We're kicking this year off to a great start as we get organized to go back to school and work.

At Puppy Pre-school our students & families are embracing another year of learning to become well behaved canine citizens.

Love is in the Air! With Valentines Day approaching, our Comfortis Competition gives you the opportunity to really show your best friend how much you care and have a happy flea free Valentines Day. It's your chance to WIN free tickets for the whole family to Australian Outback Spectacular.

Purchase a pack of COMFORTIS for your dog during February, answer a short quiz and you and your family could WIN tickets to the New Australian Outback Spectacular Show!

AQUADOG NEWS FLASH... Exciting New Opening hours for your convenience!

If safe carefree swimming for fitness or rehab is a priority for your dog this summer, AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre has expanded its opening hours to better cater for you & your pet's needs.

Starting this month, we will now be open Tuesday to Sunday with more swimming sessions available after business hours for your convenience. All swim sessions will be fully supervised by an experienced vet nurse/canine swim coach. Call our friendly staff to make an appointment.

Last chance to WIN... AQUADOG 'Make a splash with a friend' Competition. Enjoy carefree swimming for summer and share with a friend. 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. Get your Entry Forms in Paws and Claws Magazine at our clinic and enter at AquaDog Health & Fitness (next to The VETS at Nerang).  Competition drawn 1^st March.

More information click here

We all know that the flea can make our pets itchy and uncomfortable but here are some interesting facts about this pesky pest that may intrigue you:

Fact 1: Fleas have been around for 100 million years, they have been found as fossils dating back to the dinosaur period!

Fact 2: Fleas can live without a blood meal for 100 days

Fact 3: Female fleas consume 15 x their body weight in blood daily

Fact 4: After a meal, eggs are laid within 36 hours

Fact 5: One female flea can lay 2000 eggs in her lifetime (usually 2-3 months)

Fact 6: Some fleas can jump 150 X their own body length- that's equivalent to a human jumping more than 300 meters - higher than some of Australia's tallest buildings

An important fact: Fleas love the warmer weather so make sure you keep up with regular prevention over summer. We will recommended a suitable product for your pet.

When choosing a flea control product, it's important to pick a product that kills the fleas before they get a chance to lay eggs - This breaks their lifecycle as seen in the diagram. In addition, you need to ensure that you treat your pet year-round to prevent fleas from building up in your home.

Thankfully there is a new product on the market this summer that will help you eliminate fleas from your dog!

COMFORTIS is the no-fuss, no-mess way to protect dogs against fleas for a whole month. Dogs love the taste of the beef-flavoured chewable tablets, which provide rapid treatment and lasting control of fleas.

So come in NOW and see us about a flea control program for your dog before the fleas see you first!

Show  your Best Friend how much you care. Have a happy flea free Valentines Day.

And your chance to WIN free tickets for the whole family to the New Australian Outback Spectacular.

Purchase a pack of Comfortis for your dog during February, answer a short quiz and you and your family could WIN tickets to the new Australian Outback Spectacular!

Do you ever notice an abnormal smell coming from your pet? Consider the possibilities below:

Anal Glands:  These are located at the anus and each time your pet produces a poo, the glands release a liquid scent as a marker for other animals. The glands can become blocked, causing irritation and a very smelly bottom. Ask us to empty the glands and to discuss ways to prevent the problem. Diet is especially important in maintaining healthy anal glands.

Ear infections: The ear is a mini environment and if the balance is upset with moisture and humidity, such as after swimming, bacteria and yeast may flourish. Ears can become very greasy and smell horrible; medications are needed to control infection.

Skin problems: Allergies, flea bites, mite infections and hormonal diseases can lead to a greasy and very smelly coat.

Flatulence: Poor quality diets which are low in digestibility, food allergies and a sudden change in food can produce wind in your pet. We can recommend a diet that will help reduce the problem.

Bad breath: Bad breath is a sign of dental disease. Your pet could be in pain and the unhealthy teeth may be causing disease elsewhere in the body. Ask us for a dental check today.

Have you heard about the dog who likes to be groomed with the vacuum cleaner rather than a brush? What about the cat who is fascinated with the fax, stealing anything that is printed and shredding it with her claws!

Our pets are very entertaining and sharing these stories with others is a favourite pastime of ours. We want to hear your stories! We have plenty of great prizes up for grabs and we'll even publish the best stories in upcoming newsletters.

Email us your funny, sad or memorable pet tale (less than 200 words) by clicking here.

We would love to see any funny photos or videos of your pet so feel free to email these too.

Whilst school children all over the Coast are just now returning to classes for 2010, so are our puppy preschools at all clinics, getting on with life and learning. After only a short break for Christmas our first puppy classes for 2010 have already started and with all the enthusiasm and exuberance you could expected from a bunch of pre-schoolers and their parents.

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 Preschool Graduates!

At Nerang:

Class commenced 01.12.09 (top photo)

Roxy Ballantyne, Bella Onley, Bentley Lewis, Charli Russell-Willett, Pompey Prince, Matilda Flannery

Class commenced 02.12.09 (bottom photo)

Summer Lowe, Stella Collins, Robson Vanderwal, Beau Houchen, Daisey Houchen, Diesel Marshall, Freyja Lowth

At Helensvale:

Class still in progress- see next newsletter

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.