Winter 2011

Winter 2011 Newsletter

As we head into the season of snow, christmas pudding, mince pies and general good cheer I thought I would start us off with a newsletter specially for the cold winter nights.  It is a time of reflection and for us a year that has been very rewarding for the practice - winning Petplan Practice of the Year 2011 and being nominated for Best Website and Best Customer Experience at the London Vet Show 2011.  Again we thank you all for your support through the year and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We have been running a competition for the last 8 weeks and there are now just 2 weeks left to look for answers.  Would you like a years free pet food, worming and flea control for a year?  Now it is not the easiest competition to describe but here we go...

Each week we will post both on our Facebook site and on our website a piece of a picture. The full picture is lurking on our website - the picture can be anywhere on our site and you need to find it.  On the entry form you enter the 'description' of the picture.  The description is obtained by hovering your mouse over the picture - the pop-up will be the description.

Good Luck
Entry Form - A new form is filled in for each week.

Flea Explosion
If you thought you were the only one then think again!  We have been inundated with fleas over the last 6 weeks.  Why?  Well mostly because of the unprecedented warm autumn that we have been experiencing, this together with the warm and wet late summer has meant that all those eggs and pupae have hatched and are causing you one big headache.  Pupae and eggs once laid – these are the bug bear – are resistant to all treatments and they have the ability to stay in your house undisturbed for months waiting for the right conditions.  A large number of us have been complacent with treatments over the summer and now we are paying the price.  For more advice on how to prepare for the winter and getting rid of the fleas come and see the nurses and discuss your flea control.  We have a variety of products and treatments available and will advise on all of them and find ones that best suit your pet, family and environment.

The Future of Cat Vaccination
This is where it can get complicated!  I have spent hours and hours trying to sift my way through various vaccines that are available on the market.  I eventually decided that Purevax was the vaccine for us.  This is a revolutionary vaccine that does not use any adjuvants – so what?  Well normally it is difficult to get a vaccine to work properly without adding another 'chemical' to help the cat's immune system generate a decent response – well Purevax did it!  The lack of this adjuvant means that we are less likely to get tissue reactions, and subsequently less likely to get other reactions.  The Purevax range also has what appears to be the best and latest Calici virus protection.  This virus is mutating and is giving us a few problems.  If your cat has missed its vaccinations then please call us and book them in for a starter course with a great 15% discount. (Discounts available until 31st December)

Photo Competition 2013
I know this is a bit early!  If you have any photos that really push the right buttons then send them in and lets get some cute, funny or seasonal photos in for the next calendar.  Click here and submit your photos – please try and send us pics OVER 2MB only - this will allow the photos to be blown up larger keeping the quality.

Royal Canin Special
We are always looking to give you a good deal and now we have a combination of deals that make us competitive with the internet!  Buy 6 bags of Royal Canin and get the 7th free.  We still have a few loyalty cards left so please come in for your food and collect your loyalty cards ASAP.  We are also offering triple points over the next 3 months on all Royal Canin products.  If you are not collecting your Vet Treats yet then come in and get started.  Please remember you must get your points added on the day of purchase – points will not be added retrospectively.  Points can be redeemed off your vaccinations and consultations – so get free vaccinations by collecting your Vet Treats. (Triple Points 1st December - 28th February)

Creaky Club
Feel a bit stiff when you get out of bed in the morning?  Can’t quite do those things you used to?  Your pets suffer from the same issues and what’s worse is they can’t tell you.  We have been running our arthritis clinics for years now and they are really popular and my nurses are in a great position to advise you on the plethora of joints supplements on the market.  Not only can they advise on supplements but they are good at seeing who needs to come and see me to discuss anti-inflammtories.  So if your cat has stopped moving, doesn’t like getting on the counter anymore, your rabbit doesn't run around the garden anymore or your dog has that little stretch or limp on getting up, it's time to book your appointment to see a nurse. If your pet is already on joint supplements then get triple points on all your glucosamine products. (Triple Points - 1st December - 28th February )

Shhhhh, can you hear that Murmur?
At every single vaccination we make sure we check your pet's heart and it is possible that we have said we can hear a murmur.  So what is a murmur?  Murmurs are extra heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow that is sufficient to produce audible noise.  Most murmurs can only be heard with the assistance of a stethoscope.  Here are two files to hear the difference: Normal and Mitral Valve Murmer.  So what? Well a new test has been developed that allows us to determine whether your pet’s murmur is causing stress on the heart muscle – this blood test (Pro-BNP) is specifically able to tell us that the heart muscle is being stretched and potentially the start of congestive heart failure.  It’s the simplest blood test that can be done anytime and our nurses are available all day to take blood.  We are offering this test at a massive 35% discount up to the 31st December.  Call now to get your pets Pro-BNP done at a discounted £54.71.

We hope you have a blessed festive season.

Martin

Headlines:

• Winter 2011
  12 Nov 2011
  Winter 2011 Newsletter
  
  As we head into the season of snow, christmas pudding, mince pies and general good cheer I thought I would start us off with a newsletter specially for the cold winter nights.  It is a time of reflection and for us a year that has been very rewarding for the...    Read more
• Autumn 2011
  1 Sep 2011
  Hi Guys
  Please find our latest newsletter here to download    Read more
• Rabbit and Hutch 2011
  27 Apr 2011
  Hi everyone, its summer and its hot ! Our newest Rabbit and Hutch Newsletter is online for you to look through. News on vaccinations, maggots and our Health Plan amongst others.
  
  Click here to download the PDF.    Read more
• Febuary 2011
  1 Feb 2011
  Hi everyone, click on the February 2011 tab to read about our specials on Vet Treats and all the staff comings and goings. There is an article on cats and their high blood pressure and a special for all those dogs with creaky joints.
  We have also included the winners of the Pet Smile Month art...    Read more
• September and October 2010
  1 Sep 2010
  Dear Clients and all pets!
  
  We are nearly at the end of Pet Smile Month and we need more votes for all the photos you sent in for the calendar and so I thought I had better send you all an e-mail. If you sent in a photo get voting asap. I know that some of you might not be on Facebook...    Read more
• August newsletter 2010
  1 Aug 2010
  Last of the Summer Specials and an Art Competition!
  
  Pet Smile Month
  
  September is Pet Smile Month. This is an annual event which enjoys huge support and is a good time to look at your pets teeth and make any hygiene changes needed. The mainstay of home dental care is still...    Read more
• Spring / Summer 2010
  15 Jun 2010
  Our summer newsletter is now here so please have a read, we have been a bit slow this year but its due to a website upgrade, computer upgrades and generally a very busy surgery.
  
  What's in the newsletter? We have included some tips about pet passports, information on stress and using...    Read more
• New Website Launched
  14 Jun 2010
  =We have just launched our new website. Please take a look around and tell us what you think - any suggestions are welcome, positive or negative, all are greatly valued. Please send all feedback using our form - Feedback    Read more