Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists

19/09/2024

Meet Beautiful Jazz - 17 week old Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Jazz came to SCVS after a two day history of not eating, vomiting and lethargy. She had raised kidney and liver values on her bloods and so was seen by Henry in the medicine department to investigate what was wrong with her. We diagnosed her with leptospirosis, a serious bacterial infection, also known as Weil's disease in people. Treatment was started straight away, and after 8 days of intensive nursing, she pulled through and was discharged.

Leptospirosis is a disease that we routinely vaccinate dogs for, however, vaccines are not always 100% effective, especially in young puppies that haven't built up immunity yet.

We are so pleased Jazz made a full recovery and is back out having puppy fun! - she definitely stole all of our hearts 🥰

18/09/2024

Local Veterinary Community - Its Film Reading Time!
Join us for an informative evening discussing challenging radiographic cases.
Secure your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/967545032237?aff=oddtdtcreator

17/09/2024

Last week Adam our our Head of Anaesthesia hosted a great evening for 50 clinical staff from our local veterinary community.

This sell out event looked at 'Safety in Anaesthesia and the Science of Human Factors'

We were delighted to hear how beneficial this event was with the outstanding feedback we received. Well done Adam!

26/08/2024

International Dog Day 2024
Images of some of our staff dogs.
We look forward to seeing your photos...

21/08/2024

Congratulations to Isla (aged 5) for winning our colouring competition from the Ellingham show.
We hope you enjoy cuddles with your dog teddy prize.

11/08/2024

We loved meeting so many of you at the show yesterday. Thanks for coming to say hello and bringing over some of our past patients to see us 🥰

We hope you enjoyed our activities and competitions. We think we challenged you with the ‘what can you see’ and it wasn’t just the children who enjoyed finding items in teddy dog’s tummy!

Once we have received all the entries, winners will be contacted directly.

We were proud to have sponsored the dog show and well done to all of those who took part!

10/08/2024

We look forward to seeing lots of you at our stand. Please come and say hello!

09/08/2024

06/08/2024

We are very proud of the awards we have won for our reception, consultation and theatre complex.
We hope you agree its a beautiful building.

22/07/2024

Meet Tilly!

A sweet cocker spaniel who was referred to Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists for a liver tumour. Tilly underwent investigations with a CT scan and a left adrenal tumour was also diagnosed.

Thanks to the work of our anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging and soft tissue surgery teams, Tilly underwent surgery where both masses where removed.

Tilly's owners report she is back to her normal cheeky self, happy that she can now run and play ball, and play with her brother.

19/07/2024

Meet Monty this beautiful Hungarian Vizsla who had accidentally swallowed an Apple Airtag, which had remained in his stomach for a week!

Monty was referred to our medicine team for help with its retrieval. Luckily our talented team were able to remove it using guided endoscopy and a pair of forceps with a net attached to the end.

Monty was discharged the same day.

09/07/2024

One of our Surgery Specialists, Juan Marti, was asked to give several lectures on ‘Canine Total Hip Replacements’ (which included a research project he is conducting here at SCVS), at The ECVS 2024 Congress (European College of Veterinary Surgeons) in Valencia (Spain) this month.

ECVS is a world-wide respected college for veterinary surgeons and this is a perfect example of the level and expertise our team have here at SCVS.

THR’s (Total Hip Replacements) are something we successfully perform here at SCVS. Juan has a particular passion for THR’s and he is actively involved in teaching these techniques both here and across Europe.

Well done Juan for representing us at this event!

If you have a dog who you feel may benefit from assessment for this procedure, speak with your referring vet about referral opportunities to SCVS.

02/07/2024

What appears to be yummy, isn’t always yummy…

As we move into the summertime and we spend more time outside, BBQ’s, river/beach/forest walks & outside having fun…
Our medicine team do unfortunately tend to see an increase in the foreign bodies that our pets consume…

Such items are identified thanks to our imaging team and then hopefully removed using the skills of our Medicine team through an endoscope, or at times the need to go to surgery.

Please remind your pets – yummy isn’t always yummy!

We will share with you some of the cases we see throughout the summer.

26/06/2024

It is continual training and learning here at SCVS...

An example being – This morning our Anaesthesia Team debated the pros and cons of mechanical ventilation in anaesthetised horses.

Veterinary anaesthesia is the only discipline that involves extensive comparative training across different species (humans, dogs and cats, horses, domesticated farm animals, exotics and wild animals).
This helps to highlight different aspects of deranged physiology during anaesthesia, which can then be applied to other species.

Our residents Giulia, Lucia, Giovanni and Bart did a great job and we couldn’t decide who won the debate!

25/06/2024

This is the wonderful Murphy!

He came to see our ophthalmology department after his owner noticed his eyes were uncomfortable with some mucky discharge. He had developed keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or decreased tear production in both eyes. This was not improving with medications so a procedure called a Parotid Duct Transposition (PDT) that involves moving one of the many salivary ducts from the mouth to the eye. To test if the procedure has been successful a very nice treat is offered to the patient to see if “tears” form in their eyes which in turn provide lubrication.

Murphy has been such a brave boy and we think he deserves all the treats!

21/06/2024

We have so many truly lovely clients….

This week the team were given a large box of Tayto crisps to enjoy, kindly donated by the very handsome Tayto! (where his cool name came from).

Tayto is known and loved by so many of our team and as his owner quotes:
‘I’m slowly working my way through all the departments , I have visited Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Physio, Anaesthesia, Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging’’
‘I’ve have had fab care and love from all the vets, nurses, veterinary care assistants and the lovely receptionists’

18/06/2024

Each month we aim to tell you a little more about our continued commitment to our feline clients.

The last of the feline team introductions- our fabulous Feline Ambassadors (picture of some of this fabulous team).

The Feline Ambassador Team consists of Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Nurses, Receptionists and Veterinary Care Assistants. They work alongside Paige, our Feline Advocate, to ensure our feline patients receive the best care in line with our Gold Standard.

Next month, we will look at 'How to reduce carrier stress' 😺

12/06/2024

Meet Peanut who came to SCVS as an emergency.

After playing on the beach, Peanut’s owner noticed that she was not herself and seemed uncomfortable. Her breathing had also become louder than normal.

She went to her local vet where radiographs revealed that she had swallowed a fish hook which was now stuck in her throat. Her local vet referred her to SCVS for removal of the fish hook.

Peanut was seen by our internal medicine department. With the help of our anaesthesia department, Peanut was anaesthetised which allowed us to see that the fish hook was in fact hooked through Peanut’s larynx narrowing the entrance to her airway. Our medicine team were able to grab the hook and gently remove it. Fortunately there was minimal damage to Peanut’s larynx and she went home the same day.

We are delighted that Peanut recovered so well and back having fun enjoying her very active life.

03/06/2024

Local veterinary community

We have just released a few extra tickets for tomorrows 'sell out' event.

Spaces are very limited, so please ensure you have secured a ticket
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/862006002157?aff=oddtdtcreator

30/05/2024

Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month

Student nurses
The role of the student nurse at SCVS is incredibly varied to reflect all the different aspects of training. They rotate through each department resulting in them being an integral part of the team. Attendance at college once a week teaches the theoretical aspect of the course and introduces the practical skills which they go on to develop and perfect whilst they are at work.

Progression
The student nurses are continuously progressing with their learning journey towards the end goal of becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse. They each have the support and guidance of a designated Clinical Supervisor, and in addition, all members of the SCVS team across the hospital, help contribute to the students’ knowledge and understanding.

28/05/2024

VNAM - Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month

The Dermatology nurses within SCVS play a role in providing comprehensive support to our patients and their owners as they manage skin and ear conditions. They assist with consultations and work to develop a connection with our animal patients to ensure they are at ease during their visits. Additionally, they assist in taking blood samples as required in the clinic.
During any inpatient stays the dermatology nurses remain with patients providing compassionate care and work closely with our anaesthesia specialists to monitor anaesthesia or sedation as required. They are also a point of contact for clients, providing phone updates and discussing treatment plans, as directed by our Dermatology Clinicians, working in tandem together to ensure that the patients' treatment plans are progressing well whilst any concerns are addressed promptly. Their expertise and dedication ensure that our patients receive high-quality care throughout their treatment journey.

Progression: Our door is open. We at SCVS would like to offer RVN’s the opportunity to come and spend some time here at SCVS. Have a look at the hospital, shadow within a specific department, look at how you can expand your skills set, see where you career can go.
If you are a RVN and interested, please contact [email protected]
to arrange a convenient time. We look forward to hearing from you.

’s our door is open - come and discover, explore the progression.

27/05/2024

Exciting News from the Worldwide Veterinary Association Congress

Tom, one of our surgery interns (soon to be resident), presented a poster on 'Feline Shoulder Arthrodesis Using 3D-Printed Patient-Specific Guides' at the Worldwide Veterinary Association Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. We thank all the co-authors, Vet3D, and the WVA for making this possible. Well done, Tom, for representing the UK and SCVS worldwide!

26/05/2024

Our ophthalmology nurses are fortunate to work personally with all ophthalmology patients and clients from the beginning of their journey at SCVS, through to aftercare & beyond. Their role includes learning and applying specialised knowledge into; assisting with ophthalmic examinations, supporting in surgical procedures, administering treatments as required and preparing and comforting patients undergoing investigations and procedures. They also help encourage and educate our clients, about their pet's eye condition with ongoing care, treatment plans and postoperative recovery.

Progression: Our door is open. We at SCVS would like to offer RVN’s the opportunity to come and spend some time here at SCVS. Have a look at the hospital, shadow within a specific department, look at how you can expand your skills set, see where you career can go.
If you are a RVN and interested, please contact [email protected] to arrange a convenient time. We look forward to hearing from you.

’s our door is open - come and discover, explore the progression.

23/05/2024

At Southern Counties we have an amazing dedicated nursing team within our wards 24 hours a day..

The wards team consists of a range of highly integral positions. Our wards nurses are involved with our patients care right from admission into the hospital, day to day and night care, to assisting with recovering patients from anaesthetic, working alongside our vets with ongoing care plans and guiding owners with the care that may be required in the home setting.

We are very lucky with the level of equipment we have within the hospital to ensure our patients are provided with the highest level of care. Our team aim to care for every patient as if they were their our own.

Progression: Our door is open. We at SCVS would like to offer RVN’s the opportunity to come and spend some time here at SCVS. Have a look at the hospital, shadow within a specific department, look at how you can expand your skills set, see where you career can go. If you are a RVN and interested, please contact [email protected] to arrange a convenient time. We look forward to hearing from you.

’s our door is open - come and discover, explore the progression.

22/05/2024

Penny was no stranger to Southern Counties!!

We first met Penny in 2021 when she came in unable to move her back legs… She underwent an MRI scan and surgery and recovered well. Unfortunately two years later we saw her for more back problems. She experienced two more surgeries from which she bravely recovered well. This time she remained with a mild wobbliness in her back legs but she had a great life!

In February this year Penny came back but presented with a very different problem. She was generally weak and bringing her food up after eating (regurgitating). The signs were progressing very quickly and she continued to get worse. Penny was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. This is a problem where the junction between the nerves and the muscles stop working and treatments required to support this to happen. Penny was very poorly and we were all very worried that her condition had progressed to a point where her life was in danger.

Penny was closely monitored in ICU. She required intensive nursing initially when she required turning, help with toileting, feeding and keeping her up for 20 minutes after eating. Her medication need to be constantly reviewed and adjusted to avoid side effects. She needed lots of cuddles and attention as she was naturally getting frustrated that she was feeling better but her body was not doing what she wanted!

However with time and the dedication of our full veterinary neurology team and very capable nursing team, Penny was able to be discharged able to walk around again!

Penny update from her family: She is doing great!
Well done Penny, we are very proud of you.