Small Animals

Vaccinations are essential for reducing the incidence of preventable diseases.

All puppies should receive a primary course of two vaccinations given 4 weeks apart with the second vaccination being given no earlier than 10 weeks of age. These vaccinations protect against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis. We also recommend vaccination against Kennel Cough, which comprises a single intranasal application of Bordetella and parainfluenza components. Annual boosters are then recommended to “top up” your pet’s immunity and provide continued protection – please speak to your Vet about this if you have any questions.

All kittens should receive a primary course of two vaccinations given 3 weeks apart with the second vaccination being given no earlier than 12 weeks of age. These vaccinations provide protection against calici, rhinotracheitis, panleucopaenia and leukaemia viruses. Annual boosters are then recommended to “top up” your pet’s immunity and provide continued protection – please speak to your Vet about this if you have any questions.

We recommend bringing your pet to us at least once a year for a health check, even if no vaccinations are required. We will be able to identify issues that may otherwise go unnoticed and make sure that all your pets’ healthcare needs are being addressed. This includes nutrition, internal and external parasite control, dental prophylaxis and weight management.

We recommend your pet has  a health check 6 months after vaccination as an interval of 12 months between checkups is the equivalent of more than 3 years in human terms.   Currently these health checks are available for only £24.99 which is refunded if further diagnostics or treatments are carried out during the following three months. Please click here to book or contact us on 01986 892771.

Microchipping your pet ensures that, should they become lost, they can be more easily reunited with you.   All dogs and cats are now required, by law, to be microchipped and the details of the current keeper registered on the database. Other pets can also be microchipped including rabbits, tortoises and parrots. Implantation of a microchip is a quick and relatively painless process which can be carried out by any of our Vets or Vet Nurses. Please contact the practice if you would like to book in or if you have any questions regarding microchipping or the database.

We have a range of diagnostic equipment which helps our clinicians diagnose your pet’s condition or reassure you there are no significant underlying health problems, for example prior to anaesthesia or surgery.  

Blood Analysis - With modern haematology and biochemistry analysers we can check a variety of parameters helping us build up a picture of your pets’ metabolic health.  Results can be available in less than 1 hour in most cases allowing quicker diagnosis and therefore treatment.   Tests not available “in-house” are sent by courier to an external Laboratory and results are available as soon as the following day 9depending on the test).

Urine Analysis - We can measure a number of parameters including urine concentration, glucose, protein levels, pH and the presence of blood, which supports us in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions including diabetes, kidney failure and urinary tract infection.   Urine sediment microscopy can also be performed to examine for bacteria and/or the presence of crystals.

Blood Pressure Measurement – With accurate Doppler blood pressure measurement we can monitor your pets’ blood pressure which can be invaluable in detecting hypertension (high blood pressure).   Untreated hypertension can lead to kidney disease, retinal detachment, brain clots or bleeds.  

Imaging - with digital radiography, ultrasound and a range of endoscopes, we are able to investigate many conditions efficiently, allowing us to diagnose accurately and decide on the best treatment options for your pet.

• Our digital x-ray machine is invaluable for the investigation of orthopaedic disease (lameness) as well as respiratory, cardiac and abdominal disease. The digital images produced can then be stored directly on your pet’s records to ensure they are accessible when required. In addition, we have access to a specialist reporting service who can provide a detailed report on the images to further aid diagnosis and the development of a treatment plan.
• Our ultrasound machine is soon to be upgraded so that we can further use this non-invasive method for the diagnosis of diseases of the chest and abdomen in particular. This imaging method also allows us to take guided samples without the need for general anaesthesia and surgery.
• Our endoscopy range includes endoscopes capable of imaging the respiratory system (nose, trachea, bronchus), gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and intestines) and bladder and allows samples to be taken from these areas without full surgical intervention. They also allow removal of some foreign bodies from the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, providing a less invasive option with faster recovery times.

Neutering is the term used to castrate male animals or spay female animals thereby preventing unwanted pregnancies. The correct timing of neutering will vary between species and even between breeds. Please contact the surgery if you wish to book in or discuss the neutering of your pet.

Dental disease is extremely common in our pets, mainly because they do not brush their teeth twice a day! Poor dental hygiene not only causes discomfort in the mouth, halitosis (bad breath) and the loss of teeth, it can also contribute to disease processes elsewhere in the body.   The early signs of dental disease are gingivitis (inflamed gums) and the build-up of tartar on the teeth – usually seen as brown or grey discolouration on the tooth enamel.

We have modern dental equipment which we use to treat your pets’ dental disease including scaling of their teeth to remove tartar and the extraction of loose, damaged or rotten teeth.

Please contact the practice if you would like to make an appointment to discuss your pets’ dental care.

Our pharmacy is well stocked with frequently used medications and anti-parasiticides etc. In the event we do not have a particular medication, this can be ordered from our supplier and will be available within three days. Prescription diets and other foods can be ordered if required.

We are bound by the Veterinary Medicines Regulations when prescribing medications. This means that all medicines (including certain anti-parasiticides) need to be approved by a veterinary surgeon before we can supply them. All requests for repeat medication or flea and worm treatments should be made at least 48 hours before they are needed to allow the dispensing and checking of these to be carried out by the relevant qualified members of staff.

We are obliged to perform regular health checks and prescription reviews for patients on long term medication. These are required at least every 6 months, depending on the medication and condition. You will be informed by a member of staff if your pet is due a medication review when you call to order your prescription.

We are able to provide written prescriptions for prescription-only medications on request, although this is bound by the same regulations. There is a charge for the writing of a prescription. Written prescriptions have a limit to the amount of medicine which can be provided depending on the drug category and will be valid for a maximum of 6 months (28 days in the case of a controlled drug). Please ask your Vet if you wish to obtain a written prescription.

We have separate dog and cat wards to keep your pets calm and relaxed during their stay with us. Our kennels are of variable sizes and made from an easy to clean material allowing us to maintain hygienic conditions and prevent transmission of disease. Air conditioning and heating units mean we can regulate and maintain perfect room temperatures at all times.

Infectious animals are hospitalised in our totally separate Isolation Ward with dedicated staff allocated to their care thus minimising the risk of spread of disease.

We stock a wide range of wet and dry diets to feed our patients during their stay with us.   Special diets can be catered for – please speak to the Nurse or Vet on admission.

All our patients are closely monitored throughout the day by our team of veterinary nurses and animal care assistants under direct supervision from the veterinary surgeon in charge of the case. Regular checks of vital signs are carried out and recorded on hospital sheets so any changes can be quickly identified and acted upon.

We do not currently offer hospitalisation for our patients overnight at the practice as there is no one on site to monitor them. If your pet is deemed to require on-going care overnight, we suggest they are transferred to Norwich Night Vets in Taverham where a dedicated team of clinical staff will be able to care for them until they can return to us the following morning.

Following the change in requirements for travel to the EU and the abolishment of the Pet Passport after Brexit, we are not currently able to offer completion of the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) although we can still administer Rabies vaccinations and offer advice regarding travel requirements. For other imports and exports it is recommended to contact APHA (Animal Plant and Health Agency) and the equivalent authorising body in the country of interest to find out what tests or vaccinations are required for your pet to gain entry.