Changes to Pet Travel Scheme

From 1st January 2012 the Pet Passport Scheme will be much simpler for pets travelling in the EU. Pets can be microchipped and have a rabies vaccine on the same day and be free to travel 21 days later. A blood test is no longer required for EU travel.

A booster vaccine is still required every 3 years to top up rabies protection in order to keep pet passport valid.

When returning to the UK there is a much broader window of time for the required tapeworm treatment and no need for Vet tick treatment prior to travel. However, it is always recommended to treat pets against ticks whilst abroad even though there will now not be a specific requirement to do so prior to returning to the UK.

For full details please see fact sheet Changes to Pet Travel Scheme For any further details or clarification please don't hesitate to contact the surgery where a member of staff will be happy to help.

Staff changes

We welcome our new receptionist Harriet Dembrey to our team.

Temporary Insurance cover for Puppies and Kittens

We recently treated a severely ill puppy and the case highlighted the value of temporary insurance cover for puppies and kittens.

Zeno the fox red Labrador puppy, featured in our 2012 pet calendar, had barely had a week in his new home when he fell ill with a severe bacterial infection which went on to cause acute kidney failure. With intensive treatment involving intravenous fluid therapy, electrolyte management and a week of hospitalisation and blood monitoring he pulled though and he has regained all his old vigour and hopefully will have no lasting effects from his illness.

Zeno had been bought from a breeder and came with ‘4 weeks free insurance’ cover. These are available from breeders of all pedigree puppies and kittens. They are also freely available to any puppy or kitten that has been seen by us and been found to be fit and well (typically at their first vaccination). We will provide a number for you to call and activate your free cover.

We have had more than one occasion when owners have claimed under these policies and often for considerable sums. At the end of the 4 weeks you are given an option to continue with the insurance and start paying a regular premium. There is no obligation to do so and you can walk away, even if you have made a claim!

The first few weeks of a pet's life in its new home is a vulnerable time. It costs you nothing to cover them and gives you peace of mind.

Many people do go on to insure their pet but it often isn’t a priority in the first rush of ‘puppy love’ and that free 4 weeks gives you time to look at and compare policies and to put something longer term in place and all the time you are researching your new young pet is covered by an excellent company at no cost to yourself.

You can’t lose so please ensure if you take on a puppy or kitten that this cover has been put in place for you by the breeder or that you activate the cover available through us.

Pet Insurance

The cost of veterinary care for pets is steadily increasing. Vets are able to do more for your pets and client expectations of what they want for their pets have increased. We can refer your pets for a whole range of specialist services such as MRI scans, cataract treatment, heart investigations and spinal surgery but these come at a significant cost that can run into thousands of pounds. Read more...

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