West Mount Vets

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!

16/01/2025

The pet insurance market can be very overwhelming but it can be made easier by deciding the type of policy that would suit you best to narrow your search.
Depending on the age of your pet and level of cover you would like to protect them with, you can then start considering the different polices for that type of insurance.
Remember not all pet insurance is the same so it is a good idea to check the cover provided and ask if you will be paying more for claiming.

14/01/2025

Hearing dog Albert has been on an adventure with his deaf partner Sarah, as they visited York city centre.
Albert took in all the sights, including the spectacular York Minster, and did so well in a busy environment with lots of people.
Not only that, but Albert also travelled on two forms of public transport and proved to be the perfect passenger on both a train and a river cruise.
Amazing job as always, Albert!

10/01/2025

Overindulged during the holiday season? As many of us embark on New Year’s resolution diet and fitness regimes, lots of our pets would benefit from accompanying us. It is estimated that up to 65% of dogs and 50% of cats in the UK are obese.
Being overweight leaves pets at greater risk of conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease and arthritis and studies have shown that it can dramatically reduce their overall life expectancy.
Find out more about recognising and tackling pet obesity:
vetcollection.co.uk/health/obesity-in-pets/

08/01/2025

Today is National Labrador Day!

To celebrate we’d love to see some photos of your gorgeous labs in the comments below!

07/01/2025

*****PRACTICE UPDATE******

All our surgeries are now back to normal services.

Please take extra care when attending appointments due to the snow and rain, the car parks are now very icy, and heavily gritted so please check and clean your dogs paws and pads.

Thank you for bearing with us whlie our staff tackled the snow, one of our Veterinary Surgeons Kate Campbell braved a 1.5hr walk in the snow to get to her train then due to the snow had to change trains which took a further 2hrs in total with another walk at the other end to get to the Halifax Surgery! Kate endured a 5 hour trip to ensure she was here to care for our patients, what dedication.

Just one of many epic journeys our wonderful staff took to get to our surgeries.

06/01/2025

SNOW UPDATE
Clients attending our West Vale surgery today please allow extra time for your visit. Your patience is appreciated. Not only are other clients delayed by the weather conditions but we are having staffing challenges of our own.

We also have no internet connection.

As our phones and clinical records are dependent on the internet please could you contact us using the main hospital number 01422 354542.

Sorry for any inconvenience

06/01/2025

Salt and grit used for de-icing roads can pose risks to a dog’s paws. It can irritate their paw pads, causing redness, cracking or peeling.
In an attempt to remove the salt, dogs may lick their paws, but this can lead to them ingesting chemicals that can upset their stomachs or cause more severe issues. Grit found on the roads sometimes causes micro-cuts and abrasions on paw pads, increasing the chance of infection.

Prevention and Care:
Use dog boots to shield paws from salt and grit.
Apply a paw wax or balm before walks to create a protective barrier.
Rinse and wipe your dog’s paws with warm water and a soft cloth after walks.
Check paws regularly for cuts or signs of irritation.
Trim fur between paw pads to prevent ice and grit accumulation.

First Aid for Irritated Paws:
Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Apply a soothing paw balm or petroleum jelly.
If irritation persists or there are signs of infection (redness, swelling, limping), please call us to book an appointment

06/01/2025

*****SNOW UPDATE*****

Due to extreme weather conditions, we have reduced staffing across our branches Hudds, West Vale Mytholmroyd and Halifax.

Please take care when travelling with your pets for thier appointment and procedures.

Should you need to rearrange any of your appointments today, we will be happy to do this for you by calling your normal surgery.

***********HALIFAX CARPARK************

The Carpark is being dug out to enable us to use it, until then please park on the road if you are visiting today as it is likely you will get stuck!

Thank you for your patience during this time.

05/01/2025

January marks the beginning of Walk Your Dog Month, designed to encourage dog owners to be more active and ensure their pets get sufficient exercise. It highlights the importance of regular walks for a dog's physical and mental health whilst promoting a healthier lifestyle for pet owners too.

It will not come as a surprise that there are many benefits to regular dog walks: Physical Health: Prevents obesity and keeps dogs fit.

Mental Stimulation: Outdoor walks provide sensory enrichment through smells, sights, and sounds.

Behaviour Improvement: Exercise can reduce boredom, destructive behaviour and anxiety.

Bonding: Strengthens the relationship between owners and their pets. Have you enjoyed many winter walks this season? ️

Throughout January we will be sharing many more pet care tips, so do keep an eye on our social media platforms

05/01/2025

Halifax Branch is still open and available 01422354542 for any emergencies.

Please be careful when travelling to the practice ❄️

🌨 Weather warnings have been updated and remain in place for snow and ice across Calderdale until midday on Monday 🌨

⚠️ It is forecast that snow will continue, with the potential of some rain, returning back to more snow later today. This weather can cause extremely dangerous snow and ice conditions for the foreseeable.

🚫 We encourage all residents not to travel where possible today AND tomorrow. Travelling in extreme conditions can cause delays for those who need access to emergency services and could cause danger for you and others. Please continue to plan ahead for the next couple of days and consider alternative arrangements where possible.

💚 We'd like to remind residents that our teams are working hard with local partners and neighbouring authorities to keep critical routes accessible between emergency service bases, hospitals, and very low-level access in large areas of communities.

See below for some links to further information:

⚡️ Power lines can become affected in adverse weather. Please follow Northern Powergrid for the latest updates or visit https://www.northernpowergrid.com/

❄️The latest weather updates and alerts from the Met Office can be found at weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings

Read our tips and advice on staying warm, safe, and well this winter 👉 https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/council/emergencies/be-prepared-winter?fbclid=IwY2xjawHnYB5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHa7ypGbT2vVE5ZaDpYxJmzSjRVI_qXdBEj2VVtZNNYvAcbburdEW5O42OQ_aem_lytvRif71YWsiL4snVCtKg

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! Wishing you and your pets health and happiness for the year to come.

Where will today take you - and what adventures have you got planned for 2025?

31/12/2024

Happy New Year’s Eve! How are you and your pets welcoming in the New Year?

Here’s to everyone spending New Year’s Eve at home, in their jim-jams, with their pets.

25/12/2024

🎄✨ Merry Christmas from All of Us at West Mount Vets! 🎄✨
This Christmas, we wish you and your pets a season filled with love, joy, and paw-sitive moments!
Remember to keep your pets safe during the festivities—watch out for chocolate, tinsel, and other holiday hazards! 🎁✨
If you need us over the holidays, check our hours on our website or give us a call.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎉