Dee Valley Vets

31/07/2025

❗️Bird Flu ❗️

There was a confirmed case of Bird Flu near Glyn Ceiriog, on 24th June 2025. Restrictions were put in place and the area was declared a protection zone. As of yesterday this has ended, but the area is still part of the surveillance zone 10km centred on grid reference SJ1591333699

As a practice we are asking that you;

❗️Do not touch/ pick up any sick or dead wild birds.

❗️Wear protective clothing (PPE) when handling any birds – this applies to pets, poultry and wild birds.

❗️Do not enter the practice with any bird that needs veterinary attention. Please ring to advise you are outside and a staff member will come out to meet you.

These measures are in place to keep everyone safe – Bird Flu is a zoonotic disease which means it can be passed on to people.

If you do find any sick/dead wild birds please report them to The Welsh Government this will help with tracking the outbreak.

Keepers of birds are urged to watch for signs of the disease including:

❗️sudden death, breathing difficulties, reduced food/water intake, decrease in egg production

If one of your birds seems unwell, please contact us ASAP for advice.

https://www.gov.wales/glyn-ceiriog-near-wrexham-avian-influenza-protection-and-surveillance-zones-declaration-30-july -block

https://www.gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu

https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2017-11/avian-influenza-bird-flu-advice-for-keepers-of-small-flocks.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-advice-for-the-public-on-staying-safe/avian-influenza-bird-flu-advice-for-the-public-on-staying-safe-by-minimising-contact-with-wild-birds Avian influenza (bird flu) - advice for the public on staying safe by minimising contact with wild birds - GOV.UK

24/07/2025

Clive and Becky helping to inspire the vets of the future ☺️🙏

16/07/2025

‼️Just a reminder. Our car park in Llangollen is for staff and clients attending the surgery at the time only⚠️

‼️We had an incident at the weekend, where our vet on call, was unable to access our car park to see a patient ⚠️

‼️ This is unacceptable and delays time in an animal receiving often, life saving treatment ⚠️

‼️This is a private carpark belonging to Dee Valley Vets. Please be mindful and respect this. ⚠️

Thank you 🙏

29/06/2025

21/06/2025

**Two Ferrets found by the old tip near Carrog.**
Currently at our Llangollen Branch.
If they are yours please phone 01978860246.

19/06/2025

Hotter and hotter 🥵🥵🥵

Today the highest temperatures in the UK are expected to be around 29 degrees .

HEATSTROKE - PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION.

✅ Walks before 8am or after 8pm (or even not at all!)
✅ Plenty of space and shade
✅ Constant access to fresh cold water
✅ Cool mats and fans
✅ Keep the curtains closed during the day

However, if heatstroke occurs, don’t delay! We are here to help..

Is it true that if we use cold water on heat stroke pets they will go into shock?

NO NO NO

One of the most common things we still hear is that you can only use tepid water on a pet with heat stroke, incase they get complications like hypothermic overshoot or peripheral vasoconstriction.

But guess what?

In a recent study, over 26% of dogs presented with heat stroke died! Old, heavy coated and flat faced breeds make up nearly half of heat stroke cases seen.

What you should do immediately:

💧Get someone to call your veterinary practice and tell them you're coming down with a heat stroke patient

💧Pour, hose or if possible immerse the pet in very cold water (this should obviously be done under constant supervision, ensuring the head is fully above water.
Do not attempt if the animal is too large or you are unable to do so without hurting yourself).

💧If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing.

💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.

💧Move to a cool, shaded area.

💧Prepare to transport to your vets in a cold, ideally air conditioned car.

Read more below:

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid

13/06/2025

We are aware of a few videos circulating social media at the moment regarding ibuprofen ingestion in dogs.

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is commonly used in people for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with aches and pains, headache, cramps and for the relief of mild fever.

Ibuprofen is a very widely available over-the-counter painkiller. Although well tolerated in people, dogs are very sensitive to ibuprofen and ingestion of even a relatively low dose can cause adverse effects on the gut and the kidneys. A very large overdose can even cause very rapid onset features including convulsions.

☎️Owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 if they are concerned about their pet.

We do not recommend the administration of any human medications without prior consultation with your veterinary surgeon.

13/06/2025

“Eric” has been in to see Clive this morning. He was such a good boy 🥰❤️

08/06/2025

We tend to see a peak in enquiries about slug baits during the summer months. The most common ingredient in slug bait is ferric phosphate, but we do also receive enquiries regarding metaldehyde and methiocarb-based products.

Ferric phosphate is a relatively insoluble iron salt and is available in slug baits in 1% (amateur products) and 3% (professional products). The remainder comprises filler such as bran and wheat. As a result iron poisoning is not common from ingestion of ferric phosphate slug baits but gastrointestinal signs occur.

As of April 1st 2022, metaldehyde was banned in the United Kingdom due to the risk that it poses to wildlife and the environment. Despite this ban, many owners still have domestic products containing it in their homes that were purchased before the ban was implemented. Metaldehyde is usually found as blue-green pellets but sometimes may be found in liquid preparations. Clinical signs are usually very rapid in onset after exposure and may initially start as gastrointestinal signs before progressing to more complicated and severe neurological signs including prolonged seizure activity.

Methiocarb, is a carbamate and causes rapid onset signs with diarrhoea, bronchial hyper-secretion, constricted pupils, vomiting, twitching, tremors and in severe cases, bradycardia (slow heart rate), seizures, respiratory depression and coma.

If you are concerned that your pet has ingested slug bait, owners can call our Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000. Vets can call us for treatment advice on 02073 055 055

21/05/2025

“May is officially Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month!
So this is just a little appreciation post for our team of Veterinary Nurses here at Dee Valley Vets. The Llangollen team consists of Nicky, Kay and Zoe and we have Karen based in our St Martin’s branch. Our nurses are constantly working behind the scenes making sure your pets are well looked after and cared for while with us. We would be lost without them, so this is just a post to help show all the things they get up to on a day to day basis.”

21/05/2025

Here’s “Amber” waiting patiently for her appointment in St Martins and also some treats 🥰❤️

04/05/2025

At this time of year, we start to notice lots of posts circulating social media regarding rapeseed; these posts are shared extensively and can understandably worry many dog owners. The posts usually state that rapeseed is highly poisonous to dogs, and can cause signs including haemolytic anaemia, blindness, damaged nervous system, digestive disorders and breathing problems.
These posts are misinformation.

The signs mentioned are typically only seen in grazing animals, and most dogs actually remain asymptomatic after exposure to rapeseed. Dogs can develop gastrointestinal upset if they have ingested some of the plant, and there have been reports of skin reactions which resemble burns, but this is extremely rare and does not happen to every dog which comes into contact with it.