Latest News from Avonvale

Summer is a time for fun in the sun in Warwickshire, but it's important to remember that the warm weather can be just as uncomfortable for our pets. As dog owners, it's our responsibility to ensure they stay safe and stay cool in the warm weather. 

Don't let the heat slow you down! With a few essential tips and tricks from Avonvale Vets, you can make summer walks enjoyable experiences for you both.

Keeping your pet's claws trimmed is an essential part of their overall health and wellbeing. Long nails can cause discomfort, make walking difficult and even lead to accidental injuries to both you and your pet.

While clipping your pet's claws might seem daunting at first, with a little practice and the right approach, it can become a quick and stress-free experience for both of you. Here at Avonvale Vets, we're dedicated to helping you provide the best care for your pet, therefore, this guide offers some helpful tips and tricks for clipping your pet's claws safely and effectively.

The most common allergies in cats

Cats commonly experience four types of allergies: insects (fleas), food allergies, atopic dermatitis (triggered by house dust, pollen, and moulds) and contact allergies. While they exhibit shared physical expressions and signs, each allergy type also presents unique features. If you believe your cat is showing signs of an allergy, then speaking to a vet at Avonvale Vets in Warwickshire to help you find a solution for making your cat more comfortable and improving their quality of life.

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.

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