what do you do? [*-)]

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Melissa Matthews — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:40:17 GMT

Hi, I am looking to start senior clinics. I am waiting to sort it with my boss and so naturally she is taking ages to commit to! I am therefore making a plan and including as much as possible to take to her to sort it myself. I would very much appreciate a look at your questionnaire and protocol if you wouldn't emailing it to me. mel.m69@hotmail.com.

Many thanks.

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:16:14 GMT

contact Novartis, they have a whole file section they can give you, dedicated to 'older pet' clinics.

I have found with experience, vets/reps tend to put you off doing them as they can be complicated in terms of heart, arthritis, kidney issues, but dont let it put you off, so long as you have a vet in the building when you do them, then, personally, I dont see a problem.

Good luck with them, i do hope they become successful for you and do let us know how you get on

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Sal the 1st — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:12:43 GMT

it helps a lot if you can get everybody else in the team motivated

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:40:15 GMT

thanks to both of you, looks really good and certainly will be a lot of help. am getting quite excited that these might actually work this time!!

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Sal the 1st — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:32:19 GMT

email sent

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Maisy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:30:29 GMT

I've emailed across the senior pet info, hope it helps!

For the puppy/kitten package, if the discounts are going to be long term for all branches, it may be worth considering having some VIP scheme as back up. From experience I know how difficult these things can be to keep on top of when you work in a multi branch practice, and often companies who set these schemes up can help (unless you have a couple of people who could dedicate their time primarily to administering this). If your computer system has a way of making a client alert, or highlighting their details in a different colour will be an easy noticeable way of knowing who is on the scheme and perhaps a reminder system for the client to remember their discounted items.

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:33:23 GMT

we do all sorts of clinics already and the majority of these are FOC, it is really just the senior ones we have trouble getting to stick!

i have also been looking into doing puppy and kitten 'packages' but this would include vax, w+f tx every month till 6months, disc neutering, disc food,monthly nurse clinic and id chip. what do you include in yours and how much do you charge? how do you keep track of who is on this package deal? (i work in a fairly large practice with 4 sa branches so things like this get tricky!)

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Lofty343 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:06:07 GMT

Hi,

We routinely do nurse clinics FOC at our prac. and are a fab way of 'bonding' the client to the prac. Every month we do a promotion for example this month is pet smile month so clients get a free dental check and discounted prices on dental procedures and pre-op blood samples. We also do puppy and kitten packs were clients may get food, insurance, id chips etc. for a one off fee and they also get monthly check up's with the nurse. This helps with flea and worm tt and also adv clients re neutering. Advertising that we do free nurse checks attracts alot of business esp since some prac. chrge per min for these.

Personally i love nurse clinics, it also gets the animal use to the prac, since nothing 'bad' is going to happen except a few 'prods'!

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:35:23 GMT

that would be fantastic!! i am going to try and introduce them at one practice first and then once we know how it works bets, go and work with another branch to get them on board.

my e-mail is katie.precious@minstervets.co.uk

cheers for that

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Sal the 1st — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:35:13 GMT

these can really work I think you may be able to get a check list from ?fortekor for these.

Used to offer a free consult and u/s but made it clear anything else incurred a fee

I used to request a urine sample (if you buy 'p stix' I found these the cheapest to use). test the urine in front of the client - they like to see what you are up to and point out anything that comes up as high or low. I found clients were more likely to take up a blood test if they could see for themselves why you were running bloods in the first place

Used to do a nose to tail and ask clients if they had noticed anything different as their pet was getting older - chances are they have or they wouldnt be there.

have a lot more on this - but just on my way out - will catch up with you later

Re: what do you do? [*-)]

Maisy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:28:53 GMT

I love senior pet clinics and I think they can be an excellent addition to the nurse clinics. I set them up at my last practice with all the points you are wanting to include. All patients would be TPR'd when brought in. Would also do BP measure as part of the consult. Each consult lasted around half an hour and ideally get the client to bring the pets urine sample in with them so this can be tested while the client waits. Initially the consult was free, but then decided to charge a flat fee of £10 per pet, didn't receive any negative comments from clients about the cost and subsequent visits were FOC.

I do have quite a lengthy questionnaire which I can get for you and email if you want to see it. Because of the length of this, the client would fill this out before coming in to the appointment so it can all be discussed with them. I also have the protocol list I gave to the other nurses if you want to use that for some ideas?