After nearly nine years of faithful service, our vet Mel has sadly left us for pastures new. We wish her well in her new enterprise and trust that she will keep in touch.
On a happier note, we have now welcomed Bradley Curtis into partnership at Dacre House. The Murrays have been running the clinic for 24 years now, so it is good to have fresh input from someone who shares our ethos and vision, but who brings new ideas and enthusiasm to the practice.
Emily continues to work with us and we are delighted to welcome Becky Clark to the team as our new veterinary assistant. It has also been good having Jane back with us doing some locum work; we hope she will be able to continue to help out when needed.
With Spring here at last, the longer days and warmer weather can signal the start of the allergy season for many. And it's not just us who can be affected by allergies, our pets can suffer too.
Whilst our pets aren't likely to sneeze when confronted with a garden full of flowers, they can suffer from skin irritation. Common signs of allergy include sore red itchy skin, hair loss and inflamed ears or feet.
Unfortunately allergies cannot be cured, but the good news is that they can normally be well managed. The first step is to work out what is causing the allergy. A simple blood test can reveal what your pet's immune system is reacting to, be it a tree, weed, flower pollen or a combination of several allergens.
Once the offending allergens have been identified it's time to tackle the root cause of the allergy. One tactic is avoidance, this can be a useful strategy including changing your exercise route to avoid certain trees or keeping the lawn mown.
Another option is desensitisation vaccines; these work by injecting a weakened, diluted allergen under the skin so that the immune system becomes accustomed to it. This simple and popular option reduces the need for repeated doses of steroids and antihistamines leading to a much happier pet and owner!
Don't delay! If your pet is prone to itching it could be an allergy; come and see us for a check-up!
Welcome to the Autumn issue of our newsletter! Fireworks may be fun for us, but for animals they can be very stressful. Even the bravest dog can turn into a quivering wreck and their reaction to fireworks can get worse and worse, year on year.
As we approach the firework 'season' we have put together some tips to keep your pets safe during this challenging time of year.
Keep dogs and cats indoors at night. Ideally outdoor pets (such as rabbits) should also be moved indoors, but, if this is not possible, their hutches should be covered.
Ensure nervous dogs have somewhere sheltered and comfortable to hide. Keep the windows and curtains closed and try having music or the TV on to help mask the sound of the fireworks.
Most importantly, don't reward fearful behaviour with cuddles and reassurance. Stay relaxed and carry on as if nothing is happening, ignoring the fireworks and acting as a good role model.
We also recommend installing a DAP diffuser in or near your pet's hiding place. DAP (short for dog appeasing pheromone), decreases stress levels in dogs. It should be noted that it needs to be plugged in 2-3 weeks before the event. DAP is a synthetic version of a pheromone that is secreted by the bitch - providing comfort and reassurance at times of stress.
As you can see, there are a number of steps you can take to help your pets during this stressful time, but planning ahead is essential. Please ask for further information!
