Ryder-Davies and Partners Veterinary Surgeons Small Animal Page

23/10/2026

A reminder to all our clients to order any medication your pet may need for the upcoming firework season.
We’ve already had a number of enquiries this year, so if your pet struggles with fireworks and you’d like to discuss the medication options available, please contact your local branch using the numbers below:

𝑾𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆: 01394 380083
𝑰𝒑𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒉: 01473 274040
𝑭𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒙𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒆: 01394 284554
𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒎: 01394 420964

20/10/2026

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟🍂

As we move into autumn, there are a few changes around the home and garden that are worth considering when it comes to keeping our pets safe.

Antifreeze is one of the most important hazards to be aware of. It can contain ethylene glycol, which is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. Even relatively small amounts can cause serious illness, and cats are particularly susceptible. Make sure any antifreeze and other potentially toxic products are stored securely and clean up any spills immediately.

As the evenings get darker, make sure you and your dog can be seen when out walking. Reflective collars, coats or leads and a good-quality light can help make you more visible to other walkers, cyclists and motorists.

Finally, don’t assume that parasites disappear as the weather gets cooler. Fleas can survive indoors throughout the winter, their eggs often hatching when the central heating is turned on and ticks can remain active during periods of milder weather. Continuing appropriate parasite prevention throughout the year is therefore important for many pets.

A little preparation can help keep your pets safe and comfortable as the seasons change. If you have any questions about autumn hazards or parasite prevention, please speak to your local branch via the numbers below:

𝑾𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆: 01394 380083
𝑰𝒑𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒉: 01473 274040
𝑭𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒙𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒆: 01394 284554
𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒎: 01394 420964

16/10/2026

𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬?🎆

It may seem a little early to be talking about fireworks, but preparing your pet well in advance can make a real difference.

Fireworks can be frightening for many dogs and cats, with loud bangs, flashes and unfamiliar noises causing anxiety and distress. Some pets cope reasonably well at first but can become increasingly worried if they have a particularly frightening experience.

There are several things you can do before fireworks season begins to help your pet feel more comfortable.

Creating a safe area in the house where your pet can retreat, keeping windows and curtains closed and using background noise such as the television or radio can all help reduce the impact of the sounds outside.

For dogs, gradually introducing recordings of fireworks at a very low volume can also form part of a desensitisation programme. This needs to be started well in advance and progressed gradually, rather than simply being introduced when fireworks are already being set off.

It is also important to make sure your pet’s microchip details are up to date, particularly if they are prone to panic and may attempt to escape when frightened.

If your pet has previously struggled with fireworks, please don’t wait until Bonfire Night to ask for help. There are a number of options available, including behavioural support and, where appropriate medication to manage your pet’s noise anxiety. The earlier we can discuss your pet’s individual needs, the better prepared you can be.

If you are concerned about your pet’s reaction to fireworks, please contact your local branch via the numbers below and our team will be happy to advise you:

𝑾𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆: 01394 380083
𝑰𝒑𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒉: 01473 274040
𝑭𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒙𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒆: 01394 284554
𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒎: 01394 420964

15/10/2026

** FOUND **
A Python has been brought in to our Ipswich branch today. It was found on St Mary's School playing field in Ipswich.
Please call 01473 274040 if you have any information.
Proof of ownership will be required

13/10/2026

This is handsome Bailey, who recently came to see Tim for his booster vaccination🐾

During Bailey’s appointment, Tim noticed that tartar was beginning to build up on his teeth and recommended a dental procedure to clean his teeth and allow us to assess his overall dental health🦷

Bailey returned a short time later for his procedure. A professional scale and polish does more than simply improve the appearance of your pet’s teeth. Removing the tartar allows us to properly assess the health of the teeth and gums, while reducing the risk of dental disease developing. Maintaining good dental health can also help reduce the likelihood of your pet requiring extractions in the future.

Bailey’s owner was also pleasantly surprised by the cost of his procedure. While dental procedures involving extensive extractions can understandably become expensive, a routine scale and polish can be a cost-effective way of helping to maintain your pet’s oral health.

As a VIP Plan member, Bailey’s owner also received 20% off the cost of his dental procedure✨

If you have noticed tartar, bad breath or changes in your pet’s eating habits, or would simply like to discuss their dental health, please contact your local branch using the telephone numbers below:

𝑾𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆 01394 380083
𝑭𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒙𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒆 01394 284554
𝑰𝒑𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒉 01473 274040
𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒎 01394 420964

10/10/2026

Our Out of hours phone lines are temporarily down. If you struggle to get through on the main number, please call 07547444680.
We are working to fix this quickly.

09/10/2026

As we move into autumn, there are a few changes around the home and garden that are worth considering when it comes to keeping our pets safe.

Antifreeze is one of the most important hazards to be aware of. It can contain ethylene glycol, which is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. Even relatively small amounts can cause serious illness, and cats are particularly susceptible. Make sure any antifreeze and other potentially toxic products are stored securely and clean up any spills immediately.

As the evenings get darker, make sure you and your dog can be seen when out walking. Reflective collars, coats or leads and a good-quality light can help make you more visible to other walkers, cyclists and motorists.

Finally, don’t assume that parasites disappear as the weather gets cooler. Fleas can survive indoors throughout the winter, their eggs often hatching when the central heating is turned on and ticks can remain active during periods of milder weather. Continuing appropriate parasite prevention throughout the year is therefore important for many pets.

A little preparation can help keep your pets safe and comfortable as the seasons change. If you have any questions about autumn hazards or parasite prevention, please speak to your local branch via the numbers below:

𝑾𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆: 01394 380083
𝑰𝒑𝒔𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒉: 01473 274040
𝑭𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒙𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒆: 01394 284554
𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒎: 01394 420964

08/10/2026

For information purposes we’d like to inform our clients we are unfortunately seeing a slightly higher number of Seasonal Canine Illness cases this year. We’d recommend exercising extreme caution when walking dogs in the forest, ideally waiting until after the first frosts❄

We are heading towards the time of year where we may start seeing cases of Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI).

For those who aren’t familiar with SCI, it is rare condition, characterised by rapid onset vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. Signs usually start within 24-48 hours of being walked in a woodland area. With prompt treatment most dogs recover but without supportive care dogs can rapidly become dehydrated which in severe cases may be life threatening.

Cases are seen most commonly through the autumn months. Puppies and older dogs are often more severely affected. Whilst not every woodland area in the UK is affected, unfortunately Rendlesham and Tunstall Forests are known hotspots. Frustratingly the definitive cause of SCI is unknown, but research suggests harvest mites may play a role.

To the naked eye harvest mites look like very tiny orange dots. They are most often found right up between your dog’s toes and in a small pocket in their ear flap. Whilst not every dog who has harvest mites will get SCI we recommend checking your dog regularly for harvest mites, especially if walking in woodland areas. Harvest mites may be prevented/treated with a Fipronil spray. If you would like further information on this please call your local branch for further advice.

However it’s important to note, whilst harvest mites may be involved the research is inconclusive, so during the autumn months we would still advise owners exercise caution when considering walking in Rendlesham or Tunstall forests, especially if your dog is under a year old, elderly, or suffering with other health issues. If possible, it is recommended to avoid the forests altogether until after the first frost.

If you have any further questions on seasonal canine illness please call your local branch on the numbers below:

Woodbridge: 01394 380083
Ipswich: 01473 274040
Felixstowe: 01394 284554
Rendlesham: 01394 420964

29/09/2026

This is the wonderful Cheddar, a very sweet Boston Terrier with a complex medical history.

At a young age, Cheddar developed a movement disorder which makes her prone to seizure-like episodes. She takes daily medication to help manage these episodes and, despite her condition, has been able to enjoy a wonderful quality of life.

Unfortunately, Cheddar unexpectedly had one of her episodes while in the presence of another dog. The episode frightened the other dog, who uncharacteristically attacked Cheddar, leaving her with multiple bite wounds.

Cheddar was rushed into our practice by her diligent owners and was immediately admitted for further treatment and investigation.

Her care was particularly challenging as we not only needed to treat her numerous bite wounds, but also manage her seizure-like episodes and find an effective medication regime to keep her stable.

As ever, the whole team worked incredibly hard to give Cheddar the care she needed. After 48 hours of round-the-clock care, (yet another shout out to our brilliant in house night team) we were delighted to see Cheddar turn a corner and she was soon well enough to go home and continue her recovery with her loving family.

We’re delighted to report that Cheddar is now back to her wonderful self!

Well done to Cheddar, her caring owners, vets Heather and Andy and the whole team involved in her care. It was a real team effort👏

22/09/2026

Say hello to the beautiful Fig🐈‍⬛

Fig recently visited us for her second vaccination and, as you can see, she’s already mastered the art of posing for the camera!

By vaccinating Fig, her owner is helping protect her against a number of serious infectious diseases and giving her the best possible start in life.

Welcome to the practice, Fig. We look forward to seeing you again soon!