Senior Health Check

Well it's hard to believe but this year I qualify for my first ever senior health check.  I have to say I am not completely happy about being called "senior" when I receive so many comments about how great I look.  My humans tell me that winter is a tough time for older pets and that an annual health check will make sure I stay healthy.  If I need any more convincing the yummy free food is a great bonus that I can't wait to try.  I suppose if ageing means my humans look after me even better then I guess I can play along.

.........Cotton

Pet Weight Loss Programme

Well, well, well, I don't know whether to be offended or grateful to my staff this month!  They've just told me I'm 'wintering' a little too well & need to go back onto my weight loss regime - hmph!

Apparently I also have to set a good example for my furry friends.  Luckily they have a fabulous weight loss promotion this month to help us all get a little more motivated.  So if you too have a few extra reserves for winter, get your people to pop into their local Blue Cross Veterinary Centre to sign you up and get started!  They might even find a cosy new bed or stylish coat to help with these cooler temperatures while they are here.

.........Cotton

Winter Time

Brrr it sure is getting chilly out there - winter time has definitely arrived.  Luckily my people here at the Veterinary Centre, by the Big Blue Cross have ordered all the winter supplies I'll need to keep me warm and cosy while I watch my furry friends come and go for their pre winter health checks.  Luckily I'm all up to date with my check ups and flea/worm treatments - did you know fleas and worms are still around even when it's cold?

So make sure your people have you up to date with your health needs this winter by popping into their local Blue Cross Veterinary Centre.  I also hear through "the cat line" there's some fabulous new winter coats for our canine friends that your people will want to check out too!

I look forward to seeing you soon from my cosy corner of the clinic.

.........Cotton

Arthritis in Cats

Did you know that us cats get arthritis too?  I see plenty of dogs coming in to get their anti-inflammatory drugs to ease their pain but often we get forgotten about because we don't complain as loudly as those whining dogs!  But as many as 1 in 3 cats may be affected.  Your human may notice you slowing down, not playing, climbing, jumping, grooming like you used to, perhaps not making it to the toilet in time and being more irritable than usual.  The good news is that arthritis can be managed successfully with appropriate treatment and simple changes to your environment or diet.  Oh and remember - NO chocolate this Easter! - leave it for the humans, it will only make us sick.....

........Cotton

Neutered Pets

Did you know a female cat can produce 15-20 kittens a year?  The world is incredibly overpopulated by stray cats...those poor souls have no homes to go to, no beds to sleep in and no humans at their beck-and-call!

My human owners lead the way in responsible pet ownership and make sure that our Tiny Tigers are neutered when they leave here for their new homes.  Being neutered also means ovarian and testicular cancers are impossible.

Neutered pets tend to be happier, friendlier and less territorial so please make sure "your people" bring you in to talk to one of my Blue Cross Vets about this routine surgical procedure!

........Cotton

Health Check

What better time for a "Warrant of Fitness" than the start of a new year?  A regular veterinary health check and vaccination programme can help detect and prevent potentially life threatening diseases.  Nobody likes coming to the doctor but honestly "my vets" are actually exceptional - very thorough but very gentle and they will usually have a treat or two for obliging patients.  If you are not vaccinated, then make sure you have your human bring you in to see one of my vets soon!.....

..........Cotton

Animal Sun Block

There is nothing better than relaxing in the sun having a well earned cat nap.  Because of my white ears and nose my humans make sure that I'm well protected from skin cancer by applying Filter Clear.  It's a sun block specially designed for animals to be non toxic unlike the human stuff.  Because they think I'm worth the effort and I agree!

I am lucky because my staff are available 24/7 over the holidays.  Is your "human" going on holiday?  Who will be looking after you?

..........Cotton

Merry Christmas!!

Jingle jingle - oh I can just hear those fabulous Christmas decorations already!  So much fun to be had pulling them off the tree, my people go to so much effort to put them up!  They normally spoil all my fun and take them off me before I can really get into it though, do your people do the same?  I suppose it's for the best really, I've had a few furry friends that have some serious issues with decorations getting stuck in their poor tummies.  Se we just want to let on that we actually appreciate them taking such good care of us - after all we are worth it!

Speaking of appreciation, I'm pretty lucky my staff are here 24/7 to tend to my every need these holidays.  I hope you're all sorted if your staff are away too!

Merry Christmas!

.......Cotton

6 Month Flea Treatment

Ahhhh Summer is on its way! But that means those pesky fleas are back hanging around looking to cause trouble.  My people just gave me my flea treatment the other day so at least I'm covered for now.  I bet my canine friends can't wait for the new Bravecto 6 month spot on treatment to arrive - then they only have to be treated twice a year.  I've also had a few furry friends come in lately with the old summer itches but luckily my people have got them sorted pretty quick smart!  So if you're battling with an attack of the itches or those pesky fleas are bothering you, send your people down to your local Blue Cross Veterinary Centre clinic and I'll make sure you get sorted, that way you can get those fabulous summer bodies out too!

.......... Cotton

It's Spring Time!!

Daffodils, lambs and calves everywhere, I love spring!  The birds are out chirping in the sun, oh how I love bird watching.  My humans put this silly cat collar on me with a dingly bell so I cannot catch them anymore though.  Because we are out and about more now it is warming up, we are more likely to pick up fleas and bring them inside so remind your humans it is time for a spot-on flea treatment.  If you have scratchy skin and it isn't fleas, how about seeing one of our Blue Cross vets to get your itch sorted before summer.  I love October for another reason; Poetry Competition!!  This year it is a poem and photo competition and I can't wait to read about and see all your amazing pets!  Catch you next month......

.......Cotton

Second In Charge Kitty

This month I'm introducing my 2ICK (Second In Charge Kitty) Gavin.  Gavin currently resides at my Waimate branch doing all the same jobs that I do in my Oamaru clinic as well as overseeing the building of the new clinic.

Gavin was found by one of our Waimate clients on a rainy day in a gutter, barely a few days old.  Her eyes hadn't even opened.  One of the kind girls in our Waimate branch took her in and hand reared her, even getting up at all hours of the night for feeding!  Once Gavin was older the Waimate staff couldn't bear to part with her so she has stayed with them since, entertaining everyone with new found tricks and charming the customers with her cheeky ways (as I write this she is currently sitting in a shopping bag trying to sneak off with a client).

Head over to our Facebook page (Veterinary Centre - By the Big Blue Cross) to see Gavin in action, training the staff on how to play fetch.  I personally am not so convinced about this fetch business, it's more for those canine critters if you ask me, but she is pretty good at it I must say.  What do you think?

........... Cotton

Blood Donors

Hmmph! All these dogs getting all the attention for being blood donors - I'm not sure how I feel about the spotlight getting taken off my feline friends, we need blood donors too you know!  In fact I am one of those donors - just call me Super Cotton! I've saved 3 lives so far and I'm sure I'm not done yet! I also have a super team behind me as a back up should I not be able to help - I can't save every friend you see, us cats are all different blood types so we need to be a match before we can donate. So next time you see me at my clinic be sure to give me a high paw for my superhero saving powers, I'm worth it too you know!

........ Cotton

Senior Health Checks

Boy the years fly by! It's senior health check time again and I was a little worried that it was now my time to enter into this amazing promo.  Luckily I have one more year left being 6.5, but as of winter I'll be lining up for my annual 'senior health check' as well.

It's actually a very good idea to have these checks though, your people can help prevent some pretty serious health issues developing by catching any early symptoms at these visits plus how amazing is this deal with everything you get for only $79?!

So if you are now in your 'golden years' get your people to pop you into your local Blue Cross clinic this month to take advantage of this furrtastic deal!

.........Cotton

Molar Month

It's Molar Month! Not my favourite time of year I must say but then who really does like going to the dentist?! I had my pearly whites checked just the other day by my vet Ally and as usual passed with flying colours. It was actually pretty painless too. My people have a new UV torch that shows up any tartar or disease so there's no poking or prodding involved! I must say though, what else could my people really expect other than beautiful teeth, as I do take a lot of care - I have my dental diet daily, brush every few days and then there's the constant checking from my staff - I suppose I should probably be thanking them......

So if you're needing a bit of TLC in the molar department get your people to pop you down to your local Blue Cross clinic this month and we will get you sorted!

.......... Cotton

Cosy Beds

Ahhh these new cosy beds at The Veterinary Centre are so snuggle and warm - perfect for these wet and cold days at the moment! Apparently they even have a fabulous 10% off this month which makes them even more furtastic!

Speaking of cold and wet days - one of my fabulous reps was in the other day making sure we are all stocked up on pain relief for those sore, stiff winter joints. She was so lovely in fact I decided I would try and sneak off home with her! I was less than impressed when my vet Felicity tried to take me back inside and I certainly let her know about it!

So if your poor old joints need a bit of easing or you need a nice soft, comfy bed to 'batten down the hatches' in this winter, send your people down to their nearest Blue Cross Veterinary Centre and my staff will get you sorted!

.......... Cotton

Lucky Duck Food

To get some exercise as part of my weight loss programme, I was taking a casual stroll around my Blue Cross clinic the other day, and you'll never guess what I spotted!  I found a new product on the shelves for my feathery friends called Lucky Duck - a specifically formulated mix that apparently the ducks will go 'quackers' over!  I've heard through "the cat line" that bread has now been found to be quite harmful to ducks' digestive systems so this is a fabulous alternative.  Lucky Duck is great value at only $3.60 for a 1kg bag, plus you can also get handheld feeders that keep little fingers away from those sharp pecking beaks!

Pop into the local Blue Cross Veterinary Centre to grab some Lucky Duck and a feeder on the way - I'm sure those friends of mine will love you for it!

.........Cotton

Sunblock for Cats

Summer is well and truly here.  I have to say my humans have been taking fantastic care of me over the holidays, even making sure I've got my sun block on every morning before I head off on my daily adventures!  Me and my furry friends need a special sun block as the human products are far too toxic and can make us very ill.  So if you have a fairer complexion like myself, make sure your people pop into your local Blue Cross Centre to grab you some special pet sun block too.

I'm lucky, my staff are available 24/7 to tend to me and my every need - I hope your humans have you well cared for over the holiday period as well.

Happy New Year! ........ Cotton

Merry Christmas

Tinsel, toys, trees and treats - my humans here at the Blue Cross Veterinary Centre have got so many goodies out on display that would make such fabulous gifts for me and my furry friends.  Bowls that weigh your meals in an array of stylish colours, toys to chase and play with (instead of the tinsel and trees we apparently need to leave!), yummy Christmas treats and even a new topical flea and tick treatment for us felines that lasts for a whole 3 months!

So my festive friends, send your humans down to your local Blue Cross Centre for everything you need these holidays, I can even recommend some fabulous 5 star accommodation ideas should you need to celebrate in style if you humans are away.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Cotton!!

Our Vets Keeping Up With The Play

My vets like to 'keep up with the play' and recently three of them headed away to the 2016 New Zealand Veterinary Association Conference.  My people are now updated on the exciting research and advances made in the veterinary world.  They have been telling me all about what they learned and how excited they are to put it into practice.  It is important for my vets to be the best and to continue offering a gold standard service to all of you, my furry friends.....

......... Cotton

Springtime!!

Daffodils, lambs and calves everywhere, I love spring!  The birds are out chirping in the sun, oh how I love bird watching.  My humans put this silly cat collar on me with a dingly bell so I cannot catch them anymore though.  Because we are out and about more now it is warming up, we are more likely to pick up fleas and bring them inside so remind your humans it is time for a spot-on flea treatment.  If you have scratchy skin and it isn't fleas, how about dragging your human along to sign you up for the 'Skin Special' (see circular) and get your itch sorted before summer.  Yay!  I love October for another reason; Poetry Competition!!  Did you know I am one of the judges for this and I just looooove reading over your entries, you kids sure do have some amazing pets!!  Catch you next month......

.......Cotton