Rutland & Kings Veterinary Centre - Market Harborough

11/08/2026

Sadly We’ve had a deceased white and black cat brought in to us. He is castrated but sadly doesn’t have a microchip or a collar.

He was found in the Church yard in Husbands Bosworth.

If you believe he is yours please contact the practice.

24/06/2026

23/06/2026

We Are Hiring!

We are looking for a Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our fantastic team at Harborough.

We are seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) who is highly motivated, caring, and proactive. You will rotate through a mix of nurse consultations, theatre and anaesthesia and general nursing duties, giving you consistent exposure to both patient care and client interaction.

This is a full time role, 40 hours a week. The role also includes participation in a shared weekend and bank holiday rota at our hospital in Melton Mowbray. Salary £28,080-£32,240 dependent on experience.

If you are interested in applying for this role please head to our website: https://www.rutlandvets.co.uk/work-for-us/

23/06/2026

🐇🪰Fly Strike 🪰🐇

Fly strike is a life-threatening condition for rabbits that requires urgent treatment. Fly strike occurs when flies lay their eggs on susceptible animals. The eggs hatch out to maggots which start to feed on the animal. This usually occurs around the bottom area on rabbits and they can cause nasty open wounds.

Rabbits with fly strike may be seen either frantically grooming at this area trying to get rid of the maggots or they may be very quiet and still due to being so poorly.

Any rabbit can get fly strike at any time of the year, but they are particularly at risk in summer when flies are most active.

🚨If you find maggots on your rabbit, this is an emergency! You should contact us immediately🚨

How can fly strike be prevented?

🪰Ensure they have a clean environment.
🪰Regularly check your rabbit’s bottom to ensure it is clean and dry. This should be done at least once daily and twice daily in warm weather.
🪰Apply a fly strike prevention treatment. Products should be used throughout the fly season (May to October). Rabbits that are part of our Lifetime Care Club get a yearly bottle of Rearguard included!

22/06/2026

☀️ Hot Forecast Due ☀️

With lots of hot weather due, we just wanted to remind everyone to avoid walks and outside play during peak temperatures in the day.

Restrict walks to early morning 🌅 and late evening 🌙 , make sure you have a plenty of water down and provide shade in the day.

Make yourself aware of the signs of heatstroke 🥵
☀️ continuous heavy panting
☀️ excessive drooling
☀️ lethargy and staggering
☀️ restlessness

If you are worried your dog is suffering from heat stroke, please do the following:

💧Get someone to call your vet’s and tell them you're going to travel down with a heat stroke patient

💧Pour or use a hose to cover your pet in cold water
Note: If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing initially

💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.

💧Move to a cool, shaded area

💧Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car 🚘

22/06/2026

It is Rabbit Awareness Week and this years theme is: Feeding Bunnies Better! 🐰

Top tips for happy bunnies!

🥕Create a rabbit-friendly space with room to scatter feed, forage and room to roam, because happy homes help create healthy appetites.
🥬Rabbits are social animals and should live in compatible pairs or groups. A lonely rabbit can become stressed, withdrawn and may even lose interest in food.
🥕Hay should make up 85–90% of your rabbit’s diet. The rest should include a small portion of high-fibre nuggets, rabbit-safe greens and fresh water daily.
🥬Rabbits love to forage, dig, chew and explore, and food can be a great way to encourage these natural behaviours. Try scattering nuggets through hay, hiding treats in enrichment toys or offering safe forage to keep mealtimes fun and stimulating.
🥕A rabbit that stops eating is often a rabbit that needs urgent veterinary attention. Changes in appetite can be an early sign of dental problems, stress, illness or gut stasis — which can quickly become serious. Keep an eye on eating habits, droppings and behaviour, and always contact your vet if something feels wrong.

🐰

22/06/2026

URGENT APPEAL.

Sadly an entire ginger male cat has been brought in to the practice. He was found in Cranoe village. No collar or microchip.
He is in need of urgent veterinary care, if you think he belongs to you please get in contact with us ASAP.

05/06/2026

🚨Important Update:

Brucella canis is a bacterial infection that affects dogs. Symptoms include reproductive challenges like miscarriage, testicular inflammation, and infertility, but it can also manifest as back pain, lameness, or neurological signs. Some dogs, however, show no symptoms.

As a zoonotic disease, Brucella canis can be transmitted to humans, leading to flu-like symptoms such as fever, aches, fatigue, and headaches. In some cases, it may result in more serious long-term complications.

With a rising number of cases in the UK, we strongly recommend testing for all imported dogs and dogs travelling abroad to higher-risk countries🔬

Brucella is common in Eastern and Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. An up-to-date list can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hairs-risk-assessment-brucella-canis

🩸Testing involves a blood sample sent to a specialist laboratory. This test will cost £63 including the appointment to take the sample, postage, and the cost of running the test.

What happens following the test:

➖Negative Result➖
No restrictions; normal care can continue.

➕Positive Result➕
Care will still proceed, but for the safety of our staff:
🐾Please wait in your car until your appointment.
🐾Additional protective measures will be implemented, such as isolation, PPE (gowns, gloves, masks) and thorough deep cleaning.
🐾A surcharge will apply to cover the additional PPE and safety protocols which is currently £30.

🚨Please note testing is not a legal requirement, and emergency care will always be provided🚨However, our top priority is the safety of your family, our team, and other pets, if the Brucella status is unknown for a dog deemed high risk, then for the safety of our staff we will follow the same protocols as in the case of a positive test.

📞If you would like further information, or to book a blood test, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

More information can also be found on the government website:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners

20/05/2026

🩺💚 Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month 💚🩺

May is Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the incredible work of our veterinary nurses within the practice team. Veterinary nurses play a pivotal role in every aspect of patient care, including:

💚Monitoring anesthesia
💚Assisting with procedures
💚Running adolescent and senior clinics
💚Providing weight, dental, diet, and lifestyle advice
💚Providing inpatient care
💚Performing laboratory work
💚Ensuring the practice is clean and safe
💚Helping the wider team with various admin tasks
💚Communicating with clients

Their clinical expertise and dedication are an essential part of the care we provide every day.