14/05/2006   Acupuncture Clinic started at Stanmore

We are delighted that Alistair Greenway BVM&S MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon with a certificate in acupuncture, is starting weekly clinics at our Stanmore surgery. Acupuncture is particularly useful for pets suffering from chronic pain, but can also help some other problems, such as kidney disease. An appointment can be made via any of our clinics.

19/05/2005   New book by Bradley Viner now out

"A Dog for Life", co-written by Bradley Viner with Claire Bessant and Peter Neville, is an updated version of the popular "Ultrafit Older Dog" book. It focuses on helping to ensure that young dogs receive the preventative healthcare to give them the greatest chances of living to a healthy old age, and on the special care that elderly dogs require. It costs £12.99 in hardback, and Bradley will be delighted to sign copies at the practice.

09/04/2005   April Optima magazine article

See Bradley Viner's monthly pet care column in the popular Optima magazine. This month he discusses the issues around keeping rabbits as pets.

01/03/2005   New blood analyser machines installed

Two new state-of-the-art laser blood analyser machines from IDEXX have installed at Hatch End and Bushey clinics, enabling us to offer more accurate and rapid in-house blood testing, backed up by a rigorous quality control standard. See more details under the facilities section.

23/02/2005   Spring 2005 newsletter hits the news stands!

Our most recent newsletter is now available from any of our surgeries.

21/02/2005   New Vet column in Harrow Leader

See the Harrow Leader for Bradley Viner's regular Pet Advice column, appearing every two weeks.

28/04/2004   Doggie Blood Donors

We would like to say a big Thank You to two of our clients who over the past couple of months have provided us with a very valuable service. Louis a two year old Dogue de Bordeaux and Hagrid a two year old Chocolate Labrador, belong to two of our very loyal clients, and when necessary they have allowed us the loan of their dogs so we can take almost a pint of blood from them, in order that we can use it towards helping save another dogs life. Without these two great dogs and their very kind owners we would not be able to bring this potentially life saving service to the rest of our dog owning clients. Blood donours have to be at least eighteen months old, in full health, very fit, and be on no medication of any kind. The larger the breed the easier it is to collect a large sample safely, and the quicker the blood loss will be replenished by their bodies, so having a minimal impact on their systems. The dog needs to have a patient temprement as collecting the blood can take several minutes. It also requires owners who at very short notice are able to bring their dogs down to the surgery at odd hours. We provide a special diet for the next few days after the donation, and advise the dogs go home and put their paws up in front of the TV with strict instructions they are to be pampered and fed lots of dog buscuits! Our greatful thanks also to Buster (and his owners!) who has recently retired from Blood Doning service after many years being on "Stand By" All blood donours retire on their eigth Birthday. Once again many many thanks to these owners and their pets for providing us with such a great service. Tracy Mayne VN, CVPM.

29/02/2004   Medicine Legislation

We are now no longer able to provide refunds to our clients for medicies returned to the practice, there are some exceptions where the seal on a packet has not been brocken or the blister pack has not been pierced. We do however strongly encourage all our clients to return any unused medicine to us and we will dispose of free of charge. The idea beind the legisation is to ensure that clients up and down the coutry are always getting medicines that have not been dispensed to anyone else prior, and so can be sure of the efficacy of the product.

12/11/2003   Taking the discomfort out of taking temperatures!!

Traditionally, the only accurate way to take a pet's temperature is rectally. Clearly this has many disadvantages, including stress to the pet (not to mention you!) and it can be very time consuming. Now Identichip with Bio-Thermo provides an accurate, efficient way of checking your pets temperature. This revolutionary breakthrough in technology, incorporates a thermometer and an identifier all in one chip and your vet can check your pet's temperature at the press of a button!

10/10/2003   Feliway - A Cat's Natural Stress Solution

When a cat feels safe in its environment, it rubs its head againsts furniture, the corners of walls or the bottom of the curtains, leaving substances called 'facial pheromones'. These pheromones convey a message of well-being, calm and absence of stress. When there are changes in the cats environment (such as a visit to the vets, moving house, new arrivals) or if the cat is scared, a natural state of disquiet or stress may develop. This state can be conveyed by changes in behaviour, such as urine marking, vertical scratching, loss of appetite or refusal to play or interact. FELIWAY Spray and Diffuser have been developed to restore the natuaral balance in these situations. FELIWAY is a safe solution of feline facial pheromones which mimic the cat's own scents creating a state of well being and calm.

01/10/2003   Keep your dog CALM on Guy Fawkes Night!

Peace at Last! No Barking! No House Soiling! No Destruction Anywhere!! DAP - Dog Appeasing Pheromone Diffuser - helps prevent fear and stress by emmulating pheromones which are secreted by a bitch 3 to 5 days after giving birth to her puppies. In 85% of cases, destructive behaviour and vocalisaion was resolved, and in 80% of trials, the fear of fireworks was overcome! Research suggests that use of DAP for a week before an event such as Bonfire Night can significantly reduce your Dog's stress reactions to Fireworks! E-mail, telephone or pop into the Surgery for more information on DAP today!

24/09/2003   How to make a cat drink?

You may have struggled in the past to make your cat drink water in preparation for a urine sample or the like. We now stock Catnip leaves, which can be made into a tea, allowed to cool and then offered to the cat - apparently they go mad for it!!

21/08/2003   Bradley Viner gives talk at Royal Institution

Bradley Viner is giving a Daily Telegraph lecture on Pets and Health at the Royal Institution on the evening of October the 21st. Why not come along? Details and applications from http://www.rigb.org

08/01/2003   Investors In People

The Blythwood Veterinary Group are now officially 'Investors In People'. Our recent award is the culmination of a lot of work by Senior Management to ensure maintainence of the national Standard which sets out a level of good practice for training and development of people to achieve business goals.

04/01/2003   Diathermy Unit Bought!

The Blythwood Veterinary Group are now the proud owners of a new electro-cautery (or diathermy) unit! This means we can now execute delicate procedures with the utmost in precision and minimal blood loss (if none at all!)

03/01/2003   Endoscopy on site!

We have just purchased an endoscope giving us a non-invasive alternative to looking inside animals!

02/01/2003   In house Dermatology!!

Graham Finch has recently been awarded his Certificate in Veterinary Dermatology, enabling us to offer in practice dermatological consultations!! Barry Cameron is also currently studying for his Certificate in Veterinary Cardiology, and Tracy Mayne for her Ceritficate in Veterinary Practice Management.

08/01/2002   Gold Anaesthesia Standard Awarded

The Blythwood Veterinary Group has now been certified as a "Gold Standard Anaesthesia Practice". This recognised standard enables us to use the latest drugs and anaesthetic administration and maintainence to ensure the anaesthetics that we administer are of the highest safety standard and offer a significant reduction in recovery times. Please ask at reception or email us for a brochure which explains this in greater detail.

10/06/2001   New computer system up and running

We are delighted to say that the transition to our brand new computer system has been completed very satisfactorily. It was a constant source of embarassment to us that our old (2 yrs!) system would not allow us to retrieve information reliably, especially from one site to another. The new system works on an entirely different principle, and already seems to be a tremendous improvement.

25/05/2001   New product - Xenex

Flystrike is a very serious and distressing problem in rabbits during the summer months. This product is a safe and effective fly repellent. I might even take some away on holiday with me!

16/05/2001   New product - Program Plus

Program, the monthly tablet to protect against flea infestations, now includes a wormer, to give continuous protection against roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and heartworm. And the really good news is - it doesn't cost any extra!

10/01/2001   Mobile unit hits the road

Our new mobile unit, the only one in the area, is now up and running, enabling us to bring a fully equipped clinic to your door.

04/01/2001    Stanmore surgery now open

Our new surgery at 103 - 105 Stanmore Hill is now open, also incorporating our "World of Cats", catering to the needs of the cats and their owners.