A Day of Reflection – 23rd March 2021

Today, the UK remembers those who have died with coronavirus, marking one year since the first lockdown began.  Prime minister, Boris Johnson will address the nation this evening.

At noon, a minute’s silence is being held in memory of those who have died and at 8pm people are being encouraged to stand on doorsteps with phones, candles and torches to signify a “Beacon of Remembrance“.  In Wales, more than 100 historic buildings, including the Senedd, Britannia Bridge, Principality Stadium and castles at Caerphilly, Conwy, Caernarfon and I’m A Celebrity’s Gwrych, will be lit in yellow in memory of all those who have lost their lives.

It is one year since the Prime Minister directed the nation to “Stay at home!“.  With over a quarter of a million people in the UK lost to the Coronavirus, the Prime Minister claims the past year has been one of the most difficult in the country’s history. The Prime Minister also praised the “absolutely astonishing achievement” of British scientists and businesses in developing a vaccine and delivering it to half the adult population within a year. Unfortunately, the anniversary coincides with Boris Johnson fighting a diplomatic offensive behind the scenes in a bid to prevent the European Union carrying out a threat to block exports of Coronavirus vaccines to the UK.

From next week – £5,000 fines are set to come in for people who try to holiday abroad.

CoronavirusVets are warning of a possible link between a new variant of coronavirus and heart problems in cats and dogs after a increase in pets presenting with myocarditis at a specialist veterinary hospital in Buckinghamshire during the pandemic’s second wave.  Read the Guardian‘s full report HERE.

Businesses, theatres and other amenities are cautiously planning their reopening in April and May but the threat of a new variant of the virus and another Lockdown is very real as France and Italy are experiencing a third wave of infection. Germany goes into another Lockdown over Easter.
Public Health England figures show that 11,622 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Monday (March 22) in Dorsetan increase from 11,560 the same time on Friday (March 19th).

Pablo Picasso's "Dove Of Peace"
Pablo Picasso’s “Dove Of Peace”

Many people have died the past year for reasons other than the Coronavirus but the restrictions in place have made the grieving process even more difficult than it would have been. It is a day of Reflection for us all.  Please, be safe and stay safe.

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Dog Blood Donors Wanted

Could your dog help save another dog’s life?

Bredy Veterinary Centre in Bridport are looking for more local dogs as blood donors for emergency situations where they have a sick dog that needs a blood transfusion. They do already have several dogs on their donor list but ideally need some more.

There are quite strict criteria for donor dogs as follows…
🐶 Large dog 25kg or above
🐶 1-8 years old
🐶 Vaccinated & up to date with annual boosters
🐶 Ideally up to date with flea, tick & worm treatments
🐶 Not on medication
🐶 Have never travelled abroad
🐶 Have a good nature
They offer a free booster or consultation for any donor dogs! They are also blood typed free of charge!
They do have a dog blood bank in the UK, but it’s often quicker for them to call in a local donor.
If you think your dog might be able to help, please telephone: 01308 456771
or email: bredyvets@bredyvets.co.uk to discuss.  Thank you!Scroll#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#Pets,#BloodDonor,#Vets,#Dogs,#NationalLockdown,#2021,#SocialDistancing,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Pedigree & Chappie Dog Food Recalled

First announced on 15th January, dog owners are being warned of a product recall on certain types of dog food due to concerns about Vitamin D poisoning.

Although there is nothing prominent on the Mars Petcare UK website, you can find more details on the UK Pedigree website. They are doing a precautionary recall of a limited number of Pedigree® Complete Dry Chicken and Vegetables, Pedigree® Mixer & Chappie® products containing levels of Vitamin D which could prove harmful to your pet if consumed over several weeks.

Owners who have purchased the products are being advised to immediately stop feeding it to their dogs and contact the consumer care team.

The details of the products being recalled are:

CHAPPIE Complete Chicken & Wholegrain Dry Dog Food

  • Pack size: 3kg
  • Batch code: 045F9MIN05
  • Best before: 11 May 2022

PEDIGREE Mixer Adult Dry Dog Original

  • Pack size: 3kg
  • Batch code: 046E9MIN05 046F9MIN05 048A9MIN05
  • Best before: 12 February 2022 20 February 2022 22 February 2022

PEDIGREE Mixer Adult Dry Dog Food Original

  • Pack size: 10kg
  • Batch code: 046E9MIN08 047C9MIN08
  • Best before: 12 February 2022 17 February 2022

PEDIGREE Mixer Adult Dry Dog Food Original

  • Pack size: 10kg
  • Batch code: 046E9MIN08 047C9MIN08
  • Best before: 12 February 2022 17 February 2022

PEDIGREE Adult Complete Dry Dog Food with Chicken & Vegetables

  • Pack size: 12kg
  • Batch code: 046C9MIN08 046D9MIN08 046E9MIN08
  • Best before: 10 February 2022 11 February 2022 12 February 2022

PEDIGREE Adult Complete Dry Dog Food with Chicken & Vegetables

  • Pack size: 2.6kg
  • Batch code: 045F9MIN05 047A9MIN05
  • Best before: 06 February 2022 15 February 2022

What is the risk involved?

Alice Moore, a Dorset veterinary surgeon at Castle Veterinary Clinic, Dorchester and Weymouth. said: “Dogs are very sensitive to some compounds of vitamin D and accidental ingestion of vitamin D tablets can cause significant toxicity.
Signs include drinking a lot, vomiting, diarrhoea, depression and lethargy. In severe cases, heart problems, kidney failure and vomiting blood can occur, and dogs have lost their lives after accidental ingestion of vitamin D tablets.

Pedigree has advised owners to seek advice from a vet if you have fed this product to your pet and they are showing signs of illness.  Symptoms to look out for include excessive drinking and urination.

A spokesman for Pedigree said: “These products do not meet our high quality and safety standards, so we are taking this proactive step to retrieve the listed products. We ask consumers who have purchased these specific, affected products to immediately cease feeding it to their pet and contact our consumer care team for more information.”

You can contact Mars Petcare Customer Service by telephone: 0800 013 3131 and online to UK. Pedigree HERE.

Local Vets:

  • Girling & Bowditch, Tunnel Road, Beaminster: 01308 862312
  • Bredy Veterinary Centre, Bridport: 01308 4567771
  • Haydon Vets, Gore Cross, Bridport:013088 456808
  • Kingfisher Veterinary Practice, Tower Hill Road, Crewkerne: 01460 72443

Scroll#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#Vets,#Pets,#DogFood,#ProductRecall,##BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

Your Pets & Vets at Christmas

Unfortunately, our closest furry, feathered or hairy companions can become ill over Christmas causing great distress to their owners.  If your pet has medication, make sure you have enough as Veterinary practices will be closed over the festive period.  Here is the latest information from 4 local vets for the remainder of 2020.

Christmas Garland

Girling & Bowditch, Tunnel Road, Beaminster: 01308 862312

Closed over Christmas. Don’t forget to order any food and medications you need for your pets before they close.

Monday 21st December: 8:30am – 7pm by appointment
Tuesday 22nd December: 8:30am-7pm by appointment
Wednesday 23rd December: 8:30am – 7pm by appointment
Thursday 24th December: 8:30am – 2pm by appointment
Friday 25th December: CLOSED
Saturday 26th December: CLOSED
Sunday 27th December: CLOSED
Monday 28th December: CLOSED
Tuesday 29th December: 8:30am – 7pm by appointment
Wednesday 30th December: 8:30am – 7pm by appointment
Thursday 31st December: 8:30am – 7pm by appointment
Friday 1st January: CLOSED
Saturday 2nd January: 9am – 12pm by appointment
Sunday 3rd January: CLOSED

They provide 24 hour emergency cover; if you have an emergency please call them on 01308 862312 and a Vet will answer your call.Christmas Garland

Bredy Veterinary Centre, Bridport: 01308 4567771

The latest update on their website from 16/10/20 reads:

During this lockdown, we are still here for you – open 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri & 9-1 on Sat. We also have an emergency service 24/7. Please ring us if your pet is sick. If you’re not sure if you need to see a vet, please ring us for advice. We are not allowing clients into the building. We do have an outdoor wooden shelter at the back of the practice for clients to use. Please ring us 01308 456771 to make an appointment or order medicines, flea/tick/worm treatments and food. You can also order online on our website.Christmas Garland

Haydon Vets, Gore Cross, Bridport:013088 456808

Closed over Christmas.

Please note that any order placed after 5pm on Wednesday 23rd December will not be delivered to the practice until Tuesday 29th December. If you are aware that your products or medication arrive via special delivery, please allow extra time for these to arrive and do not hesitate to order these now by calling 01308 456808.
Haydon Vets Christmas 20
Christmas Garland

Kingfisher Veterinary Practice, Tower Hill Road, Crewkerne: Tel – 01460 72443

The latest update on their website reads:
Since the Covid 19 outbreak we been operating reduced working hours of 8.30-5pm weekdays, due to the significant increase in staffing required to deliver veterinary services. From August 3rd we are pleased to say that our opening hours will extend to 6pm. Routine consultations will be until 5.30pm. Outside of these hours we will of course be available 24/7 for urgent treatments.
We would ask all of our clients to bear with us during this difficult time, and especially to be patient and civil when attending our surgeries. Delivering our services during this time has been very challenging, and this can sometimes mean slightly longer waiting times.
Drug and food collections continue to be delivered via a no-contact approach. Please remember to phone us at least 24 hours in advance of visiting the surgery to collect these.
Many thanks,
Kingfisher VetsChristmas Garland

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