Forest House Veterinary Surgery, Knaresborough

15/06/2026

👂 WHAT’S IN THE EAR? 👀🔬
Not all itchy ears are the same…

If your pet is scratching, shaking their head, rubbing their ears or seems uncomfortable — the cause isn’t always the same.

Common causes of itchy ears can include:

🦠 Ear mites
Tiny parasites that can cause intense irritation and waxy discharge (especially in cats and younger pets).

🧫 Yeast overgrowth
Often associated with inflamed, itchy ears and can sometimes have a distinctive smell.

🔬 Bacterial infections
Can develop on their own or secondary to another underlying issue.

🌿 Allergies
Food and environmental allergies commonly affect the ears and may lead to recurring problems.

🌾 Foreign bodies
Grass seeds and other debris can sometimes make their way into the ear canal.

🩺 Inflammation / underlying skin disease
Some pets are simply more prone to ear issues than others.

Because many ear conditions can look very similar from the outside, we often investigate further — including examining the ears and sometimes taking a sample to look at under the microscope 🔬

Signs to look out for:
👂 Head shaking
🐾 Scratching at ears
👃 Unpleasant smell
🟤 Dark discharge or excess wax
😣 Pain or sensitivity

If your pet’s ears don’t seem quite right, get in touch with the team — we’re happy to help 🩵

📞 (01423) 862121

13/06/2026

Every itch deserves relief!

If your dog has allergic dermatitis, ongoing care is key. It’s a lifelong condition, but with the right treatment plan, you can offer your dog the relief they need. Speak with your vet about long-term management to keep your dog feeling their best.

📞 Call us on 01423 862121
🌐 Learn more: https://uk.mypet.com/num/

12/06/2026

Food allergies.

Could a food allergy be causing your dog to itch? Ingredients like beef, chicken, dairy and wheat can cause allergies, even in dogs that have eaten these foods for years. If your dog is itchy and suffers from soft stools, a food allergy may be to blame. Talk to us about a new simple treatment that acts fast to help your dog feel better.

📞 Call us on 01423 862121
🌐 Learn more: https://uk.mypet.com/num/

12/06/2026

✨ MEET THE TEAM ✨

Say hello to Beth (Bab’s) – Receptionist 🐾

Bab’s has worked at Forest House long enough to know which patients are angels… and which ones require backup 👀😂

Her favourite part of the job? Easy… puppy cuddles, kitten snuggles, and when a nervous pet finally decides she’s acceptable.

A few quick-fire facts about Bab’s:

☕ Coffee order?
Caramel coffee – basically a pud in a cup.

🦦 Cats, dogs… or something more exotic?
Otter

🐄 Dream animal to own?
A Highland cow!

🐶 Favourite breed?
Golden Retrievers.

🍫 Busy shift survival snack?
Something sweet… biscuits, chocolate, or whatever is closest to the kettle.

🐾 Pets at home?
Two very spoiled dogs, Eve & Belle, who are absolutely convinced they run the house.

📺 Outside of work?
I love Grey’s Anatomy or enjoying a lovely beach walk with family.

😂 Funniest work moment?
When I created a WANTED poster using a staff member’s ID photo and put it up all over the practice…

🦎 Most unusual animals she’s seen?
A giant lizard and a skunk!

💬 One thing clients might not know about reception?
We spend a surprising amount of time sitting on floors making baby voices at pets.

⭐ Best advice for pet owners:
“If they suddenly go quiet… they’re probably doing something they shouldn't be.”

Describe the job in 3 words?
Hairy. Busy. Unpredictable.

11/06/2026

New treatment option for allergic dermatitis!

Did you know? There is a new treatment now available to help relieve your dog’s itching caused by allergic dermatitis. Get in touch with our practice today to discover if this may be the right solution for you and your dog.

📞 Call us on 01423 862121
🌐 Learn more: https://uk.mypet.com/num/

11/06/2026

🩺 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MIXED VET 🐶🐱🐴🐄

Ever wondered what a typical day looks like for one of our vets?

Spoiler: it’s rarely predictable…

☀️ 9:00am – Consults begin
Vaccinations, itchy ears, upset tummies, skin problems, lumps and bumps, routine checks… and occasionally someone who’s eaten something questionable.

🩺 11:00–12:00pm – Finishing consults & catching up
Calling owners, writing notes, reviewing results and trying to stay vaguely on schedule.

🥪 12:30pm – Attempt lunch
Keyword: attempt.
Tea goes cold. Sandwich gets forgotten. Phone rings.

🚜 Afternoon – Out on visits
Time to swap consult room shoes for wellies.

🐄 Farm calls could mean herd health visits, fertility work, lameness investigations, sick animals or routine preventative care.

🐴 Equine visits might include vaccinations, lameness workups, poor performance investigations, oe dentistry.

📞 Between visits…
Phone calls, treatment plans, updating owners and trying to remember where the pen disappeared to.

🚗 End of day?
Back to practice to finish paperwork… unless the day has other ideas.

One of the best things about mixed practice?
You genuinely never know whether your afternoon will involve a horse, a sheep, a goat… or all three 🩵

Tell us — what do you think would be the biggest surprise about being a vet?

10/06/2026

Breeds prone to atopic dermatitis.

Any dog can get atopic dermatitis, but some breeds are more prone to the condition including Pugs, West Highland White Terriers, Boxers, Bulldogs and Labrador Retrievers. If you notice signs of itching, it is important to start your dog on the path to relief quickly. Contact us today to bring your dog fast relief.

📞 Call us on 01423 862121
🌐 Learn more: https://uk.mypet.com/num/

10/06/2026

🐕 WHY WAS MY PET LIMPING? 🐾

Not every limp means an emergency… but it’s always worth paying attention to.

Limping is one of the most common reasons pets come to see us — and the cause isn’t always obvious.

Some common reasons a pet may limp include:

🌾 Something stuck in the paw
Grass seeds, small cuts, cracked nails or sore pads.

💪 Sprains and strains
Just like us, pets can overdo it after zoomies, a long walk or an enthusiastic game.

🦴 Joint changes
Arthritis and stiffness can sometimes appear as limping — especially after rest.

🏃 Soft tissue injuries
Muscles, tendons and ligaments can all be involved.

🦴 Bone injuries
Less common, but fractures or other changes may sometimes need investigating.

🦠 Inflammation or infection
Including nail bed issues or joint-related problems.

🐶 Growing pains
Young pets can occasionally develop conditions linked to growth and development.

So… how do we work out the cause?

🩺 A full examination
👣 Watching your pet walk and move
✋ Checking joints, muscles and paws
🩻 Sometimes imaging (such as x-rays) if needed
🧪 Occasionally additional tests depending on findings

If your pet is limping, try to avoid lots of exercise.

If you’re unsure whether your pet should be seen — give us a call and we’ll be happy to advise 🩵

📞 (01423) 862121

09/06/2026

Allergic dermatitis and sleep disruption.

When your dog cannot sleep because of itch, neither can you. Talk to us about a simple, targeted treatment that can provide relief and comfort to your dog — and help restore peace to your household.

📞 Call us on 01423 862121
🌐 Learn more: https://uk.mypet.com/num/

09/06/2026