With the mild wet weather we’ve been having, ticks are in their element! Commonly found in woodland, long grass and dense vegetation, ticks can remain active until the first frost. They feed by waiting for a host to pass, then attach themselves, look for a choice spot to settle and burrow their head into the skin to feed on the host’s blood.
It’s important to be tick-vigilant as they can transmit diseases whilst feeding. Lyme’s disease is one of the better-known tick-bourne diseases in the UK. We recommend checking your dog’s coat after walks, especially if they’ve been exercising in tick-friendly environments. The face, groin and armpits are favourite spots for ticks to lodge. Hunting cats can be at risk of picking up ticks too.
If you do find a tick, it’s important to remove it promptly. Twisting rather than pulling avoids the risk of leaving the head embedded in your pet’s skin which can then lead to infection. Tick hooks, like the one in the photo, do the job brilliantly. We have lots of hooks in stock!
There are preventative products that repel ticks or kill them shortly after attachment to help reduce the risk of disease transmission. Please speak to one of our team for advice on best parasite protection for your pet and their lifestyle.
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We hope you and your pets are having a relaxing bank holiday weekend!
387 Veterinary Centre & The West Midlands Cat Clinic will be closed this bank holiday Monday (31st August). If you have any queries about your pet at this time, don’t forget that all registered clients have complimentary access to VidiVet, a vet triaging service available 24/7. Check communications from our practice for your VidiVet access link if you’re not already set up. It’s a brilliant resource for pet peace of mind and can be a great time and money saver – ask a question at any time of day or night and you’ll receive a prompt video reply from a vet explaining what your next steps should be, whether you need an appointment and how urgent it is.
If you do have a pet emergency while we are closed, please continue to call us on 01922 411755 and follow the answer machine instructions for immediate access to our out of hours provider.
Wishing you and your pets a happy and healthy long weekend!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
A big shout out to one of our largest breed laparoscopic spays (key hole spays) to date! This is Great Dane Dottie, who is two years old, 52kg and absolutely stunning. Lap spays are a great option for big breeds as, given their considerable size, they are potentially more challenging to nurse at home. Lap spay patients tend to be back to normal routine within days of surgery, so the procedure is a great option for bouncy dogs too!
With laparoscopic spays, two small incisions are made and a scope and instruments are then inserted into the lower abdomen through ports. A camera attached to the scope allows the surgeon to direct the instruments to locate and surgically remove the ovaries. Traditional spays require a bigger wound site as the surgeon works from this to locate the uterus and ovaries, both of which are then removed. Understandably, with more surgical intervention, recovery is longer and more pain relief is often required to keep pets comfortable immediately post-op.
We’re looking forward to seeing Dottie for her post op check and to seeing how she’s been getting on!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
We’re delighted to welcome veterinary surgeon Kathryn Carder to the 387 Veterinary Centre & West Midlands Cat Clinic team. Kathryn qualified from Bristol University in 2010, and in 2013, took up Head Vet position at a new small animal practice run by a Midlands-based veterinary group. In this role, Kathryn has been sole charge vet, running vet consultations and carrying out a diverse range of operations whilst building a strong client base and overseeing team and practice efficiencies. In 2016, Kathryn also completed a 3-year Certificate in Exotic Animals, and guided her practice to Rabbit Friendly Practice Certification.
Kathryn actually locumed at 387 Vets many years ago, and was a former colleague of Carlos’s and three of our registered veterinary nurses, so arrived at her interview with excellent credentials! We’re very excited that Kathryn is now a permanent member of our team!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
We were very sad to say goodbye to Sian on Friday. Sian has been at 387 Veterinary Centre & The West Midlands Cat Clinic as a student veterinary nurse for the past 3 years and we have loved supporting her through her Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Diploma and watching her skills and confidence grow. We were delighted for her when she passed her qualification in May. Unfortunately we don’t currently have the capacity to take on an additional qualified veterinary nurse which has meant that Sian has had to look for her first qualified veterinary nursing position elsewhere. We are sure she will be a huge success in her new job which she starts today! Thank you, Sian, for all your hard work and investment in the practice. We look forward to hearing how your first week has gone when we meet up with you on Saturday for a team evening out!
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
