goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981

1. Summer 2012 NEWS Welcome to our summer newsletter. This is the third newsletter I’ve written since I started managing the clinic and I’m pleased to say the practice is thriving and we are extremely grateful for all your loyalty – we are well aware that there are many vet practices for you to choose from and as ever always welcome your feedback. One of my primary aims when I started here was to stabilise the team which had seen a lot of change, to improve continuity for our clients and their animals. We certainly feel like a close knit bunch now. Sadly though, staff do move on for various reasons and unfortunately we are going through a bit of a spell at the moment. Our trainee nurse Maisie Forward has gone on maternity leave, Daniel Denness our ever enthusiastic nurse is becoming head nurse at our out of hours service provider Vets Now, in Tunbridge Wells and Claire Simpson is expecting her second baby in January. We wish them all well. I hope none of you need to use our out of hours service but if ever you do Daniel is looking forward to making it as good an experience as possible. Emily Parton our part time receptionist has decided to spend more time with her son, Henry. So we look to the future and some new faces to welcome you whenever you need us. Abby Stuchbury (pictured right) has temporarily replaced Maisie as a trainee nurse. She’s a fast learner and a pleasure to have on the team. Lucy Ireland is a very experienced veterinary nurse and will join us at the end of August and Caroline Markowski has replaced Emily to greet you on reception. They all look forward to getting to know you and your pets. Tina walking our dogs, Maud and Roxy at a rain delayed Brightling Horse Trials Congratulations! Maisie and her partner James welcomed Esme to the world on July 6th (pictured below). Francesca and Geoff had a wonderful wedding on April 14th and thank you for all your kind wishes (pictured left). www.goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981

2. Holistic approach to veterinary care Vicky Payne BVetMed MRCVS offer Holistic Veterinary Care to all our clients. She is an experienced conventional vet (she helps out here regularly when vets are ill or on holiday) but also uses herbal medicines, acupuncture, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to bring animals back to health . Acupuncture is mostly used for animals with muscle problems, arthritis or recovering from surgery but can be useful in other cases too. Herbal medicines can be useful in complicated or chronic conditions, where conventional drugs don’t help or to reduce the side-effects of conventional treatments. Pesky slugs are a real threat Rabbit Awareness Week 15th – 22nd September A new vaccine has been released for rabbits this Spring. This combined vaccine gives protection against Myxomatosis & Viral Haemorrhagic Disease in a single yearly injection. We recommend vaccination of all rabbits (both indoor & outdoor) as both diseases are transmitted by biting insects & are often fatal. Don’t forget to check your rabbit regularly as the weather warms up. Make sure they have shelter & water & are not becoming soiled underneath which will lead to fly strike – call us for more information. Why do we advise spot-on every month? Advocate is the only product licensed for prevention of lungworm which is prevalent in this area. Lungworm infects dogs and foxes and is transmitted via eating snails or slugs, which are in abundance due to the wet summer. Slugs and snails in their juvenile stages can be accidentally ingested by eating grass or drinking from puddles. Lungworm causes breathing problems, bleeding problems, behavioural changes, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and can be fatal. Prevention is much simpler than cure and the only prevention available is advocate spot-on, on the back of the neck monthly. Advocate also covers your dog against fleas, lice, mites and roundworms. www.goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981