Spinney Lodge Veterinary Hospital

PotW is Bailey!!! This gorgeously sweet Retriever had us scratching our heads for a while. He was mildly lame on his left fore about a year ago. His radiographs were normal- but it got to the point where he yelped in pain every time he flexed his wrist (carpus). A firm swelling developed- you can see it on the first photo- but xrays showed it wasn't a bony swelling- it was soft tissue. A small needle biopsy confirmed it was a type of inflammation. Our fab colleagues at W...illows Referrals chipped in with the answer- "Stenosing tenosynovitis of the abductor pollicis longus muscle". We're not sure why this didn't instantly spring in to our minds!! One of those things that would roll off the tongue, you'd think.... It's a chronic inflammation of one of the tendons in the wrist- which eventually thickens creating a lump. This in turn creates a narrowing where the tendon passes over the carpus,creating more pain as the tendon is squeezed. It is similar to De Quervain's Syndrome in people (frequency 1%ish).
On top if this, Bailey has a sensitive stomach, so he can't tolerate the usual anti-inflammatories.
Vet Jess got him onto a new anti-inflammatory drug. That was November. Yesterday we heard from Bailey's owners- how's he doing? "Pinging!!", was the answer!! People who hadn't seen him for a while remark that he looks like a puppy again. He's acting like one too- being cheeky and winding everyone up.
It was really great to hear how well he's doing- and the second two pictures show him enjoying his Christmas pressies recently.
Bailey, you know how to cheer us up at the end of a chilly January- our very happy PotW!!!
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PotW is Chilli. She belongs to our Practice Manager, Caroline here at Spinney Vets. She ruptured the cranial cruciate ligament in her left knee at the end of November. She needed specialist surgery at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull. The surgery went very well and she came home the following day. Like any owners, Veterinary professionals can find it difficult to keep their pets calm and rested after major surgery. Her post op recovery was far from p...lain sailing as she has had several quite serious post operative complications. Two weeks after the op her leg became swollen and hot, she had developed an infection in the soft tissue around the surgical site. This was treated and all seemed well. She then went suddenly very lame 4 weeks post op on New Year's Day (always happens outside of normal opening hours doesn't it!). Further xrays the next day revealed she had fractured the Fibula, a small bone at that back of the Tibia (shinbone). The fracture would heal without further surgery but more strict rest was required. Just when we thought she was over the worst, she developed another, more serious infection. Antibiotics have helped to get this under control but she has to stay on them for several weeks to completely clear the infection. She has been so brave and happy throughout and is hopefully on the way to a full recovery. She has another check up with the specialist next week. Stay out of trouble Chilli, our typically troublesome staff pet and this week's Pet of the Week.
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PotW is Oberon! 'Oberon' means 'noble, bearlike'. Oberon was the king of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and in a 13th C. French Romance, Oberon had a face so handsome that no mortal man could remain unmoved by his beauty.
Sounds about right.
... Our Oberon fits this bill- he's a ragamuffin and ne'er a fluffier cat will you see. He had a rocky start as a kitten, but has wonderful owners who managed to nurture him into the lovely chap we know and love today.
He's a celebrity around Spinney and Wootton- the headliner in a family of similarly lovely cats .
Well done Oberon- you are our floccose Pet of the Week! Good boy!!
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*****Our very own Agatha Raisin at Wootton- vet nurse Chloe- did some extra digging this morning and managed to locate an owner!! Smudge has been missing since November and is going home shortly!!!!******** This stunner was handed in as a stray this evening - found straying in Springfield in Wootton. Fine chunky fella so someone must be missing him. Chipped but owner not contactable. Wootton Fields Vets 01604 700366.

It hasn't gone away- what is commonly known as 'Alabama Rot' is still occurring, and there has been a case in Rutland. Anderson Moores vets are at the forefront of data-gathering, and they are a good source for updates for us all. Please see this link for more: https://www.facebook.com/109434669124712/ posts/2723207811080705/

PotW is Maggie! You've noticed by now that we get feverishly fond of our patients . Sometimes it's because they're just nice people, or they have owners who are awesome, or they persistently beat the odds and make us scratch our heads in a delighted fashion. Maggie ticks all 3 boxes. She's amazeballs. She chased a light around the consult room this week....even though she's very elderly, with a serious kidney condition, and an odd stomach condition. But nobody told Maggie... about those things. She's got a zest for life and an incredibly attentive and observant owner, as well as, of course, her fave vet Jess who is helping to keep the show on the road. We love you Maggie- you're a fab lady and it's always a massive pleasure to see you, scoffing at the odds as always- this week's venerable Pet of the Week!
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The first PotW for 2020 is Max!! He popped up on the routine-appointment list suddenly this week- in fact on the very last day of 2019. The note was 'generally looks unwell'.
We were THRILLED!!! This was the best news ever! Max is a light little Italian Greyhound cross who has been missing since 22 Dec. He was last seen running down the Harlestone Road and we'd started to assume he just hadn't survived. His poor owners were beside themselves.
... Since the appointment comment was 'unwell', and he wasn't coming in as an emergency, we were fairly hopeful he was ok.
He was skinny, a bit dehydrated, and his feet were sore, but otherwise he was unscathed. He's seen here in his onesie- he really is a hat-rack- but after a few hours of fluids, and tiny regular feeds, as well as constant company and care from our amazing nurses, he finally went home to his family.
He's still not quite back to normal, and it will be a while before he gains weight and his feet heal- but he is one lucky pup and we are so so happy you made it home Maxie-Moo!!
Well done Max, you are this week's survivalist Pet of the Week! You made the transition into 2020 a very happy one.
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The last PotW of 2019 is Jock! Oh Jock! He's 13 years old, and the first time we saw him for his skin was just over 10 years ago now. He's a regular at Wootton- no need to add on his surname- we all know who he is. We've never managed to win him over though, but he's gotten used to us and we've fallen into a routine. Vet Lisa has been his great advocate over the years, and has formed a great team and treatment schedule with Jock's folks. He has terrible skin, and his wond...erful owner does everything to keep this chap happy and comfy. He gets walks in a buggy so he still gets out and about, and he has regular sedations for feet clips and bathes, which keep his feet happy. He always has a gorgeous collar and lead, and it's so clear how well-loved this cantankerous chap is! He's a real example of the special bond a dog has with his owner- and we really believe he would not have such a good life with many other folks. He's a special chap with very particular needs.
Jock you are our Pet of the Week- keep rolling as you are- you're one of a kind!
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🎅🦌 Seasons greetings from our fur families to yours. Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas with love from Spinney Vets. 🎄☃️ Some of these beautiful faces are no longer with us but will always be loved. ❤🐾

Our Wootton Fields practice have had a medium sized dog handed in, found straying near Salcey. It is chipped, but unfortunately this is registered to the breeder. If you think it may be yours, please call ASAP on 01604700366 Proof of ownership will be required!

🎄☃️ Christmas opening hours 🎅🦌
Christmas Eve 08.00-19.00 Christmas Day 10.00-17.00 emergencies only Boxing Day 10.00-17.00 emergencies only ... New Year's Eve 08.00-19.00 New Year's Day 10.00-17.00 emergencies only
Please call 01604 648221 at any time (outside of the above hours, you will be directed to our dedicated out of hours emergency service provider, Vets Now)
Wishing all our clients a very merry Christmas from all at Spinney Vets
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PotW is Fleur! One of the toughest trauma cases you can expect as a member of the veterinary team, is when a pet has been hit by a car. You don't know what's coming and it's rarely straightforward. Poor Fleur is only a little dog, and when she took on a car, she had a really spectacularly awful facial injury- too graphic to show here. There was a touch of peeling back of face and a smidgen of broken nasal septum, and a couple of broken teeth. The most dramatic thing was tha...t she was otherwise completely fine! Rare! After some copious flushing and some nifty reconsonstruction by our new vet Suzy, she's pretty much back to normal.
She had her trauma 10 days ago!! She has some healing to do, and those teeth will be sorted then - but 10 days is awesome healing. In the case is Cockerpoo v Car, the Cockerpoo definitely won!
Well done Fleur- you are our incredibly lucky Pet of the Week! We're delighted you bounced back so quickly- now don't do that again!
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https://www.facebook.com/357942251016904/ posts/1770109279800187/

A huge thank you to all our amazing clients ❤🐾 who donated food to our appeal. This food was taken to the Trussell Trust Foodbank at Weston Favell Centre today to be distributed to people in need for their pets. Merry Christmas to you all from Spinney Vets 🎄🐕🐈

PotW is Truffles!!! She had started peeing incredibly frequently- she clocked up 15 attempts and was not feeling herself at all. The culprit was found to be a stone in her bladder, which vet Marianne was thrilled to find was shaped like a snowflake! How festive! The blighter is now out and Truffles has gone home to recover after her surgery. She's the cutest little scruffball and we're sure she's feeling much better already. ... One million brownie (truffle!) points to anyone who can guess her particular mix of breeds (2!!). Truffles- you are our absolutely adorable, Christmassy scruffly truffly Pet of the Week!
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We did ask him to sit for his examination 😂. Oscar, enjoying his examination more than usual this morning and making best use of the new furniture at Wootton.

Please allow plenty of time when ordering repeat prescriptions 💊 and special orders 🛒🎁 as we approach Christmas and make sure that you contact us on or before Wednesday 18th December to ensure your request is ready to collect by Christmas Eve. Many thanks and Merry Christmas 🎄☃️🎅

*Please share* We are collecting donations of pet food, treats and toys for the Weston Favell Centre Foodbank for the pets of families in need over the Christmas period. Please drop off your donations by Monday 16th December at either Spinney Lodge or Wootton Fields. Many thanks. For more information please phone 01604 648221