HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

Wishing you and your pets a New Year full of good health, fun and fitness and many happy summer days of play with special friends and family.

Down at the Vets, we're embracing the New Year with summer holiday fun, health and fitness. It wouldn't be a new year without making some healthy new years resolutions. Did you know that 'You are what you eat' applies to our pets too. In this edition we offer some great tips to start your pet's year off with the best nutrition possible. You get a FREE beach towel when you purchase Hills Science Diet for your pet.  Equipped with your new beach towel and best friend, we also offer some tips to help make that refreshing trip to the beach as enjoyable and safe as possible for you and your dog. If safe carefree swimming for fitness is a priority you can enter our Make a splash with a friend competition at AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre.

At AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre you could WIN a 10 swim pass (valued at $109 ) when your friend experiences an introductory swim at half price. (only $15 normally $30). Just get your copy of Paws & Claws magazine from our clinics. 

The great value, fun and fitness is endless this month so join us in Embracing the New Year.
 

Apart from being closed on New Years Day our normal clinic hours will apply during January. For after hours and emergency veterinary care, please call the clinic and listen to the message for contact details

Good Healthy Fun at the local Pooch Parade!!!

They say there is always lots of fun to be had when kids and pets come together to play. That's exactly what Dr Paul experienced recently when he was part of the judging panel for the Dog show at Livingstone Christian College's Spring Fair. Although Dr Paul had some seriously difficult decisions to make to choose the winners, the five categories of Best vocals, Best tailwagger, Terrific tricks, Best Lookalike, Most adorable, just inspired fun, fun and more fun for all the children and their talented pets. The best vocals was fiercely contested with some of the best pooches suffering a little stage fright. Australian Idol here they come!

The overall winner was a dog called Bob the Builder (pictured left) a credit to the fabulous effort by his little owner (& no doubt her parents) Bob was a wonderful example of the energy & enthusiasm of all the competitors. The Vets sponsored a host of great prizes that included vouchers for FREE swimming at AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre, FREE Top to Tail veterinary examinations and FREE grooming for the pampered pooches. The winners also received some great doggie fashion items with leads and matching bandanas to dress up and show off at that next outing to the park with friends. Congratulations to all who participated in the fun.

Feeding your pet correctly is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a long and healthy life. 'You are what you eat' applies to pets as much as it does to us. A great new year's resolution is to start the year off feeding your pet correctly.

Here are some tips:

1. Feed a premium quality food formulated for your pet's stage of life: ask us to recommend a specific diet for your pet, there are suitable diets for a senior pet and for pets prone to gaining weight

2: Get your pet's weight checked: a weigh in at the clinic and a discussion about the ideal weight for your pet is essential

3. Measure the quantity of food and feed according to recommendations: don't just guess the amount necessary, as it is easy to feed too much

4. Avoid continually topping up the bowl, this is an easy way to overfeed and increase the calories

5.  Avoid feeding your left overs and table scraps, it is an easy way to give your pet an upset stomach

Receive a FREE Beach Towel when you purchase any 3.8kg or greater bag of Hills Science Diet across the feline and canine range.  Give your pet the best treat this Christmas.

Taking your dog to the beach on a hot summer's day is a great way to relax, socialise and cool off. Here's a few beach etiquette tips:

1. Remember that not all beaches are dog friendly. Check with your local council before you go. Find out if your dog is allowed off leash

2. Always make sure you are in control of your dog, never let your dog bound up to strangers or annoy others

3. Always pick up your dog's poo

4. Keep dogs off dunes and native vegetation areas where possible. Shore birds such as oystercatchers, plovers and terns nest in the dried seaweed band along the high tide mark and will not breed if disturbed. Signs are often posted on beaches to warn you of sensitive nesting areas

5. Take care near the water, dogs that swim in the surf can easily drown if they are swept under by a wave; consider placing a life jacket on your dog

6. Don't let your dog eat any dead fish or birds, these can be toxic if ingested

Visit http://www.petnet.com.au/parks-beaches to find a dog friendly beach near you.

If safe carefree swimming for fitness is a priority don't forget our AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre. Don't worry about any of the dangers of the beach. Make a splash with a friend this month and while your friend enjoys a half price introductory swim (only $15 normally $30) you can enter our competition to win a 10 swim pass valued at $109.

If you've noticed your pet is drinking more water lately it might be more than just the warmer weather. Increased thirst can be a sign of chronic kidney disease.

The kidneys contain thousands of little factories called Nephrons and their job is to work out how much water should be conserved in the body. Once damaged or destroyed, Nephrons do not function properly and can't regenerate. As a result, the body doesn't conserve enough water and your pet needs to drink more to stay hydrated. This can become particularly evident during the warmer months.

Toxins, drugs, diseases or even just old age can damage the Nephrons and your pet may not appear unwell until 75% of these Nephrons are damaged. Early intervention is the key to managing the disease. Regular blood and urine tests, especially after the age of 7 years, allow us to monitor the trend of your pet's kidney function and initiate treatment early. Diet modification and in some cases medication are needed to help out the kidneys.

If you are concerned or have noticed a change in your pet's thirst, please call us to arrange an appointment.

Our puppy pre-school 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 & Fitness Centre. For more information click here.

We're so proud of our recent PUPPY PRE-SCHOOL GRADUATES...

At Nerang: Class commenced 04.11.09 

Milly Tuohy, Cash Lewis, Giggles Johnson, Muppet Johnson, Jack Lelina, Max O'Brien

At Helensvale: Class commenced  03.11.09

Kelly Martin, Lucy Anderson, Bernie Dowd, Dallas St James, Sammi Conroy, Charlie Harich, Charlie Gleeson, Charlie Gleeson, Ruby Wilson-Grant, Milly Yarbrough.

Class commenced 24.11.09
Bella Brickles, Marley Brocklebank, Rebal Chapman, Ella Ingham, Rubie Adams, Miki Westerling, Coupe Burn.

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.