Fern Cottage Veterinary Surgery

28/08/2024

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 🌈

Losing a pet is devastating. So we would like to dedicate our thoughts today to pets that are no longer with us.

Please feel free to share pets you wish to remember in the comments below ♥️

26/08/2024

Today is National Dog Day! 🥳

These are some of our staff’s dogs. 🐕

Every day feels like National Dog Day when you are a dog lover - but today we are giving them some extra love.

Share how your dog is celebrating with us below👇

17/08/2024

Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day! 🐈‍⬛

Today we are celebrating all our black feline friends - but how good is your black cat knowledge?

Often black cats are overlooked in shelters due to superstition, however in many cultures black cats are seen as good luck. 🍀

Make sure to show us how your black cats are celebrating their day in the comments below. 👇

16/08/2024

Earlier in the week Pru came in for her dental. 🦷

Pru was so well behaved and gave us a chuckle when she decided to make her own den. We then provided her with a proper den. 😀

We hope you are recovering well. 🐱

We hope you all have a lovely weekend!

15/08/2024

Imagine you are deaf. You can’t hear your smoke alarm or alarm clock. You can’t hear your text messages. You miss out on social interactions. That’s what life is like for deaf people and it can be very isolating. A hearing dog can make a big difference. You can help our charity of the year - Hearing Dogs of Deaf People - help a deaf person leave loneliness behind, by adding a donation via Pennies when you pay by card. Just a small donation can help deaf people escape isolation and reconnect with life. Thank you 🙏

14/08/2024

This week we had gorgeous Lily in for her dental. 🦷

Lily was so precious and greeted us with a tail wag every time we approached her kennel.

Lily has been with us since a puppy and is now 13 years old. It was a pleasure to have her in.

We hope you are recovering well Lily ♥️♥️♥️

12/08/2024

Congratulations Karen Simpson ! 🎉

You have won the £15 voucher for The Pet Shop Sittingbourne !

Thank you to all our participants!

11/08/2024

Our competition has now ended, let the voting commence. 🥳

Please can you like your favourite photo and most likes will win the £15 voucher for The Pet Shop Sittingbourne.

Thank you to everyone that took part.🙏

Voting will close Monday 5pm and the winner will be announced.

10/08/2024

Today is National Spoil your Dog Day! 🐕

The day is entirely dedicated to spoiling our four-legged companions like never before.

Comment below with a photo of your furry friend!

08/08/2024

Today is International Cat Day! 🐈‍⬛ 🐈

We hope you enjoy our staff cat photos!
Please share with us in the comments below, your photos of your purrrrrfect cats 🐱

07/08/2024

4 days to go! If you haven’t already, enter our competition to win a £15 voucher to spend at The Pet Shop Sittingbourne!

Competition ends on the 11th.

With the Olympic Games coming up it’s time for another COMPETITION!

We would love to see your Olympic themed pet photos. 🏅🏟️

Please comment below your photos to be entered.

The winner will be picked by vote on Facebook.
Prize will be confirmed shortly keep an eye on our social media.

GOODLUCK!!

05/08/2024

Today we had Hugo in for his castration. 🐈

Hugo was super sweet and was a model patient.
He was on his best behaviour and devoured his food. 🥘

We wish you a speedy recovery Hugo 🥰

01/08/2024

Our Olympic competition is running until the closing ceremony on the 11th of August. 🏟️

We want to see your Olympic themed pet photos! 🏅

We are pleased to announce we have teamed up with The Pet Shop Sittingbourne and the prize is a £15 voucher to spend in their store. 🫶

Comment your photos on our competition posts to enter.

We will upload a post of all the competitors and most likes will win the prize. 🏆

The pet shop is an independent store in Sittingbourne high street and we love supporting local business. It is a lovely place catering for all your pets needs. 🥰

N.B by uploading your photos you are giving us consent to use them on our social media.

29/07/2024

Today we had cheeky boy Bailey in for his castration. 🐾🐕

Bailey was so sweet and as you can see loved a cuddle.🫶

He was not too fond of his kennel so instead took a nap on our PCA’s lap. 🤦‍♀️🥰

We wish you a speedy recovery Bailey ❤️‍🩹

27/07/2024

FINALLY the weather has started to warm up! ☀️

Hot weather can be tricky with keeping your pets cool.
Here are some tips to help:
• make sure your pet does not get shut in any hot rooms.
•brush them regularly to remove hair and get a shorter cut at the groomers.
•make ice treats or freeze their toys.
• use a misting spray but be careful to avoid their face.
• buy a cooling mat or collar.
•make sure they have a shaded area they can go to.
•do not take them out for a walk in hot weather- also check the temperature of the ground.

If you are concerned your pet is struggling in the heat please call us or bring them in.

26/07/2024

With the Olympic Games coming up it’s time for another COMPETITION!

We would love to see your Olympic themed pet photos. 🏅🏟️

Please comment below your photos to be entered.

The winner will be picked by vote on Facebook.
Prize will be confirmed shortly keep an eye on our social media.

GOODLUCK!!

25/07/2024

Earlier in the week we had Mardy in for his castration. 🐈

Mardy was an absolute sweetheart. He loved cuddles and tiggles. 💓

Mardy was eager to let us know when he required more love. 🥰

You were a star Mardy, we wish you a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

24/07/2024

With UK holidays getting more popular here are some tips and tricks to help you along your way. 🇬🇧

If you do have concerns or need more guidance our team is more than happy to help.

Many pets can experience anxiety especially with long car journeys. Consults can be booked with our vets to discuss alternative treatment.

23/07/2024

Yesterday we had the beautiful Duchess in for her spay. 🐾

She was super excited and was a pleasure to have in.

Duchess was selective with her food but after some cuddles she decided to eat off a plate held for her. 😂🥰

We hope you are recovering well, thank you for the smiles Duchess 👸 😍

12/07/2024

Earlier this week Cassie came in for her spay and pedicure. 💅

She was the sweetest and greeted everyone with a waggy tail. Cassie enjoyed her photoshoot and poked her tongue out for the snaps. 😛

We hope you are recovering well Cassie ♥️

11/07/2024

Today we got to meet Hennessey for her first vaccination and microchip.

Getting your puppy vaccinated and microchipped can be daunting but look how relaxed Hennessey is 😍

Well done Hennessey, you were such a good girl 🐕

08/07/2024

Today we had the lovely little Winston in for his castrate and extraction of deciduous teeth. 🦷

He loved cuddles and requested his bowl be held for him to eat. 🥰😂

Thank you Winston for being a great patient, we wish you a speedy recovery. ❤️‍🩹

05/07/2024

Today is Pet Remembrance Day, a day dedicated to remembering the lives of all our treasured friends whom we’ve loved and lost.

On pet Remembrance Day, pet owners share fond memories of their pets who are no longer with us.
Feel free to share below in the comments, your photos and beautiful memories of your much loved pets who are sadly no longer with us.

Days like today can bring a wave of different emotions for pet owners as you remember the happy and fun times you had with your pet. It’s natural to feel sometimes lost in their absence. Today we honour those amazing pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge; today we grieve and memorialise however we need to.

In case you didn’t know, Hayley, one of our receptionists, is also our trained Pet Bereavement Counsellor. Hayley is always happy to be a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or a friendly face to talk to. If you ever need to talk about the loss of your pet, feel free to contact the practice to arrange to talk to Hayley

🌈 The Rainbow Bridge poem is dedicated to the moment when pets pass away and cross the Rainbow Bridge. They wait for their owners on the other side until they reunite once again 🌈

28/06/2024

Rabbit Awareness Week: Day 5: Companionship

Rabbits are social animals meaning they should not live alone; living in groups or pairs keeps them happy.

It’s important though, that the pairing or groups is done correctly to avoid unhappy rabbits which could lead to fights between rabbits.

Littermates make fantastic companions for each other, but it’s important all the rabbits are neutered to prevent unwanted litters and fights; rabbits will breed with their own siblings.

It can take a bit of time, sometimes a month or so, for new pairs or groups, to bond. Each rabbit is an individual, so it will be different with each rabbit.

A lot of misinformation has lead people to believe it’s ok to keep rabbits and guinea pigs together, but this is not advised. Rabbits and guinea pigs have different dietary and housing requirements; they can also spread bacterial infections between each other.

Follow the link to the Rabbit Welfare Association for helpful advice for bonding rabbits: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pairing-up-rabbits-bonding/

27/06/2024

Rabbit Awareness Week: Day 4: Environment: Toys

Did you know rabbits like to play with toys just like dogs and cats do?

Rabbits are incredibly intelligent animals so it’s important to meet their needs with the right enrichment to keep them happy, healthy and from getting bored.

There are many rabbit safe toys out there such as puzzle feeders, balls, tunnels, dig boxes, and snuffle mats.
But you can also use every day things from home for your rabbits to play with too such as cardboard boxes, empty toilet roll tubes, or shredded paper in a cardboard boxes.

Providing hay or treats inside of toys, helps to promote a rabbits natural foraging behaviour.

27/06/2024

Rabbit Awareness Week: Day 4: Environment: Weather

Ensure your rabbits housing are in sheltered locations to help shield your rabbits from the sun, rain or snow. Ensure to check your rabbits housing regularly for holes, damp and leaks.

🥵Hot weather
In the warm weather months, it’s important to keep your rabbits cools:

💧 Rabbits should have plenty of water available at all times. Ensure the water is not in direct sunlight and is replaced throughout the day to prevent it getting warm/hot.
☀️ Rabbits should have plenty of shady places they can go to get out of the sun
🏠 Ensure their enclosures are not directly in the sunlight by either moving indoor enclosures out the way of windows or having parasoles covering their outdoor enclosures
🆒 Cooling items such as cooling mats are a great way of keeping your rabbits cool. Rabbits love laying against them. Tip: ice blocks wrapped in a towel or a large bottle of frozen water wrapped in a towel is great to pop into your rabbits enclosure for your rabbits to lay against.

❄️ Cold weather
It’s important to keep your rabbit warm in the cold months, whether they are outside or inside.

🏠Insulation is important for those outdoor rabbits. Check your rabbits housing for holes, draughty areas, leaks, damage or damp and ensure the roof of their housing is water tight. Adding thick layers of newspaper on the grounds of their housing, plus extra bedding and hay is important for rabbits to snuggle up into.
💤 Ensure your rabbits sleeping areas are away from draughts and exits
🛖Provide plenty of tunnels and hiding spaces for your rabbit so they can shelter from draughts whilst eating, exploring, playing and sleeping. Put feeding hay into these also throughout the cold months for extra insulation.
🏃 keep your rabbits moving in the cold months. Provide places to forage, toys and places for your rabbit to explore, to help keep your rabbits moving and busy.
💧 Ensure your rabbits water does not freeze over. Wrapping bottles in bubble wrap can help decrease the chance of the water frosting over.

27/06/2024

Rabbit Awareness Week: Day 4: Environment!

In the wild, rabbits can live across farmlands, grassy lands, moorlands or even your back garden.
Wild rabbits live in holes and tunnels under the ground or in hillsides called warrens.

Domesticated rabbits can live either indoors and outside, as long as they have the right enrichment, and have safe environments/enclosures. Your rabbit should be able to lie down stretched right out and hop three times as a minimum requirement for size. The

Rabbits need lots of space. Just a hutch is not enough. A hutch indoors or outside is great for keeping your rabbit safe overnight or for providing shelter from the weather, but rabbits also require space to run around and play.
Providing access to space for exercise is vital, this can be done with tunnels and doorways. Providing exercise space, tunnels, and plenty of hiding spaces helps rabbits to exhibit natural behaviours like they would in the wild.

Did you know rabbits can be litter trained just like cats? Rabbits like to keep clean, so it’s important to keep your rabbits sleeping and toileting area separate, creating a special toileting area for your rabbits from newspaper, hay or straw or even paper based litter.

Follow the rabbit awareness action group link for more helpful advice and tips for an enriching environment for your rabbits:
https://rabbitawarenessactiongroup.co.uk/rabbit-welfare/environment/the-guide-to-rabbit-housing/

26/06/2024

Rabbit Awareness Week: Day 3: Behaviour! 🐰

Rabbits are a pretty species, which means their natural instinct is to hide or run away if they feel unsafe/threatened.

Rabbits are a fantastic addition to the family, but it can take time and patience to get them used to you and your family. New rabbits will often be quite shy and hide away a lot whilst they are getting used to their new environment which is full of new noises, smells and people.

Rabbits display different behaviours day to day, understanding these behaviours will help you to understand your rabbit better.

Biting: if a rabbit bites you, it can mean one of two things, they’re trying to get your attention or they’r giving you a warning. A little nip could be a want for an attention, a full hard bite is warning you your rabbit feels stressed or fearful so it’s time to give your rabbit space.

Ears on alert: If your rabbits ears are laid back, this means your rabbit is relaxed. If your rabbits ears are standing up, your rabbit is alert and something has their attention.

‘Binky’: This is the name given to those jumps where your rabbit jumps into the air and twists. These are your rabbits ‘happy jumps’. This means your rabbit is happy, relaxed and playful.

Thumping: Does your rabbit ever make you jump when it thumps its feet against the ground? This is a warning your rabbit is not happy. They do this when they sense danger or when they’re annoyed. If you’re rabbit does this, leave your rabbit be and give your rabbit some space.

Grooming: When rabbits are licking each other, it’s a sign of affection and a sign they are comfortable and relaxed in their surroundings and company.

Teeth grinding: This can either be a sign your rabbit is content and happy, or this can be a sign something is wrong and your rabbit needs to see a vet. A soft quiet teeth grinding that sounds like a cat purr is a positive sign your rabbit is content….but a loud teeth grinding could mean your rabbit is in pain and you should contact us to arrange an appointment for your rabbit.

25/06/2024

Rabbit Awareness Week: Day 2: Health!: Rabbit health checks

It is important to ensure you check your rabbits regularly to enable you to catch any signs of ill health early. Rabbits are a prey species which means they are very good at hiding the signs of illness or injury.

Knowing what to look out for, allows you to get the help your rabbit needs sooner rather than later.

Handling your rabbit regularly will help you to improve your bond with your rabbit but also allow you to easily check your rabbit over for any signs of illness or injury. Do not wash your rabbit with water, unless advised to do so by a veterinary professional or unless absolutely needed. If you do need to, be very gentle as the water can make them feel vulnerable.

It is important to groom your rabbit daily, as this provides you with the best opportunities to check your rabbits over. You should check their whole body, from the tip of their ears to the tip of their toes, including their mouths, bottoms and ears, checking for any lumps or bumps, signs of injury, or parasites. You should check their nails are not overgrown - we are more than happy to clip your rabbits nails for you in practice with our friendly nurses!

Ensure your rabbits ears are free from parasites such as fleas and mites.

A rabbits eyes should be clear and shiny, with no discharge.

Make sure your rabbits bottom is always clean. If you are notice your rabbit has a messy bottom regularly, there could be a problem. Injuries or messy bottoms make rabbits susceptible to fly strike! Fly strike is where flies lay their eggs on the body of the rabbit; these eggs then hatch into maggots, which then feed off the rabbit which is incredibly painful and can be fatal if not detected quickly enough.

Keep an eye on your rabbits teeth. They must not become overgrown. If you notice your rabbit is having trouble eating, their teeth look overgrown or there is any excessive drooling, its best to get your rabbit checked over by a vet.

You as pet owners will know your rabbits best! If you notice any signs of illness such as breathing changes, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, decreased production of faeces, lethargy or any signs of injury, do not hesitate to contact us to book an appointment with one of our vets.

Don’t forget to invest in a good quality pet insurance for your rabbits too. This can help you cover some of the costs of treatment for illness/injury should your pet require veterinary care.

25/06/2024

Day 2: Health: Neutering: Protect and Prevent!

This years theme for Rabbit Awareness week is Neutering: Protect and Prevent! Protecting rabbits from reproductive diseases and preventing unwanted litters.

Neutering rabbits is an important way to help keep rabbits happy and healthy! Neutering doesn't just prevent breeding and unwanted litters, it also helps to protect your rabbit against diseases linked to their reproductive organs. A neutering operative is a procedure to remove the reproductive organs, which is carried out whilst the patient is under general anaesthesia. This is called spaying for a female and castration for a male.

FACT: Did you know, around 80% of unneutered female rabbits develop cancer of the womb by the age of five years old.

Un-neutered male rabbits can be aggressive towards other rabbits. However, it has been proven that neutered male rabbits can live happily with male and female rabbits. Usually the most successful bonding pair are a neutered female and a neutered male.

To find out more about neutering your rabbit, get in touch with our practice on 01795 476411