A new rabbit vaccination has been developed that protects rabbits against both Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) in a single dose, and it provides protection for 12 months. Until now the vaccinations came seperately, and had to be given at least 2 weeks apart, in addition the Myxomatosis vaccine only provided protection for 6 months.

Both diseases are caused by viruses, and are widespread and endemic in wild rabbits in the UK.  Rabbits don’t need to come into contact with an infected rabbit, as the diseases can be spread by insects such as fleas. There is no effective treatment for either disease, and sadly nearly all rabbits that become infected die.

Rabbit vaccination rates across the country are very low at about 15%. This new vaccine enables you to protect your pet with one simple injection. If you’d like to find out more, please contact the practice.

If you have any questions on the best flea product for your pets and your lifestyle then please phone the practice to speak to a Vet or  Nurse, or book a free ‘Bug buster’ appointment with one of our nurses.

1in 5 cats have fleas and 1 in 10 dogs have fleas. With our special offer 1in 4 flea treatments will be completely FREE!

The PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) is a charity that helps over 350,000 sick or injured pets a year get veterinary treatment, that their owner would otherwise be unable to afford. The PDSA have asked all veterinary practices to raise just £1 a day through April. Although this seems like a small amount, if all the thousands of practices in the UK participate it will help raise a significant sum of money. So the staff at Summerhill have filled a jar full of sweets and are asking all our clients to guess how many sweets there are. For just 50p a go, not only do you have a chance of winning all those yummy sweets, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are helping pets in need. For more information about the PDSA, visit www.pdsa.org.uk

Summerhill has just purchased a new piece of equipment called a ‘Tonovet’. This specialised instrument measures the pressure inside your pet’s eyes and so is useful in the diagnosis and management of conditions such as glaucoma and uveitis. The Tonovet works by quickly and painlessly touching the surface of the eye with a small probe. All the animals we’ve used it with so far have allowed us to measure their pressures with ease.

Many dog owners are unaware that grapes and raisins can be poisonous to their pet. At present the toxic substance has yet to be identified, but varies significantly between different types of grapes and raisins. Some appear to cause no problems, while others (even if eaten in small quantities) can lead to fatal kidney failure. The Veterinary Poisons Informataion Service’s current advice is that regardless of the quantity consumed your dog should to be taken to the vets immediately where appropriate treatment can be given. This usually consists of making your dog vomit, then supporting his kidneys with 48 hours of intravenous fluid therapy (a drip).

Many cat owners are equally unaware that lily’s are poisonous to their pet. Unfortunately the toxic mechanism is currently not understood, but the end result is also kidney failure. It is believed that all parts of the plant are poisonous to cats and even a small exposure to the pollen can be potentially very dangerous.

If you have any concerns about your dog or cat coming into contact with these items, please call the practice at any time.

Merial (the makers of Frontline and Frontline Combo) have just released a new product for dogs. Certifect has the same ingredients in it as Frontline Combo (so offers outstanding flea protection), but it also has an additional ingredient that makes it even more effective against ticks.  Certifect kills ticks more quickly than any other product on the market and in addition is the only product that causes them to detach. Ticks have become more prevalent over recent years and with the risk of tick bourne diseases in certain parts of the UK, Certifect looks to be the product of choice where ticks are a concern. Please note that the product must NOT be used on cats. If you’d like to find out more, please speak to one of our nurses.

All the vets at Summerhill are keen to improve on their ‘GP’ knowledge and Helen is no exception. She has recently enrolled in a modular course run by the University of Liverpool Vet School, that will lead her towards a further qualification (known as a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice). Over the next two years she will be focusing on emergency critical care.  The whole practice will benefit from her training, as she will be able to share what’s she learnt with the other vets and nurses, ensuring that we can offer your pet the most up to date treatment in emergency situations.

Nearly half of UK pets are overweight, is yours? If you’re not sure click onto www.hillspet.co.uk and go to their ’Get your pet in shape’ section.  There’s an excelllent adjustable diagram to help you decide on your pets body condition score, and hence whether you need to take any action. Look under the ‘Is your pet in good shape’ and take the ‘Feel the ribs’ test! Obesity leads to a long list of health problems and a reduced life expectancy.  Our free ‘Weight watcher’ nurse clinics, not only keep you motivated with regular weigh ins, but our experienced nurses are able to advise you on a wide range of diets, supplements and other weight loss tools.  Your pet may live up to two years longer if it remains at its ideal body weight through its life.

Just to remind you all that our Hill’s loyalty scheme is still in force. If you by 6 bags of any Hill’s food (excluding prescription diets) you will get the 7th bag free.  Once your loyalty card has been stamped 6 times (for each bag of food), you will be entitled to £10 off a dog neuter, or £3 off a cat neuter, £5 off a vaccination, £2.50 off flea products, £5 off a microchip, £2 off dental products and £5 off a ‘well pet’ blood test.  Ask for a loyalty card at reception.

Hannah has been undertaking her nursing training at Summerhill for the last year, but we are happy to announce that this spring she will become one of our permanent members of staff.  Hannah will continue her training at Eastern College and under the supervision of our clinical coach Nadine, but as she will be spending more time at the practice, many more of you (and your pets) will get to meet her.