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So here we are in another New Year! The Ark House team

send our best wishes to each of you for a happy,

healthy and prosperous one! It’s been a busy time since the last issue of Paws, and you can read all our practice news (including an update of the team’s agility successes) on page 4.

In this issue we feature Chance the collie - following surgery, coming to the practice had become very traumatic for him (and consequently for his owner and vet too!). Hannah has successfully worked through a desensitisation programme with him, so that he now pulls on his lead in excitement to get into the consult room! Maybe you have a canine friend who might also benefit? In which case, why not take a look at Chance’s story on page 8?

We’ve also got some handy hints on keeping your rabbits and guinea pigs healthy and happy through the colder months - there are ten top tips on page 9.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, as well as updates on our patients’ progress, news and photos of your own pets. You can either speak with our reception team, give us a ring, or email us at enquires@arkhousevets.co.uk.

There are some fantastic pictures in the Gallery section of our website, but we’ve always got room for more!

With best wishes to all our friends, from Kate Semple and the team

Welcome to the latest issue of ‘Paws’- Ark House Vets’ quarterly magazine

‘we care like you care’

Here for you, whenever you need usWe continue to work hard to ensure that we are able to see your pet quickly when needed, so we offer long opening hours and a comprehensive emergency service.

Our opening hours are currently:8.00am - 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am - 3.00pm on Saturdays, whilst our emergency service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.Did you know that you can also book your pet’s appointment through our website: www.arkhousevets.co.ukSimply request an appointment using our easy online form and we will confirm by email. If you need an appointment within 36 hours (or just like the sound of our lovely receptionists) you can still call us on 01525 373329!

Emergency service: Because we use Vets Now to give you and your pets the best emergency service, we are able to provide emergency clinics in 4 locations to suit your needs the same.

In an emergency call our normal number 01525 373329.You will be given a choice of four clinics who can help. We will connect your call to them directly.

Vets Now Milton Keynes,Vets Now Luton, Beds Vets Barton,Vets Now Hemel Hempstead

All of these clinics email through any notes to us at 7am each morning so we will always know what may have happened if you need to visit them.

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Pedigree Southdown

Sheep

Hannah at Appledown

SallyMedcalf

Lucy

Lara

Practice news

...so if you’re sitting comfortably?!...We’d like to say a big WELCOME BACK! to Vet Nurse Lucy and Vet Lara who are both back from maternity leave. And whilst we’re really

pleased to have them back with us, sadly that does mean that we’ve had to say goodbye and thank

you to Vet Kate Jones – we wish her all the very best for the future!

Congratulations to Sarah Harling who is now a Registered Qualified Veterinary Nurse – we’re very proud of you. As a Veterinary Nurse

Training Practice we are proud to train these fantastic individuals who make such a positive difference to pet welfare in the UK.

And congratulations to Lesley, whose pedigree Southdown sheep have been winning all through 2013. On the left here you can see Holly Bar Meggie who won champion Southdown at the Moreton-in-Marsh show as well as at the East of England show.

Our new Physiotherapist Sally Medcalf has been very busy since joining us, and has already run plenty of clinics in the practice.

There’s lots to report from Ark House...There’s lots to report from Ark House...

And finally, our vets have been busy keeping up to date with new developments by attending the London Vet Show and the Vets Now Emergency and Critical Care Congress, as well as all the other courses and lectures that we each undertake regularly. Also, we’re pleased to report that Hannah has embarked on an MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour to add to her many existing qualifications!

Our vet and behaviourist Hannah Lyon gave a first aid talk to a huge bunch of fab pet owners to raise money for one of our favourite charities, Appledown Rescue. The event raised over £500, so thank you and well done to everyone who supported the evening.

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Henry

At Ark House we’re here to help at every stage of your pet’s life, and we know that in the early days you might need a little more help and advice than usual!FREE health checks - Is your puppy, kitten or rabbit less than 8 weeks old? They might be too young for his or her vaccinations, but we’d love to see them anyway! Bring your newest family member along for a FREE veterinary health check and plenty of advice – our friendly team are always on hand with handy tips to help settle your new pet into the family and keep them happy and healthy!

Simply call reception on 01525 373329 to arrange a convenient time to drop by.Online advice You’ll find lots of help and advice for your new pet on our website,

www.arkhousevets.co.uk. You can download a simple check list with tips, ideas and a list of key health care needs for your new bundle of joy!

Also see details of our new First Steps packages on page 6, we can help you to get your furry friend on the right track, right at the beginning,

and will save you money in the process!

Regular Paws readers will know that we have some agility stars at the practice!Ark House Agility gained 353 points and came 51st overall out of 112 clubs in Division 4 - not bad for a small club with five competing dogs last year!

Henry had a good season, which started with taking Runner Up in the Novice ABC at Crufts in March. Unfortunately a shoulder injury in July put him out for the rest of the season but this has now healed and we are working on his fitness to get him back ready and raring to go for next season.

Jake got a first place in Jumping at a show in October and Twiggy got fifth. Jake has just been awarded his Bronze Agility Warrant so we are very proud of him. Meanwhile Sunny has started his agility training - he’s certainly not lacking in enthusiasm!

Stan and Claire have had a brilliant year with numerous placings, the most significant being a win at Lincoln taking him to Grade 5. Well done Stan! They are both looking forward to what

they hope will be a successful 2014, and introducing newcomer Mavis to competing.

Noah went from Grade 4 to Grade 6 this season with six wins in agility and jumping classes. He is finding his feet in Grade 6 competing against some very fast experienced dogs on difficult courses!

Although if you read Noah’s blog you will find that he has got his weaving technique down pat (or so he tells us!)

http://noahsdogblog.wordpress.com

Agility news

Noah

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*The annual saving represents the difference between the annual cost of preventative healthcare and full price veterinary products and services for the average pet, compared with Paws Club membership.

PLUS£1 discount per month for every additional pet registered

• Annual supply of worming treatments• Topical flea treatments all year round• Vaccinations and boosters o For dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis o For cats: Flu, Enteritis and Leukaemia o For Rabbits: Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease• Afantastic10%discount*onallotherproductsandservicesatArkHouseVets• Full clinical check-ups twice a year, maintaining good general health and highlighting any problems early• Specialist dietary advice• Optional Accidental Injury Cover• Extended payment scheme for high-cost treatments• Convenient monthly payments by Direct Debit

thesmartwaytokeepyourpet&yourpursehealthyin 2013and beyond...

At ArkHouseVets, we know that prevention is always better than cure. And we understand that sometimes when all those essential treatments and vaccinations are due at once, the cost can be significant.

That’s why we created our Paws Club; helping you keep your pets in the best of health whilst also keeping costs manageable. So it’s better for your pet, and better for you.

HowmuchwillIsave?The annual cost of Paws Club membership is spread across the year for your convenience. Monthly payments vary according to the size of your pet, but all offer great value:

You can find out much more online at www.arkhousevets.co.uk/about-us/paws-club or ask at reception for more details.

What’sincluded?

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Little Paws First Steps for your puppy, kitten or bunnyGetting a new bundle of fun is so exciting and just as you want to do

what’s best for your little one, so do we!Our new First Steps packages help you to get your furry friend on the right track,

right at the beginning, and will save you money in the process!

Don’t forget that you’ll find lots more advice and information on new puppies and kittens on our website, arkhousevets.co.uk

Puppy First Steps includes: • Vaccination course • Flea treatment • Worming treatment • Microchip • Barking Heads puppy food • Health check at seven months • Advice, vouchers and recommendations plus a gorgeous bandana

And with all this for just £60, you’ll enjoy savings of more than £22 too!

Kitten First Steps includes: • Vaccination course • Flea treatment • Worming treatment • Microchip • Miaowing Heads kitten food • Health check at six months • Advice, vouchers, recommendations plus a fabulous cat nip mini cushion

And with all this for just £60, you’ll also enjoy savings of £29!

Baby Bunny First Steps includes: • Vaccination against Myxomatosis and VHD • Supa Rabbit Excel 2kg • Health check at six months old • Advice, vouchers and recommendations!

And with all this for £30, you’ll also be saving £10!

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Puppy PlaygroupsPuppy PlaygroupsPuppy Playgroup is as much for you, the owner, as it is for your puppy!

We hope to equip you with all the skills you need to raise a happy, secure, confident puppy. This is a unique opportunity for very early socialisation as we accept puppies that have only had their first vaccination (from 8 weeks old). Puppies can join the class until they are 13 weeks old but if you have a pup between 13 and 16 weeks who may need some confidence boosting please call to see if we can help.

We cover different topics week-by-week includ-ing body language, parasites, dental health, nutrition, basic training, handling skills as well as house training and fear re-lated issues. Prevention of behavioural issues such as food guarding is discussed and handouts provided to accompany the sessions.

Puppy Playgroup is held on Wednesday mornings at 11am and is run by our Pet Health Adviser, Debbie Culley a Registered Qualified Veterinary Nurse with over 30 years of experience who also holds behaviour qualifications.

Dogs and cats are now living

much longer and it is not unusual for

cats to reach twenty years old, and dogs fifteen. As our pets reach middle age and beyond, it is wise to keep an eye out for potential health problems, as prompt attention can reduce the severity of any symptoms or lead to an early cure.

That’s why we’re offering FREE senior consultations for all dogs over seven and all cats over nine years old. Annual vaccination provides an opportunity for yearly health checks, and with an additional free senior health check your pet will then be examined every six months at no extra cost to you.

The programme comprises four weekly sessions at £23.20 for the course, and a FREE worming treatment is included. Please call 01525 373329 for the next start date.

Senior check-upsSenior check-upsOur Qualified Veterinary Nurses will examine your pet to check for: • Lumps

• Weight problems • Oral disease • Stiffness • Changes to eyesight or hearing • Coat condition

Blood tests are also available at special rates, to detect early signs of kidney, liver or thyroid disease, and worming treatment is provided free of charge. If possible please bring a fresh urine sample with you (we understand that this is not always easy!)

If you would like to book a FREE appointment for your senior pet, simply call 01525 373329, and give your pet the best possible quality of life in his or her later years.

...and, because we care for every pet, no matter how young or old...

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Chance had become nervous of visiting the vets. He was very panicky in the consult room and struggled to cope when

having his booster or being examined - clearly something had to be done, for the sake of the nerves of all involved!

Chance has been coming to see Hannah, our vet and behaviourist, for desensitisation sessions for a couple of months now – and what a difference it has made! These weekly sessions have helped to build his con-fidence noticeably.

Initially the sessions involved simply coming into the consulting room, having some food rewards and going home again, helping Chance learn that ‘bad stuff’ does not always happen at the vets!

Then once we saw that Chance was actively pulling on his lead, confident and keen to come into the consult room, we began specific exercises such as getting used to wearing a muzzle and experiencing a stetho-scope. This training is still work in progress but as you can see from the photos, Chance is now comfort-able with having his heart listened to and being handled by the Ark House team.

Chance’s owner is really pleased: “Chance now pulls to come in to the waiting room. He is so excited to be coming to see Hannah!”

If you have a dog that is worried about coming into the surgery please do give us a call. These desensitisation programmes really work, and with a little time and patience, even the most nervous dogs can learn to love the vets!

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Give your rabbits lots of toys andactivities in their exercise run.

I need to stretch andrun to stayhealthy

Rabbits and guinea pigs have evolved to withstand the UK’s winter weather, but whether you keep your pets in-side or outside, they do require some additional care and special attention through the colder months of the year, to ensure they remain happy and healthy.

Ten simple things to remember:

1. Place hutches out of the wind and rain

2. Check in advance that the hutch is able able to withstand the

harsh winter weather

3. Remove wet and soiled bedding daily

4. Ensure that sufficient opportunities for exercise are available

5. Increase food rations for outdoor pets

6. Regularly check that outdoor bunnies’ and guinea pigs’

water and fresh food hasn’t frozen

7. Ensure indoor rabbits have fresh air circulating and aren’t

uncomfortably warm

8. In extreme weather, consider giving outdoor pets extra

protection with rugs, blankets or carpet off-cuts

9. Make sure you still spend quality time with your rabbit or

guinea pig

10. If your rabbit or guinea lives outside and becomes ill,

consider bringing them inside to convalesce

You can find more tips on what to do in winter in the Pet Factsheets section of our website www.arkhousevets.co.uk

Or visit www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk for more information.9

Winter Offers

. Save money on worming treatments .

As the weather continues to warm up, and your pet is out and about more we’d like to help you manage the inevitable risk of worms with a money off voucher saving you £1.50. You can also use the voucher to save money on worming for additional pets.Regular worming treatment is key, and it’s especially important to treat puppies and

kittens from an early age, as they may have been infected through their mother’s milk. We recommend treating your puppy or kitten every month for the first 6 months, reducing

to once every 3 months in adulthood, this is because worm control will only kill worms already present in the animal. Therefore it is important to treat your pet regularly,

especially if they hunt or scavenge.The most common treatment is by tablet or spot-on liquid, applied as drops to the

back of the neck, although we have a range of products available in the practice, and are always happy to discuss the best methods for you.

You can find out more by calling us on 01525 373329

January - Weight Awareness MonthIf your pet has had a few too many treats during the festive season, why not take advantage of

our special January offers:

• FREE ‘weight watcher’ appointment at our nurses’ clinic, plus• 5%offlowcaloriepetfood (orsave10%ifyou’reamemberofourPAWSclub!)

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’d like to help you keep the one you love safe. That’s why we’re offering a FREE microchip for every pet neutered during February.

Obesitycanbeafactorinmanyhealthconditionsthatcanaffectyourpet,sodon’tletitbecomea‘big’issue,

and make your appointment today.Call 01525373329 or visit www.arkhousevets.co.uk

• Preventing unplanned, unwanted and expensive kittens and puppies being born• Removingtheriskofseveraltypesofcanceranddiseases• Reducing aggression, straying, spraying, calling and other anti-social behaviour

Withamicrochipfitted,you’llknowthat ifyourpetdoesroamalittle too far from home, you can be quickly re-united, thanks to the contact details contained in the tiny chip. The chip is inserted under the skin behind your pet’s neck, in a simple and painless procedure that takes only a moment, but brings you a lifetime’s peace of mind.

March

OFFER

Neuteringisaverystraightforwardprocedurethathasmanybenefits:

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Simply cut out this voucher and hand in to the receptionist when you book your pet’s neutering for February.

F R E EM I C R O C H I PFor your pet during February

Recommend a friend and get £5 off your next treatment!*We always like to welcome new faces to Ark House, so when you recommend a friend, we’ll give you both a £5 voucher to spend in the practice! Once your friend registers with us, we’ll give you a £5 voucher and they will also receive the same discount off their first transaction. Ask at reception for further details, or your friend can fill in their details quickly and simply online at www.arkhousevets.co.uk, mentioning your name on the registration form.

As the weather continues to warm up, and your pet is out and about more, we’d like to help you manage the inevitable risk of worms.

You can also use the voucher to save money on worming for additional pets

January is weight awareness month at

• FREE ‘weight watcher’ appointment at our nurses’ clinic, plus• 5%offlowcaloriepetfood (orsave10%ifyou’reamemberofourPAWSclub!)

Call 01525373329 or visit www.arkhousevets.co.uk

Simply cut out the voucher and present to the receptionist when buying your chosen worming treatment.

. Save on worming treatments .

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Find us on Facebook and Foursquare ‘we care like you care’

22 Hockliffe Street,Leighton Buzzard,Bedfordshire,LU7 1HJ

Tel: 01525 373329Fax: 01525 852354Email: enquiries@arkhousevets.co.uk Surgery hours

Monday to Friday 8.00am - 8.00pmSaturday 8.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Out of hours emergenciesIn an emergency call our normal number 01525 373329.

You will be given a choice of four clinics who can help. We will connect your call to them directly.

Vets Now Milton KeynesVets Now LutonBeds Vets BartonVets Now Hemel Hempstead

All of these clinics email through any notes to us at 7am each morning so we will always know what may have happened if you need to visit them.

www.arkhousevets.co.uk