The Animal Health Centre

17/09/2024

Sad news: Unfortunately we have had a deceased female short haired cat brought into us after being found near longden road, in-between Longden Village and Annscroft. She was sadly not microchipped so we have been unable to trace the owner this way. Please call us on 01743 369 999 if you think she could be your missing cat. Thank you, The AHC Team

29/07/2024

It's going to be a very warm week, here's some advice again from the pdsa on how to keep your pets cool ☀️

With the British weather warming up (again!) we thought it would be a paw-fect time to remind you of our top tips on how you can keep your pets cool 🧊

[Visual description: Infographic reads: Five ways to keep pets cool in summer. Make a sun shelter, make sure your pet has plenty of water, exercise early or late, keep up with grooming, and keep their bed cool and comfortable.]

19/07/2024

Summers here (for a day or two) and it's going to be a hot one today ☀️ 🌡️ let's keep our pets cool ❄️

Here is some advice from the Dogs Trust, The Kennel Club, Rabbit Awareness Week and the PDSA.

06/06/2024

A sad story - A deceased male black and white short haired cat has been brought to us from the Radbrook Area. He is microchipped but the contact details for the owner are out of date. In circumstances where a cat disappears, most owners prefer to know what has happened - The "not knowing" is worse than finding out the worst. So a sad post but one we felt compelled to write in case someone out there was anxious about their missing cat and wanted to know whether he was alive or not. Please call us on 01743 369 999 if you think he could be your missing cat. Thank you, The AHC Team

25/03/2024

🍫Chocolate: Easter Eggs

Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which can cause some concerning signs in our dogs, if ingested in high concentration it can be very serious.

The severity depends on type of chocolate and size of dog so its always best to keep chocolate treats out of our dogs reach.

Remember that dogs can quickly snaffle an Easter chocolates during Easter egg hunts!

Clinical signs of chocolate toxicity usually occurs 6–12 hours after ingestion, so we need prompt response after a patient has snaffled those snacks!

Initial signs may include:
🍫Polydipsia (drinking lots)
🍫Vomiting
🍫Diarrhoea
🍫Abdominal distention
🍫Restlessness

Worryingly, if left too long signs may progress to more severe symptoms.

🍫Hyperactivity
🍫Polyuria (excessive urination)
🍫Ataxia (wobbly)
🍫Rigidity or tremorsand seizures.

Devastatigly in severe ingestion cases we can see:

🍫Tachycardia/bradycardia (worryingly fast or slow heart rate), tachypneoa (fast breathing) cyanosis, hypertension/hypotension (high or low blood pressure), hyperthermia (high body temperature) or coma!

If your pet has managed to get hold of a chocolate treat then call your veterinary practice immediately. If treatment is required, the quicker we can start it, the better.

Treatment may include:

✅ Inducing emesis (vomiting)
✅ Activated charcoal
✅ Supportive therapy for any clinical signs