Dogs

Does Your Dog Hate Thunder?

If your dog displays any of these signs when there’s rain, thunder and lightning outside, they are likely suffering from noise phobia: Panting Drooling Restless pacing Trembling Hiding away Digging, scratching or general destruction Whining Barking more than usual Increased thirst If your dog has a noise phobia, here are some useful ways of easing […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Top Dental Tips

Top Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Mouth Although they may be small, your pet’s teeth are more important than you might think. It can be easy to forget about your pooches’ pearly whites or your cat’s canines, and as February is Pet Dental Health Month, it’s the perfect time to look at the benefits of […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Pet Theft Advice

Lots of us have welcomed a furry friend into our lives in the past year. With lockdown meaning that many of us are spending more time at home, the demand for puppies and dogs has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, the popularity of pooches has led to a rise in dog theft, with thieves looking to cash in […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Dealing with anxiety in dogs

Did you know that nearly 80% of pets suffer with anxiety in one way or another? You might think that pet anxiety is confined to just a few nights a year, when there are fireworks or thunderstorms, but pets can suffer with anxiety all year round.  Anxiety is the psychological, physiological and altered behavioural state […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Stop ear cropping

Support the #CutTheCrop campaign There has been a recent rise in the number of dogs with cropped ears in the UK. Influencers and online personalities are buying dogs with cropped ears and showing them off to their millions of followers.  The recent spike in cases is cause for concern. We want to educate people about […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Help your puppy sleep at night

Welcoming a puppy into your home is a really special feeling. After a big first day, it’s only natural to worry about how your new pup will get on in his first night in his new home. We’ve spoken to leading animal behaviourist, Rosie Bescoby, to get the lowdown on how to get your puppy […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Flying your pets abroad

Flying your pets abroad can seem like a really daunting task and the preparation can seem overwhelming. There are lots of documents to fill in and regulations that you must comply to, and different countries will have their own unique entry requirements.  That’s why we’re delighted to announce that we’ve teamed up with PetAir UK, […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Why do dogs wag their tails?

Everyone knows that a wagging tail means a happy pooch, right? Actually, dogs wag their tails to express a range of emotions, and wagging can mean anything from anxiety to joy.  Along with body language, the tail is how dogs communicate how they’re feeling to us and other animals. Let’s take a look at what […]

by swaffhamadmin

Dogs

Saltwater poisoning in dogs

The seaside can be great fun for you and your dog, whether you’re going for a bracing winter walk or having a relaxing day in the shade. Spending a day at the beach with your dog is a great way to introduce them to a fun and enriching environment, but beach trips also come with unique […]

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.