Practice News

We are up for an award!

We are delighted to have been recognised as a FAB Cat Friendly Practice and nominated for the FAB Cat Friendly Practice of the Year 2007. We are being visited on Thursday 16th August by the judges – so hopefully, we will do really well. Look out for the results!

Autumn Newsletter 2007

You can now download our autumn 2007 newsletter.
The file is in PDF format, therefore Acrobat Reader is required to view it.

Click here to download our Autumn 2007 Newsletter

Summer Newsletter 2007

You can now download our summer 2007 newsletter.
The file is in PDF format, therefore Acrobat Reader is required to view it.

Click here to download our Summer 2007 Newsletter

Microchipping is the best way to ensure your pets can be returned to you if they stray but your contact details must be kept up to date. This is why we are delighted about the public launch of an invaluable service from the Central microchip database, called Petlog Premium.

For £15, you can register a second carer –or you might even like to register us. So, if you were to go away and your pet was to stray, you can be assured of the authorities being able to contact you, safe in the knowledge that your pet will not be re-homed. Furthermore, you can also change your contact information throughout your pet’s life, as often as you like at no extra charge (-the usual cost is £5 per amendment). (Until the end of May, we will be offering microchipping for £20 - usually £30.86 - and if Petlog Premium is taken out simultaneously, we will charge only £31.50). We also have a wide range of wonderfully colourful pet identity tags, which can be engraved with relevant and suitable details.

New Products against Pesky Parasites

We are delighted to announce the arrival of some new spot on prescription only parasite treatments both against worms, fleas and also a combined approach. Please do not hesitate to ask us for further details. We will run through a personal lifestyle assessment to ensure we provide you and your pets with the best and most appropriate treatments for you.

RIP Flea is the newest and in our opinion, best value flea spray for the house –and it even smells like the rolling hills of Tuscany –lovely and floral! We have a special introductory offer so please call or pop in to one of our Well-Pet Centres to find out more.

Spring Newsletter 2007

You can now download our spring 2007 newsletter.
The file is in PDF format, therefore Acrobat Reader is required to view it.

Click here to download our Spring 2007 Newsletter

Winter Newsletter 2006

You can now download our winter 2006 newsletter.
The file is in PDF format, therefore Acrobat Reader is required to view it.

Click here to download our Winter 2006 Newsletter

Pomme's Diary - 2nd Month

Gosh, I’ve been so busy………!! I had my second vaccine which didn’t hurt at all and then had to wait only another seven days before I could go out. I was a little nervous at first but because I was with the whole family, I soon loved it and realised that I was becoming a little stir crazy being kept indoors, only allowed out into the back garden. It was Good Friday which was incredibly lucky because I had the whole family to play with for four days. We went down to the Meadows around Shalford and I even managed to try out swimming in the shallow part of the canal down there. Phoebe and Darcy went straight in and I then followed –splashing around was such fun! I was amazed at how tired I was so kipped for Britain! Easter Sunday was fab –we had an Easter Egg hunt which my siblings loved. I was kept on a lead the whole time because Dad assures me that chocolate is really dangerous for me –it’s poisonous for all dogs!!

Tuesday was my third Puppy Class –whilst I’m having fun, Mummy learns all about “responsible pet ownership”–lucky really, since I feel most irresponsible by playing the whole time. Only joking, I learn how to play with the other pups and already I’m beginning to understand what is right and what’s not, as well as how far I can push things! I was wormed again –this time with Drontal Plus tablets because I’ve grown –I’m over 7kgs!! Mummy also learned about fleas and other parasites –yuccckkk!! Thank goodness for effective spot ons like Advocate!

 Then had my first Rabies vaccine –not that there is any risk of catching Rabies in the UK but Mum and Dad want me to have it so that they can take me to France for our holidays. It’s a long old process to get my PETS passport but at least I’ve started. I need to be vaccinated and for my immune system to produce enough antibodies to prove that I could fight this deadly virus if I was to come in contact with it abroad in those countries that have a rabies problem. Trust me, I’m not going to go anywhere unless I’m fully protected! The great thing about Beech House’s Rabies vaccine is that once given and the necessary immunity occurs, my Passport will remain valid for three years. I might have to have more rabies shots in case I travel to other countries which require annual vaccinations.

I had my last Puppy Playschool class last week –we all were told that we had done really well. The Mums, Dads and pups alike all felt that we had gotten loads from the classes, as well as being great fun. We all “graduated”and received fabulous framed Certificates –Mum has put mine in pride of place –so she said –but I’m a little confused because it’s in the downstairs loo…..?

Mummy has started taking me to puppy training classes now –I have met lots of other pups but we still enjoy ourselves. Mum is training me to a whistle –it certainly grabs my attention! I now come straight back to her when I’m off the lead. This was lucky because I went down to Sussex to stay with cousins. They have Border terriers –Rosie and Woody who are so cool. We’re about the same size –for now –so rolled around, playing for ages. It’s amazing how tired I get but that was lucky because I didn’t miss Mum and Dad too much whilst they were away at a wedding. I still had Phoebe, Darcy and Archie…

I’ve just had my blood test to see how many antibodies I have made against Rabies –hopefully enough so that I can receive my PETS passport. I can’t travel yet since I have to wait six months before I can come back into the UK –well, I suppose I could go abroad but I’d be awfully lonely waiting for the months to pass until I’d be allowed back home. I’ll keep you posted……. Oh, and I was given another Drontal plus wormer –I’m now 10.3kg!

POMME'S DIARY - 1st Month

WEIGHT 6.7KG; WORMERS x 6; FLEA TREATMENTS x 1; VACCINATIONS x 1!! Hi,I’m Pomme (my 3-year old sister, Darcy –she’s a human but I still love her –has taught me that it’s French for Apple!) and I joined the practice 3 weeks ago. I’m only nine and a half weeks old but my Mum and Dad wanted to have me at 6 weeks so I could start my special vaccination with Procyon. I was a little sad to leave my old mum and my doggy brothers and sisters but I have so many new friends, toys and a really loving new family now –there are even two cats who I’m longing to play with but they keep spitting at me so I’m trying to keep my head down. I used to be fed rice pudding, mince, eggs, milk, wheatabix and any table scraps –I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. Not to mention, my poos were really runny and smelly!! But as soon as I got home, I started to be fed some really yummy food –it’s called Hill’s Puppy and comes in tins and dried and I love it. I’m going to be a big girl when I grow up –I’m hoping to be really svelt and beautiful and I’ll watch my weight carefully at 28kg, so I’m fed Puppy Large Breed.

My family make such a fuss of me and allow me to play whenever I want but now I manage to get a good rest too, in my own indoor crate, which Dad bought from the Practice –I never used to have a place I could call my own! Now, when I’m tired, I can climb into my bed and my new brother and sisters know to leave me alone. As soon as I wake up, I’m taken into the garden and my Mum or Dad say, “Be Quick”–I think this is very odd but I’m not complaining because they keep on giving me dried Hill’s puppy biscuits and making a real fuss of me whenever I go to the loo. I can’t be sure but maybe because my poos no longer smell and they’re so much more formed.

I arrived home on a Saturday afternoon and was then taken into Daddy’s work here at the practice on the Monday. He introduced me to everyone in the practice –they made a real fuss of me and I felt so special! He asked Natasha to look me over –she prodded and poked me which was great –I love being tickled. She put a strange dangly thing in her ears and listened to my heart –it was beating beautifully she told my Dad! I felt like a true princess afterwards –she thought I was gorgeous and in very good shape! I weighed 4.8kg so Dad can now be more accurate in knowing exactly how much to feed me. He also has been giving me some yummy paste against worms, called Panacur. I’ve had three doses now and he tells me that I will have to have more again in 2 weeks. Dad had told me all about Procyon, explaining that it is the most innovative vaccine and will help protect me from nasty diseases which could kill me. I was a little nervous about the injection and started to wince in anticipation but Natasha –or Tash –was so gentle, I didn’t feel a thing! She explained that I might feel sleepy and might even be a little sick or have diarrhoea –urrgghhh!! Fortunately, I didn’t feel under the weather at all. I had my Tracer microchip done by the nurses, Laura and Denise. They made a real fuss and assured my that by having my chip, I would always be able to find my way home if I got lost. I swallowed hard when I saw the needle –it was pretty big but I was amazed, it didn’t really hurt……..well, for a split second, it did. I know it was worth it though, I don’t want to get lost. I was back in the practice again the next day –this time for Playschool! I was a little nervous about meeting some new friends but I needn’t have worried because Denise was there! She made me feel right at home and I had a blast –there were two other pups. They were both 10 days older than me so I knew I had to be tough –perhaps I tried too hard because Denise told my Mum that I needed to clam down a bit –oopppps, sorry!

Well, I came back again today really excited to see Oscar and , only to find them and another pup. We had such fun –we tumbled and played whilst our mums were taught lessons by Denise and then Laura. Mum really spoiled me by buying me some amazing toys from the shop in Beech House –I especially love my Kong and the ball on a rope. It was great……I can’t wait for next week. I feel tired now, so I’m off for a well-earned kip! Archie, my new brother, plays with me and the ball on a rope. I’ve even amazed myself sounding so scary, when he pulls and I pull and say, “Mine!”He’s only Two, so doesn’t seem to understand –we therefore continue to pull. It’s really quite tiring. My new Aunt, Pippa has come to stay, whilst her family is on holiday. She’s a Black Lab too –very beautiful indeed and really kind to me. I’ve got a lot to live up to but I so hope I will end up just like her. We play in the house and in the garden –she’s teaching me lots of new things, and I’ve definitely got Sitting down to a T! I seem to get tired out long before her but she still lets me cuddle up to her. Term’s ended and Phoebe, Archie and Darcy are all home for the Easter holidays –the house is bedlam. My siblings love to play with all the cushions and pillows in the house to make camps –it’s fab because they make the most comfortable bed! I had another Puppy party on Tuesday –this time, we learned about behaviour –good, that is. Mum and the nurses think I’m getting on really well. I played better this time but I still had loads of fun! Oscar is great to play with –he’s really smart, and can turn on his TV! Oddly though, his favourite programme is “Baywatch”!?! I came home and flaked out……dreaming of growing up to be like Pippa, whilst wanting to be able to turn on our telly too!

View photos of Pomme here

VERY SAD NEWS INDEED PETER HOWARD DIED ON FRIDAY 12TH MAY AT HOME

We are very sad to inform you that Peter, one of the old partners of Crittall & Westaway, died on Friday 12th May 2006. He will be much missed by family, friends, staff and clients alike. Very affectionately known as Uncle Peter to many Shepperton and Weybridge pets (-and owners alike), he was an exceptionally gifted vet, possessing the art of being a vet above almost all others. He retired on 30th September 2000 and his loss to the practice was huge - now he will be missed massively by us all. Please do not hesitate to contact Jamie if you would like any further information.

HAPPIER NEWS WITH THE ARRIVAL OF POPPY GRACE TAI

We are delighted for Simon and Lisa on the birth of Poppy, a beautiful baby girl.  Mother and daughter are doing very well and Simon is walking around the practice, proud as punch.

OPEN DAY FUN

Thank you to all of our clients –both old and new –for helping to make our Open Day on the 10th September great fun and such a fitting farewell to my father, John on his retirement from the practice after 44 years. We felt the Day was a huge success, enjoyed by all but especially him. Competing against the last test in the Ashes as well as three other local fetes, we didn’t do too badly getting a few hundred attendees to celebrate.

The bouncy castle was a huge success for the kids (- both young and old!) as were the Colouring-In competition, face painting and the small furries, although I’m not so sure about the Staff in Stocks (-namely me), having wet sponges thrown, was such a great idea! The feedback from you all has been excellent. One of our existing clients - a dentist - simply could not get over the level of equipment and the facilities that we have at Beech House and was really impressed. You all seemed to find the displays to be extremely informative and interesting –so I am so grateful to the whole team for putting such a lot of hard work and effort into making such a good show. You also thought the quiz to be great fun.

I am delighted that the prizes were so appreciated –the star prizes being won by: Lucy who won the fabulous mountain bike for correctly guessing that there were 641 balloons in our ambulance; Oliver who won the overall Colouring-In Competition; Mrs Bullamore who won the top raffle prize of £125 of Hill’s food and Mrs White who won the quiz and received a Red Letter Day to go hot air ballooning. I must thank everyone who was incredibly generous by donating their time and prizes, namely Steve & Lynne Boom; Julie Patrick; Margaret Savill; Theresa Saunders; The Dining Room Restaurant; The Green Room Hair Salon; Hill’s; Pfizer; Bayer and Schering-Plough. I am also delighted to announce we made a very respectable £310 which will be shared by the Retired Greyhound Trust and our Hydrotherapy development. Watch this space for future Open Day announcements! Come and see behind the scenes –we’re sure you would enjoy yourselves!

View photos from our fun day here

JOHN CRITTALL RETIRES AFTER 45 YEARS

After 45 years in the practice with 43 at the helm, John Crittall has decided to retire. He has helped shape the practice –first established in the 1870’s –into a leading light for excellent veterinary care in the community. John leaves in the happy knowledge that the practice is still in the safe hands of his son, Jamie.

We are delighted to announce our Open Day on the second Saturday in September. John will of course be around from time to time to help out in the practice but we would urge all of you to please come to Beech House on September 10th to help us celebrate his retirement as well as see behind the scenes. It will be a thoroughly enjoyable day, to remember.

To coincide with this momentous event, we become a limited company. You will therefore notice the odd change to our letterhead and stationery but our service to you will not be affected in any way. We will continue to strive to improve our level of care and commitment to you and your pets.

WONDERFUL FEEDBACK FROM A PUP WHO HAD BEEN IN THE WARS

Hi! Surely you remember me when I came in, in shock, with a broken jaw and fractured skull at the tender age of 6.5 weeks! Due to rough play.......... It was pretty bad, but luckily I survived and it all healed completely with the excellent treatment I got from the vets at Beech House Veterinary Centre and all the TLC from the nurses. I am very, very grateful to all of you! Thank you, thank you....... a hundred times!

Now, I play like a big dog with my friends Sam and Tommy and I don't want to remember my fractures anymore! But I will come and visit you soon! Because I want a microchip and a sniff in my nose against kennel cough. My gran will call you for an appointment. I really look forward to see you all again!

Till then! Cheers! Digbee

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

‘You are what you eat’. That goes for our pets as well as for us! They too need a correctly balanced diet and similarly their requirements for particular nutrients, vitamins and minerals continue to change throughout their lives. With this in mind, life-stage science diets have been developed, controlling excess nutrients and offering the correct diet for each stage of your pet’s life, as well as for the size of your pet. We believe Hill's to produce the best of the best premium diets. They come in a variety of flavours, in tinned and dry forms and with 100% satisfaction guaranteed –making them the best value too!

The problem was quickly diagnosed by our retired partner, John Westaway. His experience was essential in the diagnosis since ricketts has been all but forgotten due to improved pet nutrition. We immediately prescribed Hill’s Puppy Large Breed and we are delighted to say that he is now much better, with good strong bones. Your pet’s diet is vital in maintaining long-term health, so instead of guessing your way around the supermarket shelves, why not let us personally advise you on the best products and dietary needs to suit your pet.

Our belief was well and truly reinforced to us - and one of our clients! - when we diagnosed Ricketts in their lovely Border Collie pup. They had been feeding him what they thought to be best, namely fresh mince and biscuits. This resulted in his bones becoming rubbery and developing incorrectly, without enough calcium mineralisation. You can hardly see the outline of his bones in the x/rays because there’s not enough calcium.

MASSIVE FOREIGN BODY REMOVED BY ENDOSCOPE

With the help of our video endoscope, we were able to remove a massive ball of string from one of our patient's stomachs, without the need for surgically opening him up.
It was a reasonably long procedure but we are delighted to announce that he is making a full recovery. His owners have promised to keep an even closer eye on him, to prevent something like this from happening again. We often find that once an offender, always an offender!

SMART HEALTH RELIES UPON SMART VACCINATION –WHICH WE’RE DELIGHTED HAS JUST GOT SMARTER

Since Procyon was first launched in 2005, we believed it was the future of vaccination, offering a unique range of benefits to you and your pets.  Well, it’s just got even better: it now offers Dogs an amazing four year duration of immunity for half of the eight diseases that it protects against, allowing a reduced vaccination for the intervening three years. Furthermore, Procyon was and still is the best way to maintain your immunity in future by providing comprehensive immunisation against all the known strains of Parvovirus and other damaging diseases.

Protection against canine coronavirus (CCV) is also provided. CCV is a very common infectious cause of diarrhoea in younger dogs, and, if infection occurs at the same time as other pathogens –Parvo, in particular - can cause even more serious disease.

We continue to vaccinate puppies safely from as early as 6 weeks and have their primary course finished by 10 weeks of age. This means we can ensure their safe, earlier outside socialisation by 11 weeks. Early socialisation is thought, by many experts, to lead to calmer, better adjusted adult individuals. By using Procyon Dog, BHVC is ensuring that our clients are protecting their animals as effectively as possible and adapting to the future of vaccination, today.

PARVO TRAGEDY -KILLER DOG DISEASE RE-EMERGES

After an absence of over two years, a case of canine parvovirus has been diagnosed in a puppy here at the practice and other cases have occurred in South East London. “Parvo”, as it is often known, was the scourge of the dog population in the late 1980’s when large numbers of infected animals died.

We are very concerned for a number of reasons. Firstly this disease is so often fatal, especially if it is not treated as soon as possible and secondly some vaccination programmes do not provide total cover against all of the new, emerging strains. The recent confirmed case was actually in a vaccinated puppy and either it was incubating the virus at the time of the vaccine or it was a new strain not covered by that particular vaccine. We are amongst the first practices in the UK delighted to have been able to change up to the newest and most innovative canine vaccine, called Procyon to ensure your continued protection against fatal diseases. WE WOULD URGE YOU TO CHECK YOUR DOG'S VACCINATION STATUS OR CALL US NOW FOR ADVICE. We believe that Procyon is the best way to maintain your immunity in future by providing comprehensive immunisation against all the known strains of Parvovirus and other damaging diseases so hopefully we can prevent a recurrence now new emerging strains of parvovirus. Unfortunately across Surrey and South London many owners have not renewed their dog’s booster programmes or have inadequate cover and as a result they are now vulnerable. Our fear is that with vaccination levels falling there could be a more widespread outbreak in the community. Dogs are exposed to the virus by social contact with other dogs and also faeces and since so many of you mix out walking in the parks and commons, it is in these situations that the virus can be spread.

Canine parvovirus is a very contagious, debilitating and widespread disease, which emerged in many parts of the world only in 1978. Spread through infected faeces, the highly resistant virus can remain in the environment for many months. Symptoms include high fever, listlessness, vomiting and bloodstained diarrhoea. Vaccination is the only certain method for preventing this potentially fatal disease.