Blairgowrie Vets Limited

05/06/2026

🪱 WORM EGG COUNTS IN HORSES🪱

As resistance to wormers is becoming a more and more relevant issue to horses in the UK, testing faecal samples for worm egg counts before worming is the recommended approach 🧫

The advice for each specific horse will vary depending on many factors, such as the age and medical history of the horse, the worming history of the herd, and other management factors.
However, carrying out worm egg counts three times per year will be sufficient for most horses. These do not test for tapeworm, so a saliva test for tapeworm is recommended once per year.

There is a blood test for encysted redworm, which also doesn’t show up on a worm egg count. This can be helpful in determining whether a horse needs worming in the autumn or not.

As were are now in spring it is a great time to test 🌿

Moving away from blanket treating all horses is important as we only have one drug that treats encysted redworm and only two that treat tapeworm. We need to preserve efficacy of these drugs by not treating horses that don’t need it and not contributing to resistance.

Therefore, only horses that are shedding large numbers of worm eggs should be treated.

Other methods of reducing worm risk in horses include:
💩 Regular (more than once weekly) poo picking of fields, rather than harrowing
💩 Keeping muck heaps more than 3m away from fields

Faecal samples can be handed in to us for worm egg counts to be performed. 🔬

For further information or to assess your individual horse’s worm risk, please get in touch with us or see the CANTER guidelines. 📲

03/06/2026

🩺 WHAT IS A VCA? 🩺

A Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) mainly involves supporting all members of the veterinary team — from the vet, to the nurses and reception staff too!

A VCA is there to support the staff throughout the day with tasks such as:

✨ Admitting patients
✨ Preparing kennels for the day
✨ Help look after in-patients
✨ Helping prep animals for surgeries
✨ Sterilising instruments ready for use
✨ Patient handling for blood samples, nail clips etc.
✨ Doing in-house lab tests
✨ Monitoring patients in kennels
✨ Daily cleaning and hygiene tasks
✨ Helping turn over theatre for further operations
✨ Assisting vets on visits
✨ Reception duties
✨ Stock management
✨ Technology support for equipment and computers

We are very lucky to currently have two VCA’s, Zoe & Jorja, with Jorja away to start her vet nursing in August 🎓

If you see burgundy scrubs around the practice, they are our lovely VCA team ❤️

01/06/2026

💙 HEALTH PLAN AT BLAIRGOWRIE VETS💙

Chase wants to tell you all about it!! 📣

At Blairgowrie Vets, we’re delighted to offer our VetSure Pet Health Care Plan for cats, dogs, and rabbits.

We know that spreading the cost of household bills makes life easier, so why should your pet’s preventative care be any different?

With our simple monthly direct debit, you can ensure your pet receives the very best routine care all year round 🩺

🌟 What’s included in our plan?

✔️ Annual core vaccinations +10% off non-core vaccines (e.g. kennel cough & rabies)
✔️ 6-monthly health checks with a vet or vet nurse
✔️ Flea, tick & worming treatments as recommended
✔️ 10% off Stay Well Health
✔️ Microchipping included + or 10% off a diet if already microchipped
✔️ 5% off VetSure Pet Insurance

🐰 For our rabbit patients:
✔️ Annual fly strike protection 🌼
✔️ Twice-yearly nail clipping ✂️

💬 Pop into reception to pick up a leaflet or have a chat with a member of our team 😊

29/05/2026

Goodbye Amy 👋🐾

We said goodbye to Amy today after four fantastic years with us. Amy joined us fresh from Glasgow Vet School, graduating on the Friday and starting work with us that very next Monday

Since joining the team, Amy has developed into a confident and trusted vet, building great relationships with our clients along the way 🎓✨

We want to take a moment to wish Amy and her fabulous three (Foxy, Ned & Tatty) every success and happiness in their future ✨

27/05/2026

🌿 Busy Spring 🌿

We’ve had a very busy spring with both small and large animal work, and we feel fortunate to work in such a rewarding profession.

25/05/2026

🌼SUMMER ALLERGIES 🌼

Itchy dogs are one of the most common things we see — especially during the warmer months! Along with the skin, ears can also be affected.

There are several possible causes for itchy skin, including:
• 🐛 Parasites
• 🍪 Food allergies
• 🌿 Environmental allergies
• 🦠 Skin or ear infections

Environmental allergies are often seasonal, with grass and pollen being common triggers during summer.

If your dog is constantly scratching, licking, or showing signs of discomfort, it’s best to get them checked. Please give us a call to book an appointment and talk through the treatment options available. 🐾

18/05/2026

🐾NEUTERING VOUCHERS🐾

Have you heard about Dog Aid Scotland's Neutering scheme?

We proudly provide neutering vouchers to go towards the cost of the procedure, for dog owners on low incomes, to relieve some of the financial pressures.

For more information or to submit an application, please visit our website www.dogaidscotland.com 💙

18/05/2026

🔥 HEAT IN PETS 🔥

With the hot and humid weather shortly arriving, don’t forget your furry friends! Heat stroke is very serious and can be life-threatening.

⚠️ Signs of heat stroke:
• Panting
• Lethargy
• Hot to the touch
• Collapse
• Dehydration
• Rapid breathing
• Drooling
• Vomiting/diarrhoea

🚨 What to do if you think your dog or cat has heat stroke:

📞 Call us immediately on 01250 872061
• Move them to a cool, shaded area
• Use a fan if available
• Wet their coat with cool water
• Offer small amounts of water if they’re conscious

☀️ Hot weather tips to help your pet:
• Avoid walks or exercise during the heat
• Stay off hot pavements
• Walk early morning or late evening
• Provide shade and fresh water
• Never leave pets in cars

If you’re concerned about your pet in the heat, call your vet.

15/05/2026

PARASITE CONTROL 🪱
Parasite control is an important part of keeping pets and farm animals healthy. Worms, fleas, and ticks can all cause issues ranging from skin irritation and digestive upset to weight loss and more serious disease if left untreated. Some parasites can also spread between animals and even pose a risk to people. 🐾

Parasite risk changes throughout the year, with fleas and ticks more active in warmer months, while worms and protozoa can remain a year-round concern depending on lifestyle and exposure. ☀️

Before prescribing treatment, we carry out a parasite assessment to ensure prevention is tailored to each individual animal. Factors such as roaming, scavenging, hunting, or exposure to livestock can all increase risk. We also consider households with young children or immunocompromised individuals. 🩺

Signs of parasites are not always obvious, but can include weight loss, digestive upset, poor coat condition, or skin irritation. ⚠️

Prevention tips:�• Avoid scavenging and drinking from puddles�• Clean litter trays daily and wash bedding regularly�• Pick up poo promptly outdoors�• Speak to your vet about a parasite prevention plan 🐶🐱

If you’d like advice on the most appropriate parasite control plan for your animal, feel free to book an appointment with us. 💚

08/05/2026

⚠️STICK INJURIES IN DOGS ⚠️

Although often seen as a fun game, throwing sticks for your dog can result in serious, even life threatening, injuries 💔

Chewing sticks can cause splinters and wounds in a dogs mouth. Sticks can get stuck on the roof of the mouth often getting wedged between the teeth causing pain and injury 🪵

Throwing sticks can result in a range of issues including mouth injuries, impalement and migration of the stick or splinter within the body which can be life threatening 😣

If your dog enjoys chasing and retrieving, ditch the sticks and use a suitable sized ball, frisbee or retrieving toy 🥏