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National Microchip Month – “Cheap ‘Chips”

With many pets sadly going missing each year, Dart Vale Veterinary Group are pleased to be supporting the tenth annual National Microchipping Month in June.

Dart Vale Veterinary Group will be offering “cheap ‘chips” during the whole of June at their branches to provide pet owners with the opportunity to get their pets microchipped as the best method of permanently identifying them.  Priced at £12.50 rather than the usual £23.60 this is a great opportunity to get your pet ‘chipped.

National Microchipping Month is organised annually by the Kennel Club to promote Petlog, the country’s leading pet reunification service. Petlog has a database of over 6 million animals, and provides round the clock assistance to owners.

Microchipping is a simple and effective way of providing a quick and easy permanent method of identification.  This means that pets are reunited with their owners sooner rather then later if they become lost.

During June The Kennel Club is offering owners of microchipped pets a chance to update their details for £7.50 or upgrade to Petlog Premium for a one off lifetime membership fee of only £10.00, available online at www.petlogpremium.org.uk. Petlog Premium has additional benefits for owners without incurring any added costs, including:

• Update contact details – as often as you like
• Add emergency contact details – friends and family
• Add holiday details – to make sure that no matter where you travel, you can be contacted
• Email Alert – to vets, dog wardens etc within a 30 mile radius of where your pet went missing via a FREE smartphone App: mydoguk

See more News — Last updated on June 12, 2013

Let’s Talk About Cushings – FREE BLOOD SAMPLE

Has your horse or pony suffered from laminitis in the past? Is your horse overly hairy, looking a bit pot-bellied or just not his or her normal self?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, particularly the recurring laminitis one, and your horse is over 15 years of age, we’d suggest you give us a call so that we can investigate whether Cushing’s Disease (also known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction or “PPID”) may be to blame.

In conjunction with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Redwings Animal Sanctuary and The British Horse Society we are able to offer a FREE BLOOD SAMPLE until the end of June to test your horse for Cushings.  The offer covers the cost of the laboratory testing and does not cover the visit to the horse.  Why not share the visit with other owners at your stable to save money?  To take advantage of this great offer follow these easy steps:

1. Download your FREE CUSHINGS BLOOD SAMPLE voucher here and fill it out.
2. Phone 01803 867447 to book your visit quoting “Lets Talk About Cushings”
3. Hand the completed voucher to your vet when they visit your horse.
4. We will send off the blood sample and phone you with the results.

While many cases of laminitis have previously been thought to have been caused by nutritional issues, there is now a growing body of evidence that suggests that up to 80% of laminitis cases seen in practices like our own could be the result of a hormonal imbalance such as Cushing’s Disease – which is why we’re starting to talk about it.  A simple blood test could be all that is needed to diagnose Cushing’s.
(more…)

See more News — Last updated on March 12, 2013

FREE webinars for owners

See more News — Last updated on February 19, 2013

Win a holiday – Nominate us for the Pet Plan Veterinary Awards

We are proud of the professional and caring service we provide for all of our clients and their pets.  If you like what we do please nominate us for the Pet Plan Awards 2013.

Make a nomination today and you’ll go into the national draw to win one of three weekend escapes, which includes two nights accommodation at a pet friendly hotel in the UK.  Terms and conditions available at https://www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards/veterinary-awards-2013.asp

You can nominate the practice or a particular member of staff in the following categories:

• Practice of the Year
• Vet of the Year
• Vet Nurse of the Year
• Practice Manager of the Year
• Support Staff of the Year

Thank you in advance for your kind nominations.  To nominate us please click on the link https://www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards/Default.asp

See more News — Last updated on November 28, 2012

The 12 Pet Dangers of Christmas

The Christmas period presents animals with some added risks so to avoid having to call us out during the holiday period keep these hazards away from your pets.
1. Be careful not to overindulge your pets, as too much rich food can upset their digestive system causing vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
2. Never give alcohol, chocolate, raisons or grapes to your animals as they are toxic and can poison your pet.
3. Deck the halls… but remember holly and mistletoe are poisonous to pets.
4. Hang Christmas decorations (e.g. tinsel and baubles) well out of your pet’s way as they can cause serious injury if chewed or swallowed.
5. Keep plants away from pets as many are toxic. Lily’s are potentially fatal to cats.
6. Do not give bones as they can splinter and cause mouth injuries or be swallowed and get stuck.
7. Clean any spills of anti-freeze up as it is very toxic to animals.
8. If your pet has a medical condition, ensure you have enough medicine to last the holidays.
9. Never use crackers or party poppers when your pet is in the same room – loud bangs can frighten your pet and hurt their ears.
10. Be aware that noisy parties can intimidate animals, so provide your pet with a comfortable bed in a quiet part of the house where he can retreat.
11. Restrain dogs when travelling by car to visit friends and relatives.  Harnesses can be ordered from us.
12. Keep a routine – feed and exercise your pet at normal times.

See more News — Last updated on November 23, 2012

Dartmouth surgery change in opening hours

We would like to advise everybody that from Monday 19th November our Dartmouth surgery will be open between 1:00pm and 2:30pm.  We hope that these hours are more convenient for those working and avoiding the school run.  Our other surgeries remain unchanged.

See more News — Last updated on November 7, 2012

Fireworks Fear

It will soon be Guy Fawkes night and the return of Fireworks.  Unfortunately some pets just hate the loud bangs, whooshes and flashes of light.  If your pet shows destructive behaviour or hides or cowers then it is showing signs of FEAR.  Pets that are showing signs of anxiety may pant, pace, stop eating, tremble or go to the toilet more often. Even mild signs like lip smacking or yawning may mean that your Pet is saying “I don’t like these noises”.

There are several different things that you can do to help your pet cope with Fireworks.  If they show signs of FEAR then please go to your vet as early as possible so we can prescribe medication to help.

Anxious pets will benefit from calming products such as ADAPTIL or FELIWAY Diffusers or KALM-AID or ZYLKENE which are all based on natural calming systems and can be brought over the counter from us.
It is very important not to re-enforce any negative behaviour and by following the tips below you may help your pet cope.

Follow these top tips to help your pet cope with firework fears:

• Don’t punish your pet for being scared.
• Make sure your pet is in a safe and secure environment – do not take them outside when fireworks are likely to be used.  This may mean taking your dog for a walk earlier in the evening.
• Try and reduce the noise and light by closing curtains, closing windows and putting on a television or radio.
• Try not to fuss your pet as this will positively encourage fearful behaviour.  Calm invitations to sit next to you is ok but avoid forced affection.
• Using terms like “sit” and then treating the dog direct the reward towards calmly sitting rather than being treated for being nervous.
• Ignore any negative behaviour but engage when they are calm.
• Create a safe haven NOT a “bolt hole”
• Ensure your pet is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps.
• Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened animals can easily get lost.

If your pet shows signs of anxiety or fear this year it may be worth trying a sound de-sensitisation programme before next year.  This can take a long time and must be followed through properly to work.  Talk to your vet if this is something that interests you.

Speak to your vet. about ADAPTIL® for dogs or Feliway Diffuser® for cats or Zylkene, or Kalm-Aid

More information on firework fear can be found at http://www.secrettohappypets.com/fireworks/

ADAPTIL ® is a synthetic copy of the natural canine appeasing pheromone released by the nursing bitch. ADAPTIL® is the only product scientifically proven to reduce the intensity of fear felt by a dog during firework exposure.

ADAPTIL ® is available as a plug-in diffuser, spray and collar.  The collar starts calming within hours but the diffuser must be plugged in several days before the fireworks start.
Feliway® is a synthetic copy of the natural feline facial pheromone used by cats to mark their environment as safe and secure. Feliway® is the only product scientifically proven to control the signs of feline stress and may help reduce fearful reactions to loud noises and prevent stress due to indoor confinement.
Feliway® is available as a diffuser and spray.

Zylkène is a novel natural product derived from milk protein, which has relaxing properties and is proven to help manage stress in cats and dogs. Zylkène comes in capsules and is given once a day, either in a treat or the capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled on food. The powder is palatable and so administration is usually straightforward.There are no known side effects and it doesn’t cause problems such as sedation or memory loss.  Your pet must be given Zylkene daily for at least a week before the fireworks start.

See more News — Last updated on October 26, 2012

Welcome Annabel

The practice gives a warm welcome to Annabel Mitchell who joins our Brixham surgery as the new Qualified Nurse.  Annabel has just graduated from Harper Adams University and moves to us from a practice in Exeter.  She joins Lyvia and Emily and will start to provide FREE WEIGHT CLINICS at the Brixham surgery.

See more News — Last updated on September 12, 2012