Avonvale Vets News
As a large practice we are often in the news, and have literally hundreds of pictures and stories. Here are just a few:
FORTUNATE FELINE ON THE MEND
Lucky cat Casper has narrowly escaped losing a leg thanks to staff at an Avonvale Veterinary Centre.
The beautiful three-year-old pointed, mitted, ragdoll had absconded for six days but finally made it home, scaling the garden fence despite having shattered bones in his right back leg.
The centre’s orthopaedic vet Mark Jackson-Taylor said the break was so severe that, at first, he thought he would need to amputate.
“Cats often receive multiple fractures from high speed collisions, and in the most severe cases, this can lead to amputation. Casper’s injuries were the worst we’ve attempted to save, the bone was so badly shattered that we could not simply pin through the middle of it, as we would with normal fractures.
“In serious cases, perhaps once or twice a year, we can save a leg by using ‘external fixators’. A frame is attached to the small pieces of bone that are still intact, preventing the leg from moving and allowing it to heal."
External fixators are used to treat cats, and occasionally dogs, but Avonvale Veterinary Centres have also used the method to save the legs of falcons and owls at their avian surgery in Kenilworth.
NEUTER YOUR CATS AND PREVENT MORE HOMELESS ANIMALS
A kitten found abandoned in Kenilworth highlights the problem of pets not being neutered according to a local vet. It is thought that the 14-week-old kitten was left near Rouncil Lane in Kenilworth and then made its way to Kenilworth Boarding Cattery by following the mewing of other cats.
Stephen Bamber, a director at Avonvale Veterinary Centres, who has now adopted the kitten and named her Pixie, said that the problem of abandoned animals was made worse by owners refusing to neuter their pets.
“People abandon animals for many reasons but rescue centres are full of unwanted animals needing homes and allowing a cat or dog to breed only produces more animals. Literally thousands of unwanted cats and kittens are destroyed in the UK simply because there are not enough homes to go round. There is no medical benefit to a cat or dog in having a litter before neutering.
“Cats come into season repeatedly over a short time, and this often leads to a deluge of unwanted kittens in early spring."
PUPPIES PARTY AT AVONVALE
New additions to the Avonvale Veterinary Centre in Warwick will be in party spirit this week as the practice holds its monthly Puppy Party.
All the youngsters, aged between nine and 14 weeks, have had their first jabs at the centre and will now meet at the Broxell Close branch to socialise with other youngsters.
The sessions are run by veterinary nurses and offer an opportunity for owners to ask questions and compare notes with other puppy owners. They will be advised on topics such as worming, diet, neutering, fleas, dental care and microchipping and also be given a free puppy information pack.
Hazel Etherden, veterinary nurse, said: “It is important to socialise puppies and get them used to different environments as this can prevent behavioural problems developing later in life. At this age they are especially impressionable so it is important to get them familiar and relaxed with lots of different places including the surgery.”
Avonvale, Warwickshire’s largest veterinary practice, has been running puppy parties for more then ten years and all four centres in Wellesbourne, Southam, Kenilworth and Warwick hold the events regularly.
The puppies will return for a free half-hour puppy health check after six months.