Lucy’s Law
Next Monday is the May Day Bank Holiday, the first of May. And this means the Cuckoo Fayre in Cuckfield. Always an extremely well supported event, we will be there once again to run the fun dog show. There will be a wide selection of classes for those with and without pedigrees. See themewesvets.co.uk/events for […]
Always ask for mum when buying a puppy
Lucian, a cute cockapoo pup, just nine weeks old, was bought for a tidy sum. His excited new family brought him home expecting to love, cuddle and care for him for the next fourteen years or more. But within days of his arrival he was being sick. Sadly, nothing we could do seemed to […]
Four friendly new faces join the Mewes team
We are delighted to welcome some new staff onto the friendly team at The Mewes Vets. Pictured is our new vet, Sarah Reed MRCVS. Having qualified fifteen years ago, she is very experienced. She says: “Over the last few years I have developed an increasing interest and understanding of behavioural problems in my patients which […]
Rottingdean and Sarah’s arrival
Did you know that I have been running The Mewes Vets as an independent veterinary clinic for over twenty-five years? We have won accolades for our customer service multiple times, including being recognised in the Top 25 of all vets nationally in the BestVetsUK awards in 2019 and 2020. This was then topped by […]
Raising funds for wildlife rescue
Do join us this Saturday for a free cup of mulled wine, a mince pie and the opportunity to raise funds for Rogers Wildlife Rescue. Our Christmas Party takes place at The Mewes Vets, in our garden – so dress warmly! It’s this Saturday 4th December, starting at 11am. We will be announcing the twelve […]
Insecticides in waterways
I had a huge excitement recently – an appearance on ITV Meridian News. My TV debut! It was a privilege to be asked to offer comment on their story about the cost of pet insurance. ITV aired another story of more urgent concern to me in the same week. This was the recent discovery that […]
When science sounds fictional / How animals help medical research
Have you heard of fluorescent felines? They have been genetically engineered to try to help our understanding of viral diseases in people. One of the most recent human viral outbreaks was the AIDS epidemic. It sparked an enormous amount of charity fund-raising to support the effort to find cures for viruses. It was noted that […]
Bunnies and Winter
With winter just around the corner, let’s spare a thought for our hutch friends. Experienced rabbit and guinea pig owners will be used to watching out for signs of frost or freezing weather. This could cause our hutch friends’ water bottles to freeze, putting them at risk of dehydration. Consider using a water bottle ‘warmer’, […]
Ermie and his purse string suture
At twelve years of age, Ernie is a cat of strong opinions. For instance, he knows he prefers vets kept at claws-length. He wants our relationship to be strictly hands-off! But when he started passing blood and diarrhoea, and getting more sickness than usual, his owner knew he needed us. And although he was reluctant […]
Celebrate Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month with us
Outside of the consulting room, most of the attention and medical care your pet receives is at the hands of a veterinary nurse. It is this we celebrate each May, as Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM) gives us an opportunity to talk about our role in caring for your pets. In any given day a […]
Thoughts return to university days
At this time of year, my thoughts return to memories of my early days at University. My first two years at Vet School involved taking many of my lectures with the students training to become doctors. We shared Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology and Pharmacology lecture halls. Only for the Anatomy classes were the Veterinary students separated […]
Rabbit Awareness Week and what you should be aware of
This week is Rabbit Awareness Week, RAW. RAW is organised by a coalition of experts, organisations and welfare charities who have come together with a mission to improve rabbit welfare. I am particularly thrilled that this year RAW are focussing on a message that I have been banging on about since I was a young […]
Julia’s Weekly Column For The Middy
Good things might come in small packages, but that doesn’t make them easy to operate on! Today I was asked to spay two sister mini rabbits. Each weighed just over 1kg. It is incredibly important to me that every patient of mine gets the same high level of care and the same rights to good […]
Don’t make a ‘dog’s dinner’ out of your dog’s diet: How to tell if your pet is the right weight
“Am I feeding him the right amount?” I get asked this question a great deal in the consulting room, so I know that it is something that pet owners are constantly anxious about. At the Mewes Vets we have now been a Royal Canin © Approved Weight Management Clinic for well over a year. This […]
This is a great time of year to find a new kitten
Cats prefer to breed in the spring, so kittens are likely to be available in every rescue centre right now. Try contacting the Paws and Claws Animal Rescue Service (The Mewes Vets’ chosen charity of 2017), Raystede, the Cats Protection or the RSPCA if you and your family are ready to give a forever home […]
Julia’s Weekly Column For The Middy
Being the vet on duty at night is not easy! It’s hard to gather your wits when you have been woken from a deep sleep by the emergency phone. You need to sound caring, professional and in control, which is not always straight-forward when the person at the other end is panicking. When I was […]
Julia’s Weekly Column For The Middy
Fireworks can send your pet up the wall – so give The Mewes Vets a call! As I’m sure you’re aware, all pets have different personality traits that make us love them as a part of the family. Some pets can be cheeky and bound around confidently, and some pets are quieter and have a […]
The Every day dangers for our feline friends
As I walk my dog along the pavements I am constantly surprised about the number of rubber bands I spot. Could it be that the postmen are unaware how dangerous these are to cats, dogs and wildlife? Or are they just too busy to care? Young animals will pick things up and play with them […]
Julia’s Weekly Column For The Middy
Many people aren’t keen on foxes, but sometimes they just need a little TLC too As a newly qualified Vet I had to follow my boss’ rules. She was a chicken keeper, so to her all foxes were vermin. She told us stories about how a fox would creep into her chicken coop at night […]
Ginger the guinea pig and his itchy guinea wig
“He is scratching himself to pieces!” Ginger and Snowy were a pair of much loved guinea pig brothers. They belonged to Mrs Mitcham, a lady who was very attached to them. She had initially believed that Snowy had been biting Ginger. But with some careful monitoring of the hutch, she had not in fact noticed […]
Claws for paws: nails for doors. Watch where you keep your nails!
I’ve got this thing about sharp nails. It’s not a phobia exactly, but I am a bit obsessive about not leaving them lying around. It might have something to do with an early experience I had as a young Vet working in Burgess Hill. We received a phone call towards the end of the day […]
Julia’s Weekly Column For The Middy
Danger on the Downs: don’t let those beautiful views distract you from your safety This is a lovely time of year for hacking on the Downs. The heat of the summer is behind us, and so are the accompanying flies and sweat. And the cloying mud and finger numbing cold are yet to come. But […]
My path to Finals: Part two
Last week I wrote about the commitment I had made to attempt to become a veterinary surgeon. I had spent ten years of my life sacrificing all fun to achieve my dream to join this amazing profession. At last it was nearly over: just the Finals to face. I had studied every day, seven days […]
Julia’s Weekly Column For The Middy – You never stop learning as a Vet, and sometimes new information can help you save a pet’s life
One of the things that I really love about my job is that I never stop learning new stuff. But one thing I really hate is seeing an animal suffering, most especially being eaten alive by maggots – that makes my skin crawl too in sympathy. Maggots are particularly a problem at this time of […]
