Acupets

17/10/2021

It’s getting close to firework season - are you ready?

🎆Fireworks and Fear: Petrified Pets 🎆

Fireworks seem to now occur regularly throughout October-December with Halloween, Bonfire night, Christmas and New year.

Although spectacular to watch they have very real implications for the welfare of our wildlife, livestock and pet animals.

⬇️Here is some advice this firework season. Stay tuned for more individual advice on each section in the coming weeks.

🐱Cats
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Try and keep them inside after dark. We understand this can be difficult. You may need to provide more play and calming aids to help them with a change in routine
✅Close all doors and windows to prevent them bolting
✅Shut curtains to dim the noise and flashes
✅ Give them a safe hiding place or don't disturb them if they find their own safe place to settle. Cats often like to be up high

🐶Dogs
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Walk before dark. If toileting outside go out with them on a leash to avoid them bolting if a firework goes off unexpectedly
✅Use calming aids
✅Give them as safe place to stay that is covered, dark and quiet. Do not lock them in here.
✅Watch that all doors are closed to avoid escape
✅You can comfort your pet, just ensure you stay safe if they are extremely agitated

🐭Small Furries
✅You may need to bring any animals inside if it doesn't cause them too much stress
✅They may require more bedding
✅Cover accomodation to prevent the lights from upsetting them
✅Move indoor enclosures away from windows to dull the noise and light

🐴Horses
✅Check local fire displays and prepare
✅Keep to a routine
✅Check the field or Stable is free from hazards
✅Give your vet notice if you require medication for your horses anxiety
✅Check on them regularly or stay with them if they are known to spook so you can react quickly if they become upset

🐮Livestock
✅Tell local farmers if you intend to have a Firework display and try to avoid the loud fireworks. Do not set fireworks off around fields containing livestock.

🦔 Wildlife
✅Check bonfires before lighting for any wildlife such as rodents or hedgehogs
✅Avoid setting fireworks off near known wildlife areas like nature reserves

🧑‍⚕️ How your vet can help
✅If your animals experiences distress then there are medications we can prescribe
✅You will likely need a prescription check even if you have it yearly
✅Veterinary professionals are also well placed to give you individual advice on how to help your pets

🎆If you plan to have a firework display:

➡️Please tell all your neighbours in advance that you plan it.
This will ensure they have had time to adequately prepare their animals for the event.
If possible please consider using alternative options such as silent or low noise fireworks if you know you are surrounded by families with cats, dogs, other pets or if you live by a farm or livery yard.

➡️Please tell owners how long the display will go on for and don't go beyond that so they know when it is safe to let their pets out for toileting or grazing.

➡️ Please do not release sky lanterns

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/litter/skylanterns

🚒👩‍🚒 Please also be fire safe!

🔥https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

🔥https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety

Other links:

➡️https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

➡️https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

➡️https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/storms-and-fireworks/

19/05/2021

COVID update
As some lockdown restrictions are being reduced, we are naturally being asked when we will be letting clients in with their pets.
Our vets and nurses see up to 30 clients a day each. This is done in a small, unventilated airspaces, and for patient safety we often cannot open any windows. We cannot stay 2m away from our clients if they are holding their pets while we are examining them, and this examination may take longer than 10 minutes.
Veterinary staff have no priority for covid vaccinations, and the majority of our staff are under 40 so many have had no vaccinations at all, and some have health conditions.
If a member of staff in our building contracts COVID19, it is likely that track and trace would ask the entire practice to close due to our close working practices with each other, which would mean we would be unable to provide our clients with any service. We feel it would be unacceptable for your pets‘ welfare to have to close for 10 days so need to avoid this if at all possible.
We have taken all this into account and feel that at the present time we are unable to open our doors to clients (except for end-of-life appointments). We are still very happy to see and treat your pets, and our vet and nurse team work tirelessly to ensure that your pet has the most stress-free visit to us possible. We are reviewing our covid policy regularly as we find the restrictions as tiresome as our clients do.
We would really appreciate your help and kindness in this matter.🐾

12/01/2021

12/11/2020

Dave is a bit of a worrier when he comes to see Kay for his acupuncture, but a few minutes after his needles are placed he starts to relax.

23/10/2020

Alfie came to see Kay for his regular acupuncture session today. It’s been a bit strange for him for the last few appointments as his owners can’t come in with him, but he is fine as long as the treats keep coming! Alfie has a lot of health issues, but he is a proper character who we love to see 😍🐾 - and he’s been coming for over 3 years now!
Most of our patients lie down for their acupuncture, but Alfie is concerned he might miss out on treats so he prefers to stand and have a bit of a wander around. Here he is at the start of his session, with needles placed to help treat muscle stiffness in his back (he has had previous spinal surgery).

26/04/2020

We’re really missing seeing all our lovely acupuncture patients at the moment! We were so looking forward to showing you our new acupuncture room. I know some of your pets have been stiffening up without their acupuncture sessions, so if you are concerned please give us a call so we can discuss alternative options whilst we have to restrict appointments due to the current Coronavirus situation.
Stay safe, stay home!

07/03/2020

Only a week to go now until the big move! Everything is coming together well, so here’s another sneak peak - our Woodland Room! This is going to be our tranquil room for acupuncture appointments, but will also be used if you or your pet need a bit of space away from the main reception area.

03/02/2020

Our home at Blue House is moving! Stay tuned for exciting news about our new Woodland Room in the new site at Princess Street - a calm forest themed room perfect for acupuncture sessions!

🌟Exciting news - Blue House will soon have a New Home!🌟

As some of you may already have discovered, Blue House will soon be on the move! We are very excited to finally be able to share with you all the details of our big project, which will see us moving into larger premises from 8am Monday 16th March 2020!

Whilst we have had lots of wonderful years at Congleton Road, we have simply outgrown the buildings and need more space to provide the best facilities we’ve always wanted for our patients, clients and staff. Our new premises is the former Biddulph community health centre on Princess Street - next to the fire station and less than a 2 minute drive from our current site.

Over the next 5 weeks leading up to the move we will be sharing our progress with you on Facebook, so keep following to see just what we have planned!

We will try to cover everything we think you will want to know in the next few weeks, but if you have any questions please feel free to ask 😊

25/02/2019

Ever wondered about acupuncture? Here’s Inka (and her friend Magic who comes along to provide emotional support!) having one of her regular sessions with Kay today at Blue House. She really benefits from the sessions and has been able to reduce some of her other medications since starting.
Acupuncture can be useful for a variety of conditions, especially arthritis, alongside other medications. There are more details on our website, www.bluehousevets.com/about-us/services-and-facilities/acupuncture

16/12/2018

The best gifts in life are free - you often don’t realise how much a simple thank you means to all of the staff in a veterinary practice! Whilst we often enjoy our job, it isn’t always easy, and a few words or a note in a card are truly appreciated - and often kept for many years.

Has someone at Blue House - a vet, a vet nurse, or receptionist done something amazing for you and your pets this year? Or maybe the whole practice?

If so, please put us forward for an award at the Pet Plan Veterinary Awards 2019 - nominations are open!

Even if we don't make the final, the person nominated will receive a certificate, so will know they have been appreciated. Nominations close on 25th January 2019.

https://www.petplan.co.uk/about-petplan/vets/awards/

Lets celebrate the exceptional work of vets, and show our gratitude to those that work tirelessly to maintain our pet’s health.

Nominate a vet, vet nurse, practice team, or practice support for the 2019 Veterinary Awards and show your appreciation. Click on the link to fill in a short nomination form https://bit.ly/2AWVnxu

31/10/2018

The lovely Caz has been coming to see us for acupuncture as part of her treatment for lower back and hip pain. She is doing really well and is so good when she has her needles! Very relaxed - and look at that tongue!

03/07/2018

This is Bob. Bob is a Jack Russell (or thereabouts). Bob is desperate for me to take him for a walk or throw his ball for him. He just can’t understand why I won’t. Please don’t give in to those gorgeous eyes - it is far too hot at the moment to walk your dog for the vast majority of the day. Following the news of the tragic death of a dog from heatstroke this morning at 9am in Devon, please be aware that whatever type of dog you have, even if they are young, fit and are not brachycephalic (short faced), IT IS NOT OK TO BE WALKING YOUR DOG IN THIS HEAT! Exercise is important but not at the risk of your dog’s life. Play some games inside (hunt the treat, sit, wait, shake paw, learn a new trick) to keep them mentally active and wait until the late evening or very early morning to do anything else.

Stay cool out there everyone!