Rutland House Referrals

06/10/2025

Meet Bella, a gorgeous 3-year-old border collie who was seen by our Clinician in Medicine and Oncology Dr Christopher Saul for investigation of seizures (fits). The seizures had started suddenly and without warning about 3 months earlier and occurred in clusters, usually of only two seizures but on one day she had 6. The clusters occurred every 1-2 weeks. In between seizures, Bella was completely normal and happy and had no other symptoms. Her referring vets had prescribed some anti-seizure medications which had not stopped the seizures. She hadn’t had any injuries or access to anything she shouldn’t have.
Tests for any metabolic (body system) or infectious diseases to account for her symptoms; none were found. Though Bella’s owners were unfortunately not able to consent a brain scan at this time, her symptoms and presentation lead Dr Saul to suspect epilepsy. He started treatment with a new protocol of medications and since then her Bella’s seizures have stopped completely. Other than being slightly sleepy just for a small number of days after starting, Bella has had no side effects to her treatment at all and hasn’t looked back; she’s now living her best life! We continue to see her periodically to monitor her treatment. Well done, Bella!
If your dog sadly has seizures and your vet is struggling to control them, consider asking for a referral – there are usually plenty of options for us to try to help stop them or make them less of a problem! 🐾

30/09/2025

Please meet Ruby!

Ruby, a gorgeous 7y8m “Cockerpoo”, was referred to Clinician in Internal medicine and Oncology, Dr Christopher Saul for investigation of episodes of abdominal pain as well as vomiting and gurgling noises. Extensive blood samples did not identify any causes for the symptoms. A CT scan identified some gas in her small bowel. A trial of a special low allergy diet was only partially sucessful, with some symptoms improved but with her also needing antacid medications to completely control them.

An endoscopic examination (using a flexible camera) was performed to examine the stomach and small bowel; this revealed significant inflammation.

After a second, similar diet trail also failed to control the symptoms, treatment was started with budesonide, a mild steroid given in tablet form. Ruby’s symptoms have resolved altogether; she’s had some very mild side effects to the drug but the dose that we’ve been giving her has been reducing slowly and as it does so, the side effects will also resolve.

Now Ruby’s back to living her best life- well done Ruby!!

19/08/2025

Meet Luna, our very own “Pocket rocket”! She’s a miniature pinscher, who can (and regularly does) jump chest high, who was first referred to Clinician in Internal Medicine and Oncology Dr Chrisopher Saul in June of 2024 for investigation of a number of lumps all over her body. These were identified enlarged lymph nodes. Sampling of these nodes lead to the diagnosis of lymphoma, an aggressive cancer that is treated with chemotherapy. Luna took her treatment extremely well indeed, with no noticeable side effects, and the nodes had disappeared rapidly.
She finished all treatment 6 months later at the end of 2024. Since then, she has been living her best life, as well as coming in for periodic rechecks. Unfortunately, however, enlarged nodes were again identified in June of 2025, one year after we first saw her. Her owners were keen to attempt another round of treatment, and this was started shortly afterwards. We’re pleased to report that her nodes have disappeared again, and she appears once again to be in remission! We’ll continue her chemotherapy for another full course and we’re very sorry we have to do this to her, but she takes it well and loves coming in for a fuss! Well done Luna! 🐾
Cancer is never a good thing to encounter but treatments don’t have to be debilitating and we can in many cases buy our furry friends and their humans some worthwhile time together. If you feel your pet might benefit from seeing one of our clinicians, please talk to your local vets about a referral to Rutland House 🏠

15/08/2025

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15/08/2025

💙 A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way 💙

Our lovely vet Chris received some gifts! Behind every wagging tail, purring kitten, and healed paw is a team of veterinary staff who work long hours, give endless love, and carry the weight of tough days with grace. 🐾

A small thank-you gift from a client isn’t “just a gift” — it’s a reminder that their care, compassion, and dedication matter. Whether it’s a handwritten card, home-baked cookies, or a little treat for the break room, these tokens of appreciation can truly brighten their day.

Let’s remember — kindness is contagious, and in vet clinics, it’s the best medicine. ❤️

05/08/2025

Meet Finn! 🐾

Finn is a gorgeous 6-year-old male Kerry blue terrier, who had been referred to Dr Christopher Saul, Clinician in Internal Medicine and Oncology. His owners had noticed that Finn was drinking excessively day and night, and would wake them up at night to go out for a wee. He was also generally a little depressed and not his usual self, being tired and dull. His hair had started to fall out, at first on his tail but then also on his neck and then on his belly also.
A battery of blood and urine tests was performed as well as a CT scan. These revealed that both Finn’s adrenal glands were enlarged, and his levels of the hormone cortisol were excessively high. Finn has a hormonal condition called Cushing’s disease, where his brain tells his adrenal glands to produce excessive steroid hormones – and these hormones cause the symptoms we see. Treatment was started by mouth with a medication that reduces the production of these hormones. Finn’s owners reported that within days he was drinking much less, was no longer wanting to go out to wee at night, and was much brighter; Finn was feeling much more like his old self! We expect that Finn’s hair will regrow over the coming months.
Finn’s case shows just how well some patients with Cushing’s can do, though it is vitally important that he returns here regularly for ongoing monitoring to make sure his dose is correct and that there are no other problems developing.
Well done Finn!❤️

25/07/2025

MEET MONTY 🐾

Monty was referred to Clinician in Internal medicine and Oncology Dr Christopher Saul having not eaten and having been vomiting for several days and had become quite dehydrated. His owners had seen him eating a damson a few days earlier and his usual vet thought that he might have had an intestinal blockage as a result of the damson stone. He was admitted for supportive fluids, blood samples and an ultrasound scan; the scan revealed there was no blockage, but he had evidence of inflammation in the walls of his bowels and it was suspected that me might have intestinal inflammation. A feeding tube was placed in his oesophagus (food pipe) to allow us to provide nutritional support. He was hospitalised at Rutland house for 3 days while he received plenty of TLC and supportive treatments. He soon picked up and was eating for himself. At home he continued his recovery and by a revisit 2 days later he was more than back to his old self and had a ravenous appetite! His feeding tube was removed and he is now being fed a special low-allergy diet to control his intestinal inflammation, and he loves it! If he has another flare up then we may need to do more tests but for now, he’s loving life! Well done, Monty!!❤️

18/07/2025

18/07/2025

🐾 CALLING ALL FLAT-FACED DOG OWNERS!

🐶Is your dog struggling to breathe, snore excessively, or tire easily? They could be suffering from BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) — a condition common in breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and English Bulldogs.

At Rutland House Veterinary Hsopital, we’re offering a comprehensive BOAS surgery package for £2200, which includes:

✅ FREE initial BOAS consultation & assessment
✅ General anaesthetic
✅ BOAS corrective surgery
✅ 24hr hospitalisation
✅ Post-op medications (including pain relief & antibiotics if needed)
✅ Re-check vet appointment

All in one transparent package — no hidden fees!

📞Book your consultation today by calling us on 01744 853520.

Help your furry friend breathe easier and live a more comfortable life. 💙

📍 Rutland House Veterinary Hospital – Caring for your pets like they’re our own.

10/07/2025

🩺 Advanced Diagnostic Imaging for Pets – Now More Affordable! 🐶🐱

📍 Rutland House Referrals is proud to offer reduced pricing on our state-of-the-art veterinary imaging services:

🔹 CT Scan (Computed Tomography)– £1200
🔹 MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)– £2250
(Consultation & report fees apply)

💡 Why Choose CT or MRI for Your Pet?
These advanced scans can help detect:
✅ Brain and spinal cord issues
✅ Tumours or unexplained swelling
✅ Orthopaedic problems (e.g., elbow/hip dysplasia)
✅ Inner ear disease
✅ Nasal obstructions or chronic sinus problems
✅ Internal organ abnormalities

Give your patients the best chance at diagnosis and treatment.

📞 Referral enquiries welcome – Contact us today through our link below or via phone: 01744853520

https://www.rutlandreferrals.com/refer-a-client

📍 Based in St Helens, serving veterinary practices across the region.

A multi discipline Referral Centre based in St Helens, Merseyside, offering a National Veterinary Referral Service. Our team of specialist veterinary surgeons and nurses are committed to proving gold standard care our patients.

" Your Pet - Our Pet "

27/06/2025

Meet Monty 🐾

Monty was Referred to us for a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery, this is a common orthopedic procedure in dogs used to stabilize the knee joint after a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. This surgery alters the angle of the tibial plateau, effectively stabilizing the knee without relying on the damaged ligament.

Since Monty was 16 weeks old, he has been a support dog for children with special needs. He is a very special boy, and we’re so happy he is now on the mend so he can get back to the job he loves ❤️

26/06/2025

🪻🩵💙

Our team are showing their support for the forget my not appeal in June for the Alzheimer's society.

The Forget Me Not means we are helping people devastated by dementia access the support they need.
1 in 3 people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

It affects all of us, and that’s why every Forget Me Not has its own meaning. 💙💙