The Hadleigh Vets

09/01/2026

🍣 SUSHI 🍣

Meet Sushi, an adorable Chihuahua X Pomeranian who came to see vet Jess for her first vaccinations this week!

She had a thorough head to tail examination with Jess, who also discussed her nutritional needs, worming medication and the importance of socialisation.

Even though she has definitely been one of our smallest patients this week at just 620g in weight, she was so brave for her injection - she didn’t even squeak!

Primary vaccinations are vital for puppies - they provide protection against life threatening infections whilst their immune systems are developing. The appointment is also a fantastic opportunity to discuss all things puppy with our friendly and experienced vet team.

We look forward to seeing her for second vaccination in a few weeks time!

06/01/2026

🧁 PUDDING 🧁

This beautiful lady is Pudding, who came to us yesterday for her neutering (spay) procedure.

After being admitted in the morning with her owners, where we discuss the plan of the day and the procedure itself, she had her pre-operative checks and was then settled into our cat ward.

For her surgery, her anaesthetic was closely monitored by our nurse Laura and her operation completed by vet Jo. After waking up, nurse Rebecca ensured her comfort throughout her recovery. She enjoyed some lunch, posed for the camera and had further recovery checks before going home the same afternoon.

Pudding took the whole day in her stride and was a pleasure to take care of. We look forward to seeing her soon for her post operative checks!

05/01/2026

Please take care when travelling to us today with the snowy weather ☃️

If you have a routine appointment and would rather reschedule, please give us a call on 01473 598400. Otherwise, our team are here as usual for you and your pets 🐾

24/12/2025

🎄 THE NIGHT BEFORE THE HADLEIGH VETS CHRISTMAS🎄

‘Twas the night before Christmas at The Hadleigh Vets,
It was a morning of consulting, our busiest yet.
Vets Jess and George were in charge of appointments,
Prescribing tablets and capsules, potions and ointments.

Our client care team of lovely Lynda, Jessica and Rosie
(Vet Jo has lucked out, home to bed - how so cosy!)
All braced by the phones to triage and support
Our patient’s owners - there was lots to report.

Nurses Leanne and Rebecca signed off pets after surgery,
But really their thoughts were dreaming of turkey.
Our team prepared for our last day before Christmas,
Fingers crossed from a good home time with minimal fuss.

During the morning, our vets saw those under the weather,
From lethargic to vomiting, or losing a feather!
Diarrhoea or lumps, perhaps not drinking enough,
Smelly ears, gunky eyes, coughing and stuff.

All of a sudden, there was a huge great big crash,
Rosie sprang from reception, she was there in a flash!
Looking out the door, she did not believe her eyes,
In ran a man with a white beard, his red suit a huge size!

He burst through the door, all of a flush,
‘Sorry, please help me, I’m in a great rush!’
So the last appointment on Christmas Eve was for Santa’s reindeer,
Lynda booked him in, he said ‘It’s his throat - oh no! Oh Dear!’

Rudolph and his team had been about to set off,
When the favourite reindeer had given such a heave and a cough.
Father Christmas was worried he’d eaten his carrot far too quickly -
He’d choked it right down, got it stuck and made him sickly.

Jess checked him over from antlers to tail
But when his throat was touched, he let out a wail.
She agreed his nose did not have its usual shine,
She reassured Santa ‘We’ll have him right in good time.’

She couldn’t see anything stuck, there was no gingitivis,
But something fixable - he has TINSEL-ITIS!
Some anti-inflammatories will see him just right,
We will have him delivering presents well into the night.

She started him off with an important injection,
Then some antibiotics to control the infection.
The team let out a ginormous sigh
Christmas is saved after all, over Crockatt Road he shall fly!

Santa dashed away, as we all headed home for a drink.
A good day at work, designed to make us all think.
We all poured ourselves a well deserved gin,
What a Christmas Eve to remember, what a day it had been!

21/12/2025

🎄Christmas 2025 Newsletter 🎄

Read about our brilliant new team member, our Christmas opening times, festive toxins and poisons, a story on our recent patient Thistle, and learn who won the crazy golf at our Christmas Party!

Wishing you and your pets a safe, cosy, joy‑filled festive season! As we reach the end of another busy and rewarding year, we wanted to share a few updates from the practice, celebrate some special moments, and thank you for trusting us with the care of your beloved companions in 2025.

19/12/2025

👩‍⚕️ ANAESTHESIA KNOWLEDGE 👩‍⚕️

We are very proud of our brilliant veterinary nurse Laura, who is currently studying for her postgraduate certificate in anaesthesia.

Here she is sharing her advanced knowledge and techniques with the nursing team, helping us all to provide the very best nursing care for patients who require anaesthesia and pain relief.

Anaesthesia is a vital part of veterinary nursing and surgery, and Laura’s dedication means our patients benefit from the safest, most comfortable experience possible. From tiny kittens to senior dogs, every patient deserves the best care and Laura is helping us raise the bar even higher.

We are lucky to have such passionate professionals on our team, always learning and teaching so we can keep improving together.

18/12/2025

🦴 HUGO 🦴

This handsome chap is Hugo, who came to see vet Jess a couple of weeks ago for a minor surgical procedure.

Hugo had a lump present under his skin on his abdomen, which was sampled a few months ago and confirmed to be a lipoma (a benign fatty growth). His diligent owners had been monitoring it but it had recently grown.

As it was on an area of his tummy where he likes to lie down on, it would have become bothersome or inflamed if it remained in situ. And, if it has become larger, would have needed a more major procedure to remove it. So, he had it removed to prevent inevitable future problems and discomfort.

Hugo was a wonderful patient for us, and he enjoyed rearranging his bedding during his recovery to make sure everything was just to his comfort levels!

17/12/2025

🎀 PIGGY 🎀

Meet Piggy, a sweet lady who came in for dental treatment and a minor lump removal with our team last week.

Our smaller toy and terrier breeds (like Shih-Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, and Chihuahuas) are often more prone to dental disease. Their petite mouths often mean overcrowded teeth, which can trap food and plaque between them. Over time, this can lead to tartar build up, gum disease, discomfort and tooth loss.

To prevent this as much as possible, we recommend daily tooth brushing at home. Our vets and nurses pay particular attention to their gums and teeth at regular check-up appointments.

Piggy was such a lovely gentle girl whilst she was with us for the day. She was a star patient!

16/12/2025

🐰 MOPSY 🐰

Gorgeous rabbit Mopsy came in to be spayed last week, and was accompanied by her 'hus-bun-d' Dandy.

Spaying rabbits is an important step in keeping them healthy and happy:
- It reduces hormone driven antisocial behaviours, with neutered females usually being much easier to handle, less likely to fight, easier to litter tray and much less grumpy to their humans and other rabbits!
- It prevents the development of uterine cysts and cancers, which can become serious and affect up to 60-70% of unneutered girls over the age of four
- It prevents unwanted litters

Bringing a bonded partner along can make the whole experience less stressful for rabbits. They form incredibly strong bonds, and having their companion nearby provides comfort, reassurance, and helps them settle more quickly after their procedure.

Mopsy did brilliantly throughout her surgical procedure. And Dandy enjoyed his big day out at the vets with some extra greens from our Rabbit Garden for his lunch whilst Mopsy was in recovery!

09/12/2025

🎅 CHRISTMAS PARTY FUN! 🎅

This weekend, our wonderful team had a great time at our Christmas Party. Our fabulous Practice Manager Rosie and lead nurse Leanne organised a delicious festive meal, followed by a round of crazy golf. There was plenty of laughter, lots of fantastic food and some very questionable golfing techniques… and a well‑deserved victory for Vet Jess, who took home the win!

As we wrap up another busy year, we want to say a huge thank you to our incredible team for their dedication, compassion, and hard work throughout 2025. Every day they go above and beyond to care for pets and support our clients, and we could not be prouder 💙

08/12/2025

🎄 CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS 🎄

Here is collie puppy Flynn with our Christmas opening times! If you need to order any medication or food, our last date for ordering before Christmas is Monday 22nd December.

04/12/2025

🍷 MERLOT 🍷

Last week, this handsome feline patient Merlot came in for a dental procedure, after inflamed gums were picked up on his examination with vet George.

Under anaesthesia, all of his teeth were descaled and full mouth dental X‑rays were taken, which is an essential step in assessing the the roots of the teeth underneath the gum line.

The X‑rays revealed a resorptive lesion (a painful condition where the tooth begins to break down from the inside). To keep Merlot comfortable and healthy, vet George carefully extracted the affected tooth.

Dental X‑rays allow us to detect issues like resorptive lesions, root infections, or bone changes early. This information guides us in making the safest treatment decisions and ensuring pets do not suffer silently from hidden pain.

Merlot is now recovering beautifully, and we are so pleased he will be able to enjoy his meals and cuddles without discomfort!