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CLINIC NEWSLETTER - WINTER 2018CLINIC NEWS
WELCOME TO WINTER! Does anyone else feel like Winter started in Autumn this year?! Cold frosty mornings, fog filled drives to work, drizzle and rain throughout the day and barely a ray of sunshine... Oh Winter! At least we can all snuggle up with our pets inside by the heaters! Things seem to slow down in the colder months at the clinic, with the threats of heat stroke and snake bites diminishing by the day, thank goodness! We now shift our focus to keeping our older pets comfortable in the cold weather and making sure our new little puppies and kittens are tucked up warm and safe with a dry place to spend the night (even though they're guaranteed to sleep on the cold floor next to the expensive bed you bought them!) Read on to see all our tips for keeping your pets happy and healthy throughout the colder months. ~STAFF NEWS~ Our little clinic has been getting busier and busier recently which has lead to the need for some new members of staff! While we welcomed Dr Jess Grice to the NCVC team recently, Jess is now taking a few months away from the clinic for travels with her family. We will be eagerly awaiting her arrival back at the clinic! When one vet heads off, another comes back, and we have recently welcomed Dr. Carly Cheung back to the team after her maternity leave. She will be consulting for us on Wednesdays from now on and we are very glad to have her back with us! BABY ANNOUNCEMENT! Congratulations to our nurse Dani and her husband Zac on the news that they are soon to be parents! All is progressing well and Dani is heading off on maternity leave at the end of June. We wish them all the best! NEW NURSES! As Dani heads off on her maternity leave we have 2 new veterinary nurses joining our team and we hope you all get a chance to meet Nurses Georgie and Abbey at the clinic soon! TOPIC OF THE MOMENT WINTER HITS OLD PETS HARD! While most of us like to complain about the colder weather, we often find the ones it affects the most will never complain. These non-complainers I refer to are our stoic old canine friends. These old battlers will rarely complain about anything, but as conditions like osteoarthritis starts to affect these old guys we really need to help them cope with the colder months. BEDDING Providing additional bedding for support and warmth will go a long way to making them more comfortable. Beds such as the "Henry Hottie" (Available online at http://www.henryhottie.com) are specifically designed to offer extra support as well as maintaining heat in Winter and offering a cooling effect in Summer. They are the only bed to be endorsed by world renowned Animal Physio and Rehab Specialists DOGS IN MOTION (Vic) and two of our nurses swear by them! COATS Providing a winter coat for your dog can also help them to maintain body heat and minimise joint stiffness. There are many brands available these days, but we recommend a brand such as Weatherbeeta (Available online at https://www.weatherbeeta.com.au/products/dog-coats, or through the clinic) as they are durable, warm and waterproof. They also make your dog look super stylish! SUPPLEMENTS/FOOD There is a huge variety of supplements and foods available these days which may assist your old friend with mobility. Feeding a good quality diet is essential for older pets. Our recommendation for arthritis sufferers is Hill's Prescription Diet Canine J/D. This diet has a clinically proven combination of nutrients designed to improve your dogs ability to run, walk and jump in as little as 21 days and is available exclusively from vets. It is now also available as a combination diet called Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic & Mobility, which is designed for our heavier pets who require some weight loss to take the excess pressure off their joints. Both foods can be ordered through the clinic. 4Cyte is an oral granule supplement containing Green-lipped mussel, Abalone, shark cartilage and Biota orientalis seed oil extract (Epiitalis). Designed for joint and cartilage matrix support it may be of benefit for improving joint health and reducing arthritic symptoms in dogs. It is also available from the clinic. EXERCISE Gentle exercise is important in maintaining healthy active joint function in our older pets. While they may not be able to run and play like they used to, a short stroll to the letterbox or a meander around the block can do wonders for improving their mobility while continuing to offer mental stimulation. Care should be taken to not over-do the duration and impact of exercise in older pets and in some cases lower impact exercise such as swimming may be of more benefit. HEALTH CHECKS Maintaining yearly vet check ups for your elderly pets is always recommended. If pain and joint issues are addressed early we can provide effective medications for pain relief, keeping our pets happier and continuing to enjoy daily activities for many years to come! These check ups also allow us to monitor your pets dental health, sight, and hearing; all of which can be impacted by age. If you have concerns about your elderly pet, especially in the cooler months, please contact us for advice! Ph: 9726 9616. BOARDING CATTERY We have your feline friends all catered for here at the clinic with on site boarding available year round. Comfortable and affordable, you can rest assured on your trip away that your best kitty friend is being pampered by our dedicated nurses, with vets on hand if required. Rates are as follows: *Single cat - $17 per night *2 friends together - $30 per night *Cats requiring medications - $22 per night (all boarders require proof of a minimum F3 vaccine) For a reservation please phone 9726 9616 |
