HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2024 AT FOUR SEASONS HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE
The New Year brings new challenges. Changes to the RCVS ‘under care’ guidelines put further restrictions on services we can offer. It has become more important than ever that we only give advice and care after referral from your primary care vet who must be willing to provide out of hours care. The services we offer carry very little risk of directly causing a problem that would need emergency care, and we remain happy to support our clients and their vets with advice during working hours.
We have not made any New Year price rises as we understand the cost of living is difficult for everyone and strive to keep our services affordable. Unfortunatley we are getting a lot of potential clients choose cheaper advice from unqualified sources using over the counter remedies when we say we can’t give them advice without a (paid for) consultation first. Vets are bound by rules that pet shops and internet ‘experts’ simply aren’t. Only vets can legally diagnose what is medically wrong with an animal and prescribe treatments, and any paraprofessional should be asking for a referral and working with a primary care vet. Yet many don’t.
It feels like 2024 will be a make or break year for us, and it is no exxageration to say we are considering whether we can continue to offer the service our clients value.
2024 Services by Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care
Mobility/pain assessment and acupuncture treatments.
Behavioural assessment and treatment plans.
Holistic consultations with lifestyle, nutrition, and herbal medicine support.
Puppy and kitten litter health checks with microchipping.
Gundog puppy legal tail docking (strict eligibility conditions apply).
All services are offered in your own home, and we have access to a private field for some behaviour assessments.
Talks and Training by Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care
In 2023 we made anopther visit to The Falkland Islands to help dog owners better understand their pets. We we also asked to do a talk for canine hydrotherapists on the links between painful conditions and noise sensitivity. Pet First Aid continues to be a popular subject and we offer both a Facebook based ‘learn in your own time’ option as well as in person lectures and hands-on training.
Our vet Vicky Payne is happy to write and deliver talks on any of her areas of interest in-person, or online. Email health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk and pitch her an idea!
2024 Blogs…
Every year we promise to do better at keeping this page up to date with fresh content… but the truth is, we don’t feel like anyone is reading it and we have to log into an actual desktop computer to write on it! Our Facebook page does a little better, and is easier to share things on, so maybe give us a follow https://www.facebook.com/holisticvetsussex
THE COST OF PET CARE
PET CARE COSTS ON THE RISE!
Lots of people bought pets during lockdown, and they have brought untold benefits in terms of companionship and exercise during these very difficult times. Unfortunately the aftermath of Covid-19 along with Brexit and the invasion of Ukraine, is that there is a huge cost of living crisis looming… and it affects pet care as much as everything else.
SAVING MONEY ON PET CARE
- BUY IN BULK. If you can afford to buy larger amounts of pet food this will usually be less expensive. Choosing a cheaper brand may not be cost effective as you often need to feed more per meal so look at the per meal cost as well as the price per bag. Only buy as much as you will use before the food goes out of date.
- KEEP ON TOP OF VACCINATIONS AND PARASITE CONTROL. Cutting corners on preventative healthcare often costs more in the long run. Some owners chose cheaper flea treatments to save money when furloughed then faced an uphill struggle to control a flea infestation. Unless your pet is at high risk of adverse reactions to vaccines it will be less expensive to follow the vets programme than using titre tests to check protection.
- ASK ABOUT A PRESCRIPTION. Written prescriptions allow your to buy medications on-line from pharmacies. You will be charged for the prescription but will still be able to make savings on some parasite prevention products and medications. Vets will have individual policies on how many times you can use a prescription and how often your pet will need a meds check.
- INSURE YOUR PET. Insurance is a monthly bill you may think about dropping, but can you afford to care for your pet in an emergency without it? Ask if there are any areas of cover that can be removed to reduce the premium, or offer to pay a higher excess. Make sure you have the excess available, and remember that some specialist centres require payment at the time. A credit card is useful for this as you can pay it off as soon as the insurance pays out. Alternatives to insurance including making a pet savings account, but this may not have enough in if your young pet becomes ill.
- JOIN A PET HEALTH CLUB. Many veterinary practices have pet health clubs where a monthly fee pays for reduced cost parasite control and vaccines and unlocks other freebies and discounts.
- DON’T DIY. If you are concerned about your pet’s health, even if you are also on a tight budget, please seek veterinary advice. Although there is good information on the internet vets also see too many pets who have been damaged through the use of human medicines or delayed treatment.
Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care is a referral only service and we can only offer advice to registered and referred clients. We are a very small business and are not able to offer any credit on our services.
PRICE CHANGES
HOME VISIT PRICE RISES
A review of our pricing structure has shown that some services have essentially been subsiding others. This, coupled with the recent fuel price rises (over 20% in one week!) means that our home visit services have increased in price with immediate effect. Behaviour Assessment and Treatment prices are exclusive of the visit fee as some will be assessed in my training field.
LONG TERM CLIENTS – LOWER PRICE RISES
To reward our loyal long term clients and to ensure our current patients do not lose access to services rises for these patients will be limited. There are also discounts for multiple animals in the same household.
NO CHANGE TO HERBAL MEDICINE PRICING
Currently there is no plan to increase the cost of our herbal medicines, though this will remain under review and may change if stock prices rise.
2022 PRICING
Acupuncture at Home – Initial Course of 3 Sessions (up to 15miles) £260
Acupuncture at Home – Repeat Sessions (up to 15miles) £70
Behaviour Assessment and Treatment Plan (3 sessions) -£350 PLUS visit fee if required
Behaviour Assessment and Treatment Plan (single session) – £150 PLUS visit fee if required
Holistic Consultation at Home (up to 15miles) £120
FULLY BOOKED UNTIL FEBRUARY 2022
FOUR SEASONS HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE WILL TAKE NEW CLIENTS FROM 15TH FEBRUARY 2022
We will not be taking on any new clients or patients until 15th February 2022. We are busy in January with existing clients, covering at Companion Care Vets in Eastbourne, and making time for our own dogs. We will be closed completely between January 29th and February 13th for a well earned break.
No apologies… we can’t pour from an empty cup.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
We only treat animals on referral from your primary care vet. Although most owners contact us directly, your vet will be asked to complete the referral form, and to email all relevant clinical history. Your pet must be a registered and active client of a veterinary practice which offers 24hour emergency care (on or off site) in order to use the services of Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care.
We offer home visits in the Hastings, Bexhill, Battle, and Eastbourne areas. We do not have a practice building!
Our vet Vicky has a regular clinic at Companion Care Vets in Eastbourne.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that jazz…
MIRACLE CURES FOR DOGS AND CATS! WHAT YOUR VET ISN’T TELLING YOU!
GOTCHA!
There are no miracle cures. Your vet is telling you everything they know based on the latest research they have read.
Pets aren’t dying young because of vaccines, or processed foods, or conventional medications.
More vets than ever are training in complementary therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine and using these alongside cutting edge medicines, surgeries, and vaccines.
You vet doesn’t know everything, because new research comes out at an alarming rate. But find an open minded vet and they will always be learning something new.
If someone is offering you something that seems too good to be true, or a cure all that seems too simple to be so effective… it probably is.
Don’t go chasing Unicorns. Choose a holistic vet instead.
Is there anybody out there?
I’m fed up of writing content that nobody seems to read. If you’ve read this, please drop me a comment.
PUNISHMENT SUCKS FOR PUPPIES
HOW DO I STOP MY PUPPY BITING?
It’s a common question on dogs forums on the internet, I have seen it several times this week. I have seen some great blogs and videos on puppy biting from award winning trainers, and I post links to them. But still, most of the replies are,
“I shook a can of stones at my puppy and he stopped.”
“I sprayed my puppy with water!”
“I’ve seen a TV show where he shouts ‘No’ and the puppy stops. You just gave to show them who is boss.”
Urgh.
Let’s ask a new question…
WHY IS MY PUPPY BITING ME?
THIS is the question that an emotions based behaviourist asks. Is the puppy frustrated, over-tired, teething, or just doing puppy play with its humans? Or did you buy a dog bred to love biting?!
Once you know why the puppy is biting you can set about fixing it.
Frustrated puppy: change the game, teach an alternate behaviour, go back a step with your training, make sure all his emotional needs are met.
Over-tired puppy; make sure he isn’t getting too much exercise, avoid too much stimulating play before cuddle time, make sure he gets to rest during the day.
Teething puppy: redirect chewing on to frozen rope raggies, carrots, or teething toys.
Puppy play: play between puppies is bitey! Redirect your puppy onto toys, show him that play with humans can’t involve teeth.
Bought a Malinois: seek advice on putting the bite on cue and games that will provide an appropriate outlet for the biting behaviour he loves!
WHY DOES PUNISHMENT SUCK?
If you punish the puppy with a spray bottle or a rattle can, and it works (because your puppy bites less) have you fixed the problem? No. Because the puppy still feels the things that lead him to bite in the first place.
If he is frustrated he might hold back before biting harder. If he is teething, he will go off and chew up your stuff. If he is over-tired he will develop a new coping strategy which could be destruction or howling. If it’s play, or his built in drives then you will build more frustration. You will have a dog that looks obedient, but is not happy.
The same goes for a growling dog… punish the growl, take away the warning system, get a dog that just bites because he still feels the same way. Or worse, because the person he trusted has scared him (or worse).
NO NO. OR NO, BUT…
‘No’ can be a dirty word in positive dog training! But honestly, we all use it from time to time! The trick is to say ‘No, but’. To show you dog a different behaviour, that you like, that he likes, that you can praise him for!
So, next time your dog is doing something you don’t like, don’t ask ‘How do I stop this?’ ask ‘Why is my dogs doing this?’, then ‘What could I get my dog to do instead which we both like?’
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Our Vet Vicky hold the COAPE Level 6 Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training. COAPE teach about animal emotions in behaviour and training, resulting in methods of fixing problem behaviour that really lead to happier pets, and owners. COAPE offer courses for pet owners, vet nurses, vets, trainers, and aspiring behaviourists!
DOG BEHAVIOUR HACKS
HOW DO I STOP MY DOG BARKING AT THE DELVIERY PEOPLE?
THE PROBLEM
Covid-19’s stay at home message and the closing of non-essential retail means that more people are getting shopping delivered to their homes than ever before. This means more delivery people coming to the door, knocking or ringing a bell, and sending dogs into a fury of barking. Barking at the Postie has always been a common problem, but with more people at home all day to hear the barking it may now be more of a problem than ever.
WHY DOES MY DOG BARK AT THE DELIVERY PERSON?
Dogs may bark when the door is knocked or the doorbell rung because they excited at the thought of a visitor, or, more often, because they are worried about a stranger entering their home. Despite barking at the door being a big ‘pet peeve’ for many owners, it is a behaviour that humans admired in early dogs. One of the first jobs which dogs had was barking to alert people to threats.
So, the dog barks to alert people to the potential intruder. If people are at home, they often shout at the dog. But the dogs may see this as joining in, rather than a reprimand. If there is nobody at home the dog barks and the delivery person leaves. In both cases the dog gets a reward! The people join in the barking reinforcing the dog’s opinion that barking is the right thing to do, and then the ‘threat’ goes away! The dog feels better and that behaviour becomes more likely next time.
HOW DO I STOP MY DOG BARKING AT DELIVERIES?
THE HARD WAY
It is possible to teach the dog an alternative behaviour when the door knocks. First, teach your dog to ‘go to bed’. Next have someone knock the door or ring the bell (or record the noise on your phone) before asking the dog to ‘go to bed’. Reward when he does. Over time the door knock/bell will replace you saying ‘go to bed’ and will cue the dog trotting off to his bed. This works really well for dogs that get over the top with visitors.
It is also possible to keep some of the barking by putting that on cue. Say ‘speak’ then trigger your dog to bark, join in and be very excited! Then stop and wait for your dog to stop too. As he does, say ‘quiet’ and give a food reward. If you train this well it is possible to start and stop your dog barking which is great for security, if you feel unsafe just ask your dog to speak!
The trouble with these approached is that if you aren’t there for a door knock the dog may not choose the ‘bed’ behaviour or controlled barking, and won’t be rewarded for it. It may be hard to avoid deliveries during the time you are retraining your dog.
THE EASY WAY
Move to the Falkland Islands as they do not have a postal delivery service. If that isn’t practical, remove the delivery people from your doorstep. Instead of having a letterbox on your front door, place a mailbox on your property, but as far from your door as possible. For parcels, you can buy lockboxes which also reduce the risk of theft.
For specific problem behaviours please contact us by email to arrange an appointment. Be aware that until June 2021 we are not able to undertake home visits. health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk
COVID – 19 UPDATE
We are pleased that there is finally a roadmap for England to come out of lockdown. However, this does not mean we are back to business as usual and will not be for some time.
We do not plan to take on new clients for home visit acupuncture, problem behaviours, or herbal medicine until June 2021.
We will be continuing to support our existing clients taking the precautions which have kept us safe over the past 12 months.
Limited appointments are available on Wednesday mornings at Companion Care Vets in Eastbourne. Please contact the practice directly on 10232 649315 (be patient, they are very busy!).
We will also continue to offer a phone/ Whatsapp consulting service where this is appropriate.
Thank you for your understanding during what has a been a prolonged difficult time for us all.
UNHAPPY NEW YEAR
SUSPENSION OF SERVICES
The worsening Covid-19 situation makes it impossible for us to take on any new clients for home visits for acupuncture, behaviour consultations, or holistic consultations.
Our Vet Vicky Payne has taken on extra hours at Companion Care Vets in Eastbourne to help ease the pressure that splitting the team in two is causing . Emails, texts, and messages will only be dealt with on Thursdays and Fridays.
We will continue to provide support for existing clients, and may be able to offer assistance by telephone in some cases.
Thank you for your patience.
IS YOUR DOG ON THE NAUGHTY LIST?
THERE ARE NO NAUGHTY PUPS!
Christmas is one of the rare times when there is enough time for a busy veterinary herbalist and behaviourist to sit down and watch a film. And one of my favourites is ‘Fred Claus’. If you haven’t seen it I won’t spoil the whole film, but it all comes down to whether Fred deems the children ‘naughty’ or ‘nice’. Fred realises that the ‘naughty’ children aren’t naughty at all… they are scared, lonely, bullied, acting up because of their circumstances. And I feel the same about dogs.
WHY IS MY DOG ACTING UP?
When assessing a dog with a problem behaviour I have a lot of questions.
Where was he born? How was he brought up? Fred in the movie feels overshadowed by his saintly older brother. Puppies don’t come as blank slates, their behaviour can be influenced by their breed, their parents’ temperament, and their early life experiences. Sometimes people just expect too much; a retriever puppy is going to retriever, just like a four year old kid is going to sit up watching for Santa.
Could he have a medical problem? Over 70% of dogs at a top behaviour center have pain making their behaviour worse! Arthritis, gut problems, ear infections, sight issues are amongst the things I will be ruling out. Sometimes if we fix the health problem, the behaviour returns to normal.
What’s going on at home? In the film, poor Slam ends up at the top of the naughty list for fighting in the children’s home. But poor kid, he doesn’t have the love and structure he needs. The same goes for dogs, many have struggled to cope with the changes that Covid-19 has brought to their lives, and have had added stress at times like fireworks season and Christmas. A stable routine and a safe space to retire to when it all gets too much could be just what your dog needs.
HOW TO LIVE ‘HAPPILY EVER AFTER’
Does the film have a happy ending? Of course. Everyone learns the true meaning of Christmas and Slam gets his Christmas wish (a puppy! I know, don’t get me started on that one). So how do we make sure the ‘problem dogs’ get a fairytail ending?
Choose the right dog: explore your chosen breed or types history, exercise requirements, temperament, and grooming needs. Gundogs are going to retrieve everything, terriers like to rip stuff up, toy dogs want human company, ‘doodles’ need professional grooming every 6 weeks…
Choose the right breeder or rescue: expect to be asked a lot of questions and don’t be upset if it is decided you aren’t right for a particular dog or puppy. Never be rushed into a decision and make sure you have support after you take your new friend home.
Train! Your new dog needs to have clear rules from day 1 and you need to teach him what’s allowed and when. There are many great trainers offering on-line courses when physical courses aren’t possible. Training is not a 6weeks and done thing, it is an everyday all of life thing, and it should be great fun!
Vets: your dogs should visit the vets once or twice a year for a health check even if he is well. Catching health problems early reduces the chance of problem behaviours starting.
Never forget your dog is a dog. It can be hard to be a dog in a human world, so if they are heading for your ‘naughty list’ take a step back and you might just find they need a bit of understanding.
That’s Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care signing off for 2020. We’ll be back on 5th January ready for whatever challenged 2021 brings. But first, A Muppet Christmas Carol, mulled wine, and a mince pie!
May your Christmas be safe and peaceful.