https://www.whiskersnbeans.co.uk/, https://www.wnbanimalambulance.co.uk/, https://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/find-a-vet-practi

Whiskers 'N' Beans, Home Veterinary Services & Emergency ambulance service, London (2026)

23/05/2026

☀️🐾 HEATWAVE WARNING FOR ANIMAL OWNERS 🐾☀️
Temperatures are set to rise across the UK this Bank Holiday weekend, and the heat can be dangerous — even life-threatening — for animals.
Please remember:
💧 Keep animals cool with fresh water, shade, cooling mats and cool spaces
🐕 Avoid dog walks during peak heat (11am–4pm)
🔥 Hot floor = hot paws
🚗 NEVER leave animals in cars — not even for a minute
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs are especially vulnerable in hot weather.
🐇 Don’t forget small furries like rabbits and guinea pigs — keep hutches shaded, cool and well ventilated.
🦔 Wildlife also struggle in the heat too — leaving shallow dishes of fresh water out can help hedgehogs, birds and other local wildlife.
If your pet shows signs of overheating, cool them down and contact your vet immediately.
Please share to help keep animals safe this weekend 💚💛

22/05/2026

May Bank Holiday Opening Hours
Critical Animal Ambulance Service

We remain fully operational 24 hours a day throughout the bank holiday period.

If you have an animal emergency or require urgent transport assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us — our team is available at all times to respond.
📞 07933 801584 or 07354 517244

Our Critical Care Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to provide the highest standard of care for our patients during transfers.

Please note that we may be driving when you call. We kindly ask that you try both numbers and leave a voicemail if we are unable to answer immediately. We will return your call as soon as possible.

Due to the nature of our work and the varying distances to referral centres, immediate availability may not always be possible. We kindly ask practices and clients to take this into consideration alongside closing times.

You are also welcome to contact us via WhatsApp on the numbers above, or email us for non-urgent enquiries at: 📧 [email protected]

Wishing everyone a safe bank holiday 🌞

09/05/2026

Last night saw our ambulance team transfer a critically ill little dog who had originally presented to their primary care vets with suspected haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) — more accurately now often referred to as Acute Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea Syndrome (AHDS). This is a sudden and potentially life-threatening condition seen in dogs, characterised by severe vomiting, profuse bloody diarrhoea, rapid dehydration, and significant fluid loss from the bloodstream into the intestines. In some patients, the condition can progress extremely quickly, leading to shock, sepsis, clotting abnormalities, and multi-organ compromise if intensive treatment is not started promptly.
Yesterday was an unusually busy and challenging shift for our team, with six emergency calls coming in over the space of just two hours. We always do our very best to help every patient in need, but unfortunately there are times where immediate critical transfers overlap and difficult decisions have to be made whilst crews are already committed on active cases.
As we were preparing to organise a transfer from a practice in Brighton, another animal ambulance team — who were geographically closer to that patient but already committed to a critical case in Middlesex — contacted us for assistance. Between both teams, we coordinated a swap of transfers, allowing each crew to attend the patients closest to them. This collaborative effort meant both critically unwell patients received faster transport and care, and it really highlighted the importance of teamwork within the veterinary emergency community.
We wish the other patient and team all the very best, and know just how emotionally difficult that transfer must have been for them. Hopefully they managed to get some well-earned rest afterwards, and we look forward to hopefully sharing some exciting collaborative news soon.
Our own little patient had initially been receiving treatment and, at first, appeared to be showing some signs of improvement. Sadly, as the evening progressed her condition deteriorated significantly, with growing concern for sepsis and circulatory shock. Sepsis occurs when the body develops an overwhelming and dysregulated inflammatory response to infection or severe intestinal compromise. This can rapidly lead to widespread damage to blood vessels and organs. Circulatory shock develops when blood pressure and tissue perfusion fall to dangerously low levels, meaning vital organs such as the kidneys, brain, heart, and gastrointestinal tract are no longer receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients to function properly.
Intensive medical intervention was rapidly escalated and she was commenced on 50% glucose, metoclopramide, and noradrenaline constant rate infusions alongside Hartmann’s fluid therapy. The glucose infusion was used to support dangerously low blood sugar levels and provide readily available energy to the body’s cells. Metoclopramide is an anti-emetic and prokinetic medication used to help control severe nausea and vomiting while supporting gastrointestinal motility. Noradrenaline is a potent vasopressor medication used in critically ill patients to constrict blood vessels and help maintain blood pressure when fluid therapy alone is no longer sufficient. Hartmann’s solution was administered to support circulating blood volume, hydration, electrolyte balance, and tissue perfusion.
Despite aggressive treatment and ongoing stabilisation efforts, her blood pressure continued to decline.
Given the severity of her condition, it was decided that specialist emergency and critical care input was needed to give her the very best chance possible. That’s where our ambulance team stepped in, mobilising quickly to facilitate transfer. Following a full medical handover from the referring veterinary team, contingency plans were discussed thoroughly before carefully preparing our patient for transport.
With continuous critical monitoring throughout the journey, we made our way through the evening glow toward the specialist hospital. Upon arrival, her understandably worried owners were waiting for us. She was transferred immediately through to the ECC team, where rapid triage began without delay, including advanced imaging, blood sampling, intensive blood pressure monitoring, and further stabilisation.
Good luck little one — all of us are rooting for you 🐾 🐕 🚑

06/05/2026

Last night saw our team mobilised for the transfer of a critically ill little Pomeranian.
She had been found unconscious by her owner, with reported seizure-like activity. She was taken urgently to a 24-hour veterinary practice where initial stabilisation was initiated, including anti-seizure medication. Given the severity of her condition, it was determined that she required referral to a specialist centre — and that’s where we were called in.
Working closely with the primary vet team, a detailed transfer plan was put in place. She remained on a constant rate infusion of anti-seizure medication throughout the journey. Every effort was made to minimise stimulation — lights dimmed, noise kept to an absolute minimum as he was extremely reactive and any little movement or noise exasperatedher conditon.
With Sarah closely monitoring her throughout, Ellie ensured a smooth and controlled journey to The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre. Every bump was taken with care, every turn considered, prioritising stability at every stage.
On arrival, she was transferred directly into the ECC team, remaining on her infusion and stretcher for a seamless handover to the specialist team.
A truly delicate transfer requiring precision, teamwork, and calm under pressure — we’re wishing this little one the very best. 🐾

03/05/2026

After only a few hours’ rest, our ambulance team were once again mobilised for an urgent transfer.
This call was for a beautiful 8kg Maine C**n presenting with marked dyspnoea and increased respiratory effort. On arrival at his primary practice, he was promptly triaged and stabilised in an oxygen-enriched environment. Initial clinical assessment noted tachypnoea — an abnormally increased respiratory rate, often a compensatory response to hypoxia, pain, stress, or underlying respiratory compromise — alongside increased inspiratory effort, prompting immediate diagnostic investigation.
Baseline tests and imaging were undertaken to identify the underlying cause. Encouragingly, both primary cardiac disease and lower respiratory tract pathology were ruled out at this stage.
With these key differentials excluded, clinical suspicion shifted towards an upper respiratory disorder — potentially dynamic airway obstruction, soft tissue swelling, or inflammatory disease affecting airflow through the nasal passages, pharynx, or larynx.
We readied our patient for transport. Oxygen support was maintained throughout, with continuous monitoring of respiratory rate and effort, mucous membrane colour, and overall mentation during transit.
Pre-transport medication was administered to reduce stress and oxygen demand; however, he remained highly sensitive to movement. Even minor road vibrations triggered episodes of panting and increased effort. In response, we adapted immediately — modifying our driving style to prioritise smooth, controlled movement, minimising acceleration, braking, and road impact to reduce physiological stress.
He made it safely to Royal Veterinary College, where we were met directly in the car park by the emergency team for immediate handover.
Cases such as this highlight the critical importance of rapid stabilisation, targeted diagnostics, and seamless coordination between primary and referral teams. In patients with respiratory compromise — particularly where the cause remains uncertain — meticulous handling and transport strategy can be just as vital as medical intervention.
We’re hoping for a positive outcome for this lovely boy 🐾

03/05/2026

At the stroke of midnight, our ambulance team were back on the road—this time for a very poorly little Pug.

Our senior patient had been taken to his primary vets after his owners noticed increased breathing effort. Following diagnostics, he was found to be suffering from bilateral pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, and suspected cardiac tamponade with right ventricular collapse—an extremely serious presentation.

Emergency drainage was performed to help stabilise him, with a total of 280ml of straw-coloured fluid removed from the pleural space (240ml from the right and 40ml from the left). Abdominal effusion was also noted, and he was placed into oxygen support to help ease his breathing.

Given the severity of his condition, it was clear he required ongoing specialist care. We carefully transferred him into our oxygen chamber and made haste through the early hours of the morning to The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre.

His understandably worried owner met us on arrival, where he was handed straight over to the awaiting emergency team, ready to continue his care without delay.

Cases like this are a stark reminder of how quickly our older patients can deteriorate, and just how vital rapid intervention and teamwork can be.
We wish this little one all the best 💙🐾

03/05/2026

Some of you may remember that at the beginning of April, we were called to an emergency transfer from a 24-hour veterinary hospital. Our patient, Frida, was critically unwell with fluid affecting her lungs and required urgent referral to The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre for specialist care.
Today, Frida’s mum got back in touch with us with an update — and it’s one we’ve all been hoping for 💛
A few hours after arriving at The Ralph, Frida’s condition sadly deteriorated further. The specialist team made the decision to place her on a mechanical ventilator for several days.
Mechanical ventilation is an advanced life-support technique where a machine takes over, or supports, a patient’s breathing. A tube is placed into the airway (endotracheal tube), and the ventilator delivers carefully controlled breaths — ensuring oxygen is delivered into the lungs and carbon dioxide is removed effectively.
In cases where there is pleural effusion (fluid accumulation within the chest cavity, compressing the lungs), breathing becomes extremely difficult and inefficient. The lungs are unable to fully expand, leading to poor oxygen exchange and exhaustion of the patient.
Mechanical ventilation helps in several critical ways:
🫁 it reduces the work of breathing, allowing the patient to rest rather than struggle for every breath
🫁 It optimises oxygen delivery, even when lung expansion is compromised
🫁 It maintains consistent ventilation, preventing dangerous drops in oxygen levels
🫁 It buys time for underlying treatments (such as drainage of fluid, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories) to take effect
In essence, it creates the conditions the body needs to stabilise and begin healing.
Frida was eventually weaned off the ventilator, and slowly, she began to regain consciousness. That period of supported breathing gave her body the chance it needed — and from there, she improved in leaps and bounds.
This case is a powerful reminder that timing is everything. Had Frida not been referred when she was, the outcome could have been very different.
While mechanical ventilation is relatively commonplace in human medicine, within veterinary practice it remains relatively hard to find and highly specialised. The equipment is costly, and its use requires advanced training and intensive monitoring — meaning only a handful of centres can offer it.
We’re incredibly proud that our ambulance is equipped with a mechanical ventilator — currently something very few, if any, mobile veterinary services in the UK can provide. In Frida’s case, she was stable enough during transport not to require ventilation, but there are situations where that capability can be lifesaving in transit.
We’re so pleased to share that Frida has gone on to make a good recovery. Although the exact cause of her breathing difficulties isn’t fully confirmed, the team suspect viral pneumonia.
Frida truly is a little star 🌟
Her mum told us that when she got home, she was like a puppy again — running around happily with her squeaky duck.
And honestly, that’s exactly why we do what we do.

02/05/2026

No two days are ever the same for us.
We’ve had a full spectrum — from routine health consults, rabies vaccinations, and dentistry on the home visit side, to complex, high-dependency transfers for our ambulance team.

A critically unwell Jack Russell 🐾

We were called to assist with the transfer of a very poorly little Jack Russell.
He had presented with seizure-like activity, collapse, and episodes of regurgitation. Clinical findings raised strong concern for acute kidney injury (AKI) — a sudden decline in kidney function where the kidneys are no longer able to effectively filter waste products, regulate electrolytes, or maintain fluid balance. This can develop rapidly and, without intervention, becomes life-threatening.
Two primary differentials were at the forefront:
🐕Leptospirosis — a serious, zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Leptospira species.
The disease is most commonly spread through contact with urine from infected animals (often rodents), contaminated water, or environments such as stagnant puddles or soil. The bacteria enter through mucous membranes or broken skin.
It can cause severe kidney and liver failure and poses a risk to humans as well as other animals.

🐕Ethylene glycol poisoning — ingestion of antifreeze or similar substances.
Once metabolised, it produces toxic compounds that cause irreversible kidney damage.
Early signs can mimic intoxication (wobbliness, depression), progressing rapidly to kidney failure.
This is a true emergency; treatment must begin within hours and may include antidotes, fluid therapy, and in severe cases, dialysis.
At the referring hospital, he had already received extensive care including seizure management, blood testing, intravenous fluids, feeding tube placement, and a central line — a long, sterile catheter placed into a large vein (often the jugular), allowing reliable delivery of medications, fluids, and nutritional support, as well as blood sampling.
Despite this, his condition remained critical, and the decision was made to transfer him for dialysis — a highly specialised treatment that temporarily performs the function of the kidneys by filtering toxins from the blood.
That’s where we stepped in.
Due to the suspected leptospirosis, full barrier nursing protocols were essential — PPE, strict hygiene control, and containment procedures to protect both our team and prevent any potential disease transmission.
We maintained his anti-seizure medication via a constant rate infusion (CRI) — a controlled, continuous delivery of medication through a syringe pump to ensure stable drug levels and consistent effect, particularly important in seizure control.
He was carefully secured in our ambulance kennel and placed under full monitoring:
ECG (heart rhythm)
Blood pressure
SpO₂ (oxygen saturation)
His environment was kept calm, quiet, and thermally stable to minimise stress and metabolic demand.
Through the night, we transported him safely to the Royal Veterinary College, where he was handed over directly to the emergency and critical care team.

A young Labrador in distress 🐕

Next, we attended a sweet young Labrador who had been suffering with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE).
After several days of vomiting and diarrhoea, his condition had progressed to passing blood — an understandably alarming development for his owner.
HGE is a condition characterised by a sudden onset of vomiting and profuse diarrhoea, often haemorrhagic (bloody), rapid dehydration and risk of hypovolaemic shock.
At his primary practice, he underwent further investigations. Given his clinical presentation, he was tested for Parvovirus and pancreatitis. Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease affecting dogs, particularly puppies.
It attacks the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow, causing severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and immunosuppression. It is spread via faecal-oral transmission, with the virus persisting in the environment for long periods.

Fortunately, both parvovirus and pancreatitis were ruled out at his primary care practice.
Due to the severity of his dehydration and clinical signs, he was referred for intensive care.
We settled him into our ambulance kennel, ensuring:
Intravenous fluids continued uninterrupted
Analgesia was maintained
Close monitoring of blood pressure and perfusion
He remained stable throughout the journey, with his very worried owner following closely behind us every mile of the way.
He too was transferred to the Royal Veterinary College for ongoing care.
Cases like these are a reminder that no two days are ever the same.
From high-risk infectious transfers in the middle of the night to supporting anxious owners through acute illness, every detail matters — clinically, operationally, and emotionally.1re wishing both of these patients strength in their recovery 💙🐾

28/04/2026

Yesterday marked a relentless start to the week, with our phones ringing continuously for transfers 📞🚑
As a small team, we are often faced with the difficult reality of prioritising the most vulnerable and critical patients. It’s never easy knowing we can’t always be there for everyone who needs us in a timely fashion 💔.

Our most urgent call came in the form of a very sweet cat in significant respiratory distress, requiring immediate oxygen-supported transfer to a 24-hour specialist for intensive overnight care and further diagnostics.

His understandably distressed owner had noticed a marked increase in respiratory effort and acted quickly, presenting him to their primary care vets. Despite thorough assessment, including radiography and medical management, his condition failed to improve.
We stepped in to provide a controlled and closely monitored transfer. He was placed in our oxygen chamber, with continuous observation throughout the journey, ensuring optimal stability while en route to the awaiting ECC team.

Cases like this are a stark reminder of how quickly patients can deteriorate—and how vital rapid intervention and teamwork are in giving them the best possible chance 💙

24/04/2026

It’s been a long and incredibly busy week for the team 🐾

Our veterinary team have been out and about providing routine healthcare visits — carrying out general health checks, blood testing, and spending time in our medical unit performing much-needed dental procedures to keep our patients happy and healthy.

Meanwhile, our ambulance team have been working around the clock.
Among our calls was a very poorly little one who had been imported into the country. He recently diagnosed with parvovirus — a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening virus that affects mainly puppies, attacking the gastrointestinal system and causing severe vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, and weakness. Strict isolation protocols were followed by both the treating vets and our team to ensure the safety of all other patients.

We also had onboard Pennywise a beautiful greyhound who had been struggling with a limp for several days. Following assessment by a home vet, medication had been started and X-rays were advised to investigate further. Her family found it very difficult to move her for fear of hurting her so we helped safely transfer her from her home to the vets for this much needed investigation.

And then there was one very brave boy 💙
We had the privilege of assisting in transferring a sweet dog between specialists after he required mechanical ventilation support to help him breathe. Over a critical 28-hour period, we carefully coordinated multiple transfers - miles upon miles on the road, ensuring he was closely monitored every step of the way for continued specialist care and overnight treatment. Each trip as critical as the other and he travelled like a superstar.

Weeks like this remind us just how varied and vital this work is — from routine care to critical emergencies, we’re there when it matters most.

Now it’s time for a little admin, a well-earned rest… and waiting for the next call ready to spring into action📞✨

11/04/2026

Our day yesterday started at 9am… and didn’t finish until 4am this morning.
After a long day of home visits across London — from routine vaccinations and dental care, to supporting elderly cats with arthritis and treating vomiting patients (and even a dog visit in between!) — we received an emergency call that would take us late into the night.
This time, it was for a little dog in severe respiratory distress.
She had already been admitted to a 24-hour veterinary hospital, where treatment had been started for a pleural effusion — a condition where fluid builds up within the chest cavity, around the lungs, preventing them from fully expanding and making breathing extremely difficult.
Despite initial treatment, her condition wasn’t improving… in fact, she was deteriorating.
That’s where we came in.
Our role was to safely transport her — on oxygen — to The Ralph Veterinary Referrals for advanced, specialist care.
We took a full and detailed clinical handover from the referring vet, including suspected diagnosis, treatments already administered, and a clear plan for ongoing care during transport.
Once ready, we settled our little patient into Penny, placed her into oxygen, and allowed her to rest with the ambulance lights dimmed to reduce stress. Baseline observations were taken, and we monitored her closely throughout.
The journey took 55 minutes.
Halfway through, her breathing became more laboured — her respiratory rate and effort increasing — so we administered additional medication as per the veterinary plan. Thankfully, she responded well and began to settle again.
On arrival at The Ralph, we transferred her straight through to the ECC team, where a full and seamless clinical handover was completed with the specialist team waiting.
Before heading home, we made a quick call to her understandably anxious mum — letting her know her little girl had arrived safely.
Moments like that matter.
Now, finally, it was time for us to head home… and get some much-needed rest.
We’ll be staying in close contact with her family and will keep you all updated on her progress 💛🐾

Whiskers 'N' Beans, Home Veterinary Services & Emergency ambulance service

23/05/2026

22/05/2026

09/05/2026

06/05/2026

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

02/05/2026

28/04/2026

24/04/2026

11/04/2026

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