Broad Lane Vets

Vets issues urgent health warning to all dog owners

2012-01-26T06:37:00.000-08:00

Following a recent local outbreak of parvovirus we are calling on all local dog owners to check their pet's vaccinations are up-to-date. Parvovirus is a deadly disease in dogs and can kill 2-3 days after the first symptoms show. The only way to protect your pet is through vaccination. Over the past month at Broad Lane Vets we have treated 3 puppies with parvovirus. If your pet's vaccines have lapsed we would recommend keeping them at home until you are able to get to your vets. As with most diseases the sooner you treat your pet the better the chance of recovery, and you will help prevent the disease spreading further. Parvovirus symptoms such as vomitting, diarrhoea, lethargy, fever and dehydration come on quickly. If you see any of these symptoms contact us quickly. Fortunately this is not an outbreak situation, but as parvovirus is such a virilent virus we need owners to be aware now. The virus can live in the environment for a long time, is hard to eliminate and can easily spread through the faeces of infected dogs, can survive on everyday objects such as shoes and lamp-posts. Sadly this danger will not pass in a c-uple of days. For further advice call us on 0247-464789.

Congratulations Christine

2012-01-16T07:52:00.000-08:00

Christine, our Head Receptionist, today received her Level 2 Advanced Apprenticeship in Customer Care. Congratulations to her as this has taken 12 months of work.
As a practice we view Customer Care highly and pride ourselves in the additional courses all our staff do to improve their skills and knowledge. Our team receive regular training to keep them up-to-date.
Our receptionists have all previously worked in a customer focused or a medical background.
The reception team are the face of Broad Lane Vets, working alongside the Nurses and Vets to deliver great customer and pet care. They are so much more than receptionists, requiring an understanding of veterinary knowledge to deliver you the correct advice on the phone or in person. They are organised, compassionate and calm as the average day at Broad Lane Vets is anything but 'normal'. No two days are never the same, and we all appreciate their calm and confident manner staff, clients and pets alike.
Congratulations Chris - level 3 here she comes!!

Hayley begins her nurse training

2011-12-30T04:10:00.000-08:00

Hayley begins training as a student nurse next week.
She began with the practice as a Veterinary Care Assistant in March 2010 and has worked her way up.
Hayley always gives 100% and will be well known with our Radford and Balsall Common clients, as well as those atttending Broad Lane.
As a student nurse she will attend college for nearly 3 years, taking Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' written and practical exams, as well as completing a progress log with the practice to show practical competence.
We know Hayley will make a great Veterinary Nurse, and wish her every success on her new journey.

It's that most wonderful of the year...

2011-12-19T04:38:00.000-08:00

Well busy, busy, busy ...
Don't forget to order your prescriptions and pet foods before Thursday, to guarantee collection before Santa arrives.
Christmas parties, wrapping presents, guests to stay, school holidays, cakes to ice... the list goes on. No wonder sometimes we forget the hazards this season can present to our pets.
Decorations, like tinsel, lights and ornaments, are often too much for your pets to resist. Wooden, plastic and glass decorations can easily be ingested or smashed, either way potentially dangerous for your pet. For houserabbit owners keep cables out of the way - you know how they love nibbling, and chewing on these can lead to electric shocks.
An abundance of food on the Christmas table presents a danger not only to our waistlines but to the health of our pets. Fat-laden scraps of food fed to our pets can cause vomitting and diarrhoea but more importantly pancreatitis. Bones from poultry and other meats can shatter, leaving sharp edges to penetrate stomach linings and gut walls. Never be tempted to feed them.
Remember not to feed your pets grapes and raisins as these are toxic to dogs potentially causing kidney damage.
Likewise chocolate is a poison to cats and dogs. Less than half a small bar of dark chocolate can be fatal to your pet. If they steal a few chocolate drops don't panic, but any more call us straightaway for advice.
Poinsettia, Holly and mistletoe give your home a festive feel but are toxic to pets. Just remember to keep them out of reach and enjoy them.
Always call us for phone advice if you are worried.
At all surgeries we have produced a comprehensive list of festive dangers so do pop in and collect our free guide.

Christmas and New Year Holiday Opening Hours

2011-12-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
NORMAL OPENING HOURS at all sites

Sunday 25th December (Christmas Day)
CLOSED (emergency vet available)

Monday 26th December (Boxing Day)
9-10am OPEN SURGERY AT BROAD LANE ONLY

Tuesday 27th December (Holiday Tuesday)
9am-12.30pm APPOINTMENTS AT BROAD LANE ONLY

Saturday 31st December (New Year's Eve)
NORMAL OPENING HOURS at all sites

Sunday 1st January (New Year's Day)
CLOSED (emergency vet available)

Monday 2nd January (Bank Holiday)
9-10am OPEN SURGERY AT BROAD LANE ONLY

For emergencies or advise during the holiday period please telephone: 02476 464789

Free weightwatchers

2011-11-25T02:09:00.000-08:00

Hello all, Bracket here and I've time for another chat. There's a free computer so here goes. Going to be quick today as I got told off for 'playing' on Lisa's computer last week... little does she know ! With the winter nights now drawing in our owners find it so much more difficult to find time to walk us, their four legged friends. Dogs and cats (and our guardians) prefer to settle down in front of the fire than get out and about on cold winter evenings. The problem is we then eat the same gorgeous bowls of food, along with treats and left-overs, and we start to gain the odd pound. This excess weight can lead to joint problems, diabetes and heart disease (and I hate taking tablets at the best of times, so do not intend on self inflicting that punishment). I climb on the practice scales each week to keep an eye on my waistline, and you can too. Pop your owners into any of the surgeries and check your weight - it's free to do. The lovely qualified and registered veterinary nurses run free weightwatcher sessions - they are great fun to attend. Give the practice Head Nurse, Sarah, a call and have a chat - boy, can she chat! Well I can hear Lisa coming up the stairs so I had better 'blog off'. Speak, I mean bark, soon.

Look after the garden birds

2011-11-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

Max here writing this whilst I lie by our warm fire. With the colder days coming it's worth sparing a thought for our featheed friends. Common species such as blackbirds, blue tits, robins and sparrows really struggle with the cold nights. These birds can lose up to 10% of their bodyweight just keeping warm. This means they need to be well fed during the day to replenish their daily reserves.
There's lots we can do to help. In our garden my mum leaves out fresh water (and later in the winter changes it twice a day as it regularly freezes). She stocks the bird table with high calorie, high fat seed mix. Extra household scraps are always welcomed by our feathered visitors, like cooked potato, cake crumbs, soft fruit and grated cheese. We also have hanging feeders - that I cannot quite reach! In them we have sunflower rich mixes and unsalted peanuts. Just the look of them makes me so hungry!! Remember to keep them out of me and my friend's reach so the birds feel safe, and are able to feel undisturbed. Don't put them near fences or hedges as them crafty cats can easily catch the feeding birds. A perch for our feathered friends is ideal.
I found loads of great ideas for my mum on www.rspb.org.uk

Firework season is here again

2011-10-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Did you know that 80% of pets suffer some degree of noise / firework phobia, and ... November is nearly here again. Firework season can be such a scary time for our pets. In this week’s blog we have put together a few hints that will hopefully reduce the stress levels in your household.

Before the firework season starts, provide your dog with a ‘doggy play area', where they can feel safe. This should be calm, so chose one of the quietest rooms in your home. Train your dog to associate the play area with positive experiences, e.g. by playing games with them. Use a variety of toys and swap them regularly, putting them away when not in use so that your dog doesn’t become bored with them.

Some dogs and cats also appreciate being able to hide when frightened, so provide a ‘pet den’ to help them to cope. For example, this could be a wardrobe or a cupboard, packed with old duvets and blankets to make it more comfortable and to help sound-proof the area. It is important that your pet has access to its ‘den’ at all times, even when you’re not at home.

In the run up to fireworks night walk your dog when it is still light outside. This reduces the possibility of fireworks being let off and your dog becoming worried.

Make sure all windows, doors and cat flaps are securely closed during fireworks' night. This will reduce the chances of your pets escaping. Have your pet microchipped in case they do escape – Broad Lane Vets is offering microchips at only £10 throughout October and November 2011.

Provide extra litter trays for cats. Litter trays will be used more as your cat is confined to the house.

Provide distractions, in the form of new toys and chews, during periods when fireworks are occurring. Draw curtains and put the TV on to mask the noise of fireworks being let off. Ignore the firework noises yourself. Play with a toy to see if your dog wants to join in, but don’t force them to play.

If your pet shows any signs of fear, try to ignore their behaviour. Please do not punish your pet! This will only make your pet more distressed, and worse in the long run.

Try not to leave your pets alone when fireworks are going off. Do not try to tempt your cat out of their hiding place.

In the long term, your dog needs to learn to be less afraid of loud noises. With proper treatment this is possible so that the next firework season will be less stressful for you and your dog. We recommend Sounds Scary! - An easy to follow CD therapy pack for dogs which includes CDs, an information booklet and an easy to follow guide. The amount of training needed will vary from dog to dog so you should start training with the Sounds Scary! CD well in advance of the firework season. Planning ahead can help your dog cope with the firework season. Talk to us now about pheromone diffusers. These disperse calming chemicals into the room and may be a good option for your dog. In some cases we need to prescribe medication. If either of these options is used, we will talk to you about using the in conjunction with behavioural therapy.

And finally don’t forget small animals…

If your pets live outside, partly cover cages, pens and aviaries with blankets so that one area is well sound-proofed. Make sure that your pet is still able to look out. Provide lots of extra bedding so your pet has something to burrow in.

Do come and talk to us at Broad Lane Vets as there is lots you can do to help your pet.

Identichips for £10

2011-09-30T05:09:00.000-07:00

Freddie here, the cat with the sharpest talons.
You know I thought my mum had gone off me this week. Whilst I was pretending to sleep on her knee the other day (Yes, even I can be cuddly when I feel like it) I heard her mention a new pet... I could not believe my ears. She said I would eventually get used to 'IT' and she had to accept I may disappear for a few days. Well I thought, all these years of purring, curling around her legs, miaowwing, letting her scratch between my ears, and this is how she treats me.
Then I realised she was worried about me as she said 'I'll have to take Freddie to Broad Lane Vets to have an identichip put in. If he becomes frightened, and runs off then he can be scanned and returned safely to us' Aaahh they love me so much.... I reckon some extra treats could come out of this situation.

Broad Lane Vets, Radford Road Vets and Balsall Common Vets are all offering Identichips for £10 during September and October 2011. Give them a call for more information.

National Pet Smile Month

2011-09-05T02:18:00.000-07:00

Hi me again. Have you seen the commercials - you know the ones with those dogs making a fool of themselves? As if we wear dentures.
Well there are things you can do if we have smelly breath and dirty teeth. First though make a FREE appointmentment at Broad Lane Vets, any of our surgeries, to have our mouths and teeth checked. This FREE appointment can be made any time during September.
September is National Pet Smile month and Broad Lane Vets are taking part. As well as FREE appointments they are giving great savings on Dental work. Give them a call for a quote, or visit the 'offers page' on our website http://www.broadlanevets.co.uk/
Your pet could have a smile as fantastic as mine!

DON'T COOK YOUR DOG!

2011-08-13T02:27:00.000-07:00

Although you would think people would know better by now, every year we hear of yet more incidents of dogs dying in hot cars.

There is still a misconception that dogs only die in hot cars if you don't drop the window or leave a bowl of water. Unfortunately, the temperature inside a car on a hot day can rise extremely rapidly. Studies have shown that if the temperature outside is 22 degrees Celsius, within 60 minutes the temperature inside a car can rocket to 46 degrees, and having the windows open a crack hardly slows the rise at all.

The early warning signs of heatstroke are:
- Heavy panting, profuse salivation
- Rapid pulse, very red gums/tongue
- Lethargy, incoordination
- Vomiting, diarrhoea
- Loss of consciousness

Heatstroke first aid:
- Move dog to a shaded/cool area
- Douse with cool water + let the dog drink small amounts
- Find a vet, phone ahead then take the dog there

If you see a dog in a car on a hot day, 'phone 999.

Broad Lane Vets fully support the most recent campaign set up by the Editor of Dogs Today; www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/dontcookyourdog

We've been training at the pub!!

2011-07-06T03:08:00.000-07:00

Yes that's right! Our latest training session was to take the receptionists and nurses to the pub. They all came along. It was not actually in the pub but on Bertha, a big purple bus, in the 'Newlands' Pub Car Park. Let me explain. Bertha is the mobile home of Onswitch, a veterinary training company. The bus can be booked by Veterinary Practice to train staff in advanced customer care skills. We are very proud of our reception team, who do a great job every day, giving our clients friendly and professional help. However we can all do even better with a little help, so a day away from the practice allowed us all to focus completely on some training. Role play was a major part of the day - not something any of us enjoy, but necessary if we were to benefit. We feel it helped so you should see the benefits when you contact us at the surgery.

National Microchipping Month

2011-06-09T05:15:00.000-07:00

Oh I feel great, she obviously loves me so much.... I am so special! Oh hi there, sorry, I did not mean to ignore you - It's me Bracket again. What am I woofing on about I hear you ask. My mum cannot ever want to lose me. I must be a really cherished pet. Today I had a microchip implanted at Broad Lane Vets and you can too, throughout June 2011, for only £10.
June is National Pet Microchipping Month 2011.
It was implanted in my scruff and did not hurt me. It was like having any other injection. They took all my mum's details and registered me on a confidential database. If ever I get lost (or if mum pretends she's lost me! - yes I'm not always an angel) or if I am stolen (highly likely with my charisma, and fine pedigree) the I can be scanned and be reunited with my mum.
It would be such an emotional time. I can picture it now... an new collar, a new bandana, longer walks, a space on her bed, more food. It's bring a tear to my eye !

Broad Lane Vets new xray room with digital xray ... and a few familiar faces

2011-05-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

National Vaccination Amnesty

2011-05-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

If your pet has not had a vaccination in the last 18 months ask us about our vaccination amnesty. Throughout May and June 2011 you can bring your adult pet's vaccinations up-to-date for only £19.99. Any pet that has missed their booster injection can receive a full new complete course, paying only for the first injection, and at the same time receive a full veterinary health review.

All change - except my doggy treats

2011-03-23T05:52:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a few weeks since I had a chat with my fans so... Hello - It's me, Bracket, the resident practice superstar. Adored throughout the woods, fussed by all the staff and fed by everyone who has the misfortune to see my pathetic puppy, head cocked on-one-side look! There's been a lot happening at Broad Lane Vets recently (apart from my words per minute type speed increasing). They have a new computer and IT system. The old one needed an upgrade - It's been there longer than all us practice pets! The staff say a big thankyou to all the clients for putting up with them whilst they learn how to use it, in the consulting rooms and on reception. It's really different from the old system, and some of the older humans here aren't techy! Me, I've spent hours on people's laps helping transfer data - I know I've been a great help on those keyboards - They keep on saying 'That's enough for now Bracket', and putting me on the floor with a treat. They are so grateful! It's taken longer than they hoped to move data, despite having the installation on a Sunday, and all training in advance. Apparently the old and new systems did not like speaking to each other so they have had to do a lot manually - Who's ever heard of a talking computer!!! Talking of Sundays have you heard the news? Broad Lane Vets, at their 255 Broad Lane Surgery, now open on a Sunday from 11am 'til 3pm. You can make an appointment or drop in on the day. There is more information on the news page of our website. Well enough gossip as I need to go and help in the office with the stock control files (and have a few cuddles whilst I'm at it). Wait... I can definitely smell scotch egg somewhere so I'll blog off for now and... no time Freida might get there first... gotta go!

Collections over Christmas

2011-01-27T02:44:00.000-08:00

Thankyou everyone who made donations via our charity boxes over Christmas. We are pleased to tell you we raised £40.50 for the Pet Blood Bank, £112.57 for The Coventry Cats' Protection and... watch this space for monies given for the Guide Dog Appeal. Thankyou again to all our clients who made a donation. More information about our Charity of the Year - Cancer and Hypo-Alert Medic Dogs soon.

Hidden Christmas Dangers for your pet

2010-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

At BROAD LANE VETS each Christmas we see problems with pets caused by the Festive Season. This year we have put together a newsletter to help you and your friend enjoy Christmas and avoid the hazards. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Christmas tree
The best place to put a Christmas tree is in a room that is off limits to your pets. The entire Christmas tree can be knocked over by a dog running through the room or tugging at your string of Christmas lights. Cats love climbing up the tree with it crashing down in their wake!
Decorations, like tinsel, lights and ornaments, are often too much for your pets to resist. Wooden, plastic and glass decorations can easily be ingested or smashed, either way potentially very dangerous to your pet.
Some pets find lights of great interest and chewing on these presents a danger of electrical shock, cutting their mouths and ingesting glass. House-rabbits just love to investigate and have a nibble!

Christmas Dining
Broad Lane Vets, along with many other veterinary practices throughout the U.K see an increasing amount of gastro-intestinal problems in pets over the Christmas period.
An abundance of food on our tables presents a danger not only to our waist lines but to the health of our pets. Fat-laden scraps of food fed to dogs and cats can cause vomiting and diarrhoea but more importantly pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It is a very painful disease which is difficult to treat and can prove to be fatal. Avoid feeding your pet any scraps of food they do not usually eat.

Turkey
Whilst lean turkey may cause nothing more than a tummy upset in some pets the carcass can cause serious problems. Bones from poultry or other meats can become lodged in the mouth, throat or stomach. Cooked bones can often shatter leaving sharp edges to penetrate through stomach and gut walls. Never feed bones, and if your pet happens to eat a bone contact the Surgery for advice.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains Theobromine, a chemical very toxic to pets. Dark chocolate can be fatal in very small amounts. One small bar (50g) of milk chocolate can be poisonous to a small dog, but less than half a bar of dark chocolate could cause serious problems.
Cats are even more sensitive to Theobromine poisoning than dogs!
If your dog happens to steal one or two milk buttons don’t panic, but do be aware that even a small bar of chocolate can be toxic. If your pet ingests chocolate contact the surgery as soon as possible. Speedy treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Antifreeze
Although much less common than it used to be, we still see cases of antifreeze poisoning. The sweet taste of antifreeze attracts dogs and cats to drinking it. Unfortunately it is very toxic and ingestion is often fatal. If you suspect your pet may have swallowed antifreeze please contact the surgery immediately. Clean up any spillages and keep all product out of reach of pets.

Grapes and Raisins
A common toxicity in dogs, grapes and raisins can cause severe kidney disease and may even result in death if eaten. There is much individual variation to the sensitivity, so consult the surgery for advice even if a very small number have been consumed.

Fireworks and guests
Firework displays are becoming increasingly common around Christmas and New Year. Most homes transform at Christmas time with extra guests or visitors, excited children and new objects making their way into the home. Some pets can find this really stressful. At the surgery we can supply pheromone treatments to help keep your pet calm. Make a free appointment to see one of our nurses to discuss this.

Plants
Festive plants such as Poinsettia, Mistletoe and Holly all look beautiful and bring the festive feel to any home. However, all of these plants are toxic to pets and although small amounts are not usually fatal they tend to cause hyper-salivation, vomiting and diarrhoea. Call us at the surgery if you have concerns.

Artificial sweeteners
These are toxic to our pets and few people realise their danger. Cakes and cookies made with them will have the cause the same symptoms. A recent report warns that the sugar substitute xylitol may cause liver failure in dogs. Xylitol is a naturally occurring product that is used in sugar-free chewing gums, toothpaste, candies, and baked goods. Even a small amount of xylitol can trigger a major insulin release in a dog’s body, causing their blood sugar to drop dramatically. So again resist feeding your pet items that are not usually in their diet.

Alcohol
Keep your half empty tins or glasses out of reach as some pets love the taste. Sadly alcohol in pets can result in tragedy, as heart arrhythmias, seizures, tremors and death can occur in a pet that is untreated after consuming alcohol.

Canine Blood Donor Session

2010-11-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

Bracket here!! Reckon if I keep eating everything I can find between now and December 2nd 2010 I will be big enough to give blood? - No, nor do I but... I'm willing to give it a try!! You see I am only 6.74kg and I need to be 25kg to give blood at Broad Lane Vets Pet Blood Bank donor session. Them big dogs get loads of fuss, free blood screening, a goody bag of food (my favourite!!) and a great bandana! I would look fab in a new bandana - you know how they suit me, my human friends.
Most people are well aware of the important work of the “National Blood Service” run by the NHS for humans. But have you ever considered what would happen if your pet required a blood transfusion? These may be needed following a road traffic accident, during surgical procedures and in many diseases, and are as important in pets as they are in people.
In the past, many veterinary practices have simply not been able to offer blood transfusions as a treatment option. However here at Broad Lane, we have long recognised the life-saving benefits of transfusions. Until recently, we have relied on blood donated mainly by pets belonging to our staff (like Max, Megan and Veda).
“Pet Blood Bank UK” is a registered charity, and is the first formal pet blood bank in the UK. PBBuk collects blood from volunteer pets, and this is where you can help. These volunteers are mainly much-loved family pets, and what they all have in common is that their owners understand that by making a blood donation, their pet can make a real difference in saving the life of another pet.
My mum and her colleagues at Broad Lane Vets decided to help PBBuk in its vital work, by holding regular blood drives on its premises. If you would be interested in your pet taking part, they would be really pleased to hear from you.
You need to be bigger than me! Over 25kg, and meet the following criteria:
1-8 years of age
Vaccinated in the last 12 months
Fit and well and not on any medications (except flea and worm treaments)
Not having travelled abroad
If female, never had puppies
Good temperament
Microchipped (if not,contact the surgery to arrange this)
Why can't I be big then I could be 'a Hairy Hero'.
Contact Kerry or Lisa at the surgery if you want to get involved.
Well, back to the food bowl, and sniffing out where the nurses keep their dinner! If only I could reach the fridge door handle.......

Helping your pet through Bonfire Night

2010-10-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hi It's me, Tristan - I'm Carys's famous cat! My mum has just passed her final veterinary nursing exams. She has worked so hard over the last two and a half years, and now she has her greens! She is a Registered Veterinary Nurse. But back to me! I am a very important member of the Broad Lane team - you should have seen the adulation I received at our Open Day last month. Fantastic photo of me in my halloween outfit isn't it. Anyway to more important matters - Bonfire Night! My mum keeps me and Princess Imogen (and the rest of the family) indoors over that noisy weekend. We have a stress reducing pheremone diffuser, from Broad Lane Vets, we have music on and a hideaway bed incase we are frightened. There's lots you can do to help your pets you know. You can call into the surgeries for advice - we have a display in each waiting room, with lots of leaflets you can take home or if you contact us we can post or email you some leaflets. We have posted some advice below that we hope will help.

TIPS TO HELP YOUR DOG THROUGH THE FIREWORK SEASON
1. Prepare a ‘den’ for your dog, so that he has somewhere to hide during the fireworks. Encourage him to use it by hiding healthy food treats or toys there. If your dog hides in a corner or under a bed, leave him alone and do not try to coax him out. This ‘bolthole’ is where he will feel most secure and must be accessible at all times. You can further help create this comforting ‘den’ for your dog by using a plug in pheromone spray.
2. On the evenings you expect fireworks, ensure your dog is safely inside and secure doors and windows
3. Make sure your pet is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened, confused animals can easily get lost
4. Ensure your dog is taken out for a walk early in the evening before the fireworks start
5. Draw curtains to reduce the noise from outside and play music or have the TV on to help mask the noise of fireworks
6. Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your pet. The animal will pick up on your anxiety and this may make the problem worse. Fussing a pet that appears frightened can reward and encourage this behaviour
7. Don’t punish your pet. This only confirms that there is something to be afraid of
8. Try not to go out while the fireworks are going off. Seeing you acting normally will help your pet feel more settled
If you are worried that your pet is taking a long time to recover from the firework festivities, speak to your vet about a behavioural therapy referral to a qualified behavioural counsellor. For further information on how to prepare your pet for the firework season, please contact us at Broad Lane Vets.

TIPS TO HELP YOUR CAT THROUGH THE FIREWORK SEASON

1. On the evenings you expect fireworks, ensure your cat is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps. If your cat is not used to being kept in, use Feliway spray to help reduce unwanted behaviours.
2. If your cat hides on top of cupboards or under furniture, leave her alone and do not try to coax her out. This ‘bolthole’ is where she will feel most secure. It is important that your cat can access her favourite bolthole at all times.
3. Plug a pheromone diffuser in the room where your cat spends most of her time 48 hours before the festivities will increase her sense of security
4. Make sure your cat is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened, confused animals can easily get lost
5. Ensure your cat is provided with a litter tray both before and during the firework season
6. Draw curtains to reduce the noise from outside and play music or have the TV on to help mask the noise of fireworks
7. Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your cat. More importantly, do not try to pick her up or restrain her. Fearful cats prefer to be left to cope on their own
8. Try not to go out while the fireworks are going off. Stay calm and act normally
9. In multi-cat households, shutting cats in overnight may cause disharmony amongst your pets. A pheromone diffuser may help lower inter-cat tension
If you are worried that your pet is taking a long time to recover from the firework festivities, speak to your vet. For further information on how to prepare your pet for the firework season, please contact us at Broad Lane Vets.

Open Day 2010

2010-10-12T04:50:00.000-07:00

WOW, what a fantastic afternoon! Thankyou to everyone who came to visit us - We had over 200 people through our doors. With lots of charities and local businesses there was plenty to see. Our staff put on some great veterinary displays, and the children had their own craft area. Misty and Buddy kept passers by entertained, despite the torrential rain - Listen out for their banter on our Mercia radio adverts.

OPEN DAY AT BROAD LANE VETS!!

2010-09-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2 - 4PM
Come along and see what made us Coventry and Warwickshire Small Business of the Year 2010!

 See what goes on behind the scenes and meet our staff (and some of their pets!).
 Talk to local charities and find out about their work.
 Meet animal businesses (groomers, hydrotherapy, training clubs, pet-sitters).
 Learn about other treatments available for your pet.
 Children – Meet our Buddy and Misty! Have fun dressing up, help us bandage your teddy and take part in our crafts.
 Competitions, quizzes and charity tombola.

A great afternoon out for all the family

Microchipping on offer at only £10.00

COME ALONG TO: 255, BROAD LANE COVENTRY CV5 7AQ

Smile!

2010-09-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hello, Max the black Lab checking in. Thought I'd share my recent experience of having a Dental with you as lots of us dogs have, well to be blunt, dog breath

Get your owner to take advantage of Pet Smile Month. During September, if you're not sure how healthy your teeth are, your owner can book in for a Free Dental Check. If you need a Dental, then Broad Lane Vets are performing these at a reduced price throughout September, so a full General Anaesthetic, Dental Scale and Polish will cost just* (including VAT):

Rabbit £50
Cat £75
Dog £100

You will also get a Free Dental Review 2days' later, where you will be checked over and your owner will receive lots of advice about how to keep your teeth clean for the future.

Once there are several layers of plaque on the teeth, no amount of toothbrushing will shift it. Bacteria start to move in - they love to work their way under the gums and start causing problems. As well as leading to decay, these bacteria trickle into the bloodstream and can actually make you feel generally under-the-weather. The only way to get back to nice pearly whites and healthy gums, is a Dental scale and polish.

My teeth are now lovely and white and I feel so much better in myself! A Dental does require a General Anaesthetic, as pets need to be completely still for the Vet to access all surfaces of the teeth and give them a really good clean. But its very safe, as Broad Lane Vets use the same anaesthetics they do in human hospitals, they have fully-qualified Veterinary Nurses monitoring the patient throughout the procedure and the experienced Vets have done lots of dentals on pets like me over the years. Now I can smile - especially as I know it will be Freddie's turn next!

*Extractions may sometimes be required in addition, and are chargeable

Who Is Looking After Your Pet?

2010-08-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Freddie Krueger (the Cat) - serving to educate you mere humans as usual!

I was recently forced to frequent my mom's place of work - Broad Lane Vets - to undergo investigation of a limp I've had. I admit I don't enjoy such outings - travelling is so stressful! However the excellent staff made the experience a lot less frightening than some of the things I've seen on the TV about vets lately.

It seems some Veterinary Practices don't use Qualified Veterinary Nurses, which means unqualified, inexperienced staff are being used instead. These unqualified lay staff perform consultations, medical procedures and even assist the vets during operations. The practices often give these staff fancy names such as "Pet Health Advisor". However these staff have at best had a few weeks' on-the-job instruction, and all too often have no formal training or qualifications at all.

It takes over 2 years' training to become a Fully-qualified Veterinary Nurse. Broad Lane Vets believes only fully-qualified Veterinary Nurses should be monitoring patients under anaesthetic, performing certain medical procedures, and advising owners about their pets' healthcare. Broad Lane Vets have no less than 6 Fully-qualified and skilled Veterinary Nurses, working alongside the 8 experienced Veterinary Surgeons, to ensure your pets received the best possible veterinary care.

Parvovirus outbreak

2010-07-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

Well it's a serious blog today my friends. Yes it's Bracket again, and I need you to all prick your ears up and hear my blog. Remember when you went to the vets and had your vaccinations, well one of them was for a potentially life-threatening disease called parvovirus.
There is currently an increase in cases of parvovirus being seen in the Coventry area.
If you are not up to date with your vaccinations drag your owners down to Broad Lane Vets now - you don't want this disease believe me!
My mum says parvo is a viral infectious diease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. The virus is shed in faeces (yes that's poo to us dogs!) and can survive in the environment for over 6 months. It's a serious disease and sadly is often fatal.
Symptoms are vomitting and diarrhoea, progressing to diarrhoea containing blood. You go off your food (aarrgghh) and become very sad!
If you get any sympoms you need treatment urgently. Your vet can test if it is parvovirus with a faeces test (yes, poo again). If you test positive you'll need to move into the Broad Lane Vet's isolation unit and be nursed by barrier nursing to prevent you infecting anyone else.
Please bark loudly and make sure your vaccines are up to date friends - REMEMBER PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Wonky knees and all

2010-06-30T05:03:00.001-07:00

Greetings dear friends!

We haven’t met before. I am Bruno and am nearly 10 years old, but must say , I neither feel nor act my age. There is just so much to see and do all the time, that I really have to rush round and sniff where I can, just in case I miss something.
When I was younger, I have had quite a bit of trouble with my knees. In total I have had 3 operations on my knees. And although they look fine now, I must be a bit more carefully. Two of the operations I have had at ‘Willows Referrals’. They really know their stuff, I must say and I did enjoy all the special attention I got there. My owner tells me that the referral centre has moved to a state of the art facility in Solihull. It is said to be well posh and the service and care is second to none. Having said that, I would rather not do my knee in again, thank you very much, it is uncomfortable. Luckily I am well looked after. My waist line is being monitored so that I don’t put on too much weight, which could make any arthritis I have worse. I also get food supplements to help lubricate my joints and my exercise is being monitored. Even though I am not allowed to run around like crazy, I am still allowed to go for jogs and do enjoy a spot of swimming if I may J See, there is still life in the old dog yet J

Percy's hard day!

2010-06-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a busier than usual day today. Kerry was concerned about a bald spot on my head, so I had to go into the surgery to have some tests done. Fortunately, the tests are very straightforward and Kerry will have the results in just a couple of days. I spent the day hiding under my bed in a kennel - the nurses were all very kind and spent lots of time trying to reassure me - just like they did for all the other poorly animals in today. There were several cats and dogs in for routine operations, as well as a very old cat on a drip. Apparently he has got problems with his kidneys. He was feeling much better today after being on a drip for 24 hours.
I was glad to get home, back to my normal routine of eating and sleeping. Choosing whether to sleep on the sofa or the armchair is generally energetic enough for me, although now the weather is better I do have the occasional wander round the garden. Because I'm so lazy, Kerry keeps a close eye on what I eat - not that I'm bothered about my waistline you understand, but Kerry's always telling me that if I get fat I'll be at risk of heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. A lot of people apparently don't realise how many problems us cats can get if we put on too much weight - good thing the nurses at Broad Lane run free weight clinics for dogs and cats.
Well, I've used my brain more than enough for today, there's a lot more sleeping to be done now.

MICROCHIPS FOR £10

2010-06-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Well there's still time if you want to take advantage of our latest offer! June 2010 is National Pet Microchipping Month. Until the 30th June Broad Lane Vets is offering identichips, including registration fees, for the amazing price of £10 (mammals only). Don't miss out on this great offer - Book your appointment today. Available at Broad Lane, Kenilworth Road and our Radford surgeries.

Radio Ga-Ga

2010-06-09T06:22:00.000-07:00

Max here! I've been a bit confused lately, as sometimes I've been hearing my mom Elly's voice when she's not at home - I was worried there might be something wrong with me! But my brother Fred the cat is much cleverer than me, and explained it was the radio I was listening to. It seems Elly's been on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire a couple of times, and has apparently been in the local papers too (I can't read, but I've seen the photo!) Its all to do with winning the FSB Small Business of the Year Award. I don't really understand it, but Fred says we should be very proud, as it means our mom works at a really good veterinary practice. You can still catch some of the radio interview from the Mark Powlett show on 8th June at 3:20pm if you go online onto the BBC i-player. I might see if I can listen again later on the computer, but I might need help with the keyboard, as my paws are a bit big!

Aren't we clever!

2010-05-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

Veda here again. Woof, Woof. Guess what the humans were up to on Friday night? They were at Warwick Castle - No, not on a ghost hunt, but at The Federation of Small Businesses award ceremony. No furry friends allowed but what a night! Our owners won the top award in their category 'Most enterprising Business of the Year 2010'. It's a team effort apparently, so we must have won it too! Then, not content with that success, they went on to win the top prize! 'Small Business of the Year 2010'. We are so proud of all 24 of our humans. The award marks achieving excellent standards in customer care and teamwork, the relocation of our Balsall Surgery to 384a Kenilworth Road (oh, and the longer opening hours) and the extra services our veterinary practice offers. You know - the acupuncture clinics, the canine blood donor days (see my previous blog!) and our great puppy parties (yes, I know I'm too old thankyou Bracket). Look at their posh piccies ooooohhh!

On the move!

2010-05-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hello its Max the black Lab again! Exciting news - Broad Lane Vets now has a Practice Van - and its got my paw prints painted on it and everything (well, Fred says they're modelled on him, but I know better!) It was a bit scary when I first travelled in it, but my mom Elly drives it much more carefully than her old car, so it was fine. It gets used every day by the vets going to our branch surgeries at Radford Rd and Balsall Common, and for performing visits to pets' and their owners' homes. This is sometimes done when an owner finds it difficult to come into one of our 3 surgeries with their pet, or sometimes for what mom calls "the final goodbye" - I don't know what that means, but mom says its often nicer for owners and their pets to be in their familiar home environment for this, which sounds like a good idea to me. Lots of vets don't do home visits, but the vets at Broad Lane have always done them, as they feel its a really worthwhile service to provide.

This week, the new van got put to particularly good use, helping to save a dog's life! Barney had collapsed at home and the owner was very worried but could not move him to get him into the surgery. The owner phoned Broad Lane, and Chris the receptionist asked some questions about the dog, which soon made her realise Barney was very poorly. So Chris asked a vet to go straight away. Elly drove the van to the owner's home and found that Barney had a very swollen tummy and needed urgent treatment. He was taken on a stretcher from the house to the van - luckily Elly had taken Sarah R, our strongest nurse, with her, as Barney is a giant breed, weighing a lot more than my mom! He was back at Broad Lane and had xrays to confirm his problem within 15minutes of his owner's phonecall to us - he had a twisted stomach, which is life-threatening. Barney had to have major surgery to deal with his problem, and the vets Kerry and Bridget were operating for over an hour. Thankfully, the owner was very vigilant and the van helped get him into the surgery as soon as possible - lots of dogs with this problem die without prompt treatment. Happily, Barney is now recovering well from his ordeal, and should be back to normal after a few weeks' recuperation and lots of fuss from his family!

Princess Imogen

2010-04-30T01:28:00.000-07:00

It is I, Princess (with a capital P) Imogen. I have had enough of these lesser mortals hogging the limelight - it is now time for me to speak. I try not to 'live' at the vets, unlike these other hairy creatures. The noise they make chasing each other in the staff room is too much for my delicate disposition! Don't get me wrong, if I am ill or need annual vaccinations to keep me healthy I am happy to travel with Carys, my servant, to visit those kind vets. I allow Carys time off to go to her other job on a daily basis - as long as she gives me 100% when she returns to my palace! Carys is training to be a Registered Veterinary Nurse. She has completed her preliminary written papers, and 2 years worth of portfolio cases (that is a triumph in itself - 2 years of case studies and evidence). She is sitting her final written exams soon, and will then have to complete a day of practical exams - thank goodness I'm a cat. Once Carys is qualified she will run her own clinics, take the lead in monitoring anaesthesia, take radiographs, carry out blood sampling, set up and monitor intensive care patients, run the pharmacy, give you sound advice and so much more - I could ramble on for hours. It's great to know that at my vets all the staff are fully qualified! It's not the case at every vets you know!!!

Me again!!!

2010-04-22T04:08:00.000-07:00

Hi my human friends!! Bracket here... Well I'm missing my Broad Lane cuddles this week as mum is taking some well earned days off work. She's making up for it by taking me on loads of walks - she says the housework can wait! Before I was allowed in the fields with sheep and cows she put some drops on my neck, that she got from work. Apparently they are to make sure I don't get any ticks - if I do they will die...yipeeeeee. I don't want them sucking my blood and making me ill. Well can't hang around on-line fields to explore, butterlies to chase and people to jump up!

Freddie Krueger here!

2010-04-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

Now I really must put things straight - I can't have that blasted black Labrador hogging all the limelight! He can't even bark, so I'm certainly not going to let him take over all the blogging in his Second language!

My name is Freddie, I'm ginger, I'm mean and I'm Max's brother (only by adoption, I hasten to add!) I was Elly's first son; before she brought that smelly dog home! When I was a tiny kitten me and my two sisters were brought in to Broad Lane Vets by one of those nice Cats Protection people, because we'd been abandoned and had Cat 'Flu. The Cats Protection is a great charity; they care for unwanted cats, rehome them, pay for veterinary treatment if they're poorly, and even subsidise the cost of neutering if owners can't afford it. Broad Lane Vets work closely with the Cats Protection and particularly their fosterers; they're people who volunteer their time to take on cats and kittens until they can find them a permanent home. They're very dedicated - I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them. If you're interested in the work they do, have a look at www.coventrycats.co.uk.

Once Elly had treated my Cat 'Flu I started feeling much better. I still get occasional runny noses, as once you've had it you become a lifelong carrier. One of the worst times was when I moved house; like most cats, I hate change! Any stress tends to trigger a flare-up, and I got really snotty then, but Elly treated me and I soon got used to my new home. What really annoyed me was when I found out that for a few pounds you can vaccinate against Cat 'Flu; which would have avoided me ever getting poorly in the first place! I wish my first owners had bothered to get me vaccinated, but never mind, at least I've got a good home now!

Better get back to Max now; need to put him in his place; a couple of left hooks with my claws (semi-) retracted should do it! Byeee! Fred.

Max the Labrador!

2010-04-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, my name's Max, I'm a black Lab, and my favourite thing in the world is mud, and there's plenty of that around at the moment, especially in the War Memorial Park where I go every day! (The weather was a little better when the photo with my mom Elly was taken!) I'm one of the more experienced staff-owned pets at Broad Lane, and I feel its time to put my paw down and be counted - can't let these new young pups grab all the limelight can we?!

Its my birthday today, I'm 9 years old, so I'm looking forward to a tasty special dinner cooked by my dad Jerome later (mom can't cook!) Reaching this age means I have now officially retired from being a Doggy Blood Donor, which is a shame, as I always looked forward to my treats and free toy after donating! Not many people realise, but pets sometimes need blood transfusions, just the same as people do. In the past, when a pet my mom was treating needed blood, she had to use one of the staff dogs as a donor (like me!) However 3years ago, a new charity called "Pet Blood Bank" was set up, and they now run co-ordinated blood drives at volunteer practices across the UK - Broad Lane Vets is the only practice in Coventry to hold regular blood drives for the charity. They collect blood from suitable donors, then process and store it, so vets across the country can access this vital treatment as and when they need it. I have given blood lots of times, and have saved a good few of my doggy friends' lives by doing this. It only takes a few minutes, and the people that take the blood are very gentle, so I don't mind a bit - especially when I get lots of fuss afterwards! I always wonder why more owners don't bring their dogs to donate, especially as we all get a free examination by a vet, free blood typing as well as a full health screen. Anyway I'd do it just for the smart red Bandana we get (even though dad says he won't take me for a walk if I insist on wearing it!)

All you need to remember is that you must be up to date with your vaccinations, microchipped, 1-8years old, and you've got to be over 25kg. You need to be good-tempered, and obviously in good health. As I'm now too old, it would be great if I could recruit a few doggy donor replacements. Our next blood drive will be held in June - if you're interested, then there's lots more info at www.petbloodbankuk.org or you can ring Broad Lane Vets on 02476 464789 and ask for Kerry.

I'm off for another walk now - wonder if I can remember where that particularly smelly puddle is that I found last time - hope so! Max.

Quite a mouthful!

2010-04-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Hey ya all, the Bracket is back J To think that everyday there is something new to learn, huh? It is incredible how much there is to find out about the world and life and everything. I will have to live to over 120 years to be able to learn most things, I think.
Today I learnt about ‘lungworm’. Sounds a bit yuck and it is not really nice, actually. I was in the garden, sniffing away and tracking something I have not seen before. It looked quite tasty, but mom got quite upset when she saw me chewing it and made me drop it. Truth be told, it was a bit tasteless and gloopy. Mom told me it was a slug and she said I should not eat them. Apparently they can transmit ‘lungworm’. Even the slime trail that they leave when crawling around, can transmit this. ‘Lungworm’ can cause all sorts of problems in dogs, like coughing and internal bleeding and it can be fatal. Scary stuff really, so I was glad my mom stopped me just in time. The treatment for lungworm is quite straightforward, it is called ‘Advocate’ and is like other flea drops that are put on the back of the neck. With a condition like this, I think it is better to be safe than sorry, right?
Gotta dash. It is a grey and wet day outside, but am going for a stroll nevertheless. TTFN, B-boy

Tuesday = Acupuncture Day

2010-03-30T03:23:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update today. It has been yet another exciting and varied day at work. Luckily I could snooze through a lot of it, but everyone else was pretty busy. And everyday I learn something new, life is exciting, isn’t it?
Today I was on the way out to have a toilet break and got chatting to one of the other dogs that was in the waiting room, ’Dusty’. He was a lovely old fella and ever so chatty, reminiscing of his younger days. He is a looooot older than me and says his hips have been giving him trouble. Getting up in the morning was getting more difficult and painful for him. Says he has arthritis. After seeing his vet he was given some painkiller tablets (those for dogs) and they made him feel better. But, he is now also coming to see one of the other vets, Richard. Richard has been at Broadlane for a good few years (way before my time!) and he does something called ‘acupuncture’. Apparently the ancient Chinese used this sort of treatment for all sorts of ailments. It works by sticking tiny needles in certain areas all over the body to try and relief pain and muscle tension. Richard is really clever knowing where to put these tiny needles. I am not keen on needles myself, but ‘Dusty’ says they don’t really hurt at all. He gets really quite relaxed during the whole process and looks forward to the relief he gets from it.
Isn’t it crazy that needles can actually make you hurt less?
Oh dear, mom is calling. Does that mean we are going home? Oh boy, that means I am going for a walk. And oh boy oh boy, that means I am getting my dinner soon J
Catch ya all soon, B-boy

2010-03-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

Hi out there! My name is Veda, and I am as loveable as all those little rugrats I have to share the staffroom with. Life used to be so peaceful but now... Still I can give them a run for their money - Try coming near me when I have a chew!! Well I am going to be a star again tommorrow - Oh the fuss, Oh the adulation - I cannot wait. OK., OK, patience everybody, all will be revealed! Tomorrow at the surgery there is a blood drive. This is a doggy blood donor session run in conjunction with the Pet Blood Bank UK, with 18 dogs donating! It's just like your sessions we give blood, have a lie down and then enjoy something to eat. And ... we go home with a goody bag, have a free health review and receive a comprehensive blood test! If your canine friends would like to get involved they can contact my friends at Broad Lane Vets who can give them more information! Oh by the way you need to be 1-8 years old and over 25kg in weight. Well must blog off now as I've been promised a walk.

Bracket the Gorgeous

2010-03-13T12:56:00.000-08:00

Hi all - it's me Bracket, that gorgeous puppy in the photo! Everyone loves me - I'm just so cute, and I know it! My mum takes me to work with her every day and what fun I have. She might stop soon though. Ever since I had my second vaccination I have been able to walk to work on my lead, and what a great time I have. We're only 10 minuutes away but I can make it last 40 minutes, no problem. Everyone wants a cuddle - well why wouldn't they I am irresistible. I met Wellington, a practice regular on Friday, and can he give sloppy kisses - what a dog! Mum says she'll have to leave me at home if I keep making her late for work, so I bettter hurry up next week - I'm not missing all those cuddles!

The First post! and hopefully not the last!

2010-03-10T05:05:00.000-08:00

Well welcome! We're all rather new to this, but it looks fun, and well it's not often at work that you are encouraged to mess around online.
It's chaos in our staffroom today-There are puppies everywhere! Several staff have had new family members recently. Sarah and Roger took on unwanted Jack Russell pups brought into the waiting room, and abandoned here on January 15th. Bracket and Esme have been part of the furniture ever since. Not to be outdone our third practice puppy, Baxter, appeared with Karina 3 days later. He is a rather boistrous Boston Terrier, affectionately known as ASBO!
Must blog off now as there is another present to clean up on the carpet!