose levels increase, the
pancreas releases a hormone called insulin which adds in a number
of ways to lower the blood glucose and prevent it from getting too
high.
Want to know what to look out for in your pets? For more
information on diabetes in cats, please visit:
https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/feline-diabetes/
For more information on diabetes in dogs:
https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/canine-diabetes/

10/06/2024

CAT MICROCHIPPING LEGISLATION:
From today, all pet cats will legally need to be microchipped in England.
Are you looking to get your cat microchipped? Give us a call to book your cat in
for an appointment, and don’t forget, for Healthy Pet Club members
microchipping is one of the benefits included!
To find out more about microchipping your cat:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/microchipping-cats

08/06/2024

NATIONAL BEST FRIENDS DAY:
The 8th June is National Best Friends Day, and
we believe there is no greater friendship than
the one that you share with your furry friend.
How will you be celebrating Best Friends Day?
Comment below and share a picture of your
animal companion; whether it’s a kitty, canine
or critter!

07/06/2024

Our pets are part of the family and we want to share fun
experiences with them – including taking them on holiday!
While this often results in great fun and wonderful memories,
there are a few things to consider first. A bit of planning
beforehand goes a long way towards making it a positive
experience for everyone.
For further information on travelling with your pet in the UK,
visit: vetcollection.co.uk/health/travelling-with-your-pet

06/06/2024

The wonderful Jo Fielder is the official licensed Veterinarian for Burghfield and Goring to carry out animal health certificates for travel abroad.
Please do call the Goring practice on 01491 873638 to book an appointment with Jo.

05/06/2024

Are you looking to travel abroad with your pet this summer? If
you are, you will be required to obtain an Animal Health
Certificate (AHC) for them.
An AHC needs to be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV).
Check with your veterinary practice to see if they have a
qualified OV because not every practice will have one.
For more information about pet travel abroad visit:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/travelling-with-your-pet

04/06/2024

Did you know you get 10% off all vet fees and products with a
Healthy Pet Club membership?
Your pet can be signed up in practice, or find out more at:
http://vetcollection.co.uk/health-plans.../healthy-pet-club

03/06/2024

We’re aiming to bring clarity and simplicity to the ongoing debate about contextualised care with the launch of a simple ‘What Matters to You’ guide for clinicians to talk through with clients about the treatment of their animal.

Contextualised care, which is about including the client as well as the patient in clinical decision-making, is the lead topic at this week's 2024. There have been a number of attempts to give detailed guidance on how to deliver contextualised care in the consult room.

We’re aiming to introduce a simpler approach and are briefing our vets and nurses to Ask animal owners what matters to them, Listen to what matters, Acknowledge what matters and Include what matters in their animal’s care.

The aim is shared decision-making between the veterinary professional and the animal owner in every consultation.



[Visual description: A veterinary nurse in a consult room with a client and her dog]

31/05/2024

Guide dogs fundraising post
Live well. The experience and understanding of the teams at Guide Dogs can help people through the emotional challenges of sight loss as well as the practical ones. Guide Dogs introduces them to an inspiring community of people with similar experiences and gives them the support they need to be their best self. Donate when you pay by card at our practice to help support Guide Dogs. Just a small donation can make a big difference!

30/05/2024

Pet travel campaign post – top tips for travelling with your pet in the UK
Our pets are part of the family and we want to share fun experiences with them – including taking them on holiday!
While this often results in great fun and wonderful memories, there are a few things to consider first. A bit of planning beforehand goes a long way towards making it a positive experience for everyone.

29/05/2024

Pet travel – parasites
You know your pet is covered day to day with their routine parasite treatment, but what about if you take your pet abroad?
There are many different diseases and parasites that our pets can come into contact with when travelling to foreign countries.
To find out more about the health considerations when travelling abroad with your pet, visit: vetcollection.co.uk/health/travelling-with-your-pet

28/05/2024

Pet travel campaign post – did you know not all vets can do pet exports?
Are you looking to travel abroad with your pet this summer? If you are, you will be required to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for them.
An AHC needs to be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). Check with your veterinary practice to see if they have a qualified OV because not every practice will have one.
For more information about pet travel abroad visit: vetcollection.co.uk/health/travelling-with-your-pet

27/05/2024

From 10 June 2024, all pet cats will legally need to be microchipped in England.
Are you looking to get your cat microchipped? Give us a call to book your cat in for an appointment, and don’t forget, for Healthy Pet Club members microchipping is one of the benefits included!
To find out more about microchipping your cat: vetcollection.co.uk/health/microchipping-cats

24/05/2024

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
We will be closed on MONDAY 27th MAY for the bank holiday weekend. In the event of an emergency please call our out of hours team, based at Nine Mile Vets in Wokingham on 01189 733466