Dogs

Blood Donation - W&T Lifesavers

We have performed several emergency blood transfusions in dogs at our Portishead Practice. On these occasions blood was donated from amazing staff pets. But, that got us thinking; can we expand our donor list for future emergency scenarios? Does your dog have what it takes to become a life-saver?

Criteria for donors are as follows:

  • Must be fit and healthy
  • Should be aged between one and eight years old
  • Weigh more than 25kg
  • Have a good temperament
  • Must not have travelled abroad
  • Should be fully up to date with vaccination
  • Not on any current medication
  • If female should not have had puppies

For more information about pet blood donation, please talk to the Practice and we will arrange a nurse appointment to go through the process.

We hope to build up a list of willing volunteer dogs (and in the future cats) so please get in touch if you wish your pet to be on the scheme. This is a great opportunity to actively offer help to a poorly pet in a time of serious need. Many thanks!

 

Travelling Abroad with your Pet

The procedure for taking your pet abroad has changed since Great Britain left the EU in 2021. If you wish to travel to Europe with your pet, you will now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead of the blue passports that used to be issued. This is a 7-12 page document that the vet will prepare before and during the consultation.

Please speak to us immediately if you are planning on travelling abroad with your pet as it can take up to four months to prepare your pet to travel.

For further information please see our useful guide.

 

Shar Pei - Letter of Thanks...

“We were recommended the vet Steve Tasker via a Shar Pei forum and decided to email and see if we could get our Shar Pei seen as he was suffering from entropion (eyelids rolling into eye)

 

Within 24 hours Steve had phoned us and discussed at length the problem our Shar Pei was suffering and a potential solution. After speaking to him, we were so happy as he was knowledgeable about the breed as not many vets are, and very personable to our Shar Pei's needs.

 

We organised for surgery and when we arrived all staff within the practice were extremely welcoming making us feel as ease whilst making a fuss of our Shar Pei! Before the surgery took place Steve went through the whole process so we fully understood the procedure!

 

After the surgery was completed and in the days of recovery Steve and his team were attentive, helpful and very considerate!

 

We live nowhere near Yatton, travelling over an hour to see Steve, however it was the best decision we have ever made! Our Shar Pei's surgery was a major success and for anyone wanting their Shar Pei or pet to be thoroughly looked after and given the right treatment our recommendation would definitely be Watkins & Tasker Vets!”

 

Mike Anderton and Barney (Shar Pei)

Senior Dog Package (8 years +)

Our senior clinics give you a clearer picture of your dog’s health and allow us to detect any age associated health conditions early. We can recommend an individual health plan tailored to your dog’s needs, giving you peace of mind that your dog is as happy and healthy as possible throughout their senior years.

The package provides proactive health screening and gold standard care for your golden oldies.

For more information as to what is included and costs, see our Senior Dog Package leaflet.

 

 

Nutrition & Weight Clinics

A large proportion of animals become overweight, and nationally it is a huge area of concern for vets. Allow us to help you avoid the mistakes often made, or rectify the situation should it have happened.

Our nursing staff are very keen on providing top-notch health advice to enhance the quality of life for your dogs.

They can offer you dietary advice and regular free weight checks to slim down the waistline of our heavier patients!

A slimmer dog will usually be a much happier, healthier and more active one!

Breeder Package

The cost of this service can be added to the price of the pet. Prospective owners will feel safe in the knowledge they are dealing with a professionally backed service and will be happy to pay for the peace of mind.

 

For 6-9 week old pre-sale puppies the 9 point premium package includes:

 

  • A full check-up for each puppy
  • A signed individual certificate of health status
  • First vaccination against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvovirus
  • Treatment with Advocate for roundworm and fleas
  • Microchip
  • A FREE second vaccine at our practice
  • A FREE health check 6 months later at our practice
  • 4 weeks FREE insurance cover from the time the puppy is first brought to us by the new owner (pre-existing medical conditions will be excluded).
  • Follow up phone conversation with one of our vets within first week post-purchase (to be initiated by the purchaser)

 

Package Cost: £82.50 per puppy

 

For Terms and Conditions and further information please call us.

 

Recommended Food

We recommend Royal Canin food and sell this within practice along with many toys and accessories.

 

If we do not have an item in stock we can order it for you for collection the next day.

 

Acupuncture

Our vet James Greenwood is a qualified Veterinary Acupuncturist and can carry out this safe complementary therapy on dogs and cats to assist a range of conditions including:

 

  • Musculoskeletal problems
  • Skin problems
  • Nerve disorders
  • Respiratory problems
  • Gastrointestinal problems

 

Read more about how acupuncture works and the benefits available to your pets.

 

 

 

Shar Pei Services

Our vet Steve Tasker is proud of his local and regional reputation as a 'Shar-Pei friendly' vet! He regularly sees and treats Shar-Pei for a variety of medical and surgical conditions.

These include

  • Eyelid entropion surgery
  • Eyelid puppy 'tacking' procedures
  • Reconstructive ear surgery for longstanding ear problems
  • Shar-Pei fever syndrome
  • Skin and Coat conditions
  • Orthopaedic conditions

Those of you who know the breed will realise they have their own 'unique requirements' and will benefit from the experience we have gained over 20 years dealing with these special, and increasingly popular dogs.

 

Call the surgery on 01275 397449 to book an appointment or speak to Steve Tasker BVSc MRCVS about your Shar-Pei's health.

 

Read our case study about Bailey the Shar Pei.

 

Puppy Parties

During the early stages of your puppy's life they are eager to learn, and keen to experience new situations and surroundings. This is called the socialisation period. Introducing your puppy to a range of people and experiences in a positive and controlled environment means that they are able to learn important life skills to set them on the road to becoming a social and well balanced adult dog. We run free puppy sessions at each Practice where we use a mixture of treats, toys and fun games to help your puppy create positive experience of visiting the vets with memories which can last a life time.

Please bring a blanket and collar/harness with lead. To book to attend please contact us as places are limited and sessions are subject to staff availability.

 

We strongly advise ringing in plenty of time to book your slot as places are sometimes limited due to space restrictions.

 

Senior Dog Packages (8 years +)

Our senior clinics give you a clearer picture of your dog’s health and allow us to detect any age associated health conditions early. We can recommend an individual health plan tailored to your dog’s needs, giving you peace of mind that your dog is as happy and healthy as possible throughout their senior years.

The package provides proactive health screening and gold standard care for your golden oldies.

For more information as to what is included and costs, see our Senior Dog Package leaflet.

 

Nutrition & Weight Clinics

A large proportion of animals become overweight, and nationally it is a huge area of concern for vets. Allow us to help you avoid the mistakes often made, or rectify the situation should it have happened.

Our nursing staff are very keen on providing top-notch health advice to enhance the quality of life for your dogs.

They can offer you dietary advice and regular free weight checks to slim down the waistline of our heavier patients!

A slimmer dog will usually be a much happier, healthier and more active one!

Ophthalmology

At Watkins and Tasker Vets we are always looking to better our service to you, our clients. With this in mind we have set up a link with 2 specialist ophthalmologists to offer superior level eye care for our patients, and to provide a local clinic for breed scheme eye testing for patients both from our practice and those from other vets in our locality.

Hamish Cormie visits us on a monthly basis, and as a member of the BVA / KC / ISDS eye panel, he is authorised to carry out these tests on puppies eyes. He will carry out testing at our Portishead practice. To book please contact him on 07813 197222.

We are also able to refer clinical ophthalmology cases to Tim Knott at Rowe Vets Ophthalmology Service.

Breeder Package

The cost of this service can be added to the price of the pet. Prospective owners will feel safe in the knowledge they are dealing with a professionally backed service and will be happy to pay for the peace of mind.

 

For 6-9 week old pre-sale puppies the 9 point premium package includes:

 

  • A full check-up for each puppy
  • A signed individual certificate of health status
  • First vaccination against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvovirus
  • Treatment with Advocate for roundworm and fleas
  • Microchip
  • A FREE second vaccine at our practice
  • A FREE health check 6 months later at our practice
  • 4 weeks FREE insurance cover from the time the puppy is first brought to us by the new owner (pre-existing medical conditions will be excluded).
  • Follow up phone conversation with one of our vets within first week post-purchase (to be initiated by the purchaser)

 

Package Cost: £82.50 per puppy

 

For Terms and Conditions and further information please call us.

 

Recommended Food

We recommend Royal Canin food and sell this within practice along with many toys and accessories.

 

If we do not have an item in stock we can order it for you for collection the next day.

 

Shar Pei Services

Our vet Steve Tasker is proud of his local and regional reputation as a 'Shar-Pei friendly' vet! He regularly sees and treats Shar-Pei for a variety of medical and surgical conditions.

These include

  • Eyelid entropion surgery
  • Eyelid puppy 'tacking' procedures
  • Reconstructive ear surgery for longstanding ear problems
  • Shar-Pei fever syndrome
  • Skin and Coat conditions
  • Orthopaedic conditions

Shar Pei - Letter of Thanks...

“We were recommended the vet Steve Tasker via a Shar Pei forum and decided to email and see if we could get our Shar Pei seen as he was suffering from entropion (eyelids rolling into eye)

 

Within 24 hours Steve had phoned us and discussed at length the problem our Shar Pei was suffering and a potential solution. After speaking to him, we were so happy as he was knowledgeable about the breed as not many vets are, and very personable to our Shar Pei's needs.

 

We organised for surgery and when we arrived all staff within the practice were extremely welcoming making us feel as ease whilst making a fuss of our Shar Pei! Before the surgery took place Steve went through the whole process so we fully understood the procedure!

 

After the surgery was completed and in the days of recovery Steve and his team were attentive, helpful and very considerate!

 

We live nowhere near Yatton, travelling over an hour to see Steve, however it was the best decision we have ever made! Our Shar Pei's surgery was a major success and for anyone wanting their Shar Pei or pet to be thoroughly looked after and given the right treatment our recommendation would definitely be Watkins & Tasker Vets!”

 

Mike Anderton and Barney (Shar Pei)

Acupuncture

Our vet Fiona Chapman is a qualified Veterinary Acupuncturist and can carry out this safe complementary therapy on dogs and cats to assist a range of conditions including:

 

  • Musculoskeletal problems
  • Skin problems
  • Nerve disorders
  • Respiratory problems
  • Gastrointestinal problems

 

Read more about how acupuncture works and the benefits available to your pets.