We recently had a 9 year old female dog that was off colour and drinking a lot. She was off her food and had a dirty blood coloured discharge from her vulva. This was suspicious for a pyometra (infection of the uterus) but as the bitch had had 2 previous abdominal operations for removal of stones in the intestine, the owners were not keen to go for surgery to remove the infected uterus. We therefore put her on to a course of antibiotics to try to clear the infection.

This did not help and reluctantly the owners agreed to surgery as the animal was deteriorating. After putting intravenous fluids up to help the bitch through the anaesthetic and surgery, we started the operation. The infected uterus and one very enlarged cystic ovary were removed and before closing the skin incision, a check was made of the other internal organs.

This revealed a round, hard structure about 6cms in diameter in the stomache. This foreign body had to be removed and so a gastrotomy was performed. This "hole in the stomache" revealed a hard bouncy rubber ball that the animal had obviously swallowed at some stage. With the ball removed, the hole in the stomache was sutured closed as was the incision in the muscle and skin of the animal.

Intravenous fluid therapy was continued for 24 hours with nothing given orally to allow the stomache to start healing and the bitch is now beginning a period of recuperation.

The pyometra could have been prevented by spaying the bitch as a younger dog but the added problem of a swallowed foreign body could only have been prevented by constant vigilance of what she was picking up or playing with when out on walks or at home. This girl was a repeat offender from a point of swallowing things and seems to have continued the habit into her old age!

I have been truly spoilt recently! Last week I was honoured to receive the employer of the year award for 2007 and today I have received a certificate stating that I have been nominated as a Vet of the Year in Petplan's 2008 awards. Again a national award, this one is for nominations by clients as well as staff members. Although this is for nomination only and is not as a finalist, I am still very grateful that clients and staff have taken the time to nominate me for these awards - it does the ego the world of good!

On a serious note, it is very gratifying to know that people appreciate what I am trying to do and create at the surgery. When running a surgery on your own, you are never quite sure if you are getting things right or not.

Thank you to everyone that has taken time to write in to the various competitions on my behalf!

Garth Tozer

Garth Tozer received a huge surprise today when he was awarded the Best Practice Employer of the Year Award. The staff had organised a surprise awards ceremony at the surgery. This was attended by all the staff and representatives of Novartis- one of the companies that sponsored the award. The local newspaper and veterinary press representatives were also present.

The national award is aimed at recognizing veterinary employers who look after their employees and create a rewarding and pleasant environment in which to work. Nominations for this award come from the employees of the veterinary practice concerned and these nominations are then judged by a panel including representatives from Novartis Animal Health, the Veterinary Nursing Association and the Veterinary Nursing Times - a publication for vet nurses.

Although very pleased and honoured to receive the award, Garth believes he does nothing more than any employer should do in the way of staff motivation and care.

Dear Mr Tozer (Garth),

We feel able to write to you now as the pain is beginning to subside from losing "Tinkerbell".

You wouldn't think a bundle of fluff could break people's hearts would you?

Still we had 16 years of shared time together, and we know we will miss her forever.

We would like to thank you and your staff for the kind thought in sending us a card, a simple gesture but much appreciated.

Way we also thank you for the kind and gentle way you treated "Tinkerbell" during her last moments.

Your kindness, compassion and proffesionalism were outstanding.

We would have no hesitation to consult you again if ever we had the courage to have another pet, and please feel free to show this letter to anyone in the same position as we were a few weeks ago.

Much respect and kind regards,

The S family.

To Garth Rhian & Abby,

A very big thankyou for giving us some very precious extra years with Ralph.

Very gratefully yours,

M and T

Unfortunately we are going to have to cancel our next dog training class due to start on 31st January 2008. We are not planning to restart training in the forseeable future, but should this change we will advertise it on this site as well as in the surgery.

Thanks so much for all your help and advice with Vegas and Enzo this year. Love K and R

Best wishes and thanking you all for Lucy's recovery. Mr and Mrs W

Thanks for all your help during the year. Dan and Ollie's Mom and Dad

Thanks for all your help and care for our pets over the year. Best wishes JW

Thanks for all that you have done for Bully and Smokey. We couldn't ask for a nicer vet and nurses. C and D

Merry Christmas and happy new year. Thanks for all your help. Mr and Mrs H and Sammy

Many thanks for all your kindness. With our love. R, H and all "the pests" ( we love them really!)

We would like to thank all our clients for their kind wishes and of course for their continued support over the year. The remarks above are just a few from many cards and we appreciate them all!!

We are holding another blood donation drive at Pet's Choice on the Saturday 2nd February 2007. If anyone is interested in their dogs donating blood please have a look at the criteria in 5th October news update.

If your dog fits into the category we would really like to hear from you. Please contact us on 01952 201369