Winter is fast approaching and we’ll be using anti-freeze products more frequently around our home which contain ethylene glycol.  Ethylene glycol, which is an odourless, colourless, sweet tasting liquid, is highly toxic to both cats and dogs and can be fatal. 

Symptoms of ingestion include incoordination, thirst and panting and are the same for both cats and dogs.  The onset of symptoms is generally much quicker in cats due to their smaller size.  It is also much more likely that an owner would notice a dog ingest antifreeze or notice more quickly that they are unwell than a cat, as cats tend to spend more time unsupervised.

Download our leaflet HERE for further information and if you believe that your pet has ingested any product containing  ethylene glycol, it is imperative that medical treatment is sought as a matter of urgency.  You can also contact the poisons helpline on 01202 509000 or visit their website https://www.animalpoisonline.co.uk/ (there is a £30 fee for advice per case).

With Bonfire Night upon us, firework celebrations will be in full swing this weekend.  It’s great for humans but not so much for our pets.

We have some great hints and tips on how to make the celebrations more tolerable for our pets so you can either visit our YouTube channel HERE or download information HERE for ideas that will help to make it less stressful for your pet.  Not forgetting our furry friends who live outdoors, download information HERE on ways to reduce their stress too.

We are looking to recruit an experienced and flexible full-time receptionist with a passion for customer service.  This is a challenging role working mainly at both the Hillock Lane practice and the Blackpool branch on a rota basis.

We pride ourselves on our family approach to veterinary care and work hard to build strong and trusting relationships with our clients.  It’s important to us that all our pets receive the “Gold Standard” health care that they deserve and as part of the client care team, you will represent the first impression that a client and their pet will experience.

You will need to demonstrate:

• 5 GCSEs grade C or above (including Maths and English) or equivalent
• excellent customer service skills
• experience of working in a busy reception environment or other, face-to-face customer service role
• excellent telephone manner
• excellent computer skills with the confidence and ability to learn to use a new practice management system
• ability to take ownership of tasks to a high standard of completion.
• excellent problem solving skills
• an ability to understand and manage basic financial accounts (credit control)
• an ability to multi-task in a high pressure environment
• an ability to apply a common sense approach to tasks, problems or complaints

The role offers approximately 37 hours per week with a 1 in 4 Saturday morning shift.  There is an expectation and ability to cover sickness absence and holiday periods when required.  We offer a company pension scheme, staff discount (after completion of a three month probationary period), 5.6 weeks holiday per year and CPD opportunities.

If you’ve got what it takes and you’re interested in working for our great team, please complete the application in full and return by Friday 16th November 2018 to:

admin@rowanvets.co.uk

 OR

Jacqui Leach, Practice Manager, Rowan Veterinary Centre, Hillock Lane, Preston, PR4 1TP

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In celebration of #nationalcatday we’re visiting the changing needs of cats as they get older.  Firstly it’s important to get an understanding of just how old your cat is so converting their age to a human’s equivalent gives us a great insight into what issues they might be having as they get older.

We have a great leaflet that you can download HERE which provides information on what you can do, what we can do to help you and your cat and general information on what to look out for so that you can make your cat’s life more comfortable.

There is also some great information on the International Cat Care website HERE for owners so take a look, and if you’d like to take advantage of our complimentary senior cat clinic, give us a call and the team will be happy to get you booked in!

We have been offering acupuncture as a complimentary therapy for some time now.  Owners whose pets currently receive treatment know who much this has helped them to manage their pet’s pain.  In most cases, even those who may have initially doubted the effectiveness of acupuncture, have come to witness that their pet has benefitted from the treatment.

Take a look at Francis’s blog HERE for further information on what acupuncture is, how it works and what it can be used to treat.

It’s getting close to that time of year where for us, the sights and sounds of bonfire night and firework displays have us ooo-ing and aahhh-ing at the beautiful sights and sounds.  It’s not quite the same experience for some of our pets.  Ideally, taking steps to prepare your pet well in advance of the event  gives the best chance of successfully minimising the stress your pet might feel.  However, we’ve put together Ten Top Tips on ways in which owners can help their pet cope, in this short film on our YouTube channel HERE.

Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs and affects 4 out of 5 older dogs. This progressive and non-curable disease focuses on the moving joints.  So how can you tell if your dog is suffering from this disease?

Some of the visible clues might be:

• Changes in posture.
• Sleeping more than usual.
• Change in temperament.
• Weak hind limbs and difficulty going to the toilet.
• Difficulty getting comfortable.

For more great information on this disease click HERE   This site provides in-depth information on the causes, the signs and the long term management of this painful condition.

We’ve also got a great short film on our YouTube channel HERE which helps owners to identify the signs.

There are many reasons why your cat might start to develop arthritis but the hardest thing for owners is identifying that they might be in pain at all.  As we know, cats are fantastic at hiding pain; it’s an in-built biological survival skill that they can’t seem to shrug off!!

So how can you tell?  Well here are some of the classic signs that they might be struggling:

• Reduced mobility; a reluctance or hesitance or even refusal to jump up or down.
• Reduced activity; increase amount of time spent resting or sleeping.
• Grooming habits; matted and scruffy coat.
• Temperament changes; being more irritable or grumpy when handled or stroked.

A great way to identify changes is through observation and we have a great little film of some of the ways your cat might start to move if they are in pain from arthritis.  Click HERE to view the film and if you have any concerns, call and book in with one of our vets.

Download the information leaflet HERE

Our pet’s care needs will change over the years.  Ageing is a subtle process and it can creep up on us without warning.  It’s the same for our pets so it can be difficult for owners to know when our pets are starting to feel the effects of age.  The effects of ageing and the pain that can sometimes accompany it, can depend on the size and breed of your pet, particularly dogs.  How does an owner tell when their pet might need some lifestyle changes or medical intervention to make sure that they live a longer, healthier and pain free life?

Identifying a pet that is beginning to feel the effects of ageing generally or from an age related illness, can come about in several different ways.  It could be that an owner has noticed a subtle change in their pet’s behaviour; they may have been brought to see a vet because of a limp that they have developed or an owner might seek advice because their cat has started to urinate in the home for no reason.

Our pets cannot communicate to us with words but they do a great job of telling us through their bodies; it’s just knowing what to ask and observing closely what they’re telling us.  We have a great little check list of questions that you can ask yourself.  Even if you have a young pet, asking these questions will help you understand what is normal for your pet so any changes will be more apparent.  Download the questionnaire HERE and if you need advice or guidance, contact us to book your complimentary Senior Pet consultation.