Shore Veterinary Centre

22/05/2024

**DOG HANDED IN- (UPDATE) REUNITED WITH OWNER**
This lovely girl has been handed in to us at our practice on Albert road. From her chip we know her name is Maddie but we have been unable to locate her owner. Please get in touch on 01475 637312z

23/04/2024

***Client Notice***

We will be holding a team meeting between 5 and 6pm today. Could we please kindly ask if you could avoid visiting the practice during these times today unless you have an emergency.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

22/02/2024

Gorgeous Bella came to see vet Bobby today for her first vaccinations. She was as good as gold and purred all the way through her appointment.

11/01/2024

Microchipping for cats - 10th June 2024

From 10 June 2024, all pet cats will legally need to be microchipped.

Are you looking to get your cat microchipped?
Give us a call to book your cat in for an appointment - and don’t forget, for pet health club members microchipping is one of the benefits included!
You can join The pet health club on our website www.shorevetcentre.co.uk

15/12/2023

Christmas repeat prescription and food orders

With Christmas fast approaching can we please ask that you make sure any food or repeat prescription orders are placed before the end of Wednesday 20th December for before Christmas and Wednesday the 27th December for before New Year.

15/12/2023

☠️ Watch out for these foods over the festive period! If your cat or dog does ingest any of these, please speak to your vet to seek further advice. For a full guide, visit: https://bit.ly/3rdgLOA

01/12/2023

29/11/2023

We have been notified that a poisonous plant is being used as decoration in a pot plant that can be purchased in garden centres and possibly florists.

The pot plant is Livistona rotundifolia (footstool palm; also known as Saribus rotundifolius) and pots of these plants are decorated with three fibrous balls. The balls are the skeletonised fruit of Cerbera odollam (su***de tree, pong-pong). Within each fruit is a kernel that is extremely toxic; a single kernel can be fatal if eaten and poses a risk to both pets and people. The toxic compounds in Cerbera odollam are cardiac glycosides, which are also found in foxglove, oleander, lily of the valley and other plants.

If you have these fibrous fruits in your pot plant, remove them and dispose of them safely. It you are worried your pet may have eaten the plant material contact Animal PoisonLine (01202 509 000)or your vet immediately.

24/11/2023

22/11/2023

Up until the 6th January we are offering free oral health checks and discounted dental treatment.

Dental disease is often misunderstood and left when it could be sorted more quickly, easily and less painfully for our pets.

These are the signs to look out for to help identify if you cat or dog might have dental disease

21/11/2023

****Client notice****

We will be having team training between 3.15 and 4.30pm today.

If you could avoid visiting the practices or phoning during these times unless you have an emergency it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your understanding

10/11/2023

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Veterinary Receptionist to join our Shore Vet Centre team in the scenic town of Gourock on maternity cover fixed term contract starting in February.



As a receptionist you will provide a friendly, efficient and professional service to our clients and their animals. You will need to be able to work well in a team, at times under high pressure. Previous veterinary receptionist experience is preferred but not essential.



Main duties would include:

* Answering the telephone, booking appointments and processing prescriptions.
*Dealing with clients at the reception desk, taking payments, responding to and monitoring the practice email and answering enquiries and triage emergencies.
* Maintain the reception area. Keep reception tidy throughout the day and assist in any end of day cleaning duties required.
*Accurately recording client and animal information on our IT system, so good IT skills are required.



Customer service is really important so we are happy to consider applicants who have done a client facing role before but not necessarily worked as a receptionist.

This role would provide an excellent opportunity for someone with a love of animals and who has the ability to work well in a busy environment and remain calm in the face of emergencies.



This is a part time role working on average 22.5 hours a week with some Saturday morning cover possibly a part of the working pattern.



Flexibility for holiday and sickness cover is also required.



Salary: dependent upon experience but will meet national living wage

The closing date for this role is 5pm the 10th December 2023 but may close earlier if enough suitable applicants apply.

Apply to Practice Receptionist jobs now hiring in Gourock on Indeed.com, the worlds largest job site.

02/11/2023

Dear Clients,



We wanted to reach out to you, as our valued clients and pet owners, to let you know about a couple of changes in the way we will be operating as a practice.

We currently mainly use our main branch of Shore Veterinary Centre on Albert Road. However we have started to use our previous site on Shore street over the past 12 months.

We are now excited to announce that we will be expanding our availability by having 2 consulting rooms available at our old site on Shore street from the 6th of November 2023, across the road from Gourock Health Centre, next to the pharmacy.



Please find below a Q and A to explain how we will be working across the two sites.



Q) Where do we take our pet for an operation or procedure.



A) Currently all patients admitted for operations and/or procedures will still take place at our Albert Road site.



Q) Which telephone number do I phone to make an appointment?



A) The telephone number is the same for both sites 01475 637312 and can be answered by either site. When making an appointment you will be advised whether your appointment is at Albert Road or at Shore Street.



Q) Where do I collect medication or a repeat prescription for my pet.



A) All repeat prescriptions and medications ordered will be available to collect from our Albert Road site.



Q) If I have a medical emergency with my pet where do I go.



A) If at all possible we ask that you phone our emergency phone line however if you can't and need to get to us straight away then our Albert road site will be the best suited to help your pet.



Q)Are the opening times the same for the 2 sites?



A) Our Albert road site will be open Monday to Friday 8.30am-6pm and Saturday morning 8.30-12 noon. Our Shore street site will not have set opening times and will operate on an appointment only basis so please double check where your appointment is if you are unsure however our helpful reception team will be letting you know at the time of booking.



Q) If my dog needs a vaccination or has a health concern do I have to book somewhere specifically?



A) No, when you phone us our reception team can access the system for both sites so will advise and book your appointment accordingly.



If you have any further questions then please feel welcome to contact us and we will be happy to help.



Best wishes



Shore Vets

We are a dedicated team of Veterinary professionals serving clients across Gourock. Find out more about our practice here.

01/10/2023

Cat The Vet has summed up everything our reception team do for us. We salute you Veterinary Receptionists, we couldn’t do it without you 🫡

So you fancy being a Veterinary Receptionist?

Understandable, working in a vet practice is pretty cool but can you...

Answer a phone......while two other lines are ringing and several clients are waiting at the desk to be booked in, to pick up medicines and to pay for their treatment

Take a call about a sick pet......calm down a hysterical owner, ascertain the relevant details, find and speak to a vet or nurse in the clinic, remember their advice, relay that to the owner and then book them in for an emergency appointment (also while the waiting room is still full)

Cuddle a cute puppy...... when just a few minutes before you were offering tissues and sympathy to a family who had lost a beloved companion.

Make a cup of tea...... for a distraught colleague who has just dealt with a really traumatic situation, comfort them and then help and support them to face the rest of their day

And that is just for starters!

Veterinary Receptionists are the beating heart of a veterinary clinic. They are the people who you will first speak to on the phone, who will greet you at the desk, who plan our days and keep the show on the road.

They will welcome your new cute addition to the family and be the sympathetic and kind presence you need when you face that final day with your companion.

Today is Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day! And oh my goodness, do we appreciate them!!!

Thank you VERY much for all you do for all of us!

21/09/2023

📣🐕 Muzzle training with our experts

If you own an American Bully XL type dog, you can start preparing them for the restrictions by making sure they are trained to happily wear a muzzle.

We’re offering free online sessions to help you do this and will cover:
👉 information about the most suitable types of muzzle
👉 how to ensure a good fit
👉 how to teach your dog to enjoy wearing their muzzle.

Book now 👉 https://bit.ly/3RsuUCw

Our expert trainers have muzzle trained thousands of dogs in our care and can answer any other questions you might have about how to prepare for any upcoming changes affecting you and your dog.

These sessions are designed to support owners of American Bully XLs in light of the recent news, but all dog owners are welcome to attend. It’s useful for all dogs to be able to wear a muzzle comfortably – for those who are anxious at vet visits, for dogs who like to eat undesirable things on a walk or to keep other dogs and people safe if dogs are worried.

30/08/2023

*PLEASE READ*

From 1st September the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS, regulatory body for the veterinary profession in the UK) is introducing new guidance on prescribing prescription-only medicines. The full guidance can be found on: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/under-care-new-guidance/

The new guidance requires that a physical examination of the pet has to be performed every time any antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and antiparasiticides are prescribed. This includes topical preparations such as ear and eye drops, and all prescription flea/worm/tick products.

The guidance is an important step towards ensuring responsible antimicrobial use and reducing the veterinary impact on the wider issues of global antibiotic resistance and decline of insect populations.

What this means in practice is that your pet will need to come in for an in-person consultation every time
- we need to prescribe medication for an ear infection (as most contain antibiotics)
- we need to prescribe antibiotics for any skin problem, even if it’s a chronic problem
- we/you decide to change from one flea/worm/tick product to another
- we suspect a urinary tract infection (remote/online consultation and urine analysis/culture are no longer sufficient)
- we suspect a gastrointestinal infection (remote/online consultation and faecal analysis/culture are no longer sufficient)

We also can no longer prescribe prescription deworming products on the basis of a laboratory report alone, we will need to see the pet for a consultation and physical examination first.

For long term prescription medication that is not an antimicrobial/antiparasitic, our usual policy of requiring an examination every 6 months (or every 3 months in some less stable or more serious cases) continues to apply.

The consultations are charged at our usual fee of £52, depending on whether it’s an initial consultation or one for a recurring problem.

If you have any questions or concerns about the new guidance, RCVS can be contacted on:
020 7202 0789 or [email protected].

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30/08/2023

**** Client notice ****

The team will be taking part in staff training tomorrow between 3.30 and 4.30pm
We ask if you could please avoid contacting the practice or coming to collect medications during this time, unless you have an emergency we would be very appreciative.

Thank you for your understanding

21/08/2023

Happy Monday!!! This Saturday is International dog day and we thought we would share some of the lovely clients we have the pleasure of meeting here at Shore Vets. Feel free to also share your furry friends in the comments below.

17/08/2023

Ticks are out in full force at this time of year, and they’ve got their eyes on our pets. These pint-sized parasites are disease-spreaders, capable of giving your dog Lyme disease, Babesiosis and more.

More information available here:
https://www.myfamilyvets.co.uk/ticks-on-dogs?utm_source=practice&utm_medium=social

12/07/2023

Due to a technical fault our phone lines will inform clients we are closed but will not automatically transfer you through to our out of hours provider.
In case of an emergency when we are closed please call Vets Now on 01412306377

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

01/07/2023

Hi everyone,
We are open this morning until 12. Our phones are playing up sadly. If you need us, please message here or email [email protected].

Many thanks and apologies 🐾

15/06/2023

We would like to make you all aware that we are closed today between 10am and 3pm. During this time we will be available for emergencies only. We ask that all other enquiries are outwith these times, this also includes if you are popping in to collect medication.

14/06/2023

Lovely Thor and Loki were in to visit us recently and we couldn’t resist a photoshoot.

We would like to make you all aware that we are closed tomorrow between 10am and 3pm. During this time we will be available for emergencies only. We ask that all other enquiries are outwith these times, this also includes if you are popping in to collect medication.

14/06/2023

With the recent spike in temperatures, we have seen an increase in number of calls regarding cooling mats for pets. These cool mats are becoming a popular choice amongst pet owners to keep pets cool, but they can sometimes be chewed/ingested by curious cats and dogs🐾

Cooling mats have a gel layer inside and contain a polymer designed to radiate heat back into the air or floor surface to keep a pet cool. The gel absorbs the pet’s body heat and converts it to room temperature which is normally well below the pet’s body temperature. The cover is typically nylon.

The pads do not generally contain toxic components though if large pieces of the nylon cover are ingested, these could cause a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, pets should always be supervised when using these products.

As always, if you are concerned about something your pet has ingested, you can call our Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000

13/06/2023

The hot weather looks like it’s here to stay for the foreseeable, and while it’s nice for us to get out and about and enjoy it, your dog won’t feel the same way.

It is strongly advised not to walk your dogs during the hottest parts of the day, try and take them out early morning or later in the evenings when it has cooled down significantly.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs are:
♦️ Heavy breathing/panting
♦️ Excessive salivation
♦️ Vomiting
♦️ Restlessness
♦️ Collapse

Please make sure your dogs and cats have access to fresh drinking water and if they are in and out to the garden that they have a shaded area they can cool down in.

Breeds at a significantly higher risk of heatstroke are flat faced breeds such as:
♦️ French bulldogs
♦️ Pugs
♦️ Bulldogs
♦️ Shih Tzu
♦️ Lhasa Apso
♦️ Boxers

Dogs and cats with darker coats are also at a higher risk for heatstroke.

Dogs will not die from missing a walk here and there but could die from heatstroke.

If you are worried about your pet and think they are showing any of the above signs, please contact your vet immediately

09/06/2023

Alfred would like to wish you all a lovely weekend 🐶
Just to make our clients aware the practice will be closed tomorrow, Saturday 10th June, and will reopen on Monday morning at 8.45am.

Should you require veterinary assistance our out of hours team, Vets now, will be available for emergencies on 0141 237 7676.

04/06/2023

We tend to see a peak in enquiries about slug baits during the summer months. The most common ingredient in slug bait is ferric phosphate, but we do also receive enquiries regarding metaldehyde and methiocarb-based products.

Ferric phosphate is a relatively insoluble iron salt and is available in slug baits in 1% (amateur products) and 3% (professional products). The remainder comprises filler such as bran and wheat. As a result iron poisoning is not common from ingestion of ferric phosphate slug baits but gastrointestinal signs occur.

As of April 1st 2022, metaldehyde was banned in the United Kingdom due to the risk that it poses to wildlife and the environment. Despite this ban, many owners still have domestic products containing it in their homes that were purchased before the ban was implemented. Metaldehyde is usually found as blue-green pellets but sometimes may be found in liquid preparations. Clinical signs are usually very rapid in onset after exposure and may initially start as gastrointestinal signs before progressing to more complicated and severe neurological signs including prolonged seizure activity.

Methiocarb, is a carbamate and causes rapid onset signs with diarrhoea, bronchial hyper-secretion, constricted pupils, vomiting, twitching, tremors and in severe cases, bradycardia (slow heart rate), seizures, respiratory depression and coma.

If you are concerned that your pet has ingested slug bait, owners can call our Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000. Vets can call us for treatment advice on 02073 055 055

20/05/2023

WE ARE CLOSED TODAY

Unfortunately the practice is closed today. Our phone lines were supposed to divert through to Vets Now in Glasgow but due to a technical error the phone lines are still ringing through to our Albert Road practice.

Please call for emergencies only on 01412306377. Please email [email protected] for all other enquiries.

We will be back as normal on Monday morning.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.