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Blog

Do cats get osteoarthritis?

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

Senior Health Checks and their Importance

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

Arthritis and the Cold

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

Fireworks and your Pets

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

Chemical vs surgical castration in dogs - which is best?

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

Practice Gadgets - What They Do: The X-ray Machine

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

Arthritic pain management

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

Geriatric Blood Screening - What happens in a blood test?

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

What are preventative treatments and why are they so important to dogs?

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

What is xylitol and is it poisonous?

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

Spring time hazards

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

Why do I need to vaccinate?

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

Why are regular health checks so important?

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

Christmas poisons – having a safe time with your pets

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

Reducing Firework Fear in Pets

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

Winter Advice for your Senior Pets

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

Is distemper really a risk?

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

The truth about feline AIDS

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

Does my cat have kidney problems?

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

What is DCM?

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

What Flea Treatment Is Best For Cats?

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

What is a Lap Spay and how do you do it?

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

How can vets tell what's wrong with my pet's heart?

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

Fleas & Ticks Blog by Chris Packham

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

Has your pet had a health assessment recently?

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

What is a Laparoscopic Spay?

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

How far does my dog need to walk per day?

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

How will I know it’s time to say goodbye?

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

How vaccinating your pet helps the homeless keep their pets healthy

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

How much of a problem can a grass seed be for a dog?

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

What is an overactive thyroid in cats, and can it be treated?

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

My cat has started to miss her litter tray… what can I do?

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