Gosport Vets4Pets

14/01/2025

We have had a wallet handed into our reception today.

If this might be yours please contact the practice, we will ask you to confirm your details to match the contents of the wallet.

19/12/2024

Here's our top tips for keeping your pets healthy and happy over the festive period:

⭐️ Festive foods! Chocolate, macadamia nuts, onions, grapes, sultanas, raisins and alcohol are all toxic to pets (so keep that Christmas pudding out of reach!). If you suspect your pet has eaten any of the above please call your vet as soon as possible, in many cases time is of the essence!

⭐️ Cooked bones can easily splinter and shards can get stuck and damage your pet’s intestines. We advise never giving these to your pet.

⭐️ Festive plants! Holly, Mistletoe, Poincettas and Lillies can be toxic to pets if eaten. Some species of christmas tree may cause tummy upset if chewed on. Fallen christmas tree needles may also get stuck in paws.

⭐️ Antifreeze is highly toxic to animals if ingested and often has a sweet taste. It is important to clean up any spillages and keep anitfreeze products safely out of reach of pets.

⭐️ Chewing, cables can result in a nasty electric shock and cause a fire hazard in the home.

⭐️ Tinsel, ribbons and bows can be tempting for our pets to chew on, if ingested these can cause intestinal blockages.

⭐️ Road grit and salt can make paws sore and if ingested can be toxic. We recommend cleaning and wiping off your pets paws when when coming in from a walk during the icy months.

⭐️ Freezing temperatures outside! Please ensure any animals kept outside have an enclosed bedding area, a raised bed can ward off the damp, and extra bedding to help keep them warm. Check them regularly to ensure bedding is dry and in a good condition.

❄️ Ensure outside fresh water sources are not frozen over.

for more information visit our website:
https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/have-you-pet-proofed-your-festive-season/

15/12/2024

Every year over the festive season animal rescue centres see an increase in the number of unwanted animals brought in to them.

During this time it is often animals which have been bought as christmas presents for others, unwanted or given up when the new owners realise the weight of responsibility of being a pet owner.

Having pets is a big, long term responsibility. Pets are fully dependent on their owner for all aspects of their health and wellbeing.

If you are thinking of getting a pet to gift to a loved one (at any time of year) please discuss this with them first. We know it may ruin the surprise, but it really is in everyone's best interest to make sure the new owners are fully prepared, willing and able to welcome the new addition.

🎄💕😻🐶🐰🐹💕🎄

13/12/2024

This is your friendly reminder to check if you will require any repeat prescription medications (including flea and worming treatments) over the holiday period. 🙂

⚠️ Friday 20th December is the last day for orders needed before Christmas day ⚠️

🎄🎄 OPENING HOURS FOR THE FESTIVE PERIOD 🎄🎄

Monday 23rd December open 8.30am - 7pm
Tuesday 24th December open 8.30am - 7pm
🎁 CHRISTMAS DAY - CLOSED 🎁
🎁 BOXING DAY - CLOSED 🎁
Friday 27th December open 8.30am - 7pm
Saturday 28th December 9am - 12pm
Sunday - CLOSED
Monday 30th December 8.30am - 7pm
Tuesday 31st December 8.30 - 7pm
🥳 NEW YEARS DAY - CLOSED 🥳
Thursday 2nd January onwards - open as normal

02/12/2024

⚠️Important notice⚠️

Our friends at Damory Veterinary Clinic have become aware of a new scam affecting pet owners.

If you receive any emails from a pet microchip company that you do not recognise DO NOT click any links on the email.
Please contact your pets microchip provider directly for advice.

If you are not sure which microchip company your pet is registered to please contact your registered vet for assistance.

STAY ALERT, STAY SAFE.

🐾🫶🐾

⚠️ Important Notice: Microchip Scam Alert ⚠️

We’ve been made aware of a microchip scam currently circulating among pet owners. This scam involves emails from a fraudulent company called PETCHIP. These emails may appear genuine, as they include personal information such as your pet’s microchip number, your name, and contact details.

Please be advised:
❗️PETCHIP is NOT a legitimate company or request.

❗️Do not click any links or share your bank details.

❗️Report any suspicious emails directly to your pet’s microchip company.

Your vigilance helps protect you and your pet. Stay safe and always double-check communications regarding your pet’s microchip.

If you have any concerns, feel free to reach out to us.

25/10/2024

There are some big firework events coming up in the area over the next couple of weeks. We thought we'd share some links to helpful advice and steps you can take at home to make your pets as comfortable as possible.

Upcoming, local professional fireworks events we are aware of:
HMS Sultan 31st October and Brockhurst primary 8th November

*there may be other local events we are not aware of*

Dogs: https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/dog-advice/how-to-help-your-dog-cope-with-firework-season/

Cats: https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/cats-and-fireworks/

Rabbits and Guinea pigs: https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/rabbit-advice/rabbits-and-guinea-pigs-and-fireworks/

Firework season can be a tough time for any cat, so it is a good idea to know how to treat their anxiety around this season. Read more tips online here.

19/09/2024

As Autumn starts to settle in, now is a good time to begin preparing for fireworks events later in the season.
🐾💗🐱🐶💗🐾

12/09/2024

UPDATE - The issue seems to have been resolved.
To everyone affected today, thank you for your patience 💕

***CARD PAYMENT ISSUES***

Unfortunately we are experiencing intermittent issues taking card payments today.
We have been informed this is a nationwide issue.

02/09/2024

**Missed appointments**
During July and August we experienced a total of 120 missed appointments, this equates to 30 hours of vets appointment time 😢

We kindly ask that if you know you will be unable to attend your appointment, please inform us at your earliest convenience so that we may offer the appointment time to another patient in need of veterinary care.
💕🐾💕

28/08/2024

Did you know that fleas can cause serious illness in young kittens and puppies?

Whilst the majority of grown animals may only experience itchiness and mild discomfort, flea infestations in puppies and kittens can lead to a severely low red blood cell count (known as anaemia). In severe cases this can be life threatening.

🚨 Signs of anaemia in puppies and kittens includes becoming lethargic and weak, with pale or white gums. If your puppy or kitten experiences these symptoms seek immediate veterinary care 🚨

Fleas can be easily picked up by kittens and puppies, and they can multiply quickly. 1 female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day!!

Taking steps to prevent flea infestation is often the best and course of action, this can include:
✅Steam clean floors and soft furnishings
✅Use a hot wash cycle for pet bedding
✅Regular vacuuming
✅Use a suitable parasiticide house treatment (be sure to follow the instructions carefully).
✅Regularly comb your pets with a flea/ fine tooth comb
✅Consistent use of an effective pet flea treatment as directed.

⚠️Ensure any flea treatment used on your pet is suitable for their age and weight.
⚠️Ensure you have the correct product for your pet, do not use a dog product on a cat and vice versa.

For more information about fleas see our website: https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/fleas/

29/07/2024

⚠️🌡️Wet then Vet🌡️⚠️

Be aware of signs of heat stroke.

If you suspect a dog is suffering from heatstroke, act quickly to wet the dog with cool water (not freezing).
Taking this immediate action can save their life.

Wetting their body with cool water, around 15°C, is ideal, but any water will help the dog start to cool.
Do this quickly before taking them to the vet, call the vet as soon as you can to inform them you are on your way and how long it will take you to get there.

This allows the vet team to prepare for your arrival and initiate prompt treatment.

Remember; a dog won't die from missing a walk, don't take the risk 🐾🐶🩷

04/07/2024

Great post from our friends at Hayling Island 👇🏻

🌾 Grass Seeds 🌾

Grass seeds might seem harmless, but they can pose a real threat to our pets.

Grass seeds can become embedded in your pets fur or paws. Leading to irritation, discomfort, and in some cases, serious health issues. They have tiny barbs that can lodge into the skin, ears, eyes, or nostrils, leading to infections or abscesses if not promptly addressed. Once under the skin these pesky seeds can migrate their way around the body away from the initial entry site.

During and after walks or playtime in grassy areas, be sure to check your pet's fur. Especially between their toes, ears, and armpits. Looking for any loose or lodged seeds.

How to avoid it? Keep longer fur trimmed, which can reduce the chances of seeds becoming embedded. Be mindful of letting your pets roam in areas with overgrown grass or wild plants known for problematic seeds.

If you suspect your pet has encountered grass seeds or is showing signs of discomfort, such as excessive licking, sneezing, or pawing at their ears or nose. Please get in touch with us promptly.

21/05/2024

As we head into the warmer lighter days, you may begin to see baby birds venturing out of the nest.

Here's our guide on what to do if you find a baby bird on the ground.

⚠️ Due to the current risk of bird flu, only handle wild birds if absolutely necessary ⚠️

If you need to handle the bird wear gloves, use a towel or blanket to wrap them in, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

09/05/2024

It's that time of year again

We are starting to get reports of our beautiful local adders spotted sunning themselves around Alver valley and Browndown.

Please be mindful when walking your dogs, particularly in these areas.

🐍💚🐾

🐍 Adders are the UKs only native venomous snake. They are protected by the wildlife and countryside act 1981. It is an offence to kill, harm or sell them.

🐍 Adders are found across the UK including amongst some of the wild and woodland areas around Gosport and Lee-on-the -Solent..

🐍 Adders are most commonly seen between April and July. Adders are fond of a lay-in and are most active in the afternoon.

🐍They feed on small rodents, lizards and frogs.

🐍 Adult adders are roughly 50-60cm long and have a black/brown zigzag pattern along their back and V or X shaped marking on the back of the head.

🐍 Adder bites are fairly rare.
An adder will generally only bite in self-defence, with the majority of bites occurring when a snake is stepped on or feels threatened.

🐍 Adder bites generally occur on the legs and face of dogs. They can be painful and cause swelling, fever, vomiting and in severe cases collapse.

🚨 If you think your dog may have been bitten by an adder, DON'T PANIC! Contact your local vet straight away for advice 🐶🩷

07/05/2024

💗 Each May we celebrate Veterinary Nurse awareness month! 💗

We appreciate the hard work and dedication our nurses provide everyday!

The diverse range of skills, knowledge and experience our nurses bring to the team allows us provide the best care for our patients.

We want to say a huge thank you to our brilliant nursing team, you are the best!!!

01/05/2024

It's not uncommon for cats to wander and get lost, microchipping gives them the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Our vets are passionate about keeping your pets safe, and microchipping is a quick, simple and easy way to help do this.

A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice inserted under the skin.
The microchip is coded with a unique identification number and ownership details linked to this number registered on a secure database.
The database can only be accessed by authorised organisations including veterinary practices, rescue centres and the police.

It is important to ensure that you keep your contact details up to date with the microchip database so you can be contacted and reunited with your beloved pet asap.
If you are unsure who to contact to update your pets' microchip information please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

😻🩷💙💚😻

25/02/2024

When Kelly from our Colton store's Pets Grooming salon discovered a lump on the tail of nine-year-old Rufus she suspected something wasn't right, so alerted his owners Les and Andrea so they could get it checked out. They brought him to Vets for Pets Leeds Colton where it was confirmed he had a cancerous tumour which needed surgery.

Les, who adopted Rufus from Dogs Trust in Leeds as a puppy, said: “Rufus is such a big part of our life; we’re absolutely besotted with him. We probably wouldn’t have noticed the lump if not at the groomers as the tail isn’t somewhere you would usually stroke and feel. Kelly loves Rufus and really looks after him, so we want to say a big thanks for spotting it. Who'd have known what would have happened if she hadn’t noticed.”

Rufus had to have his tail removed, but is now making a good recovery. He's been visiting Kelly for a groom every six weeks for the last three years. She said: “You get to know everything about a dog as you groom them. I’ve discovered similar things before on other dogs so I mentioned it to the owners so they could get it checked out. Dogs are my life and you do worry; I’m so pleased they caught it. Now he’s got a fully docked tail like a little bunny rabbit. It’s lovely and suits him – when he gets washed he wiggles his bum.”

21/02/2024

Arthur's owner Louise says he "looked like a brand-new tortoise" after having his beak filed at Sutton in Ashfield Vets4Pets.

Louise adopted the four-year-old Horsefield Tortoise from a family member in October. Although she has had other pets, Arthur is her first tortoise, so she has been doing some research on how to best care for him.

Louise said: "I noticed Arthur's beak was unusually long, so I brought him in to Vets for Pets; I bring all my pets there. When he came out, I thought 'you beautiful boy, look at you – you look so handsome!"

Vet Steph, who looked after Arthur, says that tortoise beaks continuously grow and normally grind down themselves while they're eating. She said: "Arthur needed a little help as his jaw isn't perfectly aligned; his lower jaw is further out than his top jaw, so I filed it around half a centimetre. He was really good; a real cutie."

18/02/2024

Owner Claire says she couldn't be more grateful to Vets4Pets Hamilton after their quick diagnosis saved the sight of six-year-old Alba.

Claire knew there was something terribly wrong with her miniature dachshund cross when she called her in from the back garden last summer and Alba ran headfirst into a closed patio door. She rushed her to the vets, where investigations led the team to diagnose her with uveitis – an eye condition which causes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

Claire said: "It all happened so suddenly; Alba must have heard my voice and guessed where to go. It was quite scary seeing how bad she was. We couldn't be more grateful for the team in Hamilton spotting the uveitis as quickly as they did, otherwise Alba would have gone blind within a matter of days. Their knowledge saved Alba's sight. I still can't believe it happened. It's taken months of treatments, but it's such a relief to have our girl back to being her funny, bossy self."

Vet Neil, one of the team who treated Alba, said: "Alba's pupil was really narrow and wouldn't respond to light properly, which can be a sign of uveitis. Once we had ruled out other conditions, we were able to get her to an eye specialist for ongoing treatment. She's now doing really well."

16/02/2024

Ducky's owner Antonia was in a state of panic when she saw a fox had dug its way into the field where she keeps him – killing two of her other ducks and chickens.

Antonia was about to move her brood into their pen for the evening when she saw what had happened and noticed that Ducky had severe bite wounds under his wing. She rushed him to Vets4Pets Vets Milton Keynes for emergency surgery – and after having his wound stitched up the one-year-old duck is now making a good recovery.

Antonia said: "I was so worried. You don’t often hear of ducks recovering from fox attacks, but there is something about Ducky and the way he was so brave. I'm sure he was protecting a lady duck, as he's a bit of a romantic. It's the first time we've gone to Vets for Pets, and the team were amazing; they've done an incredible job."

Vet Becca, who treated Ducky, said: "He's a really lucky duck, as it was quite a big wound. When he first came in, he was understandably subdued and quiet but when he came back for his stitches to be taken out, he wanted to explore and tuck his head into everyone’s shoulders."

07/02/2024

Well done to the team at Vets4Pets Guildford who've been awarded a silver level certificate for being a rabbit-friendly clinic.

After head veterinary nurse Ella noticed that more customers were bringing in rabbits the practice took a series of steps to give them as stress-free an experience as possible. Ella, who also fosters rescue dogs in her spare time, said: "There was a long list of things that we needed to prove that we did from making sure the rabbits are kept separate from other animals and not booked in at the same time as barking dogs, to providing heated kennels for those who need to stay in, and using special equipment made especially for rabbits."

Practice manager Kevin said: "All of our vets have plenty of experience with rabbits we have some real rabbit geeks here, so it was a big thing to us. There are so many good people in this world and I'm so proud to be around them."

28/01/2024

Beautiful Bear was born deaf, so he's learned to follow his owner Lisa's visual commands.

Lisa, who shops at our Tamworth store – "it's my second home!" – got two-year-old Bear as a kitten and suspected he was deaf when he didn't respond to her voice. She had it confirmed by her vet soon after. She said: "He was very scatty, and scared of people he didn’t recognise. He wasn’t bothered by loud noises like my other cat Emily and when I came home from work he wouldn’t hear the door open.

"He's doing really well though. I try to do some sign language with him – I point at him and do a solid hand sign at him to stop. He picks up on vibrations and scents too. He meows, making a really loud chirping sound which I’ve never heard a cat do before, and he’s always rubbing his head against my legs and following me everywhere. I was advised not to let him out because he wouldn’t hear cars or other dangers, so he comes outside with me every morning to have a sniff around the garden and always comes straight back in." Bear and Lisa's other cat Emily are on Instagram as

27/01/2024

Ten-year-old Dutch rabbit Alfie has been visiting vet Kate at Vets4pets Wolverhampton for dental treatment for the last eight years – and she says he's such a loveable character that he's become "part of the family".

He's one of the oldest rabbits treated by Kate and the team, and she says his longevity is down to the care and love he gets from his owner Tracy and her family. Kate said: "Alfie is famous in this practice – everyone knows him. We and his family are dedicated to making sure her little old man is happy. The beautiful thing about being a vet or vet nurse is you build these relationships with the owners and their pets – they become your surrogate pets."

Tracy's been keeping rabbits all her life, and says that having space and routine is key. She said: "Alfie is an old man now and has a routine. He goes into a hutch at night and is let out in the morning. He's out all day and has his favourite spots in the house. We clean him out every day and give him a lot of attention. When he was younger he would follow us around; if I was clearing a cupboard out he would be in the cupboard to help. Now he's old and wants to be warm and watch instead. I can't thank Kate and the practice enough. Kate's been fantastic with him."

26/01/2024

Eight-year-old Winnie the Schnauzer cross is running around like a puppy again thanks to laser treatment and physiotherapy after two successful knee operations at Vets for Pets Basildon.

Worried owner Tracy brought Winnie in to the practice after she collapsed on a walk last year – and the team discovered the cruciate ligament in a knee had ruptured. She’s since had ops on two knees and is on a recovery plan led by vet physiotherapist Izzy.

Tracy said: "Winnie has had a tough year with 15 teeth removed, two cruciate ligament operations and two bouts of pancreatitis but thankfully she's hardy. She’s treated fabulously at the Basildon practice. Izzy is great with her – she totally relaxes in her hands and does little snores with her eyes open. Winnie has a new lease of life again and is running around like a puppy."

Izzy said: "When pets have surgery or injure themselves they move differently which causes them to be sore in other places. Winnie has laser therapy then a massage to help the healing process. Laser treatment is a specialist service that not enough people know about – it can help in so many ways after an operation.”

19/01/2024

The team at Vets4Pets Cramlington say greyhound Frank was "an absolute gentleman" when he came in for some dental work.

Seven-year-old Frank was brought in by owner Harriet to get rid of some plaque which had built up and to treat a gum inflammation. Veterinary nurse Vicki said: "Frank was a very good boy and left with clean, fresh and sparkly teeth. It's so very important to get your dog's teeth checked and we advise pets to have an annual dental check. Eighty per cent of dogs over the age of three have dental disease. Prevention is much better than cure and regular checks and routine cleaning keep your pet's mouth healthier for longer and can help to prevent extensive extractions later in life. We are always happy to offer advice on maintenance and dental care at home such as teeth brushing or dental supplements."

18/01/2024

Veterinary nurse Mel from Vets4Pets Bristol Longwell Green loves cats so much she's helped the practice make a number of improvements to give cats as stress-free an experience as possible when they're brought in.

Mel, who has an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour for Veterinary Professionals, helped introduce facilities like a separate feline waiting area and cattery and the use of quiet clippers – and the practice now has a silver level certificate for being a cat-friendly clinic. She said: "I love dogs but I'm really a cat person. Cats can be misunderstood which can lead to them having quite a stressful life, so if we can make things easier for them and help people understand what cats need then everyone will be happier.

"As animal lovers there's always more to learn and understand about what makes them happy. Enrichment at the home is important for a happy cat – and as cats are naturally solitary animals if you live in a multi-cat household it's important to understand what they need. The rule is to have a resource per cat, plus one spare. So if you have two cats you should have three feeding stations, three litter trays and three scratch posts spread around the house so they have the opportunity to move around to wherever they want to go. Scratching is as natural a thing for cats to do as going out hunting is, so if they're unable to go out it's about providing the chance for them to behave as naturally as possible."

07/01/2024

Four-year-old Sebastian the Jack Russell is back to his usual boisterous self after being treated at Vets4Pets Abingdon for a condition that was causing the knee caps on his back legs to dislocate when he walked.

The condition, known as medial patellar luxation, would cause him to hop or skip when exercising. It's quite common in terriers and small dog breeds, but Sebastian's case was quite severe and he was given surgery by orthopaedic surgeon Joe to deepen the groove his patella runs in on his right hind leg, and also to move and reattach his patellar tendon.

Sebastian is owned by practice vet Hannah who said: "After the operation he just wanted to get back to normal straight away but he couldn't ... and that's where we struggled. He wanted to be out and about, charging around and playing with his toys but he needed to rest." Hannah had to give him medication for six weeks to give his knees time to heal. She said: "He's absolutely fine now – he's fully recovered and running around like a lunatic again!"

05/01/2024

When 11-year-old lurcher Jess was brought into Vets for Pets Leeds Birstall 24/7 Small Animal Hospital on Christmas Eve feeling very poorly with pyometra – a life-threatening uterus infection – the team knew they had to act fast; so vet Emily and nurses JD and Hannah headed straight in to perform emergency surgery on her in the early hours of Christmas morning.

The operation went so well that by lunchtime nurse Krishna was able to call her owner Beth to say she was well enough to come home to recuperate – and Beth made the hour-long drive from her home in Keighley so she could bring Jess home before the family sat down for their Christmas dinner. Beth said: "It was a stressful start to Christmas, as we were worried about Jess because of her age and because she's never had anything wrong with her before. We're so grateful for everything – it was so nice of them to come in on Christmas Day to operate on her, to look after her so well and to get her home on top form. The vets were fantastic from start to finish. Jess is recovering nicely – you can see the happiness is back in her!"

Krishna said: "Our night team always do an amazing job, and performing serious surgery like that at that time of night and on Christmas Day of all days is just brilliant. Jess did amazingly well to bounce back so quickly, and it was amazing being able to call her owners to say that she could come home to spend Christmas with them. It's the sort of call we all love to make, but doing it on Christmas Day was extra nice."

03/01/2024

Six-foot-long boa constrictor Astrix was the centre of attention when he called in for a routine "top to tail" health check at Vets4Pets Penzance.

Astrix, who's four, is part of a menagerie of six snakes, bearded dragons and six dogs belonging to veterinary nurse Lowenna, who works at the practice, and her partner Mark. The team looked at Astrix's eyes and mouth and checked his breathing to rule out any respiratory infections and also checked his scales.

Lowenna said: "He got a clean bill of health, he was absolutely fine and everyone had a turn holding him. Asterix is quite reserved, a little bit shy usually. He did really well when he came in as everyone wanted to touch him and he was like 'okay I quite like the attention.' Astrix has got a lovely big set-up at home. He's quite a big boy, weighing in at nearly 10 kilos, so the vivarium is more than seven foot long. We have a reptile room and he has the run of it. He has a large bucket of water too if he ever wants to submerge himself."

02/01/2024

This brave girl is collie-cross Sherpa, who the team at Vets for Pets Livingston say was "impeccably calm" when she was rushed in for emergency injury after hurting her eye in a freak accident.

Sherpa's owner Caroline was taking Sherpa for a walk when Sherpa caught her eye on a stick as she went exploring a bush. She was quickly admitted into surgery where she received X-rays and, after a two-hour procedure by practice owner Dr Adam, aided by nurse Erin, the stick was removed. Adam said: "Sherpa was amazingly tolerant following an extremely random occurrence. It was astonishing." Sherpa didn't lose her sight and is now making a great recovery.

Caroline said: “We were suddenly thrown into the worst living nightmare, it was absolutely horrifying. It’s truly a miracle what Adam and the team achieved from the moment they answered our call for help. They gave us hope."

24/12/2023

This little Christmas cracker is Molly, who survived against the odds and gave birth to three premature puppies after being brought in to Vets for Pets Cirencester as a pregnant stray with severe injuries from a fight with other dogs.

Martina, who owns the practice, said: ”It was really touch and go and we thought Molly might not make it. The team treated mum first, got her on a drip and stabilised her before successfully managing to deliver the puppies – two boys and a girl – by caesarean section."

Molly, who's a Cairn Terrier, and her three pups are recovering well at home with Martina. “As they needed 24/7 care I took them home and emptied the whole spare bedroom so there was a nice, warm and comfortable quiet place for Molly and her puppies. I was attached to her for the first five days – my husband Matt even brought food up to the bedroom for me as I stayed there all the time. It was really hard work but it was all worth it. They’re absolute darlings and doing really well now – mum is already brave enough to go on dog walks.”

Martina says Molly will continue living with her in the future, and the puppies will be adopted when they are stronger.

19/12/2023

This beautiful buzzard is on the mend after undergoing surgery on a broken wing at Vets4Pets Newmarket after he was hit by a car.

A member of the public rescued the buzzard and brought him in to see if the team could help. After a successful operation and five days of recuperation he's ben taken to The Raptor Foundation rehabilitation centre to continue his recovery.

Practice manager Natalie said: "We put him under general anaesthetic and performed orthopaedic surgery. We'll see him again next month to see how he's progressing and then hopefully he'll be released back into the wild. We wish him a speedy recovery as he's such a handsome chap.”

17/12/2023

Here's a salutary tale in the run-up to Christmas Day ... the story of poor little Tego, who had to be rushed to Vets for Pets Morpeth for emergency treatment after snaffling 48 Quality Street chocolates, their wrappers and part of the box.

Owner Sarah realised chocolate was toxic for dogs so phoned the vets who told her to get the five-year Tibetan Terrier there immediately. Sarah said: "They were brilliant with him. The chocolates were a birthday present for my daughter Olivia, and they were all wrapped up and put in the lounge with the door shut. I went to work and when I came back Tego had somehow managed to get in the room and rip into them."

Vet Eleni and the team helped Tego cough everything up and took blood tests and put him on medication before he was allowed home. Eleni said it's a useful reminder to keep chocolates well hidden – and to act fast if your dog eats any and induce vomiting within one to two hours to prevent the body from absorbing the toxins.