Latest News from Avonvale

Indie's owners phoned us recently as she began retching and coughing after eating some roast dinner scraps at home. She came straight down to see vet Katie out of hours.

The team at Warwick were delighted to open the mail this morning and find that the surgery has received a nomination for the Practice of the Year in the 2016 Pet Plan Awards. This now means that all of our branches have been nominated.

Local MP Chris White visited Avonvale on Friday to highlight the campaign to protect the title of Veterinary Nurse. A petition in support of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons campaign has raised over 17,000 signatures and is being brought before the House of Commons.

There are many things that cause cats to feel anxious. New housemates, new babies, new homes and new routines can all upset a cat’s constitution. One of the most common ways cats exhibit anxiety is by urine marking around their territory. When this territory includes the house, owners are faced with a smelly, antisocial problem.

This is Herbie who belongs to Southam receptionist Liz. Liz became worried about Herbie when he didn't eat his breakfast and didn't want to go for a walk because that was very out of character for him. Then, when he squealed when he was picked up, Liz knew that something was definitely not right. She was worried that he might have eaten a stone while out on a walk.

If you have ever had a favourite sofa or piece of furniture ‘personalised’ by your cat’s scratch marks then you may have wondered why they felt the need to display this destructive behaviour.

Cats are not naturally aggressive animals, avoiding conflict and the risk of injury if at all possible. Although they are well equipped for self defence they prefer to use their claws and teeth for hunting. Within neighbourhoods, situations will arise where cats are forced to protect themselves from more assertive bullies trying to encroach on their territory. If escape isn’t an option then a fight may ensue. Sometimes wounds are minor but others may require veterinary attention. Cats’ mouths are full of bacteria which, when transferred via a bite, can cause painful abscesses. Often, neighbourhood cats will ‘agree to disagree’ and avoid venturing outside when they know their nemesis is lying in wait.

Our feline friends can be quite unsociable characters and often find living with others quite stressful. Competing for food, litter trays and the comfiest sleeping quarters can cause some cats to become anxious.

Cocoa the 2 month old shar pei puppy came in to see Southam vet Mark recently.