Small Paws Veterinary Clinic

09/10/2026

Having seen the benefits of Class 4 laser therapy, we decided to invest in one of our own—and it’s already made a real difference to numerous patients!

One special case is Missy, a 13-year-old Chihuahua who needed emergency surgery. During her recovery, her kidneys struggled, so we used our K-laser to support her treatment. We’re delighted that Missy responded so well and made a really good recovery. ❤️

Stories like Missy’s remind us why investing in new treatments and technology can make such a positive difference to the care we provide our patients.

30/09/2026

Dignipets bugs are on the move and have mistaken our practice for the sunny climates of Africa. Now we seem to have an infestation of dignipets bugs…

09/09/2026

Could Your Pet Help Save Another Pet’s Life?

Most people are aware that blood transfusions are an important treatment in human medicine. Blood transfusions can also be lifesaving for cats and dogs.
There is a national canine blood bank that veterinary practices can obtain blood products from. However, the blood bank is based in Loughborough, which can sometimes mean there is a delay in receiving blood when it is urgently needed. They also do not currently store cat blood or blood products.

For this reason, we are asking our local patients and their owners to consider signing up to our potential pet blood donor list.

What does this mean?

If we have a list of suitable pets that could potentially donate blood, and another pet is in urgent need of a blood transfusion, we can contact the owners on the list to see if they are available to bring their pet in to donate.
Being on the list does not mean that your pet will regularly be asked to donate. We would only contact you if your pet’s blood type and other requirements matched a patient in need.

Could my dog be a blood donor?

Potential canine donors should:
Be healthy and not taking any medication.
Weigh more than 25 kg.
Be comfortable being handled by veterinary staff and not become excessively worried when visiting the veterinary practice.
Be between 1 and 8 years old.
Have their blood type tested.

There are more than 12 recognised blood types in dogs. For blood transfusions, one of the most important factors is whether a dog is positive or negative, so potential donors will need to have their blood type checked.

Could my cat be a blood donor?

Potential feline donors should:
Be healthy and not taking any medication.
Be calm and comfortable being handled by veterinary staff.
Weigh between 3.5 and 5 kg.
Be between 1 and 8 years old.

How can I register my pet?

If you are interested in putting your pet on our potential blood donor list, please contact the surgery for more information.

For dogs, we can also arrange for your pet to have their blood type checked so that we know whether they may be suitable to help another patient in an emergency.

Your pet could potentially help save another pet’s life. Thank you for considering becoming a blood donor.

03/09/2026

A great way to keep a smart, energetic dog mentally stimulated is to introduce some brain training into their daily routine. There are plenty of ideas and activities available online, and really, your imagination is the limit!
Just 10–15 minutes of focused brain exercises can be surprisingly tiring for a dog and can provide the equivalent of a much longer physical walk. It’s also a great option on those very rainy days when getting outside for a long walk isn’t practical.

A mentally stimulated dog is a happy dog! 🐾🧠

31/08/2026

In view of recent events, it may be worth practising fire drills with your pets too. One useful approach is to give your pet a treat whenever the fire alarm goes off. This can help them associate the sound with something positive and encourage them to come to the person giving the treats, rather than becoming frightened and hiding.
Younger pets may pick up this association more quickly than older ones, but it’s still well worth practising with older pets.

Hopefully, none of us will ever need to evacuate our homes, but it’s always better to be prepared. Stay safe! 🐾

25/08/2026

❣️EDIT! The Landline is now ONLINE! Please call 01384 492 592! NOT the mobile phone number.

Our email is open as usual.

‼️CLIENTS PLEASE READ!‼️
Our phone lines are currently down. Our providers are looking into the cause.
If you need to contact the clinic (emergency or otherwise) please call 07512 372 999, or email at [email protected]

Please bear with us, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

15/08/2026

To help wildlife during extreme heat, provide fresh water, shade and shelter.

Water Sources

Place shallow bowls or plant saucers of cool water at ground and elevated levels.

Add pebbles, marbles, or sticks so insects can escape safely.

Clean and refill water daily to keep it fresh and reduce disease and mosquito risks.

Top up ponds with stored rainwater or small amounts of tap water.

Shade and Shelter

Stay messy: Avoid heavy gardening, lawn mowing, or intense hedge trimming during a heatwave

Create cover: Pile up logs, branches, or leaf litter in shady corners to give frogs, toads, and hedgehogs a cool retreat.

Connect habitats: Keep gaps in fences open to let wandering mammals like hedgehogs move safely between green spaces without wasting energy

Safety

Avoid chemicals: Refrain from using pesticides or w**d killers, which can contaminate scarce water sources and harm stressed insects.

Watch for hazards: Avoid disposable barbecues in open or dry areas, and tap your car hood before driving as animals may seek shelter underneath.

14/08/2026

Please can everyone around the wildfire area keep their eyes peeled for cats that may have escaped from homes affected by the fires. Frightened cats may be hiding, lost, or have run further from the area.

If it’s safe to do so, please consider leaving out a bowl of fresh water for any scared or thirsty cats that may have strayed nearby. Thank you for keeping an eye out and helping any animals in need. ❤️🐾

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

Our thoughts are with all the families affected by the horrific fire around Racecourse Lane. ❤️

If you’re worried about your pets and how they may have been affected, we’re offering a free health check for pets from the affected area.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re here to help. 🐾

01384 492 592