WELCOME, SPECIAL OFFERS & NEWS

June 2009
National Vaccination Month & Dry Eye Check Up

National Vaccination Month - During June we will be taking part in this annual initiative to encourage pet owners to resume any lapsed vaccinations for their cats, dogs and rabbits.  If your pets’ vaccination is now out of date a course of two injections will be required to provide full protection, annual boosters are required to maintain immunity levels.

To help pet owners with the cost we are running a vaccine amnesty scheme where the pet will receive the full vaccination course for the price of just the yearly booster (saving you up to £30)!  To take part in the Amnesty, pet owners will be required to produce a voucher – either directly from www.vaccinationmonth.co.uk or contact the surgery and we can organise one for you if you do not have access to the internet.

Dry Eye - During June and July, we are offering a FREE Dry Eye Check Up for your dog.  This is a disease that can affect dogs of every breed (although some more commonly than others) and all ages (as many as 1 in 22 dogs are affected).  Dogs with Dry Eye have a reduction or complete lack of natural tear production.  Natural tears have many important functions which are lost in dry-eye.  They cleanse and lubricate, bring supplies of oxygen and nutrients to the eye, help protect from infection and play an important role in vision.

The condition is very painful and if not treated may lead to permanent blindness - Without tears eyes become very dry and uncomfortable.  Eye infections and ulcers become more common and growth of new blood vessels and pigmentation can develop on the surface of the eye.  Eventually these changes can lead to permanent blindness.  Early recognition and treatment of this condition is vital to avoid suffering and potential blindness.  However, the appearance of dry-eye can be quite variable, some eyes can even look quite normal despite very low tear production.

We are offering a complimentary check up and test for this disease during June, the test takes about 60 seconds and the results are available immediately.  Why wait, book an appointment with us now.

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Rock View Veterinary Surgery opened its doors in May 2006. As a small animal only veterinary surgery (ie: Birds, Cats, Dogs, Rabbits and Small Furries) our aim is to provide your pet with the best possible care available, and to provide you, our client, with the reassurance, time and professional manner that you deserve. We are confident that we can offer a personal one to one service when you visit us.

All visitors to the surgery whether you are local or on holiday in the area are welcome, and our friendly vets, nurses and administration staff will be happy to answer any questions or problems that your pet might have.

The surgery is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm daily, with extended opening on Thursdays until 7pm. Saturdays 8.30am to 12.30pm. We have a vet on 24hr Emergency Call.

Our surgeries at Rock View are by appointment during the following times:

Lungworm - Is your dog inquisitive? Has your dog ever eaten slugs, snails or frogs, either on purpose or by accident .... and would you know? Are foxes, slugs and snails present where you live or where you walk your dog? If your answer is "yes" to any of the above questions they yoru dog could be at risk from a potentially life-threatening lungworm called Angiostrongylus vasorum which is spread by slugs, snails and occasionally frogs. Foxes can even spread infection via their faeces. Lungworm used to be confired to South Wales, South West and some areas of the South East, more recently cases have been diagnosed over a much wider area throughout the UK, including Scotland and ireland.

If your dog suffers from any of the following sysmtoms you should contact your vet and treat for lungworm:

Breathing problems or Coughing,
Bleeding from the nose,
Weight Loss,
Loss of appetite,
Lethargy,
Vomitting and diarrhoea,
Exercise intolerance,
Generally off colour.

Life cycle of Lungworm:

1. Adult worms are found in the heart and pulmonary arteries. The worms lay eggs which hatch into larvae and pass into the airways of the lung.
2. The larvae are then coughed up and swallowed, passing out in the dog's faeces.
3. Slugs and snails then swallow the larvae and pose a threat to young and inquisitive dogs, though dogs of all ages can be affected.
4. Frogs can also be a part of the lungworm life cycle.
5. Foxes are natural hosts for lungworm and are also responsible for the spread of the disease.

Ethylene Glycol Poisoning in Cats - The RSPCA has experienced a number of cases in the South West of both malicious and accidental antifreeze poisoning (ethylene glycol) fatalities in cats. Please be careful how you store and use antifreeze especially if you have cats.

Booster Vaccinations - New prices for your pets booster vaccinations - please call us to see what we can offer you (discounts also available for 2 or more pets receiving boosters at the same time).

Microchip Offer - If your pet has to undergo a General Anaesthetic at the surgery, we are offering you the opportunity to get your pet microchipped for a discounted price. Call us for more details.

Puppy Vaccination Scandal - Vets have become increasingly alarmed by someone (without a licence) who has been vaccinating puppies in the local area. Owners could be putting their puppy at risk by letting someone inject him/her with something that could well be harmful.  At the least it could only be water that is injected, so when you think your puppy is vaccinated but is not actually covered at all.  A correct vaccination course is not cheap but includes a full clinical examination carried out by a qualified vet.  During an examination, teeth, ears, eyes and heart are all checked.  Often problems are picked up at this first examination and preventative or corrective treatment can be started as soon as possible. Our advice to anyone offered a cheap vaccination is to refuse.

During the latest Parvo scare many puppies that were not vaccinated became poorly. DO NOT risk it – get your puppy vaccinated by a qualified vet, where you will be given a signed vaccination certificate with the practice stamp on.  You will also need this certificate if you wish to put your dog in kennels at a later date.

Parvo Virus - Was reported to be in the areas of Scorrier (Redruth) and Exeter around Christmas 2008. Parvo Virus is a viral disease affecting dogs. Puppies and older dogs are most at risk. The virus attacks the cells of the intestines, and causes vomiting and diarrhoea and affected animals can go downhill very quickly. If your dog shows signs of vomiting and diarrhoea the sooner it is seen by a vet the better. However, not all vomiting and diarrhoea could be Parvo, but the sooner the animal is treated the better the outcome.

Therefore, prevention is the best cure! Get your dog's vaccinations up to date. Rock View are still running a vaccine amnesty, so if your pet has missed their booster vaccination, please call the surgery, we may be able to restart their vaccines for JUST the cost of a booster.

Veterinary Prescriptions - As from 1 November 2008 veterinary surgeons will be charging to complete a Written Prescription for items which may be purchased via the Internet. This prescription charge IS NOT applicable for repeat prescriptions via the surgery. A Written Prescription will be £10 + VAT (£11.75). The applicable fee will be charged for each separate item.

The charge for a routine prescription check for your animal at the surgery from 1 November 2008 has been reduced to £10 + VAT (£11.75). A veterinary examination of your pet will still be necessary within the specified time scale set out by the Royal Veterinary College which is a maximum of 6 monthly.

Repeat Prescriptions - It is our responsibility to ensure that as far as possible your pet does not develop side effects whilst on any drug we may have prescribed. All drugs have side effects but they can be minimised with good effective monitoring. Unlike humans your pet is unable to tell you that the medication is a) working and b) having no side effects. Dependant on your pets condition and drug they are on we will have decided on how many repeat prescriptions your pet may have without endangering their health in anyway. In general, repeat prescriptions are given for 6, 3 or even monthly.

In order to ensure that all pets get their prescriptions and to save you waiting, 24hrs notice is required for all repeat prescriptions – The vet has to sign off each and every prescription.

Please tell us if your pet is unwell on the medication. Please advise us if you think the medication is not working.