Congratulations to Diane, who following two years of study through the University of Liverpool’s Veterinary Postgraduate Unit, has recently been awarded a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Never one to rest on her laurels, Diane has decided to continue her studies and hopes to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Professional Studies over the next two years. Good luck Diane!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Rabbit Awareness Week – 18th to the 26th June 2016
Rabbits make wonderful family pets, but did you know that …….
- Their diet should consist of 80% grass and hay, 15% greens and 5% rabbit pellets. Poor diet can contribute to teeth problems, becoming overweight and gut issues,
- Exercise is important for your rabbit as it allows them to stay fit and healthy
- Rabbits love to play with suitable toys. They particularly like to hide in tunnels
- Male rabbits can be neutered from 10 weeks of age, whilst it is best to leave female rabbits until 6 to 9 months. Left unneutered 60% of entire females will have uterine cancer by 4 years of age and 75% by 7 years of age.
- They need annual vaccinations to protect them against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic diarrhoea
- They are very susceptible to “fly strike”, which occurs when flies lay eggs on their coat. The eggs hatch out and become maggots. This can be life-threatening
- Like dogs and cats, rabbits are protected by The Animal Welfare Act 2006 which says that they must have ‘The Five Freedoms’:
- Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
- Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
- Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
- Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering
We are running free nurse appointments during rabbit awareness week, where the nurses will be happy to discuss healthy rabbit management. If your rabbit is ill you will still need to book an appointment with a vet (unfortunately these are not free!). If you would like to book either type of appointment please phone us on 01530 836654
Refurbishment
Refurbishment of our reception area is due to start on 09th February 2016. Between the 9th and 18th February we will be closing each weekday evening at 6.30 pm to allow the work to happen in the evenings. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience that either this or the work itself may cause.
Practice Nominated for Pet Plan Awards 2016
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Cockburn Veterinary Group has been nominated for the prestigious Pet Plan Awards for the second consecutive year. Following on from last year when Head Vet Diane Storer was nominated for a second time in the ‘Vet of the Year’ category, the whole team has now been nominated for the ‘Practice of the Year 2016’.
We are absolutely delighted to have received this nomination and thrilled that our team has been recognised in this way. The results will be announced in April, so finger’s crossed!
Laparoscopic (keyhole) spays
At Cockburn Veterinary Group we know that you want the best for your pet. That’s why we are proud to introduce the minimally invasive surgery for neutering female dogs, the laparoscopic (keyhole) spay. Although bitch spays are deemed ‘routine’ surgery they are in fact invasive abdominal surgery. Keyhole surgery has been used in human medicine for many years and is deemed a superior technique with surveys reporting up to a 65% reduction in pain, faster recovery and fewer complications. We are now bringing these advantages to our much loved pets.
Special Offers
We’re participating in the DogsTrust ‘Chip my dog campaign’ so free microchipping is available for all dogs. Please contact us for more details.
IS YOUR PET DUE FOR WORMING – We’d like to tell you more about our current offer on worming tablets so just give us a ring to find out more!
Fireworks advice
Did someone mention fireworks?
It’s approaching that time of year that most cats and dogs dread. Here is some advice on how to help your pets during this time of year, how to keep and calm and safe.
How can I prepare my pet?
* Many cats and dogs try to hide once they start hearing the sounds of fireworks. Its a good idea to create a ‘den’. This is a place your pet will feel safe in. Its ideal to do this in the middle of the house if possible, with plenty of bedding. It should be a place where curtains can be shut to block out any flashes, windows shut and also doors to help muffle any sounds. A week before bonfire night you should allow your pet to see the den and allow them to sit in it, so then they can get used to it and understand that it is there for them, offer treats in there, praise them and make it a positive place.
* Microchip. If your pet escaped as it was frightened, if they had a microchip they could be traced back to you.
* Use a pheromone plug in/spray. They provide calming scents for your pet during stressful times.
* Use a ‘Sounds scary cd’ this plays sounds of fireworks and helps get your pet used to the sounds
What to do during a firework display?
* Keep all animals indoors at all times.
* Keep all windows, doors, cat flaps locked. Also draw any curtains.
* Provide distractions.
* Let your pet hide where they like, don’t try and move them, they feel safe there.
* Take your dog on a long walk in the daylight before the displays start.
* Ignore fearful behaviour. If you start comforting their fear they will feel that you’re anxious and you will be rewarding and encouraging the fear.
* Play music to try and muffle the sound of the fireworks.
* Don’t punish any behaviour that isn’t normal, your pet is scared and doesn’t understand what is happening.
Signs of distress?
* Shaking
* Clinging to owners
* Barking
* Cowering and hiding
* Running away
* Soiling in the house
* Pacing
* Not wanting to eat.
How can your vet help?
There is a wide range of products on the market that are designed to help your pet in times of stress.
* Zylkene capsules. It’s a natural product that is derived from milk proteins; it has been proven to help cats and dogs in times of distress. Its can be used for short term or long term stress. It can be given 24 hours before an event or ideally with fireworks it should be given 2 days before the event and for the duration that is required.
* Adaptil DAP. A DAP diffuser is a discrete plug-in which releases the ‘canine appeasing pheromone’ This is a natural product that is proven to comfort puppies and adult dogs. Appeasing pheromone are naturally released by all lactating animals to comfort the offspring. It is ideal to place this in a room where your dog will feel safe and have a ‘den’. This will help even more with calming your dog. One diffuser refill lasts approximately 4 weeks.
* Feliway. This works in the same way as DAP but is used for cats.
These are a few of the natural products that owners can try for their pets, if these don’t work and the pet is really stressed, please seek veterinary advise for prescription products.
Getting Involved!
Three of our girls have taken on the challenge to do a swimathon and half marathon to raise money for Marie Curie and a local animal sanctuary on the 28th of April and 4th of May.
We would appreciate any donations given to sponser the team – to donate please call 01530 836654 or see reception. We are all behind you girls!
We would appreciate any donations given to sponser the team – to donate please call 01530 836654 or see reception. We are all behind you girls!
Are you looking for the right advice about your pet?
Even if it’s for a new, old or future pet, come and visit one of our nurses for a free consultation. Some of the clinics we do are:
– Puppy and Kitten Information
– Flea and Worming
– Dental
– Weight Management
– Diabetic
– Rabbit
– Antineatal
– General Queries
Either pop into reception or call us on 01530 836654 to book an appointment today.
Did you know?
– Lily’s are toxic to our feline friends – please be aware if you have a lily flower arangement to make sure your cat cannot get access to them.
– Chocolates are toxic to our fury friends too, the higher the cocoa content the more toxic the chocolate is. So please be aware and to keep your chocolates out of reach of your pet.
For more information please contact reception on 01530 836654.