Open Day Success

Guests arriving at the welcome centre

August Bank holiday Monday saw over 600 clients and friends of Pool House Veterinary Group attend an open day at the new Hospital. Blue sky and sunshine ensured a fun day for the whole family which included children's face painting, a bouncy castle, competitions, a hog roast and guided tours of areas of the hospital normally closed to the public.

Local branches of the Cat's Protection League, Border Collie Rescue, Rat Rescue and Rabbit Rescue organisations mounted stalls.

There were demonstrations ranging from first aid to ultrasound scanning. The first fifty pets to visit were rewarded with a free microchip and life long registration on the national data base.

A two legged dog helped entertain the children

The open day was the brain child of Pool House partner Alex England who wanted clients to be able to see behind the scenes. The practice has recently been inspected by the Royal College of veterinary surgeons and awarded their ‘top’ level ‘Hospital’ status. Alex commented, ‘putting on the open day has been tremendously hard work but very rewarding – all our staff have turned out today to give tours and make sure everything ran smoothly. We are delighted by the success.’

Blue Cross Horse Saves Foal

Blue Cross horse HAROLD

When Pool House Equine Clinic vet Jonathon Withers was called to a sick 4 day old foal he immediately recognised that it urgently required a blood transfusion. It was very dull, sleepy, depressed and had stopped feeding.

Clinical examination revealed a heart rate of over 140 bpm, rapid breathing, bright yellow gums and conjunctiva (icterus). Blood tests confirmed that the percentage of red blood cells in circulation had fallen to 11% (usually nearer 40% in foals). The red cells are vital in that they take oxygen to the body tissues from the lungs. Without an adequate number of red cells the muscles and other organs become deprived of oxygen and the affected animal becomes tired and weak. Unchecked this can prove fatal.

These signs are typical of a fatal foal disease known as neonatal isoerythrolysis. This is caused by antibodies absorbed from the mare (in colostrum) attacking the foal’s red blood cells and destroying them. In other words the foal is a different blood group to it’s mother. The ‘Rhesus baby’ syndrome in humans is a very similar illness. Usually it only occurs when mares have had a foal previously.

Yellow conjunctiva are one of the signs of neonatal isoerythrolysis along with being sleepy and lethargic

The normally pink oral mucus membranes become pale and yellow tinged

The foal was rushed into Pool House Equine Clinic for a life saving blood transfusion. There is no equivalent of the ‘blood transfusion service’ for horses so a donor horse had to be found quickly. An unrelated gelding is usually the best candidate and that is where Blue Cross horse Harold stepped in. Harold is a permanent resident at the Clinic where he is ridden occasionally and spends the rest of his time as a companion horse to some of the clinic’s patients. Three litres of blood were required which is a relatively large volume. A small amount of local anaesthetic was injected over Harold’s jugular vein and the blood was collected into special plastic bags containing anticoagulant. This took almost an hour and Harold stood patiently throughout not even needing any sedation.

The blood was collected in half litre bags and as each was filled it was immediately transfused into the foal by equine vet Renske van der Rijt, she commented that the effect of the transfusion was like a miracle, ‘the foal went from collapsed and lethargic to lively and energetic during the course of the transfusion – so much so that by the end of the procedure we had to sedate him to keep him still!’ Blood tests after the transfusion confirmed that the red cell percentage had doubled to 24% - a safe level.

Harold’s carer Rolleston Centre Vet Richard Stephenson said that, ‘without Harold we would certainly have lost the foal. It was almost as if he knew he was being helpful. Normally he can be a bit stroppy but he stood perfectly for over an hour to let us get the necessary blood. He has had some extra feeds as a reward – but we have to be very careful that he doesn’t put on too much weight!’

The foal was closely monitored over the next 10 days. Repeated blood test showed a stable red cell count. The foal went on to make a full and uneventful recovery.

The foal after blood transfusion – back to normal almost instantly!

Welcome to Ben our new Equine Vet

Ben started at the Equine Practice in June have working at another equine practice in Northumberland since graduating from The University of Liverpool in 2008 with his Bachelor of Veterinary science degree as well as a Masters in Veterinary Infection and Disease Control.

He is very much looking forward to the new challenge that a new area and new clients brings, and hopes to further develop his main areas of interest in lameness, dentistry and ophthalmology.

Ben is a very keen sportsman and plays rugby, football, cricket and hockey as well as having a keen interest in running. He completed the New York Marathon in November 2009 for Macmillan Cancer care, and hopes to complete several more challenges for charity over the coming years.

He has recently started studying towards the new Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Equine Practice)

Ordination of Lynne McKeon as a Priest in the Church of England

Partners and other team members from Pool House Equine Clinic attended the ordination of Lynne McKeon as a Priest in the Church of England by Area Bishop Clive of Wolverhampton.

Lynne is one of the longest serving members of our practice team having been involved with Pool House for over 20 years. She has worked in the main Pool house Office, in reception and for some years now has been head of the accounts department. In addition she monitors stock control and is a wonder when it comes to tracking down and purchasing unusual drugs or equipment.

Lynne will continue to work full time at the Equine Clinic – but will occasionally be out of the office undertaking her Parish duties. She will continue to serve in the Gentleshaw team ministry – assisting many of our clients.

Lynne with Bishop Clive

Members of the Pool House team attended to support Lynne during the two hour ceremony.

Gil Riley
2009 winner of the Equine Vet of the Year Award

Gil Riley has been named the annual Petplan Equine Vet of the Year. Gil is an equine vet at Pool House Veterinary Hospital in Staffordshire and has been answering Your Horse readers questions in for the past two years. The Award was announced at the glittering 21st annual Animal Health Trust (AHT) Equestrian Awards gala dinner held at the Lancaster Hotel in London last night.

Horse owners from all over the UK nominated vets who had gone above and beyond the call of duty. A short list of three finalists was then drawn up and the winner selected by an independent panel consisting of; Peter Webbon AHT Chief Executive and Equine Vet, Alison Bridge Editor-in-Chief of Horse & Rider Magazine, Chris House President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and Jo Whitaker Marketing Development Manager for Petplan.

Peter Webbon of the AHT said: "We received a record number of nominations this year and the standards were incredibly high. However, Gil was nominated by over 100 clients and we felt he was truly deserving of this award."

"This award recognises the amazing hard work and commitment of people within the equine veterinary profession and those who provide outstanding service to horse owners," explained Alison Andrew, Marketing Manager for Petplan. "All the nominees this year were outstanding and it was very difficult to have to pick only three finalists let alone a winner. However, we felt Gil's dedication and commitment to caring for horses was outstanding."

Susan Hubbard was among the clients to nominate Gil and said: "He is always so sympathetic. He makes himself available on his mobile to any client who wishes to talk to him and he explains all procedures without superiority and in plain and simple language."

Gil joined the Pool House Veterinary Group and Equine clinic practice to expand his equine skills after working in a mainly agricultural practice in Wales and is jointly responsible for the Equine part of the Practice. He has subsequently been awarded the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Equine Practice and he is particularly interested in lameness and laminitis. He also recently acted as British Team Vet at the International Driving Trials in Germany.

"Everyday I feel like I'm pulling the greatest trick in that I get paid for doing what I love", commented Gil on receiving the award. "To receive further recognition with this award almost feels greedy. I'm tremendously flattered and indebted to all my clients who nominated me."

LOCAL VET NOMINATED FOR 'PETPLAN EQUINE VET OF THE YEAR AWARD'

Local vet Gil Riley of the Pool House Veterinary Group, Lichfield, Staffordshire, has been selected as one of the three finalists for the second annual Petplan Equine Vet of the Year Award, in association with Horse & Rider Magazine.

The winner of this new and prestigious people's award, which is sponsored by Petplan Equine, one of the UK's leading equine insurance providers, will be announced at the glittering 21st Animal Health Trust (AHT) Equestrian Awards ceremony to be held at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel on the evening of Thursday 5th November 2009.

"It is very humbling to know that my work is appreciated by my clients" said Gil on hearing the news of his nomination. "I was totally oblivious to the fact they were nominating me and I am incredibly flattered. To be a good vet you need to love both animals and people which I do and I thoroughly enjoy my work."

Horse owners from all over the UK nominated their vets as those who they felt had gone above and beyond the call of duty. A short list of three finalists was then drawn up and the winner will be selected by an independent panel consisting of; Peter Webbon, AHT Chief Executive and Equine Vet, Alison Bridge, Editor-in-Chief of Horse & Rider Magazine and Chris House, President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and Jo Whittaker, Marketing Development Manager for Petplan.

"It has been incredibly difficult choosing just three finalists out of all those entered", said Jo. "The nominees this year have all been truly deserving and have shown outstanding devotion to their profession. We have all felt very humbled a well as delighted by the stories we have been sent."

Gil from Pool House Veterinary Hospital in Lichfield, Staffordshire, was chosen for his dedication to his patients and their owners and for going above and beyond the call of duty on a regular basis.

"Gil has a wife and two young children and yet still does more hours than the majority of vets", comments Amy Davenport. "He is often working until late at night and always has time for you if you need to talk about your horse. He deserves recognition for the fab work he does with the horses he treats, the clients he works with, the sheer volume of work he does and his inspiring dedication."

The Animal Health Trust Equestrian Awards are designed to recognise the outstanding achievements made by horses, riders, owners and trainers throughout the equestrian world and this year has once again presented some remarkable individuals. Since the Petplan Charitable Trust was founded in 1994 it has raised over £5million, almost £500,000 of which has been donated to the AHT to fund research and development.

Horse welfare is paramount at Petplan Equine and as a leading insurance provider the company is committed to promoting responsible horse ownership, through its charitable contributions, wide range of policies and initiatives such as the informative equine resource website, www.yourstables.co.uk. This award has been created to give the equine community the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the vet who has made the most outstanding contribution to the care of horses.

The winner will be posted on www.petplanequine.co.uk on Friday 6th November.

Exam success for Equine Vet

Over the last two years Noelle Lowry our equine Fertility Vet has been studying for the coveted Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Equine Stud Medicine.

To obtain the certificate candidates have to prepare three case reports to publishable standards, sit two written exams and then take a gruelling practical examination.

We are delighted to announce that Noelle passed the Certificate this summer and has been awarded the RCVS Certificate in Stud Medicine (Cert E.M. (Stud. Med.))

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield Ordaining Deacons at his Cathedral assisted by the Bishops of Wolverhampton and Stafford

Lynne with Bishop Jonathon after the service

KITTENS IN A TUB

Staff at Pool House Veterinary Group were shocked to discover that four kittens had been crammed into a plastic Ariel washing powder tub and abandoned in a infrequently visited field in Lichfield.

The kittens were spotted by a sharp eyed client and brought into the new veterinary centre at Fosseway Lane.

The kittens were not believed to be more then a day old and were extremely cold and hungry. Staff worked hard to increase the body temperature of the young kittens, which at this stage in life are unable to regulate their own body temperature and need a continual warm environment. The cold over night outdoor temperatures had really affected them causing hypothermia.

Once warm the nurses began bottle feeding the cold and hungry kittens. It was unknown whether the mother of the kittens had been able to provide any milk to the kittens before they were snatched away from her. The milk of a queen provides antibodies that are essential for kittens in the first few days after birth.

RVN Danni Pountain said, ‘we could hardly believe our eyes – there were four kittens squashed into the plastic tub and just left to die by suffocation, hypothermia or starvation’.

Staff at the hospital have been able to locate a foster home for the kittens which have a bright future now. We would like to pay particular thanks to Cats Whiskas a local registered charity for there ongoing efforts hand rearing these kittens.

Richard Stephenson admitted as a Liverymen of The Worshipful Company of Farriers

Richard Stephenson one of the partners in our equine practice was admitted as a Liverymen of The Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) recently. The Worshipful Company dates back to 1356 and remains closely involved with the farriery trade today. The WCF counts a number of veterinary surgeons as well as farriers amongst its membership. Former Pool House partner Hugh Davies started the association of the practice with the farrier’s company by becoming an examiner for the WCF.

New Vet Joins Equine Team

We are delighted to announce that Sam Luis Hole B.Sc. (Hons), BAEDT, B.V.M.&S., M.R.C.V.S. will be joining our practice in June 2009.

Sam is one of a very small number of equine vets who have also taken the joint BEVA / BAEDT equine dental technicians exam. Indeed uniquely Sam obtained his BAEDT qualification after studying in both the UK and the USA before he started at Vet school.

Sam has lectured on equine dentistry and acted as an examiner for the BEVA/BAEDT examinations. He has been co author of a number of published papers in various journals on equine dentistry.

He qualified as a vet in 2007 and has gained experience in a mixed practice in Fife Scotland.

The new Pool House Veterinary Clinic

On the Saturday 7th Feb 2009 partners and staff of Lichfield’s Pool house Veterinary Group celebrated over 150 years of service to the community by inviting local MP Michael Fabricant to open their new £1 million veterinary clinic.

The practice was founded in 1850 and has operated continuously in the City of Lichfield since. Michael Fabricant MP commented that it was another of, ‘the many almost unique institutions in the City that made him so proud to be Lichfield’s member of Parliament – not many other constituencies could boast that they had a veterinary practice of this standard with such a long tradition behind it.’

The new building features five consulting rooms as well as dedicated orthopaedic operating and dental theatres, in addition to a twin general surgery theatre. It has been designed by Lichfield architects Brownhill Haywood Brown with specialist advice from veterinary building consultant James Wishart to meet RCVS tier three standards. It incorporates modern ‘green’ technology such as a ‘heat exchange’ system. Small animal partner Stuart Holland said, ‘the new facilities are great to work in and our long suffering staff are enjoying their new environment. Our clients have been tremendously supportive and we have already had very positive feedback from them’. Partner Richard Stephenson commented, ‘it has been an incredibly difficult journey and we are very grateful for all the support that we have received from both the City and district Councils. We are all delighted with the new building’.

Richard Stephenson thanks Michael Fabricant MP

80 guests attended the official opening ceremony including the High Sheriff Cllr Bacon, The Mayor of the City of Lichfield Cllr Warfield and Chairman of the District Council Cllr Wilkes.

Notes

Pool House Veterinary Group was founded in 1850 and a number of well known veterinarians have been partners in the practice including both Harry and Alasdair Steele – Bodger and Sir Richard Cooper (founder of the famous Sheep dip / pharmaceutical company ‘Coopers’). It has a staff of 65 including 16 veterinary surgeons divided equally between the Equine service (based at Crown Inn Farm) and the new small animal facility at Fosseway Lane. It also branches in Armitage and Burntwood.

The new clinic is awaiting RCVS inspection for tier three status.

The surgery has:-

• Large client parking area.
• Four separate operating theatres including dedicated orthopaedic and dental theatres.
• A diagnostic imaging suite with digital radiography.
• An in house laboratory.
• Air conditioned wards for cats, rabbits and dogs. Separate infectious diseases ward.
• Overnight rest facilities for staff providing out of hours emergency care.
• A modern comfortable waiting area for clients.
• Easy access for clients living in Burntwood and Armitage as well as those in Lichfield.
• Improved disabled access for wheel chair users.

New Veterinary Hospital opens on Tuesday 27th Jan 2009

After almost a year of building work and feverish activity by the staff of Pool House Veterinary Group over the weekend of the 24th & 25th the New Pool House Veterinary Hospital will be open to treat animals from 9.00 am Tuesday the 27th. 2009.

Work Continues On Our New Veterinary Hospital

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Building Work Progresses On Our New Veterinary Hospital

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Work Starts On New Veterinary Hospital

We are delighted to announce that work has commenced on building the new small animal veterinary hospital. The start was delayed by 10 months due to a threat by Staffordshire County Council to close Fosseway Lane. This threat has now been lifted after a prolonged campaign by local people and clients.

Our contractors have moved in and have already poured new footings and started building the outer wall. The outline of the new facility can now made out although there is a long way to go!!

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A New Home For Our Veterinary Hospital.

The partners are delighted to be able to announce that they have acquired a site on Fosseway lane, Lichfield with planning consent for a new Small Animal Hospital.

The project has been under development for the last three years and preparatory building work has already commenced

This agricultural barn will be completely transformed into a modern Veterinary Hospital.

The practice hopes to vacate its present site, Pool House, within the next 18 months. Pool House has been the home of the practice for the last 40 years and under went a major upgrading and renovation programme in the early eighties to achieve ‘hospital’ status. Although ‘state of the art’ at the time progress in veterinary medicine and the general increase in the size of the practice has meant that Pool House is becoming increasingly overwhelmed with the volume of work and now needs further renovation. The partners have felt for some time that a new out of town site with better access and parking facilities was essential if Pool House Veterinary Group was to remain the leading provider of pet health care in the area.

The new premises will include:-

• Large client parking area.
• Four separate operating theatres including dedicated orthopaedic and dental theatres.
• A diagnostic imaging suite.
• An in house laboratory.
• Separate kennelling facilities for cats, rabbits and dogs.
• Overnight rest facilities for staff providing out of hours emergency care.
• A modern comfortable waiting area for clients.
• Easy access for clients living in Burntwood and Armitage as well as those in Lichfield.
• Improved disabled access.

Further information will be posted on our web site as the scheme progresses.

 

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