Isle Veterinary Group - Equine and Farm Animal

08/10/2025

We are extremely proud of Stacey Cook who today placed 4th in the Bronze League Final at HOYS with her handsome gelding, Griff (Gigant).

Congratulations Stacey! A fantastic double clear 💫

03/10/2025

Happy Friday Everyone👩‍⚕️

Our busy team have already attended 13 emergencies this month, and were only on the 3rd! 🐴

This weekend Hannah is on call to help with any emergencies that you may have. Please call us on 07887 525912 between 5:30pm today and 8:30am Monday morning if you require any advice or assistance 🩺

Please take care this weekend in the stormy weather, hopefully the sun will be back as quickly as it left 🌦

02/10/2025

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲✨:
Celebrated on 4th October, 'World Animal Welfare Day' is very important to us at the Isle Vet Group! This day raises the status of animals and improves welfare standards worldwide, celebrating them as sentient beings and taking action against cruelty and neglect. October 4th was chosen because it is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and has been celebrated since 1931!

Underpinning animal welfare is the 'Five Freedoms' - these are applied across all species. The five freedoms include:

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭: Ensure animals have constant access to fresh, clean water and a diet that keeps them healthy.
𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭: Create a suitable living environment with shelter from the elements and a comfortable place for them to rest.
𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲, 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: Prevent illness and injury, and when it occurs, provide prompt veterinary diagnosis and treatment.
𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫: Ensure animals have enough space to move, play, and stretch, as well as the opportunity to socialize with other animals of their own kind if appropriate.
𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: Treat animals in a way that prevents mental suffering, providing conditions and experiences that avoid fear and anxiety.

Let's strive for a kinder world for animals!🤝🏼

26/09/2025

Another week has flown by as we notice the evenings starting to draw in. Some of the team are present at various local events this weekend so do say hello if you spot them - Laura will be at Gransden Show and David is providing a Mare Scanning Demonstration during the Sovereign Quarter Horses Open Day 🐴

This weekend we have Anastasia manning the fort to provide any assistance that you may require. If you need our help, guidance or support, please call 07887 525912 between 5:30pm on Friday and 08:30am on Monday 📞

Have a great weekend!

24/09/2025

𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐄𝐓 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐓𝐒

Urolithiasis is a condition in which small calculi or ‘stones’ form in the kidneys or bladder. Male goats, particularly those that have been castrated whilst very young, have much narrower urethra (the tube that empties the bladder) than females. Stones can become trapped and block normal urine output. The blockage can be partial or complete, so clinical signs can be variable. If you suspect your goat is ‘blocked’, contact your vet as soon as possible, as a delay in treatment may worsen the prognosis.

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
• Blood or crystals in the urine/around prepuce
• Straining, painful or decreased urine output
• Dribbling urine
• Tail flagging and abdominal pain

𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
• Lethargy, depression and poor appetite
• Swelling around the prepuce
• Ruptured urethra and/or bladder

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
• Ensure fresh water available to encourage water consumption
• Provide high fibre (hay or fresh grass) low concentrate (grain) diet and a mineral block
• Provide diets low in magnesium, potassium and phosphorus and high in calcium
• Do not allow goats to become overweight
• Provide salts in the diet (ammonium chloride) to increase urination and acidify urine to help break down any stones
• Ideally delay castration in small ruminants that are to be kept as pets until at least 3 months of age, as this will mean urethral size is increased

To discuss this further, please contact us:
☎️ Call us on 01353 658241
📧 Email [email protected]
📍 Visit us on West Fen Road, Ely, CB6 2BZ

23/09/2025

𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬

It is a legal requirement for all horses, ponies and donkeys to be microchipped within the UK. This excludes wild or semi-wild horses living in certain designated areas, that have not received veterinary treatment within their lifetime. Did you know that our team provides veterinary care and support for a herd of wild ponies?

Microchips are most commonly inserted at first vaccination, or when applying for a passport. They are approximately the size of a grain of rice and sit in the nuchal ligament that runs along the top line of the equids neck.

Every microchip has a unique identification number once registered, that is linked to the ‘Central Equine Database’. It is essential that all newly inserted microchips are registered with your details as soon as possible, to ensure the most up to date details are available if your horse is lost or stolen.

You can register a new microchip, or update details of a pre-existing microchip via the relevant manufacturer website.

09/09/2025

IMPORTANT: PHONE LINE ISSUES 09/09/2025

We are currently experiencing some issues with our phone lines. If you need to contact us in an emergency and cannot use the main line, please call 07887 525912. Alternatively, call 07393 236717.

If your request is not urgent, please contact us using the main line where possible. We are working to resolve this issue as soon as we can. 📞

05/09/2025

Another busy week for the team here at Isle with our ambulatory vets attending to over 120 appointments in the last 5 days, 25 of those requiring an emergency response. 🚨

We have Harriet leading the way this weekend should you require any assistance or guidance (did you know that we now have 2 Harriet's on the team as of this Monday?) 😊 Please call 07887 525912 after 5:30pm on Friday if you need Harriet's help.

☎️ Call us on 01353 658241
📧 Email [email protected]
📍 Visit us on West Fen Road, Ely, CB6 2BZ

29/08/2025

We’ve made it to the weekend! This rainbow appeared today over our paddocks following some showers 🌧️

The team at Isle hope you have had a good week, and enjoy the rain that’s to come over the weekend!

This weekend Sally is manning the fort to assist with any emergencies you may have. Please call 07887 525912 after 5:30pm on Friday until 08:30am on Monday 📞

27/08/2025

𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 🐑

After recent events involving a number of sheep under our care, we’d like to highlight the importance of keeping pets 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 in the countryside to prevent attacks that cause injury, suffering or death to animals and financial and emotional distress to farmers.

𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬:
• Attacking livestock
• Chasing livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or, in the case of females, abortion, or loss of or diminution in their produce
• Being at large (that is to say not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.

Dog attacks on livestock are illegal under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. Farmers can legally shoot a dog in the act of attacking or worrying their animals.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠:
• Report the incident to the police: by dialing 999 if the incident is in progress, or 101 if it has already happened.
• Take photos or videos: of the dog and owner as evidence if possible.

For more information on this law, visit https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/1-2/28

19/08/2025

Our very own Laura Stephen (Clinical Director) is a panelist on the AHDB Bluetongue Webinar tomorrow! During this webinar they will share the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus situation 🦠

This event forms part of a series of webinars that AHDB are running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

AGENDA:
- Welcome from meeting chair Zoe Lloyd, AHDB Animal Health & Welfare Scientist
- Policy and technical update, Stephen Jackson, Welsh Government
- In-practice experiences, Laura Stephen, Isle Veterinary Group
- Importance of vaccination, Fiona Lovatt, Flock Health
- Q&A session

To learn more or to book onto the webinar please use the following link 🔗

During this webinar, we will share the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus situation.

12/08/2025

𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐐'𝐬 ❓
What do you think about when you notice a wound? Here are some common questions you may hear us ask:

- How deep is the wound?
- Where is the wound located?
- Is there any swelling, heat or pain associated?
- When did the wound happen or when did you first notice it?
- Is your horse vaccinated against Tetanus?

If a wound is large and/or deep, not contaminated and happened less than 6 hours ago, it is likely that we will recommend the wound is sutured as this greatly reduces healing time and scarring.

Please do not apply Sudocrem, Tea Tree Oils or any other similar products into the wound before discussing with a professional as this can trap bacteria in the wound and is very difficult to remove ❌

☎️ Call us on 01353 658241
📧 Email [email protected]
📍 Visit us on West Fen Road, Ely, CB6 2BZ