Paragon Veterinary Group - Pets

15/10/2026

Join our Pet Protect Club today 🐾

With unlimited vet consultations and a range of routine preventative healthcare treatments included, you can have peace of mind when you join our plan.

Head to our website to find out more and sign up today 👉 https://bit.ly/3XgXKat

12/10/2026

We have recently sadly said farewell to Katrina. Katrina has taken the opportunity to do an internship at a referral centre in the North East and we wish her all the best with this excellent opportunity.

Katrina started at Paragon as a newly graduated vet and over the last few years we have seen her grow in confidence and ability whilst maintaining her bubbly, cheerful demeanour.
She is a fantastic vet and will only improve with the internship so we are sad to see her go, but wish her all the best for the future.

12/10/2026

Firework season is on its way and it pays to be prepared 🎆

For a lot of us it's a fun time of year, but for our pets it can be really unsettling.

The good news is a little planning now can make a big difference later, so here are our top tips for cats, dogs and small pets.

🐶 Dogs

🔸Set up a safe, cosy space filled with their favourite bedding and toys, and let them access it whenever they need to
🔸Close curtains and windows to help muffle the bangs and block out any flashes
🔸Walk them during daylight hours to avoid being out when fireworks start
🔸Pop some music or the TV on in the background to help mask the noise
🔸Stay calm yourself. Dogs pick up on our energy, so acting normally helps reassure them
🔸Make sure they're microchipped, just in case they bolt in fright

🐱 Cats

🔹Keep them indoors after dark and block the cat flap so they can't wander out
🔹Let them choose their own safe spot, whether that's under the bed or tucked away in a cupboard, and add blankets to make it extra cosy
🔹Draw the curtains and keep windows shut to reduce noise and flashing light
🔹Try to keep your normal routine going, familiar sounds and smells help them feel secure

🐹 Rabbits and small pets

🔸Bring hutches indoors where you can, or cover outdoor cages with thick blankets, leaving a gap for ventilation
🔸Add extra bedding so they can burrow down
🔸Keep companions together, small pets shouldn't be left alone during stressful moments
🔸Turn cages to face a wall to help muffle sound and reduce visible flashes

Every pet reacts differently, so if you're worried about how yours might cope this season, get in touch with our team. We can talk through calming products, behavioural support, or anything else that might help.

Let's make this firework season as stress free as possible for our pets 🐾

10/10/2026

For Animal Road Accident Awareness Day, we wanted to share our advice on helping an animal injured on the road.

It’s something no pet owner wants to think about, but knowing what to do could help when it matters most…

Finding an injured pet can be upsetting, and it’s understandable to feel panicked or unsure how to help but our advice is to start by getting yourself somewhere safe and calling a vet.

Tell them where you are and what’s happened, and they can talk you through the next steps including how to approach or move the animal safely if needed.

A frightened, injured pet may react differently to usual, so take care and avoid putting yourself or other road users at risk.

If a pet gets up and seems fine, it can be tempting to breathe a sigh of relief but they still need urgent veterinary attention, as some serious injuries aren’t visible from the outside.

With darker evenings ahead, keeping dogs on a lead near roads, using reflective accessories on walks and taking extra care behind the wheel can all help 🐾

And one small thing you can do today is save your vet’s number and out of hours info in your phone.

Hopefully you’ll never need them in these circumstances, but having them ready gives you one less thing to think about.

We know some of you will have experienced this heartbreak yourselves so if this post feels close to home, we’re sending you lots of love today 💚

08/10/2026

You may have seen some recent news about changes to veterinary prescription pricing and transparency.

For our clients, there are no changes you need to be aware of at the moment.

Our prescription pricing is already at the current capped price, and we’re always happy to have an open conversation about treatment options, written prescriptions and costs, so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.

Our priority will always be providing the best care for your pets while helping you understand the options available to you. 🐾

Vets must also tell clients if cheaper medicine is available online as part of the rule updates which surgeries have the coming months to bring in.

07/10/2026

Autumn walks are a favourite for lots of dogs, with crunchy leaves, muddy paws and plenty of new smells to investigate 🐾

But have you noticed how many conkers and acorns are on the ground?

They can make dogs unwell if eaten, and a swallowed conker can also cause a blockage. Wild mushrooms are another one to watch for, particularly in damp woodland.

Fallen leaves can also hide broken glass or other sharp objects and as its starting to get darker earlier, it’s a lot harder to spot what’s underfoot so it's always best to check your dog’s paws when you get home 🍂

If you think your dog might have eaten a conker, acorn or wild mushroom, please give us a call for advice on 01228 710208 📞

05/10/2026

The certificates have arrived, and we’ve got some lovely feedback to share…

Our Dalston, Newbiggin and Tarn practices have received their accreditation certificates through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme 🙌

This means we’ve chosen to be independently assessed against RCVS standards and there’s a lot of work behind those certificates. Each practice underwent a thorough inspection lasting two to three days, checking everything from how we store and manage medicines and stock to our equipment, facilities and health and safety procedures.

And there were some lovely comments about the work happening across our practices:

💚 Dalston
Our welcoming waiting room, wellbeing garden and support for the team all received praise. The assessor also described the practice as “a leading light for the profession” for its sustainability work!

💚 Newbiggin
Our dedicated teams and wide range of services were recognised, with particular praise for the spotless, well-equipped equine facilities and the care taken to protect both patients and staff.

💚 Tarn
The assessor highlighted the great attention to detail in our farm health plans, our clean and tidy premises, and the specialist interest in goats that allows us to support clients from further afield too.

There’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes to care for your animals, so it’s brilliant to see our teams’ efforts recognised.

A big thank you to everyone across all three practices. There's so much to be proud of! 👏

03/10/2026

Does your dog sleep on your bed, or is that one place they’re not allowed? 🐶

It’s a subject that always divides dog owners, so we asked our veterinary surgeon Graham for his thoughts…

His answer? There’s no right rule for every household.

Some owners feel safer and sleep better with their dog nearby (there’s the added warmth on a cold night too). Other owners find the extra movement, hair and muddy paws keep them awake! Allergies and keeping up with flea and worm prevention are worth thinking about too.

Where they sleep can also be part of a bigger picture. If your dog becomes distressed when you’re apart, Graham recommends getting advice from a behaviourist before changing their sleeping routine.

Graham’s dogs sleep downstairs and although he has shared a tent with them before, he says that was enough to convince him they’re all happier with their own beds😅

Where does your dog sleep? Was that always the plan, or did they gradually promote themselves to the bed? 👀

Take a look at the full article:

https://www.countryfile.com/animals/should-you-let-your-dog-sleep-in-your-bed

02/10/2026

We are excited to be a host company for ! 🤩

Working in partnership with , Dream Placement provides a unique opportunity to engage with future leaders and highlight leadership in the workplace. We look forward to supporting the range of activities involved in the programme and welcoming our student in February half term.

01/10/2026

Happy Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day! 🤩🐾

Today we're celebrating not just our receptionists but our whole business support team, they are a crucial part of the Practice, supporting our sector teams and of course our clients and their animals.

With a wide range of skills between them all to cover coordinating calls, visits and appointments, reception and dispensary, accounts, marketing, stock control, personnel and business operations they are the face of Paragon and we could not run the business without this amazing team ❤️