Frostbite and hypothermia are often confused as they are closely linked, being caused by the cold.
Vulnerable pets are most at risk in both cases i.e.
- Elderly
- Young
- Unwell
- Thin coated
However, the most common cause is prolonged periods in the cold, especially when they are wet.
Whilst it is not that common for a pet to suffer from hypothermia or frostbite in the UK as our temperatures rarely drop low enough for it to be a commonality, it can happen.
The best way of protecting your pet from both is never leaving them outside in bad weather.
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets #Frostbite
It’s Walk Your Dog Month! This annual observance is to highlight the importance of regular exercise and outdoor activity for dogs.
As well as improving physical health, it can also strengthen their bonds with us as their owners, help them to sleep better, and also provide an outlet for natural instinctive behaviour, in turn, improving overall well-being.
If you’d like an excuse to get out walking with your pet, here are some ideas you may like to try:
🐕Try a new walking route to explore the scenery and keep your dog engaged with new scents.
🐕Use it to socialise both your pet and you. Maybe invite a friend along for the stroll.
🐕Use it to make memories, snap some photos and share them with us in the comments below!
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets #WalkYourDogMonth
These beautiful sisters are Bluebell and Pikarua ♥️
At just four months old, they're such lovely, confident cats, and visited us recently for their second vaccinations. While they were here, we cleaned their chins as they had a lot of blackheads - you can see from Bluebell's video how happy she was to have her chin cleaned, and how much dirt our nurse, Talita, cleaned off her!
An overactive sebaceous gland on the chin, often called 'chin acne' as it leads to blocked hair follicles and blackheads, is actually quite common in our feline friends. You may notice yellow/greasy discolouration or flecks of black on the chin. Cleaning the chin with an antibacterial wash (such as chlorhexidine) usually helps to clear up the problem in mild cases, and using ceramic food bowls, rather than plastic, can help keep acne at bay. If your cat has been known to suffer from acne, cleaning their chin after feeding can also help!
#NewtonClarkeVets #YeovilVets #SherborneVets #PetPatients #Vaccinations #ChinAcne
If you have recently welcomed a pet into your family, congratulations and welcome to our practice!
Here are the top 5 things you may like to know about us:
💙We’re proudly the only independent vet practice in the area. This means we don’t work to the direction of shareholders - the same people caring for your pets are making the decisions to keep our practice running smoothly.
💙Our team (many of which are higher certificate holders) together with a range of advanced visiting specialists allows us to provide a superior service to our pet owners and those of other local referring practices who utilise our services.
💙Our health plan includes unlimited veterinary consultations - you read that correctly!
💙We are a silver-accredited Investor in the Environment business, which means that sustainability and the impact we have on the environment and wildlife is very high on our agenda.
💙We make caring for your pet as easy as it can be! Visit our website to register, book appointments and more!
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets
We would like to wish our clients a very Happy New Year!
We look forward to seeing you and your pets in the near future. We hope you enjoy a relaxing day together filled with long dog walks and an evening in the warm.
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets
What a year it has been at Newton Clarke!
It has been busy, challenging, and rewarding. We have welcomed many new paws through our doors over the last year and our Newton Clarke Vets family has expanded.
Here are our top 5 highlights of 2024 and, the best bit, some of the beautiful pets we have had the pleasure of caring for over the year…
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets #2024
To ensure that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year with your pets, here are our top tips for a carefree festive season.
❤️Provide a safe space: If you are welcoming visitors over the holiday, ensure your pet has a safe space to retreat to. Pets can become easily overwhelmed with extra noise and people in their homes, so an area to retreat away from guests will help them to settle.
🍫Christmas treats: We all indulge at Christmas but for pets, it can often lead to a rise in cases of pancreatitis. It’s often caused by richer foods, such as mixing meat, goose fat roasties and perhaps a drop of gravy! Be mindful of how much your pet is consuming and most importantly, food which may be toxic. Chocolate, sultanas, blue cheese, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts are common culprits and often hidden in festive favourites.
🦴Bones: Turkey bones, like most other animal bones, splinter and can cause internal tears and blockages. Ensure no meat bones are left lying around for your dog to indulge!
⏰Keep a routine: Christmas is one day of the year when most routines go out the window! Your pet will appreciate some familiarity though, whether that's the same feeding times or a long walk to tire them out.
🌲Plants: Many of the plants we use to decorate our homes at this time of year can be toxic to pets, so ensure the mistletoe, poinsettia and holly are not in a place pets can access.
🎄Decorations: Cats, in particular, love the lights and baubles of a Christmas tree. Be sure they are not left unattended as they have been known to climb, bite and injure themselves.
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets #ChristmasDangers
As winter arrives, many feline friends prefer not to venture into the wet and cold weather outside.
It is still important for them to express natural behaviours and enrichment activities provide the perfect outlet for them.
As well as passing time, this will mean their mental, emotional and physical needs are met, helping them to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Here are our top ideas!
🐈Interactive toys: Strengthen the bond between you and your cat with fun interactive games. You can use wand toys or laser pointers, for example. Remember, the key is there needs to be a reward at the end! Use the laser to point to a treat, or allow them to catch the end of the wand so they have a sense of achievement.
🐈Self-play: The most cost-effective of them all, self-play can involve anything from a paper bag to a cardboard box. Toys that encourage pouncing and chasing will leave your pet feeling satisfied (and tired!).
🐈Food puzzles: Foraging toys are useful to keep pets engaged and to tire their minds. It also encourages a cat's natural instinct to forage for food. You can make your own or purchase puzzle toys. Something as simple as a toilet roll holder stuffed with treats and the ends folded will work perfectly.
🐈Outdoors whilst indoors: Cats will love to watch the wildlife in the garden. So perhaps clear a windowsill or somewhere up high where they can see out and leave nature do the work for you!
#NewtonClarkeVets #YeovilVets #SherborneVets #FelineEnrichment
It can often be difficult leaving your beloved pet with us, especially when they are unwell. Ever wondered what it's like for them behind the scenes?
🩺 Here is a little insight!
This is Graham. He was recently cared for by our team for a few days while he received treatment for a blocked bladder. Of course, a little extra TLC never goes amiss! Here he is enjoying some snuggles with our Animal Nurse Assistant (ANA), Jamie.
We appreciate your pets, like ours, are family and so we make sure they experience the same love and care they deserve whilst they are with us.
Graham is feeling much better and made a full recovery. He is now home with his family 💙
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets #PetPatients #IndependentVets
We feel passionate about educating the pet owners of tomorrow, which is why we created our online children’s club!
Available for free on our website, your children can:
> Learn about pets
> Learn about wildlife and wild animals
> Enjoy animal crafts
> Play animal games and activities
We update the club page every month, so there are always new ways to keep children engaged and educated.
Be sure to like and share to help other parents with animal-mad children!
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVet #YeovilVet #ChildrensEducation
🎃 To ensure Halloween is a ‘happy’ one, here are our top 5 dangers to be aware of:
🍬 Human treats: Chocolate & sweets are everywhere at this time of year but remember, they are highly toxic to pets due to their theobromine and xylitol content. So, ensure no treats are left unattended.
🕯️Candle-lit pumpkins: If you pop your pumpkin in the window, lit with a tea light, just be mindful of how interested your pets are! It goes without saying that fur is very flammable and accidents are common.
🤿 Fancy dress: Some pets don’t mind costumes or pieces of clothing such as a bandana. Others, however, find it very stressful, so if they show any signs of anxiety, it’s best to leave dressing up for the humans!
🕸️ Decorations: Cobwebs, small plastic spiders, the list goes on - for inquisitive pets, it can mean blockages, so be sure they are not left unattended.
🚪Trick or treat: Frequent knocks on the door, shouting and even scary costumes. It can all be rather unsettling for our pets. If your dog is joining you on the trick-or-treat rounds, be mindful that they may act out of character when frightened. It may be best to leave them at home, close the curtains and play some background noise as a calming distraction.
Happy Halloween!
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVets #YeovilVets #Halloween
🔔PetsApp users, remember to have your notifications switched on in your settings!
We only communicate with you when it’s necessary and share information that will be helpful. To ensure this reaches you, be sure your notifications are on.
For those who have yet to download PetsApp, it’s free and available in the Google Play and Apple Store.
You can use it to:
> Chat with our team
> Receive pet updates if they are hospitalised with us
> Book appointments
> Join video consultations
> Pay your invoice
It is our team, in your pocket - making pet care accessible and convenient for all.
#NewtonClarkeVets #SherborneVet #YeovilVet #PetsApp
