05 Mar 2020
In a word, yes… however, that is not very helpful! We need to know what arthritis is, what issues it can cause for cats, and how we can help. There are different types of arthritis, such as the immune-mediated rheumatoid arthritis, and the degenerative osteoarthritis. This article will focus on degenerative osteoarthritis (arthritis). What is arthritis?... Read More
28 Jan 2020
Just like any pet, our seniors still need their regular health visits, vaccines and parasite prevention. On top of this, we advise that most are seen at least every six months, to allow us to monitor them closely and to pick up on any medical conditions they may develop. Though it’s true our ‘golden oldies’ won’t be quite as light-footed and nimble as they were in their heyday, this sho... Read More
08 Jan 2020
Anyone who suffers from arthritis themselves will be well aware that the painful twinges and generalised stiffness tend to get worse when the weather is chilly, and we believe the same holds true for our cats and dogs. So, why does this happen? Well, for some it may be due to the change in their daily exercise routine, thanks to the darker evenings and the bad weather making ... Read More
04 Nov 2019
The nights are drawing in, and this brings warm hats, cold noses, and cosy nights by the fire. But for some pets, this time of year can be terrifying. At this time of year, fireworks are legally sold to over 18s in shops and supermarkets all over the UK. As long as they aren’t set off between 11 pm and 7 am and are used on private property, there are no laws preventing them from being... Read More
17 Sep 2019
Castration is perhaps the most common surgical technique carried out in veterinary practice. It’s also one of the oldest, with a “pedigree” going back thousands of years. However, in recent years a new alternative has arrived on the UK scene for use in dogs - a form of chemical castration that mimics the surgical procedure, but from a simple injec... Read More
15 Aug 2019
Nowadays, virtually every veterinary practice will have an X-ray machine - or at least have access to a larger branch that has one. They are invaluable for looking inside our patients without having to open them up. However, this is a much misunderstood piece of equipment, and a lot of clients get very confused and worried about it! In this blog, we’r... Read More
30 Jul 2019
Osteoarthritis is a painful and very common disease affecting our older pets. We estimate that 30-50% of all cats and dogs will be affected at some point in their lives. This is mainly seen in our older cats and dogs because it involves wearing down of the cartilage in the joint and this usually takes a long time to develop. However, it can also be seen... Read More
12 Jun 2019
Have you got a senior pet? We class large-breed dogs over six years and most dogs over eight years to be senior, whilst cats aren’t senior until they’re over ten years. As they progress to geriatric (cats 14 years, dogs 9-12 years) illnesses become more and more common. Did you know that 1 in 3 cats will suffer from kidney problems? Or that 10% of d... Read More
14 May 2019
Preventative medicine is that area of veterinary care where we look to prevent problems before they start, rather than just react once they occur. Preventative treatments, then, are medications given to stop a disease developing. As always, prevention is better than cure - better for your pet, better for your stress levels, and better for your wallet to... Read More
17 Apr 2019
Xylitol is a commonly used artificial sweetener and appears to be harmless to humans (there is no evidence of any harm from eating it in moderation). However, in dogs, it is potentially fatal poison, with as little as 0.1g (100mg) per kg bodyweight being dangerous. ... Read More
11 Mar 2019
With the end of a chilly Winter in sight, the countryside springs into new life, from new-born lambs to birdsong as we wake. It’s only natural that we all feel reinvigorated in Spring, and our dogs are no different. The clocks go forward and suddenly long evening walks are back on the agenda, as is exploring the garden with a new set of sights and sme... Read More
13 Feb 2019
There are many serious infectious diseases that affect cats and dogs. Many are not preventable, however, vaccines have been developed that can prevent some of these often fatal diseases in our pets. Many diseases we can vaccinate for are viruses - once your pet is infected, there is no cure, and treatment outcomes remain uncertain. In this blog, we reca... Read More
21 Jan 2019
It goes without saying that you know your pets better than anyone else - but that doesn’t mean you’ll pick up on everything. Some common, but serious, diseases have very subtle symptoms in their early stages, and it can take an expert eye to distinguish those signs. In addition, there are some checks that you’re very unlikely to be able to do at h... Read More
14 Dec 2018
While it can indeed be the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can also be a hazardous time of year for our pets. So many of the foods and decorations that we enjoy are potentially toxic or harmful to our pets - and that’s true of a lot of common (and very popular!) human foods. Some of the most common poisons and hazards that our pets can be e... Read More
19 Nov 2018
FLASH! BANG! WHIZZ! CRACKLE! POP! WHOOSH! Fireworks have been a widespread part of bonfire night in Britain for many years. With loud unpredictable noises and sudden flashes of light, it’s understandable that some pets find them extremely frightening... Read More
17 Oct 2018
Do you have fond memories of you and your dog going tobogganing together? Or perhaps your kitten curled up by the fire? Or maybe even your rabbit bounding around in the snow? Though those memories might be wonderful, perhaps this year you’ve noticed your furry friends starting to slow down, go a bit grey, and maybe just prefer being indoors. Just like... Read More
27 Sep 2018
Yes, we have diagnosed two cases, including one this year, and both dogs died. Canine distemper is an awful, highly contagious, viral disease of dogs. It is seen worldwide and has around a 50% mortality rate. Those of you of a certain age may remember an era when dog vaccination uptake levels were low ... Read More
29 Jun 2018
Feline AIDS was first discovered in the USA in the 1980s, when a group of cats showed signs similar to people with acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS). In humans this condition is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In cats a related virus, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), is the cause. Although related, these viruses cannot cross spe... Read More
07 Mar 2018
Kidney problems are very common in older cats – in fact, some degree of kidney disease in old age is probably normal. However, it’s a serious condition that needs appropriate management, and the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. In this blog, we’re going to look at chronic kidney disease in cats, how it can be recognised, and... Read More
24 Nov 2017
Dilated Cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a heart condition in dogs - in fact, it is the commonest disease of the heart muscle (as opposed to the valves). It results in a weak, and often irregular, heartbeat; and ultimately leads to congestive heart failure. So, what actually is DCM?... Read More
27 Sep 2017
The commonest parasite of dogs and cats in the UK is - you’ve guessed it! - the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. To make matters worse, this nasty beast doesn’t just live on cats (as its name would suggest) but also on dogs, other pets, and will sometimes even bite people! In this blog, we’ll briefly look at the creature’s life cycle, w... Read More
29 Jun 2017
Also known as a “keyhole spay” or “keyhole neutering”, this is is a form of surgery that doesn’t need a full size incision. It is becoming more and more popular as the advantages become better understood! How does it differ from a normal spay? A “normal” spay is technically called an “open ovariohysterectomy”. In this procedure, an incision... Read More
10 May 2017
Heart problems are very common in dogs and cats, especially now they’re living longer. However, heart conditions aren’t all the same disease - even if they tend to have very similar symptoms. So, how can we tell what disease is causing the problem - and therefore how best to treat it? How do we pick up heart problems? History... Read More
31 Mar 2017
Why Scratchy never needs to scratch Prevention is always better than cure and no more so than when it comes to tackling the small, silent and sometimes deadly health risks associated with tick and flea bites. Due of the micro-nature of the threat it’s too easy to fall victim to ‘out of sight out of mind’ until we have a seriously ill pet on our hands. I’... Read More
01 Mar 2017
The bond we share with our animals is a very special one and we all have a big responsibility to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep them healthy and happy for as long as is possible! For our practice, keeping pets well goes very much beyond treating them when they’re sick or injured. Many don’t realise that your pet’s... Read More
05 Jan 2017
For many years, the procedure for neutering a bitch was the “standard spay”, also known as an Open Ovariohysterectomy (OHE). However, nowadays there is a newer option - the Laparoscopic Spay, also known as the Keyhole Spay or Laparoscopic Ovariectomy (OE). This new technique has several advantages, and as we are fully equipped to perform it, we thought we’d compare the two! ... Read More
05 Oct 2016
Well, basically it depends on your dog! Some breeds and individuals need a lot more exercise than others. However, (fashionable celebrities notwithstanding), all dogs need some physical exercise every day. What are the benefits of exercise for dogs? Just the same as for us! Exercise builds muscle mass, cardiovascular fitness, and reduces the amount of fat st... Read More
01 Aug 2016
Saying goodbye is the hardest part of owning a pet. This is often because, sadly, animals don’t often die peacefully in their sleep – they tend to keep going, with an ever-increasing list of medical problems, and an ever-decreasing quality of life. With modern veterinary medicine, it is very easy to keep a dog or a cat going long after they’ve stopped enjoying their life. This m... Read More
22 Jun 2016
Pay-It-Forward vet scheme to support city’s vulnerable and homeless sponsored by Rushcliffe Veterinary Centre and their clients. Nottingham University Veterinary School students run a regular veterinary clinic at the offices of the Big Issue’s Nottingham headquarters under the guidance of Dr Jenny Stavisky, Clinical Lec... Read More
08 Jun 2016
For such a tiny object, a grass seed can cause an incredible amount of pain and suffering for dogs! The trouble is in their shape - most grass seeds are very streamlined in one direction, but the awns prevent movement in the other. In fact, many grass species’ seeds look, and act, like little biological arrowheads! This means that once they get embedded in the dog’s tissues, they... Read More
05 May 2016
An overactive thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism, is a very common condition in older cats. It is, in fact, the most common hormone disorder in cats, and one of the most important causes of weight loss. What causes it? In cats, like all mammals, the thyroid glands in the neck make a hormone called thyroxine. This hormone cont... Read More
13 Apr 2016
Unfortunately, inappropriate elimination (defaecating or urinating) is quite common in cats – in fact, it’s probably the most common behavioural “problem” seen in general practice. Getting to the bottom of it can be really frustrating, but there are some simple steps you can take to get started. Is it urine or faeces she’s “missing” with? If it... Read More