The West Midlands Cat Clinic

20/06/2025

OUR CAT CLINIC IS A WINNER!

Yesterday, Our Practice Manager Rachel and Lead Receptionist Angie braved the London heat to attend the Vet Help Direct Best UK Vets Awards for 2025. Held at the Thames Rowing Club in Putney, the glamorous lunch event recognised UK practices shortlisted for an award for the greatest number of positive pet owner testimonials posted on the Vet Help Direct platform over the past 12 months.

We’ve placed a real focus on collecting testimonials for The West Midlands Cat Clinic this year to help promote our cat-only veterinary facility. We’re the only one locally, and being cat only makes a huge difference to the wellbeing of feline visitors. We’re keen to keep spreading the word!

A huge thank you to those of you who have posted a review in support of us over the past year. We were delighted to be hailed yesterday as Best Vets in Staffordshire!

Click on the link below to read our reviews. If you have used our cat clinic facility, please do feel free to submit a testimonial while you are there!

https://wmcatclinic.co.uk/wmcc-testimonials/

17/06/2025

BEWARE OF HEATSTROKE

With temperatures starting to soar this week, our vet-led triaging service VidiVet has already had a call about a cat with suspected heatstroke. Heatstroke is where a cat's internal body temperature rises to dangerous levels and they cannot cool themselves. It's a medical emergency and can be fatal.

Cats are generally pretty good at managing the heat as long as they have access to places of varying temperature, shade and water. However, they are renowned for liking cosy places to sleep. Therefore, do be extra vigilant that they don't accidentally get trapped in hot, poorly ventilated areas like conservatories and greenhouses, having snuck in for a quick snooze.

If your cat has been sleeping somewhere warm and they show signs of restlessness, panting, sickness, drooling, confusion, diarrhoea or collapse, it's essential you seek urgent veterinary help. Flat-faced cats and the very young and very old are more at risk of heatstroke.

It's important to act fast with any suspected cases. Remove the cat from the heated environment to somewhere cool immediately. Dampen their fur with lukewarm (not cold) water as emergency first aid. Call the vet and on route, keep the car cool. Once admitted, the team will continue to work to reduce your cat's core temperature and will provide appropriate treatment and care according to the severity of your cat's condition.

Prevention is better than cure! Help cats stay cool in hot weather by ensuring they have plenty of access to fresh, cool water and lots of shade and cool spots where they can rest.

13/06/2025

SUMMER 2025 NEWSLETTER OUT NOW!

Be the first to read our 387 Vets & The West Midlands Cat Clinic Summer 2025 Newsletter! Catch up on the latest team news, find out about new services we’re offering, check out photos from our upstairs new build and get top tips on summer pet health!

https://wmcatclinic.co.uk/summer-2025-newsletter-out-now/

04/06/2025

LOVELY LOKI AT HIS POST NEUTER CHECK

This is 10 month old Maine C**n Loki at his post-op check, looking very chilled and handsome!

Loki had been in to see us to be neutered. If you are not planning to breed from your cat, we strongly recommend neutering. There are so many benefits, not least reducing the amount of strays living on the streets without loving homes.

Neutered males are less likely to spray in the house, are less likely to roam and are therefore less likely to get injured crossing roads in search of a mate. They are also less prone to cat fighting which can help prevent contraction and transmission of certain diseases. In females, neutering helps to reduce the likelihood of womb infections and the risk of developing certain cancers as well as eliminating negative behaviours associated with being ‘in heat’. These include spraying, wailing and being desperate to get out and about.

In 2024, the CATS Report, an annual ‘Cats And Their Stats’ survey commissioned by the charity Cats Protection, noted there were around 10.6 million owned cats in the UK, 85% (9 million) of which are neutered. These statistics show that neutering is now considered the norm in cat-owning households as owners understand the benefits to cat, home and the wider cat community. Great news for cats and humans all round.

24/05/2025

HAPPY LATE MAY BANK HOLIDAY!

We hope you have a great second May Bank Holiday! This little bee is making the most of our currently dry weather and getting some breakfast in!

387 Veterinary Centre and The West Midlands Cat Clinic will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday. If you have a pet emergency at this time, please continue to call us on 01922 411755 and follow the answer machine instructions. If you have a general pet query, or aren’t sure if of how urgently your pet needs to see a vet, don’t forget our VidiVet service, a complimentary benefit to all our registered clients which gives you free access to vet advice 24/7. Check communications from us for more details.

Wishing you and your pets a happy, healthy long weekend, and keeping fingers crossed for sun!

22/05/2025

BEWARE NEW MICROCHIP SCAM

We’ve had a couple of phone calls from owners about e-mails they’ve received from a company call Pet Chip Network telling them their pet microchip has expired and to click on the link in the e-mail. Unfortunately this is another microchip scam that is doing the rounds. We’ve done a bit of research and the company doesn’t exist. There are lots of comments online verifying that this is a scam.

Microchips do not go out of date. Different providers will have different payment policies but many work on a one off payment unless you need to make ownership changes. If you are in any doubt about your pet’s microchip status, please contact your pet’s microchip provider. If you’re unsure who this is we can help you with this. It’s worth checking your contact details are up to date too so that found pets can be quickly reunited.

19/05/2025

HELP FOR SORE JOINTS

We love this photo of 9 year old Captain Norrington, taken when he was in for his arthritis pain relief injection and wearing a very smart tie! His owner reports he’s doing well on his meds which is great news. He certainly looked very content at his appointment!

If you’ve noticed your cat is hesitating before climbing stairs, is looking a bit stiff when moving after rest, is struggling to jump up or down, isn’t playing like they used to, is increasingly irritable or is struggling to groom effectively, they could be suffering from arthritis-induced pain. Do get in touch as there are lots of ways we can help your cat to feel more comfortable and more like their younger selves.

13/05/2025

SPECIAL SHOUT OUT!

We love this post from International Cat Care, issued for Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, which champions veterinary nurses worldwide. Three cheers for veterinary nurses and the fantastic work they do in helping our feline friends make the most of their nine lives!

We were extra-excited when we spotted the photo used to accompany the post. This was taken in our West Midlands Cat Clinic by International Cat Care when they came here to do some filming here last year. As well as using the premises, some of our team starred infront of the camera. Here is Rachael, Registered Nurse and Cat Friendly Clinic Advocate, welcoming a feline visitor to our cat-only clinic. Both are looking very content!

🐾😻🎉 This , we raise our paws in celebration of vet nurses and technicians worldwide, who are helping cats live healthier, happier lives every day.

Whether it's mastering low-stress handling, spotting the subtle signs of pain, or guiding caregivers through their pet's health journey, vet nurses and techs are at the heart of the clinic. They are shining examples of advocating for and pioneering better ways to care for cats. ✨

🏥 In over 4,000 Cat Friendly Clinics across the world, vet nurses and techs are providing the best veterinary experience for cats and their caregivers. Learn more 👉 https://icatcare.org/cat-friendly-clinic

If you are based in the UK and would like to shine a light on a veterinary nurse, visit the BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association), who are celebrating 60 years 👉 https://bvna.org.uk/project/vnam-2025/

09/05/2025

WEATHER WATCH!

With the 10-day forecast showing lovely sunshine ahead, it’s important to make sure our feline friends stay happy and healthy in this lovely late-spring heat.

Check that your cat has access to cooler areas indoors. Even though it may feel pleasant outside, the sun can turn enclosed spaces like conservatories into mini ovens. Make sure cats aren’t restricted to these areas and have the opportunity to rest in a cooler more shaded room. Encourage them to stay hydrated by increasing the number of drinking stations around your home. For cats drawn to running water, consider investing in a cat drinking fountain. Fun for staying hydrated and for play too!

Cats allowed outdoors do love finding a shady spot in the garden! These are easy to create by simply putting out a chair or your patio furniture, or by introducing feline-friendly shade-casting shrubs. Even overturning a plastic crate or a large plant pot can create just what’s needed for a lovely warm afternoon snooze!

And if you feel you need to apply suncream, consider whether your cat needs protection too. Hairless breeds and white-haired cats are prime candidates for sunburn where there is exposed skin. Avoid by applying pet-friendly sunscreen appropriately, and remember the tips of the ears!

08/05/2025

VE DAY AND THE ROLE OF CATS IN WWII

With today being the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Europe, many of us will be commemorating the date in some way, with VE Day events planned locally, nationally and internationally.

It’s a particularly significant day to champion the important role that domestic pets played in World War II in serving and protecting their nation. Being a cat clinic, we’re especially interested in cats! Did you know that cats were used on military ships and in barracks to protect food stores from rats? Keeping the vermin population under control also helped to prevent the spread of disease as well as helping protect communication lines and ropes from being nibbled and damaged.

Cats played a huge role in keeping up soldier morale and in providing companionship and comfort. One such cat, Pyro, kept anxious young pilots company on experimental bomb tests over the Atlantic, including tests for the bouncing bomb, and acted as a good luck mascot. He would be tucked into the flight jackets of crew members for reassurance. Pyro’s owner noted he loved flying and would come running when he whistled!

As well as being a good luck mascot, Pyro saved the frostbitten fingers of his owner by keeping them warm after a plane crash.

Pyro was posthumously awarded a commendation from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in 2011’s Remembrance Sunday Antiques Roadshow where his story was retold.

Felines continue to play a hugely significant role in our lives today in making life better all round. Do give a special hug to your cat today to thank them for their companionship, and also in remembrance of the valiant efforts of their ancestors in helping to shape the lives we lead today.

To read more about Pyro's adventures and for photo reference, click on the link below:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2057197/Tabby-cat-kept-superstitious-young-pilots-company-WWII-bombing-missions-honoured-bravery.html

06/05/2025

BACK TO WORK!

We’re open again as normal after the long Bank Holiday weekend. This is Theo who came in to see our vet Jen Jen and proved to be a big tech lover on his visit to the vets. The hard drive was his favourite place to perch to watch Jen Jen typing up his notes!

03/05/2025

HAPPY EARLY MAY BANK HOLIDAY!

It’s looking like it’s going to be a lovely bank holiday weekend! 387 Vets is open normal Saturday hours today for all our West Midlands Cat Clinic clients, but we’ll be closed on bank holiday Monday. Incase of a cat emergency at this time, please continue to call us on 01922 411755 and follow the answer machine instructions.

If you’re unsure whether you need to see a vet or are looking for a spot of pet advice, all our registered clients have complimentary access to VidiVet, a 24/7 vet-led triaging service. It’s a great resource for owner peace of mind, can be a helpful money saver and is available all day every day of the year! Visit the Advice 24/7 tab on our website to find out more and check communications from our practice for your VidiVet access link.