Jonathan Wood Veterinary Surgeons

25/04/2024

As devoted caregivers for our pets, the decision on euthanasia is a deeply emotional journey. Beyond considering our pet's needs, there are other vital aspects to address during this challenging time. If you have the time, creating an end-of-life plan can provide comfort, ensuring you're informed and prepared.

Considerations around euthanasia include:
🏡 Place: At home or the veterinary practice?
💔 Should I stay with my pet?
❓ Should my child(ren) be present?
🌺 Aftercare options: Burial or cremation?
💼 Pre-euthanasia appointments
🤔 Other considerations for the process and aftercare

Being informed and prepared doesn’t change how painful losing a pet is; it helps alleviate distress and minimises regrets. Explore more about considerations for euthanasia: https://www.compassionunderstood.com/page/preparing-for-euthanasia-considerations🐾

24/04/2024

So we shared a list the other day of tasks which our receptionists perform alongside their meet and great roles. It was quite a long list and believe it or not they weren't all of the tasks.
Here are some more of the tasks our wonderful reception team complete alongside phone answering and client serving.

22/04/2024

Quality of Life (QoL) is a deeply personal concept, varying from one pet owner to another. What may be reasonable for one might not be for another. Determining QoL is complex, challenging for pet owners, veterinarians, and caregivers alike.

Veterinary professionals are trained in assessing quality of life and can help you make informed decisions about medical or palliative intervention and, when necessary, the right time for euthanasia.

Measuring QoL involves asking, 'Is my pet able to do the things that make him/her happy?' and 'Is he/she having more bad days than good days?' Consider factors like pain, appetite, demeanour, mobility, and incontinence.

Capture snapshots of your pet's daily life regularly. It helps benchmark their activities and provides a meaningful comparison over time. Don't rely solely on wagging tails or purring; they alone don't paint the full picture.

Explore more about measuring QoL and making informed decisions for your pet: https://www.compassionunderstood.com/page/measuring-quality-of-life🐾

21/04/2024

Today marks the start of Vet Receptionist Awareness Week.

Being a veterinary receptionist is a bit like being a circus performer, they are always juggling! People often think that receptionists spend the day answering phones and helping clients, whilst this is a massive part of their jobs they do lots of other things as well, so we wanted to highlight the work involved in a vet receptionist role.

19/04/2024

🐾 True or False? 🐾

🐶 "Ignoring a crying puppy is the best way to avoid rewarding the behaviour." 🚫

🌟 Fact Check: It's not about tough love, but understanding your pup's needs! Ignoring cries doesn't always teach independence; sometimes, it's about addressing real concerns and fears.

When your furry friend cries, it's their way of communicating. Consider if they need the toilet, feel cold, are lonely, or scared.

Remember, in their litter, puppies sleep cosily with their siblings. Transitioning to a new home and sleeping alone in a crate can be a big adjustment. If your puppy is crying, investigate the cause—let them out if it's a potty emergency. Small bladders need attention!

If it's loneliness or fear, comfort is key. You can't reinforce fear, and having your pup close, even in your room, fosters security. As they grow, gradually transition them downstairs.

🚼 A little TLC goes a long way in building trust and a secure environment for your furry family member!

15/04/2024

A lovely place to walk and raise some money for a great cause 🐾🐾🐾

A sponsored walk to transform deaf people’s lives

15/04/2024

The Feelings of Loss

🐾 Navigating Pet Loss: A Unique Emotional Journey 🌈💔

Losing a pet brings a mix of emotions - grief, sadness, anger, guilt, and denial. Every feeling is valid, just like your pet's uniqueness. Healing timelines vary, and seeking support is crucial. Share your experiences, feelings, and memories with friends, family, or on pet loss forums.

Remember, your emotions matter, and it's okay to seek support. For more detailed information and support, visit

https://www.compassionunderstood.com/page/feelings-of-loss 🌈🐾

12/04/2024

🐾 True or False? 🐾

🐶 "Your dog needs to play with dogs when they are young to prevent them from being reactive." 🚫

🌟 Fact Check: While letting your puppy interact with other dogs is crucial, it's not just about quantity, but QUALITY! Socialisation goes beyond playdates – it's about introducing them to a wide variety of safe dogs and to new experiences like novel objects, sounds, smells, and surfaces.

👉 So why not just endless play with furry friends? Socialisation is a well-rounded approach and many older dogs will not want to play with them. Controlled and positive interactions with dogs, humans, and diverse environments are key.

Remember, it's about setting the stage and putting in the time for a well-adjusted, friendly companion. 🐕💙

📍 Pro Tip: When seeking socialisation opportunities, look for trainers and vets promoting controlled and positive based learning in their classes. Your pup will learn how to focus and thrive in various situations.

10/04/2024

We like to try to do our bit to help the environment and we are pleased to say we now have a recycling bin in reception for EMPTY tablet blister packets. So if your pet is on meds which come in a blister pack keep the empty pack and bring them in for recycling. Also please don’t forget to bring us your used stamps - you are all amazing at bringing in stamps and these get sent off to help charity. Let’s all try and do our bit

08/04/2024

During the month of April we are going to be looking at quite a tough topic, but something that it is important to discuss and is unfortunately inevitable when owning a pet, and that is the loss of a pet and all that comes with it.
If you find this too tough to read then please scroll on past, but remember this is here as it may help you in the future, also please remember there is no right and wrong and everyone deals with grief differently.
Today we are going to be looking at Anticipatory Grief.

🌈 Understanding Anticipatory Grief 🌷

Facing the approaching end-of-life journey with your beloved pet can evoke a complex mix of emotions. Anticipatory grief is a natural response to the impending loss, and acknowledging these feelings is an essential part of the journey.

Explore more about anticipatory grief and coping strategies here:
https://www.compassionunderstood.com/page/feelings-about-endoflife

02/04/2024

What is a squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma is a skin cancer. It can affect any part of your cat’s skin but is most likely to develop on their ears, nose or eyelids (hairless areas with little protection from sunlight).
SCC is much more common in white cats, ginger cats and those with light coloured skin because their skin is more vulnerable to UV-light. SCC develops over a period of months to years, so is much more likely to affect an older cat.
Symptoms
• Often develop on the ears, nose or eyelids
• Scabs
• Small, black, crusty patches of skin
• Weepy, raw looking skin
• Red, raised areas of skin
• Non-healing wounds or ulcerated areas
• SCC patches tend to get worse in the summer and improve in the winter
• Nearly half of cats diagnosed with SCC have more than one cancer lesion – look carefully for others.
Causes
Squamous cell carcinoma is most commonly caused by UV-light – it damages cells and can lead to cancer.
Treatment options
Your cat’s treatment will depend on where their cancer is, how big it is, and whether it has spread around the body. But often involves surgical resection and unfortunately this is often the removal of the entire ear pinnae of the patient.
If you have a white cat or a cat which has light coloured or poorly haired ears and nose, you can try to minimise the chance of development of SCC by popping childrens sunblock on them during the summer.

30/03/2024

Regular health checks are really important for your pets, it can pick up on early signs of issues. Also did you know that many insurance policies will be invalidated if your pet doesn't have a yearly health check?

Phoebe shows how easy a health check is and two health checks a year are included in our pet health plan.

Not a member of our pet health plan yet? Don't worry it's easy to do just follow the link:
https://www.jwoodvet.co.uk/pet-health-plan

29/03/2024

Happy Easter Everyone.

We hope whatever you are doing over this Easter Weekend you enjoy it. If you are indulging in some Easter treats like chocolate eggs and hot cross buns - just remember to keep them well away from your pets as they can be toxic to animals.

If you do need us we are running our 24hr emergency service all over Easter so just call the surgery number 01363 772319

28/03/2024

The boys can't wait to get on the laptop and sign up to our pet health plan!

It's easy to set up and gives you the peace of mind that your pets preventative healthcare needs are covered for the year, as well as receiving discounts on other things such as dental procedures, pet foods and neutering.

To sign up simply follow this link: https://www.jwoodvet.co.uk/pet-health-plan

27/03/2024

We are so pleased to help and 96 cats being mircochipped is fantastic 😻😻😻

26/03/2024

Find out all about our fabulous plan that we have recently launched. 👀⭐

To sign up simple visit: https://www.jwoodvet.co.uk/pet-health-plan

25/03/2024

IVDD / slipped disc is a problem we commonly see in certain breeds of dog such as Dachshunds.
Intervertebral discs are little cushions that sit in-between each of your dog’s vertebrae. They absorb shock and provide support as your dog moves around. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a condition that causes these discs to gradually lose their sponginess, become hard and fragile, and sometimes slip out of place. Slipped discs press on the spinal cord, cause pain, weakness in the legs, and sometimes paralysis and incontinence.
IVDD is the most common cause for a slipped disc, but they can also be caused by trauma/an injury.
Symptoms of IVDD can develop slowly or very quickly, and include:
• Back pain
• Wobbliness
• Weak legs
• Difficulty getting up
• Dragging or scuffing feet
• Tripping or falling regularly
• Paralysis
Contact your vet immediately if your dog is in severe pain or has developed symptoms suddenly.
Diagnosis
An MRI scan. An MRI scan is the best ways to diagnose IVDD because it shows the spine, nerves, bones and discs in detail, but this is a referral speciality.
X-rays - X-rays will show some but not all of the changes caused by IVDD and a slipped disc, this is because nerves and spinal cord can’t be seen on x-rays.
Neurological examination to determine which area of the spine is most affected.
Treatment options
This really depends on the severity of symptoms, age of patient and any other medical issues, but can include conservative management with rest and physiotherapy, but in some cases surgical intervention is required - but again this is referral procedures.
Painkillers and anti-inflammatories are often needed - as i'm sure if you've ever suffered with a bad back you can appreciate how painful it can be.

24/03/2024

If you have unused, left over or expired medications at home which we have prescribed for your pets at some point, please DO NOT dispose of them in to general or domestic waste. Medicines which get put into domestic waste end up in landfill and this can result in serious environmental contamination.
If you have unused, left over or expired medications from your pets, bring them in to us and we will dispose of them safely for you.
Lets all try and do our bit to help the environment where we can.

22/03/2024

Where are you today, on the scale of cat? 🤔

Comment with the number that matches your mood right now! 😸

I sitting on the fence between 2 and 3!!!

Happy Friday

21/03/2024

Baloo has his flea controlled licked, do your pets?

Flea control and other internal and external parasite control is an important part of preventative healthcare for your pets, and we are aware sometimes the financial outlay can be too much, as well as remembering to get the product. Why not sign up for our pet health club? You pay monthly by direct debit to cover the whole years preventative healthcare for your pet, as well as lots of other added benefits.

Want to know more?
Want to register?
Simply follow this link: https://www.jwoodvet.co.uk/pet-health-plan

19/03/2024

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - this is a condition we commonly see in unneutered male dogs.
The prostate gland is a small reproductive gland that sits just inside the bottom. It produces fluid for s***m to travel in, and is controlled by a hormone called testosterone – which is produced in the testicles.
Uncastrated dogs produce a lot of testosterone, which over time, can cause their prostate gland to become larger than normal – known as ‘benign prostatic hyperplasia’ or ‘BPH’. BPH is an extremely common condition that develops in nearly all uncastrated male dogs at some point in their life. The prostate can become so big that it gets in the way of being able to p*e and poo. In severe cases of BPH, the prostate can also become infected or develop cysts.
Symptoms
Most cases of BPH don’t cause any problems in the early stages, but if the gland becomes very large, infected, or cystic, it can cause the following symptoms:
• Blood dripping from p***s
• Bloody urine
• Straining to p*e
• Straining to poo
Diagnosis
• Physically checking the prostate
• A urine sample
• Blood tests
• X-rays
• An ultrasound scan
• Taking a sample from your dog’s prostate
Treatment
Castration
The simplest and quickest way to treat BPH is to castrate your dog. Once their testicles have been removed, they will stop producing testosterone and their prostate will start shrinking. The effects of the castration should be noticeable within a week or two, and the prostate should be back to its normal size within 8-10 weeks of the operation.
Hormone therapy
If castration is not an option for your dog, hormone therapy might be a good alternative. Hormone therapy will stop them producing testosterone and can be given as an injection, implant or tablets. Sometimes we may recommend hormone therapy as well as castration whilst we wait for the operation to have good effect.
Medications
Often the animal will require painkillers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to help ease discomfort.
So if you have an entire male dog keep an eye out for these symptoms - or even better get them castrated!

18/03/2024

** LAUNCHING TODAY **

Pet Health Plan

Our Pet Health Plan is an easy way to support your pet’s health and show them how much you love them 💗⏬

✔️ Vaccinations
✔️ Regular checkups
✔️ Parasite treatments

Your pet will need routine preventative treatments and vaccinations throughout its life, and our plan breaks down the cost of care into a manageable monthly direct debit. You will also then be eligible for discounts on other products or treatments such as dentistry and pet food.

To sign up simple visit: https://www.jwoodvet.co.uk/pet-health-plan

16/03/2024

Ten days to go until our FREE cat microchipping event in conjunction with Blue Cross Devon

Tuesday 26th March 2-4pm - Stratford House, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8ED

Don't miss out on this opportunity as it will be a legal requirement from June 10th for all cats to be microchipped.

15/03/2024

Today is World Sleep Day and we all know how important a good nights sleep is, but my boys think its world sleep day everyday!!

Let’s celebrate with a smile and share your best sleeping pet photos or videos below!

14/03/2024

Today is

Chronic kidney disease is a common condition that affects older cats and dogs. The kidneys play a vital role in your pet's health by:

✅ Removing toxins from the blood
✅ Maintaining water balance
✅ Maintaining salt balance
✅ Maintaining the acid balance of the body
✅ Maintaining normal blood pressure
✅ Producing hormones

Regular check-ups are important to help your vet detect changes in your pets health early. If you have any concerns about your pet, please get in touch with us today!

12/03/2024

What is mitral valve disease?
The ‘mitral valve’ is one of the four heart valves that control blood flow around the heart. Each time the heart beats, the valves open to allow blood through, then shut to prevent any blood leaking backwards. Mitral valve disease causes the mitral valve to become thickened and lumpy, which means it can’t shut properly and starts to leak. Once the mitral valve starts to leak, the heart needs to work much harder to pump blood around the body, and problems start to develop.
Common symptoms of MVD include:
• A heart murmur
• Coughing - Especially after lying down or sleeping and often worse at night
• Low energy and slowing down on walks
• Breathing quicker than usual/ breathlessness/ panting
• Weight loss
• Collapse/fainting
Diagnosis
If your dog has a murmur and your vet suspects mitral valve disease tests required may include:
• An ultrasound scan to allow visualisation of the valves of the heart
• X-rays to show if your dog’s heart has changed size or if there is any fluid on the lungs.
• Blood pressure checks
• An ECG to look at your dog’s heart rhythm.
Treatment
There is no cure for MVD, but fortunately, a lot of dogs respond positively to medications to help the heart and circulation.
If your dog has been diagnosed with MVD (or is a breed at risk such as cavalier king charles spaniels), it’s very important to keep them fit and healthy.
• Make sure they stay slim.
• Take them for regular, short walks to keep them fit and active.
• Try to avoid walks that are much longer or more strenuous than they are used to, this could put their heart under a lot of pressure.

If you are concerned your pet may be showing signs which may indicate a problem please phone and speak to one of our clinical team or book an appointment for a health check.

10/03/2024

Remember our video from Friday asking who did you think owned Milo?

Well if you guessed number four which is one of our vets Alice, then you guessed correctly. Milo is owned by Alice, however I'm pretty sure if you ask Milo he would tell you it is totally the other way round and Milo does indeed own Alice!!!

10/03/2024

Happy Mothers Day

Being a Mother doesn’t mean being related to someone by blood. It means loving someone unconditionally and with your whole heart. 💞

09/03/2024

Maggie has her flea and worm control sorted, do you?

Regular flea and worming for our pets is important to minimise the risk of disease transmission to both them and us, to also stop the irritation parasites can cause - have you ever had a flea bite? they are really itchy and irritating.

With our pet health plan you can break down the cost of yearly parasite control for your pets, with a monthly subscription service. Our new health plan launches soon so watch this space.