Taking your pet to the vet can be a stressful experience for both you and your pet. There are some things you can do to help make the vet visits less stressful for all involved. 

1. Consider bringing your dog in for social calls, to have treats and receive some love from the staff, that way your pet is less likely to associate the vet clinic with unpleasant experiences such as being unwell and having injections. Social visits are best done during quiet times in the middle of the day rather than during busy morning or evening consult sessions.

Puppy preschool is definitely recommended to develop your pup's confidence in the clinic - puppy school graduates are generally very happy to visit, often pulling their owners in to see us. 

2. Place your cat's carrier out a few days before your visit or even keep it out in the house so it becomes part of the furniture. Help your cat to associate it with nice experiences by feeding treats or favourite foods nearby and then encourage them to explore the carrier at home without closing them in. Keep a familiar blanket or towel in the bottom so it smells like home and also to make it less slippery when travelling. 

3. Book one of the first appointments in the morning or afternoon consulting times if possible as the waiting room is generally quieter during these times.

4. Spraying a calming pheromone in your pet's carrier, or for dogs on their harness or a bandana, can also be of benefit. Adaptil is suitable for dogs, and Feliway for cats. Both can easily be purchased over the counter at our clinic. Using catnip in your cat's carrier is another option, however please take care, as some cats may react negatively to it, therefore try a few days before your visit if you have not used it before.

5. Try and leave home on time for your appointment. Firstly this will reduce your stress. Secondly this will also give you time to ensure a smooth drive to the clinic, time to go slow around corners and reduce your pets stress and possible car sickness during the drive. Playing classical or other soothing music on the drive can also be of benefit for your pet.

6. Ensure your pet is safely restrained for the car trip. This is safety issue as loose pets can cause accidents by distracting the driver, may escape an open window, and can be injured in the event of an accident. It will also help your pet feel more secure therefore reduce anxiety. If your dog is used to a crate at home, and this fits in the car, travelling in this is a good idea, or a harness that connects to the seatbelt can be worn. Draping the crate or cat carrier with a towel will reduce visual stress.

Try and keep your own nerves under control if you are feeling worried as your pet will be affected by subtle signs that you are anxious too - remind yourself to breathe slowly and speak quietly. Sometimes both the owner and the pet are less stressed with the owner not being present for procedures such as taking blood or nail clipping. Consider leaving the room or asking the vet team to take your pet out to the treatment room. Even our own staff can find it difficult when their own pets are unwell and stressed so don't feel embarassed if you feel this way. 

If your pet is still severely stressed despite trying all these strategies, pre visit medication may be indicated. You will need to speak to us about this prior to your visit, but medications may not be suitable for every situation.

Most dogs love chocolate and with their strong sense of smell they are very good at finding it! The problem is, dogs are not able to metabolise theobromine, a derivative of caffeine found in chocolate.

Ingestion can lead to an increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhoea, agitation, tremors, seizures and even death. Cooking and dark chocolate are the most toxic but ingestion of ANY chocolate can be a problem.

Not surprisingly, Easter is one of the busiest times for chocolate toxicities and if your dog happens to eat an Easter egg, here's what we will do:

1. We will ask you how much and what type of chocolate your dog has eaten. This helps us work out just how dangerous the ingestion might be. Remember, that cooking and dark chocolate are the most toxic, followed by milk and then white chocolate.

The toxicity is also related to the size of your dog and the amount ingested. It is important to realise that any amount of chocolate can cause a problem so veterinary advice is always advised.

2. We will most likely induce emesis (which simply means we make your dog vomit). This is usually done using injection under the skin or application of a medication in to the eye. Vomiting tends to occur quickly and can sometimes be quite spectacular (especially if the wrapping has been consumed too!).

3. If we don't feel enough chocolate has been vomited or if the symptoms are serious, a charcoal meal or enema may be given to help reduce the toxicity. Some dogs will also need further supportive care including intravenous fluid therapy and hospitalisation.

Please phone us immediately, even if you only think your dog has ingested chocolate. We will give you the best advice. 

Dogs are social creatures and they form strong bonds with humans. Most dogs cope ok with the daily separation from their owners but unfortunately some dogs will become very distressed and even destructive, a problem known as separation anxiety.

Watch out for:

• Barking, howling
• Excessive chewing, digging and pacing
• Destruction and scratching of barriers - especially near doors and windows
• House soiling

Our top tips to help reduce your dog’s anxiety:

• Take your dog for a walk before you leave the house
• Don’t make huge fuss when you leave your dog or when you return
• Start small - leave your dog alone for only five minutes extending to twenty minutes then an hour, then longer
• Leave your dog with plenty of stimulating toys, chews and mind games
• Leave the radio or television on for company

Please don't hesitate to speak to us if you think your dog is developing separation problems. We have plenty of tools available to help you and your pet.