We're all barking about it this Summer ...exciting new flea protection for your pets!

Convenient, Fast-acting, Family-friendly flea treatment the whole family will love!

Are you just ITCHING to find out more?

COMFORTIS is the no-fuss, no-mess way to protect your dog against fleas for a whole month. Dogs love the taste of the beef flavoured chewable tablets, which provide rapid treatment (within 30 minutes!) and lasting control of fleas - and it won't rub or wash off. Its just perfect for you and your pets to enjoy all the best summer water activities and stay cool and carefree.

In this hot, summer edition we also have some great tips on how to keep your pet cool and avoid heatstroke. We are Zooming in for a Groom and cool new hairstyle for summer and at AquaDog Fitness Centre we are making a splash to stay cool, fit and safe this summer silly season.

We have a winner!...now this is real cool! Congratulations to Sally Jones and her pets Davey & Molly for winning the $1000 jackpot in the Hills Dental Month Competition. Sally's regular visits to our Helensvale clinic to buy her pets premium food has paid off in a big way after our nutrition specialist and vet nurse Jackie encouraged Sally on the second last day of the competition to go straight home and enter. They say 'you have to be in it to win it' and this was one occasion when I'm sure Sally was happy she followed the exact advice of our petcare team. Well done to the Jones family and happy spending!

On a hot summer's day our pets cannot change their wardrobe or turn on the air conditioning to keep cool. Consider these points to avoid heatstroke in your pet.

• Is shade available all day?
• Is fresh, cool water always in reach? Provide more than one water source in case of spillage
• For indoor pets, is the house cool throughout the day?
• NEVER leave your pet in the car; even a quick errand can be dangerous
• NEVER exercise your pet in the heat of the day
• All animals are at risk but be extra careful of brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short noses such as Pugs and Bulldogs), heavy coated or overweight animals, and pets with heart or respiratory problems
• The Hair of the Dog? A well groomed short coat allows the heat to escape more easily. it also has the added summer bonus of being more manageable, prevents matts of hair which pinch the skin, grass seeds, dirt and sticks can easily be brushed out and even those paralysis ticks can't hide as easily. See our Zoom in for a Groom offer below.

Signs of heatstroke:

• Excessive panting and drooling
• Blueish or bright red tongue and gums
• Staggering or seizures

First aid for heatstroke:

• Cool your pet immediately; immersing your pet's body in cool water is best or use a hose
• Provide airflow over your pet with a fan
• Seek veterinary attention right away, use your car's air conditioning when travelling to vet

Intensive care may be required to save your pet's life. Ask us for more information or if you are concerned.

Zoom in for Groom...Cool off, freshen up and get your pet a stylish new look for summer. Whether your pets a Springer Spaniel who loves water play or a Persian cat who just love to catch those rays, short back and sides can be the answer to a cooler more comfortable summer. Your pet doesn't have to look like an army recruit, our professional pet stylists at Helensvale and Nerang can get your pet looking and feeling great in time to enjoy some carefree summer days of play.

Call us now for an appointment.

What are you getting your furry friend for Christmas? The list is endless but here are a few suggestions:

• Quality time: the best present you can give your pet is love and a good cuddle; they'll appreciate it more than anything
• Juicy bone: available from any good butcher, give a fresh raw bone that is big enough to chew on all day
• Cat dangler: cats love anything that dangles and flutters and will go nuts over a toy mouse
• Interactive toys: there are heaps available that require your pet to remove a treat providing hours of entertainment, ask us for information
• Slippery brick: a frozen ice block using beef or chicken stock can be a great treat and distraction on a hot day

Tips for a safe Christmas:

• Watch out for potential toxins with chocolate, nuts, garlic or onions
• Avoid cooked bones from the barbeque and watch out for left over meat on barbeque skewers, often the skewer is ingested too
• Be careful of left overs from your Christmas dinner, they can cause tummy upsets and diarrhoea

Wishing you and your pets a very Merry Christmas full of togetherness, fun and sharing from all your pet care team.

We would like to thank you for your support and trust in caring for your pets. As pets are our passion we wish you and your pets a safe and happy holiday period. If you need us over the Christmas New Year period please call the clinic.

Our December Trading hours:

Thurs 24 December  8am - 5pm
Friday 25 December Christmas Day CLOSED
Sat 26 December Boxing Day CLOSED
Mon 28 December Boxing Day Public Holiday CLOSED

For all out of hours emergencies contact details for veterinary care will be available on our clinic recorded message. 

Make a Splash...Stay cool and Safe for Summer!

Enjoy carefree swimming for your dog this summer at our AquaDog Health and Fitness Centre. About five hundred dogs every month visit AquaDog because it really is a fun, safe place to swim, cool off and stay fit this summer. 

The heated pool, indoor temperature controlled environment and specially designed entry ramp and hydrotherapy ledges makes AquaDog a great place for your dog to stay cool, fit and safe this summer. At AquaDog you get to choose your friends, and there's no need to worry about dog aggression problems or heat exhaustion, sun stroke, skin cancer, soft sand joint injuries, rips, strong currents or dumping waves, strangling weeds in dams or creeks, deadly ticks, mosquitoes and annoying insects, restrictive entries and access problems like home swimming pool or cleaning and replacing expensive filters. The AquaDog facilitity is specially designed for your dog's safety and is especially suited for teaching water safety to puppies as young as 10 - 12 weeks. The proven fitness and therapeutic benefits for heart, muscles and joints are terrific for dogs of all ages.

So Make a Splash and Stay Cool this summer...Get in the Swim and enjoy carefree summer days of play at AquaDog.

Get your summer edition Paws & Claws magazine from our clinic now! 

Enter our AquaDog Carefree Summer - Swim with a Friend competition to WIN a 10 swim pass valued at $109.

Our puppy preschool is a fun way for puppies and families to learn all the skills required for a rewarding life together. Under the expert guidance of our qualified nurses, parents can enjoy being involved in developing their new puppy's social skills to ensure they become polite and well behaved canine citizens. 

Classes are held once a week for 4 weeks 6.30 - 7.30pm. To join our next class, please call the location that suits your family and ask our friendly staff for more details or click here

Our 4 week program also includes a Puppy water safety class at our indoor swimming facility, AquaDog Health and Fitness Centre. For more information click here

We're so proud of our recent puppy preschool graduates...

At Nerang: Class commenced 07.10.09
Cooper Koda-Griffiths, Bonnie Beale, Rowdy Broadsoot, Tiger Summersby, Honey Mikha, Haze Avard.
Pictured at left: Haze all ready for his water safety class at AquaDog (no class photo available)

At Helensvale: Class commenced  07.10.09
Punchy James, Princess Nilon, Simba Warchola, Toby Rooks, Missy Nilon, Disco Johnson, Bella Miller (no class photo available).

At Arundel: Class commenced 13.10.09
Chloe Gadd, Dusty Potter, Lola Pye and Xena Power.

Congratulations and thank you to all the enthusiastic puppy preschoolers and their dedicated families for sharing the experience with lots of love learning and laughter. 

We hope you will enjoy the memories of your time together at Puppy Preschool by printing your class photo to display in the frame provided. To print your class photo or to email to friends and family go to our website www.thevets.com.au then go to E-cards to find your framed class photo.