Portland Vets Horley

10/07/2025

Toe Beans Galore!! 🥰

This handsome boy has something that not all cats have, and that is 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗦! 😱

BUT 𝗪𝗛𝗬?

Polydactyly is a genetic condition where animals (and humans too) can be born with extra toes! Whilst most cats have 18 toes, cats and dogs with Polydactyly can have as many as 6 or 7 on each paw. Which can give them this mittens like appearance.

It's a harmless genetic quirk and doesn't usually cause any problems apart from giving us all a cuteness overload this boy is perfectly happy and healthy.

26/06/2025

It's Day 3 of Rabbit Awareness Week: Happy Hoppy Homes! 🏠🐰

Environment affects health! According to Blue Cross, rabbits in cramped, barren housing are more likely to develop both physical issues (spinal problems, pododermatitis) and behavioural problems (aggression, over-grooming). A stimulating home with proper space helps prevent these conditions!

25/06/2025

Congratulations Bert! 🎗🐶

This brave boy completed his chemotherapy treatment a few weeks ago. Bert has been undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of his lymphoma since December 2024. Throughout his treatment, Bert remained the sweetest, most resilient gentle giant and won our hearts during every visit.

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs, but with early diagnosis and the right treatment dogs can maintain a great quality of life throughout and after treatment.

Although it is Bert who has finished his chemo, we have to also congratulate his owners. Who have supported him every step of the way and administered hundreds of medications. We hope you love his goody box! 🥰

17/06/2025

This cute brother/sister duo is Milo and Tilly! 🐱
They came in for their first vaccinations and microchips and were so brave for their health checks.

Can you have a guess at what breed they are?

11/06/2025

⚠️ GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING ⚠️

🚨 𝐏𝐲𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚 - 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭? 🚨

Did you know that un-neutered female dogs and cats can get a life-threatening infection called 𝐩𝐲𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚.

It's a serious infection in the uterus that usually happens in older, unspayed pets. After a heat cycle, hormones can cause the uterus to fill with pus. This can make your pet very sick quite fast.

⚠️ Symptoms to be concerned about:

- Lethargy (acting tired)
- Not eating
- Vomiting
- Drinking a lot of water
- Vaginal discharge (sometimes)

🐶🐱 How is it dangerous?
If not treated quickly, pyometra can lead to kidney failure, sepsis, and even death. It's a medical emergency.

✅ How do I avoid my pet getting pyometra?
Spaying your pet prevents pyometra. It's one more reason why spaying is so important!

02/06/2025

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥’𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 🐾⚖️

Excess weight in pets is more than a cosmetic issue - it’s a health concern that can lead to serious conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
At Portland Vets, one of the most effective tools we use to manage pet obesity is Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic — a therapeutic diet designed to support safe, sustainable weight loss and lifelong weight control. But this is what really sets it apart from your average weight management diet.

✅ 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
Unlike basic low-calorie diets, Metabolic is designed to work with your pet’s unique metabolism to burn fat more efficiently. It helps the body regulate energy use naturally, which can lead to healthier and more consistent weight loss.

✅ 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐞
In real-world feeding trials, most pets on Metabolic lost weight without drastic calorie restriction. That means your pet can feel satisfied and still lose weight — no starving, no struggling.

✅𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
This diet isn’t just about losing weight — it’s built to help pets maintain their ideal weight after reaching their goal. With the right balance of nutrients and energy, it supports lean muscle mass and helps prevent rebound weight gain.

🧪𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐧
Every bag of Hill’s Metabolic contains the same carefully measured blend of ingredients — including targeted protein levels, functional fibers, and antioxidants. That level of control ensures predictable results from one meal to the next.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?
When managing weight, even small changes in food composition can slow progress or cause digestive upset. Hill’s ensures every batch is nutritionally identical, so your pet stays on track without surprises.

🤝 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲
From your first weigh-in to your pet’s success story, we’re here to guide you — with the right nutrition at every step.
Wondering if Metabolic could help your pet reach a healthier weight? Book an appointment with one of our nurses to discuss further! 🐶🐱💚

30/05/2025

How exciting! 👏

Veterinarian

27/05/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥’𝐬

Nutrition plays a critical role in managing many common pet health conditions, including kidney disease, obesity, urinary issues, and gastrointestinal problems.

At our practice, we often recommend therapeutic diets like those from Hill’s Prescription Diet because they are:

✅ 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐝 — Hill’s diets are created by a team of animal health experts, including veterinarians and pet nutrition specialists. These aren’t just generic recipes — they’re carefully designed with pets’ health in mind.
✅ 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 — Hill’s tests its formulas through scientific studies to make sure they actually help with the conditions they’re meant to support, like kidney problems, digestive issues, or weight management.
✅ 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 — These diets aren’t one-size-fits-all. For example, some have less phosphorus to help protect kidney function, or more fibre to help with healthy weight loss — each formula is built for a purpose.
🧪 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞
One of the key benefits of Hill’s diets is that the formula stays the same from bag to bag. That means the amount of nutrients — like protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals — is carefully controlled and doesn't vary between batches.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?
Pets, especially those with health conditions, rely on predictable, balanced nutrition to stay stable. Sudden changes in food composition (even small ones) can upset digestion or make it harder to manage chronic issues like kidney disease, weight problems, or food sensitivities.
With Hill’s, what’s on the label is what’s in the bowl — every time. This consistency is a big reason we recommend it for pets with special dietary needs.

🤝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡
At the end of the day, Hill’s shares our commitment: helping pets live longer, healthier lives through better care and nutrition.

26/05/2025

We are closed today for the bank holiday, but we will be back and open as usual tomorrow from 8am! 🥰🐕‍🦺

21/05/2025

🏆 The Petplan Veterinary Awards 2025 are now open for nominations! 🏆
✅ Anyone can nominate and the categories include:

🐾 Practice of the Year
🐾 Practice Manager of the Year
🐾 Practice Support Staff of the Year
🐾 Vet of the Year
🐾 Vet Nurse of the Year
🔗 Submit your nomination here at https://awards.petplan.co.uk/ !

🌟 Not sure of a team member’s full name? You can find them on the ‘Meet the Team’ page on our website.
✅ Voting closes on 12th September 2025

20/05/2025

Patient Care Assistant/Receptionist Required!

Portland Vets Horley are looking for an enthusiastic and caring person to join our team! After opening in 2018 our independently owned small animal practice has expanded and we are looking for another person to join our team. The role will be a mixture of reception work and patient care assistant duties alongside our friendly and supportive team.

Hours:
Part time or full time candidates considered, however a minimum of 25 hours per week is required. Shifts will vary between the hours of 8am-7pm Monday – Friday, and Saturday's 8am-4pm.

Daily tasks will include:
Answering phones
Assisting clients on the reception desk when arriving/leaving appointments
Dispensing medication prescribed by the veterinary surgeons
Cleaning/disinfecting
Assisting Vets with consultations (previous animal handling experience helpful)
Monitoring emails
General reception duties and admin
Caring for patients in kennels
Preparing discharge paperwork and medications for inpatients
Restocking consumables
Setting up for the following days patients in kennels and theatre
Running in house laboratory tests (bloods/urine)
Assisting the nursing team with patients

Qualifications:
Previous experience within a veterinary setting is preferred for this role, however full training can be given for the right candidate.


Skills:
Ability to work under pressure, in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Strong communication skills.
Computer literate: Microsoft word, excel, email

To apply please send a copy of your CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Applications close Friday 30th May.

15/05/2025

Surgery Spotlight - Puffin's Cyst Removal 🩺

This is Puffin, a 9 year old Ragdoll who came in last week after a pesky lump on the side of her face continued to bother her at home! After a consultation with the one of our vets it was deemed to be a cyst! Whilst sometimes these can go away on their own, they can grow and become infected or irritated. In Puffins case, her owners decided on removal of the cyst.

But what is a cyst? 🤔
- A cyst is a closed, sac-like pocket of tissue that can fill with fluid, pus or other material! Cysts often form under the skin and range in sizes.

Puffin enjoyed lots of fuss and food from the team during her day with us and loved showing off her clemetine buster collar she's wearing to stop her from scratching her surgical site. 🍊

We wish Puffin a speedy recovery ❤