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The Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme announces closure date of 30th June 2011
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The UK Domestic Cheque Guarantee Scheme will close on 30th June 2011. Because payment by cheque will no longer be guaranteed by the scheme most businesses will stop accepting cheques. We can still accept cheques after the 30th June 2011 but ideally we would prefer one of the following alternative methods of payment:

• Debit or Credit card

• Electronic Transfer

• Standing Order

• Cash

BOLTON EDUCATIONAL EVENING

On the evening of Thursday 9th June 2011 we held a free educational evening in conjunction with Bolton & District Riding Club and their members at Silverwell Hall in Bolton.  The topics covered were "To worm or not to worm" and "Laminitis - the latest updates".  Buffet & refreshments were available to all and a free raffle was held where attendees could win a selection of goodies!  Feedback from the night was excellent with all attendees advising they found the talks useful.  We plan to do these talks in conjunction with Bolton & District Riding Club on a regular basis.  People have requested subjects to be covered at future events and we will happily accommodate!  We look forward to seeing you at the next one........

We can offer these talks free of charge to other local riding clubs, riding schools and livery yards.  We also do practice educational evening on a regular basis and everybody is welcome!

If you would like to speak to us about the possibility of arranging an educational event - please contact Diane or Charlotte on 0161 643 7724.

*** STRANGLES VACCINE OFFER - FREE SECOND VACCINATION ***

Intervet / Schering Plough Animal Health, the European market leader in equine vaccines, has recently announced the re-introduction of Equilis Strep E, the only strangles vaccine for horses in Europe .

Strangles is a highly contagious infectious disease in horses worldwide and it is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. It is one of the most common bacterial equine respiratory infections and may cause major economic losses to the equine industry due to its prolonged course, recovery period and associated complications. It is accompanied by fever, purulent nasal discharge and abscesses in the head and neck regional lymph nodes. Mortality is rare, but up to ten percent of recovered animals become chronic carriers of the bacteria and subsequently can spread the disease.

The recommended vaccination course is: 1st vaccination - 4 weeks later 2nd vaccination - boosters every 6 months. 

For further information on Strangles and vaccination see the following website: http://www.equine-strangles.co.uk/

If you would like further information or would like to make an appointment to take advantage of this offer please telephone the practice on 0161 643 7724.

SPECIAL OFFERS

5% Prompt Payment Discount Available.
(* Subject to credit status / Conditions apply)

We are offering all clients a 5% discount if payments are made at the time of the visit for selected treatments. Paying for treatment at the time of the visit will remove the need for us to print and post an invoice, therefore reducing the costs to the practice. This means we can pass this saving onto our client. It will also help from an environmental point of view, as invoices will not need to be printed and mailed out. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, credit or debit card.

(* The following procedures are not included: Castrations / Pre Purchase Examinations. Discount is not available on account where credit has been withdrawn).

** Recommend a Friend and receive a half price visit voucher **

For every client who recommends a friend to register with the practice we are offering a half price visit voucher, which can be used within 12 months from receipt. Vouchers are not limited to one per recommendation so this means the more new clients you recommend to the practice the more half price visit vouchers you will receive!

It is the policy of this practice that all horses registered are vaccinated at least for tetanus. For horses up to date with vaccinations then all we need to do is take the details of when the horse was last vaccinated as part of the registration process.  For horses not currently up to date with vaccinations we can arrange an appointment as part of the registration process.

DISCOUNTED ANNUAL WORMING PACKAGES

SAVE 20%

Discounted annual worming packages are available from the practice. The packages contain a two-year rotating worming programme, all the wormers you will need for one year and a weigh tape. This will ensure you are worming at the right time of the year, with the correct type of wormer and using the correct dosage. If you buy an annual pack you will save 20% on the individual wormer price!!!

New for 2011

In a bid to try to get more people thinking about preventative healthcare we are offering incentives throughout the year on some preventative healthcare procedures.

Our aim is manage the health of your horse – not just the sickness.

FEB 2011 Save 20% off the cost of your vaccination if you have a Health Plan done during the month of February 2011.

JUNE 2011 National Microchipping Month – Half Price Microchipping for the month of June 2011.

SEPT 2011 Pet Smile Month – Half price teeth rasping for the month of September 2011.

OCT 2011 to Save 20% off the cost of your vaccination if you have a Health Plan

done during the months of October 2011 and February 2012.

* For more information on Health Plans – click here.

Seasonal Reminders

Castrations - Castrations are only undertaken by the practice during the cooler months when flies are not prevalent usually between October and May each year. The reason we do not do castrations during the summer months is because the risk of infection is much higher. Please call the practice if you require further information or an appointment.

Dentistry – Regular dental checks are crucial not only for optimising your horses ridden performance but also for preventing problems such as colic, sinus infections and weight loss. Autumn/Winter is an important time to resolve any dental problems so that our horses are able to cope with high fibre diets over winter. After all there is no point spending money on food if your horse cannot eat it properly!

Where more intensive dentistry is required our vets are now able to undertake this work using a motorised rasp. We do this under sedation as this relaxes the horse and prevents stress and excitement, allowing the work to be done more efficiently and humanely by the vet. In the interests of safety we do not recommend that any motorised dentistry is undertaken unless your vet sedates your horse. For details and costs of this treatment please telephone the practice on 0161 643 7724.

Rain Scald / Mud Rash - This condition can be considered as frustrating in Autumn / Winter as Sweet Itch is during the summer. Please see the link for more information on this condition and how to manage it. (see Diseases - Rain Scald/Mud Rash).

Colic - Horses digestive systems are very sensitive to subtle management changes. The winter months usually bring a change in how we manage our horses with turnout being , especially if they are stabled during the winter months and we usually see an increase in colic cases during this transition period. Please see the link for more information on colic, steps you can take to minimise the risks and signs to look for. (see Diseases - Colic)

Laminitis - Usually a condition associated with the summer months however, we have seen a large number of these cases coming into autumn. A large number of laminitis cases were also seen during the winter last year. This could have been down to the extremely bad weather we experienced (lots of snow for long periods of time) meaning that horses were stabled for long periods whilst still being fed the same amounts of hay/haylage and hard feed but with no exercise due to the poor weather.

If you suspect your horse/pony has laminitis it should be treated as a clinical emergency and seen immediately. The sooner treatment for laminitis begins – usually the better the prognosis. For more information on laminitis see the link. (Diseases - Laminitis)

Worming – Don’t forget to ask for a free worming programme. Controlling the worm burden is an essential part of your yearly management programme. Faecal examinations / worm egg counts are an excellent non intrusive way of assessing the levels of common worms in your horse. Also consider that tapeworms are not detected in a faecal examination so these should be routinely tested for separately with a blood sample or wormed accordingly at the correct time of year using the correct product. A worm burden can lead to lack of performance, weight loss, colic, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, anaemia, dullness and respiratory problems. The packages contain a 2 year rotating worming programme, all the wormers you will need for the year for your horse and a weigh tape. This will ensure you are worming correctly at the right time of the year, with the correct type of wormer and using the correct dosage. For more info tel: 0161 643 7724.  

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NEW CHEWABLE WORMER

Syringe handling, horse acceptance and the tendency to spit out some or all of the paste are common problems reported by owners when worming their horses. The launch of Vectin chewable tablets means that help is finally at hand for owners who may end up wearing most of the product following a stressful worming session.

Vectin Chewable Tablets are a novel approach to equine worming. Horse owners like to give treats and horses love to recieve them. New Vectin Chewable Tablets allow owners to simply hold out their hand for a novel approach to equine worming. Vectin Chewable Tablets provide an effective and enjoyable worming experience for both horses and their owners.

Used as part of a strategic worming plan, Vectin chewable tablets control potentially fatal parasites including small and large strongyles (also known as redworms), and stomach bots, which can cause colic. Field studies showed more than 70% spontaneous acceptance by horses and the simple calculation of one tablet for every 110kg of a horse or foal’s bodyweight helps to reduce wastage as unused tablets can be stored away for future use and is more cost effective.

NEW SUPPLEMENTS FOR HORSES – NOW IN STOCK

SERAQUIN GLME JOINT SUPPLEMENT

Seraquin GLME is a natural feed supplement, specifically developed to support the natural function of cartilage, joint capsules, tendons and ligaments and is recommended for use in horses with arthritis and joint stiffness.

There are many supplements available on the market and it can be difficult to know which to choose for the best. Seraquin GLME is the only one to contain Green Lipped Mussel Extract (GLME). The New Zealand Green-Lipped mussel - Perna Canaliculus - has been used in humans for many years as an important source of nutrients essential for healthy joint metabolism. The mussel contains a combination of essential fatty acids and other nutrients including glucosamine and chondroitin found nowhere else in nature. Importantly, some of these essential fatty acids have been demonstrated in published studies to have a measurable effect on enzymes involved in joint inflammation . All these components can combine to lubricate joints and support normal joint function – the elasticity of ligaments, and the shock-absorbing properties of cartilage. When choosing a GLME product, the manufacturing process is critically important in preserving nutrient levels and quality.

EQUITOP MYOPLAST – MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT

New Supplement Promises Muscles Without Hassles!

We all know how hard it can be to keep condition on horses as we enter the winter months – especially those with an increased protein requirement. Too many concentrates and oils, and they get fat and fizzy.

That’s why we’re pleased to be able to introduce Equitop® Myoplast Power Pearls from Boehringer Ingelheim into the practice. Equitop Myoplast is packed with 18 key amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids, which your horse requires in its diet.

Scientifically designed to support lean muscle growth, Equitop Myoplast is great for optimising performance in horses in intensive training and competition, as well as bringing on young, breeding, or recuperating animals, and for older horses which lose condition easily.

Equitop Myoplast is endorsed by top British show jumper, Ellen Whitaker from the Whitaker show jumping dynasty, who feeds the product to the horses on her yard, including the power jumper Ladina B:

“I feed Equitop Myoplast to Ladina B- She is an out and out power jumping horse. Since using Equitop Myoplast, her muscle definition and stamina has improved and she is jumping with more scope than ever!”

Equitop Myoplast is available in a 1.5kg tub, which should last a 500kg horse approximately one month. In order to celebrate the launch of the product, clients of the practice can download a voucher from www.equitop-myoplast.co.uk offering a £15 rebate against their first purchase of Equitop Myoplast – where you can also get more information about the product as well as hearing Ellen Whitaker speak more about her experiences using it.

For further information or to purchase Equitop Myoplast, please contact the practice on 0161 643 7724.

*** NEW SEDATIVE FOR HORSES ***

Janssen Animal Health has launched Domosedan Gel®, an easy-to-use gel for the reliable sedation of horses.

Domosedan Gel® is administered under the horse’s tongue, so it is rapidly absorbed.
It can replace physical restraint and improve safety during treatments, diagnostics and transport and the gel is ideal for horses that are nervous or needle-shy and when owners need more control during clipping, shoeing, dental treatments and boxing.

Domosedan Gel® is proven to be both effective and easy-to-administer with 98% of horses accepting the gel and owners finding it easy and convenient to use. The gel starts to be absorbed immediately and demonstrates a reliable sedatory effect and high safety margin, making it an ideal solution for sedation and restraint when performing non invasive procedures on horses.
For further information, please contact the practice on 0161 643 7724.

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HORSE MAGAZINE – VETS CASEBOOK – COULD YOU BE A FUTURE STAR!

The vets from the practice have recently been asked to write articles for Horse Magazine, a national publication for horse enthusiasts that is issued monthly. The articles written have featured some of our clients in the Vet Casebook section of the magazine, and detail some of the problems encountered and the treatments provided. Look out of next months issue!

www.horsemagazine.co.uk

We also continue to write for Gallop Magazine as part of the Health Matters feature. This is a bi-monthly publication issued throughout the North West.

BEVA - EMERGENCY SERVICE PROTOCOL LAUNCH

The practice has signed up to the British Equine Veterinary Association’s Emergency Services Protocol.

The protocol sets out a national standard with procedural guidelines for police and fire services with large animal rescue. Its creation was triggered by the number of horses dying slow, painful deaths in widely reported accidents on the roads and elsewhere. The aim of the new code is to minimise delays in injured animals receiving veterinary care, to maximise the chances of a positive outcome for the animal and to ensure the safety of all those involved.

We have agreed to be available to work with the emergency services in the event of an accident / incident involving horses within our area.