Veterinary Specialists Scotland

24/12/2024

From everyone at Veterinary Specialists Scotland, we would like to wish all of our patients, clients, and referring vets, a very Merry Christmas. 🎄

Our team hopes that you and your pets have a fantastic Christmas!

And remember, we're here for you if you need us during this festive period. ❤️

23/12/2024

🎄Festive opening hours.🎄

Monday 23rd December - Open 8.30am, Closed 6pm.
Tuesday 24th December - Open 8.30am, Closed 6pm.
Wednesday 25th December - Closed (Open exclusively for existing patients}
Thursday 26th December - Closed (Open exclusively for existing patients}
Friday 27th December - Open 8.30am, Closed 6pm.

Monday 30th December - Open 8.30am, Closed 6pm.
Tuesday 31st December - Open 8.30am, Closed 6pm.
Wednesday 1st January - Closed (Open exclusively for existing patients}
Thursday 2nd January - Closed (Open exclusively for existing patients}
Friday 3rd January - Open 8.30am, Closed 6pm.

For any emergency referrals during weekends and bank holidays over the festive period, please call us on 01506 888 777.

For more information, visit our website >> https://bit.ly/3IiXIru

02/12/2024

🎄 Countdown to a happy and healthy Christmas with us! 🎄

As we enter the Christmas period and enjoy all of the festivities that come with it, it's easy to overlook the potential dangers for our pets.

We've compiled a list of 25 hazards to watch out for over the festive period to ensure your pet stays safe and happy.

Don't forget to share this post with your friends and family to help spread awareness about pet safety during this time of year.

25/11/2024

Say hello to European Diplomate in Small Animal Internal Medicine, Nick Bommer. 👋

Nick graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 1997. After seven years in general practice in Norfolk and Fife, he returned to The University of Edinburgh to undertake a Medicine residency and gained both his European and Royal College Diplomas in Internal Medicine in 2009.

Nick enjoys all aspects of veterinary internal medicine and has particular interests in urinary tract disease, interventional radiology, endoscopy and nasal disease. Nick is a keen advocate of non-invasive management of urinary problems, such as laser ablation of ectopic ureters. He shares his home with two much loved beautiful moggies, Leo and Asher.

It's great to have you on the team, Nick!

22/11/2024

The best of both worlds. 👏

A new role has been created at VSS, dedicated to both clinical and research work.

Abigail Kerr, an Advanced Practitioner in Dermatology, joined our team as the first Mars Ecosystem Dermatology Research Fellow.

The fellowship is designed to provide an experienced veterinary surgeon with an interest in dermatology and Clinical veterinary research with first-hand experience of both. Abigail’s time is split between clinical and research, with half of her week dedicated to Mars Ecosystem dermatology projects.

Abigail also works with Dr Debbie Gow, Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology and RCVS-recognised Specialist in Dermatology here at VSS to help further develop her skills in specialist dermatology.

Find out more about our dermatology service here >> https://bit.ly/3NW1hGW

18/11/2024

🌍 This Week is World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), and this week's theme is "Educate. Advocate. Act now."

Antibiotic resistance is a serious global issue that affects both humans and animals. It's crucial to protect the effectiveness of antibiotics so they can continue to save lives when truly needed. 💊

You can make a difference...
👉 Check your cupboards and fridge for expired or unused pet medications.
👉 Bring any no-longer-needed veterinary medicines to our practice for safe disposal.

Together, we can help combat antibiotic resistance and safeguard the health of pets, people, and the planet.

Let's – it's a collective effort, and every small step counts.

15/11/2024

Our very own Dr Debbie Gow, Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology and RCVS-recognised Specialist in Dermatology, has contributed to a new report called ‘Research to Reality: The Impact of Clinical Veterinary Research’.

Debbie’s article considers how to combine clinical and research priorities, and can be found on page 4.

The report focuses on the day-to-day impact of veterinary clinical research on the lives of our patients, clients and each other. It is free to download at bit.ly/42KFrMK.

Congratulations to Debbie for her contribution!

12/11/2024

We are thrilled to introduce Fiona, our remarkable Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine. 💊🐾

Fiona graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2011 🎓 and honed her skills during two years in private practice before pursuing further training in Bristol. There, she completed both her internship and residency, excelling and gaining invaluable experience.

Fiona's area of expertise lies in immune-mediated diseases, where her passion and knowledge truly shine. 🌟

We are honoured to have Fiona as a pivotal member of our dedicated team! 💙

08/11/2024

👏 Today we mark International Day of Radiology by celebrating our outstanding imaging team!

Our Specialist-led, highly-skilled team plays a vital role in supporting all our other disciplines across the hospital.

At VSS, we have access to outstanding on-site imaging facilities including a 64-slice CT scanner, digital X-ray, ultrasound and fluoroscopy, allowing us to perform detailed and thorough investigations. Our Specialist imager can access and interpret these images immediately, providing results without delay.

You can find out more about our team and our equipment on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/42TEmkX

06/11/2024

VSS has been reaccredited at Silver level by Investors in the Environment! 👏

A lot of hard work has gone into retaining our prestigious Silver accreditation for another year and we couldn't have done it without the work of our Green Team, as well as everyone at the hospital.

Every time you switch off the lights, sort waste, lower your fresh gas flow or take part in the Green Team wildlife projects, you are helping VSS to be a more environmentally friendly place to work.

Find out about some of our recent projects >>
https://bit.ly/3N6WaEq

05/11/2024

Introducing European Diplomate in Small Animal Internal Medicine, Nicki Reed. 👋

Nicki is originally from Edinburgh and graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 1988. After 11 years in general practice, she returned to her home town to run the small animal practice at The University of Edinburgh. Subsequently, Nicki became the Feline Advisory Bureau (now International Cat Care) Resident in Feline Medicine and gained her Royal College Diploma in Feline Medicine in 2008 followed by the European College Diploma in Internal Medicine in 2009. Having progressed to Senior Lecturer and Head of the Feline Clinic, Nicki left The University of Edinburgh in 2015 to focus on clinical work. Nicki was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2020.

Nicki particularly enjoys critical care, respiratory medicine and haematology in both feline and canine patients. She is one of only three vets in Scotland to be recognised as a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Specialist in Feline Medicine and is the only one in full-time clinical work. She has written several journal articles and book chapters in the field of feline medicine and has lectured widely in this area in the UK and abroad. Nicki shares her house with two spoilt British Shorthaired Cats – Will and Grace.

Find out more about our feline medicine services >>
https://bit.ly/3K4nsYT

28/10/2024

At Veterinary Specialists Scotland, our Internal Medicine team is dedicated to diagnosing and treating complex medical conditions affecting your pet’s internal organs. Whether it’s your loyal dog or independent cat, we provide the highest standard of care to keep them healthy and happy.

🩺 Feline Internal Medicine: Learn more about our expert care for cats >> https://bit.ly/3K4nsYT

🩺 Canine Internal Medicine: Discover our services for dogs >> https://bit.ly/40T4KKH

25/10/2024

💬 "Very kind, friendly staff who took the time to explain everything, from treatment to post-care options."
— Veterinary Specialists Scotland Client

We love hearing about the positive experiences our clients have at Veterinary Specialists Scotland! Your feedback inspires us to keep delivering the highest level of care. ❤️

Have you visited us recently? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below. 👇

23/10/2024

At Veterinary Specialists Scotland, we believe both our patients and their owners deserve the highest level of comfort and care during their visit.

Our team is dedicated to ensuring everyone feels welcome and supported, and our state-of-the-art hospital is fully equipped to handle both routine and more complex cases. 🏥❤️

🎥 Check out this quick walkthrough of our amazing hospital. - https://bit.ly/3Y8CEN2

This is "VSS-Tour - TEASER" by Reddishpink Media on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

21/10/2024

🧠 At Veterinary Specialists Scotland, our Neurology department offers cutting-edge diagnostic imaging and expert neurosurgery. Working together across disciplines, we ensure each patient receives the most comprehensive and personalised care possible. 💡

In this short video, get a behind-the-scenes look at what you and your pet can expect when visiting our neurology department—from our advanced technology to the compassionate care we provide every step of the way. 🏥❤️

Watch 📽️ - https://bit.ly/4ePGgsD

This is "TEASER-Neurology - Client Journey 3" by Reddishpink Media on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

18/10/2024

We love hearing from our clients! Here's some heartwarming feedback we recently received from one of our grateful pet owners:

"I simply cannot fault the wonderful service Sula and I received from the consultant and staff at your facility."

Thank you for trusting us with Sula's care! ❤️🐾

If you've had a positive experience with our team, we'd love to hear from you—share your story in the comments below!

16/10/2024

🌍♻️ At Veterinary Specialists Scotland, our Green Champions are leading the charge for sustainability!

🌿 They work closely with the entire team to bring our Environmental Policy to life, making sure we’re doing our part for the planet. From organising regular Green Team meetings to involving our Associates in eco-friendly projects, they ensure sustainability is always top of mind.

So far, they’ve led some incredible initiatives, including supporting local wildlife, launching social projects to give back to the community, and organising a Zero-Waste Week! 🌱

Together, we’re committed to creating a greener, more sustainable future for our hospital and beyond.

14/10/2024

Congratulations are in order for John Mosley! 🥳

John, a Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, joins Debbie Gow, Specialist in Dermatology, and Nicki Reed, Specialist in Internal Medicine, as a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons this year!

Recognised for his meritorious contributions to clinical practice, this achievement reflects John’s dedication to his patients and his contribution to the advancement of the profession.

Congratulations, John- very well deserved!

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.”