Latest News and Updates - Page 3

Easter is almost here, and we'd like to reassure you that our opening hours over the Bank Holiday weekend will be the same as usual. 

Should you have an emergency, please call 01835 823257.

Easter is an indulgent time of the year, and whilst chocolate is a fond treat for us, it can have serious outcomes for dogs if they eat it. As a devoted pet owner, we know how important it is for you to be informed about potential dangers that our furry friends may face. At Greenside Veterinary Practice we share our valuable insights in this article, and guidance about chocolate and the affects it can have on your dog.

Inquisitive dogs and curious cats might enjoy investigating around the house, but the last thing you want them to do is harm themselves on household items.

As we step into Spring and many of us start deep cleaning, you should familiarise yourself with some of the many cleaning products that can be hazardous to your pets.

Happy World Book Day to our wonderful clients at Greenside Veterinary Practice. Join us as we celebrate our favourite fictional pets. In this article we also explore how we can all take the lessons that we learn from our beloved fictional pets into our everyday lives. Whether you are a fan of the classics such as Wilbur the pig and Stuart Little, or a lover of Bluey and the Australian Heeler family, there is a fictional animal dear to all of us.

We understand that getting your furry friend to take their medication can sometimes feel like a challenge. Here we’ve compiled a handy guide to help make giving your pet medicine a much smoother experience for both of you.

We believe that pet insurance is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Owning a pet is hugely rewarding, but it can also be expensive if they are to suffer an illness or injury.

Welcoming the New Year with resolutions for both you and your pets

As we step into a brand-new year, many of us will set new year resolutions to make positive changes in our lives. Why should this be any different for our family pets? Making resolutions for yourself and your pets can create healthy and happy habits and goals for the future. So, why not start the year with resolutions that cater to both you and your beloved pets?

At Greenside Veterinary Practice, we are here to help you discover the significance of including your pet's needs in your resolutions and how these changes can boost your pet's mental and physical wellbeing.

On 1st September 2023 our regulatory body, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) introduced new guidance on prescribing prescription-only medicines. There was a grace period until 1st January 2024 for some classes of medication including parasiticides (flea, tick and worming treatments). The new guidance requires that a clinical assessment, which usually entails a physical examination of your pet, be performed every time antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and parasiticides are prescribed.

The guidance is an important step towards ensuring responsible antimicrobial use and reduces the veterinary impact on the wider issues of global antibiotic resistance and decline in insect populations.

Your pet will need to have seen a Veterinary Surgeon for an in-person consultation to make an appropriate parasiticide treatment plan personalised to their lifestyle and risk. We will aim to do this at regular, routine vaccination and health check appointments to reduce the need for additional appointments. However, a separate 'parasiticide check up' consultation may be required. 

We will enter a prescription 'authorisation' of our recommendations onto your pet's clinical notes, which can then be used to issue medication for the following 12-months. Once this authorisation is in place you can order parasiticide treatment as you previously have done so. 

We are offering a reduced consultation fee of £44.75 for a 'parasiticide check up' consultation. This is free for members of our Pet Health for Life (PH4L) plan. 

For long term prescription medication which is not an antimicrobial/antiparasitic, our usual policy of requiring a regular examination usually every 3-6 months continues to apply. The medication review consultations will be charged at our usual fees. 

You can read the full guidance from the RCVS on their website

Here at Greenside Vets, we are committed to providing the best quality healthcare for your pet.

Essential research

There are many things to consider before you commit to a new pet and research is one of the best ways to prepare yourself. If you already have pets, then understanding how introducing a new pet could impact or affect your current animals is one important consideration. When choosing a pet, your decisions should be based on what best suits your lifestyle and living situation. Doing research on the different species and breeds will help you find a pet that matches your preferences and will teach you about their specific needs.

Over the last year, we have seen our costs increase significantly and we have absorbed the majority of these additional costs to try and support our customers during difficult times. However, with costs continuing to escalate, our prices need to increase to offset at least some of these higher costs.