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<title><![CDATA[Acorn House Veterinary Hospital]]></title>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/</link>
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<title><![CDATA[Obesity in Pets]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Maintaining a healthy weight is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. Obesity occurs when a pet carries excess body fat, and it is one of the most common health concerns seen in veterinary practice today. Current estimates suggest that around 50% of dogs and 43% of cats in the UK are overweight. Increasing numbers of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and even pet birds are also affected!

Excess weight can significantly impact both the quality and length of life of our pets. Overweight &hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/obesity-in-pets/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/obesity-in-pets/</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Understanding Allergies in Dogs and Cats]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Causes

Allergies occur when a pet&rsquo;s immune system overreacts to substances that are normally harmless. In dogs, the most common types of allergies include&nbsp;environmental allergies and&nbsp;food allergies, whereas cats are mostly commonly prone to&nbsp;flea allergies, followed by environmental and food allergies.


	Environmental allergies (atopy)&nbsp;are triggered by things like pollen, mould, dust mites, or grass. These allergies can be seasonal, worsening during spring and sum&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/understanding-allergies-in-dogs-and-cats/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/understanding-allergies-in-dogs-and-cats/</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[What to Look for When Buying a Puppy]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Bringing a puppy into your life is the start of an exciting new chapter, whether you already have a dog, or this is your first one. It also comes with significant responsibility so doing your research in advance can make a big difference to yours and your puppy&rsquo;s life. Here are some brief tips to consider.

Breed and Lifestyle

Matching the right breed to your lifestyle is the first step in creating a harmonious partnership. Working breeds such as Border Collies or Spaniels are very en&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-puppy/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-puppy/</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Looking After your Cat's Dental Health]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Why Bright Smiles Matter for Our Feline Friends

The Importance of Cat Dental Care

Cats are cherished members of many homes but their dental health is often overlooked. Just like us cats can suffer from a range of dental problems that, if left untreated, may lead to discomfort, illness, and even shortened lifespans.

Common Dental Problems in Cats

Dental disease is one of the most common issues seen by veterinarians. Plaque and tartar build-up can result in gingivitis, periodontitis, a&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/looking-after-your-cat-s-dental-health/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/looking-after-your-cat-s-dental-health/</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Winter Hazards to Watch Out For!]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[As the festive season approaches, many of us want to include our pets in the winter fun. But this time of year brings seasonal risks that can be harmful to our furry companions. Here&rsquo;s a quick guide to help keep your pets safe and happy over the holidays.

❄️ Outdoor Hazards

Antifreeze
Antifreeze, found in car radiators and de-icers, is extremely toxic to pets - even a small amount can be fatal. It can cause neurological signs such as wobbliness, and in the worst cases then leads&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/winter-hazards-to-watch-out-for/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/winter-hazards-to-watch-out-for/</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Easing Firework Fears: Helping Your Pet Stay Calm and Safe]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[As fireworks season approaches, it&rsquo;s important to start preparing to help your pets feel safe and secure. While some animals may only be mildly unsettled by the loud noises, flashes of light, and unfamiliar smells, others can become extremely anxious. Without the right support, this can develop into a serious noise phobia that worsens each year.

There are some steps you can take to help make this time of year easier for you and your pets:

1. Reduce Their Exposure
Bring your pets ind&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/easing-firework-fears-helping-your-pet-stay-calm-and-safe/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/easing-firework-fears-helping-your-pet-stay-calm-and-safe/</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[My old dog is slowing down – but what does that really mean?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s a phrase that vets hear commonly - &ldquo;she&rsquo;s slowing down but she&rsquo;s old&rdquo;. While this is true, much the same as in people, as they get older they get slower, but what causes it and what can we do to help them?



Most of the time, owners notice &lsquo;slowing down&rsquo; occurring on walks. As a younger adult dog, they might have been pulling on the lead, running off-lead or playing with a ball, nowadays they prefer to plod alongside or even behind owners, perh&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/my-old-dog-is-slowing-down-but-what-does-that-really-mean/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/my-old-dog-is-slowing-down-but-what-does-that-really-mean/</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[What happens when your pet stays in the veterinary hospital?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[There are many reasons why your pet might stay at the vets, and for owners the prospect of leaving them can be a worrying thought. Most people may have experienced their pet coming in for an outpatient procedure such as a neutering operation or dental procedure but what should you expect when they stay because they are poorly?



The most common reason that a pet needs to be admitted is dehydration, which can occur for example after vomiting or diarrhoea. Elderly cats with kidney disease are&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/what-happens-when-your-pet-stays-in-the-veterinary-hospital/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/what-happens-when-your-pet-stays-in-the-veterinary-hospital/</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Slugs, snails and their trails]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Slugs, snails and their trails

Lungworm infection in dogs is caused by a parasitic round worm and the most common in the UK is called Angiostrongylus vasorum but there are a few different types of roundworm that are called &lsquo;lungworm&rsquo;. The symptoms can be vague and varied and range from coughing and breathing difficulties to unexplained bleeding and bruising on the skin. In severe cases, seizures or blindness can develop. Your pet picks up the infection by eating infected slugs or &hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/slugs-snails-and-their-trails/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/slugs-snails-and-their-trails/</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[The role of the veterinary nurse – the lynch pin of veterinary practice]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[The role of the veterinary nurse &ndash; the lynch pin of veterinary practice

Did you know&hellip;?

The title of Veterinary Nurse is not currently a protected title. This means that anyone with little or no training can call themselves a veterinary nurse.

What does it mean if a nurse is a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)?

A Registered Veterinary Nurse has gone through rigorous training to achieve either a Level 3 diploma often through an apprenticeship in a veterinary practice or a &hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/the-role-of-the-veterinary-nurse-the-lynch-pin-of-veterinary-practice/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/the-role-of-the-veterinary-nurse-the-lynch-pin-of-veterinary-practice/</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Protecting your rabbit from flystrike]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Protecting your rabbit from flystrike

What is flystrike?

Flystrike (also known as myiasis) happens when flies lay eggs on your rabbit. These are usually blowflies like bluebottles or greenbottles. The eggs hatch into maggots which will then start to eat through the flesh of your rabbit. This is very painful and can cause death within a very short amount of time. Flies are usually attracted to open wounds and stuck faeces in the coat of the rabbit, and lay their eggs here.

What types of &hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/protecting-your-rabbit-from-flystrike/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/protecting-your-rabbit-from-flystrike/</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Protecting your Dog from Ticks]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Protecting your Dog from Ticks

What are ticks?

Ticks are parasites which can temporarily attach to our pets (and us) when they come into contact with them. They are typically found in woodland areas, long grass and on moorland, and our warmer milder winters and resulting in increased tick numbers and an extension of seasonal activity.

They are generally small and grey or brown in colour when they attach but as they feed, they can double or triple in size! Ticks are only rarely found on &hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/protecting-your-dog-from-ticks/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/protecting-your-dog-from-ticks/</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Brucella Canis – what is it and how could it affect my dog?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Brucella Canis &ndash; what is it and how could it affect my dog?

Brucella canis (B.canis) is a bacterial infection that has not historically been present in the UK. In the past 2 years, there has been a big increase in the number of dogs diagnosed with this condition in the UK. These have mostly been in dogs imported into the UK from Eastern Europe where the condition is more prevalent.

What are the symptoms of Brucella canis in dogs?

B.canis most commonly causes infertility and pregna&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/brucella-canis-what-is-it-and-how-could-it-affect-my-dog/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/brucella-canis-what-is-it-and-how-could-it-affect-my-dog/</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Rabbit Vaccination Against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Yearly&nbsp; vaccination is recommended for all rabbits against myxomatosis and &nbsp;Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease

Myxomatosis is a disease of rabbits caused by a pox virus. It is relatively common in the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculi) population in the UK and is almost always fatal. The virus is most commonly spread by insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, flies and mites but infection by contact between rabbits and contact with fomites such as hay, bedding and clothing can also occur. The m&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/rabbit-vaccination-against-myxomatosis-and-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/rabbit-vaccination-against-myxomatosis-and-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease/</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Annual vaccination against leptospirosis is recommended for all dogs]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Annual vaccination against leptospirosis is strongly recommended for all dogs

The World and British Small Animal Veterinary Associations (WSAVA and BSAVA) as well as charities such as the Blue Cross and RSPCA strongly recommend vaccination to prevent disease. In the UK Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Leptospirosis are considered core vaccines.

Vaccination against Distemper, Parvovirus and Infectious Hepatitis has thankfully reduced the prevalence of these diseases in the UK&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/annual-vaccination-against-leptospirosis-is-recommended-for-all-dogs/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/annual-vaccination-against-leptospirosis-is-recommended-for-all-dogs/</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Stress-free vet trips for cats]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Stress-free vet trips for cats

Lots of cats dislike visiting the veterinary practice &ndash; the unfamiliar carrier, sounds and smells can be very off putting. It is important that cats are able to make these visits as calmly as possible both for routine health checks and preventative care, and also if they become sick or injured. 

What can the veterinary practice do to help?

Acorn House is accredited by the International Society of Feline Medicine as a Gold Standard cat-friendly practi&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/stress-free-vet-trips-for-cats/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/stress-free-vet-trips-for-cats/</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Microchipping – what do you need to know?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Microchipping &ndash; what do you need to know?



A microchip is a very small electronic chip that can be implanted under the skin of your pet. This chip contains a unique number that can be read by a scanner. 

This unique number, and the pet owner&rsquo;s details, are logged on a central database. This means that if the pet ever goes missing or is stolen, they can be scanned by a veterinary surgeon / police office / pet rescue centre and their owner can be contacted easily.

Which pet&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/microchipping-what-do-you-need-to-know/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/microchipping-what-do-you-need-to-know/</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[An update on American XL Bully dogs]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[An update on American XL Bully dogs

In 2024 it became illegal to breed, sell, exchange, gift or abandon an XL Bully dog. Existing owners of XL Bully dogs were required to apply for a certificate of exemption and abide by special conditions.

How do I know if my dog is an XL Bully?

A breed standard description is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog/xl-bully-conformation-standard

I have an XL Bully dog but did not apply for a c&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/an-update-on-american-xl-bully-dogs/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/an-update-on-american-xl-bully-dogs/</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Raisin Ingestion in a Border Collie]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Veterinary casebook: 

Raisin Ingestion in a Border Collie

Overview

Trixie is a 5 year old border collie.

Problem

Trixie had been observed eating a slice of Christmas cake, which contained dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas. Trixie&rsquo;s owners knew that raisins could cause tummy upsets and kidney damage in dogs.

Treatment

Trixie&rsquo;s owners brought Trixie into the surgery to receive an injection to cause vomiting. Ten minutes later Trixie vomited up the fruit cak&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/raisin-ingestion-in-a-border-collie/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/raisin-ingestion-in-a-border-collie/</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Dec 2024 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Noise Phobia in a Labrador]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[

Veterinary casebook: 

NOISE PHOBIA IN A LABRADOR

Overview

Oscar is a 3 year old labrador.

Problem

Oscar had been getting increasingly distressed by firework noise. When fireworks were happening, he would hide or pace in an agitated fashion around the house, drooling and trembling. Even when the fireworks were finished, he would stay distressed for several hours. During the firework period Oscar did not want to go out on walks and seemed anxious and on edge.

Investigations
&hellip;]]></description>
<link>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/noise-phobia-in-a-labrador/</link>
<guid>https://www.acornhousevets.co.uk/blog/noise-phobia-in-a-labrador/</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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