PET PATTER
Welcome to the Spring 2010 edition of our practice newsletter. We hope you had a good Christmas and would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2010. We have all endured some unusually snowy and cold weather during January. Hopefully now that Spring is with us we will all start to enjoy some decent weather.

Extended Opening Hours
Heathcote Veterinary Centre started opening on Sundays from 9.00am to 12.30pm at the beginning of January. Appointments (both urgent and routine) are available with the duty veterinary surgeon. Reception is also open for appointment bookings, pharmacy collections, food purchases and general enquiries. All of these services are at normal weekday prices.

Staff News
We are sad to announce that vet Hannah Wright is leaving the practice for pastures new at the end of March. Hannah has been a real asset to the practice since joining us in 2002. I am sure you, like us, will miss her enormously. Hannah is moving to Bewdley in Worcestershire where she will manage and run a small animal practice. We wish her all the best for her future. We hope to be able to introduce Hannah’s replacement in the next edition of this newsletter.

Our Saturday receptionist Julie Elliott went on maternity leave at the end of January. She is expecting her second child in March. Our previous Saturday receptionist Dee Swindells is returning to cover Julie’s maternity leave.

Vet John Hutchinson is currently training for and planning a sponsored cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats-a route of just over 1000 miles. He plans to leave Land’s End on 1st May and arrive in John O’Groats on 14th May. He will have the support of fellow cyclist Max Wilcox on the cycle-they will otherwise be unsupported. John would like to raise money for the local branches of Cat’s Protection and RSPCA. Anyone who would like to sponsor John’s cycle can do so at the surgery (RSPCA) or on the Just Giving website (Cat’s Protection). John is funding all of the costs of the trip by himself so all sponsorship received will go directly to the charities.

Get Fit After Christmas
Obesity has similar effects in animals as in people. Excess weight can cause or worsen conditions like arthritis, heart disease, breathing difficulties and diabetes. Unfortunately obesity can reduce quality of life and life expectancy.

Vets and nurses at the practice are qualified to advise you on the correct weight for your pet and to help your pet to lose excessive weight. Just as in people weight loss can normally be achieved by a reduction in calorie intake and when appropriate and increase in exercise levels. Our weight loss clinics help you to monitor your pet’s progress. Most pets and owners see the benefits of weight loss soon after embarking on a weight loss program. If you want advice on weight loss please ask any of the staff.

Worming
Cats and dogs should be wormed every three months. We have been using Milbemax to worm your dogs and cats for a number of years. Milbemax is a very effective wormer, is easy to administer and is very competitively priced. We continue to run a buy three get one free offer for those of you who choose to buy a whole year’s supply at one go. For details on this ongoing offer ask at reception.

Animal Ambulance
The practice has had its ambulance for almost a year. We use it to visit animals at home, to transport pets and to deliver foods and prescriptions. We are pleased to see that more and more of you are making use of our ambulance service.

Pet Vaccinations
Last year brought with it economic changes that many of us had never experienced before. Last year we introduced a scheme where we gave a ten percent discount on booster vaccines which were given within one month of their due date. We have decided to continue this policy throughout 2010. In is very important to keep your pet’s vaccination up to date as we still see contagious diseases like Parvovirus in dogs and Cat Flu in cats. We also carry out full clinical examinations and are happy to answer any other questions you might have about your pet during these consultations.

Most people now have their cats vaccinated against Feline Leukaemia Virus. Feline Leukaemia Virus infection is one of the commonest causes of premature death in cats. The virus is found in the cat saliva and is generally spread to another cat by licking or biting. The virus can cause leukaemia or can suppress a cat’s immune system leaving them more prone to infection. Our vaccine against Feline Leukaemia Virus is very effective. Please contact us if you would like to have your cat vaccinated against this disease.

We were overwhelmed with your Christmas cards, good wishes and presents during December. We all enjoy providing veterinary care and advice to you and your pets. It is great to know that our work is appreciated by so many. We strive to improve the service we offer every year. We hope that you will experience further improvements in our service during 2010.

Heathcote Veterinary Centre, 123-125, Heathcote Road, Whitnash, Leamington Spa, CV31 2LX  Telephone 01926 337790 www.heathcotevets.co.uk