The Big Tick Project 2015!

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Hollybank veterinary Centre will be joining practices across the UK to take part in the Big Tick project 2015!

The project is set to be the largest nationwide collection of ticks from dogs and will ultimately allow advanced knowledge of tick-borne disease in the UK.

 

The University of Bristol are teaming together with Chris Packham to run the project, which aims to raise awareness and encourage owners to take their pets for free Tick checks. Any Ticks removed will be sent to The University of Bristol, who will be examining the ticks for the presence of tick-borne disease, principally Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is transmitted to your dog by a bite from an infected tick. Ticks can attach to your pet while out walking through woodland or park areas. Clinical signs can include lameness, lethargy and a fever which if not addressed can progress to kidney disease and heart failure. Lyme disease is also ‘zoonotic’ which means it can be transmitted between your dog and you. With Lyme disease becoming a growing concern in the UK it is important that we all get involved.

 

To protect your pet and reduce the risk of Tick exposure there are a number of different products available and we would advise regular use of these.

Here at Hollybank Veterinary Centre, we are happy to check a tick for free!

Please contact the surgery if you would like a free tick check or advice regarding preventative care. Dogs that have taken part in the project will receive a Big Tick Project certificate.

To find out more visit www.bigtickproject.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Baby Bird Watch…

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Spring is a lovely time of year for all, however, during spring and summer high numbers of young birds and fledglings are brought to us by members of the public, thinking that they are injured or abandoned. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to release these birds back into the wild. We hope the following information will help in your assessment of any baby birds you may find this Summer.

The bird I have found has no feathers: If the bird has no feathers at all, this is what we would call a nestling. Nestlings require protection from their nest and will not survive without it. Please ring us and we will be able to put you in contact with the nearest wildlife support officer

The bird I have found has feathers: These birds are what we would call fledglings. Fledglings leave the nest just before they can fly and spend 2-3 days on the ground; the parents are usually nearby, even if they cannot be seen, and continue to feed them. However tempting, interfering with these young birds will do more harm than good and you should not touch a baby bird unless it genuinely needs helps. You can monitor the bird from a distance and if in immediate danger you can move it to shelter a short distance away.

Why are these young birds hard to release back into the wild? Young birds need to be released exactly where found and as quickly as possible as the adults may leave the area and therefore not care for the youngster. Most of these young birds have to be taken to rescue centres, which can cause unnecessary stress and death.

George the Giraffe!

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Please meet our newest addition to the Hollybank Team, George the Giraffe!

George is taking part in Cuddington and Sandiway’s Animal themed Scarecrow competition! The results will be announced on the 13th June at the Cuddington and Sandiway GALA.

Please come along and get involved during the GALA day too. Hollybank have joined together with The Joshua Tree Foundation and will be running a stall with our very own ‘guess the footprints’ competition.

As usual there will be a parade, stalls and attractions for you to get involved in, and staying with the animal theme,  there will be animals for you to meet too. Pets are not allowed at the event however there is a ‘pet wall’ for you to attach a picture of your loved ones.

You may even see some of the Hollybank staff dressed in their animal onesies!

We have high hopes for Georges success!