We're joining TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham and the University of Bristol’s Big Tick Project this summer to look at rising tick numbers and the risk to our dogs and ourselves from tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease.

One of our nurses, Katie, was recently invited to present at the BSAVA (The British Small Animal Veterinary Association*) to share her finding of predisposing factors to proliferative ileitis in the Syrian hamster.  Detailed below is an abstract...

In 2011 St Boniface Veterinary Clinic became one of a very small number of practices in the South West who offer keyhole neutering.  Laparoscopic neutering is less invasive than open spay surgery resulting in a much shorter recovery time for your pet.

What is the difference between normal (open ovario-hysterectomy) and keyhole neutering (laparoscopic ovariectomy)?

1) Prevention of pregnancy
This is the most common reason for neutering a rabbit; ideally a male and female should be kept as a neutered pair. There are an estimated 67,000 unwanted pet rabbits registered through rescue centres every year in the UK, we want to avoid breeding more! Beware….Does (female rabbits) are fertile within 24 hours of giving birth. 

Male and female kittens can be neutered from around 3 months of age as long as they weigh over 1.5kgs, however, we usually recommend they are done at 5/6 months. There are many advantages to neutering your cat at a young age.

Female cats usually come into season at about 5 months old and can become pregnant. If left unneutered they will start calling for about 1 week in every 2-3 weeks during most of the year to attract male cats.

The disturbing truth about fleas is only 5% of the infestation lives on your beloved pet, the other 95% live in your home!

Fleas are a persistent problem for many households not only in the summer months but all year round due to central heating. They cause many problems including severe discomfort and self-trauma, allergic skin disease, transmission of tapeworm and anaemia.

Adult fleas are small reddish-brown, wingless insects approximately 2-3mm long. Their bodies are flat with long strong legs giving them a massive jump.

Fleas can be found on most animals and there are several different species, but the most common is the “cat flea”.

The life cycle of the flea has 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Eggs fall off the host into the environment, which form larvae that live in dark areas feeding on organic debris. Larvae form pupae; these cocoons cover themselves in debris from the environment eventually creating the adults.