Welcome to Our Blog
We will be adding to our blog frequently, so please come back to this valuable resource
Update on COVID-19 Practice Procedures
We wanted to try to outline a few important points with how Swayne & Partners are functioning during this COVID-19 outbreak. We have been advised to reduce face-to-face contact and provide only urgent and emergency care, along with fulfilment of urgent...
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Everyone likes routine
As humans we like our routine - getting up, walking the dog, feeding the cat, shower, work, home for dinner, dog walk and bed. Just like us, our pets also appreciate a good routine. With the current COVID-19 everyone’s routine is abnormal, including our staff here at...
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Coronavirus lockdown – my pet will get me through!
You heard it, one form of daily exercise per day! Well, I just feel bad for the families who don’t own dogs! They make you get out, enjoy your day and realise that we (whilst this period is new and difficult to navigate,) still really do live in wonderful world and we...
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They don’t teach you this at vet school…..
As a vet heading out into the real world of 'veterinary medicine' you realise there are many things that they just don't teach you at vet school. For example that first time you go to express your first set of anal glands in a patient, who knew the speed at which the...
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Is my pet painful?
Is my pet painful? One of the main questions we are asked as a vet is “Is my pet in any pain?” Whether this is a question asked during palliative care of a terminal illness or a pet showing a skin rash. It is one of the most difficult questions to answer as a vet, as...
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New breeds, in fashion?
New breeds in “fashion” In this day and age as a vet it never ceases to amaze what combinations of dog breeds are mated with the resulting very adorable puppies. The names of which vary from “jack-doodle” (jack russell x poodle), “puggles” (pug x beagle), “chug”...
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Why most vets have pet insurance for their pets……… Protecting your Pet
A lot of my clients ask about pet insurance, who are the best companies? Should we have pet insurance? What is covered on pet insurance? Isn’t it a game of luck? Often clients have either had bad experience with their pet insurance companies or have never had to...
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New Year New Diseases
New Year New diseases Since graduating in 2010 in my short veterinary career I have seen new diseases arrive in England including Schmallenberg virus in sheep/ cows, more recently Babesia in dogs not going outside of the UK and Seasonal Canine Illness to name a few....
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Doing your breed homework…..
Doing your breed homework…….. It is one of the most exciting moments welcoming a new pet into the household! You discuss whether your lifestyle can accommodate a pet then you go about choosing one… What questions should you ask yourself? Does our lifestyle accommodate...
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Please don’t replace my Veterinary Degree with Dr Google…..
Please don’t replace my Veterinary Degree with Dr Google This month I thought I would play Devil’s advocate…… I have lost count of the number of times my clients come into the consulting room and say “I’ve googled it and I think Fluffy has ……….” Having qualified in...
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Is your pet ‘one of the family’?
It is something you say. Everybody says it. “Pets are part of the family!” is a mantra of the media, the pet industry, and even the academic veterinary literature. When pet owners have been asked to draw a diagram of their family with themselves in the centre, all too...
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Workout Wednesday….
Pets and exercise All pets need some form of exercise, that is just fact. As do we for the same reasons. It is good for weight control, fitness, muscle building and good mental health – yes, our pets can become mentally and physically frustrated to the point of true...
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Tis the season to be itching!!!
Tis the season to be itching!!! It is true that warmer (and wetter) climates do encourage parasites to emerge and so our pets are at more risk in the summer of a visit from these pesky creatures (let’s not call it an infestation!) What are we talking about? Primarily...
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Feline Etiquette
Feline Etiquette In the UK there is a population of 11.1 million pet cats! The average household often has more than one cat. As vets we often see behavioural problems in cats, the signs of which can be extreme i.e. marking throughout the house to very subtle changes....
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Geriatric cats……. Not just old age.
Geriatric cat medicine – My cat’s losing weight but then it’s probably due to old age? We often see clients who bring their older cats in for a general health check and open with the phrase “I know there’s nothing you can do for him it’s just old age!” I think if the...
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Brexit…… What does this mean for my pet?
Brexit…… What does this mean for my pet? From day-to-day hopefully Brexit won’t have any impact on your pets. However if you are used to having the freedom to take your pet abroad over the summer months Brexit may have a much larger impact! We are hoping that as a...
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Parasites are back…….
Parasites are back...... Although we have all been rejoicing at the recent heat wave we have had this February we have to take a minute to remember what this will have done for our pets parasites. Fleas: Much of our time as vets is taken up seeing skin conditions...
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Responsible rehoming
Responsible rehoming There are many places to go to rehome pets – charity rehoming centres i.e. dogs trust, through friends and social media. This month we thought we would give you some useful tips when thinking about rehoming a new pet – cat or dog. We always...
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