West Mount Vets

15/02/2025

**STAFF PETS**
Maple is a Welsh Collie and is owned by one of our Student Veterinary Nurses Chloe, originally she wasn't planning on getting another dog but when a litter of Welsh Collie puppies came into the practice she couldn't say no.
Maples favourite hobbies are eating, sleeping, watching the television and when she feels like it meeting up with her doggie friends for a walk.

14/02/2025

Unfortunately, we have had some reports of this still happening.
Please be vigilant and use the links below to check for approved databases.

You may receive an email from Petchip.network advising that your pet’s microchip registration has expired and you need to pay for it to be updated – PLEASE IGNORE. THIS IS A SCAM. The email comes with a link taking you to a page showing your pet’s name, microchip number, your contact phone number and looks very convincing. PLEASE IGNORE.

There is a list of approved databases on gov.uk:
Get your dog or cat microchipped - GOV.UK

Typically you would only pay a fee or first registering your pet or if you contact the company to update your details .
It is important to keep your pet’s microchip contact details up-to-date including if you move address or change phone number/ email address. Please contact your microchip provider direct to update your details.

14/02/2025

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY 💝
Roses are red
Violets are blue
The best Valentine’s gift is
The way your cat looks at you 💕

12/02/2025

APPRENTICESHIP FACTS
Did you know apprenticeships:
-Have no maximum age limit
-Range from level 2 – level 7 degree
-Are a paid job where you earn and learn
-All tuition fees are paid by the employer
-Can provide a gateway to achieving career aspirations

From 16 – 99 years old, apprenticeships really do provide fantastic career opportunities for everyone.
If you’re interested in more information on veterinary apprenticeships please email [email protected]

10/02/2025

It’s National Apprenticeship Week!
We’re proud to be celebrating the apprenticeship opportunities within the veterinary profession and how we support these in our practice.

09/02/2025

While it's a frequent issue, bad breath in pets should not be considered normal. Often, it's a sign of underlying health problems that need attention. If you're used to your pet cuddling close to your face, you'll likely notice quickly if their breath becomes unpleasant!
Find out more about how to improve your pet’s bad breath here:

Dogs: https://bit.ly/407sv4B
Cats: https://bit.ly/4dP78rW

07/02/2025

Did you know that there are many different types of parasite prevention available to treat fleas, worms, mites and ticks?
Depending on what suits your pet best, these treatments can be given in tablet form, as a spot on treatment or as a long lasting injection*.

Speak to us in practice today to find out the best option for your pet.

*Not all options are suitable for all pets, speak to us for more
information

05/02/2025

Arthritis is one of the most over-looked conditions in our pets, with symptoms commonly attributed to “slowing down” or “getting older.”
These are some signs that are easily missed.

See the full list of symptoms at:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/conditions/osteoarthritis-in-cats

03/02/2025

Anti-freeze contains a chemical called Ethylene Glycol, which has a sweet taste and smell that can attract cats and dogs too. If they find it, they might try to lick or eat it, so always ensure the lid is tightly closed and store it somewhere completely out of your pet’s reach.
Signs of anti-freeze poisoning in cats include vomiting, tiredness, unsteadiness, seizures and difficulty breathing.
Once consumed, Ethylene Glycol turns into calcium oxalate crystals, which can severely damage the kidneys and often prove fatal.

If you think your cat may have ingested anti-freeze, contact your vet immediately - it’s an emergency.

30/01/2025

New year, new pet? The Healthy Pet Club has you covered.
Vaccinations, Parasite control, Health checks, discounts in practice and more!
These benefits are included to give your pet the best start in life and to maintain their health as the years go by.
Find out how to join today:
vetcollection.co.uk/health-plans-and-products/healthy-pet-club

28/01/2025

Meet Karen, one of Hearing Dogs’ amazing volunteer dog trainers.
We asked Karen about why she volunteers: “My lovely mum has been deaf since childhood and has had multiple operations on her ears over the years and now has a BAHA hearing aid. When she removes this at night, she hears nothing.”
“She doesn't have a hearing dog herself but it's because of her I got involved with this amazing charity and became a volunteer. I've witnessed her struggles and the lack of understanding from people about her deafness and I wanted to do something to help improve a deaf person's life.”
Karen has been volunteering for ten years and it’s been Poodles all the way. Before current trainee Merlin, there were Jessie, Peach, Sonny, and Ziggy. Ahead of Merlin's final assessment, Karen has said:
“I absolutely adore him and will miss Merlin so much as he makes me laugh everyday. But I feel so excited that someone out there is going to be told about him very soon. Whoever gets him will have an extremely loyal friend who will look after and adore them.”

26/01/2025

Are you thinking about introducing tooth brushing into your pet’s care routine?🐾

Check out what you’ll need below and for further information on brushing your pet’s teeth:
Cats: https://bit.ly/4dWyJYr
Dogs: https://bit.ly/3Yu8unB

24/01/2025

Our first priority when your pets visit us is their safety at all times.
Please ensure that cats are restrained in baskets or other suitable carriers, and dogs are kept under control and on a lead at all times in the car park and waiting room.

If you need any assistance to meet these requirements,
please let us know so that we may help.

22/01/2025

Many conditions we see that present as an acute problem are actually a sign of something underlying.
The most common example is an ear infection due to underlying allergic skin disease. Although we can treat the ear infection, if we don’t address the skin disease the ear will continue developing infections and, eventually, develop chronic problems. The active infection is the priority and diagnosing and managing this should be the focus of the initial consultation, however at the follow up appointment the vet will have more time to discuss other signs of skin disease and suggest further investigations or long-term management options to help control this and reduce the likelihood of recurrent infections.
This is the case for many other problems that are likely to recur or persist, such as urinary tract disease (particularly in cats), lameness, diarrhoea, or pancreatitis, to name a few.
For more information on why rechecks are important:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/why-rechecks-are-so-important

20/01/2025

Blue Monday typically falls on the third Monday of January and is often considered the “saddest day of the year”.

Fortunately, we all know that our pets are great at cheering us up, and here’s how they can help raise your spirits this January:
- Studies show that interacting with pets—like stroking their fur or playing— releases oxytocin (the "feel-good" hormone) and lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone). - - Walking a dog or playing with a cat keeps you active, which boosts endorphins and helps combat sadness or depression.

Pets are very intuitive, meaning they can sense when you are feeling down.
Their comforting presence alone can be enough to soothe any feelings of stress, anxiety or sadness.
How do your pets help you beat the January blues? Share your stories and
photos in the comments! 🐶😺

19/01/2025

If your pet is overweight, the path to weight loss and a healthy happy pet isn’t always clear. Losing weight can be a challenging and lengthy process, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or confused by conflicting advice.
We are here to help with our weight clinics. Our veterinary nurses can help formulate a personalised plan for your pet, set achievable goals and help you with any setbacks.

Contact us today to book your weight clinic appointment!

18/01/2025

**STAFF PETS**
This is Pickle and he belongs to our receptionist Gina who is mainly based at West Vale but you may have seen her at Mytholmroyd. She adopted him from Yorkshire Cat Rescue in August 2024 and has been lovingly welcomed into the family by Gina's two other cats, Katy and Ebony.

Pickle's favourite hobbies are eating food, stealing food from his sisters and prowling around looking for food!
When he's not doing any of those things he enjoys play-fighting with his sisters, playing fetch with anything round and crinkly (he loves silver foil) and sleeping anywhere he can - including heads and laps!