Latest News from Avonvale

A frequent question we are asked at Avon Vale Vets is whether cats should consume canned or dry food.

Fortunately, many commercial cat foods offer an excellent nutritional source, whether in the form of dry or wet cat food. However, hinges on various factors, including weight, health conditions and budget.

Deciding whether to opt for dry, canned or a combination of both is a choice you and your vet or nurse can collaboratively make to ensure the optimal health of your cat. Here's some advice on the comparison between wet and dry cat food.

Children and pets can form wonderful bonds and many parents aspire for their children to grow up alongside furry companions. When introducing them for the first time, it's essential to establish a safe and comfortable environment where children and pets can begin to familiarise themselves with each other. Having pets is a great way of introducing responsibility in the home for your children. Establishing household guidelines for children (and sometimes adults) can aid in their learning and comprehension of what is expected in terms of caring for their new furry family member.

Like many people dread going to the doctor, the vet can be a source of anxiety for our pets. Luckily, there are steps you can take to alleviate some of the anxiety your pet feels when it senses a vet visit in Warwickshire is coming up.

Eight out of ten dogs, according to research, have trouble adjusting to being alone in their Warwickshire homes. Yet, half won't exhibit any overt symptoms, making it easy for owners to overlook.

From skin irritations to digestive issues, understanding and addressing common allergies in dogs is essential for ensuring their wellbeing. In this blog, we delve into the world of canine allergies, exploring their types, symptoms and effective management strategies.

The sun is out in Warwickshire, everything is in flower, and everyone has come out of hibernation: gardening season has begun! While this is a lovely time of year to spend with your pet, there are potentially poisonous plants in your garden that will affect cats and dogs. At Avonvale Vets in Warwickshire, we can assist you with pet-proofing your garden by providing a list of common garden plants that are toxic to pets. Read on to learn more about common garden plants you need to look out for and the symptoms of plant poisoning.

On 1st September 2023 our regulatory body, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) introduced new guidance on prescribing prescription-only medicines. There was a grace period until 1st January 2024 for some classes of medication including parasiticides (flea, tick and worming treatments). The new guidance requires that a clinical assessment, which usually entails a physical examination of your pet, be performed every time antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and parasiticides are prescribed.

The guidance is an important step towards ensuring responsible antimicrobial use and reduces the veterinary impact on the wider issues of global antibiotic resistance and decline in insect populations.

Your pet will need to have seen a Veterinary Surgeon for an in-person consultation to make an appropriate parasiticide treatment plan personalised to their lifestyle and risk. We will aim to do this at regular, routine vaccination and health check appointments to reduce the need for additional appointments. However, a separate 'parasiticide check up' consultation may be required. 

We will enter a prescription 'authorisation' of our recommendations onto your pet's clinical notes, which can then be used to issue medication for the following 12-months. Once this authorisation is in place you can order parasiticide treatment as you previously have done so. 

We are offering a reduced consultation fee of £48 for a 'parasiticide check up' consultation. This is free for members of our Pet Health for Life (PH4L) plan. 

For long term prescription medication which is not an antimicrobial/antiparasitic, our usual policy of requiring a regular examination usually every 3-6 months continues to apply. The medication review consultations will be charged at our usual fees. 

You can read the full guidance from the RCVS on their website

Easter is an indulgent time of the year, and whilst chocolate is a fond treat for us, it can have serious outcomes for dogs if they eat it. As a devoted pet owner, we know how important it is for you to be informed about potential dangers that our furry friends may face. At Avonvale Veterinary Centres we share our valuable insights in this article, and guidance about chocolate and the affects it can have on your dog.

CHANGES TO OUR SERVICES DURING EASTER WEEKEND

Easter is almost here, and we'd like to remind you that our opening hours over the Bank Holiday weekend may differ from our usual availability.

Inquisitive dogs and curious cats might enjoy investigating around the house, but the last thing you want them to do is harm themselves on household items.

As we step into Spring and many of us start deep cleaning, you should familiarise yourself with some of the many cleaning products that can be hazardous to your pets.