XLVets Pets

17/04/2023

Great tip from Portland Vets East Grinstead. Using technology in our houses' to help keep our pets calm when we are away!

Did you know Alexa can now play calming music if it hears your dog barking! Head to the Alexa app on your phone and tap to set up a routine.

Studies have shown that playing music reduces stress in dogs with less barking, lower respiratory rates, and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol noted in dogs at animal shelters.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938416306977

13/12/2022

Keep your Festive Felines and Christmassy Canines safe this year!

Amaryllis
A hugely popular plant, but certainly not popular with our cats and dogs. This pretty plant contains phenanthridine alkaloids, much like the other plants on the list, early signs can include drooling and vomiting, which can lead to shaking and eventually seizures.

Call your vet if you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic.

Here are four other plants that you should be wary of - some of these are very dangerous to our pets! Look out for more posts soon.
- Lillies
- Holly
- Poinsettia
- Mistletoe

09/12/2022

Antifreeze kills many pets and countless wildlife every year and sadly this year will be no different.

Pets and wildlife are drawn to the sweet smell, but as it contains a high concentration of ethylene glycol, consumption can lead to acute kidney failure.

But YOU CAN HELP! Share this post to help to raise awareness.

Whether you own a pet or not, you can help to save lives by
- clean up antifreeze spills
- checking your car regularly to make sure there are no leaks
- store safely in a well-sealed container

If you suspect an animal has consumed antifreeze contact a vet immediately. Antifreeze poisoning is a veterinary emergency.

06/12/2022

Veterinary nursing teams from across the country NEED YOUR HELP to protect the title!

Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are trained, highly skilled and dedicated professionals.

However, the title ‘veterinary nurse’ is currently not protected by law. This means that anyone (regardless of any training or experience) can call themselves a veterinary nurse.

Your feedback through this survey is extremely important in helping the BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association) to progress this debate in parliament and ultimately change the legislation.

Please complete this quick survey to help protect our title:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BVNAProtectTheTitlePublic

25/07/2022

Further to multiple reports of blue-green algae, the British Veterinary Association - BVA have released a warning to 'take extra precautions when walking dogs around freshwater bodies, as warm weather conditions spark concerns about an increased risk of toxic blue-green algae growth over the coming months.'

You can find a map detailing where the presence of blue-green algae has been found across the UK. Created by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/bloomin-algae

Symptoms of exposure include
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- drooling
- disorientation
- trouble breathing
- seizures
- blood in faeces

Contact your vet if you suspect your dog has been exposed to blue-green algae.

BVA News Article - https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/keep-dogs-on-a-lead-around-rivers-and-ponds-vets-issue-seasonal-warning-about-deadly-blue-green-algae-risks/?fbclid=IwAR1P4rXz57gamMC1ayzn2g-kejV3RXeHNEFpe2GWOIq-Qlc94q1pHVUEwlE

22/07/2022

Wishing Priory Veterinary Group in Christchurch the best of luck 🍀tomorrow, as they embark on an epic 34-mile walk, along the Avon Valley Path in one day, to help raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK to support them in their amazing work.

"We are raising funds for Cancer Research UK inspired by our friend and colleague Elaine (aka Sparkles!) who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer and has surgery on Friday. She is such a positive, happy sparkly member of our team and we wanted to support her and raise funds at the same time." Nicola Holmwood, Practice Manager.

Please donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stomp-for-sparkles...

🥾👣 Walk Fundraiser Challenge 🥾👣

We are still training and walking, even in the heat! Our team of 12 has only ONE WEEK to go until we attempt all 34 miles of the Avon Valley Path in one day.

Next Saturday 23rd we will set off from Salisbury Cathedral at 6am and aim to be at our Christchurch Hospital sometime in the evening...
It's going to be hot and hard, but not as hard as the treatment for cancer that thousands of people undergo, including our friend and colleague Elaine (Sparkles!).

If you would like to support us and help Cancer Research UK do their amazing work, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stomp-for-sparkles?fbclid=IwAR0jBWLqmddxfdzCwaVXis5Ski73pAemnxczLT2iGQbI5vSpJlkbXsljseM&fs=e&s=cl

Thank you! Wish us luck... 🥵🥾☀️👣🚶‍♀️🚶

19/07/2022

HEATWAVE SUPPORT

Paddling Pool for your Dog

Keeping your dog cool in the summer is really important, especially on hot days.

Ever tried using a paddling pool? It is a great way to give your pet quick and easy access to a way to cool down.

Make sure you think about the material of the pool, the size relative to your dog, where you
position it in relation to other garden users and keeping it clean.

You can buy specially designed pools for dogs that include an anti-slip floor, lead retainers, and strong materials to avoid tearing with any sharp claws.

19/07/2022

HEATWAVE SUPPORT

Water, water, water!

Keeping our pets hydrated during warm weather is one of the most important things we can do.

From Great Danes to Guinea Pigs - Keeping a fresh supply of cool water available will help your pet stay happy and healthy when it is hot.

Try providing water bowls at lots of points throughout the house, preferably not near their food bowl for cats.

Keep the bowl in the shade and pop in some ice cubes to keep it extra cool!

18/07/2022

HEATWAVE SUPPORT

Seven-second hot pavement Test

Pavements can get very hot in the sun – check its temperature with your own hand before letting your dog walk on it
so they do not burn their paws.

Try the 'seven-second test'; if it's too hot for your hand after seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws.

18/07/2022

HEATWAVE SUPPORT

Spotting the Signs of Heatstroke

Warning signs of heatstroke:

Heavy panting
Increased heart rate
Excessive drooling
Red or very pale gums
Lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated?
Agitation or restlessness in cats
Collapse or vomiting?

Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency - seek a advice immediately if you think your pet has
heatstroke.

More information here from the RSPCA: https://www.rspca.org.
uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/heatstroke

17/07/2022

HEATWAVE SUPPORT

Don't forget about the small furry pets in the hot weather!

Rabbits, guinea pigs and birds are particularly susceptible to heat.

Think about bringing them indoors out of the heat and make sure they are not in direct sunlight.

Do you have a tiled area they can walk on to help keep themselves cool? If not, why not try draping wet towels over their cage and provide a secure frozen ice pack or water bottle wrapped in some material - they will love to lean against it to help moderate their temperature.

More support here from the PDSA Keeping Small Furries Cool - https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/rabbits/beat-the-heat-keeping-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs-cool-in-summer

17/07/2022

HEATWAVE SUPPORT

Find a Dog Friendly Beach

Want to find the perfect beach to go for a nice long walk with your favourite canine companion?

Look no further, The Beach Guide have created a fantastic list of the Dog Friendly beaches
throughout the UK - where you can be sure to have a beautiful walk and your dog will be welcome.

We recommend . . . . https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/dog-friendly