The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic

The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic was established to provide veterinary care specifically tailored to the unique requirements of cats, rabbits and small mammals.

Excluding dogs from our practice enables us to provide a more quiet, less odorous, stress free environment for our patients and their owners. Many of our staff (including both of our vets) have worked within the practice since it first opened its doors to patients in June of 2000. We therefore have over many years of practical day to day experience treating cats, rabbits, guinea-pigs and other small mammals in this setting.

Check the Chip DayIts is compulsory for all cats to be microchipped by the time they are 20 weeks old.Placing a microchi...
15/08/2026

Check the Chip Day

Its is compulsory for all cats to be microchipped by the time they are 20 weeks old.

Placing a microchip is a quick procedure and Microchips can help reunite your pet be reunited if they go missing.

Happy International Cat Day!We would love to see your favourite photo of your feline friends! 🐱😻🩷
08/08/2026

Happy International Cat Day!

We would love to see your favourite photo of your feline friends! 🐱😻🩷

Happy Guinea Pig Appreciation Day! We believe in caring for all animals, big and small, and today we're shining thespotl...
16/07/2026

Happy Guinea Pig Appreciation Day!

We believe in caring for all animals, big and small, and today we're shining the
spotlight on our beloved guinea pig friends! These tiny bundles of joy may be small in size, but their personalities are larger than life.

We'd love to see your piggy's having fun - share a photo in the comments
below 🩷

01/07/2026

Keep Cats Hydrated

Cats need summer care too!

While cats may seem independent, warm weather can increase the risk of dehydration - especially for older cats, kittens, and those with underlying health conditions.

To help keep your cat cool and comfortable this summer:
-Provide fresh water throughout the day
-Try multiple water bowls around the house
-Keep cool, shaded areas available
-Wet food can help increase water intake

Some cats only shown subtle signs when they're unwell. Keep an
eye out for signs such as lethargy, panting, drooling or loss of
appetite.
Hover over to play!
Included within this
pack to use as a reel.

Summer brings sunny days and outdoor adventures for our feline friends! While your cat enjoys lounging in the garden, it...
26/06/2026

Summer brings sunny days and outdoor adventures for our feline friends! While your cat enjoys lounging in the garden, it's essential to provide a safe and enjoyable environment. Here are some tips:

Check for Shade: Ensure your garden has shaded areas where your cat can retreat from the sun's heat. Consider planting trees or installing umbrellas or awnings to create cool spots.

Safe Plants: Be mindful of the plants in your garden, as some can be toxic to cats if ingested.

Water Source: Place a shallow water bowl or fountain in the garden to keep your cat hydrated during outdoor excursions.

With these tips, you can create a cat-friendly garden where your furry friend can enjoy the summer sunshine safely!

25/06/2026

How Is Flystrike Treated?

🚨 Flystrike is a Veterinary Emergency

If you discover maggots on your rabbit, immediate veterinary attention is essential. Flystrike can progress very quickly, as toxins released by the maggots can enter the bloodstream, leading to shock, severe illness, and potentially death. The condition is also extremely painful, making prompt treatment critical.

🏥 What Treatment Will My Rabbit Need?

Most rabbits diagnosed with flystrike require hospitalisation and intensive nursing care. Treatment may include:

• Pain relief to keep your rabbit comfortable throughout recovery
• Fluid therapy to treat dehydration and support circulation if shock is present
• Careful removal of maggots from the affected areas
• Cleaning and treatment of wounds, often performed under anaesthesia once the rabbit is stable enough
• Nutritional support, including syringe feeding if your rabbit is not eating independently
• Gut motility medications to help prevent gastrointestinal stasis, a common complication in sick rabbits
• Temperature support and close monitoring throughout treatment and recovery

❤️ What Is the Prognosis?

The outcome depends on how quickly treatment is started and the severity of the infestation. Unfortunately, some rabbits may not survive despite intensive veterinary care, and in the most severe cases, euthanasia may be the kindest option to prevent further suffering.

Flystrike is one of the most serious conditions affecting rabbits, but it is often preventable through good hygiene, regular health checks, and prompt treatment of any underlying health issues.

If you have any concerns about your rabbit's health, or would like advice on flystrike prevention, please contact us for guidance or to arrange an appointment.

25/06/2026

How Can I Prevent Flystrike?

✅ Address Soiling Promptly
Any condition that causes urine or faeces to accumulate on your rabbit's fur should be investigated by a veterinarian. Healthy rabbits are naturally very clean animals, so a dirty bottom is often a sign that something isn't right. Identifying and treating the underlying cause can significantly reduce the risk of flystrike.

🔍 Check Your Rabbit Daily
Fly eggs can hatch into maggots within hours, causing severe and potentially life-threatening damage. It's important to check your rabbit at least twice a day, paying close attention to their rear end, especially during warmer months. If you notice any wetness, faecal staining, or signs of discomfort, seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

🧹 Maintain a Clean Living Environment
Keeping your rabbit's accommodation clean and dry is essential. Remove soiled bedding and litter daily, and regularly clean toileting areas to reduce odours that attract flies. For rabbits that use outdoor areas as latrines, frequent spot-cleaning and removal of droppings can also help minimise risk.

💊 Consider Preventative Treatments
Topical products, such as Rearguard and F10 Germicidal Wound Spray with Insecticide, are available to help protect rabbits from flystrike during the high-risk summer months when used as directed. Speak to your veterinary team about the most appropriate preventative options for your rabbit.

Remember, preventative treatments should be used alongside good hygiene and husbandry practices—not as a replacement for them.

‼️PLEASE NOTE THAT PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN CYPERMETHRIN, SUCH AS F10, SHOULD NEVER BE USED ON CATS AS IT IS HIGHLY TOXIC TO THEM‼️

🥬 Provide a Healthy, High-Fibre Diet
A proper diet plays a key role in preventing many of the conditions that can lead to flystrike. Ideally, 85–90% of your rabbit's diet should consist of grass and hay, with a small amount of fresh leafy greens and a limited quantity of pellets. Avoid muesli-style foods, which can contribute to dental disease and selective feeding. Sugary treats and fruit should also be kept to a minimum, as they can disrupt digestive health.

✂️ Groom Long-Haired Rabbits Regularly
Long-haired breeds require additional grooming to keep their coats clean and free from matting. Trimming the fur around the rear end can help prevent urine and faeces from becoming trapped in the coat, reducing the risk of flystrike. Regular grooming also allows you to spot any potential problems early.

25/06/2026

Fly strike is a serious condition caused by flies laying eggs on a rabbit. When the maggots hatch, they quickly begin to eat into the rabbit's flesh. This causes large, painful wounds and can be fatal.

Common Risk Factors for Flystrike in Rabbits

🐰 Dental Disease
Rabbits with dental problems may struggle to groom themselves properly, leading to dirty or matted fur around their rear end. Poor dental health is often linked to diets lacking sufficient fibre, which is also a known risk factor for flystrike.

⚖️ Obesity and Arthritis
Overweight rabbits often have difficulty reaching their back end to keep themselves clean. Excess weight is frequently associated with diets that are high in calories and low in fibre. These rabbits may also be less active and spend more time sitting in areas contaminated with urine or droppings. Similarly, rabbits with arthritis may have reduced mobility and flexibility, making grooming and toileting more challenging.

💧 Urinary Problems
Conditions such as urinary tract infections can cause rabbits to leak urine rather than urinate normally. This can result in wet, soiled fur and urine scalding around the ge***al area. Rabbits may also develop thick, sludgy urine when unwell, which can further contribute to soiling and increase the risk of flystrike.

🧹 Poor Hygiene
Dirty living conditions can attract flies, even in rabbits that groom themselves well. A build-up of urine or faeces in bedding or litter trays increases the likelihood of soiling, skin irritation, and urine scald, all of which can make rabbits more vulnerable to flystrike.

🥕 Uneaten Caecotrophs
Rabbits naturally produce two types of droppings. One type, called caecotrophs, is normally eaten directly from the a**s to provide essential nutrients and vitamins. When rabbits stop eating these droppings, they can accumulate around the rear end and attract flies. This often occurs when a rabbit's diet contains too many sugary or starchy foods, such as fruit, carrots, or commercial treats.

25/06/2026

🐰 Flystrike in Rabbits: A Life-Threatening Emergency 🐰

As the weather gets warmer, rabbit owners need to be extra vigilant about flystrike—a serious and often fatal condition where flies lay eggs on a rabbit, usually around the rear end. These eggs hatch into maggots that can quickly cause severe tissue damage and shock.

⚠️ Signs to watch for:
• Dirty or wet fur around the bottom
• Strong odour
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or unusual behaviour
• Visible maggots or eggs

✅ Prevention tips:
• Check your rabbit's rear end daily
• Keep living areas clean and dry
• Ensure your rabbit maintains a healthy weight
• Address any health issues that may cause soiling
• Use fly screens and rabbit-safe flystrike prevention products if recommended by your vet

🚨 If you suspect flystrike, contact us immediately. This is an emergency, and prompt treatment can save your rabbit's life.

Please share this post to help raise awareness and keep our rabbits safe this season. ❤️🐇

🚫🥵 On a hot day, a conservatory is hotter. Twice as hot to be exact!Keep them cool and safe this summer by avoiding the ...
24/06/2026

🚫🥵 On a hot day, a conservatory is hotter. Twice as hot to be exact!

Keep them cool and safe this summer by avoiding the conservatory trap. 🏞️❌ Whether it's scorching outside or just warm, remember: pets deserve shade, water, and a comfy indoor oasis. 🌿💦

Beat the heatwave and let them chill with you inside! 🏠❤️

Address

2 Southfield Road
Northampton
NN56HN

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+441604478888

Website

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