Lungworm Awareness

Angiostrongylus vasorum, commonly known as 'lungworm' is a disease we are seeing more commonly in the UK causing serious illness and potentially death in our pet dogs. It is caught when dogs eat infected slugs and snails and sometimes by just eating the grass which can contain very small snails which we can't see. As a vet I always prefer to prevent disease rather than treat animals once they have become unwell so I am very glad that Bayer have started promoting this disease and their treatment for it which is a spot-on treatment called Advocate which we stock at the clinic. So if you live near Kennington, London SE11 4QE come and see me and my team to make sure we protect your dog....

Wow! 13 months at GVG Kennington

Wow, it's been thirteen months working at Goddard Vet Group in Kennington, London! The time has flown by and I am loving working at this busy and fun clinic- the staff are brilliant, the clients varied, interesting and caring, the location amazing and the support of Goddard's has been excellent. I have enrolled on a modular certificate in Small Animal Medicine and am attending my first module on November 2nd..... it should take two years to complete and I am looking forward to increasing my knowledge and providing even better care for my patients.... Here's to another 13 months of hard work and play!

The London Vet Show

I spent Friday and Saturday in London Olympia at The London Vet Show attending lectures and catching up with friends from University- one I hadn't seen since graduation so that was great! The lectures included medical conditions of rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals- I didn't realise hamsters were so interesting! It has given me some food for thought the next time a bald hamster comes into the clinic! It was good to hear that I am treating gut stasis in rabbits correctly although I did pick up a few extra hints on how to successfully manage that frustrating condition. Other lectures I attended included opthalmological emergencies in cats and dogs and a condition in cats called triaditis (inflammation of the liver, pancreas and small intestine). All the lectures were interesting and provided useful information which I am sure will be put straight into practice when I go back into work tomorrow.... Although I hope not to encounter any emergencies any time soon! Catching up with friends was a real treat, as was drinking plenty of cocktails this weekend! I have fully recovered to plunge back into another busy week tomorrow.....

Dog Hit By Car In Terrible Accident

I had just started afternoon consults on Wednesday when I heard a commotion in reception and a person crying that their dog had just been run over by a car.

The client was carrying his dog who was screaming in pain and bleeding all over his jacket. The dog is called Loopy and she is an 18month old Jack Russel Terrier.
Loopy had an open fracture and complete dislocation of her left ankle joint and she was bleeding from wounds in her groin. I immediately put her on a drip, gave her a sedative and painkiller and bandaged her broken leg. I took xrays of her chest and abdomen and fortunately she hadn't sustained any obvious internal injuries.

A few days on I'm glad to report that Loopy is doing well! Unfortunately she had to have her left hind limb amputated but young, small dogs cope very well on three legs.

I hear you asking- 'How did she get run over in the first place?'
Well, she was off the lead in the park but started to run after something and out into the road where a car was unable to stop in time. A terrible accident and upsetting for all involved.
One very important lesson to learn from this, is that, until you have COMPLETELY MASTERED RECALL, DON'T LET YOUR DOG OFF THE LEAD ANYWHERE NEAR ROADS. This is especially important with breeds likely to get 'tunnel vision' when on the chase.

My own Jack Russel, Dixie, spent EIGHT MONTHS on the lead until we were confident of her recall. Even now, I get her on the lead again when we are anywhere near roads because just one squirrel is enough of a distraction.

Another important lesson is to make sure you have insurance for your pet, to reduce the worry over the financial implications of emergencies if they should arise.

Lets hope I don't have any more pets involved in road traffic accidents next week.....

New Year, New Job! Back on Track.....

Well, last year was really tough- the job I had in North London was very challenging due to a personality clash with the boss! Any way, I have come through that experience stronger and more determined. Having moved house and settled into my new veterinary position, I am still waiting to get internet connection at home so that I can refocus my attention on this site!
2010 is shaping up to be much better than 2009!!! Wooohooooo!
If any of you want to visit me I am working at Goddard's Veterinary Group in Kennington, South London- please come and say hello!
Looking forward to seeing you.....
Have a great week!

Where is the time going!?

I have been in my new job for 9 weeks now and it's flown by!
There have been lots of interesting cases- a successful caesarian section on a cat ( 3 gorgeous kittens), a cat with detached retinas that have re-attached, a cat with a kidney tumour which we are going to remove, a dog with auto-immune haemolytic anaemia, a dog with an aggressive mammary cancer and more.
Unfortunately there are also lots of fleas around at the moment and I'm hugely allergic to flea bites- my ankles are covered!
Fleas are a real downside to lovely sunny weather- nevermind!
Anyway, have fun and enjoy the summer while it lasts!

New Job

I have decided to settle down and started a new permanent job in NW London last Monday.... also I'm in the process of moving house - hence the lack of entries or articles! Hopefully there will be loads of interesting cases to write articles on once I settle in....
Any way, enjoy the weekend!