Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice Ltd

10/06/2026

From needing help to helping save lives 🐶❤️

When two year old golden retriever Herbie trotted into his first blood donation session, nobody would have guessed what he'd been through...

In the past year alone, he'd undergone two serious operations, the second resulting in the removal of his right eye ❤️‍

For his owner Carly, the thought of bringing Herbie back into a clinical setting, even for something positive, felt very daunting. That worry almost stopped her from registering with Pet Blood Bank.

‘I honestly shouldn't have worried at all,’ Carly said. ‘The team were absolutely amazing with him, reassuring me and Herbie from start to finish. They took everything completely at his pace.’ 🥰

And by the end of the session, he had donated a full unit of blood!

That single donation has the potential to save the lives of up to four other dogs in need, a remarkable thing for a dog who not long ago faced his own uncertain future 👏

If your dog is between 1 and 8, weighs over 25kg, and is fit, healthy, and confident, please consider signing them up ❤️🐶
Visit www.petbloodbankuk.org/welcome to learn more.

09/06/2026

Today, we take a moment to remember the pets who have touched our hearts and left paw prints on our lives forever. ❤️

The bond we share with our animals is truly special. They are our companions, our comfort, our family, and saying goodbye is never easy.

To all of the beloved pets we have had the privilege of caring for, thank you for the joy, love, and memories you brought to your families. Your wagging tails, gentle purrs, and unique personalities will never be forgotten.

To those missing a cherished companion today, please know that you are not alone. Grief is a reflection of the love shared, and that love remains long after they are gone.

🌈 Run free over the Rainbow Bridge, beautiful friends. You are deeply loved, forever missed, and always remembered.

❤️ Share a photo or memory of a pet you’ll never forget in the comments below.

🐾🌈❤️

08/06/2026

Would you believe the most common breed with possibly poisonings was the Labrador?

Over 80% of all our calls during May this year were regarding dogs, and can you guess which breeds are the biggest culprits? Take a look for yourself...

03/06/2026

How cute is Billy who came in for his second vaccination with our nurses 🐶

02/06/2026

The Petplan Awards are back! 🤩🏆

The Petplan Veterinary Awards are to recognise the hard work of veterinary staff who dedicate their time to your pets.

If there is a staff member that you believe deserves a big thank you for going above and beyond, then please consider nominating them for an award.

Our team work especially hard and receiving a nomination would really make someone’s day!

Categories are:

🎖Practice of the year
🎖Vet of the year
🎖Vet nurse of the year
🎖Practice manager of the year
🎖Practice support staff of the year

To make a nomination please visit:
https://shorturl.at/WPWwP

29/05/2026

Our next RVN in the spotlight for VNAM 2026, is Charlie, who is an RVN at Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice Ltd. Charlie has recently undertaken several live guided cardiology work-ups alongside our specialists, after being inspired by her own dog, Macey, who was referred to VVS a few years ago.

1) Tell us a little bit about your Veterinary Nurse journey so far, how long you’ve been qualified, your interests, and current job role.

I’ve always worked with animals. I qualified from Middlesex University in 2021 and have been working at Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice since, as a mixed rota RVN. My role includes anaesthesia, consulting, inpatient care, Schedule 3 procedures, imaging, and radiography.

2) As a Veterinary Nurse, what do you enjoy most about being involved in imaging and echocardiography in your practice?

When my own dog, Macey, was diagnosed with mitral valve disease, I became more involved with Virtual Veterinary Specialists. It helped me become more knowledgeable about the disease process, measurements, and the medications required. After completing the VVS nurse cardiology CPD, I’ve been really keen to continue developing my skills in imaging. I particularly enjoy being able to communicate with clients about MVD, having experienced it myself with Macey.

3) How do you find working alongside our team of specialists and sonographers at Virtual Veterinary Specialists?

The whole team at Virtual Veterinary Specialists are really supportive, from bookings through to scanning. The specialists are patient, instructive, and approachable, and they actively encourage nurses to be part of the scanning process, which has really helped build my confidence and skills.

For more information on how VVS can support you in practice, learning new skills and expanding your knowledge, visit www.vvs.vet or email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to chat further.

28/05/2026

Penny has sadly been our first grass seed victim of the season after one made its way into her ear 🌾

Grass seeds may look harmless, but they can cause some really painful problems for dogs this time of year. They can become trapped in paws, ears, eyes, noses, and even under the skin — often leading to infections, swelling, and sometimes needing sedation or surgery to remove them.

Keep an eye out for signs such as:
• Excessive licking of paws
• Head shaking or ear irritation
• Sneezing repeatedly
• Swollen lumps or redness
• Sudden limping

After walks, especially through long grass, make sure to check your dog over carefully — particularly between the toes and around the ears.

If you’re worried your pet may have picked up a grass seed, don’t wait too to get them checked 🐶💚

27/05/2026

When is an itch more than just an itch?

All pets scratch now and then – but if your dog or cat is constantly:
Scratching or licking paws
Rubbing their face or ears
Developing sore, red, or flaky skin
Getting repeated ear infections

…it could be more than just an occasional itch.
Allergies and skin conditions are very common in UK pets, especially in spring and summer when pollen counts rise.

Causes can include:

🐾Grass and pollen

🐾Dust mites

🐾Fleas

🐾Certain foods

Good news: there are treatment options to keep your pet comfortable and happy.

Call us on 01767 627317 to book a skin check with our vets, no pet should suffer in silence with an itch.

25/05/2026

🦷✨ Did you know?

Most dental disease in pets happens below the gum line — where we can’t see it during a normal dental check.

That’s why dental X-rays are such an important part of your pet’s dental procedure 🐶🐱

Dental X-rays help us detect:

• Tooth root abscesses
• Hidden tooth resorption
• Bone loss & gum disease
• Retained baby teeth
• Painful problems hiding beneath the surface

At Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice, our Veterinary Nurses take dental X-rays to help us provide safer, more thorough dental care for your pets and ensure no hidden issues are missed 💚

Healthy mouths = happier pets 🐾

If you have any questions about your pet’s dental health, our team are always happy to help!

23/05/2026

The bank holiday is upon us with some glorious weather ☀️

Please be mindful of your animals in the heat!
Heat stroke is fatal! ☀️‼️

Signs to look out for in dogs & cats

Heavy panting
Excessive drooling
Lethargy
Red gums
Vomiting and or diarrhoea
Collapse

If you suspect heat stroke, move your animal into a cool area & put cool (not cold) water over them. Do not cover with a towel as this traps heat.
📞 Call your vet immediately and follow their emergency procedure! You can call us on 01767 627317

Keep fresh water available at all times and the use of cooling aids can help