Christmas and New Year opening times

 Emergencies

In order to provide 24 hour care throughout the festive period, we are working with Vets Now to ensure your pets have the best possible care. 

In the event of an emergency during our opening hours (listed below), please call your usual Arden House surgery and you will be advised of what to do next.

• Ruislip -        01895 633600
• Greenford  - 0208 813 1028
• Harefield    - 01895 824 751

If you need to access any emergency care outside of our opening hours, please telephone 01895 633600 and listen carefully to the instructions on the answerphone message.

Vets Now are a dedicated emergency care provider based in Harrow;

https://www.vets-now.com/find-an-emergency-vet/harrow/ 

Covid-19 update 19/12/2020

In light of the latest news where-by we have entered TIER 4 restrictions, we have decided to defer routine appointments until mid January.Examples of routine appointments are annual wellness checks, adult pet booster vaccinations, routine nail clips, application of flea/worm treatments.

Our veterinary team are here to see any sick or injured pets, patients receiving on-going treatment, puppies/kittens requiring vaccination and pets needing rabies vaccination.

Please do call us if you have any concerns about your pet - we are here to help.

Ruislip surgery opening hours 

• Monday 21st Dec     9:00 am - 7:30 pm
• Tuesday 22nd Dec   9:00 am - 7:30 pm
• Wednes 23rd Dec     9:00 am - 7:30 pm
• Thursday 24th Dec   9:am - 4:00 pm
• Christmas Day          CLOSED
• Boxing Day                CLOSED
• Sunday 27th Dec      CLOSED

• Monday 28th Dec     CLOSED
• Tuesday 29th Dec     9:00 am - 7:30 pm
• Wednes 30th Dec     9:00 am - 7:30 pm
• Thursday 31st Dec   9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• New Year's Day        CLOSED
• Saturday 2nd Jan     9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Greenford surgery opening hours

• Monday 21st Dec    9:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Tuesday 22nd Dec  9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Wednes 23rd Dec    9:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Thursday 24th Dec  9:00am - 3:00 pm
• Christmas Day         CLOSED
• Boxing Day               CLOSED
• Sunday 27th Dec     CLOSED

• Monday 28th Dec   CLOSED
• Tuesday 29th Dec   9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Wednes 30th Dec   9:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Thursday 31st Dec 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
• New Year's Day       CLOSED
• Saturday 2nd Jan   9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Harefield surgery opening hours

• Monday 21st Dec 9:00am -12:00 noon  2:00 pm-5:00 pm
• Tuesday 22nd Dec -   CLOSED
• Wednes 23rd Dec 9:00am -12:00 noon  2:00pm-5:00 pm
• Thursday 24th Dec -  CLOSED
• Christmas Day -         CLOSED
• Boxing Day -               CLOSED
• Sunday 27th Dec -     CLOSED

• Monday 28th Dec -     CLOSED
• Tuesday 29th Dec    - CLOSED
• Wed 30th Dec-9:00 am -12:00 noon 2:00pm-5:00 pm
• Thursday 31st Dec -   CLOSED
• New Year's Day -         CLOSED
• Saturday 2nd January - 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Happy Christmas to all of our lovely clients & their pets.

Further Information on Vets Now

Vets Now are the leading provider of out of hours veterinary care in the UK. Vets Now works alongside your daytime practices to ensure pet owners have access to a vet whenever they need one regardless of the time. Their clinics are open when your daytime practice is closed.

• Please always call your usual surgery telephone number and if they are closed please listen carefully to the instructions on the answerphone message about how to contact the duty veterinary surgeon.

Who works in the Vets Now clinics?

Fully qualified vets, nurses and receptionists are based in the clinic for the full duration of their shift.

All staff receive regular training with a particular emphasis on emergency and critical care of small animals.

How do you get in touch with Vets Now if you need to use the service?

You can call the usual clinic number (01895 633 600) and listen to an answer machine message giving the number of your local Vets Now clinic. Call the clinic with details of the problem and qualified staff will give you advice on what do.

All telephone calls are logged and recorded for reference purposes.

Can you just phone for advice and how much will that cost?

We have subscribed on your behalf to the Vets Now Out of Hours service. Their trained staff can offer advice over the phone and although an appointment is always offered it is not always necessary. In fact only around 20% of calls result in an appointment. Telephone advice is provided free of charge as part of the complete service.

If your pet needs to be treated, how do you pay?

Vets Now is an independent company so you will be asked to pay at the time of treatment. Vets Now accept all major debit and credit cards or cash payments. Details of Vets Now fees are available from the practice.

Are Vets Now fees covered by pet insurance?

Vets Now fees should be covered in the same way as any other veterinary fees by your insurance company. If you are in any doubt, check the detail of your policy with your provider.

Pet safety during the festive period

December is a busy time of year with Christmas preparations underway and celebrations in full swing. Below are some tips to help your pet stay safe during this festive season.

Festive food and drink

Remember to keep food and drink out of the reach of pets and remind your guests to do the same! Some foods that are commonly found in the household at this time of year that pose a risk to our pets are;

🍫Chocolate. Chocolate toxicity is more common around this time of year as there is more chocolate around the home. Keep it out of the reach of pets, not forgetting Christmas tree chocolates, advent calendars or chocolates wrapped and left under the Christmas tree! 

🍬Xylitol. Some sweets contain the artificial sweetener, Xylitol that is harmful if eaten by our pets. It causes low blood sugar and seizures.

🍇Grapes and dried fruits such as sultanas, raisins and currants including Christmas cakes, mince pies and Christmas cake can be toxic to pets if ingested.The active toxin present in grapes and raisins is not fully understood and whilst one pet may be unaffected by eating multiple grapes or raisins, another pet could suffer from acute kidney failure from eating as little as one grape or raisin. The difficulty is not knowing which pets might be affected to a more serious degree, therefore the best thing is to avoid your pets having access to grapes or raisins at any time.

🌰Nuts. With nut consumption peaking at Christmas times, there are associated risks for pets. The nuts and shells can be a choking hazard and can also cause intestinal problems. Macadamia nuts present an additional risk to dogs as ingestion has been associated with vomiting and weakness.

🧅Onion (including gravy). Onions and products containing onions, such as gravy and stuffing, can cause gastrointestinal upset and lead to red blood cell damage and anaemia in cats and dogs. The related vegetables leeks, garlic and spring onions can also have the same effects.

🍷Alcohol. Ingestion of alcohol can make a pet ill. Make sure that drinks glasses are kept off the floor to reduce the risk of your pet accidentally consuming alcohol. 

If you think that your pet may have eaten something they shouldn't have, call your vet immediately. 

Bones 

Bones from meat, poultry or fish present a dangerous threat to pets. Cooked bones are brittle and therefore can splinter when chewed. This can lead to the digestive tract being pierced or an obstruction. As well as not feeding scraps with cooked bones in, ensure pets do not tear open bin bags or scavenge bones from bins. 
It is also important to keep food caddies sealed and out of reach. Mouldy food in bins start to produce a poisonous substance called mycotoxins. Most food will begin to produce mycotoxins as it goes mouldy but common examples include:

• Bread
• Cheese
• Cooked pasta
• Nuts
• Fruit (from rubbish bins or fruit that has fallen from trees)
• Dog food
• Compost heaps

If you throw away a large amount of pasta, bread or another food that’s prone to going mouldy, think about emptying the waste bin there and then or later that night so it doesn’t have time to grow mouldy in your kitchen.

Wash indoor and outdoor food caddies to stop any build up of mouldy residue. Make sure lids are locked in place and bins are sheltered if it's windy outside to stop them blowing over and exposing their contents.

Tinsel and ribbons

Given the chance, cats and kittens will play with ribbons used to wrap presents. These can be accidentally swallowed and become entangled in the cat’s intestines, causing life-threatening blockages. Playing with tinsel can cause the same problems in cats and other animals, including ferrets. Avoid this decoration.

Christmas trees, baubles and fairy lights

Many cats and kittens will feel compelled to climb Christmas trees, endangering themselves.

It is advisable to ensure trees are securely based so that they are less likely to be felled by a curious cat. Limiting access to rooms containing a tree when unsupervised is a good idea. 

Baubles are of particular fascination to cats. Glass baubles can shatter, creating sharp shards dangerous to animals and children. Dogs have been known to chew baubles and other decorations. This can lead to lacerations in the mouth or intestinal blockages.

Fairy lights pose the possibility of pets getting tangled up in wires, which can cause an animal to panic and injure themselves, or they may be tempted to chew on them. Be aware of this hazard. Keep cables tidied out of reach or get a cable guard.

Christmas plants

Plants such as amaryllis, mistletoe, poinsettia, holly and ivy are popular at this time of year, but if nibbled by our pets, can be poisonous ( in varying degrees). Keep plants out of reach or move them to a secure room away from your pet, especially if you are not at home.

Lilies (even small amounts of pollen) are very dangerous to cats – whether they are brushed against, licked or drink the water the flowers are kept in.

Seek urgent advice from your vet should you suspect your pet has eaten any plants.

Other hazards;

🎄Bottle corks, corn on the cob, cocktail sticks and cracker toys. Ensure that they are tidied away or kept out of reach of pets. 

🎄Ingestion of batteries is more common at this time of year. If the battery is chewed it can cause chemical burns and heavy metal poisoning. If they are swallowed whole it is possible they will cause an obstruction. Call your vet if you suspect that your pet has chewed or swallowed a battery.

IN AN EMERGENCY

If you think that your pet may have eaten something that they shouldn't have then swift action is necessary.

Follow these four simple steps:

Step 1 - Prevent your pet from eating any more.

Step 2 - Phone your vet immediately!

Step 3 - Stay calm and follow your vet's instructions.

Step 4 - Collect the relevant wrapping and packaging.

     Make a note of our phone number and call us immediately - 01895 633600

Further advice

Christmas time often means a busy home, with friends and family coming together in seasonal spirit. Remember that new faces and more noise can be scary for your pet, so it's a good idea to provide them with a room in which they can retreat into for some peace without being disturbed.

Be mindful of the front door opening with guests arriving and leaving. Make sure that dogs can't run out! Try to maintain your pet's normal routine, especially with feeding and exercise, to avoid them becoming too unsettled.

Our poem summarises our Christmas message;

Curiosity at Christmas

Look at all the food to eat, with our paws we can just reach; 

mince pies, chocolates, Christmas cake, and sausage rolls recently baked.

So tempting to eat a little treat...sniff...lick…gobble…now we’re sick!

A Christmas tree! Let’s climb to the top! It’s beginning to wobble, down we drop!

Shiny glass baubles to swat with a paw, sees them shatter as they drop to the floor.

Sparkly tinsel to pounce on and chase and presents tied up with colourful lace.

 So tempting to play with, lots of fun, until oops they’ve ended up in our tums!

Sneak off to the kitchen so not to be heard.

Raid the bin for the bones from the cooked Christmas bird.

Excitable guests wanting to play, we need a quiet space out of the way.

The moral of this poem goes, is

whilst you’re having a festive doze,

don’t forget to watch your pets

so they don’t end up needing a trip to the vets!

...…………..............

      DISCLAIMER: 

      

    The contents of the Arden House Animal Hospital website are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your Veterinary Surgeon with any questions you may have regarding your animal’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. 

Fireworks are no fun.

With many pets anxious and fearful of loud noises, the firework season can result in some stressful evenings for pets and owners alike.

Signs to look out for in your pet include panting, trembling, pacing, seeking people, hiding or trying to escape, refusal to eat, inappropriate urination or defaecation, vocalisation,  as well as changes in facial expression and body language indicative of stress.

To help your pet cope with this time of year, here are some helpful steps you can take at home. It's important to be prepared, so now is the time to act, before the fireworks start.

• Provide your dog with a safe retreat or den. Many people will create a den by using a dog crate covered on three sides with a blanket, but a space under a piece of furniture could do the job equally well. Provide a cosy bed or blankets in which they can hide and feel secure. Allow them freedom to access and leave the den at all times and provide positive experiences whilst they are using it, like a favourite toy or treat and give lots of praise. Leave a water bowl nearby so that your dog can easily get a drink. Prepare this area in advance to allow your pet time to get used to using it.
• Cats tend to find their own safe haven such as under a bed , behind a sofa or up high on top of a wardrobe. You might like to provide a cardboard box on its side with a blanket inside or an igloo bed. It can be placed in your cats preferred hiding place, but don't force them to use it, they will choose to do what makes them feel most comfortable. Provide a litter tray that they can easily access.

Calming products;      

There are some excellent natural calming products available to help manage stress in dogs and cats.  FeliwayⓇ for cats and AdaptilⓇ for dogs are some of the best known – they mimic the comforting pheromones, which are naturally produced by the animals.

We stock a product called Pet Remedy which is a blend of essential oils that can help to calm anxious and stressed animals. It is available in a diffuser or spray format and starts to help immediately. 

Cost:

Pet remedy plug-in diffuser - £18.92
Pet remedy refills (2 pack) - £18.92
Pet remedy calming spray 15ml - £5.26
Pet remedy calming spray 200ml -  £16.66
Pet remedy calming wipes ( 12 pk ) - £7.20
Pet remedy party survival kit - £ 23.39

ZylkeneⓇ is a calming supplement that contains a natural ingredient derived from a protein in milk called casein that has clinically proven calming properties to help relax dogs and cats. It is available as either a capsule that can be sprinkled on their food or a tasty chew. 

These products can help with many stressful events - do speak to your vet or nurse!

👕A Thunder-Shirt for dogs is based on the concept of swaddling or compression. Just as swaddling new born babies can help them to feel more secure, the gentle pressure applied by the Thunder-Shirt can have a calming effect and help anxious dogs feel more secure. 

(This method may not work for some dogs).

Prescribed medication

There are drugs that can be prescribed for particularly stressed pets. For dogs that get particularly worried by fireworks, a product is now available to help them with noise phobias. It provides a calming effect without sedating them. It is a gel that is applied to the gums, so it can be administered at home. Your dog should be able to function normally, and of course, be less concerned about the noises.

Your pet will require a  health check with a vet before any medication can be prescribed.

Please ask us today about the best option for your pet❕

    

             

Some tips for on the night(s)

• Take your dog for a walk early in the evening before the fireworks start.
• Ensure your pet is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps. Cats will need a litter tray.
• Is your pet micro-chipped in case they do escape and are your details up-to-date? 
• Try not to leave your pet alone when fireworks are going off. Pets may hurt themselves or cause damage if they are not supervised. Having you there provides reassurance and comfort.
• Shut curtains, keep lights on and switch on the radio or TV to help muffle out the sounds of the fireworks.
• Provide distraction in the form of toys, games, chews or favourite treats.
• A little calm reassurance from you, should they seek it, will go along way. It's ok to acknowledge that your pet is anxious but continue to remain relaxed yourself and carry on normally. Some pets will seek out comfort from you, it is ok to soothe them but don't over fuss. Others will prefer to hide, that's likely all the comfort that they need - they have found their safe haven. 
•  Praise your pet if they are relaxed with cuddles and a treat.

• Act normally and try to stick to your normal routine. Ignore the fireworks.
• Don’t get cross or punish your pet, regardless of their behaviour, as it will only make them more distressed.
• Should your dog need to go into the garden to the toilet, keep them close to you on a lead.

• Cats prefer to be left to cope on their own - let them find a hiding place and leave them undisturbed.

  

🎇It is a good idea to find out if any public firework displays are scheduled in your local area to ensure that you are at home with your pet when it is happening.

🎆If you are planning your own firework party, let your neighbours know so that they can be prepared.

🔥Don't forget to check bonfires thoroughly before lighting as hedgehogs (and other wildlife) like to sleep in them. Lift up the base using a broom handle and listen for any noise, shine a torch into the log pile, or even better, move the bonfire completely before lighting. Light a bonfire from one side only, it will provide an escape route for a hog. 

(Information courtesy of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society)

Tips for outdoor rabbits and guinea pigs;

• If the hutch is attached to a run, make sure that your pet is back in their hutch before it gets dark and close off access to the run.
• Provide plenty of extra hay in which they can burrow and hide. A cardboard box ,with a hole cut in the side for access and filled with hay, makes a good hiding place.
• Turn the hutch to face a wall or fence to help block out the flashes,  or cover the hutch. Do however ensure that there is enough ventilation.
• If you can, move the hutch indoors to a cool part of the house or into a shed for example.
• You could always bring them inside for a cuddle (if they are used to this) or pop them in a pet carrier indoors in a cool room with plenty of hay during the worst period of the fireworks.

Behaviour modification

Other than changes to the home environment, or medication, you can try behaviour modification to ease your pet's fear. This is more of a long-term management option which can be very effective. A process called 'de-sensitisation' teaches your pet not to react to the fear stimulus and then eventually to associate it with something positive. Ask your vet about sound therapy and for further advice on behaviour modification.

Disclaimer

The contents of the Arden House Animal Hospital website are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your Veterinary Surgeon with any questions you may have regarding your animal’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.