Keeping your pet safe in the heat

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Avonvale

With temperatures due to rise again, here is some advice about keeping your dog safe in the heat.

The dangers of leaving pets in the car in this heat are well known but we should also beware of the temperatures that can occur in closed caravans and conservatories. Pets shut inside need shade, ventilation and access to plenty of water.

Active dogs and those with dark thick coats can also be prone to heat exhaustion if walked in the heat of the day. Although a dog may continue to play and run around they may in fact be experiencing the first signs of heat exhaustion. Signs are excessive panting with chest heaving, restlessness and even vomiting and diarrhoea, leading to collapse. Heat stress and dehydration can be fatal if not treated immediately.

If you suspect your dog to be seriously dehydrated, contact your vet immediately and try to keep your dog cool by showering them with water, covering in wet towels and fanning to aid evaporation.

In this heat avoid excessive exercise in the middle of the day and restrict walks to the cooler early mornings or evenings. Keep water available at all times and encourage your dog to drink.

You may also have read the misleading posts doing the rounds on social media recently about giving ice to dogs. There is no danger in giving your dog ice cubes to crunch on or a cold paddling pool to play in. There are both great and fun ways to help your pet stay cool during the summer.

Posted in General News, Pet health care advice |

Avonvale Gold Club

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Avonvale

We are pleased and proud to announce the launch of our new Gold Club. At Avonvale, we understand the special relationship people have with their pets and we aim to provide the best possible health care in a friendly and welcoming environment.

The Gold Club is a convenient and affordable way to spread the cost of your pet’s visits to the practice along with covering their vaccinations, flea, worm and parasite treatments. There are also great discounts and savings on many products and services that all help to ensure your pet receives the very best healthcare. It includes all of your pets consultation fees (excluding acupuncture, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy) as well as their annual boosters and flea and worm treatments.

We believe a proactive preventative approach to your pet’s health is far better than waiting until he or she is ill or suffering to put things right. Regular health checks and early diagnosis of potential health issues may help your pet enjoy a long and comfortable life. We have teamed up with Animal Healthcare Company who administer our Pet Club plans and collect your direct debits on our behalf. This leaves us free to concentrate on looking after your pets.

How to Register

Joining one of our Pet Clubs is easy. Call into our surgeries with your bank details and complete a direct debit form. You can also sign up at the time of any appointment or vaccination.

Pay your first month’s fee and complete a simple direct debit application form to authorise a further 11 monthly payments of the same amount each month. Your first direct debit payment will be requested 14 days after joining and monthly thereafter.

If you cancel your policy at any time other than at your plan anniversary you will be required to pay Avonvale the outstanding amount for the products and services you have received. In the unfortunate event that your pet passes away or goes missing please inform us immediately.

Avonvale Gold Club is not a pet insurance policy. It spreads the cost of routine preventive pet care at the recommended annual doses, which is not covered in standard pet insurance policies, although all consultations are included, it does not cover the costs of all veterinary care so we recommend taking out separate pet insurance for this.

*Not covered in Pet Club Plus

**Excludes: Medications, Laboratory Tests, Routine and Non-Routine Surgical Procedures, Out-of-hours supplements

***Vaccination includes: Dogs – Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis & Parainfluenza (excludes Rabies and Kennel Cough)

Cats – Feline Enteritis, Feline Flu, Leukaemia & Chlamydia (excludes Rabies)

Learn more by visiting our website.

Posted in General News |

Easter opening hours

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Avonvale

We would like to wish all of our clients and your pets a very happy Easter weekend.

We are open as usual on Saturday as follows-

  • Warwick surgery- 8.30am – 5pm
  • Stratford surgery- 8.30am – 2pm
  • Leamington, Kenilworth, Wellesbourne and Southam surgeries- 8.30am- 12.30pm

Outside of these hours, from 6.30pm tonight and 8.30am on Tuesday morning our Out of Hours Service is  available. This is staffed by Avonvale vets and nurses at our own Small Animal Hospital in Warwick and is available to all of our registered clients.

If your pet does require any emergency care over the bank holiday weekend, please phone 01926 400255 or your usual Avonvale surgery number and we will be happy to help.

Posted in General News | Tagged , ,

Chloe’s sore throat

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Avonvale

 

This is Gorgeous Chloe who was seen at our Kenilworth surgery last month. Her owners had noticed that Chloe had suddenly started retching and swallowing and seemed in discomfort.

Kenilworth vet Sophie examined Chloe and was suspicious that some thing had got caught in her throat which she wasn’t able to clear herself. Chloe was given an anaesthetic the same day and a blade of grass about 10cm long was found at the back of her throat. This was easily removed using long forceps, and thankfully no other damage had been caused.

Once Chloe woke up from her anaesthetic she was immediately more comfortable and was no longer retching. She is now happy and well at home and feeling a lot better after her ordeal.

 

Posted in General News, Kenilworth News |

Alabama Rot

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Avonvale

 

You may have heard a lot of talk about Alabama Rot recently following several cases in the last few months, mainly around the North East, South Wales and the South West. This blog will give you some further information on the condition and what to be aware of.

What is it? 

Alabama rot is a skin and kidney disease of dogs. Dogs of any age or breed can be affected. It is an extremely rare condition that has affected only a small number of dogs in the UK. The cause of Alabama rot is unknown although there appears to be a link with dogs walked in some woodland areas. Although we don’t know the exact cause, we know that Alabama rot cannot spread to other dogs or to people from an affected dog.

What signs would I see?

You might see a lump or patch of red skin often on the legs of your dog. Sometimes the skin can have an ulcer or open sore. The signs of kidney disease can be a reduced appetite or your dog being unusually quiet or tired. These signs can be seen with a number of other illnesses and are not necessarily an indication of Alabama rot.

Can I prevent it? 

Because the cause is unknown there are no recommendations for how we can prevent the disease occurring. It has been suggested to bathe any area of your dog which becomes wet or muddy on a walk; however, at this stage it is not known if this is necessary or of any benefit. Cases have been reported in many different areas in the UK and there is no current advice for dog owners to avoid any particular locations. No environmental cause for this disease has been proven.

What should I do if I am concerned?

If you notice any other the signs mentioned- unexplained skin lesions, particularly if your dog is also unwell- then please contact us as soon as possible. Your vet can carry out some tests that will help to identify the cause.

It is important to remember that only a very small number of dogs have been affected. Most skin lesions will not be caused by this disease and most cases of kidney failure will have another cause.

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Posted in General News, Pet health care advice |

Free dental checks and 20% off dental treatment

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Avonvale

Dental health is really important for our pet as they rely completely on us to make sure that their teeth are in good order. They are not able to brush their teeth twice daily and take themselves off to the dentist every 6 months as we do, so we must take care of their teeth for them.

Poor dental hygiene can be a source of chronic pain and discomfort for many pets. Most owners are unaware of this discomfort because most animals will not cry out in the presence of such pain – they just tolerate it.

If there is an infection in the mouth it can allow bacteria into the body via the blood stream and cause infections elsewhere. Kidney, heart, lung and liver problems can all be caused by poor oral health. Bad teeth can therefore just be the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

Any of the following may indicate that your pet has a dental problem: 

  •   Halitosis (bad breath)
  •   Sensitivity around the mouth / pawing at the mouth
  •   Loss of appetite
  •   Bleeding, inflamed and/or receding gums
  •   Tartar (brownish hard material)
  •   Loose or missing teeth.
  •   Difficulty chewing & eating food or dropping food

The first thing to do is to look in your pet’s mouth. Halitosis (bad breath) is caused by bacteria in the mouth, so this may alert you to the presence of dental disease.

Tartar is the hard brown accumulation which occurs on teeth. It is caused by mineralisation of plaque which in turn is caused by bacterial action against food particles in the mouth. The presence of tartar leads to gingivitis (gum inflammation). The gums become red, sore and prone to bleeding when touched. Tartar and gingivitis will eventually lead to periodontal disease where inflammation and infection cause destruction of the tissue around the tooth. Affected teeth loosen and may eventually fall out.

If the disease is severe, affected animals may eat on one side of their mouth, lose weight or generally fail to thrive. Older cats especially may start to look rather tatty as they may start to groom themselves less enthusiastically.

When dental disease is suspected you should seek veterinary advice.

Between now and the end of March we are offering free dental checks with a vet or veterinary nurse who can check your pets teeth and give you advice on preventative dental care.

For pets requiring further treatment, we are also offering 20% off dental treatment until the end of March.

Please give your usual surgery a call if you would like further information.

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Posted in General News, Pet health care advice | Tagged , , , , , , ,

Betsy’s sore paw

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Avonvale

This is Betsy, who was seen at our Southam surgery this month with a painful foot.

She had a swelling between her toes which hadn’t improved after a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Vet Mark was concerned that there might be something stuck in the wound stopping it from healing.

Betsy was given an anaesthetic so that Mark could have a really good look in her paw. The reason for Betsy’s poorly foot soon became clear- a thorn nearly 2cm long!

Betsy had a bandage on her foot for a few days to keep it covered. The bandage is now off and she is a lot more comfortable and happy with the thorn gone!

 

 

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Posted in General News, Southam News |

Laparoscopic (key-hole) spays

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Avonvale

Neutering a female dog can either be performed via the traditional method, where the abdomen is opened and the uterus (womb) and ovaries are removed, or using laparoscopy. This involves two small incisions made in the skin, through which the instruments and camera are inserted. The ovaries are removed leaving the uterus in place.

As with conventional spays, we recommend that this procedure is performed either when your dog is 6 months of age or 2-3 months following a season.

We offer this procedure to our Avonvale patients and also to those referred to us by their usual veterinary practice.

Advantages of laparoscopic procedures

  • Reduced pain from surgical wounds (so your dog is more comfortable)
  • Smaller surgical wounds
  • Fewer stitches
  • A faster return to normal activity
  • Reduced scar tissue formation

What to expect when your pet comes in

Your pet will be admitted by one of our nurses on the day of the procedure. It is important that they have had no food since midnight but can be allowed water over night.

Once admitted they will receive a general anaesthetic as with all operations. The fur on the stomach will be clipped and the skin cleaned ready for the operation.

Two small incisions will be made in the skin and the cameras and instruments inserted through these. Once the ovaries have been remove these little holes will be closed, normally with dissolvable stitches that are buried beneath the skin. Your pet will be discharged on the same day.

As with humans undergoing laparoscopic procedures we will ask for consent to convert to a conventional approach during the procedure if necessary. This is extremely unlikely to happen and would only be performed if unforeseen circumstances arise where it would be safer for you pet to do this.

Post operative care

Your dog will be sent home with a plastic collar to wear. This will prevent them licking at their wounds and introducing infections. This should be worn at all times unless they are under your direct supervision.

Most animals are a little quiet after an anaesthetic and can have a reduced appetite for up to 24 hours.

They should be kept on the lead for 3 days, at which time they will have a post-operative check with one of our nurses (or back at your normal vets if they were a referral). They will examine the wounds and make sure everything is healing well and after this they can resume normal exercise.

A pain killer (metacam) will be dispensed when your pet is discharged. This should be given for 2-3 days after the operation.

If you would like to find out more or have any questions please give us a call on 01789 561010

Posted in General News, Pet health care advice, Stratford News |

Physiotherapy for Animals

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Avonvale

Avonvale Veterinary Centres offer a well-equipped and comprehensive physiotherapy service for your pets.

Poppy Carroll, our Registered Veterinary Nurse has been with Avonvale since 2010 and has since qualified as a Veterinary Physiotherapist. Poppy is a fully insured small animal physiotherapist who is registered with ASSVAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapy).

We recognise that a multimodal approach is imperative when it comes to patient care. There are many benefits to physiotherapy and when we combine this knowledge with veterinary care and hydrotherapy we can make our patients stronger, happier and healthier.

Recognising the need for physiotherapy

Animals, just like people can suffer sprains and strains, and have bad backs, sore hips, aches and pains. To keep them comfortable physiotherapy could be a treatment option.

For your pet to receive physiotherapy, a referral will need to be done by the treating veterinary surgeon.

Veterinary physiotherapy can help with the management of:

  • Arthritis
  • Rehabilitation before and after orthopaedic surgery
  • Soft tissue injuries- tendon, ligament or muscular
  • Neurological rehabilitation
  • Angular limb deformities
  • Weight management

The following signs may indicate the need for an appointment:

  • Struggling to get up or showing stiffness or weakness
  • Overweight
  • Limping
  • Reluctance to play or less enthusiasm to get moving
  • Painful or swollen joints
  • Licking their joints
  • Slowing down on walks

What to expect when you come for an appointment

Your appointment will need to be made at our Kenilworth practice. This will include an assessment and will reflect the veterinary surgeon’s recommendation. Following on from the assessment manual therapy, laser, ultrasound, muscle stimulation and/ or exercises will be chosen on an individual plan tailored to your animal’s needs. There will be padded floor mats and bedding available to ensure your pet is comfortable during the appointment.

The treatments chosen will be dependent on your pet’s response and this will also determine the number of treatments needed. This will be discussed with you during your appointment.

Treatments that may be included:

  • Manual techniques for joints and soft tissues
  • Proprioception and balance exercises
  • Ultrasound
  • Laser
  • Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
  • Tailored treatment and exercise plan for your animal- this includes fun animal gym equipment!

After your pet’s treatment

Your animal may drink more water than normal after their treatment and may be lethargic so an easy afternoon with a gentle walk and perhaps a nap or two will be adequate.

If you feel that physiotherapy may be an option for your pet, Poppy or your Veterinary Surgeon will be more than happy to talk things through with you.

To make an appointment please call the Kenilworth surgery on 01926 854181

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Posted in General News, Kenilworth News |

Bella’s sore throat

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Avonvale

Beautiful Bella was seen last month as an emergency out of hours at our Warwick hospital. She had been out in the garden and had come back retching and seemed very uncomfortable.

Night vet Roxanne was worried Bella had something stuck in her nose or throat which was causing her symptoms, so she was admitted for an anaesthetic so we could have a good look at the back of her throat.

It soon became clear why Bella was gagging- she had 2 long blades of grass stuck at the back of her mouth behind her soft palate. Bella was given an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory injection to resolve the swelling and infection caused by the grass blades.

By the next morning Bella was a lot happier and she is now back to going out in the garden to hunt- hopefully she won’t catch any more grass blades!

Posted in General News, Warwick News |