May 2007
Good news for owners of laminitic horses and ponies

Pergolide - the very effective drug for treatment of laminitis - has now come off patent.  This will mean reduced costs for owners of laminitics.

May 2007
Now on video

We have just purchased a state-of-the-art, 3m-long video endoscope which will allow us to perform endoscopic examinations of a horse's stomach (eg to check for ulcers) and the first part of the intestine, as well as the larynx and airways for wind problems.  The endoscope is equipped with a colour video screen so owners can also see what's going on.

March 2007
We're One! Happy Birthday to us!

Penblwydd hapus i ni
Penblwydd hapus i ni
Penblwydd hapus annwyl ni-i
Penblwydd hapus i ni

Only one, but going strong.  Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi / Thank you. 

March 2007
Jones top of the charts (It's not unusual)

No, it's not Tom, it's the very exciting and much talked-about Dyffryn Tywi Client List Surname Chart.  Jones - nobody can keep up with them - are way out on top at the end of our first year. Here's the full top ten:

1st - Jones - 46
2nd - Davies - 31
3rd - Thomas - 19
4th - Evans - 18
5th - Williams - 16
6th - Morgan - 13
7th - Lewis - 12
8th - Rees - 8
9th - Smith - 8
10th - Richards - 7

A brief glance down the full surnames list shows the old trades are well represented:  as well as the 8 Smiths, we have a Collier, a Cartwright, a Taylor, a Sadler, a Miller, 3 Bakers, 2 Cookes, a Hunter, a Butcher and, last but not least, a Hooker.  Religion is not forgotten with Abraham and Moses, and the aristocracy are also with us: 2 Dukes, 2 Knights, Squires, a King and a Royal.   Out in the garden we have Clay, a Stone and a Weed, whilst locked in the garage there are 2 Fords and a Bentley.   Don't forget the wildlife: we've got Gibbons, 2 Fish, a Bird and a Parrott.  Finally, and adjectivally, we have Little and Long, Sharp and Strong, Tough and Wild, and - it has to end somewhere - Crapp. 

March 2007
More hospital beds

Due to increasing numbers of in-patients, we have had to put up another stable block.  We are very grateful to Cozeehomes who provided an excellent service, supplying three great new timber stables for us at very short notice.   

December 2006
Practice Manager appointed

Angela Bowles has joined us as Practice Manager. A qualified nurse, Angela's background is in mending people and managing doctors.  At Dyffryn Tywi, she'll now be managing vets instead (a challenge if ever there was one).  Angela is married with children and lives in Caio. She has horses and her daughter is a keen eventer.    

Thursday 19th October 2006
Colic and strangles at the Halfway Inn

More than two hundred clients attended our first Clients Evening and enjoyed the warm hospitality (and free drinks) at the Halfway Inn.  Dave Weaver from Intervet talked about strangles and the latest methods of prevention and treatment. Nigel Woodford, our new visiting surgeon, then gave a presentation on colic, explaining the different types and their causes.

17th September 2006
Lisa is British Team Vet at European Trec Championships

Lisa was selected to be British Team Vet at this year's European Trec Championships held in Devon.  Trec is one of the newest equine disciplines - see BHS TREC.  Originating from France, it aims to test a horse and rider's ability to navigate across country and negotiate the various obstacles that they might meet along the way. 

September 2006
New additions to the Dyffryn Tywi team

Two new staff joined our team in September.

Jemma Cooke has started as a full time veterinary nurse, providing much-needed assistance to Lisa and Phil, both around the clinic and on visits.  Jemma will also be carrying out laboratory work as we increase our in-house capabilities.  Jemma lives in Burry Port near Llanelli.  She has been riding since the age of six and acquired her first pony at nine.  Jemma has a passion for competetive riding, particularly hunter trials and show jumping.  

Nigel Woodford has joined us as a visiting surgeon.  Nigel is based at Bristol University Vet School.

Saturday 4th March 2006
Snow, sunshine and crowds at Clinic Open Day

Our first Open Day was a great success! At least three hundred people braved the early morning snow showers to be rewarded by bright sunshine and a chance to see the brand new clinic. There was a buzz of excitement in the air and general agreement that a facility of this kind was much needed in the area. Thank you to everybody who came along!

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Open Day Prize Draw are as follows:

·       1 x One year’s free wormers  - Gill Green

·       1 x One box of 100 Synequin sachets – Alan Bassett

·       1 x Free health check (including weighing, blood test, dental
check and rasp) – Marianne Goddard

·       1 x Hoof Dressing – Tracey Butcher

·       1 x Cooper’s fly repellent – Marg Lewis

·       2 x Panacur Equine Guard (Intervet) – Lise Cook & Evie Royal

·       2 x Pyratape P (Intervet) – Isobell Tomsett & Anne Williams

·       8 x Weighbands – Shan Hamer, P Thompson, Lucy Bastin,
Pam Holden, Helen Galliene-Smite, Jenny Yates,
Stuart Hardy, Helen Harries

·       4 x Lead ropes – Conway Morgan, Jo Amblin, Linda Court, Jill Keer

·       1 x Welly Bag – Jane Sandals