Contact Us

Dogs & Puppies

  • Home
  • Dogs & Puppies

From the smallest Chihuahua to the largest Great Dane

We see all breeds of dogs at Swaffham Veterinary Centre. Our spacious reception area and longer consultation times mean that our canine patients aren’t kept waiting with other animals for long periods which helps avoid excitement and stress. A pot of treats behind the reception desk is always full to keep your dog or puppy looking forward to their next visit!

Vaccinations

Dogs are vaccinated against:

  • Distemper
  • Hepatitis
  • Parvo virus
  • Leptospirosis

As a practice, we are offering the latest leptospirosis vaccine (Lepto4) which covers for twice as many strains of the disease as the older vaccines.  Dogs visiting for their annual booster are advised to have a second vaccine after 4 weeks which we offer free of charge. 

A vaccine for Kennel Cough is recommended if your dog is socialising with other dogs. In puppies the initial course of two vaccinations is administered at 8 and 12 weeks of age. Socialisation can begin a week after the initial vaccination.

Rabies vaccination, for obtaining a Pet Passport, is required at least every three years, although, when visiting certain countries, annual vaccination is needed.

Worm and Flea Treatment

We recommend that puppies are wormed every 4 weeks until they are 6 months old. Adult dogs should be wormed according to their lifestyle but as a rule of thumb we advise every 3 months.

We always advise popping in to weigh your dog or puppy to make sure we can accurately dose them.

We strongly recommend preventative flea treatment. There are several different products on the market and we have researched the most effective and easiest to use. Every pet is different and we can tailor a protocol to suit their needs and personality. Please contact us to discuss further.

Neutering

If you decide not to breed from your dog then we highly recommend neutering them.

Neutering can help prevent:

  • Unwanted pregnancies with the associated costs
  • Unwanted aggressive behaviour which could include fighting, mounting and being destructive
  • Unwanted straying or territory marking, male dogs can be quite persistent in getting out if there is a bitch in season nearby
  • Significant health risks associated with pregnancy as well as the possibility of potentially fatal womb infections (pyometra)
  • Reduce or remove the risks of some cancers in both male and female dogs ( including testicular and mammary cancers)
  • The mess and inconvenience of seasons

Microchipping

Every year, more than 6,000 pets go missing. There’s no guarantee that a collar and tag will stay with your pet but there are no such worries with a microchip. A microchip is a tiny electronic chip (the size of a grain of rice) which is injected into your pet as simply and quickly as any other injection. Stray pets are routinely scanned for the microchip by vets, rescue kennels, stray dog homes, etc. There are over 4000 scanners in the UK. This brings up the computer record with your details and in moments the pet’s owner and details will be known. We can microchip your pet and give you instant peace of mind.

Microchipping became compulsory for all dogs in April 2016. 

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.