Rutland & Kings Veterinary Centre - Market Harborough

05/06/2026

🚨Important Update:

Brucella canis is a bacterial infection that affects dogs. Symptoms include reproductive challenges like miscarriage, testicular inflammation, and infertility, but it can also manifest as back pain, lameness, or neurological signs. Some dogs, however, show no symptoms.

As a zoonotic disease, Brucella canis can be transmitted to humans, leading to flu-like symptoms such as fever, aches, fatigue, and headaches. In some cases, it may result in serious long-term complications, including miscarriage, joint disease, and endocarditis.

With a rising number of cases in the UK, we strongly recommend testing for all imported dogs and dogs travelling abroad to higher-risk countries🔬

Brucella is common in Eastern and Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. An up-to-date list can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hairs-risk-assessment-brucella-canis

🩸Testing involves a blood sample sent to a specialist laboratory. This test will cost £63 including the appointment to take the sample, postage, and the cost of running the test.

What happens following the test:

➖Negative Result➖
No restrictions; normal care can continue.

➕Positive Result➕
Care will still proceed, but for the safety of our staff:
🐾Please wait in your car until your appointment.
🐾Additional protective measures will be implemented, such as isolation, PPE (gowns, gloves, masks) and thorough deep cleaning.
🐾A surcharge will apply to cover the additional PPE and safety protocols which is currently £30.

🚨Please note testing is not a legal requirement, and emergency care will always be provided🚨However, our top priority is the safety of your family, our team, and other pets, if the Brucella status is unknown for a dog deemed high risk, then for the safety of our staff we will follow the same protocols as in the case of a positive test.

📞If you would like further information, or to book a blood test, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

More information can also be found on the government website:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners

31/05/2026

20/05/2026

🩺💚 Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month 💚🩺

May is Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the incredible work of our veterinary nurses within the practice team. Veterinary nurses play a pivotal role in every aspect of patient care, including:

💚Monitoring anesthesia
💚Assisting with procedures
💚Running adolescent and senior clinics
💚Providing weight, dental, diet, and lifestyle advice
💚Providing inpatient care
💚Performing laboratory work
💚Ensuring the practice is clean and safe
💚Helping the wider team with various admin tasks
💚Communicating with clients

Their clinical expertise and dedication are an essential part of the care we provide every day.

11/05/2026

Stray adult female tabby cat found near Naseby Square in Market Harborough. She is microchipped but unfortunately the details are not up to date.

Please contact the practice if you believe she could belong to you.

04/05/2026

From the 11th May, our Uppingham practice will be increasing its hours to be open all day! 🎉

This service will cater for:
🐾Greater flexibility for routine appointments
🐾Urgent same day appointments
🐾Emergency day procedures

By expanding our Saturday hours, we hope to make accessing veterinary care over the weekend more convenient and give you added peace of mind.

📆To book a Saturday appointment at Uppingham, please call the practice on 01572 822399.

🚨From the 11th May our full out-of-hours emergency provision will be located at our Melton Mowbray hospital and can be contacted 24/7 on 01664 567481.

24/04/2026

EU Pet Passport Changes - Important Update

From Wednesday 22nd April 2026, UK residents will no longer be able to use an EU pet passport to travel to the EU. All UK residents will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip to the EU with their pet.

EU pet passports may only be issued to owners whose main residence is within the European Union.

Please note if you are currently abroad, you will still be able to return to Great Britain using an EU pet passport.

If you are planning on traveling with your pet, we would advise all pet owners to continue to check the latest information by going to www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad

📞 For more information or to book an AHC, please contact the practice

21/04/2026

UPDATE TO OUR OUT OF HOURS PROVISION

We’d like to share an important update about our out-of-hours emergency care.

On the 11th of May 2026, our out-of-hours emergency service will be transferred to our new hospital in Melton Mowbray.

We understand that any change to how you access care for your pet can feel concerning, and we want to reassure you that this move is designed to enhance the level of care we can provide.

Our new hospital will offer:
✨Our own dedicated on-site veterinary and nursing team 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
✨State of the art diagnostic equipment, including CT imaging.
✨Continuous monitoring and hospitalisation in a purpose-built environment

What this means for you:
🐾There will be no changes to our prices as a result of the move
🐾All our other practices will be remaining open as usual
🐾Whilst our Uppingham practice will no longer provide overnight hospitalisation, it will now be open all day on a Saturday for consultations as well as emergency day procedures.
🐾A transport service will be available where required for clients in Priors Hall, Market Harborough and Uppingham, ensuring pets who need hospitalisation can be conveniently and safely transferred.
🐾Our community nurse program is also nearly ready to launch which will provide a convenient at home care provision for all of our clients.

We also want to reassure clients that for many, the change in travel time is minimal, while access to significantly enhanced facilities and round-the-clock care will make a real difference when it matters most.

Please make note of the address below for any appointments due to take place at our Melton Mowbray practice or out-of-hours appointments on or after the 11th May 2026:

📍Rutland & Kings Veterinary Centre
Norman Way,
Snow Hill,
Melton Mowbray
LE13 1JE

02/04/2026

25/03/2026

⭐️IMPORTANT⭐️

The B6047 between The Langtons and A6, Market Harborough is closed due to a police incident. Please ask the police to allow you access to the vets.

If you are unable to make your appointment, please contact the practice.

04/03/2026

🐾🐾 Meet the staff pets - Lead Receptionist Brittany! 🐾🐾

Meet Brittany's motley crew, 2 dogs, 4 cats and a horse (and almost all of them moved from America to the UK with her)

🐱 Livira (2) The calico princess. Livira was found by a farmer a little under 2 years ago, Brittany hand reared her from 4 weeks. She is now the queen of the house and has everyone wrapped around her little paw

🐱 Baby Bert (10) Baby Bert the lover of food and cozy naps in the sun. Has been the best big brother to his little sister Liv

🐱Senor Bert (12) Senor showed up at Brittany's house one day and never left, street cat turned house cat, loves to spend his time outdoors taking naps in plant pots and showing Liv the ropes

🐱 Moose (11) Moose is Brittany's "first born", the baby, but is a total grumpy old man at heart. Always wants to be glued to a blanket in someones lap and loves to sneak outside for a stroll in the garden.

🥎 Ralph (4) Ralph the Pug, aka Baby Potato, everyone's best friend, the happiest boy. Loves adventure and doggy daycare!

🪿 Gus (5) "Goose" long tongue boy, is a kind soul who thinks everything is food and everyone should let him sit on their lap. Gus and Ralph are inseparable "brothers"

🐴 Thunder (23) American Quarter Horse, Brittany's pride and joy - flew here all the way from the US in 2023 when she moved. He loves spending time in the field with all the lush grass in England