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Articles, questions and guides on pet care.
What a dog's nose can tell us
My dog has a dry, warm nose, does this mean that my dog is sick? Owners often ask our vets this question. The simple answer is that it is not a sign of ill health and can be normal. The main reason…
Preparing veteran horses for winter: teeth, toes, tums and tetanus
Veteran horses are generally categorised as those aged over 15 or 20 years old. Approximately 40% of the UK horse population is currently in this age bracket. As a consequence of ageing, certain…
How not to spend Christmas with your vet: Christmas dangers for pets and how to avoid them
Vets love their patients, it’s not a secret. But sometimes we really don’t want to see them. For Christmas, for example. Keep reading for what you need to know to spend Christmas with your pets…
Help! My cat has bad breath
Have you noticed that your cat is suffering from bad breath (halitosis) or dental problems? Dental disease is often picked up at their annual health check by your vet. Dental problems are easy to…
How to put together a first aid kit for your dog or cat
You probably have a medicine cabinet at home with medication and stuff for all sorts of mishaps. If you have pets, it’s a good idea to have one for them as well. Check our article on what to put in…
False pregnancy in dogs
A false pregnancy usually occurs in an unneutered bitch around 6 to 10 weeks after her last season, or heat, has finished. The signs of a false pregnancy are associated with a hormone called…
Vaccinating dogs - your questions answered
Vaccination is the quickest and best way to protect your dog from preventable diseases. Most of these diseases are caused by viruses, and unfortunately, there is no direct treatment for most viruses…
Vaccinating cats - your questions answered
Vaccination is the quickest and best way to protect your cat from preventable diseases. Most of these diseases are caused by viruses, and unfortunately, there is no direct treatment for most viruses…
Ticks and small animals
Ticks are small parasites that can range in size from a pinhead, before feeding, to the size of a fingernail after feeding. Ticks feed on the blood of animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs,…
Mast Cell Tumours in dogs
Mast Cells Tumours (MCTs) account for around 1 in 5 skin tumours, which makes them the most common form of malignant skin tumour in dogs. Some are described as low grade, which means they act like a…
Dog breeds: choosing the right pet for you, your family and your lifestyle
There are so many dog breeds that it can feel like an overwhelming task to choose your perfect pet, whether as a puppy or at a rescue centre. You need to feel confident that you will meet your new…
Chocolate Easter eggs and other dangerous temptations for dogs and cats
Easter is here again! Many people are looking forward to eating chocolate and growing new plants this time of year! From hot cross buns and chocolate Easter eggs to daffodils and lilies, there are…
What is cherry eye in dogs?
Dogs have a third eyelid which is found in the inner corner of each eye. You may have seen a small, pink triangular piece of tissue flick briefly across your dog’s eye when they yawn? This is the…
Vaccinating your rabbits
Vaccinations are the best way to protect your rabbits from serious infectious diseases. Sadly, the diseases which these vaccinations protect against, are often not treatable. They can affect both…
Why is my dog eating grass and vomiting?
Many dogs eat grass from time to time, and some will also vomit as a result. For a dog owner, it can be confusing to understand why your dog eats grass, especially as it appears to make him or her…
Why is my dog scooting? Recognising anal gland problems in dogs
When dogs drag their bottom along the floor, we often call this commonly seen behaviour ‘scooting’. It is usually associated with irritation of their anal glands, which sit just inside the anus at…
Summer dangers for dogs
Summer means that we can be more out in nature with our dogs, especially as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are lifting. But with the heat, the great outdoors, swimming and barbecues come a number of…
Hot spots (moist eczema) in dogs
Moist eczema is a description of a hot spot's appearance. Hot spots can occur quickly and then grow rapidly in size. Typically, moist eczema will have a mild clear discharge, the fur feels sticky…
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