Whiskers 'N' Beans, Home Veterinary Services & Emergency ambulance service

16/08/2026

Yesterday, our team transferred a poor little dog who had been hit by a car. 💔🐾

This poor girl had sustained a badly fractured right front leg, along with grave concerns that she may have suffered other significant injuries.

She was initially taken to her own vets, where she underwent immediate diagnostics and stabilisation. With any road traffic accident (RTA), what we can see on the outside may only be part of the story. The force of an impact can cause serious injuries within the chest and abdomen, including internal bleeding, bruising or damage to organs such as the lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys, as well as injuries to the diaphragm and urinary tract.

Thankfully, her initial investigations showed no evidence of internal bleeding or free fluid within her abdomen, which was extremely reassuring and reduced the concern for significant internal organ injury.

She was started on appropriate pain relief and given intravenous fluids to support her circulation following the shock and trauma of the accident. Once she was stable, it was determined that her badly fractured leg would require specialist orthopaedic assessment and repair, and she was referred to Fitzpatrick Referrals. 🏥🐶

After receiving a full clinical handover from her veterinary team, we carefully settled her into our ambulance kennel. She remained on her ketamine CRI (continuous rate infusion) for pain management, helping to keep her as comfortable as possible while we prepared for the journey. 🚑

With a patient suffering from a significant fracture, a smooth journey really matters. Ellie carefully navigated the roads, avoiding harsh braking, acceleration and bumps wherever possible to minimise unnecessary movement and discomfort.

Meanwhile, Sarah remained by her side, monitoring and reassuring her throughout the transfer — with some specially selected dog-relaxing music playing quietly in the background. 🎶🐾

It might sound like a small thing, but creating a calm environment can be really valuable for a frightened or painful patient. Gentle, slow-tempo music can help mask unfamiliar noises from the vehicle and contribute to a quieter, less stimulating environment. Combined with gentle handling, comfortable bedding and a reassuring presence, our aim was to make an already frightening day feel just a little less scary for her. ❤️

On arrival at Fitzpatrick Referrals, we carefully transferred her into her waiting kennel, where the referral team immediately got to work assessing and triaging her.

It had been a long and difficult day for this brave little girl. From being hit by a car, undergoing emergency investigations and stabilisation, to then facing a journey for specialist orthopaedic care — she had been through an enormous amount.

But she was exactly where she needed to be, surrounded by teams dedicated to giving her the very best chance possible. ❤️🐶

We’ll keep you updated on her journey and, hopefully, her road to recovery. 🐾

12/08/2026

✨ A little something that would mean a lot to us… ✨
The 2026 Petplan Veterinary Awards nominations are now open, and whilst we’d never expect anyone to nominate us, we’d be absolutely touched if someone felt that the work we do deserves a little recognition. 🐾💙
At Whiskers N Beans, we put our heart into every journey — especially the difficult ones where our patients need that extra bit of care, understanding and reassurance.
Being considered alongside so many incredible people and teams within the veterinary profession would genuinely be an honour. 🥹
So, if you’ve ever felt that we’ve gone that extra mile for you or your beloved pet, and you think we deserve a little recognition, you can nominate Whiskers N Beans for the 2026 Veterinary Awards.
No pressure, no expectation — just a little “we think you’re doing something special” would mean the world to us. 💙🐾
Nominate us today if you feel we deserve it. ✨

Petplan Veterinary Awards

12/08/2026

Yesterday was a journey we won’t forget ❤️🐾
Yesterday saw us take on a very long and very important journey.
We were contacted by an owner who was understandably extremely worried about transporting her asthmatic cat to his new home.
Feline asthma is a chronic respiratory condition where the airways become inflamed and narrowed, making it difficult for a cat to breathe. Stress can potentially make respiratory problems worse, which made this journey an especially significant concern.
And for this owner, the worry was even greater. She had previously lost one of her cats during transport after suffering an asthma attack and being unable to access the specialist care he needed in that moment. Understandably, she wanted to make absolutely sure everything possible was in place this time.
Before the journey even began, we met with the owner and our vet Sarisha to go through every single detail. We discussed potential scenarios, put contingency plans in place and prepared for every eventuality.
Emergency medication was ready. Our emergency intubation equipment was checked and prepared. Our ambulance was made as ready as possible. We wanted to make sure that, should anything happen, we were prepared to act.
Then came the big day. ❤️
We collected our asthmatic boy Bear and his sister Beans for their new lives and settled them into our large kennel, giving them plenty of space to relax, a dedicated litter tray area and, importantly for cats, a safe hiding space.
And then we set off for Northumberland.
It was a long journey, but as the miles passed, something wonderful happened…
Two very relaxed babies. 🐱🐱
We made it safely to the North of England, settled them into their new homes and made sure they were comfortable and ready to begin this exciting new chapter.
Then it was time for us to turn around and begin the very long journey back to London. First stopping in Amble fishing town (which unfortunately saw us miss fresh fish and chips 😭) then back on the motorway.
For us, this wasn't simply a long-distance pet transport.
It was about understanding the risks, listening to an owner's fears, preparing for the unexpected and giving two much-loved cats the safest journey we possibly could.
And most importantly…
They arrived safely, settled and ready to start their new lives. ❤️🐾
Sometimes, the journeys that take the most preparation are the ones that mean the most.
Here you can see Bear and Beans exploring their new space a few hours after their arrival at their new digs!

09/08/2026

🎉 We’re thrilled to announce that Whiskers 'N' Beans has been named Mobile Veterinary Service of the Year – for the Prestige Awards 2026/27! 🏆

This marks our second consecutive year winning this award and an incredible achievement which builds on last year's success.
It reflects the dedication, professionalism, compassion, and reputation we have worked so hard to build within the veterinary industry.

We couldn't have achieved this without the amazing support of our clients, colleagues, and everyone who has recommended our services along the way—thank you.

To our clients, thank you for trusting us with the care of your beloved pets. It is a privilege to be there for you and your animals when you need us most.

To everyone who has used our veterinary ambulance transfer service, thank you for placing your trust in us during some of the most difficult and worrying moments. We are incredibly proud to provide this unique service, helping pets access the life-saving treatment they need safely and promptly.

Here's to continuing to provide compassionate, high-quality veterinary care across London and beyond. 💚🐾

08/08/2026

💚 The update we've been waiting for... Pickle is HOME! 💚
Some of you may have seen our recent post about a transfer we carried out from Sutton involving Pickle, a very poorly cat following foreign body surgery.
Pickle had undergone surgery to remove multiple hairballs that had caused a complete intestinal obstruction. Sadly, despite successful surgery, his condition deteriorated rapidly. His breathing became increasingly laboured, progressing to open-mouth breathing with a respiratory rate of over 100 breaths per minute. As he began gasping for air and collapsed, the team acted immediately by intubating him and providing oxygen support.
With Pickle now in a critical condition, the decision was made to transfer him to The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre for specialist overnight care.
Once there, the intensive care team determined that the best chance of saving his life was to place him under anaesthesia and onto mechanical ventilation.
A mechanical ventilator is a life-support machine that takes over the work of breathing when a patient is too sick to breathe effectively on their own. This allows the lungs to rest and heal while ensuring the body continues to receive the oxygen it desperately needs. Patients on ventilators require constant monitoring by specialist veterinary teams, with around-the-clock adjustments to medications, oxygen levels and ventilator settings.
Pickle remained on the ventilator for several days while the incredible ICU team fought alongside him every step of the way.
Then, on Thursday afternoon, we received the message we had all been hoping for...
🏡 Pickle is home. ❤️
Mechanical ventilation is one of the most advanced forms of life support available in veterinary medicine. Overall survival rates for dogs and cats requiring ventilation are reported to be around 20–35%, although the chances are often much better for patients with conditions that can recover once supported, such as reversible respiratory disease or postoperative complications. Those who successfully recover often go on to enjoy an excellent quality of life.
Pickle truly is one brave little fighter, and we're so honoured to have played a small part in his journey.
A huge thank you to the amazing teams involved in his care, and congratulations to Pickle and his family on this incredible outcome. 💚🐾

07/08/2026

💙 Yesterday saw our ambulance team called to assist with the transfer of the sweetest little girl to a specialist referral hospital. 🚑🐾

This beautiful girl presented with acute hindlimb paresis, meaning she had suddenly lost strength in her back legs and was unable to walk normally. Her owner reported that over the previous five hours she had been resting, purring, and seemed comfortable, but when they picked her up they realised she could no longer use her back legs. They had also noticed she had been a little quieter and more lethargic over the preceding couple of days.

Following diagnostics and a neurological examination at the veterinary practice, it was found that although she was unable to use her hindlimbs, she remained bright and responsive. She was meowing, seeking attention, and, importantly, showed no obvious signs of pain.

Given her breed, there is a suspicion of focal FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). The decision was made to transfer her to the specialist team at Davies Veterinary Specialists for advanced diagnostics and ongoing care.

FIP is a serious disease caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus. While it was once considered almost always fatal, advances in treatment have given many cats hope. In some cases, focal FIP affects one specific area or organ of the body rather than causing widespread disease, making diagnosis more challenging.

As always, we made sure our little patient was comfortable throughout her journey. She quickly settled into her kennel, rolling over for fusses, giving us little kisses, purring away, and greeting us with the sweetest tiny squeaks. ❤️

On arrival at Davies, the specialist triage team were waiting and took her straight through for assessment so they could begin determining the cause of her neurological signs and the best course of treatment.

We're sending all our love to this gorgeous little girl and hope she receives the answers and care she needs. Wishing her a smooth recovery. 💙🐱

07/08/2026

This week our Animal Ambulance team was called to assist with the transfer of a critically ill little girl named Kaylla, who was suffering from severe respiratory distress.

She had initially been admitted to her local veterinary practice after becoming inappetent (off her food), lethargic and generally unwell. Sadly, her condition deteriorated rapidly. She required sedation to help reduce the effort of her breathing before being intubated—a procedure where a sterile tube is carefully placed into the windpipe to secure the airway and allow a mechanical ventilator to breathe for the patient when they are unable to do so effectively themselves.

Kaylla remained on a ventilator for 12 hours. At the time of intubation, she unfortunately regurgitated a dark black substance, raising serious concerns that some of the material may have entered her lungs. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia, a severe inflammation and infection of the lungs caused by inhaling stomach contents, which can significantly worsen breathing difficulties.

Although the team made careful attempts to gradually wean her from respiratory support, she continued to show signs of significant respiratory distress. The decision was made to transfer her to a specialist referral hospital for advanced intensive care.

On arrival at the practice, we received a thorough handover from the veterinary team before carefully preparing Kaylla for transport. She was receiving continuous rate infusion (CRI) medications to keep her stable and comfortably sedated. Oxygen therapy was maintained throughout the transfer, and our advanced monitoring equipment continuously assessed her ECG, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), blood pressure and mucous membrane colour, ensuring any changes in her condition would be detected immediately.

The journey from Central London to Potters Bar took just over an hour, making this a particularly critical transfer. Throughout the journey, our focus remained on providing intensive monitoring, maintaining her stability and being prepared to intervene immediately should her condition change.

On arrival, the Emergency and Critical Care team were waiting and immediately transferred Kaylla through to triage and further assessment. Her understandably worried owners were also there, ready to be reunited with her as she began the next stage of her treatment.

We would like to thank both the referring practice and the specialist team for their excellent communication and teamwork. Cases like this highlight the importance of seamless collaboration between veterinary professionals and dedicated critical care transport, giving patients the very best chance when every minute counts.

Everyone at Whiskers 'N' Beans is wishing this brave little girl a full and speedy recovery. ❤️🐾

03/08/2026

In the early hours of this morning, we were called upon to assist with the emergency evacuation of an overnight veterinary hospital.

Without hesitation, we made our way through the night to Sutton, where our patient transfers included one poorly 4-month-old kitten suffering from caustic burns, two rabbits, and three critical large dogs: one recovering from GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus) surgery – a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas, one with a serious injury to his prepuce, and one suffering from HGE (Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis) – a severe condition causing sudden bloody diarrhoea and dehydration.

With patient handovers complete, off into the night we headed to the emergency hospital in Staines.

As dawn broke, we were then tasked with transferring these patients on to their daytime veterinary practices so they could continue receiving the treatment they urgently needed.

Our journey through the busy mid-morning traffic took us from Staines to Croydon, Croydon to Epsom, then back to Staines to collect the remaining critical large dogs before returning to Croydon.

Multiple trips were required, as each of our canine patients weighed over 50 kg. In addition, strict infection control protocols meant the dogs had to be transported separately to minimise any risk of cross-contamination and ensure the safest possible transfer for every patient.

We're pleased to say that every patient travelled well and arrived safely at their destinations.

A huge thank you to all the veterinary teams involved for their incredible teamwork, communication and dedication throughout the night. It was a challenging operation, but seeing every patient safely where they needed to be made every mile worthwhile.

Now it's finally time for some very well-earned rest. 🐾🚑💙

01/08/2026

🚑 July Update 🚑
Throughout the month of July, we received a whopping 35 emergency ambulance transfer calls. Although we could not attend all, we did our best to help where we could.
Our patients presented with a wide range of life-threatening conditions, including:
🐾 Respiratory distress
❤️ Heart failure
☠️ Toxicities
🧠 Neurological decline
🚗 Road traffic accidents and traumatic injuries
Every patient was as critical as the next. Every transfer was carried out with one goal in mind: giving them the best possible chance by safely transporting them for the advanced, life-saving care they needed.
Dedicated animal ambulance services are still few and far between, which is why we are incredibly proud to provide this essential service to veterinary practices, pets and their families.

While not every journey ends with the outcome we all hope for, we hope owners can find comfort in knowing they did everything possible to give their beloved companion and cherished family member the greatest chance.
Thank you to the veterinary teams who trust us, and to every pet owner who places their faith in us during some of life's most difficult moments. It is a privilege we never take for granted. ❤️🐾