Latest News from Parkhill Vets
Catch up with the latest news and information from the team here at Parkhill Vets.
We understand that getting your furry friend to take their medication in Wetherby can sometimes feel like a challenge. Here we’ve compiled a handy guide to help make giving your pet medicine a much smoother experience for both of you.
At Parkhill Vets we believe that pet insurance is an important part of responsible pet ownership in Wetherby. Owning a pet is hugely rewarding, but it can also be expensive if they are to suffer an illness or injury.
Having a good pet insurance policy allows you to concentrate on what’s best for your pet while knowing help is there for the cost of unexpected treatment should they become ill or are injured.
Welcoming the New Year with resolutions for both you and your pets
As we step into a brand-new year, many of us will set new year resolutions to make positive changes in our lives. Why should this be any different for our family pets? Making resolutions for yourself and your pets can create healthy and happy habits and goals for the future. So, why not start the year with resolutions that cater to both you and your beloved pets?
At Parkhill Vets in Wetherby, we are here to help you discover the significance of including your pet's needs in your resolutions and how these changes can boost your pet's mental and physical wellbeing.
On 1st September 2023 our regulatory body, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) introduced new guidance on prescribing prescription-only medicines. There was a grace period until 1st January 2024 for some classes of medication including parasiticides (flea, tick and worming treatments). The new guidance requires that a clinical assessment, which usually entails a physical examination of your pet, be performed every time antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and parasiticides are prescribed.
The guidance is an important step towards ensuring responsible antimicrobial use and reduces the veterinary impact on the wider issues of global antibiotic resistance and decline in insect populations.
Your pet will need to have seen a Veterinary Surgeon for an in-person consultation to make an appropriate parasiticide treatment plan personalised to their lifestyle and risk. We will aim to do this at regular, routine vaccination and health check appointments to reduce the need for additional appointments. However, a separate 'parasiticide check up' consultation may be required.
We will enter a prescription 'authorisation' of our recommendations onto your pet's clinical notes, which can then be used to issue medication for the following 12-months. Once this authorisation is in place you can order parasiticide treatment as you previously have done so.
We are offering a reduced consultation fee of £39.00 for a 'parasiticide check up' consultation. This is free for members of our Pet Health for Life (PH4L) plan.
For long term prescription medication which is not an antimicrobial/antiparasitic, our usual policy of requiring a regular examination usually every 3-6 months continues to apply. The medication review consultations will be charged at our usual fees.
You can read the full guidance from the RCVS on their website
Here at Parkhill Vets, we are committed to providing the best quality healthcare for your pet.
Essential research
There are many things to consider before you commit to bringing a new pet into your Wetherby home and research is one of the best ways to prepare yourself. If you already have pets, then understanding how introducing a new pet could impact or affect your current animals is one important consideration. When choosing a pet, your decisions should be based on what best suits your lifestyle and living situation. Doing research on the different species and breeds will help you find a pet that matches your preferences and will teach you about their specific needs.
Over the last year, at Parkhill Vets we have seen our costs increase significantly and we have absorbed the majority of these additional costs to try and support our customers during difficult times. However, with costs continuing to escalate, our prices need to increase to offset at least some of these higher costs.
Caring for your senior pet
A dog or cat is considered senior after around 7 years of age, depending on the breed. Their needs may change as they get older, and you may need to care for them in different ways and make things more accessible. A senior pet may need more rest and comfort. They may also need easier access to their bed, food and water, especially if they develop arthritis or hip dysplasia. As every pet is unique, they show signs of ageing differently so it’s important to make some considerations where you can.
It's important to know that there are ways to walk your dog in the Wetherby rain comfortably for both you and your dog. Dogs have sensitive senses, and the sound and smell of rain can be overwhelming for some.
Springtime allergies are not simply a problem for people; but they can also affect our pets in Wetherby. Pets can experience seasonal allergies in the springtime, just like people can. To keep their furry friends healthy and comfortable, it’s good for pet owners to know about the signs of springtime allergies in pets and how to treat them. The signs and remedies for pet allergies in spring will be covered in this blog.
Is your cat microchipped?
If you are a cat owner in England, you will be legally required to ensure your cat is microchipped by Saturday 10 June 2024, if it is older than 20 weeks old, following the Government’s announcements on Monday 13 March 2023. Failure to comply may result in a fine of up to £500. If your cat is already microchipped, it is also part of the law that your details associated with the chip must be up to date.
