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Saturday Appointment System
Appointments from 9 am – 11 am
To improve our services and help those of you who work during the week, our clinics are now open on Saturdays for appointments only.
So all pets will be seen by appointment, instead of our “open clinic”, from Saturday 7 April.
Appointments will be available up to 10.45 am.
Reception will be open from 8.30 am – 11 am, as at present.
By making the change to booked appointments, we aim to make Saturday appointments more accessible, by cutting down on waiting times.
We also hope that by staggering arrival times, our waiting rooms and car park will be quieter and calmer, making Saturday visits less stressful for both pets and owners!
To make a Saturday appointment, please do call us on 01435 864422.
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care with a Friendly Face
Hero Pet – Ziggy’s Story
Ziggy, the cat’s story shows how experienced vet care is essential after an accident.
It all started one evening, when Ziggy returned to his home unable to put weight on one of his hind legs. He was also visibly breathing very rapidly and his owners knew something had happened to him while he had been out.
They phoned our emergency line where our on call vet, Gerald Stam advised Ziggy should be seen immediately.
Gerald met Ziggy’s owners at the practice where he conducted an examination to try to figure out what had happened to Ziggy. As well as the injury to his leg, he had some additional graze wounds and Gerald also noted that his nails were scuffed; an obvious sign of a road traffic accident.
It appeared that Ziggy had been struck by a car and had bravely managed to find his way home, despite his injuries.
Gerald decided to monitor Ziggy closely overnight, giving pain relief to make him more comfortable. Once he had had time to stabilise overnight, he needed x-rays to determine exactly where the damage was, and what could be done to fix it.
The next morning, Ziggy was stable enough to be anaesthetised for the x-rays. An anaesthetic is required for most animal x-rays so that the pet will stay still enough to get an accurate image. In Ziggy’s case, he especially needed to be under general anaesthetic to get a clear view of the area, due to the pain from his injuries.
The x-rays showed that Ziggy’s right hip was dislocated, but luckily there appeared to be no other major damage.
The minor superficial wounds were cleaned up and attended to and experienced surgeon, Philip Snyman, then tried to manually manipulate the hip back into its socket.
Unfortunately, every time he succeeded in placing the hip, it would dislocate again shortly after. After several attempts, they decided that it would be best to end the procedure and devise a new treatment plan.
The recovery nurses looked after Ziggy while he was waking up, as Philip studied the x-rays further to find a way to repair the hip. If they were unable to find a way to stop Ziggy’s hip from dislocating, the last resort would be to remove the ball of the hip, which they wanted to avoid as much as possible.
Philip concluded that the best chance to save Ziggy’s leg would be to conduct another procedure where the hip would be placed back into the socket and a pin inserted to fasten it into place. The pin would stay in place for 2-3 weeks, giving the muscles and ligaments around the joint time to strengthen and hopefully hold it together once the pin was removed.
Since Ziggy had already been through a lengthy procedure that day, it was decided to leave him another day, as the stress of putting his already injured body through another anaesthetic could do more harm than good. So he stayed in our hospital for another night, with our nurses taking care of him and making him comfortable.
The next day, Ziggy was doing well and making himself at home, so the procedure went ahead as scheduled. The surgery lasted for 90 minutes and everything went according to plan.
Philip was cautiously optimistic, but only time would tell. For now though, the vet’s work was done so Ziggy was allowed to go home later that day on strict cage rest to make sure his leg was given the best chance to heal.
After three weeks and a few home visits to check Ziggy’s progress, the moment of truth came. Ziggy came back in for his procedure to remove the pin in his hip. The crate rest had obviously paid off as the pin was removed with no complications and the hip stayed in place – a very pleasing outcome for Philip and the team.
Ziggy went home that same day, now with a little more freedom to come out of his crate and walk around the house with close supervision to ensure he didn’t attempt any crazy stunts which could injure the leg again.
Finally, nearly a month after the initial incident, Philip conducted his final check up. He was delighted at how well Ziggy had healed. The staples around the incision were able to be removed, the wound itself looked good and Ziggy was able to put weight on the leg again and was surprisingly mobile!
He still has a little way to go before the leg is back to normal again, but he is now allowed full access to the house and his owners couldn’t be more pleased to have him back again – a very brave boy, the whole way through!
To learn more about anything detailed in this article, give us a call on 01435 864422 and our team can discuss this in further detail.
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care with a Friendly Face
Could Your Dog Save A Life?
Read on to learn more about the process of animal blood donation.
Sign up and your furry friend could help save the lives of countless other dogs just like them!
Blood donor Pimms is retiring – and we need more dogs to carry on the good work.
Why may a dog need a blood transfusion?
Blood transfusions are carried out to treat the symptoms of anaemia caused by disease, toxicity or trauma. The goal is to replace the lost red blood cells so that more oxygen can be carried and transported around the body and to vital organs.
Not all cases of anaemia are serious enough to need a blood transfusion. Cases where blood transfusions are required tend to be acute situations such as blood loss or diseases like acute hemolysis, but they can be used in ongoing conditions such as immune mediated haemolytic anaemia.
How does it work?
We ask that you fill in the attached questionnaire to establish whether your dog is a suitable candidate for donation – this means answering questions like “has your pet ever been abroad?” and “is your dog over 25 kilograms in weight?”. Once we know they meet the prerequisites, we will invite you to bring them in to see the vet for a free full health check, and so that we can take a blood sample.
Like us, dogs have different blood types and we test for Positive and Negative, so that we can make sure that the dog receiving the donation gets the right type at the right point in treatment. We then keep this on your pet’s record.
Once these steps have been completed, your dog is on the donor list!
When we have a patient that needs a blood transfusion, we will contact you and ask you to bring your dog in to give a donation.
Before they donate, we will carry out another free full health check and we will take a blood sample to make sure they have a high enough red blood cell count.
If everything is found to be okay we will begin the blood transfusion. A small area of fur will be clipped on their neck in order for the vet to easily locate a vein. A local anaesthetic is applied to the area and then we will use a small needle to collect around 450ml of blood.
The process should be painless and our nurses will be on hand to hold and comfort your dog throughout, as well as for treats and lots of cuddles afterwards. Once we have collected the blood it will be taken and transfused into the patient in need.
What does it involve for me and my pet?
Blood donations can be required at anytime and we are unable to store blood samples for long periods of time. To store blood samples to keep them on hand would make the transfusion process very expensive overall, and would mean that we are not able to use this treatment method in as many cases as we would like.
We prefer the alternative of using fresh donations, as it makes the treatment more accessible.
You will be contacted when a donation is needed for immediate use on a patient, so that you can bring your dog to the practice. The sample will then be taken and transfused into the patient that same day. Because the need for a blood transfusion is usually fairly urgent and unexpected, we ask that you are regularly available be at the practice within a reasonable amount of time.
We hope to build up a selection of potential donors so that if you unable to make it to us for any reason, another dog will be there to help. Your dog must reach certain criteria to ensure that it is safe for your pet to give blood without putting their own health at risk.
Dogs can donate up to 6 times per year, but cases are rare and with several dogs on our register actual donations should be far less frequent.
What are the requirements for me and my pet?
Your dog must reach the following criteria:
- Be fit and healthy
- Be between one and five years old
- Weigh more than 25kg
- Have a good temperament
- Have never travelled abroad
- Be fully vaccinated
- Not be on any medication
- Have never received a blood donation before
Is there anything I can do to prepare my dog for donation?
Any new experiences can be nerve-racking for dogs. Luckily there are a few things you can do to prepare your pet for blood donation.
1 – Get them used to visiting us.
We love getting visits from your furry friends any time, not just when they have an appointment.
Bringing them into us frequently for a fuss and a treat will reinforce that the vets is a positive place and will help reduce nerves and stress when they come in to donate.
2 – Familiarise them with the clippers.
The noise and sensation of fur clippers can upset dogs if they have never encountered them before. If you have clippers at home, try to start to train your dog with them.
Training is best carried out in small, frequent sessions. Daily, at first, if possible. Try turning the clippers on in your dog’s presence to see how they react. Do this several times on consecutive days to ensure they are comfortable.
Once your dog is no longer reacting to the sound, with the clippers off and a cover over the blades, try to move the clippers around their legs and neck. Let your dog investigate the clippers and realise there is nothing to fear.
Once they are happy with this, turn the clippers on, again with a cover on the blades, while you are sitting close to them. If they react, do not touch them with the clippers and repeat this stage.
Once there is no reaction you can touch them with the clippers whilst they are on (with a cover on so no fur is clipped).
3 – Practice holding and lifting.
Dogs can sometime be wary of being held for blood tests and having their legs touched.
Familiarising your dog with these techniques can help them to feel at ease during the donation.
Similarly to the clippers, training should be carried out in short, frequent sessions and start gently. Start with soft touching of the feet and legs with the use of treats and praise.
Once they are comfortable with this you can try to lift and hold them as if they were having blood taken. Slowly increase the length of time your dog is held for and always praise them afterwards.
Speak to one of our nurses for advice on how your dog may be held.
What if I am interested but have further questions?
Please give us a call!
Our team is on hand to give you as much information as you would like about the donation process.
Our number is 01435 864 422.
How do I sign up?
Fill in the form below and return it to us in order to sign up and begin the registration process.
Click Here to Download the Blood Donor Form
You can return it in person to one of our reception team or you can email it to us at vets@heathfieldvets.co.uk and a member of staff will get in touch with you as to when would be a good time to arrange your assessment appointment.
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care With A Friendly Face
Quiz Night – Sat 3 Feb 2018
Join Us on Saturday 3 February 2018
at Butchers Hook Cafe
7.30 pm for 8 pm start
Join the fun as we raise funds for our charities the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Heathfield and Waldron First Responders
- Raffle with fabulous prizes
- Bar
- Supper included with your ticket
Minimum 4 in a team.
Tickets
Just £10, including supper – with a choice between curry, lasagne or macaroni cheese.
To Book
Call Butchers Hook Cafe on 01435 868444 – to book and give your food choice – ask to speak to Jackie.
Only 72 tickets available, so make sure to grab yours soon!
For more information, please Call us on 01435 864422
Heathfield Vets
Christmas Raffle 2017
***Raffle Tickets now on sale for our Luxury Christmas Hamper***
£2 a ticket, £8 for a strip of five tickets!
With all the delicious savoury and sweet food you could want during the festive period, make sure you grab your tickets before the winner is drawn on Monday 18th December!
All the funds raised will go to our two charities for this year, the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Heathfield and Waldron First Responders!
For more information, please Call us on 01435 864422
Heathfield Vets
Retirement Announcement
After almost 41 years at the practice, seeing it through many changes and developments, Janet Nuttall has decided that it is now time to hang up her stethoscope and retire, as of 31 December 2017.
We will miss her greatly – and
We would like to invite you to join us here at the practice
on Monday 11thDecember 2017 between 19:30 and 21:30
to celebrate all that she has done at the practice and to wish her well for a very happy retirement.
If you are able to come, please can you let us know by 30 November.
For more information, please Call us on 01435 864422
Heathfield Vets
Our Fun Dog Show 2017
Join Heathfield Vets on Sunday 10th September 2017 for our Fun Dog Show
At Heathfield Community Centre from 10 am – 4 pm
Sheepsetting Lane, Heathfield TN21 0XG
*Fun Dog Show
*Raffle
*Talks
*Games
*BBQ and Bar
*Plus lots of great stalls for you to explore (there’s even one with reptiles!)
Fun Dog Show starts at 11 am – Classes for Everyone
Registration from 10 am
1 – Best Puppy 6 months – 1 year
2 – Best 6 Legs
3 – Best Rescue
4 – Fancy Dress – Dog, handler or both!
5 – Best Child Handler 4 – 8 years
6 – Best Child Handler 9 – 12 years
7 – Best Biscuit Catcher
8 – Best Bitch
9 – Most Handsome Boy
10 – Dog The Judge Would Most Like To Take Home
11 – Best in Show
First Aid Talk at 10 am
One of our vets, Janet Nuttall will be giving a talk on First Aid from 10 – 11 am.
Come along and find out more about this essential topic.
Games
Our famous “What’s In The Box” Game will run twice, in the morning and in the afternoon.
Come along and try your luck – there are great cash prizes.
Raffle Tickets Are Now On Sale
Raffle tickets are now on sale at £1 each, from our Reception, as well as on the day – and there are some fabulous prizes:
1st – £100 cash
2nd – £50 cash
3rd – £50 voucher for a meal at the White Horse, Bodle Street
All proceeds from the Show will go to our 2 chosen charities
Cheetah Conservation Fund – CCF UK
Heathfield and Waldron Responders
For more info about these great causes please check out our recent news blog here >
We Still Have A Few Stalls Available
If you would like to book a stall (just £10) please Call us on 01435 864422
For more information about the event, please Call us on 01435 864422
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care with a Friendly Face
Farewell to our Equine Services
Sad news for all our equine clients – and us.
Equine veterinary services have changed over recent years, with more clients choosing equine only specialists and fewer mixed practices.
At the same time, more vets are choosing to specialise in their careers, so there are fewer vets around with mixed expertise.
So when our own Donal O’Leary recently decided to move to a specialist equine practice, we found it impossible to recruit another vet with his mix of equine expertise, combined with small animal experience.
So, very sadly after so many years, we are no longer providing Equine services.
We would like to thank all our Equine clients for their loyalty and support over many years – and to assure you that we will do all we can to ensure a smooth transfer of your records to a new practice.
We have made special arrangements with Blowey and Wood of Uckfield, to help you, but of course the choice is entirely yours.
Going forward, we will be focusing all our attention on family, companion animal, pets – and continuing to provide high quality, professional care to all our clients and your precious pets.
To read the full letter to our Equine Clients, please click here.
With our best wishes
Ian Killian, Philip Snyman and Gerald Stam
To discuss transferring your horse or pony’s records, please Call us on 01435 864422
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care with a Friendly Face
Our Charities for 2017
We’re delighted to announce the 2 new charities we will be supporting throughout 2017.
Cheetah Conservation Fund – CCF UK
The first is an animal charity, the Cheetah Conservation Fund – CCF UK.
They use a number of innovative methods to protect these endangered animals and to ensure their continued survival, as well as working to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking.
The cheetah is the planet’s fastest land mammal. A wonder of evolution, they are built for speed with long, powerful legs, a slender body and a long tail which acts as a rudder.
The cheetah can reach speeds of up to 75mph. Cheetahs are specialist hunters, using short bursts of high speed to prey on small antelope. Their home territories are vast and can range from anything from 16 to 62 square miles.
Sadly, this magnificent animal is under threat. Since 1900 populations have declined by 90%, and there are now only roughly 7,100 cheetahs left in the wild. The biggest problems facing the cheetah right now are human-wildlife conflict, wildlife trafficking and habitat degradation.
The vast majority of wild cheetahs live outside protected areas, in areas populated by humans. Protecting the cheetah therefore requires conservation methods that address the welfare of both cheetah and human populations.
If you would like to know more about what they do and why its so important, not just for people local to where they work but also for those of us here in the UK, take a look at their website!
Heathfield and Waldron Responders
Our second charity is a small, local one, the Heathfield and Waldron Responders who are trained by the Ambulance Service to respond to 999 calls in the local area.
They are often the first on the scene, and are trained to provide emergency life support and to treat patients suffering from a variety of conditions.
Responders are volunteer members of the community, trained by the Ambulance Service, to respond to emergency calls through the 999 system, in conjunction with the Ambulance Service. They are a part of, and live in, our local community.
They serve an area of approximately 3 mile radius of their base – they can therefore attend the scene of a medical emergency in a very short time, often arriving within a few minutes of the call and frequently even whilst the caller is still on the phone.
They are trained to provide Emergency Life Support and to treat patients suffering from a range of conditions.
To find out more, check out their website
We are looking forward to a year of fundraising and working with these two fantastic charities!
For more info, Please Do Call Us On 01435 864422.
All the Team at Heathfield Vets
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care With A Friendly Face
First Aid Kit For Dogs
We’ve put together a great first aid kit for dogs.
Our kit contains everything you need to look after your dog if he cuts himself, until you can get him to us for full checking, cleaning and if necessary, stiches:
- Dressing – to place over the wound
- Soft bandage – padding to protect the wound
- Conforming layer – which brings the bandage together
- Outer layer – splash proof
- Scissors – round end for safety
All these dressings and bandages are high quality and exactly the same as we use ourselves in the surgery.
It’s perfect for keeping at home or in a bag on walks – or in the car.
Our kits cost just £10 for a small one and £12 for a large one.
Please do pop into the surgery – or for more info, Please Do Call Us On 01435 864422.
Heathfield Vets – Quality Care With A Friendly Face
