We had been using another (the other) local vets since moving to Aberystwyth and late summer 2011 my dog became ill and began losing weight at an alarming rate his condition deteriorated so much so that the vet said he needed to be taken to the surgery and put on a drip. I should point out, that Bob the dog is very car sick and even such a short journey would have been bad for all of us. It was at that moment, that I decided to change vets. As the journey would undoubtably make the poor thing even sicker than he was already, the journey had to be worthwhile. So with the dog at his weakest we booked into Ystwyth Vets, and were seen soon after by a wonderful, cheerful vet who was both knowledgeable and comforting. He talked me through several different scenarios, some quite scary others not so and said the first thing we should do was a blood test. Which my previous vet had also suggested, but had dismissed it as a final resort as it was expensive. At once I was totally at ease with the vet at Ystwyth's and even though he also said it would be expensive, it was clearly the right thing to do as the situation was bad enough without waiting any longer. The results came back a week later, and they showed the dog had pancreatic failure, I don't know enough about medicine to explain the test results but they were extremely low and well below heathy guidelines. What I do know, now is that the pancreas works to digest fat and when it fails, the body stops being able to utilise the fat in the diet and it passes straight through. Which explained the foul faeces and rapid weight loss both of which the previous vet failed to pick up on months before. So, once the Ystwyth vet had the test results, he smiled and explained that now they knew what the problem was and told me not to worry because it was easily treated. To say I was relieved is an understatement. He gave me a tub of pancreatic enzymes without charge as they were past their sell by date. He explained it wasn't a drug they usually kept in stock, but he said that it was worth trying and they would order in some more after the weekend. And that although they were slightly over date it shouldn't make any difference as the tub hadn't been opened. That evening I fed all the dogs and walked them, I saw an immediate improvement in Bob, his faeces proved beyond a doubt that the enzymes worked, and from the next day onwards I was able to increase his food intake as the food I was putting into him was staying in! Gradually he's gained weight and his overall condition has improved a great deal. Before his illness he weighed 35kg at the time of his first consultation at Ystwyth vets he was down to just over 25kg, and at his last weigh in (Dec 2011) he's up to 29kg. When he was at his lowest weight and was very ill I made the decision to shave him, which we've never done as I like OESdogs to have a full coat, it's what sets them apart from other dogs. But as he had lost so much weight & condition, grooming was too painful for him. Now though, he's regaining weight, his body shape is filling out again and his hair has begun to regrow. He will never be the dog he was, as he will remain on this treatment for the rest of his life. But he's making an awesome recovery and is as bouncy and joyful as he ever was. So to sum up, make Ystwyth vets your first port of call. They are a large surgery with many specialised, experienced and knowledgeable veterinarians. The practice is very busy all the time but the staff are always pleasant and helpful. I cannot recommend them highly enough. read more