The Woodbridge Vets: August newsletter
Hello and welcome to our August newsletter from The Woodbridge Vets!
We hope you’re all keeping well and enjoying the summer. It’s certainly been a very dry and warm few weeks, so we hope you and your pets have been managing to keep cool and comfortable.
This month’s newsletter includes some exciting updates from The Woodbridge Vets. We’re delighted to welcome the new practice in Colchester, which Laurie and Kyle have been working on, along with the new team. We also celebrated International Cat Day and highlighted a few interesting stories from some of our in-patients that we think you’ll enjoy.
We hope you enjoy reading this month’s newsletter, and as always, thank you for being part of The Woodbridge Vets family.
Celebrating International Cat Day!
At the beginning of August was International Cat Day - the perfect excuse to celebrate all the wonderful cats who make our homes happier every day!
The perfect excuse to celebrate all the wonderful cats who make our homes happier every day! From playful kittens to wise old companions, every cat has their own unique personality and special place in our hearts.
International Cat Day is a lovely reminder to give them a little extra fuss, playtime and plenty of their favourite treats! We love seeing our feline patients and helping them stay happy, healthy and full of purrs. Regular check-ups, vaccinations, parasite protection and dental care are all great ways to give your cat the best chance of enjoying a long and healthy life.
Hydration tips and advice
With the recent warm and very dry weather, it’s especially important to make sure our pets have access to plenty of fresh water. Just like us, pets can become dehydrated, particularly during warmer weather or after exercise. Here are a few simple ways to encourage your pet to drink:
For dogs
Make sure fresh water is available throughout the day, both indoors and outside. Take water with you on walks, especially on longer outings. Consider carrying a portable bowl or water bottle designed for dogs. After exercise, allow your dog to cool down and have access to water.
Swimming can also be a great way to help your dog stay cool during warmer weather. If your dog enjoys swimming, a safe, supervised swim can provide exercise while helping them regulate their body temperature. Always choose a safe, dog-friendly swimming area and supervise them at all times. And, as you can see here, Harry our Practice Support, absolutely loves his swim.
For cats
Cats can be particularly good at hiding how little they drink, so encouraging regular water intake is important. Provide several water bowls around the home. Keep water bowls away from litter trays and, where possible, away from food. Some cats prefer running water, so a pet water fountain can be a great option. Wet food can also contribute to your cat’s daily water intake.
On particularly warm days, you can add a little water to your pet’s food or offer pet-safe frozen treats as an additional source of hydration. Always make sure they still have access to fresh drinking water. If your pet seems unusually tired, is panting excessively, has dry or sticky gums, is not eating or drinking normally, or you notice any other worrying changes, contact your veterinary team for advice.
A simple reminder: fresh water, shade and plenty of opportunities to rest can make all the difference on a warm summer’s day.
Lizzie's Marathon & Ultramarathon Challenge for Charity
In Spring 2027, our vet Lizzie is taking on an incredible challenge - running the London Marathon and a 38-mile Ultramarathon in the same week, all in aid of Devon Air Ambulance (DAA). The DAA is an incredibly important charity to Lizzie because, without them, her Mum would not be here today.
Five years ago, while walking her dogs on the Devon coast, Lizzie's Mum suffered a cardiac arrest. Alongside Lizzie's Dad and two friends, the DAA provided life-saving CPR for over 40 minutes before they were able to stabilise her and fly her to an intensive care unit. Without the DAA crew, she may not have made it to hospital. Only around 8% of people who have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital survive.
Air Ambulance charities in England are independent charities and rely entirely on donations to continue their vital work. Any donations would be hugely appreciated and will help motivate Lizzie through the next eight months of training! And of course, Stevie, her Collie x Kelpie, has promised to make sure she gets the miles in - come rain or shine!
We’re incredibly proud of Lizzie for taking on this amazing challenge and supporting such an important cause. Good luck, Lizzie - we’ll be cheering you on every step (and mile) of the way!
If you would like to read more on patient stories and get a glimpse of what's happening behind the scenes at The Woodbridge Vets, please give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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