IVH - International Veterinary Hospital

16/11/2024

What if we told you that getting your cat to the vets doesn’t have to be dramatic?

😺 Step 1: go get your cat carrier (yes, we mean now)
Making the carrier a part of your cat’s usual environment can help them feel more comfortable with it. Just leave it there in the open, and in no time, you’ll find your cat exploring it. 🔍

😺 Step 2: turn on the appeal
What about putting a blanket inside it? Maybe some toys? A tasty treat? Spraying some relaxing pheromones? The idea here is to find something that your cat likes to lure them into going inside.

😺 Step 3: outright bribery
Once they take the initiative to go inside, make sure to reward them! This can help create a positive association, making it more likely for your cat to want to repeat this behaviour.

This can be a lengthy process, but please don’t rush it. It will all be worth it when you need to bring your cat in! 🐈

14/11/2024

Share in the comments below! 🤭⬇️🐶

13/11/2024

Does your pet...

👉 … eat a lot but seem to be losing weight?

👉 … drink too much water?

👉 … seem lethargic and not wanting to play as much?

👉 … urinate more than usual?

If you recognise these signs, your pet might have diabetes!

Also called diabetes mellitus, this disease causes cats and dogs to have insulin issues that prevent them from regulating their blood sugar. An excessive increase in blood sugar, if sustained for too long, can damage many organs, including the brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Fortunately, with the proper medication, this condition can be managed successfully. If you see any of these signs, don't hesitate to talk to us!

11/11/2024

One of the great advantages of being a dog parent is that it gives us plenty of opportunities to meet new people!

Doggy playdates, walks in the park, and visiting dog-friendly places are just a few examples of how your dog can help you socialise more, but it may be a little too much if you’re an introverted type of person. 🤭

Tell us – are you and your dog social creatures or would you rather enjoy your walks with each other?

10/11/2024

Though there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet is a good idea, there are some against it that need to be considered just as carefully!

Have a look at our checklist below: if you tick any of these boxes, we would recommend not adopting.
If you're in no condition to adopt right now but still love animals unconditionally, why not volunteer at the shelter or consider fostering? They're likely to need the help and, this way, you can share some of your love with animals in need. 🥰

09/11/2024

08/11/2024

Happy World Radiography Day! X-ray imaging is one of the most widely available forms of non-invasive diagnostic intervention, allowing us to quickly and safely spot broken bones or problems in many internal organs.

Suffice it to say, we couldn’t give your pets the high-quality care you expect from us without them, and we owe the health and quality of life of countless pets to this discovery.

Behind this technology is also our outstanding team, which has the experience and knowledge necessary to capture the best images possible to ensure a proper diagnosis! Has your pet had an X-ray taken with us? Share your experience below. 👇

07/11/2024

As we go on amazing walks with our pets during this season, they might be tempted to pick stuff up from the ground that they shouldn’t, and this might include a possibly toxic mushroom!

Wild mushrooms are a common sight during the autumn and there are many different species. Some of these are edible while some can be very dangerous if ingested and distinguishing between these two types can be challenging, as they can look very similar.

If your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have, call us as soon as possible and, if you can, take a picture of the mushroom they ingested! 📞📷

06/11/2024

Cold and damp days ❄️ are not the best for joint pain, which is doubly true for senior dogs 🐶 with a lifetime of wear and tear!

Chronic health conditions such as osteoarthritis are more common with age, and you might notice your golden oldie has a lot more stiffness to their movements during these days, especially as they get out of bed in the morning or are out for walks.

Here are some ways to help:

🦴 Avoid going on long walks or engaging in rough playtime, as it might put undue strain on their joints and muscles.

🦴 Improve their resting time by ensuring their bed is as comfortable as possible and away from cold drafts.

If you notice your furry friend is struggling, don’t hesitate to contact us!

04/11/2024

Though every day is a surprise at our practice, there are some things that we see more often than others. Here’s our top 3:

💩 Diarrhoea – be it for having eaten something out of the ordinary or due to long-term intestinal disease, diarrhoea can have several causes that need to be properly diagnosed and treated.

🐾 Itchiness – this problem can often go unnoticed for some time, as some scratching is normal for pets, and it can be hard to recognise that it might be excessive until skin lesions start showing up.

⚖️ Weight loss – as weight loss tends to be gradual as well, it can also take you some time to recognise that your pet’s weight has changed. Again, there are a number of different diseases that can lead to weight loss, even without apparent changes in appetite.

If you recognise any of these signs on your pet, it’s important to investigate what might be behind them 🔍, so don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us!

03/11/2024

This November, join us in celebrating our older pets!

While golden oldies can have specific health and lifestyle needs, there is no mistaking that they have the most experience when it comes to being loving, outstanding companions.

Show us your best photos in the comments below! 📸 👋

31/10/2024

We hope it's a great Halloween night for all of our pet owners! 🎃 👻

Are you considering dressing up your furry friend? There are an endless number of social media posts depicting pets in elaborate costumes, but we recommend keeping it simple this spooky season!

Many costumes are not designed with comfort or mobility in mind, often being too bulky or covering up eyes, ears or even the nose. To ensure that everyone has a great time, you can accessorise a collar, lead or harness with fetching decorations that won't make your pet uncomfortable.

How do your furry best friends feature in your Halloween celebrations? Tell us everything!

30/10/2024

Many pet owners may not be aware of this, but conkers (also called horse chestnuts) are poisonous to dogs! 🌰 🐶

During this time of the year, it is common to find them on the ground, and our dogs might find them tasty or something fun to play with. However, conkers contain aesculin, a toxic substance that can be dangerous.

Signs of toxicity depend on the amount ingested and might include:

👉 Vomiting and diarrhoea

👉 Abdominal pain

👉 Excessive thirst

👉 Lack of energy

Need help navigating this and other seasonal pet issues? Give us a call today! 📲

27/10/2024

Fatty liver disease typically occurs when a cat loses weight too quickly, either because of an aggressive diet plan (usually due to excess weight), or due to another disease that leads to appetite loss, or stress.

Essentially, due to the cat not eating, the body starts mobilising fat to the liver to be turned into fuel (glucose). The problem is the cat’s liver can’t process the fat fast enough, resulting in a situation where liver cells can’t operate properly, which can be fatal without rapid treatment!

If you notice your cat is not eating, give us a call immediately!

21/10/2024

🎃 Halloween is almost here, bringing a fantastic variety of chocolate treats to our homes, but don’t share these with your pets! 🐶

Chocolate contains theobromine, a toxic substance to dogs, and the higher its cocoa content, the more toxic it will be. Common signs of poisoning include:

🍫 Vomiting and diarrhoea

🍫 Restlessness

🍫 Seizures

Please keep chocolate and sweets containing chocolate out of your pets’ reach! If you suspect your dog may have eaten chocolate, or if you notice they are showing any of these signs, contact us as soon as possible ⚠