Ambivet Veterinary Group

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Ambivet Veterinary Group

Ambivet Veterinary Group is a small animal Veterinary Practice fully equipped with facilities to care for your pets
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Ambivet Veterinary Group is a small animal veterinary practice fully equipped with facilities to care for dogs, cats, rabbits & other companion animals. We have a hospital in Heanor and five branch practices in Aspley, Darley Abbey, Ilkeston, Ripley and Wollaton. Our hospital is staffed by vets and nurses 24 hours a day to ensure that the very best care is given to all of our patients. We have a certified orthopaedic surgeon working at our Heanor hospital.

24/01/2025

Meet Blinky! 🐱😍

This gorgeous boy recently came into our Ilkeston surgery for a dental procedure. You may notice his lower canine popping out to say hello, although it adds to his adorableness! Sadly, he had to part ways with this tooth on his visit.

After parting ways with his wobbly snaggle tooth and three other teeth, he had dental x-rays to check for resorptive roots followed by a scale and polish to remove the build-up of plaque on his remaining teeth. Blinky recovered well under lots of snug blankets! His favourite.

Even though he lost his little snaggle tooth he still looked as handsome as ever! 🥰

Although Blinky was a shy boy, any time our nurses popped by his kennel to say hello, he would peep out from his snug blankets for chin rubs and fuss. What can we say, Blinky was a superstar patient throughout his visit with us! Come back any time! 😍🐾

23/01/2025

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

22/01/2025

Meet handsome little Chuck! 🥰

At his annual vaccination it had been noticed that he had a build of tartar/plaque on his teeth, therefore it had been recommended he have a dental procedure. Extractions as ever couldn't be ruled out. All fingers crossed!

Chuck came back in for the big day, and before he knew it our team were providing lots of snuggles and reassurance. As you can see! 😃

Whilst student nurse Emma monitored his anaesthetic and vital signs, Jess assessed all of Chuck’s teeth – sadly he didn't get to keep them all this time. Five extractions were required in total. However, he will feel much better without these teeth causing problems for him in the future.

After the task of removing Chuck’s teeth, his gums were sutured, and his remaining healthy teeth were scaled and polished to give him wonderful pearly whites and a fresh start. Chuck recovered with our team by his side for the rest of his visit, and he went back to enjoying his blanket snuggles. Go Chuck! 🥰

22/01/2025

This is particularly important when antibiotics are being used. We should always give antibiotics for the shortest length of time required to achieve a cure, however if a longer course is required this should be continuous for them to be effective and create the least antimicrobial resistance. Finishing a short course of antibiotics, seeing that symptoms recur, then restarting treatment is much less effective. This will usually require a longer total course of treatment (as bacteria will have multiplied again while treatment was not being given) and prove more expensive.

Sometimes a condition has improved but not resolved at the time of a recheck. Your vet will know what degree of improvement is expected in a particular timeframe and be able to decide whether your pet simply needs more time, or whether treatment plans need changing. If required, medication doses may be changed or additional medications can be prescribed. The earlier it is identified that a first-line treatment is insufficient for an individual case, the sooner we can intervene to achieve a cure
in a timely and economic fashion.

For more information on why rechecks are important: vetcollection.co.uk/health/why-rechecks-are-so-important

21/01/2025

This sweet little Dachshund is Coco! 😍

She recently visited our Heanor surgery for her second vaccination with our nurse Claire. We don’t like to make these visits all about scary injections, so Coco’s visit was a prime opportunity for some puppy socialisation!

Claire took little Coco into our prep area; to say hello to some of more of our team! It's fair to say Coco was more than happy to receive the admiration that came with this detour.

Our team always strive to make visits as positive as possible, this is especially important for our younger visitors, as this can leave a lasting impression for the future.

We think Coco will be happy to come back for cuddles next time after this! 🥰

21/01/2025

The most common reason for a re-examination is to determine whether your pet is actually better. Some problems have an expected course of disease, such as kennel cough, so we may only request a recheck if your pet isn’t better in the usual timeframe.

For other conditions, it can be difficult to tell if they are better or not at home, for example an eye ulcer that needs special stain applying, an ear infection that requires examination with an otoscope or cytology performing, or a urinary tract infection that needs urine testing to check for blood or bacteria.

If we don’t identify that the condition is not resolved, the consequences can include ongoing pain or discomfort for your pet, increased cost overall, and sometimes even permanent damage to the affected body parts.

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! 🐶�

18/01/2025

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

17/01/2025

This photogenic boy is Tank! He visited our Heanor team recently to be neutered.

When he wasn't in surgery, this handsome young chap spent most of his visit posing for our camera and getting our teams attention (and clearly succeeding). Evidently, tank is destined to be a model because the camera loves him and so do we! 🐱📸

Come back anytime Tank for more cuddles 🥰

17/01/2025

As we move into the colder months of January and February, the chance of snow and ice increases and therefore you may find yourself heading out on a frosty dog walk more often than not! ❄️🌨

Check out our top tips below on keeping your dog safe when out and about in snow and ice.

Remember, if the weather is really bad and you don’t think it is safe to head out, then there is no harm in skipping the odd dog walk and playing games indoors with your canine buddy.

17/01/2025

FOUND CAT - PLEASE SHARE

Our Heanor team had a female stray cat brought into the practice on the 16/01/2025. Sadly, she is not microchipped, therefore we have been unable to reunite her with her owners.

She was found in the Park street area of Heanor in Derbyshire. Sadly, she is quite unwell and is currently being treated by our team.

We are NOT disclosing further information e.g. colour/identifying features, so please do NOT ask us for this information as this will block our phone lines for important calls.

If you believe this cat could be yours, please call and speak to a member of staff and confirm your cat's colour as part of claiming/identifying them alongside a picture and other documentation of ownership.

Please call the Heanor team on 01773 717780 if you believe this cat could be yours.

**We would like to use this as a chance to remind people that this post is for reuniting the cat with its owners only. We will NOT take any rehousing offers. Therefore, please do not contact us regarding any interest of adoption - this will only result in blocking up our busy phone lines**

16/01/2025

This sweet lady is Affie, and she is a champion bread maker. 🐾🥰🐱

This is just one of the reasons she stole our teams' hearts when she visited back in November for her dental. Despite her blood tests, iv cannula placement and big dental procedure, Affie was the bravest girl and remained chirpy! 😍

Any time our nurses popped by her kennel to say hello, a purring Affie would come straight to the front for chin rubs, fuss and to show us her finest kneading technique- which is how she makes her best bread. 😍🐾

16/01/2025

While reduced calorie intake is the most important part of weight loss, increasing energy expenditure through exercise and play can also have an impact.

Exercise also helps prevent muscle loss and increase flexibility, supporting healthy aging.

Find out more about what you can do at home to support your pet’s weight management: vetcollection.co.uk/health/exercise-for-weight-management-in-pets

15/01/2025

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!

14/01/2025

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/

13/01/2025

With the cost of living increasing, you may be starting to feel the impact on your monthly budget and looking for ways to reduce outgoings.

Our animal companions are part of the family and provide immeasurable support during hard times, but looking after their needs also contributes to monthly bills.

You may ask yourself if you can afford pet insurance, but when times are tough having the right pet insurance may actually help you manage costs more effectively.

12/01/2025

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? ️

11/01/2025

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

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Happy boxing day from all of us at Ambivet. ☃🐾 We hope you and your pets are enjoying the festive season and taking time to relax after all the Christmas excitement! Whether it's extra cuddles, a winter walk or snoozing by the fire, we hope today is filled with joy and warmth. Remember, the holidays can sometimes bring unexpected surprises for our furry friends. If you need us, we’re here to help – contact our Heanor out of hours team on 01773 717 780. 📞