News & Advice

RCVS Accreditation. Why is it important?

Here at Arun Veterinary Group, we’re really proud to be accredited with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme. As vets, we’re well aware of how important this is for delivering excellence in quality of care to your pets, but we also know it’s not something most…

Meet our new Westergate vet Lisa Chalmers

Lisa studied veterinary medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in London, and has been based in West Sussex since graduating in 2001. After spending four years in mixed practice, she decided to mix business with pleasure and so spent the next three years alternating travelling with locuming, including a spell…

First aid for your pet

Inevitably there will be times when your pet will require some form of first aid before you can get to us. Here we highlight some of the common situations you may encounter where it will pay to be prepared. Minor wounds and abrasions At the time of writing we are hearing…

How much should my dog be drinking?

Some dogs are naturally more thirsty than others… But do you know how to tell when this could be a sign of an underlying problem? Why do dogs get thirsty? The drive to drink is controlled largely by the concentration of the blood. If the concentration is too high they…

Winter survival guide for your dog

Long dog walks on a crisp winter morning can be one of the best things about dog ownership. However, soggy, muddy paws and dark evenings can also make it a trying time indeed. Here are some tips for making winter more pleasant for you and your dog. The need for…

Is artificial sweetener really bad for dogs?

The answer is “it depends” – aspartame, for example, is probably more or less harmless in normal quantities (although it may cause a stomach upset!). However, xylitol is potentially lethal. What is xylitol? Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that looks, and tastes, almost exactly the same as refined sugar.…

My pet eats grass – is this normal?

Most owners will have experienced their cat or dog eating grass at some stage. The question is should we be worried or prevent this behaviour? Why do cats like to nibble grass? Cats are obligate carnivores and don’t usually eat fruit or vegetables however they do like to eat grass.…

Some like it hot!

We all love the summer – warm lazy days and longer evenings, but it’s worth sparing a thought for our pets. With this in mind here are a few tips: Heat can be a real danger for many pets. Make sure shade and fresh clean water are always available. Avoid…

Help! My dog is missing

What happens if your dog is brought into the surgery as a stray? During normal working hours If a stray dog is brought into the surgery during normal working hours we will immediately scan the dog for a microchip. If all the relevant details are correct we will be able…

Neutering my dog

In addition to preventing unwanted pregnancies there are many health and behavioural benefits of neutering that make it a desirable procedure. The benefits of spaying female dogs or bitches are clear. If neutered at or prior to the first season you can significantly reduce the the chances of mammary tumours…

Why does my pet get diarrhoea?

Be it watery faeces or soft, poorly formed stools, diarrhoea is a common symptom which is a clear indication to owners that something is wrong with their pet. This applies to any species. The numerous causes include: Sudden change of diet Inappropriate diet Worm burden Medication and toxins Dietary upset and…

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

How does vaccination protect my pet? Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing infectious diseases in both humans and animals. Vaccination works by injecting an inactivated form of the organism into the animal, which then mounts an immune response with antibodies. On first encounter with a new infectious organism the…

Trusted by the families of West Sussex

“I have trusted Arun Veterinary Group with my pets for many years, and they are consistently outstanding. The entire team — vets, physiotherapists, nurses, and reception — works seamlessly together and always go above and beyond. Their dedication, expertise, and teamwork have made a real and lasting difference to my pets’ wellbeing.”

SARAH

“Having a terminally ill dog, I have used the out of hours service on several occasions and have found the whole team to be kind, compassionate and caring. I would not hesitate to recommend Arun Vet Group”

Michelle Simmonds

“Matt has been vet to my Border Terrier Louis for the last 10 years. He is caring, dedicated and an accomplished practitioner – who always gets right to the core of the problem. Louis was in a road traffic accident before he was a year old and without Matt caring for him I doubt he would have survived – so thank you Matt for being a true super vet”

Di Williams

“I switched over to Arun Veterinary Group recently and can’t praise them enough! It’s a very friendly but professional practice and you just instantly know that your pet will be given the very best attention – even dogs seem happy to be there! What I like is that medical conditions are explained to you in depth using words you can understand and there is never any pressure in trying any procedure or medication. If they don’t think it will really work they tell you there and then and that is something I really appreciate as with other veterinary groups I have been with it’s been a case of try first then admit it was ineffective afterwards but still charge you. I like Arun’s honesty.”

Di H

“You remind me of an old style GP- approachable, dedicated, nothing too much trouble with extremely good interpersonal skills and clinical excellence that spreads across a very broad diagnostic and therapeutic spectrum. Maybe it takes a Doctor to appreciate a good Doctor!”

Dr. Price