Amy has just heard this morning that she has passed her final exams and is now a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse. Fantastic news and lots of congratulations!

As dental disease affects 4 out of 5 dogs over 3 years old, our fourth tutorial shows how to brush a dog’s teeth to reduce plaque and keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Many of you will recognise Nicky’s dog Kendall as a willing volunteer! www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnkZig11nE8

Spot was with us today for a full quarter amputation – the complete removal of his front left leg and shoulder – after a road traffic accident. We are really pleased with his progress and plan to send him home tomorrow for lots of get well cuddles from his owners!

We are delighted that we now have a date for the first canine blood collection session to be hosted at 387 Vets. Pet Blood Bank UK will be at the practice on Saturday 16th June, and will be in touch with those of you who have already signed up your dogs to become doggy donors. So far we have almost 40 registered donors including Border Collies, Greyhounds, Labradors, German Shepherds, Rottweillors, Retrievers, Alaskan Malamutes, Mastiffs – and more! Brilliant stuff!

We’d love to hear from you if you think your dog would make a great donor. Just one blood donation can help save up to four dogs’ lives. Do speak with one of our nurses for more information (T: 01922 411755), or Hamish at your next appointment, or alternatively visit www.petbloodbankuk.org/pet-owners/who-can-be-a-donor/

Winners of the 2012 Petplan Veterinary Awards – to recognise dedication and commitment in the field of veterinary medicine – have been announced. Thank you so much to everyone who nominated Hamish, the nurses or 387 Vets for an award. Sadly we didn’t win any of the categories this year, but look forward to trying again in 2013! To see short videos of each of this year’s winners visit www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards/

Well done to Jenny Cooper who has been seeing practice with Hamish on Monday afternoons now for a couple of years. She has just been offered a place to study veterinary medicine at Edinburgh University. Fabulous news! Jenny follows in the footsteps of Jacqui Marshall and Louise Sergeant who were also familiar faces at 387 Vets and are now second year veterinary students at the Royal Veterinary College, London and Bristol University respectively.

In tutorial 3 of 5 supporting National Pet Month, Hamish’s own dog Raisin helps him to demonstrate the best way to give a dog ear drops for fast, effective treatment. Well done Raisin! Follow the link to view: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JrGsb3n1TQ

Hamish’s 14 week old puppy Stovies was visiting for the morning yesterday and took a particular shine to Bull mastiff Dozer who was in for a lump removal. The 4kg puppy and the 58kg dog gave each other lots of licks and sniffs through the kennel bars – and this is them after saying hello properly!