As usual, the surgery has been busy, both with routine appointments and all the extra summer issues such as grass seeds, cat and dog bite wounds, escaped parrots, travel certificates, seasonal allergies and a record number of cases of heat stroke.
Unfortunately, we have also seen an increase in cases of Canine Parvovirus over the summer. The main symptoms of Parvovirus are severe vomiting and diarrhoea, and it is highly contagious and often fatal. The good news is that the annual boosters do offer a high level of protection, but if your dog is not vaccinated, or if vaccinations have lapsed, we would strongly recommend that you get them up to date as soon as possible.
We have had a lot of wildlife cases as our native species struggle to deal with the hotter than usual weather. Along with the usual fledglings, we have treated a badger, lots of hedgehogs, a swan, a heron, a fox, several squirrels, a sparrow-hawk and a seagull!
We have had a few comings and goings… Patrick and Anna have recently returned from a conservation tip to Madagascar as part of their studies. Sadly, our nurse Kayleigh is moving on to a new position as head nurse at a practice in Wisbech, and student nurse Simone has now qualified and gone to work full-time at another local practice. Congratulations to Kayleigh and Simone. You will be missed! Vet nurse Jo will be joining us in September. She is looking forward to getting back into general practice following 10 years at the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital. We are also joined on Saturday mornings by Alaina, our newest receptionist, who is starting a diploma in Animal Management in September, and by vet nurse Becky, who when she is not working in the practice, teaches vet nursing at the The College of Animal Welfare.
The waiting room is looking a little more like its old self with the removal of the Covid Screens. It suddenly feels twice the size and makes communication much easier, plus allows a welcome breeze to pass through the building. However Samba, our practice cat, may have to be a little more careful when sitting at the reception desk pulling faces at the dogs, as she no longer has the screen for protection!
We are looking forward to our 60th anniversary celebrations in the autumn. We will be having an open house at the surgery on the afternoon of Saturday November 19th, and we would love it if you popped in to join the celebrations. Along with refreshments we will have a display of photos and memories of the practice through its many years on Clarendon Street. If you have any photos or memories to share, we would love to hear them.
With thanks for your continued support,
Patrick, Harriet and all the Clarendon Street Team.