Weight Clinics

Re: Weight Clinics

Lesley Stinson — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:16:53 GMT

Hi Katie B

I would encourage you to contact your dog's practice and make an appointment. I am sure they have no hard feelings towards you about the payment delay.

They would rather see you coming back than lose you as a client. There system may have changed or you have just slipped through the net.

Both you and your dog need the encouragement to keep on the right track for his diet. A free service is for everyone and not just the ones that pay on time or at least that is the way it is suppose to be.

Is he on a special diet or just regular food? Did they give you an exercise regime? Did they give you tips on how to encourage him to work for his food and this way he will burn energy to get the food.

I to have a lab and they are food obsessed. They even dream of food I would imagine.

Re: Weight Clinics

Katie B — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:04:13 GMT

My Labrador has struggled with his weight since we got him at 7 weeks, his weight checks have always been free. (well that was until we got a bill for £700 when he was I'll and they had to wait for the insurance to pay out as couldn't afford to pay them the total amount and claim it back) since then the vn hasn't called to book him in and we dont want to call. We kind of feel they may not be happy about previous incident so may have decided we are no longer entitled to this service. Shame but I know what he needs to be and were just working at keeping his weight down ourselves. Was a brilliant thing though when we were allowed this. But if I would have had to pay for the first session I would have been more than happy too as they are really helpful. My dusty is my first dog and it was good to get advice and find out what foods were not good for him and what ones stabilised his weight. I felt like it was a great support system for me and my partner.

Re: Weight Clinics

Lesley Stinson — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:54:35 GMT

Are there any practices close to you that run weight clinic's? What are they charging for this service even if it is dog's and cats's? Just because it is a cat only practice you don't want your clients to feel like they are being ripped off.

Personally i feel that it is something that we as nurses can give back to our clients by offering this as a free service. The clients are very happy to come and do in no way abuse the clinic. In fact we have gained extra clients who feel that this service is an added bonus and value the nurses for giving them the time that is required to talk about there pet's problem.

I feel that if i am giving this advice over the phone to my clients then why should i charge them when i meet them face to face. What does it cost to weigh an animal when it is something that is done anyway at each visit. Do we charge clients to sit in the waiting room chairs? I understand that a room is needed to be able to run these clinic's but clients need to see that we are not money grabbing as a profession and offering them free nurses clinic's is a good way for us to show them that we are on their side.

Re: Weight Clinics

Steph1006 — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:33:59 GMT

Thank you, yes I am trying a few of those things, hoping to have first one going within next couple weeks. I am thinking a 1st appt between 5 - 10 pounds and free for every one there after until they reach there target weight. Fingers crossed all goes well got a few interested parties! thanks for the reply :)

Re: Weight Clinics

Lesley Stinson — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:38:59 GMT

I too also work in a cat only practice and I run weight check/monitor clinic's for our clients.

We offer this as a free service. I weigh the patients, I measure the patients and offer advice on how to encourage their cat to exercise.

I had a chat with the food company rep about what we were trying to achieve and she agreed to supply a free bag of food for every three that the client bought. This can be used as a reward for the client in putting in the time to exercise her cat. Food alone is not enough.

We also take a photo of the patient at various stages so that the client can compare and are then able to see the differences. It's hard to see weight loss on a day to day basis.

This helps the client to trust the nurse as well as the vet and they are more likely to ask for the nurse in future so this isn't taking up the vet's time. We make money from the food sale, wormers and flea treatment.

Many over weight cats will require blood sample to check liver enzymes and to check for diabeties.

Our clients are delighted that the service is free and are more inclined to visit us as they understand that not everything is costly and that we care about their pets.