Downs Link Veterinary Surgery

04/11/2025

A Brave Recovery for "Bones"! 🐾💚

Meet Bones, a wonderful 12-year-old Viszla cross who recently showed incredible strength during a challenging time. Bones came to us with a suspected tumour on one of her digits, which unfortunately required surgery for removal.

We know that removing digit III is a significant decision. This is a primary weight-bearing digit, and it's not a procedure we recommend lightly. However, in cases of suspected tumours, ensuring clear margins and preventing the condition from spreading is our top priority for a long and healthy future.

While traditionally some digits were considered more critical than others for post-operative recovery, newer studies and clinical experience suggest that functional outcomes for dogs following toe amputations are generally very similar, regardless of which digit is removed! Dogs are incredibly adaptable.

The procedure went smoothly, and we are so proud of how well this brave girl is recovering! Her resilience is an inspiration to us all.
Bones is now resting up at home and getting all the well-deserved cuddles and attention from her loving family.

Sending all our love and healing vibes to Bones! You are a superstar! ✨💚

31/10/2025

30/10/2025

This is Fred getting a little extra attention from his human, our wonderful receptionist Lesley, after his second kitten vaccination today! 😽💚

It’s always a team effort to keep all our patients happy and healthy—and that includes our own furry family members! A full vaccination course for kittens is a crucial step to protect them during their most vulnerable stage. We love seeing our team lead by example to ensure their pets have the best preventative care.

Give Fred a thumbs-up for being so brave! 👍💚

29/10/2025

At Downslink vets, we love seeing our patients grow up!

We were all so excited when Beaulieu, the sweetest Springer Spaniel puppy, came in for a special visit with our nurse, Amber.

Their bond is a perfect example of the relationships we cherish with all our clients and their furry family members. Thanks for the sweet hello, Beaulieu! 💚

28/10/2025

A smile is worth a thousand purrs! 💚

This is Chubby, our wonderful 13-year-old patient who recently had a dental procedure with Vet Ben.

Like many senior cats, Chubby had some tartar and gingivitis. But thanks to proactive care and a thorough check, he's now back to his purr-fectly healthy self!

During his dental, we took full-mouth X-rays to check for any hidden issues below the gumline. The great news? No extractions were needed!

Instead, Vet Ben—who has an interest in veterinary dentistry—performed a preventative scale and polish to keep his teeth in great shape.

This is a great reminder that dental health is crucial for our senior pets! Preventative care can save them from pain and keep them happy and healthy for years to come. Give us a call to book a dental check-up for your furry friend!

23/10/2025

Poor Monty the cat stopped eating, so he came in for a check-up.

He's not a fan of vet visits, so required a gentle anaesthetic for us to run a blood test and examine his mouth.

We discovered a tongue laceration that needed stitching, and he's now recovering well. 💚

Gabapentin is a fantastic tool for nervous cats, making visits less stressful and safer for everyone. If you have an anxious feline, ask us if it's right for your pet!

22/10/2025

💚 Meet Ayda, a 12.5-year-old Egyptian cat who recently had dental treatment for painful resorptive lesions. Ayda's case highlights why dental x-rays are crucial for our feline friends.

Many dental problems in cats, like resorptive lesions, hide below the gumline and can only be assessed fully with x-rays. This is especially important for cats due to their unique jaw structure, including a flexible mandibular symphysis that can be prone to injury. X-rays allow us to assess the full health of the teeth and jaw, especially in older cats.

Thanks to her dental, Ayda is now recovering comfortably after having the painful teeth treated. If you suspect your pet might be suffering from dental pain, give us a call to book a dental consultation.

20/10/2025

Important reminder from Teddy! 💚

This lovely 7.5-year-old Jack Russell cross Yorkie needed a dental procedure today for some fractured teeth. A pet's oral health can impact their overall health, and dental pain is a silent issue for many dogs.

Teddy's experience reminds us all to be careful with our pets' chews. Very hard objects like antlers, bones, and hooves can be risky for teeth. We always recommend a "thumbnail test"—if you can't indent the item with your thumbnail, it's best to avoid it.

For every anaesthetic, including Teddy's, we offer key safety measures:

Pre-op blood tests: To ensure your pet's liver and kidneys are healthy enough for anaesthesia.

Peri-op fluids: To support blood pressure and organ function throughout the procedure.

Teddy is now home and on the road to recovery with a much healthier, happier mouth! 💚

20/10/2025

Happy healing, Misty! 💚 You may remember this sweet Staffy cross who came to see us today for her post-op check on her tail amputation, and everything is healing perfectly.

She's been an absolute superstar throughout her recovery, and we're so proud of her! Seeing our patients thrive makes our day.