Firework Fears

If your pet has firework fear or noise phobia don't wait until 5th November, now is the time to plan for a fireworks night to make it as stress free as possible. If you would like some tips please come and visit our clinic nurse for a free 15min advice session or book a behaviour consultation with Clare if the last 5th November is remembered for the wrong reasons (consult fee applies). Dogs and cats can be helped with plug in diffusers which release happy pheremones, these are available over the counter here. Visit www.adaptil.co.uk for dog advice and www.feliway.co.uk for cats or look in our library section under 'fireworks'.
For advice on how to help your pet have a stress free time on Bonfire night visit our information page and make sure the evening goes with a bang for the right reasons!
http://www.valevets.co.uk/dursley/library_fireworks.html

G'Day Mate and Good Luck!

Congratulations to our nurse Lauren who is going to travel Australia for a year and who already has her first job lined up. Take care I hear Koala's bite!
Any VN's out there want to come and work in our lovely practice drop us a line.

Four legs are better than two!

At least that is what we are hoping on Sunday the 30th September when a team of 8 of us plus our dogs attempt to complete the Five Valleys Walk to raise money for the Meningitis Trust. 
http://www.meningitis-trust.org/fundraising/events/walkers/five-valleys-walk

Tortoise Pyjama Parties!

Not as kinky as it sounds! It is coming up to hibernation time so we are holding our annual tortoise pre hibernation checks and talk. The talk is at Dursley on Friday 28th September at 7.30pm followed by health checks with more health checks available at Dursley on Saturday the 13th October at 2pm. We are also holding health checks at our Portishead clinic on Wednesday the 10th of October from 6pm. Please phone for an appointment time - don't be slow!

Rabbit Riddles!

Confused by your pet rabbit's behaviour, not sure if bunny is as healthy as he could be, wondering if you should get a rabbit as a pet? Then puzzle no longer, as part of the 'Rabbit Awareness Campaign' we are promoting our free rabbit clinic and for the month of September giving away free food samples and a 10% discount voucher on all Burgess products. For more information about the campaign visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk  To book an appointment please call reception.

Dog Show and Open Day

We have been busy this week getting ready for our open day and dog show this Sunday (12th August).The rosettes have arrived, the bouncy castle and brass band confirmed (not a brass band on a bouncy castle!) and Arthur has been super busy mowing the lawn and fields. All we need now is some nice weather and people to join the fun so we do hope you can visit us on Sunday 2 - 5pm.

Exam Success!

Celebrations and cake were in order today as our two final year student nurses received their theory exam results. Both passed with flying colours - Congratulations Liz and Nat, we knew you would do it!

Celebratory cake .........................

was eaten in honour of Pippa our Deputy Head Nurse who today has been working at the practice 12 years. Pip started as a trainee nurse and is now a senior nurse in charge of training the new trainee nurses. Happy Anniversary Pip, and thanks for the excuse to eat cake (not that we really ever need an excuse!)

Wedding Bells

rang this weekend for the marriage of Ella (our vet) to her fiance Ray in Wales. The rain held off and everyone had a great time, the happy couple are now setting off for a honeymoon in Kenya. We are not at all jealous!

and the band played on....

Good news Westerleigh Brass Band have been booked to play at our Charity Dog Show and Agility Display on Sunday August 12th 2 - 5pm. Our annual summer event is slightly different this year, the hospital tour will be available as usual but you can also enter our fun dog show, visit pets corner, bounce on a castle, enter the raffle, have a go at an agility course and enjoy some tea and cake! Lets hope the sun shines!

Extra sympathy,

is what I now have for owners trying to cage rest their pets! I have rescued a little terrier puppy who broke her hind leg and has to be rested for 4 weeks, we are only on week 2!! She is a ball of energy and tries to escape at every moment to run laps as though in training for the Olympics! If you have any good distraction techniques please post them on our Facebook page. I will let you know how she does.

Client Evening

On Tuesday 19th June 7.30pm we will be hosting an evening talk and demonstration by Emma Fretwell DC on the topic of chiropractic treatment for animals titled 'Old Dog New Bones'. The evening is free, just call reception to reserve spaces and to give me an idea of how much complimentary cheese and wine to buy!

All going swimmingly!

Congratulations to our nurse Anne who has raised nearly £400 for Marie Curie Cancer Care by completing the 2012 swimathon If you would like to donate to this cause please follow the link or visit our Facebook page to see a photo of Anne and her medal.http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=387047&langPref=en-CA

Congratulations Michelle!

Congratulations to our Head Receptionist Michelle and new husband Eric who have just returned from their honeymoon. Can't wait to see the photos of the big day!

Complimentary Therapy

Did you know that at Vale Vets we provide a complimentary therapy service for pets? Now I don't mean crystals and inscence but highly qualified specialists. We are visited weekly by physiotherapist Becki Simpson and chiropracter Emma Fretwell DC. Both are qualified to work with humans and animals and can often be found fixing the nurses aches and pains in their lunch hours! Ella Robotham one of our vets is also available to perform acupuncture - you don't have to be present if you are needle shy!

To find out more please call into reception or come to our wine and cheese evening 'Old Dog New Bones' on Tuesday 19th June 7pm for a free talk and demonstration by Emma. (Call reception to reserve a place)

Congratulations to our nurse Julie

. . . who has just given birth to a baby girl; this has made much of the team feel quite broody!  New baby Chloe will join Julie’s growing family which to date includes Leah,  a large  cat, oh and partner Andy.  Joining us for her maternity cover is Kate who trained here four years ago and has just returned from travelling in Canada. Welcome back!

Choosing a pet is a big decision to make -

it is, as the RSPCA remind us ‘For Life’ and if you choose a parrot or tortoise a very long life! To help make that decision we offer free nurse consultations on ‘Which pet is right for me?’ where we can help match your life style to the right species from hamster to hound and then the right breed from Chihuahua to Chow Chow. To book a consultation please call 01453 542092. 

New bespoke fitted kennels . . .

. . . have now been added to our dog ward in order to create much needed space. All our wards are species specific with the dog ward having both walk in and fitted kennels, a separate cattery with natural light and a reptile room with vivariums. All they need now are armchairs and TV’s and it will be home from home!   Thankfully the decorator was able to come and work overnight or we may have had paw prints on the floor and pets going home with white where there isn’t usually any! I think the night nurses liked having the company but were not so sure about his taste in music!

The tortoises are waking up

The tortoises are waking up from hibernation so it must be Spring!   We hold annual Tortoise Parties for pre and post hibernation. The post party is affectionately referred to as the ‘Coming Out Party’ and yes the tortoises do get to attend!  It is important after hibernation to check their weight and condition as low weight tortoises can become anorexic.

Our spring parties are over for this year, but if you want some advice, give us a call.  There are not very many people who know as much about tortoises as our resident exotic expert, Rachel Mowbray.  And look out for details here of our pre-hibernation parties.

Welcome to my diary!!

Here you will find useful news, hints and tips along with special offers and promotions from Vale Vets..... look out for our special promotion on Frontline flea products next month!