Lockwood Vets 01902 605080
Rosewood Vets 01902 671777
Burton Vets 01283 510363
Hednesford Vets 01543 878625
Blackheath Veterinary Centre 0121 559 1599
Bearwood Veterinary Clinic 0121 429 1400

Nursing clinic

Our Nursing Clinics service for Veterinary care

  • Behaviour
  • Geriatric Care
  • Nutrition Clinics
  • Weight Clinics

Behaviour

Our compassionate and understanding staff are highly trained and experienced in dealing with a wide variety of behavioural issues ranging from housetraining, anxiety, aggression, and travel problems. Our goal is to bring harmony to your household, so call us to see how we can help.

Your pet's behaviour affects every interaction you have with him or her on a daily basis. Behaviour dictates everything from meal time, to exercise time, to down time such as relaxing on the couch with other family members. When a pet has a behaviour problem, the consequences are far-reaching. Behaviour problems threaten the bond you have with your pet by damaging the loving relationship that should exist between you. In extreme situations, a serious behaviour problem can lead to euthanasia or surrendering a pet to a rescue centre.

Pets can have a wide variety of behavioural issues, from simple house training problems to severe anxiety and aggression issues. We are well qualified and experienced in diagnosing and addressing behaviour problems with an approach that combines skills from veterinary clinical medicine, behavioural medicine, and pet training. Our goals are to help pets and their owners live together comfortably and safely, and to help restore the bond between pets and their families.

Dealing with behaviour problems can be frustrating for pet owners. Some pet owners may even blame themselves because their pet seems to have an emotional issue. Although behaviour problems can result from emotional trauma or physical mistreatment, in many cases the problem can arise from simple misunderstandings or learned associations that were inadvertently established during training. In addition, several medical conditions can manifest in ways that mimic behaviour problems. Scheduling an evaluation with a professional skilled in diagnosing and managing behavioural issues in pets is the first step on the road to resolving the problem.

Before you and your pet suffer through one more day of inappropriate behaviour, call us. Let's talk about how we can help.

Please contact your local practice for tailored advice and to make an appointment.

Geriatric Care

Just like their human companions, our pets are living longer, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine. We have lots of advice, knowledge and experience in looking after older pets, and offer clinics to help your golden oldie. 

Did you know that pets age faster than people and can be considered seniors at around 7 years of age? Just as our health care needs change as we age, your pet's healthcare needs to also change. Nutritional needs, exercise habits, and many aspects of your pet's daily routine can change as your pet ages. But how can you tell the difference between normal ageing and a medical problem?

As in humans, some health issues that affect older pets can begin with very subtle changes that may go unnoticed until the problem has become serious. Regular wellness visits are important for every stage of your pet's life, so don't forget to keep your senior pets' scheduled wellness appointments. The best way to help protect your pet as he or she ages is to understand the aging process in pets. We understand that process and can help you help your pet. Even if your senior pet is already being treated for a medical condition, treatment recommendations can change as a condition progresses. Sometimes medication dosages need to be adjusted, or medication may need to be changed.

Routine wellness blood work and other routine diagnostic testing are important for senior pets because these tests allow us to evaluate how your pet's health is either responding to current management strategies or changing with age.

Your senior pet's wellness examination is also your chance to have us address any of your questions or concerns about your pet. We welcome your questions and encourage you to be involved in decisions regarding your pet's health care.

Older pets make wonderful companions, and thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever! You are an important ally in your senior pet's health care. We are here to help ensure that your pet is safe and happy throughout the golden years.

Please contact your local practice for tailored advice and to make an appointment.

Nutrition Clinics

Our experienced and helpful staff can assist you in selecting the most appropriate diet for your pet, and help you to monitor your pet's wellbeing, making alterations to diet as neccessary. Nutition is an esseential part of your pet ownership, so let our knowledgable staff help you to help your pets!

From the very first day you bring a new pet home through to the final days of its life, nutrition plays a critical role in your pet's overall health and well-being. Many pet owners take nutrition for granted, in part because the availability of so many nutritionally complete commercial diets have taken much of the guess work out of choosing a suitable diet for a pet. However, did you know that your pet's nutritional needs change with age and activity level?

Did you know that specially formulated diets can assist in the management of various medical conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease? Do you know how many calories your pet should have each day and whether you are over or underfeeding? Are you comfortable reading and interpreting pet food labels?

Whether your pet has special dietary needs or simply needs to shed (or gain) a few pounds, our nutrition clinics can help you accomplish your goals and keep your pet in good health. We offer clinics in dietary selection and feeding practices for pets during various life stages, such as growth, pregnancy, nursing, and the golden years. If your pet has a medical condition, we can help you select the most appropriate diet to suit your pet's needs.

It can be easy for a pet owner to become overwhelmed by the available selection of pet foods, all of which claim to have specific benefits for pets. We can offer expert advice to help you negotiate the complicated array of choices. Let our nutrition clinics help you achieve and maintain optimal nutrition for your pet.

Please contact your local practice for tailored advice and to make an appointment.

Weight Clinics

You may never have thought about pet obesity, but this is a very real issue facing many pets in the UK. Currently some 40-50% of pets in the UK are thought to be overweight with as many as 20% being classed as dangerously obese! Pet obesity is one of the most common conditions we see.
Being overweight can affect your pet’s health and well-being, putting your pet at risk of developing some serious health issues including:

  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis, joint, mobility and spinal problems
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver disease
  • Skin and coat problems
  • Incontinence (bitches)
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Ulcers / pressure sores
  • Heat intolerance
  • Increased surgical/anaesthetic risks
  • Cancer development
  • Overweight pets also tend to interact less with their families. Obesity can also lead to physical and emotional distress and overall reduce the life expectancy of your pet.

CAUSES OF PET OBESITY

  • Overfeeding, either through larger than needed meal portions, excessive treats or snacks.
  • Feeding pets the wrong type of food, such as human food, which can be very unhealthy for them or some commercial diets that are very high in fat and additives.
  • Not enough exercise.

Usually, obesity in pets is caused by a combination of both a poor diet regime and lack of exercise.

IS MY PET OVERWEIGHT?

There are three simple checks that you can do at home to get an idea of your pet's body condition:

  1. With your pet standing (if possible), run your hands flat gently up and down the sides and back of their body. You should be able to feel the outline of your pet’s ribs, hips and spine without excess fat covering. If you are struggling or having to apply pressure, the chances are that your pet is above its ideal weight.
  2. With your pet standing (if possible), look from the side. You should see a distinct abdominal tuck – This is where the lower surface of your pet’s body, just behind the chest, should slope upwards. If your pet has long hair, you might need to use a flat hand to feel for this.
  3. With your pet standing (if possible), look from directly above. You should see a distinct waistline like an ‘hour-glass’ figure.

If you are concerned about your pets’ weight and would like some advice, book in for your free weight clinic with one of our experienced nurses.

WEIGHT CLINICS

Our weight clinics, which are free of charge to all our clients and their pets, include a body condition score, weight check, body measurements and advice on food, diets and exercise plans to help your pet lead a healthier lifestyle. We will be able to advise you on the best way for you to help your pet lose excess weight and keep it off.

Regular monitoring and weight checks are essential to ensure that your pet is losing weight at a safe rate and so that we can make any adjustments to your pet’s diet or exercise as necessary to keep your pet on track until they reach their ideal weight.

Helping your pet lose weight and improving their overall fitness does require a commitment from the whole family, it is easier than you think and well worth the effort.

Maintaining an ideal weight is one of the most important things you can do to keep your pet healthy and happy.


Please contact the practice to book your pet in for a free weight clinic appointment.

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