It was forecasted terrible weather but in the end it we were very lucky with our annual Pet Memorial walk at Baggeridge park in Sedgley on Sunday the 8th of September 2024. Dignipets creates several Pet memorial walks per year to create awareness for pet bereavement. The weather did not stop us! The Team present... The post Dignipets pet memorial walk for pet bereavement appeared first on Dignipets ..read more

  I can’t wait to discuss arthritis in rabbits with you as it is such an important part in my support as a hospice vet at Dignipets when discussing the plan at home with rabbit carers. As we know rabbits have many predators in the wild and just because they are in a safe environment in your care it doesn’t mean that their behaviour is any different from rabbits in the wild. This means that your rabbit is programmed to hide discomfort. Weakness and vulnerability can are high risk in nature and even though it is felt it is too high risk to show. Rabbits, wild or domestic, are programmed to ..read more

Will I know when it is time for my rabbit? A shared experience from one of our members of staff and a personal reflection she wrote to support other rabbit carers. Most of my rabbits passed away around 4-5 years old but you are 10 now and still with us. During the years we had to take you to the vets a few times and they found out you were struggling with arthritis and cataract. The quality of life scoring I used to do seems to be getting harder now you are senior. You used to go out in the rabbit hutch, but you have gone so skinny I am worried you will get too cold now even though you love th ..read more

On Sunday 10th March, Dignipets held its second Stafford & Cannock pet memorial walk. Dignipets organises walks to help raise awareness of pet loss and to help pet owners meet others who have lost their pet. We would like to thank everyone who attended this walk, especially as this year the weather was not on our side; we are hoping for better weather next year. Dignipets does hold several pet memorial walks throughout the year, in such locations as Baggeridge Country Park, Telford and Leicester. If you wish to join us for a future pet memorial walk, you can sign up to our mailing list t ..read more

At Dignipets we find it important to stay up to date with the latest rules and guidelines. We will review this blog throughout this year as we are expecting to have more guidelines coming out. Sadly, we have received already a few enquiries for XL bullies as there seems to be a general confusion amongst public and pet owners here and there. XL bullies do NOT have to be put to sleep without a genuine reason like no quality of life or aggression. On Friday the 15th of September, Rishi Sunak our Prime Minister announced that American Bully XL types will be added to the breeds banned list by the e ..read more

Pet carers gathered at Baggeridge Country Park to remember their four-legged friends during the Dignipets Memorial Walk last Sunday. Animal lovers from across the region met on Sunday, September the 10th to walk in memory of their past pets and to highlight pet bereavement. Dignipets is a mobile veterinary service specialising in veterinary hospice and end-of-life care in The Midlands. They provide home visits across the area for pets with a chronic or life-limiting illness that benefit from veterinary support in their own home. The practice organised the walk for pet owners that have needed D ..read more

“My pet is aggressive, anxious or extremely stressed and nervous going to the vets or with strangers at home. How can I make sure the last phase of his life is as peaceful as it can be?“ At Dignipets we are used to talking to distressed owners who are planning their family pet’s end of life care. Going through this is even harder if you know your pet will have difficulty accepting care or even worse has just lashed out and hurt you. All members of our team are fully trained to support you and your pet. We take pride in offering support in a way we would want to be supported ..read more

Most of my rabbits passed away around 4-5 years old but you are 10 now and still with us. During the years we had to take you to the vets a few times and they found out you were struggling with arthritis and cataract. You used to go out in the rabbit hutch, but you have gone so skinny I am worried you will get too cold now even though you love the fresh grass. I also worry about fly strike even more as you cannot groom yourself. Days seem to flow into each other, but my mum came over who lives far away and mentioned you are really starting to age now, and she noticed a real change. Will you l ..read more

You act and look like you are still a puppy sometimes, but I know something is brewing and you are getting older. As a hospice vet myself I should see all the signs, but I can be in denial when it comes to my own pets (probably because it’s a bit scary). I never cared for a collie before. The other dogs in my life all aged and slowed down and had obvious symptoms but with you it is very subtle. When we do pain scoring as hospice vets, we often say Collies are never in pain because they don’t show. And you are no different in hiding any discomfort you might have. Nonetheless I have started you ..read more

As I sit here and watch you sleep I am thinking if you are happy with your life? You will be 18 years old in May and I wonder if you will make it until then. I know being old you will need to sleep more and that cats sleep A LOT anyway but is that enough? I’m considering your quality of life and it’s a combination of so many things; I know you’re eating and drinking, still going out to the toilet yourself, still mobile and able to jump, still seeking affection, still going to watch the world go by out of the window which you always loved. Plus you are still having inquisitive moments when ther ..read more