A big shout out to gorgeous Mr Smudgins who is looking very content in this pic! The 12 year old came in for a check up with us earlier in the year as he hadn’t been feeling himself, had a dull coat and had developed a limp. Tests showed that he was suffering from diabetes.
Diabetes is more common in aging pets. Typical signs include excessive drinking, an increase in urination with potential puddles indoors, weight loss despite an increase in appetite and becoming lethargic and easily tired. Interestingly, cats can also develop a symptom called diabetic neuropathy, where their hind legs can appear weak when walking – one of Mr Smudgin’s symptoms. A lacklustre coat can also be an indicator of diabetes as a result of nutritional deficiencies caused by the disease and increased urination.
Mr Smudgins was given a new medication which is an alternative to insulin injections – a liquid medication that can be added to food and works by stopping the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose back into the bloodstream, lowering blood sugar levels. Excess sugar is instead passed out of the body through the patient’s urine.
After initially working to establish the right treatment dose in response to his physical symptoms, four months down the line Mr Smudgins is doing brilliantly well. He’s eating and drinking normally, has great mobility and is a happy chap! And looks like a model!
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.
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.
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 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.
