Oakhill Vets

PET OF THE MONTH OCTOBER 2024: PEBBLES
Congratulations to Peddles (and owner Lynne) who was chosen as our for October. Pebbles has been with Lynne and her family since she was 10 weeks old, and has become a wonderful companion for them all.

Thank you to everyone who put their pet forward for Pet of the Month in Oct - we had a record number of entries! We love seeing your pets and hearing about their personalities, so please do enter again this month if you haven’t been selected yet....you can enter as many times as you want! Email [email protected] to enter.
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WAYS TO HELP YOUR PETS STAY CALM & SAFE DURING FIREWORKS
✔ Keep them indoors, and make sure they can’t escape. Remember to lock cat flaps and only let dogs out to toilet in a secure area.
✔ Close the windows and draw the curtains and blinds.
✔ Create some low-grade background noise as a distraction using the television or radio
✔ If your pet is responsive, encourage them to play to distract them during the event.
✔ Never deliberately walk your dog during fireworks. Try and choose times of day to walk when fireworks are less likely to be set off such as early mornings and keep them on a lead.
✔ Make sure they have access to their ‘safe space’.
✔ Avoid leaving your pet alone during upsetting events. If you do leave the house, don’t get angry with them if they have been destructive after being left on their own.
✔ Do they have a favourite long lasting treat? This should help to preoccupy them for a little while.
✔ Let them continue with their normal behaviour as much as possible, if they like to be near you, let them. Don't lock them away if this is not usual for them.

NATIONAL BLACK CAT DAY 🖤
Today we are celebrating National Black Cat Day when we appreciate beautiful black cats and monochrome moggies!

When the campaign was launched by Cats Protection twelve years ago, they wanted to change people’s perception of black cats, after statistics revealed that black and black-and-white cats took, on average, seven days longer to find a home compared to cats of other colours 😿.

🎉 Years later, their campaigning has paid off with black and black-and-white cats now spending less time in their care than when they started promoting !

We’d love to see pictures of your black cats and black-and-white cats on this special day. Share in the comments 👇️.

Cat found on Fishergate Car Park, Preston at 11.30am on 24th October. Ginger male shorthair with no collar. If he belongs to you please contact our Lytham Road branch on 01772 718774.

**Proof of ownership required**

TOP TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN 🎃
For us humans Halloween may be a fun, sweet-fuelled event but Halloween can be a scary time of year for pets. Unexpected knocks at the front door and people dressed in costumes can be confusing and frightening for them.

Top tips to keep your pets safe and happy this Halloween…
🎃 Walk your dog before it gets dark.
🎃 Don’t leave your pet alone outside.
🎃 When you’re opening the door to trick-or-treaters, keep your pet safely away in a different room.
🎃 Use Halloween as a good time to ensure your pet's microchip is up to date.
🎃 Never force your pet to wear a costume.
🎃 Keep any Halloween decorations out of reach from pets.
🎃 If you and your family go trick or treating, leave your dog at home.
🎃 Consider leaving the TV or radio on for your pet.
🎃 Keep any Halloween chocolates or sweets out of reach of pets.
🎃 Ditch the real candles!

PROTECT YOUR DOG AGAINST FLEAS AND TICKS WITH AN ANNUAL INJECTION
There's a NEW injection that we are now offering dogs 6 months of age or older which protects them against multiple species of fleas and ticks for a whole year.

Perfect for dog owners:
✔ Who struggle to administer tablets or spot-on treatments to their dog.
✔ With busy lives who would prefer to only have to think about flea/tick protection once a year.

📞 If you are interested please call us for more information and to find out if it’s suitable for your dog.

PREPARING FOR FIREWORKS SEASON 🎆
Fireworks season can be stressful for pets, as the loud noises and bright flashes can cause anxiety. Preparing in advance can help reduce your pet's stress and ensure their safety. Here are some steps to get your pets ready for fireworks season:
✔ 1. Create a safe space
Designate a quiet area: Set up a space in your home where your pet feels safe. This could be a room with few windows to block out flashes and sounds. Include familiar items like their bed, blankets, and favourite toys. Make sure they can access this space whenever they feel scared.
✔ 2. Desensitisation training
Gradually introduce firework sounds: Play firework sounds at a very low volume weeks in advance, gradually increasing the volume as they get more comfortable. Reward them with treats and praise during these sessions to build a positive association. Don't rush the process. It should be a gradual build-up over time to avoid overwhelming them.
✔ 3. Consider using calming products
Pheromone diffusers: Products like Adaptil (for dogs) or Feliway (for cats) release calming pheromones that can help reduce anxiety.
Calming supplements: Calming treats or supplements (with ingredients like L-theanine or chamomile) to ease their stress.
Thundershirts: These snug-fitting vests apply gentle pressure, which can help some pets feel more secure during stressful situations.
✔ 4. Consult your vet
Some pets will find fireworks night incredibly stressful, to the point that they develop a severe phobia. Behavioural training is always a key way to try and reduce your pets fear, but sometimes your pet might need a little extra support, If your pet has severe anxiety, your vet may recommend prescription anti-anxiety medication for use during fireworks season.
✔ 5. Check their chip
Make sure their microchip details are up to date in case they escape - don't forget this is a legal requirement.

BRINGING YOUR CAT TO THE VETS – HELPFUL TIPS FOR A HAPPIER CAT
It’s best to prepare for your trip to the vets a few days before your appointment. Making your cat’s vet visit a less stressful experience is possible with a few thoughtful steps:
✔ Choose a robust and comfortable carrier
✔ Familiarise your cat with the carrier
✔ Add comforting scents
✔ Use a pheromone spray
✔ Add an absorbent lining
✔ Gently wrap them in a blanket or towel
✔ Cover the carrier
✔ Stay calm yourself
✔ Keep them in the carrier: Never be tempted to get your cat out of their carrier until they are safely in the consult room and the vet/nurse has advised you to do so. You’d be surprised how quickly cats can escape when in an unusual environment!

If your cat is particularly nervous about visiting the vets, please do contact us for more advice and we’d be delighted to offer some tailored advice for you and your feline friend.

SILVER CAT-FRIENDLY STATUS FOR LYTHAM ROAD BRANCH
A cat friendly clinic is a vet practice that has met certain standards set by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) to ensure that each cat has a better experience at the vet.

We are proud to have recently achieved silver status due to the extra measures we have put in place for our feline patients.

👉 Read full article online: https://www.oakhill-vets.com/silver-cat-friendly-status-for-lytham-road/

NATIONAL PET OBESITY AWARENESS DAY 🐶 🐱 🐰
Did you know that today is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day? Maintaining a healthy weight and getting the right nutrition is important for all pets. Overweight pets can suffer from a range of health problems including:
▪️ Osteoarthritis
▪️ Joint and mobility problems
▪️ Cardiovascular disease
▪️ Diabetes
▪️ Physical and emotional distress
▪️ Reduced life expectancy

👍 With a plan in place, regular assessments and support provided whenever needed, your pet will then be on the way to a happier and healthier life! 😊

📞 If you are concerned about your pet's weight or would like to pop in to get them weighed, get in touch.

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER OUT NOW! 🍂
Our Autumn Pet Newsletter has gone out to our clients via email today, so keep an eye out for your copy! In this latest issue, you can read about:
▪ How to earn £20 for each new client that you refer in to Oakhill Vets.
▪ How to keep your pets happy in chilly weather.
▪ Navigating firework season with your pet.
▪ What to do if you find a stray cat in your neighbourhood.
▪ How to spot if your pet is in pain and what to do.
▪ Our new Green level environmental accreditation.
▪ Vet Anna Williams and her extraordinary achievements!
▪ How Lytham Road gained Cat Friendly silver status.
▪ The benefits that 3,800 pets are enjoying as 365 Care Plan members.
▪ Our Pet's of the Month and how your furry friend could become our next one.

Didn’t receive it? 📞 Call us to check your email address!

GREEN ACCREDITATION FOR OAKHILL VETS! 🍃
After a period of extensive reporting and planning, Oakhill had our second ‘Sustainability Audit’, and we are proud to announce that we achieved Green Level accreditation with an impressive score of 77%, skipping the Silver Level entirely!

👉 Read the full story online: https://www.oakhill-vets.com/green-level-investors-in-the-environment-accreditation-for-oakhill-vets/

SECOND VACCINATIONS FOR DUNCAN 🐕
10 week old Golden Retriever, Duncan, came into our Goosnargh branch for his second vaccinations. He took it all in his stride and enjoyed a cuddle with receptionist Emily! 💚

Vaccines are a crucial part of every pets preventative healthcare to:
- Protect them from nasty, and often life-threatening diseases.
- Give you peace of mind.
- Create or boost their immunity to certain diseases.
- Prevent them from passing on infectious diseases.

📞 If you have any questions about vaccinations, give us a call.

PET OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER 2024: DEXTER
Thank you to everyone who put their pet forward for last month. Congratulations to Dexter who was selected as September's winner.

👉 Could your furry friend be our next Pet of the Month?
To enter simply send your favourite pic of them to [email protected], and include some information, like their age, breed, most funny/unusual habit and favourite activity. You can enter as many times as you want, so if you're not successful one month please try again! 📧 Email [email protected] to enter.
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JOIN THE 3,766 CATS AND DOGS ON OUR 365 CARE PLAN
Our 365 Care Plan provides worry-free preventative healthcare, ensures continuity of care and enables you to spread the cost with a monthly direct debit.

👀 10 benefits for members:
1. Two 10-point health checks with a vet
2. Annual vaccinations
3. A year’s supply of premium flea and tick prevention
4. A year’s supply of premium worm prevention
5. Regular nail clipping, weight clinics and a**l gland expression with Registered Veterinary Nurse
6. FREE microchipping
7. 10% off additional vaccinations e.g. Kennel Cough and Rabies
8. 10% off medications
9. 10% off dental and surgical procedures (incl. neutering)
10. 10% off food and accessories purchased in branch

👉 JOIN TODAY: https://www.oakhill-vets.com/pets/365careplan/

COMMON PET POISONS TO AVOID ⚠
Did you know that many common household items, that are safe for people, are toxic to pets? Despite owners’ best efforts, pets’ natural curiosity makes it easy for them to encounter substances that are dangerous to them!

❌ HUMAN FOODS
- Chocolate and caffeine
- Grapes, raisins, and currants
- Onions and garlic
- Salt
- Alcohol
- Xylitol

❌ AROUND THE HOUSE
- Human medication
- Vitamin D
- Ci******es and e-cigarettes (vapes)
- Household cleaners and DIY products

❌ OUTDOOR POISONS
- Plant bulbs/leaves
- Garden chemicals
- Antifreeze
- Rat/mouse poisons (rodenticides)

📞 Never ‘watch and wait’ if you suspect your pet has been poisoned. Act fast and contact us or the Animal PoisonLine for advice immediately. You can call 01202 509000, 24 hours a day. Calls cost £35 between Monday- Friday 8am to 8pm and £45 at all other times, including bank holidays.

Can you help reunite this goat with its owner??

We’re not kidding you! We’ve found a goat! 🐐

Have you lost a goat??
Found on Langley Lane.
Please call 01772861300

Proof of ownership required

SPOTLIGHT ON TICKS 🔍
Ticks are active year-round and can thrive in parks, farmlands and even back gardens. They are not only unpleasant but can carry serious diseases, such as Lyme disease which can affect you and your pets. Therefore, it’s important to use an effective tick control product routinely. Luckily this is as easy as giving a monthly, tasty, chew for dogs or an easy-to-apply, spot-on for cats. 📞 Call us for more information.

👀 CHECKING YOUR PET FOR TICKS
You need to run your hands over your pet’s entire body and feel for a small lump. They are most found around the head and neck, but don’t forget to look inside ears, under the collar, between toes and under the tail too! Unfortunately, ticks can be tiny and difficult to find, especially the immature or juvenile forms. If you do find a tick then we recommend using an appropriate tick removal tool, such as a tick hook and take care not to leave any parts behind.

Please do not use chemicals, fire, petroleum jelly, blunt ended tweezers or your fingers to remove a tick. Such methods could injure your pet and even increase the chance of disease transmission by stressing the tick or by leaving part of it behind.

CONKERS 🍂
As we are now heading into autumn, you will be likely start seeing conkers (seeds/nuts of the horse chestnut tree) around on the floor. Did you know that they can pose a serious risk to your dog if ingested?

These hard shiny seeds contain a toxin called aesculin, which can make your dog sick or give them an upset stomach. Conkers have a bitter taste that might put some dogs off eating a lot of them. When eaten in larger amounts, aesculin can cause more serious effects, and in rare cases can even be deadly.

Clinical signs are usually seen between one and six hours after ingestion, although they can be delayed for up to two days.

Symptoms of conker poisoning include:
- Vomiting, which may contain blood
- Diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Abdominal pain
- Increased thirst and reduced appetite.
- Signs of restlessness, wobbliness and muscle tremors may also be seen.

⚠ Poisoning is not the only risk – conkers are large and hard and may cause your dog to choke on them, or could cause a blockage in your dog’s intestines.

📞 If you have any concerns please call us immediately.

PUPPY PARTY FUN
Registered Veterinary Nurses, Karen and Natalie, held a puppy party for six gorgeous puppies last week. The puppies enjoyed socialising with other puppies the same age, whilst their owners learnt about how to care for their new additions, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

Sounds good? Our next puppy party is on Weds 9th Oct, 7pm-9pm, at our Lytham Road branch in Fulwood. 📞 Call 01772 718774 to book.

Who can attend? 🐶 All Oakhill clients with a puppy who:
✔ Has had their second vaccinations
✔ Will be under 14 weeks of age on the date of the party

VACCINE AMNESTY - DON'T MISS OUT!
Have your pet's vaccinations lapsed? They could be at risk of serious disease if no vaccine has been given in the last 15 months! But don't worry, there's no need to hide away...

To help pet owners protect their furry friends from diseases, our vaccine amnesty is running until the end of Sept 2024. Meaning you can restart your dog or cat vaccinations for the price of a single booster injection, SAVING £26!*

Call us to book your vaccination appointment now!

*Animals need to be over 12 months of age and be unvaccinated, or have lapsed from their normal booster vaccination by more than three months.

DOG ADVENTURES
Here's Norman taking full advantage of the great outdoors! Where is your pet’s favourite spot to have some fun?

📷 Share some pictures of your great adventurer in the comments!

YOU KNOW YOUR PET BEST. HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY CHANGES?
Did you know that just like humans, dogs and cats can be affected by arthritis? And it can affect pets at any age!

You know your pet best. If you notice that they:
- Have started limping.
- Struggle to jump or get in the car.
- Are licking themselves more.
- Are reluctant to play.
- Lag behind on walks or moving slower.
- Have difficulty with stairs.
- Struggle to walk on slippery floors.

It could be osteoarthritis! Cats in particular are especially good at hiding pain.

📞 Book an appointment today to check if they are in pain. Together we can reduce pain in dogs and cats.

Treating osteoarthritis early is crucial – starting a treatment plan early can help your pet to stay active for longer.