senior health clinics

Re: senior health clinics

oconnoanan — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:24:01 GMT

I want a purple cat keyring!!

Re: senior health clinics

jaxie — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:35:14 GMT

Bayer gave me Drontal Frisbees and a few rope toys, took some time to get. I always find Merial very helpful for flea combs/keyrings etc. I know a lot of reps are getting less and less of a budget now for freebies, nothing like how it used to be a few years ago. Worth chatting to all your reps though as if you can increase the sale of a product through your senior clinics, they may be able to help you with some freebies, or sponsor some freebies. Also look out for drug company deals. Ceva have recently done a deal where for every feliway/adaptil refil you ordered via the rep they gave you a purple cat keyring and dap the dog frisbee. I put things like that to one side to use for clinics/puppy parties. Time consuming, but worth ringing around.

Re: senior health clinics

Selena Carnell — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:58:16 GMT

Whe are you managing to get freebies from? As we seem to having trouble getting anything like that lol!

Re: senior health clinics

jaxie — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:30:13 GMT

I have had a succesfull Senior Wellpet club running for several months now. It is RVN led and we invite owners with dogs over 8yr and cats over 10yrs that are 'healthy' to complete a questionaire (on-line or collect from the surgery) The cost is £49 and that covers initial consult with RVN (who runs through questionaire, weighs and TPRs patient plus asks lots of other relevant questions) a blood sample taken by RVN (goes to Idexx for wellness screen) and we ask for a urine sample which we do a dips,sg and microscopy on. Once results are back (24hrs), the vet who also helps run the clinics (and i would say it is extreemly important that your vet 'buys' into the senior clinics otherwise it will not take off) calls the owner, goes through results and makes an appointment for them to come back in to see the RVN and vet (foc-as £49 covers cost of follow up appt with vet) then I get a recommendation pack ready which covers all points such as if a change of diet is necessary, supplements or neutraceuticals, results of lab tests, follow up tests with price and resee appt etc. The animal also gets a free toy (reps have supplied frisbees/pens/sponsored toys etc) and an xmas card. We also offer exclusive club member offers 4 times a year (eg, 15% off Christmas toys etc)

I have tried many times to get a senior clinic up and running and this time its worked! We see on average 3-4 a month but sometimes more. We advertise in the surgery, on our website and did at one point attach fliers to senior bags of food.

I would say you MUST get all members of staff on board and understand what you are offering and trying to achieve. Lots of our appts have come from Vets/nurses advising the clinics during other appointments. Receptionists have to understand also, otherwise questionaires will not be given out or appropriate appointment times booked (i allow at least 20-30mins per appointment, depending on the client) The key is getting everyone to understand what you are doing and to help get clients your way.

It is also important that Vets (and owners) understand this is for 'healthy' pets and not a cheap way of sneaking their cat thats been ill for 2 weeks into the clinic (and i have had vets in the early days seeing sick animals and saying we would run our senior wellpet club blood sample for them, instead of an appropriate blood profile, as it was cheaper for the client!) Naughty vets!

Once they are succesful, it really is very rewarding knowing your efforts have paid off. Also makes the boss very happy as brings in extra revenue, especially if you diagnose any illnesses that require medication/prescription food etc.

Hope this has helped you, sorry its a bit long winded! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Good luck!

Re: senior health clinics

Jill Macdonald — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:49:03 GMT

The key is getting your vets to advise the nurse appointments in their appointments/at boosters etc, and explaining why they are so beneficial.

This then has to be followed up at reception, along with trying to actually get an appoinment booked; and a really good info leaflet for them to take away is also really useful.

If clients think you are just trying to 'sell' them yet something else, they will try and swerve it - if they actually understand the benefits to their pet, then you're halfway there!

Jill

Re: senior health clinics

Selena Carnell — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:02:58 GMT

Try and make them sound more fun, clubs are a common thing now. Say that you offer a free health examination and discounted blood test some sort of incentive to get them to come in. Urine tests, weight monitoring and joint maintainence etc. We want to set some up soon too.