St Martins Veterinary Clinic is pleased to provide FREE nurse clinics for pets that would find them beneficial. Our Pet Health Counsellor (PHC) undertakes a number of clinics to make sure your pet's receive the ultimate in healthcare.
Weight watchers:
Obesity in pets is on the increase with up to 50% of dogs overweight and 15% seriously obese. In most cases this is the result of too many snacks and treats, coupled with a lack of exercise. As in humans, heart complaints, diabetes and arthritis are just some of the problems linked to pets being overweight. As a nation we are literally killing our pets with kindness.
We will assess your pet's weight and body score and suggest a target weight. Weight reduction is then achieved with a special restricted calorie diet and a gradual increase in exercise, but some innovative drugs are now available to make things easier in certain cases. The Pet Health Counsellor can formulate a diet and exercise plan suited to your lifestyle and your pet's needs.
Dental Clinics:
If your pet has smelly breath he/she has dental disease. Up to 80% of dogs and cats over the age of three years have dental tartar and gingivitis. This will inevitably lead to a painful condition known as peridontitis, with potential loss of teeth. Progression of dental disease can be easily reduced by regular tooth brushing. At present we are offering a comprehensive dental pack containing various tooth brushes, tooth pastes, oral chews etc, for £10 or less. The PHC will be pleased to demonstrate the best way to maintain good dental hygeine for your pet.
Club 8+ Clinics.
As the name suggests, our Club 8+ clinics are for older pets. Like humans, as animals get older they develop age related conditions and become more susceptible to disease. Remember that dogs and cats age seven times more quickly than humans, so an 8 year old pet is already well into middle age! Our aim is to teach you about preventative healthcare so that your pets will remain healthier as they age. Also these clinics provide an opportunity for conditions to be detected earlier, therefore they will have a more successful response to treatment.
General puppy and kitten advice.
The vet will discuss many aspects of your puppy's and kitten's welfare during consultations for vaccination but may not have time to answer all your questions. If you feel that you would like more information, our Pet Health Counsellor will be only too happy to help. You will be offered puppy or kitten information packs on your first visit but information sheets are available from the surgery and can be emailed to you.
Mobility clinics.
Like humans, the majority of animals get stiff or painful joints as they get older and may need therapy to ease the pain and increase their mobility. Any reduction in willingness to excercise, play or intereact, as well as signs of stiffness or lameness are a potential sign of arthritis. We can offer solutions to relieve these symptoms which may include joint supplements and a change in diet, although the PHC may advise seeing the vet for medication in more serious cases.
FREE advice is always available from the all the staff on routine aspects of your pet's health including: diet, flea and worm control.
Some PHC clinics are only available after an initial consultation with the vet.
