Advice

When people think about working in a veterinary practice, they often picture vets carrying out surgery or nurses caring for patients. What many people don’t realise is that there is a whole team working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, and as someone who works in veterinary administration, I can honestly say that it is one of the

The Importance of Animal Enrichment Through Mental and Physical Exercise for Pets Pets are more than companions; they are living, sentient beings with emotional, cognitive, and physical needs that require attention. While food, shelter, and medical care provide the foundations for their well-being, mental and physical enrichment are equally vital for a pet’s long-term health and happiness. Enrichment through exercise—both

We’re over the moon to welcome Dotty Dogs Grooming Salon to Hexham—right across the road from us at Unit 1, Sezze Building! It’s fantastic to see another pet service opening in town—especially with Hexham’s growing dog population, there was definitely a need for more dog groomers in Hexham. We’re absolutely delighted that Dotty Dogs Grooming Salon has set up right opposite

Are your birds indoors? New Northumberland Housing Order for Poultry as Avian Flu Cases Increase Following confirmed cases of avian influenza (bird flu) in Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland, the government has introduced new measures in Northumberland to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza. Since Monday, April 7, it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers across Northumberland

Feline hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition in older cats just like in people, affecting around 1 in 5 cats over 8 years of age. Feline Hypertension is not always as obvious or easy to diagnose. Sometimes cats with feline hypertension may sleep more or just appear to be slowing down; they may be more vocal or

Pet obesity is on the rise! Our pets communicate with body language and no body language is greater than their eyes. We have all seen the sad eyes and the puppy dog eyes, you know, that look your pet gives you when the food bowl is empty and boy, it can be hard to resist. Pets require stimulus which is

Bringing a new pet home for the first time is one of the best feelings in the world. Whether this is your first pet, or your 100th pet, the happiness and joy this brings never fades away. We are often asked for tips for new puppies, kittens or rescued pets so we thought we would create our top 10 tips,

Fireworks and bonfire night approaches and not far behind that is New Years Eye. Our love for fireworks has created an entire season of celebrations. While it’s exciting to have multiple opportunities to revel in the festivities, we must keep in mind that not everyone shares our enthusiasm. Our beloved pets, for instance, may not enjoy the noise and commotion

Just like us, our pets might need a little extra TLC over the winter months! It’s important to under pet care advice for pets to help them stay safe, warm and active as temperatures start to drop, whether you have a dog, cat or a smaller pet. Our pet’s in Hexham, Stocksfield and Bellingham love the winter season but their

We are often asked which taxis are pet friendly in Hexham so we contacted all local taxi services and have compiled a list below. Please always double check when calling the taxi office. If you are visiting any of surgeries and require a taxi, please let one of our friendly receptionists know and they’ll be more than happy to call

Brachycephalic Ocular Syndrome (BOS) affects Brachycephalic breeds (those with short noses and flat faces). This includes dogs such as; Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Boxers; and Persian and Exotic/British Shorthair cats. Brachycephalic breeds are predisposed to eye problems and may have several issues concurrently, hence the term ‘brachycephalic ocular syndrome’. Awareness

We don’t want to be too formal about this, but paperwork is part of owning a pet. Keeping your pet records up to date, and keeping your vet, and other pet related services up to date is important.  We will explain what and why. Why is keeping your pet records up to date so important? Pet insurance Every year it

Pet insurance provides cover for veterinary fees in the event that your pet becomes injured or unwell. It can provide peace of mind that you’re in a position to afford all the veterinary care your pet may need. We are often asked if pet insurance is worthwhile and it absolutely is worth it! Unfortunately, veterinary bills can be expensive due

Hexham and the surrounding Tyne Valley boasts some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside. With crops and livestock forging a landscape worthy of any oil painting, the potential dangers to our four-legged friends and our countryside is not always as obvious. Rapeseed (Brassica napus subsp. napus), also known as oilseed rape, is a bright-yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae

Grass seeds are a pain and can be a big problem during the Summer months. If your dog enjoys playing in the grass (especially long grass), this blog is for you! We are blessed with beautiful countryside and lovely countryside walks, but with these havens of course comes a few dangers and one that is often overlooked is grass seeds.

It was well known that prevention is better than the cure, and that is just one reason you should vaccinate your pet. Did you know that vaccinations play a central role in protecting pets from both viral and bacterial infectious diseases? Although vaccinations aren’t a legal requirement in the UK, here at Orchard House Vets in Hexham, Stocksfield and Bellingham,

Hexham and the Tyne Valley boast some of the darkest skies in Europe. Whilst this is a wonderful feat it does pose some dangers for us locals with pets. As winter quickly approaches and the dark nights draw in, it is important that we make changes to our daily routines to ensure your dog is safe and seen and if

Warm weather is something we look forward to all year round but keeping your pet cool in hot weather is not always the easiest task. Dangers come in all forms, but hot weather is high on the list of dangers us pet owners must face. It is most common to see and read posts about hot weather and dogs, but

The giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is often mistaken for cow parsnip, and they do look similar and cause some of the same symptoms. However, the giant hogweed symptoms are much more severe, sometimes causing disfiguring blisters that take months to heal and may leave dark scarring that lasts for years. If the sap from giant hogweed touches your pet, this

Did you know that pet theft has risen by 140% in the last 4 years? It is a worrying statistic but it is no coincidence that the last 5 years has seen a record high in pet thefts, just after the “puppy boom” of 2020/2021. It was widely reported that puppies and kittens were being sold for extremely inflated prices,