Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) which aims to highlight issues with rabbit health and welfare is running 03/06/19-08/06/19. This year the main focus is to raise awareness of the risk of Viral Haemorrhagic Disease type 2, a potentially fatal disease which has been becoming increasingly prevalent. To support RAW Holmer Vet Surgery will be offering a 10% discount on rabbit vaccines for the week. Further details about RAW and general rabbit welfare needs can be found at www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk
Each spring we receive multiple calls from members of the public who have found fledgling birds, or have been presented them by their cat. Whilst we are happy to examine injured birds the treatment options for fledglings are often limited, sadly they rarely survive the shock. If a healthy fledgling is found the best advice we can give is to leave it where it is, as inevitably the parents will be close by. If you have concerns that the fledgling is vulnerable to predation you can put it up out of danger either in its nest, if evident, or other suitable location close by, but do not linger too long as you may scare away the parents. The best chances of survival for a fledgling is in the wild with its parents, unfortunately the success rate of hand rearing fledglings, especially small species, is very low.
Buying a new puppy is a massive decision and a huge commitment. It is important to do your research to determine which breeds are most likely to suit you and your family, as well as to ensure that you are able to meet the needs of your potential new addition. Our vets will be more than happy discuss the likely suitability of breeds you may be considering. Once you have decided upon what sort of dog you would like to get it is important not to rush the process and look carefully at where you get your new puppy from, so as to try and ensure you are taking home a happy and healthy pet. Veterinary and animal welfare associations have devised a puppy contract (https://puppycontract.org.uk/)to help prospective owners understand what they should be asking, to ensure they are getting a pet that is well bred. Hopefully with this guidance you can avoid inadvertently buying a poorly bred puppy e.g. from a puppy farm or illegally imported, which are sadly often under age, in poor health and, devastatingly, some of which do not recover.