Shuttleworth Veterinary Group

25/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at Shuttleworth Vets! 🐾

Thank you so much for all the lovely cards, kind gifts, and chocolates — they’re truly appreciated. We’re very grateful for your continued support and wish you and your pets a happy, healthy festive season.

✨ With thanks,
The Shuttleworth Vets Team ✨

24/12/2025

We know how tempting it is to share a bit of your Christmas dinner with your furry friends… those big eyes are hard to resist!
But please be careful — many festive foods can upset your pet’s tummy or even make them seriously unwell.

Gravy
Gravy often contains onions, garlic, salt and fats, all of which can be harmful to pets. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or, in severe cases, dangerous conditions like pancreatitis.

🍽️ Other foods to avoid:
🚫 Stuffing (onions & garlic)
🚫 Pigs in blankets / fatty meats
🚫 Mince pies, Christmas pudding & raisins
🚫 Chocolate
🚫 Leftover bones
🚫 Alcohol (even in sauces)

19/12/2025

We have had a young female black and white cat brought to the surgery. No collar or chip. She has a recent spey incision wound. *** the microchip could have fallen out if only just been implanted ***

Found goodshawfold road, Loveclough

She is very poorly and we get to get in touch with her owners urgently following a road traffic accident

Please contact the surgery on 01706 225300

19/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Opening Times 🎄

As the festive season approaches, please take a moment to check our opening hours over Christmas and new year so you can plan ahead for your pets’ care.

As always our out of hours provider is Armac in Bury. Please ring them on 0161 764 4618 if you need them while we are closed.

18/12/2025

These two sweet siblings were absolute stars when they came in for their microchips!

They were incredibly brave throughout their visit, and afterwards enjoyed a well-deserved cuddle with Gemma, one of our lovely nursing assistants, who was more than happy to share the love (and her festive jumper!) 🎄❤️

15/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Reminder! 🎄

Please get your pet food and medication orders in early to make sure you have everything you need over the festive period. Deliveries can be delayed and our christmas hours may be reduced, so ordering in advance helps avoid any last-minute shortages.

🐾 Call us, email, or pop into the practice.
Thanks from all of us at Shuttleworth Vets! 🎅🐶🐱

12/12/2025

🎄 Keeping Your Pets Calm This Festive Season 🎄

While this time of year is often filled with joy for us, it can sometimes be overwhelming for our pets. Extra visitors, bright decorations, changes in routine, and unusual noises can all trigger stress or anxiety — especially for sensitive animals.

Here are a few simple steps you can put in place to help your furry friends stay relaxed and happy over the festive period:

🐾 Create a Safe Space
Set up a quiet, cosy area where your pet can retreat if things get busy. Include their bed, favourite toys, and fresh water.

🐾 Keep Decor Pet-Friendly
Tinsel, flashing lights, and fragile ornaments can be confusing — or tempting! — for pets. Make sure decorations are out of reach and avoid anything that could be harmful if chewed or swallowed.

🐾 Stick to Your Routine
Try to keep feeding times, walks, and play sessions as consistent as possible. Predictability helps pets feel secure.

🐾 Give Guests Guidance
Let visitors know if your pet needs space, doesn’t like being fussed, or is nervous around new people. A calm, respectful environment makes all the difference.

🐾 Use Calming Aids if Needed
Pheromone diffusers, calming supplements, or anxiety jackets can provide extra support. If you’re unsure what might help, our team is always happy to advise.

🐾 Watch for Signs of Stress
Pacing, shaking, hiding, or changes in appetite can all indicate anxiety. If you’re concerned, please get in touch.

11/12/2025

🐾Health Information for Imported Dogs – Brucella canis.🐾

We are reaching out to all owners of imported dogs, particularly those brought into the UK from Eastern Europe, to ensure you have the correct and up-to-date information regarding your dog’s health history.

Background

Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in reported cases of Brucella canis in dogs. This rise correlates with the growing number of imported dogs, particularly from Eastern Europe.
It is recommended that all dogs imported into the UK, or those with a history of travel to countries where Brucella canis is endemic, be tested prior to entry. Unfortunately, this testing has not always been performed historically.
Brucella bacteria can survive in the environment for months (Kaden et al., 2018), and even in frozen materials such as semen (Amin et al., 2001) and meat (van Dijk et al., 2018). The infection has also been transmitted through blood products. Many infected dogs remain asymptomatic, making them a potential hidden reservoir of infection and posing a diagnostic challenge.

Signs and Symptoms in Dogs:

While many infected dogs may show no symptoms, common clinical signs include:
• Infertility (both male and female)
• Abortion or perinatal mortality in litters
• Testicular abnormalities
• Lameness
• Spinal pain/discospondylitis
• Unexplained uveitis (eye inflammation)
• Fever
• Lymph node enlargement
• Lethargy

Zoonotic Risk:

Brucella canis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted to humans, although the risk is generally considered low.
Human symptoms are often non-specific and may include:
• Flu-like symptoms (headaches, fatigue)
• Joint or back pain
• Loss of appetite
• In more serious cases (especially if untreated), chronic illness may develop
Symptoms usually begin within 2–4 weeks of exposure, but in some cases, signs may not appear for several months. Treatment typically involves dual antibiotic therapy over several weeks.
Transmission risks are highest through exposure to bodily fluids, especially reproductive fluids, and during procedures like neutering, cystocentesis, or joint surgery. Veterinary professionals are at higher risk, as are immunocompromised individuals, young children, and potentially pregnant women, although research on the latter group is still limited.

What We Are Asking:

We are not seeking to alarm our clients but want to act in the best interests of both our patients and our team. We kindly ask that you:
• Review your dog’s import paperwork to determine whether Brucella testing was carried out before entry into the UK.
• Contact us if you are unsure or would like us to review the documentation with you.
If testing was not carried out, we may recommend a blood test to check for antibodies to Brucella canis.

Going Forward:

All newly registered, imported dogs will now be required to undergo Brucella canis testing prior to treatment at our practice. This is a necessary precaution to safeguard the health of other animals, our staff, and the wider community.

If you would like to discuss this further or have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the surgery. We will be getting in touch with our known imported dogs .

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11/12/2025

Good morning 🎄💖🐾

10/12/2025

Experienced vet wanted- independent practice, Rossendale, Lancashire

Our lovely vet Alice is moving south to be closer to family 💚 - So we are looking for an experienced veterinary surgeon to join our friendly, independent team at Shuttleworth Veterinary Group in Rossendale, Lancashire.

💚 No OOH or Bank Holidays

💚 Full or part time considered

💚 Great work -life balance

💚 Option to work 3 long days, rest off during the week

💚 1 in 4 weekends

💚 CPD funded and encouraged

💚 Competitive salary

We are open 8am-8pm weekdays, 9-1 Saturday, 10-12 Sunday.

For more information please email Claire, the Practice Manager on [email protected]

10/12/2025

How handsome is Milo 😍🩵

Milo's been in for a nurse appointment today.

Nurse appointments are a great way to help puppies get comfortable with the clinic environment while taking care of important basics like weight checks, nail trims, health checks, and gentle handling. Today was all about keeping things calm, positive, and stress-free—with plenty of praise and reassurance along the way.

These visits help build confidence, create positive associations, and set puppies up for relaxed vet visits in the future. 🐾