Riverport Vets

01/09/2024

Client Update

We're making a few changes to our staff car park this week due to needing more spaces for our growing team.

This means the client car park will temporarily be busier than usual as staff will have to park elsewhere. There will be some noise, but we will be trying not to use the consulting room closest to where the work is happening so your pets aren't too upset by it.

We know it's very important to our clients to have good parking on the doorstep and this work will ensure we can continue to provide that.

29/08/2024

We had a visit from beautiful Lhasa Apso puppy Dazey this morning. Her little tail never once stopped wagging, even when her injection was given for her vaccine. What a little star ✨

21/08/2024

Many thanks to Blue Tech Electrical for this excellent work 🌿

🌞🌿🌞 We've recently completed an impressive commercial solar and battery installation at Riverport Vets in St Ives, Cambs.

This fantastic new 25kw solar array will be helping Riverport Vets to continue to offer an outstanding service to their customers and patients whilst being environmentally sustainable🌍

Why not contact us today to find out how solar panels can benefit your home or business.

08/08/2024

We couldn't let international cat day pass without showing off some of our own pretty kitties 🥰

20/07/2024

Celebrating our wonderful little practice mascot, Rodney, who has been in Nadia and Ben's family for ten years now.

We're not normally lost for words but it's hard to explain just how precious and loved this little dog is ❤️

Happy 10th gotcha day, Rodders

15/07/2024

Little Noodles felt so at home during his check up today he just about fell asleep 🥰

12/07/2024

Our roof before and after!

The work to install our solar panels has finished now. Many thanks to our clients (and patients, who coped remarkably well with the noise!) for being patient during the disruption.

It's really important for us to be able to run our air conditioning units to keep the building a comfortable temperature for our patients, and we hope the solar electricity will help us do so with minimal environmental impact.

Many thanks to Blue Tech Electrical for their efficient and professional installation.

09/07/2024

We are having solar panels installed this week - all part of us trying to be as environmentally friendly as we possibly can 😊

The scaffolding and cherry picker are taking up space in our staff carpark so some staff are parked in the client one. We're sorry if you find it more difficult than usual to park for your appointment but hope the disruption won't be too bad.

On an unrelated note, this is Labrador Fergus who melts our hearts with his big brown eyes every time we see him 🥰

03/07/2024

Are you aware that you can book your pet in for an appointment with a veterinary nurse?

These are a great option for pets needing ongoing supportive treatment, such as regular injections for allergies or treatment of arthritis, who already have a diagnosis and don't necessarily need to see a vet every time they come in.

Our nurses are highly skilled and knowledgeable and can provide advice on diet, neutering and helping your pet cope with long term health conditions. They can perform procedures such as nail clips, tick removal or expressing a**l glands.

Veterinary nurse consultations are also free of charge for pets in our Healthy Pet Club!

29/06/2024

We recently surveyed our healthy pet club members to ask about ways in which we can improve the service - thank you so much to all of those who replied, this is really helpful for us.

Some clients had specific queries for us, but as the survey responses were anonymous we are unable to reply to them. Please call or email the practice directly and we will answer those questions as quickly as we can. Again, thank you very much for your helpful responses!

The Riverport Team ❤️

27/06/2024

Thank you to the kind client who brought us these very pretty and delicious cupcakes from Tom's Cakes in town - one of our favourite places! 😋 They went down a treat ❤️

20/12/2023

Christmas can be stressful for pets, especially dogs. Here are a few tips for keeping your canine companions happy and safe during the festive period, and help in avoiding any unexpected trips to the vets!

Make sure they have a safe, quiet space they can retreat to if things become busy, noisy or overwhelming for them. Set up their safe space ahead of the Christmas period so they can become used to it, make it positive for them by having their favourite bed, cosy blankets, and high value toys and chews in there.

Keep festive foods, such as chocolate, Christmas cake and mince pies well out of reach, as well as festive houseplants such as Poinsettia, as these are harmful to dogs.

Stick to their normal routine where possible, including walks and meal times.

Introduce new people slowly and calmly, if your dog would rather not meet strangers or visitors, they might prefer to stay in their safe space.

If you are leaving your dog at home, ensure they have plenty to keep them occupied, safe toys and activity feeders such as Kongs can prevent boredom.

Be aware of sudden noises, such as Christmas crackers, fireworks, party poppers, music, or louder human noise than usual. If noise bothers your dog, move them to their safe space, leave a radio on low for them or create a cosy den using an open crate covered with a heavy blanket to muffle the noise.

Some decorations and new toys might be startling for dogs, so introduce them slowly if needed, keep human toys and electronics well away from dogs at all times.

Make sure you have a copy of your vet contact details and out of hours emergency cover somewhere it can easily be seen, such as on your fridge.

15/12/2023

15/12/2023

Meet little Dottie, she was so brave that she didn't even notice Nadia giving her her first vaccination.
She was absolutely loving having a good explore around the consult room 💞

21/11/2023

Riverport Vets would like to introduce our new vet Ellie Kerr to you all.

Here's a little bit about Ellie...

After obtaining my first degree in pathology I graduated from Cambridge vet school in 2015 and started my career as a vet in Berkshire. It was there that I established an interest in rabbit husbandry, medicine and anaesthesia.

I moved back to Cambridgeshire in 2017 where I have continued to work in small animal practice. More recently I have developed an interest in mentoring student vets and nurses. I love being part of a close knit team who really care. I really value being able to get to know clients and their pets from when they come in for their first health check right through to when it is time to say goodbye.

Outside of work I love to spend time enjoying good food and boardgames with my friends and practising agility with my rescue dog Arthur. He is a mischievous jack Russell who I adopted in 2018, and now I can't imagine life without him !

I am so excited to be welcomed to the team at Riverport and look forward to meeting everyone and their pets.

21/11/2023

Little Alfie came in to see Nadia today to have his first vaccination. He was very brave and super relaxed, giving Nadia the best cuddles 💞

02/11/2023

As we approach 5th November, many of us will be looking forward to celebrating the time of year with fireworks; whereas us humans tend to find the sparkles, the bright lights and loud bangs exciting, our animal companions can find it an extremely scary and confusing time.

Information is becoming more readily available for how to keep our dog and cat companions safe and reassured during fireworks, but we would also like to highlight the importance of remembering our smaller friends, our rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and chickens whom might be spending the season outdoors.

If the option is there to move your outdoor small friends inside, even into a garage, or a secure dry shed they’ll be protected from the lights and smells. Rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens are prey species, meaning they have a natural instinct to flee from perceived danger, which they cannot do when tucked up for the night in their enclosures, so we must create as safe a space as possible for them to take cover in, with extra bedding, additional areas to hide in or under, blankets or covers to muffle the noise, and plenty of food and water stations which they can easily reach without having to roam far from their hides.

For those of us with indoor small furries, our hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, rats, mice and degus can all benefit from additional hidey holes, tasty nibbles and new enrichment; place food and water close to or in their hides. If cages are moveable, perhaps consider which room of your house will be quietest for them to move to throughout the period. Playing Classical or Reggae music can help to muffle outside noises.

If you have a particularly nervous pet, and are expecting a lot of firework activity, perhaps a friend, relative or pet boarder who lives in a quiet area could pet sit them for you.

If you have concerns, please contact Riverport Vets for veterinary or behavioural advice for your small pets, and remember, you cannot reinforce fear by giving comfort and reassurance, so give your pets as much support and affection as they might need through the season.

31/10/2023

Remember, Remember to update your pet's microchip before 5th November. If your dog or cat becomes spooked by the loud bangs and runs off, an up to date microchip will give you the best chance of being reunited.

If you're unsure of how to update a microchip, contact our lovely reception team on 01480 772950 for guidance.

01/10/2023

Today is Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day.
We would like to give a big shout out to our great team of receptionists here at
Riverport Vets

27/09/2023

This is Chief, who came to see us for a check up today and has stolen Nadia's heart. He was a very good boy and made himself at home playing with the pens and typing himself some notes.

18/09/2023

Firework Fears

At this time of year, we start to look forward to all that Autumn and Winter has for us, however for some of our canine companions this can be a very stressful time. Fireworks season can be an exciting time full of colour, loud noises and fantastical lights but these very things can cause fear in our dogs.

Noise phobias are a common problem; particularly in dogs but can affect cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The severity of these phobias can get worse with each time the event is experienced if help is not sought.
To help keep your pets calm over the coming firework season you can start implementing some changes to the daily routine now.

1 – Walk them early – take your dog for a longer afternoon walk while we still have some light. Provide enrichment games such as snuffle mats, kongs and puzzle games instead of evening walks if needed
Be prepared to miss some walks over this time. It can take up to 14 days for a dog to recover from a stressful experiancelike fireworks leading to them refusing to do any walks at all. Be patient and provide other forms of entertainment.

2 – Reduce external noise- this can be done by turn the T.V or radio one and the volume up. Playing calming (single instrument) music helps them relax. Spotify/ you tube/ alexa all have channels for calm music for dogs) or try classical F.M.

3 – Provide comfort – in a calm positive way. Speak softly and offer gentle attention and touch, this will provide reassurance and encourage them to relax. You are their comfort and safe space. DO NOT SHOUT, BECOME AGGITATED/FRUSTRATED OR PUSH YOUR DOG AWAY THIS WILL MAKE THEM WORSE.

4 – Build a safe space or den – this can be a crate with their bed in or a makeshift space that the dog has chosen. Ensure the den is where the dog feels safest. This may be behind the sofa, under the table, chair or a bed. Provide treats, toys and chews for them to encourage their use and learn this is a safe area.

5 – Ensure they are safe – extra care should be taken to ensure they are unable to bolt out of doors/ over or through garden fences. Check the microchip details are up to date just in case

6 – Consider extra calming methods and remedies – some supplements can be used to help calm your dog during a stressful event. Yumove calm, zylkene or pet remedy can be used a few days prior, during and up to 2 weeks post firework season. Speak to your vet or Vet nurse for more details.

7 – During the evening consider giving them something to keep them occupied – Licking, chewing and sniffing are calming activities for dogs. Items such as snufflemats, lickimats, kongs, games and toys will help keep them entertained during this stressful time.
Providing these items during the bangs helps your dog associate the noise with something positive. This can be made more rewarding when it is their favourite treat!!
Do not worry if they will not eat during this time though. A fear response can shut down the digestive system making food less appealing.

Remember, remember on the 5th of November.....you are your dog’s safe space. Offer treats, stay calm and provide reassurance.

07/09/2023

Many of you will already have met our lovely, new receptionist Rachael but for those who haven't, let us introduce you..........

I joined the Riverport Vets Reception Team in July 2023, having been so impressed with the care that my pets and I received here as clients.

I graduated with a Bsc. Hons in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in 2005, after which I joined The Royal Veterinary College as an Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Assistant. For the last 10 years I have been working and volunteering for a local Animal Rescue and Welfare Charity. I have worked closely with animals and in client care for all of my professional life, I cannot imagine doing anything else.

I have a special interest in canine behaviour and rodent species, I share my home with my very mischievous chinchillas Wren and Hektor, Enki the Duprasi and my partner, plus the occasional foster pet (or 2!) Over the years I have fostered many dogs, mostly bull breeds with separation related issues, I have a real soft spot for Staffies and Bull Terriers.

In my spare time I enjoy bingeing a good box set, plant based cooking, and dog walking.

04/09/2023

A gold bracelet has been found in our carpark today.
If you've lost one and think it may be yours please contact us on 01480 772950 and provide us with a description or photo.

01/09/2023

Riverport Vets are pleased to announce that we are now able to register new clients again.

To register please
Email: [email protected]
Or call
01480 772950

30/08/2023

Riverport Vets are delighted to welcome Kim Sacker to the team.

This is a little bit about Kim....

After work experience gave me an appetite for veterinary nursing I went straight into training after leaving school, qualifying in 2004. Always keen to continue learning, I have completed studies for my Degree in Vet Nursing and an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour.

Having worked in both a hospital and branch setting since qualifying my passion is in consultations where I get to meet lots of lovely patients and their owners. I enjoy advising on healthcare and taking the time to make your pets (and your) visit as enjoyable as possible. (Being a multiple pet owner myself I know how stressful visits to the vets can be.)

It was owning an anxious Large Munsterlander that encouraged me to delve into canine behaviour more seriously and I am now adding to my current qualification and competing my studies for a Graduate Diploma in behaviour.

I am currently owned by 4 cats (2 moggies and 2 Bengals), a Large Munsterlander, a rabbit and a tortoise. All of which keep me on my toes alongside my daughter and husband.

Outside of work I enjoy long walks, pottering in the garden and snuggling up with a pet (or 5) and a good book.

I look forward to meeting all the lovely clients here at Riverport Vets.

16/08/2023

At Riverport Vets we always recommend safe, secure travel to your vet.

Here is Jack, the cockerpoo, enjoying his visit to us safely harnessed in his bike seat.

How cute is he 😍

05/07/2023

To offer our current clients the best service we have made the decision to no longer take on new clients.

We are in the process of recruiting a new vet and as soon as they are up and running we will once again welcome new clients to Riverport Vets.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

05/06/2023

We have had some glasses left in a consultation room last week, do you recognise them?

16/03/2023

Easter is almost upon us and the hardworking team at Riverport Vets are recharging their batteries after an amazing first 10 months. We would like to thank every single client and pet who has walked through our doors and wish you all a very happy Easter 🐰

If you need emergency veterinary care outside of our opening hours then please call us on 01480 772950 and you will be put through to our out of hours provider.