Vets and Veterinary nurses have seen an 81% increase in pet obesity in the past 2 years alone, meaning pet obesity is becoming a major problem. Being overweight can seriously decrease your pets quality of life, as well as causing numerous health problems, such  as, Diabetes, Osteoarthritis and anaesthetic complications, to name but a few.

Our nursing team is headed up by Sarah Woodvine (pictured below, top right). She is a fully qualified veterinary nurse with many years of practical experience. She is ably assisted by Sadie, Ali & Sammi (top row) who are fully qualified RVNs.  We also have our two trainee nurses, Deanna (bottom left) and Leanne (bottom right).  Finally, we have Grace, who is an ANA (pictured in the centre of the bottom row with Tarn and Alfie).

Did you know that every year, our dogs and cats age 7 times faster than we do? By the age of 7 (dogs) and 8 (cats), our pets are considered to be senior, or geriatric.

Like humans, being aware of the first signs of ageing, is the first step to ensuring your pet lives a long and comfortable life.

The signs of ageing and age-related diseases in dogs and cats are not always obvious. Even pets that appear normal can have an underlying problem, which is why regular visits to the vet are crucial for older pets.

A more unusual patient visited the practice recently...

Buzzby was brought in by a very kind and thoughtful member of the public who saw a car in front knock the buzzard over.

The buzzard was knocked into a puddle and presented to Kate in respiratory distress, soaking wet and cold.  On admit he wasn't moving, and open mouth breathing. 

Our pets love a routine and the holidays can seem like a very strange time for our cats.  Their usual environment is filled with trees, flowers and other decorations, plus, unfamiliar visitors popping in every day can be very unnerving.

This, teamed with crackers and fireworks, can result in an unhappy cat.  Be aware of these changes and try and provide a 'staff zone' for your cat over the festive season.

Rabbits are well adapted to deal with cold weather, they have thick fur and choose to reside in burrows which keep them insulated from severe cold and sudden changes in winter weather, although they do prefer temperatures between 10-20C. Unfortunately domestic bunnies live above ground so are more prone to the cold weather. Here are 5 top tips to keep your rabbit warm and happy over the winter months

1. Keep the hutch damp and draught free