As all Dairy Farmers may be aware by now , there have been changes in prescription practices driven by the challenge of AMR and the vet council/department of agricultures enforcement of same. (More Responsible use of antibiotics going forward)

Watch a very informative video by Caroline Gavin SSVI,  explaining what the changes mean for vets and farmers.

A new veterinary-led consultation for farmers has been developed by Animal Health Ireland called Cell Count Solutions. The objective of this free mastitis consultation is to help facilitate a collaborative approach between the vet and farmer, to ensure better SCC and mastitis control on farms.

During the consultation, all relevant areas  including the cow, the milking routine, the environment, records etc. will be discussed. The consultation is available throughout the entire lactation and there aren’t any eligibility requirements necessary to register.  Please call our clinic and we will answer any questions you may have.

Why is this Consultation process important for the farmer?

To facilitate our compliance with the legislation , we advise you to sign up for the service because it will have significant implications for the use of lactating antibiotics and dry cow antibiotics , as well as improve the ability to prescribe for your herd.

We will be calling all our Glasslyn Dairy Farmers over the coming days and weeks with further information.

Glasslyn Vets decided to join this years’ Belgooly Show and had our very own stand!

Veterinarians John, Marta, Aili, Cahal and Geraldine came to chat to clients and answer questions and Vet nurses Vivienne and Siana gave advice and handed out complementary doggy bags.

It was a great day with perfect weather and even Glasslyn founding father Frank o Keeffe and his lovely wife popped in for some stories and support!

We had a kids colouring competition where we asked kids to draw a cow and they didnt dissapoint, with the winner getting a goodies hamper with art supplies and pet products.

See you all next year!

Glasslyn recently visited Scoil Bhríde in Crossmahon and had the most amazing time chatting to the pupils about pet care, Irish wildlife and career options in the Veterinary field.

We played a fun game of ‘guess the Xray’ and even roped in some Junior and Senior infants into helping us perform Teddy Bear Surgery!

As Halloween approaches, our thoughts drift to ghosts and ghouls, spooky decorations, lots of treats and fun times.  Sadly, for our pets it can be a frightening time.  There could be hazards in our homes, from toxic foods to dangerous decorations.  We are reminding you to be aware of the dangers Halloween poses to all animals and to take extra measures to safeguard the safety of not only domestic pets but farm animals and wildlife too.

Our small animal veterinary team has pulled together a Halloween survival guide to help keep pets happy.

Hide the treats

The sweets bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not our furry friends. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms and sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If your pet does ingest something toxic, contact your vet immediately.

Halloween decorations out of pets’ reach

Many cats and dogs love to play with dangly decorations. However, they could end up chewing and swallowing something harmful, leading to serious problems such as a gut blockage.  Its important to keep pets away from wires and candles.  Also, swallowing foil or plastic wrappers can lead to digestive problems and may require surgery.

Don’t dress up pets

Some pets may find wearing Halloween costumes stressful. Consider a festive themed bandana instead which will be less restrictive. If you do choose to put your pet in a costume, make sure it does not limit the animal’s movement, vision, ability to breathe or behave normally.

Fireworks

The sound of fireworks can cause a lot of distress for pets.  It is important to ensure pets are kept safe in a secure area where they cannot dart out an open door from the noise.  Keeping the lights low and playing a radio or television in the background can help drown out some of the noise outside. Close the curtains and windows if there’s lots of noise outside.

Be home before dark

Trick-or-treaters in costume and loud music from parties can be scary for our pets, so it’s best to be at home with them before Halloween activities start.  To avoid stress in dogs, take them for walks before it gets dark.  For cats, encourage them to come home earlier by moving their dinner time to before it gets dark outside.

Outdoor Pets and Wildlife

Horses, ponies and donkeys should be securely stabled to prevent them from escaping or hurting themselves if they live in areas with a considerable amount of Halloween-related noise. It is important you check under all wood piles before lighting any bonfires to ensure there is no wildlife hibernating. Some outdoor decorations such as fake spider webs can snare wild animals, so be careful if hanging them and ensure they are removed after the festivities.

Unfortunately stray animals can fall victim to abuse or cruel Halloween pranks. If you witness any animal cruelty, please contact your local Garda station immediately.

Microchipping is an important part of responsible pet ownership.  It provides peace of mind that if your pet was to go missing, he or she would have the best chance of being returned safely.

When to microchip?

Microchips can be implanted at any time. It is often done in puppies and kittens at or around the time of initial vaccination, or when neutered. It is still a legal requirement for dogs to wear an identity tag on a collar even when microchipped.

If a stray animal is found it is always scanned. Vets, most rescue centres and local authorities have scanners.  When a microchip is found, the database can be accessed 24 hours a day and the owner informed.

What happens when your pet is microchipped?

The microchip is very small, about the size of a grain of rice, the procedure is very simple and no more painful than an injection. The microchip, which has a unique number, is placed under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. Your pet will not be aware of the microchip once it is inserted and the body will not react to it as it is coated in the same material that is used in human pacemakers!

Your vet will check the microchip with a handheld scanner. Your pet’s unique identity number, together with your contact details are registered by you or your vet onto a national database. This can be done online or by post. It is important to change your details should you move address.

Glasslyn Vets honoured its longest serving employee Pat O’ Donnell, who recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with the company. Glasslyn Vets held a celebration in the Innishannon House Hotel for Pat O’ Donnell, his family and work colleagues.

Glasslyn Vets Managing Director, Kevin O’ Sullivan, directors David McLaughlin, John Nyhan and John Healy, along with work colleagues commended Mr O’ Donnell’s dedication to veterinary life and thanked him for his five decades of service and loyalty.

“We’re excited to celebrate Pat reaching the 50th anniversary milestone,” said Kevin O’ Sullivan.  “Pat embodies the traits that help make Glasslyn Vets a leader in our industry: hard work, commitment, and putting animals at the heart of everything we do. We know from personal experience that Pat is a great role model for future generations of Glasslyn Vets’ veterinary teams.  He has supported some of our directors with their own career, helping them to progress from assistants to partners and we have benefited hugely from his knowledge and experience. I would like to personally thank Pat for his daily contributions to our company.”

Mr. O’ Donnell  came to Bandon in 1972 and became a partner in 1973.  Over the following fifty years, Pat supported a lot of positive change for the business; from building on a purpose designed veterinary clinic on Glasslyn Road, Bandon in the early eighties, to purchasing a new premise in Church Square, Kinsale.  In the mid to late eighties the practice acquired six other practices throughout Cork county. All of this has led to Glasslyn Vets becoming a leader in the veterinary industry, with a strong culture of investing in its employees and offering state-of-the-art facilities to protect and improve large and small animals’ health.

“Pat has played a very important role within our organisation and continues to set the example of hard work and dedication to our company,” said Glasslyn Vets director David McLaughlin. “His experience and talents are invaluable to us. He has a keen interest in people which really stands to his client relationships and is much respected by our clients.  He is simply the best!”

Speaking on this tremendous milestone, Pat O’ Donnell stated “It is hard to imagine that the roots of Glasslyn Vets began before the 1916 Rising, when in 1914 Con O’ Driscoll of Abbey Mahon, Timoleague qualified as a veterinary surgeon.  There has been a lot of transformation from back then to now with veterinary practices changing dramatically.  I would like to acknowledge the support and friendship of my former and present Glasslyn Vets’ colleagues. Also, my family have played an important role over the past fifty year.  I wish Glasslyn Vets all the best going forward”.

Some photos from the celebrations.

We joined forces with The Southern Star to find West Cork’s Cutest Pet!

Glasslyn Vets Social Media and Marketing Administrator, Alexa du Plessis joined a panel of judges along with Southern Star editor Siobhan Cronin and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns to narrow it down to 10 finalists after a whopping 260 entrees.

The winner will receive a €100 grooming voucher, €100 pet food voucher and €50 health check, a professionally taken portrait, and a trophy.

Winner will be announced on 8 July 2023!

Go and Vote on : https://www.southernstar.ie/west-corks-cutest-pet?fbclid=IwAR0Xj6rStNg_vXcwqQHPLaVU8tm61WEXu-XwdkqLy34MBvG3mp-av6yTEoI

Glasslyn Vets has been awarded the EcoMerit Environmental Certification in recognition of their commitment to ongoing environmental improvement. The award recognises that the company has successfully put in place a programme of energy, waste, and water efficiencies to reduce their environmental footprint.

The Certificate relates to Glasslyn Vets two clinics in Bandon and Kinsale, and to its Carbery Vets clinic in Dunmanway. Glasslyn Vets’ environmental improvement plans include reviewing its procurement procedures to establish to what extent environmental considerations inform purchasing decisions, implementing a waste prevention programme, increasing segregation for reuse and recycling, and investigating ways to conserve water.

On receiving the EcoMerit Certification, Kevin O’ Sullivan, Managing Director, Glasslyn Vets said: “I believe this accreditation is a positive start to Glasslyn Vets’ sustainable journey and we are keen to play our part. We want our business to perform in a sustainable way and show others that it is possible to make changes for the better, which will have a positive impact on the environment. We believe vets play an important role in promoting more sustainable farm practices and Glasslyn Vets will continue to implement changes that demonstrates our commitment to environmental improvement”.

The pace of climate change has picked up significantly in recent years. As a community, Irish veterinary practices are steeped in rural life through agriculture and have a finger on the pulse of everyday life in towns and cities too. This unique position enables vets to recognise the role sustainable thinking and action can play in their businesses in the face of this major challenge.

Mike Curran, CEO of XL Vets added “We are delighted to announce that our XLVets Ireland member, Glasslyn Vets in Cork, are the next veterinary practice in Ireland to have achieved an EcoMerit Certification. Glasslyn business principal Kevin O’ Sullivan, a key leader of our sustainability project, is also Chair of XLVets Ireland. Following on from the XLVets Ireland and XLVets Skillnet (Skillnet Ireland) certification last year, Glasslyn joins us with other sites who complete their certification journey in the coming weeks, with more to follow. An EcoMerit Certification commits us to an annual independent audit every year for five years in order to ensure sustainability targets are met in-house.”

Commenting on Glasslyn Vets accreditation Phil Walker, Managing Director, EcoMerit stated “EcoMerit is delighted that Glasslyn Vets has achieved EcoMerit Certification. In so doing it demonstrates its commitment to sustainable practice and in particular to effective environmental improvement, with external support and verification, combined with measurement and monitoring. With this certification, Glasslyn has now become part of the EcoMerit Sustainable Energy Community, whose members have delivered average emissions reductions of over 60% in a 10-year period. We particularly welcome this as part of the XLVets broader commitment to its sustainability journey and look forward to developing our partnership in this regard.“