|
NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2015
INTRODUCING OUR NEW NURSE CLINICS
We are very pleased to announce the commencement of our Nurse Clinics. The main purpose of one is to accommodate Puppy Pack appointments where as well as sorting out the flea and worm treatment, any questions/issues can be discussed. (If you have taken up a Kitten Pack, then of course you are also more than welcome to participate, although we appreciate that bringing a cat to the surgery is sometimes not that easy!). Also the other clinic will be a weight management clinic for overweight animals where our (highly competent!) nurses Ros and Emma will be able to discuss diets, formulate a plan and monitor your pet’s progress. Ros holds Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Emma holds a Pet Health Counsellor certificate. These clinics will be held every Tuesday and Thursday morning, between 9.30 am and 11.30 am, by appointment. In general our nurses are always happy to give advice over the telephone but sometimes it’s more advantageous to come down to the surgery.
SERVICE CHARGES
Unfortunately, owing to rising costs in overheads etc, we have had to take the decision to increase our Service charges slightly. We have always tried to keep our prices as low as possible and have not actually increased them for over 4 years, but we have now reached the point where we have no alternative.
‘SCHEDULE 3’ DRUGS – NEW PRESCRIPTION LAWS
The government has instigated new laws regarding the ordering of drugs known as Schedule 3. (This includes epilepsy drugs and opiod based pain relief, ie Tramadol, Epiphen, Phenoleptil). This means that when we place an order with our supplier, rather than it arriving the following day, we now have to post the prescription (as opposed to being allowed to fax it) thereby delaying the despatch from our wholesaler. Due to this unfortunate development, we would like to request that when ringing the surgery to order a repeat prescription for this type of drug, one week’s notice be given to ensure the drugs are ready for collection. Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.
A WOBBLY MOMENT …..
You know that feeling when you’ve just got off a roller coaster ride, or suffered from sea sickness and the blessed relief when your stability returns and your head stops spinning ….. Pets have a similar ‘stability control’ system, nerves running between the brain and the inner ear, which signal to the brain to maintain equilibrium when sitting up or down, jumping and running in circles. This is known as the Vestibular System, responsible for the balance function.
If a problem occurs and causes this system to malfunction this is known as Vestibular Disease. The symptoms can come on quite rapidly and cause extreme dizziness and disorientation. The signs can include head tilt, circling, staggering, vomiting, eyes flickering from side to side. (Generally speaking this condition occurs in older animals).
If your dog or cat displays any of these signs, you should try and keep them calm in a small area so they can’t injure themselves and then telephone the surgery. There are various reasons why Vestibular Disease can happen, such as an ear infection, polyps, thyroid problems or a tumour, however usually it is difficult to diagnose the exact cause. The problem can often be treated with a course of steroids and/or antibiotics and some TLC. The symptoms may take a few weeks to clear but hopefully the patient will return to their former fitness, with all four paws on the ground!
CHEEKY BOY
Remember that tiny little ginger bundle of fun (hand reared by our staff) featured in our last newsletter? Well as you can see ‘Sumo’ has now grown into a proper little boy cat now (renamed Sox) and has settled well into his new home. After a rather shaky start in life he’s certainly going from strength to strength.
|
