Nurse Clinics for Your Pet

At Portland Vets, our practice nurses are highly skilled and knowledgeable, with experience as registered or training Veterinary Nurses. They are an invaluable resource for providing guidance and support in addressing dietary issues with your pet. As obesity is a growing concern for our furry friends and often results in related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, we aim to prevent these issues through proactive dietary advice.

To monitor your pet’s weight, our staff will weigh them at each visit to the clinic and keep detailed records and graphs. Regular weigh-ins not only help us track their progress, but also create a comfortable and familiar environment for your pet at the surgery.

Should your pet require a specific diet, we are here to help every step of the way. Our exceptional care has led to remarkable success for many patients and you will hopefully see great results if you and your pet stick to the advice given.

Arthritis can cause painful, swollen and stiff joints, resulting from the normal wear and tear of ageing or from previous injuries. If your pet experiences any of the following symptoms, they may be suffering from arthritis:

• Difficulty climbing stairs or getting into the car
• They seem reluctant to play or go for walks
• Stiffness or limping
• Trouble getting up after lying down for long periods
• Changes in their temperament or personality

The good news is that we can help! With simple changes in lifestyle, preventive supplements, arthritis medication or physiotherapy, we can improve your pet’s quality of life significantly. Many of our mobility clinic members are now enjoying their life to the full, running around with renewed energy like puppies or kittens.

Our practice nurses work closely with our vets to provide the highest level of treatment, advice and continuous monitoring of your pet’s condition. If you think your pet could benefit from a mobility check, please book your pet in on one of our Nurse Clinics by contacting our reception team.

Dental disease is often overlooked in pet healthcare and we are dedicated to preventing the silent suffering that it causes. That’s why we offer complimentary dental check-ups with our nurses throughout the year. At Portland Vets, our practice nurses are equipped to provide advice on dental care for cats, dogs and rabbits.

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in animals, with the most common symptom often presenting as extremely smelly breath. It can also lead to pain, poor appetite, weight loss, distress and even having a negative impact on a pet’s vital organs.

Teeth brushing is not the only way to prevent dental disease. Some of our less cooperative patients will benefit from special dental chews, biscuits and treats. For rabbits, dental health is a matter of life and death and the right diet is crucial in preventing serious ongoing health problems.

Discover more about dental care for your pet with our knowledgeable nurses and book a complimentary dental check-up appointment today.

Our practice nurses handle the majority of bandage and wound check-ups. They will also be in charge of removing any staples or sutures from your pet’s wound following your vet’s advice. With extensive experience in bandage and dressing application, as well as various effective strategies for keeping dressings dry and preventing pets from licking and chewing bandages, you can benefit from the knowledge and guidance of our nurses while your pet indulges in cuddles and affection.

Practice nurses are responsible for all post-operative checks at Portland Vets. If your pet has undergone surgery, they will typically be scheduled to see one of our nurses approximately three days after the procedure. During this visit, the nurse will assess your pet’s recovery from the surgery and anaesthesia, examine the wounds to ensure they are healing properly and check for any signs of infection.

If your pet has sutures, they will be scheduled for another visit with the nurse 10 days postoperatively to have the sutures removed. This quick and painless procedure typically only takes a few seconds, depending on your pet’s level of cooperation. Our nursing team will also be able to offer advice on rehabilitative care and management.

At Portland Vets, we offer a complimentary puppy programme for all those who are taking part in our Puppy Vaccination Package. This gives us the opportunity to monitor your puppy’s growth until they reach 6 months old. Practice desensitisation and socialisation is another benefit and our team can also help you address any concerns you may have about your puppy’s behaviour, such as potty training, tooth brushing, chewing and digging.

At each check-up, we recommend and administer a monthly worming and flea treatment as needed. We will weigh your puppy to ensure the correct dose of parasite control and give them plenty of affection. This helps to ensure that, should your puppy ever become ill or need treatment, they will be used to our practice and members of our team – making it a lot less stressful for everyone!