Pritchard's Veterinary Centre

15/01/2025

We now provide rapid faecal worm tests in-house, with same day results!
Call in to our Denbigh surgery for a free sample pot and more information 😀

Pritchards Denbigh

13/12/2024

Christmas Opening Times.

13/12/2024

Please remember to make sure your pets have enough medication to get them through the festive period.
If you need to order more, it is a 24 hour notice for repeat medications, including flea and worm treatments.
If your pet is due a medication review (3 months since last check up), please book in before you are due to run out of medication.

REPEAT PRESCRIPTION NOTICE

Please note that we need a minimum of 24 hours notice for all repeat prescriptions to allow veterinary approval.
This includes all medications, flea and worm treatments.

This will ensure the safety of all drugs prescribed for your animal, and minimise waiting times when you come in to pick them up.

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in person or over the phone.
If there are any queries regarding this, please dont
hesitate to contact the practice.
Thank you for your cooperation

21/11/2024

If you are coming to the surgery today, please be extremely careful in the car park. It is very icy and slippery.

01/11/2024

⭐️JOB VACANCY⭐️

We are currently looking for a friendly, professional and, enthusiastic Receptionist/Animal Assistant.

We are a long established, and progressive veterinary practice, consisting of a main surgery in Denbigh and a smaller branch surgery in St Asaph. We work as a friendly and welcoming team who are committed to providing first class client care and clinical excellence.

🔸️Job Description:
To provide a friendly, professional and caring service to clientele, and maintain the day to day running of the reception area. To actively promote the practice's high standards of service by developing and maintaining excellent relationships both with farm clients and small animal clients, along with their pets and animals, as well as the practice team.

🔸️Main duties and Responsibilities:
●Greeting and assisting clients, both over-the-phone and face-to-face.
●Registering new clients.
●Obtaining medical notes.
●Communicating with, and sending medical notes to external practices.
●Scheduling and managing appointments. ●Maintaining medical records and accounts.
●Triaging emergency appointments.
●Handling animals and assisting the vet where necessary during consultations.
●Cash handling i.e. taking payments, refunds processing insurance claims.
●Lone working.
●Maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of the reception area, consultation rooms and surrounding areas.
●Supporting the veterinary team in all aspects of clinical practice, including feeding and cleaning, stock control i.e. ordering, date checking and stock taking.
●Safe handling of dispensed medications and controlled drugs.

🔸️Skills and Abilities:
●Written and verbal communication skills.
●Customer service skills.
●Excellent attention to detail.
●Ability to prioritise tasks
●Good time management.
●Organisational skills.
●Ability to multi-task.
●Computer literate.

🔸️Personal Qualities:
●Good telephone manner.
●Polite and professional approach.
●Motivated and enthusiastic attitude.
●Flexibility and willingness to learn.
●Compassionate, empathetic and professional. ●Responsible, committed and trustworthy.
●Team player.

Previous veterinary reception experience and animal handling is desirable, but not essential as training will be given.
You will be required to work at both branches, so therefore, a full, clean driving license and having the use of a car is required.

Hours and rate of pay to be discussed.

This vacancy is subject to an initial trial period, again to be discussed.

Please send your cover letter and CV to [email protected]

Closing date for applications 30/11/24.

28/10/2024

In the run up to Halloween night, on a weekend we expect some spooky goings on.... Remember the dangers to our pets and the signs of unhappy, scared or uncomfortable pets.

🎃Happy Halloween: Petrified Pets?

Halloween is a fun celebration however we do need to take our pets into consideration in amongst the ghosts and ghouls!

🍬 Trick or treat🍫

Risks to our pets include chocolate toxicity and ingestion of sweets that could contain xylitol.
Please call your vets for advice if they get hold of any human food however as usual prevention is better than cure so keep animals away from Halloween treats!

🐕 Knock knock. Who's there? 👻

Because of possible disruption and fireworks dogs and cats should be kept inside where possible during Halloween night. It is also advisable to keep your pet in a separate room during trick or treating with a safe space to sleep. This may minimise the stress of the continuous opening and closing of the door as well as ensuring your pet cannot bolt from your home if frightened by strange and scary looking visitors.

🕯️Care with Candles🕯️

Candles add a spooky feel to many Halloween decorations however are a risk for both children and pets to knock over!

❌ Creepy Costumes

Although cute looking, a huge percentage of pets would much rather not be dressed up. Please be considerate of pets body language and ideally let them have a relaxing night away from the stress.

🔥 Fireworks🎇

People often use fireworks around Halloween.
➡️Please tell your neighbours in advance of you plan to use fireworks.
➡️ Consider silent fireworks
➡️ Always check bonfires for wildlife before setting alight
➡️Tell local livery yards and farms if you plan to set off fireworks

If you are an owner:

✅ Walk your pet in the light before treat or treaters and fireworks
✅ Provide a safe place for your pet
✅ Contact your vet in plenty of advance if your pet needs a prescription for firework anxiety.

27/10/2024

25/10/2024

🎆Fireworks and Fear: Petrified Pets 🎆

In the lead up to fireworks season - are you prepared?

Fireworks seem to now occur regularly throughout October-December with Halloween, Bonfire night, Christmas and New year.

Although spectacular to watch they have very real implications for the welfare of our wildlife, livestock and pet animals.

⬇️Here is some advice this firework season. Stay tuned for more individual advice on each section in the coming weeks.

🐱Cats
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Try and keep them inside after dark. We understand this can be difficult. You may need to provide more play and calming aids to help them with a change in routine
✅Close all doors and windows to prevent them bolting
✅Shut curtains to dim the noise and flashes
✅ Give them a safe hiding place or don't disturb them if they find their own safe place to settle. Cats often like to be up high

🐶Dogs
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Walk before dark. If toileting outside go out with them on a leash to avoid them bolting if a firework goes off unexpectedly
✅Use calming aids
✅Give them as safe place to stay that is covered, dark and quiet. Do not lock them in here.
✅Watch that all doors are closed to avoid escape
✅You can comfort your pet, just ensure you stay safe if they are extremely agitated

🐭Small Furries
✅You may need to bring any animals inside if it doesn't cause them too much stress
✅They may require more bedding
✅Cover accomodation to prevent the lights from upsetting them
✅Move indoor enclosures away from windows to dull the noise and light

🐴Horses
✅Check local fire displays and prepare
✅Keep to a routine
✅Check the field or Stable is free from hazards
✅Give your vet notice if you require medication for your horses anxiety
✅Check on them regularly or stay with them if they are known to spook so you can react quickly if they become upset

🐮Livestock
✅Tell local farmers if you intend to have a Firework display and try to avoid the loud fireworks. Do not set fireworks off around fields containing livestock.

🦔 Wildlife
✅Check bonfires before lighting for any wildlife such as rodents or hedgehogs
✅Avoid setting fireworks off near known wildlife areas like nature reserves

🧑‍⚕️ How your vet can help
✅If your animals experiences distress then there are medications we can prescribe
✅You will likely need a prescription check even if you have it yearly
✅Veterinary professionals are also well placed to give you individual advice on how to help your pets

🎆If you plan to have a firework display:

➡️Please tell all your neighbours in advance that you plan it.
This will ensure they have had time to adequately prepare their animals for the event.
If possible please consider using alternative options such as silent or low noise fireworks if you know you are surrounded by families with cats, dogs, other pets or if you live by a farm or livery yard.

➡️Please tell owners how long the display will go on for and don't go beyond that so they know when it is safe to let their pets out for toileting or grazing.

➡️ Please do not release sky lanterns

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/litter/skylanterns

🚒👩‍🚒 Please also be fire safe!

🔥https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

🔥https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety

Other links:

➡️ https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

➡️ https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

➡️ https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/storms-and-fireworks/

25/10/2024

Classic FM’s special fireworks shows playing calming music for our four-legged friends are back on Saturday 2nd November and Tuesday 5th November 2024.

Between 5pm and 9pm, listeners will be treated to a specially curated playlist of tracks designed to calm and soothe dogs, including Saint-Saëns’ ‘The Swan’, Elgar’s ‘Mina’, and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.17.’

The shows are broadcast with the help of the RSPCA, and they will also feature specialist advice for dog owners.

13/10/2024

This month the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is changing their rules around pet birds, and is requiring registration of pet birds which fall under the following criteria

If you keep 49 or less birds, you need to register them here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds

Psittacines (parrots, budgies, cockatiels, etc) and Passeriformes (canaries, finches) are exempt from registering but ONLY if they are always kept indoors. This means all pet chickens, ducks etc need to be registered, even if you only have a few in your back garden.

If you keep 50 or more birds of any species, you need to register them here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/652565a1244f8e000d8e734f/Compulsory_registration_to_be_a_keeper_of_50_or_more_poultry_or_other_captive_birds__IRA81_.pdf

And you will have to request a County Parish Holding (CPH) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-county-parish-holding-cph-number

In case of any questions or if you are concerned about your birds health, please contact our practice to arrange a consult with our exotics service.

25/09/2024

Male Labrador has been handed into the practice, found in Llandyrnog. If you could could contact us on 01745 812047 with evidence of ownership required thank you

18/09/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/VkbYfTHPDEbfgeDo/

03/09/2024

Young black and white kitten found in Denbigh, very friendly. Currently in a foster home.
If you are missing a kitten, please give the surgery a call during opening times.
Proof of ownership will be required.

30/08/2024

08/08/2024

To any clients travelling to us between Friday 9th August to Wednesday 14th of August, please be aware of a road closure on the Mold-Denbigh road in between Caerwys and Bodfari.
Please allow yourself extra travelling time, as detours may be in place, to get to your appointment on time.

02/08/2024

Can human painkillers be given to my pet?

The short answer is NO.

You should never give human medications to your pet unless directed to do so by your Vet.
There are other drugs that have similar beneficial effects, but are safe for your pet, and licensed for use in animals. It is important to seek the advice of your Vet if you think that your pet is in pain and to follow their instructions carefully.
Always remember to keep all medications in a secure place, and out of reach of your pet.

●Do not give Ibuprofen to your dog or cat under any circumstances. Ibuprofen and naproxen are common and effective medications used to treat inflammation and pain in humans, but they should NEVER be given to pets. These drugs can be toxic (poisonous) to dogs and cats and can prove fatal.

●Do not give aspirin to your puppy or to your cat. Aspirin is not tolerated by young dogs, as they lack the enzymes necessary to process the aspirin in their body, this is also true for cats.

●Do not give paracetamol in any form to your cat under any circumstances.
Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals. Cats are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects, and so paracetamol must never be given to them under any circumstances.
There is a veterinary formulation of paracetamol that can be prescribed to your dog, and your Vet may decide to prescribe this under some circumstances. This formula is safe to give to a dog but it is important to make sure that you follow your Vet’s dosage and directions very carefully and report any problems such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, drooling, dullness or a painful tummy.

29/07/2024

It's going to be another warm couple of days, so please remember to take extra care of your pets

It's going to be a very warm day today, so please take extra care with your dogs today and avoid walking them during the hottest part of the day, and avoid car journeys if you can.
Follow the link below to find out more about heatstroke in dogs and how you can help prevent it.
If you think your dog may have heatstroke, please call the surgery on 01745 812047, as this would be classed as an emergency.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/heatstroke-in-dogs/