Yak Chew warning- The importance of following feeding guidelines.

Yak chews have become a popular dog treat advertised as being made from 100% natural ingredient (Yak milk) that is highly palatable, long lasting, high in protein and calcium and low in fat. Manufacturers of Yak Chews indicate that they can help with dental hygiene, cleaning the dogs teeth as they are chewed. This all sounds very positive but it is important to note that just because these chews are all natural feeding must be done with care. Feeding guidelines advise that dogs should be supervised whilst eating the product to ensure it is chewed, any pieces of chew broken off or remaining, of around 3-4 cm long, should be microwaved and cooled to create a more crunchy/brittle product which should avoid it becoming a choking hazard. We were recently presented with a young dog who had been fed a Yak chew that had swallowed 2 large pieces whole. The pieces caused an intestinal obstruction with the dog presenting with persistent vomiting; the dog was taken to surgery and the fragments removed from her stomach, she thankfully made a full recovery. There have also been reports of dogs suffering slab fractures (cracks in their teeth) from chewing Yak chews and other similarly hard dental treats, which is one of the reasons tooth brushing is still recommended as the safest and most effective way of maintaining dental hygiene in our pets.

xray yak chew
yak chew removed

Call for new blood donors

Blood donor dog, cartoon

As many of our current dog blood donor heroes come close to retirement we are seeking new blood donor to take up the baton. Our doggy blood donors play a critical role in helping us treat some of our most critically ill patients in an emergency.

We are looking for large breed dogs weighing 27+ kg (greyhounds make especially good blood donors due to their naturally high red blood cell count), aged 1-8 years, who are fit and well with up to date vaccinations and no history of travel overseas,  belonging to owners who can be easily reached and available in an emergency.

If you think you and your dog may be able to help please contact the surgery to discuss with our vet Rachel or nurse Eliesha. Potential donors will be invited to come in for a basic suitability assessment, to determine how well they would tolerate the handling required to take the blood donation, and blood sample to assess their blood type as appropriate.

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of our doggy donors, and their owners, who have helped us save the lives of the beloved canine companions of others over the years, you have all been truly amazing.🤩

Christmas Opening Times

Monday 22nd December   9-5

Tuesday 23rd December    9-5

Wednesday 24th December 9-5

Christmas Day   Emergencies only

Boxing Day     Emergencies only

Saturday 27th December   9-4

Sunday 28th December  Emergencies only

Monday 29th December    9-5

Tuesday 30th December    9-5

Wednesday 31st December  9-5

New Years Day   Emergencies only

Friday 2nd December   9-5

Wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and ALL THE BEST FOR 2026.              From The Holmer Vets Team

 

Bird Flu update – Dealing with sick birds

canada-goose-

Once again the UK is under restrictions due to an increasing number of cases of bird flu around the country. Given the zoonotic potential of the disease i.e. risk of causing disease in humans, it is important that members of the public DO NOT TOUCH SICK OR DEAD WILD BIRDS. The animal health and plant agency (APHA) advises that finders of sick, or dead, birds should report them either by calling them on 03459 33 55 77 or by using their online reporting service on the gov.uk website. Waterfowl seem especially affected, with reports of a high number of geese fatalities locally. Please do not try and bring a sick bird to the practice as you will be advised to return it to where it was found and contact the APHA. If you find an injured bird then please call the surgery to discuss the case. All bird consultations, wildlife and owned birds, will need to wait outside to be assessed, please do not try and bring birds into the building unless a vet has made an assessment and advised you that it is ok to do so.

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