Newsletter Summer 2011
Goudhurst vets and equine clinic has seen many
changes in the last 18 months. We are extremely grateful for your
continued loyalty. As some of you are aware CVS bought Goudhurst
Vets at the beginning of last year, this has allowed us to focus even
more on your pets instead of on all the paperwork that comes with
running a business. CVS leave the running of the clinical side of the
practice to the vets and nurses, so please be reassured that we will
continue to offer a very personal service.
Francesca Hawkins (left) is our new clinical director. She qualified in 2004 and after a year in mixed
practice she completed an internship at Bell Equine in 2006. Francesca maintains a keen interest in all aspects
of equine practice and in particular in equine reproduction. She loves being walked by her Welsh Terrier
“Maud”, riding her horse “Huggy” and playing hockey for Tunbridge Wells.
Daniel Denness qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2004 and has been in
practice for 14 years. He has a keen interest in exotic and wildlife
species. Daniel is married to Jo and they have two boys, Harry and
Oliver (pictured here with chicken pox and a chicken!) Daniel
enthusiastically runs our puppy parties and joined the practice last
December.
Tina Boyden is our new permanent small animal vet. She has recently moved back
down south to be closer to her family after 9 years in Scotland. She has brought with
her, her 4yr old thoroughbred horse, “Assi” and her 9year old terrier “Roxy” who are
both loving the warmer weather. Tina qualified from Edinburgh vet school in 2009
and spent time at Croft referral hospital before joining a general practice in
Aberdeen. Tina has a particular interest in all aspects of surgery.
These new members of staff have joined our existing team: Thelma Dance, Claire Devitt, Vicky Payne, Karen Casswell, Charlotte Cook,
Claire Simpson and our trainee nurse, Maisie Forward. (Thelma managed to escape our group photo so I think a there should be a section
just for her next time! We’d be lost without her. FH)
CLAIRE DEVITT BVetMed CertEP MRCVS
“I continue to work part-time in the practice , the same as I have done for the past few years. I continue to see small animals and horses and if
unavailable, please leave a message.
As many of you know, I sold the practice to a company called CVS last year. This was to spend more quality time with my family and get back to
what I love, which is being a vet and seeing patients and clients.
I have also handed over the management role to our new vet, Francesca Hawkins. Of course, I am always available to talk to, but Francesca will be
handling day to day management. We remain totally committed to our patients and clients and to offering the best possible service.”
www.goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981
We have started running Puppy Parties that are designed to socialise
your new puppy outside the family unit. They help your puppy feel
more at ease visiting the vets and allow early interaction with other
puppies. It is a four week course running on a Wednesday from 7.30 –
8.30pm. The course covers a wide variety of topics and can run along
side other dog/puppy training classes. There is a £30 fee for the classes
which includes a month’s supply of flea and worm treatment.
We are now able to offer a wide variety of nurse clinics many of which
are free of charge. Our services include weight checks, clipping beak and
claws, tortoise checks, microchipping and flea checks. Please call for
details and we will be happy to discuss your needs.
Hills Vet Essentials is a high quality veterinary approved complete diet for cats
and dogs. It is nutritionally balanced to help promote health, clean teeth and
maintain a healthy urinary tract & digestive system. The diets are also specially
formulated to contain antioxidants, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Hills guarantee
your pet will like their food, or offer a full refund.
We all like to spread the cost of bills wherever possible and now we can
offer this facility to all our clients. You can now pay monthly for your
pets’ routine veterinary treatments at our practice. These are the costs of
pet ownership that insurance doesn’t cover
Your membership includes:
•Annual vaccination for dogs, cats and rabbits
•Complete flea and worm treatment
•10% discount on all products and services
•Discounted micro-chipping
•Two veterinary check up a year
•Free Hills food
•20% discount on specific long term medications
For more information and its benefits please contact us.
Lungworm is becoming more of a problem in this area, year on year. The worms are transmitted via
intermediate hosts of slugs & snails. A heavy infection will cause your pet to show signs such as weight loss,
breathing problems, & bleeding disorders, which can be fatal. Advocate is the only product licensed to
prevent this infection, and it also covers your pet’s against fleas & roundworms.
Buy a 6 pack of Advocate flea & worm
treatment & get 1 vial free
Both cats and dogs are prone to kidney disease as they get older. Regularly checking the urine can give us vital information about the
health of your pets kidneys. Early detection of kidney disease allows us to start treatment to slow down the progression of this
debilitating disease.
Please drop in and ask for a free sample pot for dogs and advice on how to collect urine from your
cat (it’s not as difficult as you may think!).
www.goudhurstvets.co.uk 01580 211 981