Bridge Referrals

28/06/2025

Gorgeous Nellie, living life to the fullest whilst undergoing chemotherapy treatment with our oncology department! 🧡🌅

28/06/2025

When people are faced with their beloved pet being diagnosed with cancer or being treated with chemotherapy, the images are understandably upsetting and fuelled with worry!

One of our fantastic night nurses and head of department, Faye, was recently faced with this when her bright and bouncy companion, Nellie, suddenly became unwell. After a short illness, she was sadly diagnosed with a very rare form of lymphoproliferative cancer affecting her intestines and was started on a chemotherapy protocol immediately by Darren, our medical oncologist.

Nellie has taken each treatment like a trooper and her owner has shown us her adventures shes had while she’s been on chemotherapy and living life to the full! 👏

She’s been on lots of exciting walks with her friends (human, canine and equine!), been to her and Faye's favourite place - the lake district. She has been camping, hiked up several famous mountains and wild camped on the summit (she even had one of her chemo tablets on top of old man of coniston), watched beautiful sunrises and sunsets, done lots of open lake swimming, been paddleboarding (how cute is she in her life jacket?), been on runs with Faye including a 10k this week and had all the treats she could want. She is, without doubt, living her best life and continues to do so!

We all love her and we love seeing these updates. Life is for living and Nellie takes this to the maximum! 💚💙

Faye told us 'I didn’t really believe you guys when you said she would still be able to go on adventures and be okay in herself. Everyone I know is amazed at how normal she still is and living her best life and can’t believe it too'
'I was a bit twitchy about chemotherapy but seeing how well Nellie’s done I’d definitely recommend it and do think it would be good for people to see'.

She turns 8 next week and Faye is surely planning to spoil her some more! 💚💙

27/06/2025

We are celebrating after the lovely Dexter has completed his chemotherapy! 🎉

He featured recently on here after he was diagnosed with a form of generalised skin cancer called epitheliotrophic lymphoma. He has taken very well to combination therapy and today completed his therapy! 👏

Darren and the oncology team are so proud of how he has done and we look forward to seeing him back in a few weeks for a follow up check! 💚💙

26/06/2025

This pride month, we celebrate the vibrant diversity within our veterinary community - from our colleagues and clients to the pets that walk through our doors every day! 🫶🌈

Compassion, respect and empathy are at the heart of what we do, and that means creating safe, supportive spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexuality. At Bridge Referrals, we stand proudly with our LGBTQIA+ team members, clients and allies - Because veterinary medicine is so much stronger when everyone is welcome and seen.

Here is the gorgeous Rosie showing off her pride dressing to match her collar! 🥹🌈

Love is love, and every heartbeat matters whether it be a humans or one of our furry companions! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

25/06/2025

We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who attended our Pet Blood Bank UK donation session on Sunday 15th June!❣️

Our next donation session will take place on Sunday 10th August! ❤️

We’re looking for lovely dogs to come forward and donate at this session. If your dog meets the criteria below, they could become a lifesaving blood donor!

❣️Between the ages of 1 and 8
❣️Weigh over 25kg
❣️Fit and healthy
❣️Happy, confident, & enjoy meeting new people

To find out more and register your dog for our upcoming donation session, please visit www.petbloodbankuk.org/dogs

Existing donors can book in for our next session using the Pet Blood Bank mobile app or by calling 01509 232 222.

25/06/2025

At Bridge Referrals, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. By bringing together experts from different disciplines, we’re able to offer truly comprehensive care — especially in complex cases that require more than one area of expertise. In this blog, we’re sharing the journey of Jasper, a much-loved patient who recently benefited from our unique multidisciplinary approach. With the combined knowledge and skill of our ophthalmology, oncology, and soft tissue surgery teams, Jasper received a tailored treatment plan that not only targeted a serious condition but also gave him the best chance of keeping his eye — and getting back to his happy, healthy self.

To read Jasper’s story, simply click on the link below! ⬇️

https://www.bridgereferrals.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-multidisciplinary-care-at-bridge-referrals/

At Bridge Referrals, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. By bringing together experts from different disciplines, we’re able to offer truly comprehensive care — especially in complex cases that require more than one area of expertise. In this blog, we’re sharing the journey of J...

19/06/2025

Today we are highlighting the power of multidisciplinary care! 💪💙💚

This is the lovely Jasper, pictured one week after a surgery to remove a tumour from behind his eye.

Jasper was initially seen by Olivia, one of our ophthalmologists, as his left eye had started to move upward and forward from the socket. This was causing Jasper pain and making him reluctant to eat.

A scan was performed to look behind the eye and a growth was found (picture 2; T = tumour).
Olivia discussed Jasper's case with Darren from our oncology team, who safely obtained needle samples from the growth (a very demanding location to sample without damaging the eye!).
These samples sadly suggested that the growth was cancerous, so Olivia and Darren discussed Jasper with Mark from our soft tissue surgery team.

Mark advised that there were a couple of possible approaches to remove the growth. Jasper's owner was very keen to save his eye if possible, so an approach from the side of his face was chosen.

The steps for Jasper's surgery are shown in picture 2. The arch of bone which protects the eye (zygoma; Z) was temporarily removed in order to access the tumour. This surgery is called a lateral orbitotomy.

Once the tumour had been removed, the bone was put back into position and implants were placed to keep in still while it heals.

Jasper recovered well from his surgery and we are delighted that he is starting to get back to his usual self and is already much more comfortable.

We are the only referral centre in the region to be able to offer the combination of soft tissue surgery + oncology + ophthalmology, and our teams are delighted to have been able to join together to get Jasper on the road to recovery! 👏🐾

19/06/2025

Thank you so much to everyone who attended our Cushing’s Conundrums CPD evening on Tuesday! Hosted by Bethany Deadman & Harry Swales! 🩺

And once again, thank you so much to The Lemon Tree Deli for the delicious food! 🍫

Our next CPD evening will take place on Thursday 14th August - “A forelimb lameness - is it always the elbow?” 🦴 this will be hosted by our orthopaedic surgeons, Emma Mace & Jack Sillito!

To sign up for this, simply email 📧 [email protected]

18/06/2025

Think a cat’s eye is just a smaller version of a dog’s? Think again! 👁️

In this four part webinar series, we will be diving into the distinctive world of feline ophthalmology. From persistent conjunctivitis and delicate corneal ulcers to tricky glaucoma and sneaky uveitis, each lunch time session offers a focused 40-minute overview of a key topic—followed by 10 minutes for live Q&A or interactive case discussion.

Whether you’re brushing up on basics or looking to refine your approach to the feline patient, this series is designed to sharpen your clinical confidence and remind you why cat eyes deserve their own spotlight!

Webinar dates ⬇️
🔹24th June 1pm - Feline Conjunctivitis
🔹22nd July 1pm - Feline Corneal Pathology
🔹19th August 1pm - Feline Glaucoma
🔹16th Sept 1pm - Feline Uveitis

If you’d like to sign up, simply email 📧 [email protected]

18/06/2025

Would you like to join our team? 🎉

Bridge Referrals are now recruiting for June 2025! 🩺🐾

🔹 Head of Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery – ECVS/ACVS Diplomat

🔹Veterinary Care Assistant

For more information, simply click on the link below! ⬇️

Bridge Referrals places team work at the heart of our ethos. We take pride in our dedication to offering the highest standards in veterinary care. We envisage developing a highly motivated team by investing in their training, career prospects, job satisfaction and wellbeing. We want to empower our s...

05/06/2025

Four part webinar series with the Bridge Referrals Ophthalmology team! 👏

Webinar dates ⬇️
🔹24th June 1pm - Feline Conjunctivitis
🔹22nd July 1pm - Feline Corneal Pathology
🔹19th August 1pm - Feline Glaucoma
🔹16th Sept 1pm - Feline Uveitis

If you’d like to sign up, simply email 📧 [email protected]

04/06/2025

Meet Jax! 🩵🐾

Jax initially presented to us with immune mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP) which is a condition where the patient's own immune system destroys its platelets making them more susceptible to bleeding. Jax was also really struggling to walk because he had severe bilateral knee cap instability (bilateral lateral patella luxations).

Jax required in depth investigations and treatment from the medicine department as well as multiple orthopaedic surgeries with our surgeons. Just as we thought he was on the road to recovery, he suffered complications from his immunosuppressive treatment and became very poorly, requiring several nights in hospital.

Thankfully he is a little fighter and pulled through! We now have his platelet levels under control and he is able to happily exercise now his knee caps have been stabilised! 👏

Recently Jax had a very important task to perform which was to be the ring bearer at his owners wedding and we were so pleased to hear that he confidently walked down the aisle, with a waggy tail and delivered those rings! 💍

Jax we are so proud of you and seeing the pictures of you at the wedding brought a tear to all of our eyes. Neither Jax, nor his owners ever gave up despite the extensive treatment that he needed and we are so pleased that you all got a wonderful day to celebrate! 🩵🥹