Grass seeds are dangerous and around early this year
This hot spell we’ve enjoyed at the end of June dried off and hardened the wild barley grass that proliferates in the Royal Parks, Wormwood Scrubs, Hampstead Heath and virtually everywhere else we walk our dogs. The seeds act like one way arrows, penetrating between the toes, getting in ears or any other opening including eyes and girly bits. Cats are good at removing grass seeds before they penetrate but dogs aren’t. If your dog suddenly paws at or shakes its head, or limps or has a swelling between the toes, or squints, or obsessively licks her vulva or has an unexpected sore spot on the skin, it could be a penetrating grass seed.
Wild barley grass seeds, also called foxtails, only travel forward, never back
When possible, avoid walking in areas with foxtails or wild barley. Trimming the hair around your dog’s ears and toes makes grass seeds easier to see. And when you finish your walk, check the entire coat for grass seeds. I avoid danger areas but I’m still finding grass seeds in my dogs’ coats when they finish their Little Scrubs walks. At York Street we’re now removing penetrated grass seeds from dogs each week. After seeds are removed dogs are treated with pain killers and antibiotics if necessary.
We love Adam for his skills but also for his warm personality
It’s through word-of-mouth that most of you (and our staff for that matter) found the London Vet Clinic but I know from my own experience that when looking for services, Google reviews are another source of information. So may I please say, “Thank you.” for your kind words in Google reviews. I see that Nancy has just written “Adam, is the best vet!!! The nicest guy and excellent vet to our dog!” Nancy, you are so right!
I love giving your warm Google reviews to my colleagues. The vets are the most visible amongst us but the skilled nurses, Jess, Vicky and Sophie and the attentive reception crew, Faith, Amy and Dolly, with Angela and Jenny working from their homes, always want you and your companions to be comfortable and content. Whenever you provide warm words about any of them on Google I can assure you they are gratefully received by all of us.
Sophie monitors the anaesthetic while Elise treats a hard to reach sinus infection in one of Adam’s patients.
There’s ‘method’ in our Reception Room décor
Yes, our three Reception rooms are eclectic but that’s because all of us at York Street find cookie-cutter, interior designer-lead, fixtures and fittings lack personality.
At 84 York Street, David Shrigley prints cover the walls. When you read his captions you know that he understands people as well as he understands dogs and cats. I doubt that Mr Shrigley knows how much we enjoy his sense of humour. His website is www.davidshrigley.com.
At 88 York Street, cats are most prominent. Look carefully at the 1960s psychedelic print of the cat and, very quietly, the words, “We’re all mad!” appear. The large “ADOPT” sign is a reminder that all of us are committed to animal welfare.
86 York Street is, I admit, a mish mash. The hooked rug over the door to the hall, of a dog and bullrushes, is American. Late Victorian. Making ‘hooked rugs’ out of scrap clothing and upholstering fabric was a popular North American tradition.
This ‘naïve art’ hooked rag rug is American from the 1800s
This fine hooked rug of the Union flag that my 8 month old pup Honey is lying on is also Victorian and from Canada but its not displayed at York Street. I’ve just given it to my son who has recently rescued a Sheffield clothing maker called Buffalo Systems. The rescue is so recent, the new website isn’t up and running yet.
This hooked rug is heading for Buffalo System’s Reception wall in Sheffield. Buffalo Systems coats will continue to be hand made in Sheffield and the seamstresses will be visited by Fogle retrievers.
David Williams and I discuss how easy it is to over test cats and dogs
Some of you have met the Cambridge ophthalmologist David Williams at York Street. As well as teaching eye conditions to the university’s vet students David is also responsible for their ‘Ethics’ course.
We see ‘second opinions’ regularly at York Street but a few weeks ago we saw three in a row on a day David was visiting. All had had very extensive diagnostics undertaken on them. “We should do a blog about the difference between possible causes and probable causes of problems.” David suggested, and so we have.
Our companions don’t have a say in what we decide is best for them. A vet may want to do additional tests either because of lack of experience or because it’s a challenge. The business owners of clinics may want as many tests as possible because that American approach is financially most rewarding. The animal’s carers may want to do ‘everything’ because they love their companion so much. David and I talk about this complicated topic and give pet carers some suggestions. Click here to view our chat on Instagram or here for Facebook.
David Williams teaches both Ophthalmology and Ethics at Cambridge University’s vet school.
post script…
We just learned that Jonathan Sattin, who created Triyoga in Primrose Hill has, with his calm golden retriever Piper, opened www.homewellness.uk on the premises where Triyoga once was. We’re happy to see both of them back doing what they’re so good at doing. The Times reports that launch offers are available until the 1st September.
Enjoy July. All of us will be taking rotating holidays, especially once schools break up for the summer.
