What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 12pm

http://www.towcester-vets.co.uk/

Towcester Vets, Burcote Road, Towcester (2025)

10/07/2025

🌟😻 National Kitten Day! 😻🌟

🐾 Today is a day to celebrate all things kitten!

🐾 With several of our staff members regularly fostering and handrearing as well as our new feline patients we have a surplus of kitten cuteness and chaos at Towcester Vets!

🐾 We can have too much of a good thing however. Gorgeous and playful as they are, it is important that we control the numbers of kittens born as there are currently so many cats and kittens in local rescues waiting for new homes. We can neuter kittens from 4 months old before they start to add to the cat population.

🐾 If you are thinking of adding to your family please consider the rescues first. Many have kittens surrendered or mother's that give birth in their care so have cats of all ages looking for their forever homes.

🐾 Remember that legally your new kitten needs to have a microchip placed before they are 20 weeks old.

🐾 We would love to see photos of your current kittens or your cats when they were young! This is a selection of some of the Towcester Vets kittens, permanent and foster!

09/07/2025

🌟 What We Do Wednesday! 🌟

🩹 Exploring Wounds 🩹

🐾 When pets come in with penetrating wounds we need to play detective!

🐾 Sometimes we know what has caused the wound as the owner has witnessed the injury or the item is still in place, but sometimes we don't.

🐾 Even if we know the cause, we often don't know whether any fragments of the item have been left in place, for example splinters of wood from a stick.

🐾 With deep wounds we don't know how deep they go, what they pass through and where they stop. We have had some amazing cases where penetrating objects have managed to avoid any important structures and some where they have entered both chest and abdomen!

🐾 Wounds that might only be very small on the surface might be hiding a lot. Our vets are likely to advise exploration and flushing to try to prevent complications such as internal haemorrhage, infection, abscesses and foreign bodies migrating within the body.

🐾 Sometimes the vets may be able to explore fairly easily, with a small wound being probed and a grass seed as discussed yesterday being just out of sight. Removing it and flushing the tract is likely to solve the problem.

🐾 In other situations, the vet might need to suggest more advanced exploration techniques, including x-rays, ultrasound scans and sometimes the use of radio-opaque dye.

🐾 Sometimes, the initial wound is so small and it causes the animal so little concern that owners don't even notice. These can be the trickiest cases as the grass seed, splinter, thorn etc can migrate throughout the body. Sometimes the first we know about it is when the pet develops a complication such as an abscess, persistent lameness or a pyothorax (pus in the chest cavity). Surgical flushing or advanced imaging such as a CT scan may then be required.

🐾 The best outcomes for wounds are always those that can be cleaned and investigated soon after the injury happens. Even if the wound is small, please do still give us a call for advice or an appointment.

08/07/2025

🎩 Top Tip Tuesday! 🎩

🌾 Grass Seeds 🌾

🐾 Anyone else's dogs coming back from walks looking like this at the moment?!

🐾 The sticky round cleaver seeds don’t tend to cause too many problems, but grass seeds can cause no end of issues.

🐾 Grass seeds are generally arrow shaped, designed by nature with a sharp point to pe*****te the soil and barbs to stop it reversing out again. Unfortunately, as well as working effectively to burrow into the soil, they can also make their way into our pets!

🐾 The most common locations that we remove stuck grass seeds from are within ear canals and between the toes, but we also remove them from eyes, noses, gums, armpits, lungs, anywhere on the skin and even from prepuces!

🐾 The two individual ones in the photos were removed last week from under eyelids! Both 16 week old Reggie pictured with Hollie F and a cat were very brave and let us remove them without sedation! The ones next to the pen were from an ear canal.

🐾 Try to remove all the plant debris from your pet when you get back from a walk before the seeds have chance to break the skin or work their way out of reach. Regularly check between their toes.

🐾 Some owners chose to avoid walks with long grass at this time of year, but it can be easier said than done.

🐾 The symptoms you might see depends on where the seed has lodged, but head shaking, inflamed eyes, skin swellings, swellings between toes, persistent licking, sneezing, nasal discharge, pawing at ears or mouth, lameness or pain could all be signs that a seed has made it's way somewhere it shouldn't have.

🐾 If you see any of these signs please give us a call for an appointment and hopefully we can remove the offending item! ☎️

07/07/2025

🌍🍫 World Chocolate Day! 🍫🌍

🐾 It is always worth a reminder that chocolate is toxic to most of our pets, particularly on the day to celebrate it!

🐾 Did you know…

🍫 It is the chemicals within chocolate, theobromine and caffeine that causes the toxicity?

🍫 That chocolate toxicity is most common in dogs, but cats actually have a lower threshold for theobromine toxicity? They are just less likely to eat enough to reach the threshold.

🍫 That theobromine toxicity is possible in people too, but our threshold is very high meaning it would take around 30kg of milk chocolate to poison an average person?!

🍫 That rats and mice have a higher tolerance to theobromine too so some owners will give tiny bits as treats? The sugar content as well as the theobromine and caffeine means it definitely shouldn't be given often and only in small quantities though.

🍫 That cocoa powder has a very high theobromine level and so animals can become unwell from ingesting even small amounts? Toxicity can result from baked goods, chocolate drinks, chocolate icing and chocolate chips as well as solid milk and dark chocolate.

🍫 That theobromine acts in a similar way to amphetamines in people? Animals who ingest too much are likely to suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea, with higher doses resulting in anxiety, agitation, increased heart rate and hyperactivity with tremors, seizures, collapse, comas and death in the most serious cases.

🐾 If you discover your pet has ingested chocolate please call us with details of the product eaten (bring the packaging if possible) and an estimate of the amount eaten so we can advise you.

🐾 Enjoy your chocolate today, but try to keep it out of the reach of your pets!

06/07/2025

🌍🤢 World Zoonoses Day 🤒🌍

🐾 A Zoonosis is a disease that can transmit between animals and people and vice versa.

🐾 Most diseases are species specific and so we don't need to worry about giving our pets cuddles to help feel better when we are poorly, or becoming unwell when we nurse our pets.

🐾 Some however can affect multiple species and so extra care needs to be taken.

🐾 We would always recommend good hygiene techniques around pets: washing hands after handling and before eating, not letting them lick your face, wearing gloves and washing hands when handling faeces or vomit.

🐾 In some circumstances we would recommend additional measures to minimise the risk of disease transmission. These patients may require being hospitalised within our isolation unit to protect other patients and nursed with additional PPE.

🐾 Haemorrhagic diarrhoea: many conditions and microorganisms can cause haemorrhagic (bloody) diarrhoea and it often takes several days before laboratory analysis can confirm which is present. The supportive treatment is the same however so definite diagnosis is not always essential. Some causes such as Canine Parvovirus can not pass to humans, but salmonella, campylobacter, giardia, E.coli and others can pass between pets and people.

🐾 Jaundice: as discussed yesterday jaundice can have several causes, but until Leptospirosis is ruled out extra care should be taken with these patients. In people the disease is known as Weil’s disease and can make people very unwell.

🐾 Skin conditions: many skin conditions are not contagious, resulting from allergies, endocrine disorders, or non-infectious causes. Others may be zoonotic, for example ringworm and sarcoptic scabies so good hygiene is important if any person or pet is affected.

🐾 Reptiles: reptiles have a higher incidence of carrying salmonella, even while remaining well. Although humans becoming unwell is rare, excellent hand hygiene is important.

🐾 Worms: although the worms our pets can host can not live in people, the larval stage can still cause many issues including damaging tissues such as eyes and the brain. Good hygiene is recommended, particularly with children who play on the ground more.

🐾 Toxoplasmosis: toxoplasma gondii is a parasite whose final host is cats. Many cats may be infected without demonstrating clinical signs but standard hygiene is normally sufficient to avoid human infection. If humans do become infected, symptoms are normally very mild, but infection during pregnancy can be devastating and so those trying to conceive or pregnant should take additional precautions when emptying litter trays or avoid the task. Gloves should also be worn when gardening as soil is considered to be the most common source of infection.

🐾 Pets from abroad: We are incredibly fortunate that currently we don't have to deal with one of the most deadly zoonotic diseases: rabies. Fortunately there is a reliable vaccine available which all pets entering the UK should have had. Brucellosis is another disease that the UK is seeing more commonly, and all imported animals should be tested before entry to the UK and again 4 months later. Pet smuggling is however still a big issue, so please be extremely vigilant when purchasing or rescuing a new pet that it is UK bred or if imported suitably vaccinated and tested.

🐾 As always if you are worried about your pet's health give us a call.

06/07/2025

🐾 Staff Pet Sunday! 🐾

🐇 These cuties are 18 months old guinea pig sisters Rhubarb, Crumble and Custard and Pluto the Netherland Dwarf rescue rabbit.

🐇 Although they all belong to our vet nurse Holly L and her boys, Pluto doesn't live with the girls. Although in the past rabbits and guinea pigs were sometimes housed together, we now know that this isn't good practice. The two species have different requirements and the energetic activities of rabbits such as binkying and thumping as well as their larger size can make them stressful room mates for guinea pigs.

🐇 Both species are sociable, but prefer friends of the same type. A gang of guinea pig girls tend to get along very well, either alone or with a neutered husband.

🐇 Rabbits are a bit contrary. They are sociable species and generally have fewer behavioural and health problems if they live with a bonded friend, but they can be extremely fussy about what makes a suitable friend! As we have discussed previously, rabbit bonding requires a lot of time and patience, and unfortunately there are still some individuals, like Pluto, that seems determined to remain a bachelor forever! Although a rabbit friend or two is the ideal, Pluto is a house-rabbit and so is sociable with his human friends as well as the family cats and dog.

🐇 Pluto is a bit cheeky and loves getting up to mischief, but his loving nature and adorable face means he gets away with a lot!

05/07/2025

🤕🤢 Symptom Saturday! 🤧🤒

💛 Jaundice 💛

🐾 Jaundice, also known as icterus, is the term used for the yellow pigmentation that arises due to the build-up of a chemical called bilirubin in the blood.

🐾 The yellow colouration affects most of the body but is normally most noticeable in the sclera (whites) of the eyes, the membranes and gums in the mouth and areas of pale, hairless skin such as the abdomen. Jaundiced animals often have bright yellow or orange urine and may have paler coloured faeces than normal. A stronger yellow colour is also apparent in the serum of the blood as shown in the photo.

🐾 Bilirubin is normal within the body, being created as red blood cells break down before being processed by the liver. It is then transported via the bile duct into the intestines to be excreted in faeces. At normal levels the amount of bilirubin doesn't result in yellow colouration, jaundice is a sign that there is too much in the blood.

🐾 High levels of bilirubin, or hyperbilirubinemia, can result from any stage of the normal process going wrong:

🟡 Too many red blood cells breaking down, for example in pets with immune mediated haemolytic anaemia.

🟡 Liver conditions resulting in less bilirubin being processed, for example hepatitis, liver tumours or infections such as leptospirosis.

🟡 Bile duct conditions preventing the movement of bilirubin into the intestines, for example bile duct inflammation or gall stones.

🐾 Other symptoms are likely to be demonstrated alongside jaundice depending on the cause, including lethargy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, anorexia and collapse.

🐾All causes of jaundice need to be investigated and treated quickly. The veterinary surgeon is likely to suggest blood samples to assess the level of bilirubin, numbers of red blood cells and liver function. They may also suggest an ultrasound scan to assess the liver and bile ducts. Treatment options will depend on the cause determined.

🐾 Owner's should take extra care with hygiene around jaundiced dogs, particularly if not up to date with their vaccines, as one of the differential diagnoses is Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can also cause serious illness in people.

🐾 If you are concerned that your pet is demonstrating any signs of jaundice please give us a call and we can arrange an appointment to see them ☎️

04/07/2025

🐾 Pet of the Week! 🐾

🐶 This cute little one is Koda, a small dog with a big personality!

🐶 A few weeks ago Koda's owners brought him to the Towcester Hospital as he had paraparesis: weakness of both hind legs. Koda luckily was still able to use his legs and had feeling in them.

🐶 Vet Rebs examined Koda and explained to the owner that she suspected he was suffering from Intervertebral Disc Disease, IVDD, sometimes referred to as a 'slipped disc'. Intervertebral discs are fibrous shock absorbers between the vertebrae bones of the spine. Unfortunately sometimes these discs become diseased, becoming hardened and inflexible and sometimes material from the discs can 'slip', intruding into the spinal canal and applying pressure to the spinal cord.

🐶 IVDD can vary in severity, from fairly mild back pain, to weakness as seen with Koda, to complete paralysis and in the worst cases the lack of any feeling at all in the legs.

🐶 Confirming the diagnosis involves the use of advanced imaging techniques such as a CT or MRI scan, but the clinical signs are often enough for a fairly confident presumptive diagnosis.

🐶 IVDD can be managed medically with rest, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications or surgically where the material from the damaged disc can be removed. Prognosis for the return to normal varies, but generally those with feeling and some movement have a better chance of a full recovery than those without.

🐶 IVDD often affects the animals ability to urinate and defecate and so these might also have to be managed, either with maintaining hygiene from incontinence or expressing bladders.

🐶 Koda luckily maintained the ability to toilet and so was treated with medications to keep him comfortable and strict rest with only very short walks to go to the toilet.

🐶 Koda is a good example of contextualised care as we discussed on Wednesday in action! Koda unfortunately started life in an abusive home and so is not a big fan of strangers at the vets - and tries to demonstrate this with his teeth!! Ideally he would have been hospitalised for longer for pain relief and monitoring but for his stress levels and to keep all our staff fingers intact Rebs and Koda's owner created a care plan for him at home.

🐶 As you can see from the second video the rest and medications have worked well and Koda has improved massively.

🐶 We are so pleased that this determined and strong-willed boy is doing so well. He still needs to rest for a bit longer but hopefully can soon start to build back up to normal. His owners are very grateful for all the care. We are sure Koda is too, he just hides it well 🤣

04/07/2025

‼️ Found Cat! ‼️

🐾 Last night we had a long-haired entire male ginger cat brought to our Towcester Hospital after being hit by a car on the Towcester Road near Mere Way Tesco in Northampton.

🐾 He is receiving treatment for his injuries but is currently stable

🐾 Please call us on 01327 350239 if you think he might be your boy

🐾 Please share to help us reunite him 🥰

02/07/2025

🌟 What We Do Wednesday! 🌟

💚 Contextualised Care 💚

🐾 Contextualised Care is a bit of a complicated sounding term for a pretty simple concept: we consider each animal and owner as individuals.

🐾 There are many different factors that can affect the best treatment plan for any animal. On paper, as veterinary professionals when we were studying the conditions and how we should treat them we might have learnt a “gold standard method”, but in reality, there are many variations to the treatment plan that might be appropriate.

🐾 We need to take into account:

🔺 The pet’s age

🔺 The pet’s temperament

🔺 Any other medical conditions

🔺 Whether the pet has a job or hobby

🔺 Owner’s lifestyle

🔺 Owner's own health concerns

🔺 Finances available

🔺 Owner or pet allergies

🔺 Veterinary skills/equipment available

🔺 And anything else that might affect choices

🐾 It is really important that Veterinary staff and the pet owners work together to create a treatment plan that is manageable and everyone can have confidence in.

🐾 Please do let us know if you have concerns about any proposed treatments and we can work together to suggest alternatives.

01/07/2025

🖤 Found Cat 🖤

🐾 Very sadly, last night we had a cat brought to us after being involved in a car accident in Blisworth. Unfortunately he had died before arriving at the hospital.

🐾 The poor boy was dark brown/black and white, not castrated and a domestic shorthair. Unfortunately he wasn't microchipped.

🐾 If you believe he may be your cat, please message or email us some photos.

🐾 Please share so we can get his owners some closure. Thank you.

01/07/2025

🎩 Top Tip Tuesday! 🎩

💜 Remembering our pets 💜

🐾 One of the biggest sadnesses of pet ownership is that their life expectancy is so much shorter than ours. Most owners agree that the happiness and joy that they bring during their lifetime far outweighs the sadness at the end, and take strength from happy memories.

🐾 For some, they are happy to just reflect on their own memories to remember their pet, while others like to have physical mementos.

🐾 Photographs: these days with camera phones so easily to hand there are few pet owners without photo galleries containing images of their pets in various situations. Some owners also like to obtain high quality professional photos like the lovely one of gorgeous Chief taken by the very talented Annie Bee Portrait. Chief was rescued at the grand old age of 13 by one of the local dog trainers we recommend, Laura Wyllie Dog Training and amazingly Laura got three more years of memories with him, with this photo of him taken by Annie on his 16th birthday!

🐾 Annie loves to encourage people to capture photos of their pets, particularly as they get older, and runs senior head shot sessions. She gives some great tips for taking your own photos too in this blog post:

Five Must Take Photographs of older dogs
https://rebrand.ly/9py02io

🐾 Artwork: typically working from photographs, talented artists can create amazing works of art of pets in a huge variety of styles.

🐾 Pawprints: pawprints can be taken both during the pet's life and after they have passed. These can be cherished as they are, or used by tattoo artists or jewellery makers to create different memorials. We are happy to collect ink paw prints free of charge for any client who would like them after their pet has died. We can also collect nose prints, which are as unique as finger prints.

🐾 3D paw prints: we also offer foam or clay pawprints free of charge which provide a three dimensional memory. Kits are also available to allow castings of your pet during their lifetime.

🐾 Fur: we are happy to collect samples of your pet’s fur for you to keep if you wish.

🐾 Ashes: some owners are content with their pets ashes to be scattered alongside other ashes at the pet crematorium, others would rather have their pets ashes returned to them. Ashes can be returned in a temporary container until they can be taken to be scattered at a special location or in a wide variety of casket and urn options to be kept.

🐾 Jewellery: a variety of companies can make jewellery with glass inset that contains a sample of your pets ashes.

🐾 There is absolutely no correct way to remember your pet, we all have different preferences and ideals. As a result we try to have a wide range of options available, either that we ourselves can provide, our pet cremation can provide on our behalf or we can direct you to specialist providers. Please feel free to enquire about the options available at any time.

Towcester Vets

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Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 12pm