WINTER 2014
Spread the payments and reduce
the cost of your pet care now!
Whether you are a new or an existing client, we would
like to thank you for choosing our practice. Our aim is
to provide the best possible health care for your pets
in a pleasant, friendly environment.
We are committed to keeping abreast of the latest
developments in modern veterinary practice – providing
high quality treatment at sensible prices. To enable pet
owners to spread the cost of routine treatment, such
as vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and regular
health checks, we have designed our own practice
membership scheme – the Willows Healthcare Plan.
The plan provides your pet with:
Two full clinical examinations per year, the first with
the annual booster, plus another clinical examination
six months later, to include:
• General health • Nail length • Ears
• Dental check • Eyes • Anal glands check
• Skin and coat • Joints and muscles
• Heart and lungs • Microchip check • Weight
4 Annual booster vaccinations
4 Worming treatments (sufficient for 12 months)
4 Flea treatments (sufficient for 12 months)
10% Discount Off:
Neutering / Additional vaccinations (e.g. Kennel Cough)
Rabies Vaccination / Dental work / Additional worming
(e.g. lungworm) / Tick prevention on dogs if required.
Additional Benefits:
4 Accident Insurance Option
4 Seasonal Special offers and
discounts for Plan Members
4 Extended Payment Scheme
over four months
4 Personalised printed Treatment Planner.
Please note: The discount is available to clients for the procedures undertaken at our practice, and at no other external clinics. Private cremations,
out of hours consultations or referrals are not eligible for discount.
Aches and pains – is your pet affected?
Cold damp weather can
Diagram of a synovial joint
unmask signs of arthritic
Fibrous ligaments
change in dogs and cats,
hold the bones
together forming
and now is a great time
the joint capsule
to take a good look at
your pets and make sure
Synovial
membrane
they are comfortable.
Synovial
Do they seem stiff or
fluid
lame? Do they have difficulty getting up or
Articular
lying down? Does it take a while for them
cartilage
to get going in the morning? If so, your pet
will benefit from a check over to identify any
problems and work out how best to treat them.
Joint X-rays
The joints that are most susceptible to arthritis are those permitting free limb movements
– called synovial joints. The ends of the bones
that meet at these joints are covered by very
smooth articular cartilage and lubricated with
synovial fluid.
In pets with arthritis, this protective cartilage
is damaged and worn away, resulting in exposure of the underlying bone causing pain and
inflammation. Secondary “fluffy” new bone is
commonly deposited around the joint and may
be seen on xray. Affected joints commonly
appear stiff, swollen and painful.
Although arthritis cannot usually be cured,
there are several things we can do to help.
The top xray shows a normal
• Weight control: overweight pets tend to
healthy elbow joint, whilst the
struggle far more with stiffness and arthritis
bottom xray shows a very arthritic
than slender ones, as the extra weight puts
one with lots of “fluffy” new bone
(yellow arrows) around the joint.
more strain on diseased joints and weight
loss can really help.
• Exercise regimes can also make a difference. Most stiff dogs benefit from
two or three shorter walks every day than one long one from time to time.
Other forms of exercise may also be helpful, and hydrotherapy may be useful
in some cases.
• Food supplements and medication may also be required. We can advise on
appropriate food supplements such as those containing EFAs (essential fatty
acids) and glucosamine, and can prescribe anti-inflammatory treatments as
required.
If your pet is showing any signs of arthritis, please come and see us for a checkup today.
FOR FREE NEUTERING AND RE-HOMING CATS, contact St. Francis Animal Rescue on 0191 4569613 or 4557053.
SOUTH SHIELDS SURGERY 2 Stanhope Road T: 0191 4563366
BOLDON SURGERY 22a East View T: 0191 5367777