CA Newsletter - Dental Month!

We're loyal, not just local.

Hello,

We hope you are keeping well and warm through these winter months. This newsletter has a focus on dental care which plays a vitally important role in your pet's health. Did you know that the most common cause of bad breath is gum disease? This is caused by plaque and tartar accumulation that produces reddened, inflamed and often bleeding gums.

We're also running a promotion through the month of July for free nurse dental checks at our Amberley & Culverden clinics. Call them to make a booking.

Read on below for further news and tips.

From the Team at North Canterbury Vets.

Upcoming Local Events

What's happening

Amuri Basin Rogaine: 16 August

Feast Matariki at Amberley Farmers Market: 18 Sept

Hurunui Garden Festival: 29th Oct - 1 Nov

Latest News

Solomon's Dental Treatment

It can be quite scary to leave your furry family member at the vets for a procedure, so we decided to follow one of our patients through his visit to see what happens.

Solomon came in for a dental due to some very smelly breath, and after a health check, bloods and time on fluids he was ready for his procedure.

To read more about Solomon’s time at Amberley including some before / after pictures, follow the link.

Click for Soloman's Story

Signs your pet might need dental care

Bad breath
Discoloured teeth
Loose teeth
Excessive drooling, sometimes blood stained
Inflamed gums
Dropping of food from the mouth when eating, or reluctant to eat at all, especially hard food.
Pain when handled around the head
Facial swelling
Behavioural changes (e.g. lethargy, increased aggression)

New - Oxipay!

At North Canterbury Veterinary Clinics we are pleased to advise that we now offer Oxipay as another payment option for you.

This allows you to spread the payments over either 8 weeks or 4 fortnights, and it is interest free as long as you make your payments on time.

Protecting your Pet from the Winter Blues

Hibernation season is upon us! With the colder and darker days, the last thing we want to do when getting home after a long day is going back outside into the cold. This is a common condition called Winter Blues, and it can develop in our furry family members as well. Here are some tips to help your pets during this time:

- Make sure that pets who spend a lot of time outside have shelter that protects them from the wind, rain and frosts. Choose a place that is elevated and protected from the elements as much as possible and fill with dry blankets.
- For those inside pets be careful around heaters and fires. They will be attracted to the warmth just like we are but also have the potential to burn themselves so ensuring they can’t get too close is essential.
- A wheat-bag can be a great way to keep them warm or a winter coat.
- Even in the cold weather make sure you keep exercising your dog, you want to try and keep them at a healthy weight and reduce boredom.
- Our senior pets need extra care over the cooler months. They often have arthritis and/or joint pain, and the cold damp weather can worsen these conditions; if you see your pet slowing down, please talk to your vet about a treatment plan.

Patient Profile: Murphy's Story

Cancer is a scary word, and sadly our four legged friends can also suffer from this as well.

Murphy became sore in the back leg during lockdown and after x-ray's was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This is a very fast and aggressive form of cancer, it spreads quickly and is very painful if left alone.

After an x-ray to confirm that the tumour hadn’t spread his owners were left with a tough decision, to work out what the best thing for him was.

Click below to find out what happened to Murphy.