Beech House Veterinary Surgery

04/05/2026

💙 May is Arthritis Awareness Month 💙

Arthritis in dogs isn’t just a “getting older” problem, it can affect dogs of any age.

Canine osteoarthritis is a progressive condition where the protective cartilage in the joints wears down over time. Without that cushioning, everyday movements can become stiff, uncomfortable, and painful.

Keep an eye out for subtle changes like:
• Slowing down on walks
• Difficulty getting up or lying down
• Reluctance to jump, run, or climb stairs
• Stiffness, especially after rest

If you notice any of these signs, it’s worth speaking to your vet. Early support can make a big difference in keeping your dog comfortable and active.

We’re here to help with practical advice on mobility, pain management, and long-term care 🐾

Call us to book your pet’s appointment 👇🏼
☎️ 01327 354477

01/05/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆 👋✨

We’re so excited to welcome Dr Polly Smith back to Beech House as our new Lead Vet, Co-Owner and Director!

Polly qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon in 2005, and many of you will remember her from her time at Beech House over 10 years ago.

Polly’s journey has taken her from training in Australia to working in North Yorkshire at the original James Herriot practice, where care was all about trust, time, and truly knowing both pets and their people.

She’s also completed a PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology, including research in Bangkok, bringing a real depth of knowledge alongside her hands-on experience.

More recently, Polly has been running her own veterinary business within the greyhound community, building lasting relationships and delivering consistent, personalised care.

Now back at Beech House, Polly brings warmth, expertise, and a genuine passion for getting to know you and your pets 🐾💙

27/04/2026

🌼 May Bank Holiday Opening Hours 🌼

No need to worry about your pet’s care this May Bank Holiday!

While we’ll be closed for routine appointments over the bank holiday, our dedicated team will still be available for emergency and urgent care with our out-of-hours service.

If you need us, simply call us on the usual practice number 👇🏼

☎️ 01327 354477

24/04/2026

Travelling to Europe with your pet this summer? 🐶✈️

Recent changes to pet travel could catch many UK pet owners out.

If your pet has an EU passport, watch this before you travel.

09/04/2026

🐍 Adders 🐍
It's so nice to see the weather warming up a bit and feel like spring is finally here.

🐍 At this time of year Veterinary Practices and VPIS (Veterinary Poisons Information Service) start to notice an increase in calls regarding Adder bites.

The Adder (Vipera berus berus) is the only venomous snake native to the UK, and is also found across northern Europe. It is a protected species in the UK. Adders are most commonly, but not exclusively, found on dry, sandy heaths, sand dunes, rocky hillsides, moorlands and woodland edges. They can also be found at the edges or in the undergrowth in our gardens.

🐍 Adders are not aggressive and generally only bite when provoked or startled.
🐍 They hibernate in the winter and as a result most bites occur in the spring and summer.

🩺 The clinical signs of an adder bite can include rapid and progressive swelling around the bite site, pain, bleeding, bruising, lethargy, vomiting and even collapse.

❗️What should you do if your pet has been bitten by an adder or you think they might have been?
▪️Do not panic.
▪️Do not interfere with the bite.
▪️Do not apply a tourniquet.
▪️Do not attempt to touch or catch the snake.
▪️Do not kill the snake – it is a protected species.
▪️If practical, carry your dog to your car and phone the Vets immediately. Don't delay seeking advice even if your pet is well as things can change quickly. The Vet will need to examine your pet to determine the location of the bite and extent of the swelling and what treatment is necessary.
▪️Note, pets are frequently bitten on the leg, head or neck.

☎️ If you are concerned about an Adder bite, please call us on 01327 354477. Prompt care is so important so if this occurs outside of our normal hours, contact the out-of-hours number.

08/04/2026

🐑 With lambing season well under way we just wanted to give a huge shout out to our farmers and farm hands and show our appreciation for their dedication and the round the clock care they provide to the 16 million ewes that give birth in the UK every year.

🐑 Lambing can take place between November and May but birth rates peak in the spring.

🐑 Once a lamb is born, it is important that the ewe is left to nurse it so as a bond can be established between them. When a farmer lambs inside, the ewe and her lambs are then placed in a small pen to help with their bonding. It is vital that lambs receive colostrum early on, within the first two hours of life and again throughout their first 24 hours.
If lambing outside, it is vital that stress and disruption is kept to a minimum to provide the best opportunity for bonding and for the lambs to receive their colostrum.

❗️Sheep and livestock worrying is significant all year round but can and does have serious implications during lambing season. Very sadly this is a real problem with members of our Practice community losing multiple ewes and lambs as a consequence of dog attacks.

❗️Did you know that there have been recent changes to the law surrounding livestock worrying. For more information please click the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-law-comes-into-force-to-protect-farm-animals-from-dog-attacks

🐕 The advice to dog owners is:

▪️Follow The Countryside Code when visiting these areas
▪️Any dog is capable of livestock worrying - always keep dogs under control and in sight
▪️It is good practice to keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept, but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
▪️Always follow local signs
▪️Report any incidents of livestock worrying to the police or local farmers
▪️Ensure dogs cannot escape from homes or gardens near livestock fields

05/04/2026

🍫🍪 Easter Food Hazards for Dogs 🍇🍫

With lots of Easter Egg hunts taking place and lovely Easter food being consumed, it's worth a reminder.
🍫 Easter treats like chocolate, treats containing Xylitol and foods containing raisins, sultanas, or currants e.g. Hot Cross buns, fruit cakes and Easter biscuits can be highly toxic to dogs.
🍇 While chocolate toxicity is well known, even small amounts of grapes or dried fruit can cause serious illness, including kidney failure and it’s impossible to predict which dogs will be affected.
🚨 If your dog eats any of these, contact a vet as a matter of urgency for advice. If needed, prompt action is vital.
☎️ During the Easter Bank Holiday, use our out-of-hours service for urgent advice, as these health concerns cannot, must not wait until we are next open. Please call 01327 354477 for further information regarding our out-of-hours.

Wishing you all a happy, safe Easter Sunday🐣

04/04/2026

A welcome message from DEFRA.
From the start of 9/4/2026 Avian Influenza Prevention Zone Housing measures for poultry and captive birds in England and Wales will be lifted. Mandatory Biosecurity Measures will remain in place. www.gov.uk/birdflu for info

Find out about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public.

02/04/2026

🐾Important News! 🐾

From today, Beech House Veterinary Practice is joining Taylor Vets 🐾

If you’re a Beech House client, it’s important to say this first, your pet’s care stays exactly as it is. The team you know and trust will still be here, with Charles and Helen continuing to support the practice over the coming months to keep everything consistent.

For us, this is about building on something that already works really well. Beech House has been a trusted part of the community for years, and our role is to support that, invest in it, and make sure it continues to thrive.

You may see some gradual changes over time, but always with the same focus, doing what’s right for you and your pet.

We’ve recorded a short video to introduce ourselves and explain a bit more about what this means 👇

As always, if you have any questions, just get in touch. We’re here to help.

02/04/2026