After launching our new logo back in December, we have been moving everything over to the  new look.

This week we’ve updated all our signage to the new logo and look and we are delighted with the outcome.

They are bright, informative and extremely attractive!

We hope you like them too and they help new visitors to the practice find their way easily any time day or night!

Many thanks to Fastsigns York who designed and installed the signs for us, and Superfly Marketing who designed our amazing logo which just looks fantastic on everything we do.

This week is tick prevention week.

What are ticks and why are they important to prevent?
Ticks are external parasites that live by biting and then feeding off of the blood of humans and animals. It is important to prevent tick bites in both humans and your pets as some can carry harmful bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that can cause Lymes disease and other serious illnesses. Not all ticks carry these harmful bacteria but it is good practice to prevent the occurrence of ticks in the first place – just in case.

Bites from foreign ticks if your pet is taken on holiday can be particularly harmful.

What are the symptoms of Lymes disease?
Lymes disease is a serious bacterial infection that occurs in dogs, cats and humans. Although it is less common in cats.

Symptoms can include:
– Depression
– Loss of appetite
– Fever
– Lameness
– Swollen and painful joints
– Swollen lymph nodes
– Lethargy

Lymes disease can be treated with antibiotics so it is important to seek veterinary care immediately.

When are ticks most prevalent?
Tick infestations usually occur from Spring to early Summer (between March and June) and then again from late Summer throughout Autumn (between August and November)

Where are they found?
The preferred environments for ticks are in grassy and wooded areas right across the UK.

They are very common in areas with high numbers of sheep. Ticks carrying the bacteria that causes Lymes disease are more common in some parts of the UK than others.

How to prevent ticks
Consult your vet to ensure you use the right preventative tick-control product for your pet as they will identify the right product and quantity for your pets weight and age. Products come in oral medications, or topical treatments such as spot-on treatments, sprays or anti-tick collars.

At Station House Vets we recommend Bravecto (tablet or spot on) Nexguard Spectra (tablet) or Seresto (a collar) as tick prevention treatments – most of these products also prevent fleas too.

We are delighted to announce our Station House Vets equine ambassadors for 2022.

Here is an introduction from Grace & Jess. We will be following them throughout 2022 on social media and providing updates as they happen!

Grace Smith is our Young Equine Ambassador

This week is equine flu awareness week.

What’s in a dogs name?  We take a look at a range of common dog breeds

During the peak of the pandemic whilst home schooling my two primary school age boys I learned a good word- portmanteau!

This is when a word is made by blending the sounds and combining the meaning of two others. Common examples we all know are brunch (breakfast and lunch) or ginormous (giant and enormous).

I quickly realised the dog world is full of such examples these days. Not a day goes by without me seeing a Cockerpoo, Cavapoo or a Labradoodle.

When I graduated in 2004 – I only saw a pedigree or a proper cross breed – a Heinz 57, a mutt! (I have one of these myself!) But some time later, maybe around 2010, we started to see more and more Labradoodles (Labrador Retriever x Poodle).

The two way cross had been around for some time – first reported in America in 1955, but suddenly hit real popularity, considered a good choice for people with dog fur allergies, also nice natured and attractive dogs and with the theory that crossing the two breeds creates ‘hybrid vigour’ and reduces the likelihood of inherited health defects.

Then came the rise of the Cockerpoo (Cocker Spaniel x Poodle) also attractive, fun, nice natured dogs but smaller than the Labradoodle and probably an easier family pet/companion dog for many due to the smaller size- with an average weight of 12-15kg compared to the 30kg average weight of the Labradoodle.

The popularity of these two way cross breeds, sometimes called designer crosses, is now huge in the UK and can still keep us vets on our toes when we see a new two way crossbreed- trying to work out what it could be.

Here are a few we see:
Jug- Jack Russell Terrier x Pug
Pomski- Pomeranian x Husky
Dalmador- Dalmatian x Labrador
Cavapoo- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle
Golden Doodle- Golden Retriever x Poodle
Cavachon- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Bichon Frise

Any guesses for Puggle or Shorkie is made up of?!

There are many more lovely ‘designer cross breeds’ out there and they all make great pets- family friendly and fun.

If you are thinking of getting a dog and would like advice our nurse team are always keen to talk you through choosing the right addition for you family. Just give us a call or drop us an email.

Photo of nurse Ellie Kifts Yorkshire bred ‘designer cross breed’ Douglas the Australian Labradoodle- what a handsome fellow he is!

Written by Vicky Williams, BVM&S  MRCVS