Goddard Vet Group

26/05/2026

Meet Reggie, who recently underwent emergency surgery at our Raynes Park branch after swallowing a tennis ball 🎾🐾

Thankfully, the surgery went well and he was already on his way home when this photo was taken — although he still seemed very interested in the tennis ball! 👀

We’re pleased to say that after his recheck, Reggie is recovering really well 💙

22/05/2026

☀️🐶 Heatwave incoming! Before walking your dog this weekend, try the five-second pavement test 🖐️

If you can comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds 👍, it should be safe for your dog’s paws. If not, it’s too hot! 🔥🐾

Remember to walk early morning or later in the evening, bring water, and keep your pets cool 💙

22/05/2026

☀️🐶 Is it too hot to walk your dog?

As temperatures rise this weekend, it’s important to know when a walk could become dangerous for your pet. Heatstroke can happen quickly — especially in puppies, older dogs, flat-faced breeds, larger dogs, and overweight pets.

Swipe through our guide to see what temperatures are considered safe, when to take extra care, and when it’s best to avoid walks altogether. 🌡️➡️

💧 Top tips for hot weather:
• Walk early in the morning or later in the evening
• Always carry fresh water
• Stick to shaded routes where possible
• Avoid hot pavements — if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws
• Never leave your dog in a parked car

If you notice excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, or collapse, contact your vet immediately.

Stay safe and keep those tails wagging this summer 💙

14/04/2026

30/03/2026

Ouch 🫣

27/02/2026

Same Ruairidh, same 👀

📍Wanstead Vet Hospital, E11 2SY

15/01/2026

We’re proud to support the BVA In Safe Hands campaign, raising awareness of the incredible work vets deliver every day behind the scenes to protect animal health and welfare.

In this video, Sam, a vet at our 24-hour hospital in Northolt, helps Max after a grass seed becomes stuck in his ear — a small problem that can quickly become serious without expert care.

24/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 24 – Sugar-Free Sweets (Xylitol): Dangerous for Dogs 🍬

Could your good intentions be unintentionally harmful to your dog? Xylitol, a sugar substitute often used in baked goods, sweets, peanut butter, jams, chewing gum, and even dental products, is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can be fatal.

Ingestion causes a rapid drop in blood sugar, which can lead to:
🔸lethargy and wobbliness
🔸confusion
🔸vomiting
🔸collapse
🔸tremors or seizures

In some cases, dogs may go on to develop acute liver failure. Fortunately, cats do not appear to be affected by xylitol.

🎄 Tip: Always check labels and keep sugar-free products well out of reach of dogs. If you suspect ingestion, contact your vet immediately — fast action can save lives.

23/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 23 – Salt: A Hidden Danger to Watch For 🧂

As Christmas gets closer, pets are spending more time around decorations and festive displays. Homemade salt dough decorations may look harmless, but they contain very high levels of salt, and even one ornament can cause serious poisoning if eaten.

⚠️ Signs to watch for include:
🔹vomiting or diarrhoea
🔹reduced appetite or lethargy
🔹poor coordination
🔹excessive thirst or urination

In severe cases, tremors or seizures may occur.

🎄 Top tip: If you have salt dough decorations, make sure they’re securely out of reach and check regularly that none have fallen or been chewed.

If you think your pet has eaten a salt dough decoration, contact your vet immediately.

22/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 22 – A Safe Space: Helping Pets Feel Secure 🏠

The festive period can bring changes to routine, extra visitors, and more noise — which can feel overwhelming for some pets. Creating a safe, quiet space gives them somewhere to relax and feel secure when things get busy.

💤 How to create a safe space:
▫️Choose a quiet area away from visitors and noise
▫️Add familiar bedding, blankets, or favourite toys
▫️Allow your pet to come and go freely — never force interaction
▫️Make sure children and guests know to leave them undisturbed

Providing a calm retreat helps reduce stress and allows your pet to enjoy the festive season at their own pace.

21/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 21 – Raisins & Sultanas: A Serious Festive Risk 🍇

Grapes and their dried forms — including raisins, currants and sultanas — are highly toxic to dogs, whether raw or cooked. Ingestion can lead to acute, potentially fatal kidney failure.

Christmas treats such as mince pies, Christmas pudding, cakes and festive bakes often contain dried fruit, so it’s important to keep them well out of reach. Even just a few grapes or raisins can cause severe illness.

If your dog ingests any amount of grapes, raisins, currants or sultanas, contact your vet immediately.

20/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 20 – Onions & Garlic: A Hidden Food Hazard 🧅

Did you know that onions and their relatives are toxic to dogs and cats? The Allium family — including onions, garlic, spring onions, chives and leeks — can damage red blood cells, which may lead to lethargy, weakness, or collapse.

Even small amounts can be harmful. In cats, as little as one or two garlic cloves may cause serious problems, and repeated exposure to small amounts over time can also build up and cause illness.

🍗 Festive tip: Gravy is a common hidden source at Christmas. Many instant gravies contain high levels of onion or garlic powder, so avoid offering gravy or seasoned leftovers as treats.

When it comes to festive food, it’s safest to stick to pet-friendly treats only.

19/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 19 – Ni****ne: Keep It Well Out of Reach 🚭

Ni****ne poisoning can occur in pets, so it’s important to keep ci******es, vapes, and ni****ne products safely out of reach. The flavoured liquids used in e-ci******es can be particularly attractive to dogs.

With significant ingestion, symptoms can appear very quickly and may include:
🔹drooling
🔹vomiting
🔹diarrhoea
🔹excitability or agitation
🔹neurological signs

Always contact or visit your vet immediately if you think your pet has ingested any form of ni****ne.

18/12/2025

📅 Reminder: We’ll be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. To ensure you’re all stocked up, please contact us as soon as possible if you need food or medication.

18/12/2025

🎄 Festive Hazards Advent Calendar – Day 18 – Mouldy Food: A Serious Hidden Risk 🦠

Mouldy food can be extremely dangerous for pets. It most often becomes a problem when dogs raid kitchen bins or food-waste caddies — something that can happen more easily at Christmas when there’s extra food waste around. Ingesting mouldy food can lead to rapid and severe symptoms, including:

🔸restlessness
🔸panting
🔸excessive salivation
🔸whole-body muscle tremors
🔸 sensitivity to touch or noise
🔸seizures

🗑️ Top tip: Keep food-waste bins securely closed and out of reach, and dispose of mouldy food carefully. If you think your pet may have eaten mouldy food, seek veterinary treatment without delay.