Village Vets Rathgar

20/09/2024

Understanding Dental Disease in Dogs - Imagine Your Worst Toothache!

Did you know that dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs? Just like in humans, dental disease in dogs can lead to severe discomfort, infections, and even life-threatening conditions. Imagine the throbbing, relentless pain of a toothache – that's what many dogs with dental disease endure every day!

Symptoms of Dental Pain in Dogs:

- Reluctance to eat or chew
- Drooling excessively
- Pawing at the mouth
- Bad breath
- Swollen or bleeding gums

Dental disease in dogs often leads to infections, tooth loss, and even damage to the jawbone. The pain they feel is comparable to a severe human toothache – imagine the discomfort and distress!
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to a significant decline in your dog’s quality of life.

Even if your dog shows no symptoms, they might still have dental disease and be in pain. Pets often adapt to gradual pain, seeming normal until treatment reveals their true discomfort.

Early treatment and regular dental check-ups are essential to keep those tails wagging!

17/09/2024

What's the best way to handle my pet's anxiety or fear?

This depends on what situations your pet is anxious or fearful. If your pet is nervous about coming to the vets we can prescribe some medication so that they are less stressed for the visit. Give your clinic a call and have a chat with one of our friendly team members. Some situations might require some help from a behaviourist or trainer.

However, it is often a good idea to get your pet checked out by one of our vets first to ensure there is no medical reason they are displaying signs of fear or anxiety (e.g. pain). Very often behaviourists refer back to us to have a pet checked out before they will work with them. If you have pet insurance your policy might require that you are referred (by a vet) to a behaviourist in order to be covered.

16/09/2024

Some pups to relieve the Monday blues 🐶

15/09/2024

14/09/2024

Look at stunning Pablo who came in for a check up with our vet Andrada in Village Vets Rathgar 😻

11/09/2024

Molly was in with us for her neutering procedure in Village Vets Rathgar, this is her post op 🥰 When undergoing an anaesthetic our pets can not regulate their own temperature so our Vet Nurses ensure to keep them nice and toasty for a safe and comfortable recovery 🐶

09/09/2024

Lungworm is a serious and potentially fatal condition in dogs that is becoming more common. Symptoms include coughing, fatigue, and weight loss. Monthly preventative treatment is recommended. Ask your vet about the best prevention plan for your pup.

01/09/2024

Did you know guinea pigs, humans and some other primates are the only species that can’t make their own vitamin C and must get it from their food?

For this reason, our pet guinea pigs can suffer from vitamin C deficiency. Ensure your guinea pigs’ diet includes fresh veggies high in vitamin C and fibre. Vitamin C supplements can also be given in the water, by syringe into the mouth and with a supplemented pellet feed.

Any signs of illness in a guinea pig (lethargy, discharge from the nose and eyes and sneezing, reduced appetite) should prompt a vet visit as these are delicate creatures that can go downhill very fast.

30/08/2024

How do I handle emergencies with my pet?

If you are ever concerned about your pet give one of our clinics a call and we will do our best to advise and reassure you. If it is a serious emergency (e.g. seizing, blood loss) then you can get straight in your car and make your way down to our clinic.

It would be best if you can give us a call on the way however as some emergencies might need to be redirected to another clinic and we can discuss this with you by phone. If your usual clinic is closed you might also be transferred to one of our other clinics that are open or to the Pet Emergency Hospital located on the premises of the UCD Vet Hospital

27/08/2024

Hairballs are not just gross but can indicate digestive issues in cats. Regular grooming and a high-fibre diet can help manage this. No amount of vomiting is normal for cats so if your kitty is getting hairballs or vomiting a vet visit is a must!

25/08/2024

Arthritis is not just something your pet has to suffer with because they are old! In fact, we are seeing arthritis in dogs from as young as the age of 2!

There are lots of treatment options available now, from pain relief to supplements, that often have our clients telling us their pets are acting like their younger selves again!

So if you notice your dog or cat has become reluctant to jump up or play, being slower and less mobile or any limping give our clinics a call.

And remember, old age is not a disease!

22/08/2024

Myth: Cats Always Land on Their Feet

Fact: While cats have a righting reflex that usually helps them land on their feet when they fall, this is not always the case. Cats can still suffer serious injuries from falls, especially from greater heights. Veterinary care is crucial if a cat falls, as they might have internal injuries or fractures that aren't immediately obvious.

19/08/2024

We know many vets dream of owning their own practice but are intimidated by the next steps. Others make the leap, and then find the administration, compliance and management burdensome.

That’s why we’re proud to offer a new, innovative Irish solution at Village Vets.

We partner with ambitious, passionate vets to set you up your own practice, or to help you with your existing practice. We’re offering an equity partnership where you co-own the business and we provide the vital infrastructure to give you the best chance of success while focusing on doing what you do best – caring for pets and their owners.

As the first and only partnership model available in Ireland, we’ll use our extensive experience of growing and developing veterinary practices to boost your journey. We will provide ongoing support on HR, marketing, finance and all the other support functions you need, while empowering you to run your practice as you see fit.

Interested? Drop Aoife Caulfield, our Partnerships & Acquisitions Lead, a WhatsApp on 0896073386, email [email protected] or give her a call for an informal, confidential chat about whether this is the right next step in your career.

19/08/2024

Dolly and Delighted absolutely delighted to visit us today in Village Vets Rathgar🐶😍

19/08/2024

Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their life making them prone to dental disease! Look out for reduced appetite, change in faeces quantity or size, any lethargy or abnormal jaw noises, movement or drooling and weight loss. Regular check-ups and a diet high in hay (85%)can prevent these issues.

17/08/2024

Sally was snoozing away for her general health check with our Vet Andrada 🐶

16/08/2024

Myth: Dogs Eat Grass When They Are Sick

Fact: Many people believe that dogs eat grass to induce vomiting when they feel unwell. However, research suggests that most dogs eat grass because they simply like the taste or because it’s part of their natural behaviour.

It's also possible that eating grass helps with digestion or provides some necessary nutrients. Regardless, frequent grass eating accompanied by vomiting should be checked by a veterinarian to rule out underlying health issues.

13/08/2024

Hot Spots on Dogs

Have you noticed your dog scratching, licking, or biting at one specific area more than usual? It could be a hotspot!

What Are Hot Spots?

Hot spots are painful, inflamed areas on your dog's skin caused by excessive licking, scratching, or biting. They can appear quickly and spread fast!

Common Causes:

- Underlying uncontrolled food or environmental allergies
- Ear infections (hot spots around the head or near the ear)
- Fleas or other insect bites
- Small wounds or areas of inflammation that are tickly as they heal that cause your dog to scratch at them triggering a hot spot
- Areas of tangled or matted fur

Give us a call - these are usually simple to treat and we can make your dog feel much better very soon with specific treatment. In the meantime, before your appointment, put a buster collar on your pet or doggy pyjamas to prevent your dog from scratching or licking which can make it worse.

11/08/2024

Have you noticed your cat peeing outside its litter box or spending a long time inside it? Or maybe there is some blood in the urine? These are signs of painful inflammation of the bladder which is very common in cats.

There are lots of possible causes though interestingly, infection is rarely one of them!

Always provide a litter box per cat, plus one extra, and lots of sources of freshwater (away from the litter box and their food!)

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your local Village Vets for an appointment!

09/08/2024

What should I do if my pet eats something toxic?

If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, call one of our clinics immediately.

For some toxins, such as chocolate, we can often work out the toxic dose by phone and advise owners signs to watch for but for others we may advise you to bring your pet to the vet for assessment and treatment. This might include making your pet get sick (which is most effective the sooner it is done!) or fluid therapy to flush out any toxins.

Grapes or raisins are a particularly common toxicity that we see, and whilst pretty to look at, lilies are extremely toxic for cats & can cause severe kidney damage.

06/08/2024

Did you know that ear infections are a common issue in dogs? 🐶 Signs include scratching, head shaking, and a bad smell. Regular vet check-ups can help keep your pup's ears healthy!

03/08/2024

Louie showing off his new hairdo before his vet check up with Éile 🐶How fabulous is he? 😎

30/07/2024

This is Dave ❤️ Dave visited us in Village Vets Rathgar for a new puppy check and some vaccinations 🐶He was delighted to meet him and he got any cuddles from our Vet Éile during his first consultation with us 🥰

30/07/2024

28/07/2024

Our Pet Health Plan includes annual blood & urine tests for your pet? Allowing us to stay on top of their health and spot any abnormalities early!

For more info visit: https://www.villagevets.ie/free-visits

26/07/2024

If you find yourself in an emergency situation with your pet, ring us straight away so that we can advise you on the best course of action to take, and to arrange for you to visit us.

We provide an emergency veterinary service for all of our clients, with our team of veterinary surgeons and nurses working from our Clonsilla and Dundrum hospitals seven days a week, including bank holidays.

For more information; https://www.villagevets.ie/emergencies

23/07/2024

21/07/2024

Don't worry, we speak fluent meow, bark, and even squeak. No pet language barrier here!