September is Pet Smile Month
Amery Veterinary Group is pleased to announce that they are taking part in 'Pet Smile Month'. Owners are encouraged to bring their pets in for a free dental check and advice on dental products and oral health. They will also receive a copy of a Guide to Veterinary Dentistry.
A national 'Healthy Smile' Art Competition is also being held, with four age groups for entries (4-6, 7-10, 11-13 and 14-17 years). Entry forms are available from Amery Vets, and the best entries will be entered in the national competition for a chance to win an iPod shuffle or a flight in a Hot Air Balloon.

It is estimated that 80% of dogs and cats over the age of three urgently need dental treatment. Many loving pet owners do not realise the extent of their pet's disease and are unaware of the importance of tooth brushing, daily oral hygiene chews and the special dental diets which can help avoid the problems.

Dental disease is a whole body problem; dog breath is the least of the worries, and pain is often unnoticed as the pet may carry on eating. As periodontal disease progresses bacteria spreads from the mouth through the blood stream to affect other organs such as the kidney and heart valves. In addition, little showers of bacteria are carried into the lungs with every breath. To highlight this serious issue vets are donating their time to examine pets' mouths free of charge during September.

Jack Russel Max now Minimum ( Herald Post )
– and a perfect 10!
Tan and white Jack Russell Max, aged six and a half, used to be a bit too fond of his food – and when his weight reached a whopping 15kg (33lbs) back in March – rather a lot for a little dog - owner Mrs Bennett decided it was time to act.
Luckily for Max, the team at Amery Vets, Chalet Hill, Bordon, run a clinic for portly pooches. With the combination of a Royal Canin Obesity Diet, especially designed to help dogs slim down without feeling the strain too much, and more exercise, Max is now a mere shadow of his former self. He now weighs a perfect 10kg (22lbs) – two thirds of his former weight and the ideal weight for his size.
Like all slimmers, it’s not losing the weight that counts – but keeping it off, and Max has maintained his perfect ’10’ since the beginning of November, thanks to another Royal Canin diet which combines weight maintenance and support for his joints.
Amery Vets currently has a group of around 15 ‘regulars’ on the Royal Canin diet, who are monitored frequently to make sure they are keeping on the straight and narrow.
As vet nurse Sarah Clay says, “Being overweight is just as risky for a dog or a cat as it is for humans, and it can cause real health problems as well as simply making life uncomfortable for our pets. We really want to make people aware that a fat pet is not a healthy pet, and that by choosing the right diet and increasing activity levels pets will be much happier and get much more out of life.
“With Max, his weight loss has been so successful that people looking at his before and after photos just don’t believe he is the same dog. We’ve changed his diet a bit now, to help him keep the weight down and to support his joints because he’s at the age where his joints can begin to suffer, especially if he were to put the weight back on again. Luckily for Max, his owner is just as committed to keeping him in shape as we are!”