Health & Wellbeing

Atopy in dogs is one of the most common causes of itchy skin in dogs. Skin allergies are difficult to pin down to one particular thing as your dog could be sensitive or allergic to one thing, or multiple things that they come into contact with. A few of the more common allergies are: House dust mites Fleas Pollens, grass,

The hips are ‘ball and socket’ joints, which normally fit together perfectly to enable easy movement. Hip dysplasia in dogs is when the hip joints don’t fit together properly and become unstable and this causes pain, swelling, stiffness and eventually arthritis. Hip dysplasia in dogs usually begin showing symptoms while they are growing (at around 6 months of age). The

Can you recognise the seven common signs of poor pet eye health? 20th September to the 26th September is pet eye health awareness week. This worldwide event helps promote the importance of eye check ups for your pet. Just like us humans, eye health is an important part of your pets well-being.  Asymmetry Careful observation of the way your pet

Brachycephalic dogs, or “Flatter-faced dogs” are becoming increasingly popular, with the Kennel Club reporting a 2,747 per cent rise in the number of French bulldogs registered since 2004. Unfortunately, a survey by the Royal Veterinary College found that 58 per cent of short-nosed dog owners did not recognise the signs that their brachycephalic dog was struggling to breathe. We explain

What is a Microchip? A microchip is a small electronic device about the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is inserted under the skin, between their shoulder blades, via a quick injection. Once inserted, a rabbit cannot feel the microchip and the special capsule around it means that it does not break down – a microchip is designed

Pet Diabetes is estimated to affect 1 in 175 pets in the UK. That may not seem too many but with over 12 million cats and dogs in the UK it is a growing concern. Diabetes is exceedingly rare in Guinea pigs and rabbits. Obesity is thought to be the major cause of these isolated cases so keeping your small

Just like their human owners rabbits can develop mobility problems as they age with one of the most common being rabbit Osteoarthritis. It is important to note, however, that whilst osteoarthritis is more frequently seen in older rabbits it can also occur in younger rabbits. Rabbit osteoarthritis is a painful and progressive disease that causes inflammation, stiffness, and pain in

As a pet owner, you try to protect your dog from risk as much as possible. Unfortunately, there are dangers lurking right in your backyard or local park that can cause serious harm to your dog. One of these diseases that has been increasingly reported across the UK is leptospirosis. What is leptospirosis? Leptospirosis, also known as “lepto”, is a

Is your “good morning” kiss from your dog so stinky that their breath makes you want to cover your face with a pillow? Bad breath in dogs is not only undesirable — it’s not normal. While eating poop or getting into some old food in the trash bin might come with some gross smells, your dog’s bad breath — vets

When most people think about Valentine’s Day, images of chocolates, flowers, candles, and tall glasses of their favourite adult beverages come to mind. However, for our pets, many of the wonderful things we give each other on this day can be dangerous. But don’t worry — you can keep your pets safe and still enjoy all the trappings of the

Do you constantly come home to a puddle of pee or a gnawed furniture leg? Has a neighbour heard your dog howling up a storm while you’re away? Your dog could be bored — or suffering from separation anxiety. Here’s what you need to know so you can start getting the help that you (and your dog) need. Symptoms of

No one enjoys cleaning up indoor toilet accidents. Teaching a new puppy to “go” outside is important for a lifetime of proper bathroom manners. It’s important to remember that your new puppy doesn’t know where they should or shouldn’t go to the toilet — it’s up to us to teach them that outside (or on a designated puppy pad) is

What is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around your body. This is exactly the same in animals. But what does that MEAN? It can be helpful to think of blood-vessels in terms of central heating pipes, with a pump (in this case, the heart) to push blood around it.

Pyoderma literally means skin infection with the formation of pus. This can occur in all pets and is uncomfortable and irritating. The cause can be simple, for example a bite or scratch or more complicated and signify hidden disease. What causes pyoderma? All skin is covered in a layer of bacteria. Healthy skin acts as a physical barrier to stop

Vets have had X-ray machines for many years, and X-rays are very useful (just like ultrasounds), we can take a snapshot of the insides of our patients and look at bone and even (on a good day!) some of the soft-tissue structures, e.g. the size of the heart, or the lungs. However, it has significant disadvantages. X-rays use ionising radiation,

There are many reasons why your cat may toilet in a place other than the litter tray. If it’s just a one off, consider if your cat could’ve been trapped in a room, unable to access the litter tray. If it’s a recurring situation then something has happened in your cat’s world to upset them. Cats are fastidious so this

Spring is here at last!  At least, it’s close enough around the corner for us to get excited by the prospect of brighter weather and longer walks in the woods with our four-legged friends. As the days get longer, the sap rises and the leaves get greener, we reckon it’s the perfect time for a roundup blog with exciting news

Whilst very rare, cases of Alabama Rot have appeared in the UK. 12 cases have been confirmed so far this year and it is worth knowing the symptoms Our vets have lots of advice on how to spot the early signs of the illness and the steps you can take to protect your dog if the disease has been reported