Dogs

Preventing Pesky Parasites!

Is there anything worse than a persistent itch, which grows more and more unpleasant as you scratch away at it? Imagine being a dog or cat – every inch of you is covered in thick fur, it’s hot outside, it’s hot inside and oh … you’ve got fleas, too. Sucking away at your blood, leaving […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Heatstroke: Spotting the Signs

Why it’s so important to keep an eye on your pets during hot days. Unfortunately, glorious sunshine can have some ugly consequences if we’re not careful. At this time of year, heatstroke is more common in pets than we’d like it to be. So in order to keep them happy and healthy this summer, make […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Your Dog’s Body Language

What is your dog trying to tell you? Our dogs often communicate using body language… but do we listen? Have a look at the examples below to see how our furry friends communicate with their owners and other dogs: When Happy or Relaxed: Let’s start with the body language dogs display when all is well. […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

New Rules for Dog Breeders

The puppy-buying law changes in order to clamp down on illegal farming… Designed to clamp down hard on illegal puppy farming, new regulations on dog breeding in England will come into effect on October 1st. As of that date, any puppy breeder in England must have a license if they intend to make a profit […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Pet Safety during HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween! Let’s look at some ways to keep the festival of spookiness safe for our pets… For humans, Halloween is a festival of fun! We go out trick-or-treating, we go to parties or we stay home and dig into our chocolates or other sugary treats. Sadly, lots of aspects of Halloween can pose some […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

10 Tips For Bonfire Night

We know only too well how frightened animals can become at this time of year with some eight million of our pets now having a firework phobia. Pets exposed to bright flashes and loud noises have no understanding of what’s going on, and this can understandably upset cats, dogs and rabbits of the most relaxed […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

What To Know About Neutering

Unless you are planning to become a breeder, having your pet neutered is wise in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Even if you have an indoor pet that lacks opportunities to mate, the procedure has a variety of health benefits to be considered. Cats and rabbits can be neutered from four months old and dogs […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Help Wildlife this Winter

What can you do to make things easier for local wildlife during the colder weather? The nights are longer, the days are colder, we’ve even had the odd dousing of frost on our lawns. It’s a good thing us and our pets have central heating to keep us cosy, not to mention a hoard of […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

6 Winter Activities

We’ve got some suggestions for how to brighten up your January… your dog’s too! Christmas may be over, but things don’t have to be all doom and gloom! The cold weather can be a great opportunity for some bonding activities with your four-legged friend. Let’s have a look… Toys and treats indoors We all start […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

THINK Before You Breed

Are you tempted to have a litter from your bitch before neutering her? If so, here are a few things to bear in mind… Having your very own litter of puppies is certainly an experience, and you may be tempted to do so before having your bitch neutered. Whilst this can be very rewarding if […]

by swaffhamadmin

Ellen Whale

Ellen Whale

Patient Care Assistant/ Receptionist
PCA

Ellen joined us in 2026 after previously working in another vet practice and an animal sanctuary.

She loves horses and has two of her own called Molly and Abbie.  she also has four dogs who she enjoys walking in the Norfolk countryside. 

Adri Rossouw

Adri Rossouw

Locum Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc CertAVP (FelMed) MRCVS

Adri qualified as a Vet Surgeon in South Africa in May 1992 before moving to the UK in 1998.  She was partner in a small animal vet practice in Norfolk before retiring in May 2023.  She missed working with animals so now works as a locum part time.  She brings a wealth of experience to the team.  She achieved a CertAVP Small Animal Medicine (feline medicine) certificate in 2023.  She also enjoys orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. 

Outside work Adri enjoys gardening, cycling and walking as well as being involved in the Gateway Church in Kings Lynn.  Adri has a tuxedo cat called Karolus and the village peacock Bob has claimed her garden.

Helen Manson

Veterinary Surgeon
BVM&S CertVOphthal MRCVS

Helen moved to Norfolk after graduating from Edinburgh Vet School in 2003. After working in practices around King’s Lynn, she joined the practice in 2023.


Helen enjoys small animal medicine and has a special interest in Ophthalmology. Helen gained her post graduate RCVS certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2012 and offers internal and external referrals for eye cases at the practice.


Outside of work, Helen is kept busy with her three children, Daisy the Labrador and Maggie the cat. She is married to Liam.

Ben Mcdonnell

Clinical Director & Veterinary Surgeon
BVSc, BSc, Cert AVP (GSAS)MRCVS

Following his graduation from Liverpool University in 2008 Ben returned to his roots in Cumbria, where he spent a short period working in mixed practice, before making the decision to work solely as a small animal veterinarian. He moved to Norfolk in 2022, when he joined our team at Swaffham, becoming a clinical director in 2025. Ben enjoys all aspects of first opinion small practice work, but especially enjoys the surgical side of the job and achieved the Royal College Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (General Small Animal Surgery) in 2021.


Outside work Ben is often found exploring the Norfolk countryside and coastline with his son Joey. His other interests include mountain biking, walking, running and more recently paddle boarding.

Emily Neep

Veterinary Surgeon
BVetMed BSc(hons) MRCVS

Emily joined Swaffham Veterinary Centre in 2023, having worked as a vet in Wales. Originally from Norfolk, she was very excited to move back home! She has a keen interest in exotic animal care and also is trained in acupuncture.


In her spare time, Emily enjoys exploring her creative side with various craft projects, from crochet to jewellery making and can often be heard singing along to her favourite musical (much to the nurse’s dismay!). She has always had pets at home, ranging from various cats and dogs to a pet toad!

Liam Manson

Clinical Director & Veterinary Surgeon
BVM&S GPCert (SAS) MRCVS

Liam founded Swaffham veterinary Centre in 2014, having worked in mid-Norfolk since graduating from Edinburgh University in 2003.  He completed a surgical certificate in 2007 and continues to have a keen interest in surgery but does enjoy the variety that a busy first opinion small animal practice gives each day.

Out of work Liam enjoys spending time with his wife and children, who all enjoy travelling in the UK and abroad.  he also enjoys exploring the beautiful Norfolk countryside with his Labrador Daisy.  When given the opportunity Liam is a keen gardener.