www.goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981

1. Newsletter Summer 2011 News Goudhurst vets and equine clinic has seen many changes in the last 18 months. We are extremely grateful for your continued loyalty. As some of you are aware CVS bought GoudhurstVets at the beginning of last year, this has allowed us to focus even more on your pets instead of on all the paperwork that comes with running a business. CVS leave the running of the clinical side of the practice to the vets and nurses, so please be reassured that we will continue to offer a very personal service. Recent additions to our team Francesca Hawkins (left)is our new clinical director. She qualified in 2004 and after a year in mixed practice she completed an internship at Bell Equine in 2006. Francesca maintains a keen interest in all aspects of equine practice and in particular in equine reproduction. She loves being walked by her Welsh Terrier “Maud”, riding her horse “Huggy” and playing hockey for Tunbridge Wells. Daniel Denness qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2004 and has been in practice for 14 years. He has a keen interest in exotic and wildlife species. Daniel is married to Jo and they have two boys, Harry and Oliver (pictured here with chicken pox and a chicken!) Daniel enthusiastically runs our puppy parties and joined the practice last December. Tina Boyden is our new permanent small animal vet.  She has recently moved back down south to be closer to her family after 9 years in Scotland.  She has brought with her, her 4yr old thoroughbred horse, “Assi” and her 9year old terrier “Roxy” who are both loving the warmer weather.  Tina qualified from Edinburgh vet school in 2009 and spent time at Croft referral hospital before joining a general practice in Aberdeen.  Tina has a particular interest in all aspects of surgery. These new members of staff have joined our existing team: Thelma Dance, Claire Devitt, Vicky Payne, Karen Casswell, Charlotte Cook, Claire Simpson and our trainee nurse, Maisie Forward. (Thelma managed to escape our group photo so I think a there should be a section just for her next time! We’d be lost without her. FH) CLAIRE DEVITTBVetMedCertEP MRCVS “I continue to work part-time in the practice , the same as I have done for the past few years. I continue to see small animals and horses and if unavailable, please leave a message. As many of you know, I sold the practice to a company called CVS last year. This was to spend more quality time with my family and get back to what I love, which is being a vet and seeing patients and clients. I have also handed over the management role to our new vet, Francesca Hawkins. Of course, I am always available to talk to, but Francesca will be handling day to day management. We remain totally committed to our patients and clients and to offering the best possible service.” www.goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981

2. Puppy parties Hills pet foods We have started running Puppy Parties that are designed to socialise your new puppy outside the family unit. They help your puppy feel more at ease visiting the vets and allow early interaction with other puppies. It is a four week course running on a Wednesday from 7.30 – 8.30pm. The course covers a wide variety of topics and can run along side other dog/puppy training classes. There is a £30 fee for the classes which includes a month’s supply of flea and worm treatment. Hills Vet Essentials is a high quality veterinary approved complete diet for cats and dogs. It is nutritionally balanced to help promote health, clean teeth and maintain a healthy urinary tract & digestive system. The diets are also specially formulated to contain antioxidants, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Hills guarantee your pet will like their food, or offer a full refund. Healthy Pet Club • We all like to spread the cost of bills wherever possible and now we can offer this facility to all our clients. You can now pay monthly for your pets’ routine veterinary treatments at our practice. These are the costs of pet ownership that insurance doesn’t cover • Your membership includes: • Annual vaccination for dogs, cats and rabbits • Complete flea and worm treatment • 10% discount on all products and services • Discounted micro-chipping • Two veterinary check up a year • Free Hills food • 20% discount on specific long term medications • For more information and its benefits please contact us. Nurse clinics We are now able to offer a wide variety of nurse clinics many of which are free of charge. Our services include weight checks, clipping beak and claws, tortoise checks, microchippingand flea checks. Please call for details and we will be happy to discuss your needs. Protect against lungworm Lungworm is becoming more of a problem in this area, year on year. The worms are transmitted via intermediate hosts of slugs & snails. A heavy infection will cause your pet to show signs such as weight loss, breathing problems, & bleeding disorders, which can be fatal. Advocate is the only product licensed to prevent this infection, and it also covers your pet’s against fleas & roundworms. Special offer for August Buy a 6 pack of Advocate flea & worm treatment & get 1 vial free Free urine analysis in September Both cats and dogs are prone to kidney disease as they get older. Regularly checking the urine can give us vital information about the health of your pets kidneys. Early detection of kidney disease allows us to start treatment to slow down the progression of this debilitating disease. Please drop in and ask for a free sample pot for dogs and advice on how to collect urine from your cat (it’s not as difficult as you may think!). www.goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981