Medivet West Bridgford

17/06/2026

15/06/2026

Puppy therapy at the end of of the day - what more could we want?!!

PS - cardboard boxes are fantastic toys! Put a treat in it and let them rip the boxes. Good mental and even better physical exercise!

13/06/2026

"You call THAT comfortable?!!" - Remember yesterday's post about sleeping positions?

Well, here's the interesting bit.

Most unusual sleeping positions are completely normal.

Dogs and cats are wonderfully flexible and often seem perfectly happy sleeping in ways that would send most humans straight to the physio!

But occasionally, sleeping positions can tell us something.

They choose positions that make them feel comfortable.

A dog may stretch their front legs far out in front of them.

A cat may sleep long and stretched out rather than curled up.

Some seek positions that gently stretch certain muscles or take pressure off particular joints.

Others may avoid positions they used to enjoy.

It's not about one sleeping position being "good" or "bad".

It's about noticing changes.

Do they sleep more in one position than they used to, do they stretch more when they get up, do they always lie on the same side?

Observe them, because sleeping positions can tell you something about possible muskuloskeletal issues.

One of the things I love about working with animals is that they are constantly communicating with us.

We just have to learn how to listen.

Have you noticed any unusual sleeping habits in your pet?

Share them in the comments!

12/06/2026

You call THIS comfortable?!

😂 Friday Funnies 😂

We need evidence. Photographic evidence.

Of the weirdest sleeping position your pet has ever adopted.

Upside down.

Folded in half.

Paws in the air.

Tongue out.

One leg pointing north and the other pointing south.

Bonus points if they look completely comfortable while doing it.

🐾 Share your photos below!

11/06/2026

"I didn't realise how much he'd slowed down."

We hear this surprisingly often.

The changes happen gradually.

A little less enthusiasm.
A little more sleeping.
A little less interest in games.

And because it happens slowly, it starts to feel normal.

Then something changes. We start them on medication or some manual or complementary therapies.

Treatment helps.
Comfort improves.
Energy returns.

And suddenly owners say:

"I'd forgotten what he used to be like."

Pets are incredibly good at adapting. And incredibly good and hiding discomfort.

Sometimes they remind us just how much they were coping with once they start feeling better.

Have you ever had a moment where you realised your pet was happier than you thought possible?

10/06/2026

The toy comes back out.

One of my favourite comments from owners is: "She started playing again."

Not running marathons.
Not climbing mountains.

Just playing.
Maybe it's carrying a toy around.
Maybe it's initiating a game.

Those little moments can tell us a lot.

Because when pets are uncomfortable, they often stop doing the things they enjoy.

And when they feel better?

Those behaviours quietly return.

Sometimes the biggest success stories aren't dramatic at all.

They're joyful.

09/06/2026

The Tail Wag Test

Sometimes it's 'just' the tail.

Owners often look for the big things.

Is the limp gone, can they jump into the car, can they manage the stairs?

But sometimes the first clue that a pet is feeling better is much simpler.

Their tail starts wagging more.

They greet visitors again.

They are less grumpy when the kitten or puppy approaches them.

They seem more interested in what's happening around them.

Pain doesn't just affect movement. It affects mood, confidence and enthusiasm for life.

When pets feel better, they often tell us long before they tell us with their legs.

What small change have you noticed in your pet that made you smile?

08/06/2026

The subtle signs that tell us a pet is feeling better

When owners bring their pets in because they are uncomfortable, and we start them on pain relief or manual therapies, they're often hoping for a dramatic change.

No more limping.
Running like a puppy again.
Jumping onto the sofa.

And sometimes that happens.

But often the first signs of improvement are much more subtle.

A brighter expression.
Being more playful.
Following you into the kitchen again.
Bringing you a toy.
Greeting you at the door.

Choosing to be in the same room as you.

In this video, my colleague and I talk about some of the little changes that can tell us a pet is feeling happier and more comfortable.

Have you ever noticed a subtle change in your pet that made you realise they were feeling better?

We'd love to hear your stories.

07/06/2026

💚 A quiet moment at the end of the week 💚

This week we've shown you a little of what happens before and during surgery.

The admissions.

The anaesthetics.

The monitoring.

The recoveries.

Even the occasional giant pyometra!

But if there's one thing we'd like owners to know, it's this:

We spend a lot of time simply watching.

Watching a nervous cat settle.

Watching a dog wake up.

Watching a patient decide whether they want a cuddle, a biscuit, or a nap.

Animals tell us a great deal without saying a word.

Sometimes it's obvious.

Sometimes it's incredibly subtle.

And often, those little observations help us understand how a patient is really feeling.

That's one of the things we love most about our job.

🐾 What is one thing your pet does that tells you exactly how they're feeling?

We'd love to hear your answers below.

06/06/2026

When routine surgery becomes life saving.

No surgery should be regarded as routine. Still, neuterings are often called routine as we do them so frequently.

Female dogs can get severely ill later on in life if they are not spayed (neutered). Their womb (uterus) can get infected, usually that happens shortly after they had a season, sometimes a few weeks later, sometimes out of the blue when they have not had a season for a while.

It's called pyometra and can be life threatening.

The uterus fills up with pus, they literally have an abscess inside their tummy. The pyometra can be open = the cervix is open and they start discharging again. This discharge can range from light blood to brown blood to downright pus.

Sometimes the pyometra is closed = the cervix stays closed and the pus cannot flow out. This can get really dangerous as that pyo can burst, causing life threatening infection (peritonitis).

But even without the uterus bursting, these dogs feel very sick and are very sick. Imagine carrying a huge abscess inside!

There are different ways of treating it, but eventually they all have to be spayed. And often we have to spay them as soon as we diagnose the pyo while they are ill.

We had a pyo the other day.

15kg dog with a 1.1kg heavy pus filled uterus!

A normal dog's uterus weighs only a few ounces or grams (15 to 30g, that's 2-4 mini celebrations!), it's maybe as thick as a pencil and about 15cm long (6 inches).

This pyo was huge.

1.1kg (2 1/2 pounds) heavy, the uterus was 5cm (2 inches) in diameter and at least 50cm long (almost 2 feet!)!

Surgery went well, our patient recovered beautifully, tucked into her food straight away and got VIP Phoebe cuddles at reception!

WARNING - explicit photos