Happy New Year! NEWSFLASH BEAT THE VAT RISE - PRICES FROZEN UNTIL MARCH 31 2011 We will not be passing on the VAT rise to our clients for the first quarter of the year GUARANTEED AND REMEMBER, BUSTER'S PET HEALTH CLUB PRICES ARE FROZEN UNTIL JANUARY 2012 Contents 1. New Clinic in Flitwick - Now Open 2. New Year's Resolutions 3. Slimming Competition 4. Holiday Planning 5. Busters Pet Health Club 6. Photo Competition 1. New Clinic In Flitwick - Now Open On December 13 we opened our new branch in Flitwick, just opposite Tesco supermarket. The address is: 2 Steppingly Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1AJ You can call the Flitwick Clinic on 01525 888677 - during out of hours this phone will transfer you to the main Hospital at Barton-Le-Clay. Flitwick has been open over the Christmas period dealing with all those niggling little problems after Christmas. Please note that all clients registered at the Hospital, Cat Clinic or Flitwick Clinic can attend at any of the 3 sites (obviously only cats at the Cat Clinic!)
2. New Year Resolutions The TV and papers are full of advertisements for getting back into shape after Christmas and planning that all important summer holiday. But what about our pets? BONESS WEIGHT CLINICS Now that you have to summon up the will power to get back into shape yourself, why not apply the same to your pet if it is overweight? Do you know that 70% of pet dogs and 45% of pet cats in the UK are overweight? It is almost as though overweight pets are the norm and slim ones look malnourished. This has led to a huge increase in health problems in our pets, including diabetes mellitus, urinary tract problems, heart disease and immobility as a result of arthritis. Just the same problems those modern lifestyles have caused us! But what can you do about it if you think your pet is overweight? Firstly, come and get him or her weighed IT'S FREE. If your pet is overweight then we can help. We run weight clinics to help you and your pet be successful in the struggle. Weight clinics are run by veterinary nurses. The nurse will work out a feeding and exercise plan for your pet based on your pet's age and state of health, your lifestyle and what your pet is used to eating. The nurse will also work out a plan of desirable weight loss for your pet, it is important that the pet does not lose weight too quickly but equally he or she must make steady progress. Each month the nurse will check your pet and make sure that all is going to plan and help you make any adjustments to continue in the right direction. If at any time the nurse is concerned about the health of your pet (remember diseases can cause weight to go or up or down) the nurse will call a vet to check your pet. Weight clinics are free of charge to members of Buster's Pet Health Club and any diet food required is also eligible for a discount for members. Remember exercise is an important element for weight control and if in these short cold wintery days maybe you do not have enough time to exercise your dog we can help with this in the form of hydrotherapy. We all know that swimming is great exercise, but have you ever thought how difficult it is to walk or run underwater? We have an underwater treadmill and your dog can exercise in this to assist weight control. The treadmill sessions last about 30 minutes and are under the supervision of a veterinary nurse. They cost 24.00 and if you book 12 in advance you get them for the price of 10.
Check the link here to see an interactive condition chart for dogs: http://www.hillspet.co.uk/weight-loss/dog/weight-check/can-i-feel-my-dogs-ribs.aspx And the cat version is here:
Sadly, cats do not do well in the underwater treadmill but veterinary nurses can give you some tips on how to exercise cats. Cats pose some other problems too when they have to lose weight: they will eat other cats' food either in your house if you have other cats or in other people's houses, and they will raid bird tables and start hunting for their own food. Fortunately they can't get into wheelie bins on their own so raiding the bin does not usually pose too much of a problem in cats. The veterinary nurses can give you some tips on how to make sure your cat only eats at home and not elsewhere. Julia Boness MRCVS 3. Boness Slimmer Of The Year 2011 This year we will be running a competition for slimmer of the year in the categories of dog, cat and rabbit. Any patient that starts weight control clinics in 2011 with us will automatically be entered. The winners will be chosen at the end of October and will be those pets that have lost the greatest percentage of their bodyweight and kept it off. The prizes will be 3 months supply of food for the pets and 50 of beauty vouchers at the Tanning Station in Flitwick for their owners. Please refer to the conditions for entry on our website www.bonesspets.co.uk. It's free to enter and if your pet is a member of Buster's Pet Health Club, all the weight and initial nurse healthchecks are free as well. 4. Holiday Planning As you look forward to your holidays, do not forget about your pets. Maybe you intend to board them in a kennel or cattery? If so make sure you book in plenty of time they get very busy during peak periods such as Easter, summer and half term school holidays and Christmas. You will also need to remember to make sure all their vaccinations are valid and up to date and their certificates have been signed. Maybe you are having a house sitter or dog walker or friend coming in to look after your pet? Even if this is the case you should still make sure that your pet's vaccinations are up to date. Maybe you are taking your pet with you. If you are planning to take your pet abroad you will need to make sure his or her passport and rabies vaccinations are up to date. There are a lot of regulations concerning travelling pets and they change quite frequently so do not forget to check on the DEFRA website, www.defra.gov.uk, or
with us that you have done all you need to. If you are taking your pet to Europe there are some nasty diseases that we do not normally have in the UK that you should be aware of. We offer FREE TRAVEL CLINICS with a veterinary nurse to advise you on the preventive healthcare you need for your pet. If you are hoping to take your pet abroad this summer and do not already have a passport you need to act quickly, please phone us for advice on what you need to do. Whether you are travelling at home or abroad, if your pet is on medication, remember you will need to take adequate supplies with you, please don't leave it till the last minute. Julia Boness MRCVS 5. Busters Pet Health Club All your pet's preventive health care needs can now be paid for by monthly direct debit saving you 10% and giving you exclusive access to discounted services and products. - Annual booster vaccinations - Multi-worming treatments - Flea, tick, lice and mite protection - Full '12 body-system' check ups every 6 months includes free weight and dental checks, and claw clipping. And 10% OFF: - Neutering - Hill's Science Plan pet food - Dental homecare products (toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouth rinses) - Skin and coat products (shampoos, nutritional supplements) PLUS 15% OFF: - In house blood tests including thyroid screening & clotting profiles - In house urine tests - Glaucoma tests - Blood pressure tests - Dental treatment - Kennel cough vaccines - Rabies vaccines All for a low fixed monthly price: Cats: 12.95 Dogs: From 11.95 (depending on weight) Saving you 20-34 per year Buster's Pet Health Club - PRICES FIXED TILL JANUARY 2012 NEW FOR 2011 NOW INCLUDES 15% OFF RABIES VACCINATIONS 6. December's Photo Competition Winner December's winner was Branston Ellis.
This month's photo competition for a 30 voucher is: the best Christmas picture of your pet all entries to be in by January 30th 2011 by email to: mypet@vetlinks.co.uk Privacy Policy: We do not divulge our clients details to third parties unless required to do so by law.