Laparoscopic spays are a form of keyhole surgery where a female dog has its ovaries removed through small incisions, using specialised surgical instruments. The procedure is carried out with the help of a small camera, which is inserted into one of the incisions to give the surgeon a view of the ovaries. It is a much less invasive method than traditional neutering, resulting in improved comfort and faster healing.
With a conventional spay surgery, a full ovariohysterectomy is done, where both the ovaries and womb are removed. In a laparoscopic procedure, only the ovaries are removed.
The other difference relates to the size of incisions made. Conventional spays involve one large incision, while laparoscopic spays are done via a couple of small (keyhole) incisions.
All laparoscopic spays will be carried out by Ana Murta, Soft Tissue Surgeon at ProVetSurg, from our Crookham Park practice. Surgery typically lasts between 25-40 minutes after patient preparation, with post-operative checks scheduled for 2 and 10 days later.
We are delighted to be offering this service to both registered clients and non-registered clients. Please get in touch with your local St Kitts branch to find out more and book an appointment.
Please note: Laparoscopic spays can only be carried out on dogs over 5kg.
The Elbow Clinic offers an easily accessible and affordable option for families to have their pets treated all under one roof at our Basingstoke practice, by a team of experts coming together to provide a holistic approach to the treatment of elbow dysplasia.
Elbow dysplasia refers to the abnormal growth of your dog’s elbow joint during its development. The elbow joint is made up of three bones; the radius, ulna and humerus, and if they do not fit together perfectly, the forces in the elbow during weight bearing are unevenly distributed. Concentrated loading of the elbow joint in certain areas may produce cracks or fissures, while primary disease of the cartilage also contributes to abnormal development of the joint.
Both of these changes result in osteoarthritis, accompanied by a reduced range of motion and joint pain.
The key signs of elbow dysplasia are forelimb lameness and stiffness. Lameness usually comes with a characteristic head nod, with the head going up when the affected limb weight bears in an effort to try and unweight it. It is usually exacerbated by exercise and rest, with many dogs lame following rest but improving once they are up and moving, becoming lame again towards the end of exercise.
Most dogs with elbow dysplasia are diagnosed at a young age – often by the time they are two years old – though others do not present until they are older when affected by osteoarthritis.
While genetics determine whether a dog has the genes for elbow dysplasia, other environmental factors such as obesity in puppyhood can influence whether a dog with those genes shows signs of pain and lameness.
In most dogs affected by the condition, the uneven concentration of forces in the elbow results in micro fractures of an area of the ulna called the coronoid process. These micro fractures can result in a very small area of the coronoid process fracturing away from the main bone, creating a free fragment within the joint; a fragmented coronoid process.
If your pet requires investigation for elbow dysplasia, they will attend a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon at our Basingstoke branch for assessment before being admitted.
CT scan
In order to obtain images of diagnostic quality, your pet will need to be sedated or anaesthetised for a CT scan. The orthopaedic surgeon will review the images and, in some cases, may recommend referral of the images for a specialist imaging report. The findings of the CT scan and further treatment recommendations will be discussed with you in detail, as well as what to expect from your pet’s recovery and all potential complications of any required intervention.
Arthroscopy
If your pet has been diagnosed with the condition and arthroscopy has been recommended, this procedure will usually be carried out on the same day as their CT, under the same anaesthetic. If we identify it in both elbows, we can perform surgery on both sides in a single surgical procedure.
Arthroscopy is considered a gold standard technique that allows us a magnified and panoramic view inside your pet’s elbows. Your pet will usually be walking well the following day and recovery from surgery is normally rapid.
Post-operatively
Your pet will be discharged with written instructions for aftercare and medication, and at 10-14 days post-operatively we will remove their stitches. We will also organise an appointment with a veterinary physiotherapist for assessment and to make a rehabilitation plan with you.
The Elbow Clinic is being supported by a fantastic local peripatetic surgical service, ProVetSurg; owned and led by Veterinary Surgeon, Nicci Meadows. Nicci has worked alongside the team at all four of our practices for over 8 years now, providing more advanced imaging and surgical options for our patients.
Depending on the arthroscopic examination findings we might recommend joint injections for your pet. These can be done at the same time as arthroscopy, and under the same anaesthetic.
PRP injections
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections involve taking a sample of blood from your pet, then using the plasma (liquid) portion containing platelets to reinject into the affected joints. Platelets release factors into the joint that theoretically help to repair damage in lower grades of osteoarthritis and aim to support the joint before more chronic changes develop. This is especially important in helping repair the damaged cartilage we see in all cases of osteoarthritis.
Hyaluronic acid injections
A hyaluronic acid injection (ArthroVisc 40) is often used together with PRP injections. Hyaluronic is a major component of synovial fluid (fluid normally found inside a joint) and has an important role to play in improving shock absorbing properties of cartilage and lubrication of joints. In cases of osteoarthritis, there is a decrease in concentration of hyaluronic acid inside the joint.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cell therapy is a more recently available treatment we can offer your pet to improve the comfort of joints affected by elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Typically we will harvest a fat sample from your pet at the time of arthroscopy and send this tissue for culture, reinjecting the stem cells into the affected joint 2-4 weeks later under sedation. Your pet’s stem cells will be kept at the lab and the injections can be repeated if necessary, without repeating harvest of the fat tissue.
We strongly believe in providing post-operative rehabilitation support to our patients and their families, as this step in the journey is essential to achieving a successful outcome.
This is why we have also teamed up with Veterinary Physiotherapist, James Beacroft, owner at our local rehabilitation facility; Beacroft Referrals Veterinary Rehabilitation and Hydrotherapy Centre.
James will be providing patients with a follow-up appointment at our Basingstoke branch where, together with our vets, he will assess patient status before providing appropriate physiotherapy treatments to improve the recovery process. James will invite these patients to his centre to continue their treatment in his safe hands with access to advanced modalities such as underwater treadmill and force plate analysis.
After a course of physiotherapy (typically 6-12 weeks), your pet will be reassessed a final time by an orthopaedic surgeon.
The approach to management of elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis is multi-faceted, and early diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation form one part of the picture, but there are things that you can do at home!
Weight management
This is one of the most important factors that influences how a patient with joint disease progresses in their recovery. It is vital that your pet remains a healthy weight in order to minimize the impact on their joints. We will discuss weight management and diet with you and, if necessary, your pet can be referred to our Weight Clinic in order to support you with this.
Joint supplements
We can advise you on how to choose the best supplements for your pet, which can be a useful addition to the management of elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis.
Modify your pet’s environment
By making simple changes to your pet’s environment, you can help them to cope better with the condition in more advanced cases. This could include placing a rug on a slippery floor, or using a ramp to get in and out of the car or in place of steps in your garden.
We aim to make the referral process as smooth as possible. If you have a case that you would like to refer to The Elbow Clinic, please complete our referral form. We will be in touch as soon as possible.
The RSPCA has updated its advice that is given to the public when dealing with small, sick and injured wildlife, in a bid to help prioritise cases of cruelty and neglect where specialist skills are required.
From 3rd April 2023, the RSPCA will no longer be sending inspectors to collect certain small, transportable wildlife, including (but not limited to):
Instead, the advice in these cases is for the public to take action themselves where it is safe to do so, by taking these small wild animals (currently excluding birds*) directly to vets for treatment. This will affect wildlife that can be handled safely without specialist PPE, using just a towel or tea towel.
The measure will mean that animals can get help much more quickly, while also freeing up the time of frontline rescuers to focus on cruelty and neglect cases or situations where specialist skills are required.
*Current Avian Flu advice from the government advises the public to not handle sick birds.
To support the changes, the RSPCA is offering tailored advice on safely handling and transporting different species of small animals. It covers symptoms of sickness to look out for, as well as what to do in situations where you find young or trapped wildlife. You can take a look at the resources here.
Over the last year, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to fine-tune our brand, reflecting our commitment to providing the highest standards of modern, independent veterinary care. Today’s the day we can finally share the results with you all!
With over 20 years under our belts, it was time for us to review the St Kitts brand and give it a little refresh to best express who we are as a team today. It also coincided with the opening of our new state-of-the-art veterinary clinic in Basingstoke, further reinforcing our desire to come up with a look that would follow us along for this next stage in our journey.
Our look may have changed, but that’s all! We’re still us – the amazing team you’re familiar with, providing the same levels of incredible service that you’ve come to expect.
During the course of the next few months, we’ll gradually be switching to our new logo online and in practice. We won’t be saying goodbye to our old logo just yet though – staff uniforms and stationery with the old branding will remain until all are used up to help prevent any waste. So, expect to see the best of both logos for the time being.
We hope you like our new look and want to thank you all for your continued support. We can’t wait to take you and your pets on this next stage in our journey together!
As part of our commitment to providing advanced care to our patients, we have invested in state-of-the-art Computer Tomography (CT) Scanning facilities.
Veterinary CT scans are non-invasive and give us highly detailed images of our patients’ bodies, from the tips of their noses to the ends of their tails. We can closely observe tissue, muscles, organs and bones to help identify the cause of potential problems, such as fractures or tumours.
Though external examinations can give a lot of indications as to the cause of internal injuries or ailments, often a CT scan can help to confirm or clarify a diagnosis and the best course of treatment to proceed with.
CT scans can be used to diagnose:
Veterinary CT scans work much in the same way as they do for humans. The main difference is that your pet will need to be sedated or anaesthetised during the procedure, as they need to remain completely still for the images to be accurate.
CT works by using a continuous beam of X-rays which rotate around a circular, doughnut-shaped structure called a gantry. As your pet is moved through the gantry, the scanner completely circles their bodies and builds up a number of X-rays. These are then used to form a series of 3D images that our veterinary surgeons will use for their diagnoses.
The procedure is very quick and incredibly safe. Your pet’s welfare is monitored throughout and they will be able to recover under the supervision of our highly trained veterinary nurses once it is complete.
Our Basingstoke practice is currently the only first opinion vet in the area with CT scanning facilities. However, all of our practices work closely together to arrange referrals for pets when required. If you have any questions about veterinary CT scans, contact your local practice who will be happy to help.
We are happy to accept referrals from other veterinary practices for CT scans. For referrals, please give us a call on 01256 844944 or email vet@basingstokevet.co.uk.
Pufulete, an adorable 6-year-old Ragdoll, was brought in to see vet Kristina where X-rays identified a short oblique fracture to his left hindlimb. The fracture of the tibia and fibula was further complicated by displacement (where the bone breaks in two and moves out of alignment), which had caused shortening of his leg.
After consulting with Pufulete’s owner on the best course of action, his implant was ordered and he was booked in for his op the following week. Vet Kristina carried out the repair procedure at our Firgrove practice, where she placed a minimal contact compression locking plate with cortical screws to help reduce the fracture.
Pufulete was back walking on the leg later that same day, and was able to go home with pain relief.
A few days after the op, Pufulete was back to see Kristina after injuring himself. Fortunately, as it was only a small wound, it could be treated with antibiotics and managed by his owner from home.
During his post-op checks at 5 and 7 weeks, we were delighted to see he was recovering brilliantly. He already had about 80% use of his leg at 5 weeks, with our 7 week X-rays showing the fracture healing nicely.
We have some exciting news to share… The doors to our brand new Basingstoke clinic will open on Monday 6th February!
Over the past few months, significant progress has been made in the run up to our official opening. We’ve introduced new-look window graphics (featuring our refreshed branding, coming soon), continued work on the interior and taken delivery of Basingstoke’s only vet CT scanner!
As the only vets in the town with a CT scanner, it will allow our team to get the most detailed look at our patients’ bodies, from the tips of their noses to the ends of their tails. We can closely observe their organs, muscles, bones and other internal areas in order to help us identify the cause of potential problems, such as bone fractures and tumours.
The new 3400 sq ft clinic will house plenty more facilities too, including:
To celebrate the opening, we’ll be holding an Open Day event on Saturday 11th February. The Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke will be joining us on the day for an official ribbon cutting ceremony, which will be followed by a tour for clients who would like to view the new facilities.
The new clinic is located just next door to our current practice, so you’ll know exactly where to find us. We hope to see you there on the day!
Exercising your puppy is an essential part of their growth and development. Not only does it help them stay physically fit, but it provides mental stimulation to help them socialise with other dogs and people, encourages confidence and is a chance to reward good behaviour.
However, there is such a thing as too much exercise! In this blog, we’ll explore the problems caused by too much exercise and provide top tips for exercising your puppy in a healthy way.
There are plenty of great ways to let your puppy burn off some energy and remain active and healthy, including play time! We recommend:
The length of time you should spend walking your puppy will depend on their size, breed, age and energy levels – but for all puppies it’s important to limit exercising to short sessions.
We advise starting off with short walks around the block and gradually increasing the distance as they build up their stamina and fitness levels slowly.
It’s best to consult your vet for specific recommendations for your puppy.
Tug of war and retrieving games will provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation, as well as help to strengthen your bond with your puppy.
Using a food dispensing toy or Kong, is also another great form of exercise, with the added benefit of making meal times fun.
It’s important to make sure your puppy takes frequent breaks and be sure to offer plenty of praise and treats for good behaviour.
Exercising when unvaccinated
It’s important to remember, whilst your puppy is not fully vaccinated, exercising should be done at home to prevent picking up any nasty bugs, just make sure your garden is puppy-proofed!
To get your puppy used to new surroundings, smells and other people and dogs, you can carry them, or take trips in the car.
Your puppy is still developing, so you need to avoid strenuous activities, such as long walks, or any sustained exercise, like running or cycling, until they are fully grown.
High impact exercise such as jumping, twisting and skidding is a big no-no too. Puppies under 3 months should also not be attempting to climb or use stair, so we recommend fixing a stair gate by the bottom step if this could be a problem in your home.
Too much exercise or high impact activities whilst your puppy is young could risk permanent damage to their joints and bones, which can lead to conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Puppies’ joints need sufficient time for their growth plates to fuse before they are ready for high intensity exercise and high impact activities. This varies by breed; most dogs are fully grown by one year, but larger breeds such as Greyhounds, Labradors, Dobermans and Great Danes can take up to 2 years to reach full size.
Some breeds are also at higher risk of joint problems, like hip dysplasia, so should be exercised sensibly to prevent issues. It’s also important to feed your puppy healthy and appropriate meal sizes, to avoid them putting on weight, which will put more pressure on their joints.
Speak to your vet for advice if you are worried about your puppy’s joints.
Puppies are generally bouncy and full of enthusiasm, so it may be hard to spot signs that they are becoming tired or doing damage to their bones and joints. This is why it’s important to keep exercise sessions short and encourage regular breaks.
As your pup grows and gets older, the duration of the walks can be increased. Consult your vet for specific recommendations for your puppy.
There’s a fine balance between too much exercise and not enough. Limiting your puppy’s exercise too much could cause boredom, frustration and lead to behavioural problems.
But equally, puppies’ attention spans are short and they can become bored with lengthy exercise sessions.
Puppies have soft paws and it takes time for their pads to toughen up.
Overexercising your puppy will result in sore paws, so to prevent this keep sessions short and vary the surfaces you exercise your puppy on.
If you would like more specific advice about exercising your puppy, please get in touch with your local St Kitts practice.
St Kitts Veterinary Centre: 01252 844044
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
Dogs have been ‘man’s best friend’ for hundreds of years, but did you know there’s far more to them than meets the eye? We spoke with the team at St Kitts to find out some of their favourite facts about dogs – some of which may surprise you!
The area of cells in the brain that detect different smells is about 40 times larger in dogs than it is in humans, which means they can pick up on so many more scents than we ever could. Because their sense of smell is so good, some pooches can be trained to detect medical conditions or alert their owners if they need more medication.
Studies have shown that like us, most dogs have a preferred hand (well, paw). You can figure out if your dog is left or right-pawed by giving them their favourite toy and seeing which paw they use to help them first.
Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog in the world, thanks to their long legs, flexible spine, large heart and fast-twitch muscles. Like a cheetah, they run in a “double suspension gallop”, which means each hind leg follows the foreleg and all four feet leave the ground.
With the ability to learn over 100 words and gestures, a dog’s level of intelligence puts them on par with a two-year-old – though they’re much easier to train!
Research has shown that a dog gazing into our eyes, and us looking into theirs, contributes to the release of oxytocin (otherwise known as the “love” hormone) on both sides.
The Labrador Retriever consistently appears near the top of the list of the most popular breeds every year. In 2021, a huge 61,559 were registered in the UK alone!
Paul McCartney confirmed that the band added a frequency to their “A Day in the Life” track that only dogs can hear. His advice is: “If you ever play ‘Sgt Pepper’ [the album] watch your dog.”
According to UFAW, between 15-30% of Dalmatians are deaf in one ear, while 5% are deaf in both. It’s caused by something called the “extreme piebald gene”, which is responsible for their white coat and their blue eyes (in some of them).
We share a lot more with our furry friends than you may think! Much like human fingerprints, each pooch’s nose has a one-of-a-kind pattern of creases and ridges.
Despite the staying power of the belief that dogs live in a black and white world, scientists have demonstrated that this isn’t true. They can see shades of blue, yellow and grey, but reds, greens and oranges are missing from their spectrum. If you find that your dog often prefers blue and yellow toys, this is probably why!
For more advice on your dog, or for any other concerns you may have, please get in touch with your local St Kitts practice.
St Kitts Veterinary Centre: 01252 844044
Basingstoke Veterinary Centre: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
It’s been an exciting few months for the team here at St Kitts Vets! We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to finalise plans for our brand new clinic for Basingstoke Veterinary Centre and are delighted to share that building work is well underway.
Our new 3400 sq ft, purpose-built clinic will more than treble the size of the branch, enabling us to continue to provide our clients with exceptional levels of service and care. It will boast various modern facilities, including:
As the new clinic will be located in the old Cutting Edge Fabrics building at Brighton Hill Parade, we won’t be moving far – just next door, in fact!
Work is due to be completed early in 2023, but keep your eyes peeled for progress updates here on our website and over on our Facebook page.
We are incredibly excited to open the doors next year and can’t wait to welcome many new and familiar faces in for a tour!
