Elsie – the little tiger who wasn’t ready to give up

Some cats are gentle souls.

Others… have rather stronger opinions.

Eighteen-year-old Elsie definitely fell into the second category. Long-haired, fiercely independent and much loved, her family often joked that she was what you would get if you crossed a firework with a tiger.

Behind the feisty personality, however, age was beginning to catch up with her.

Elsie had developed hyperthyroidism, but giving her tablets was proving almost impossible. Every attempt became a battle, so despite her owners’ determination, her condition remained untreated. Arthritis was also making it difficult for her to groom herself, and over time her beautiful long coat became heavily matted.

Wanting to help, her owners arranged for a professional groomer to remove the mats.

Unfortunately, during the clipping, a small artery was accidentally damaged. Despite their best efforts to stop it, the wound continued to bleed throughout the night.

By the time we arrived the following morning, the situation had become an emergency.

Poor Elsie was painfully thin, exhausted and covered in blood. She looked almost unrecognisable beneath her patchy haircut and blood-stained coat.

Her family were understandably worried. They knew she needed treatment but were also frightened about how such a fiery cat would cope with being handled, especially at eighteen years of age.

Fortunately, caring for frightened, defensive and elderly cats is something we do regularly.

After a calm assessment at home, we safely secured Elsie with as little stress as possible before transporting her to our surgical facilities in Hempnall, just south of Norwich

. There we were able to stop the bleeding, tidy her clipped coat and make her comfortable again.

Once she had recovered, she returned home with a fresh plan to tackle her hyperthyroidism, including medication and practical advice to help make treatment more manageable.

Seeing Elsie safely back in her own home was an enormous relief for everyone involved.

What can we learn from Elsie’s story?

Many owners of anxious or difficult cats delay seeking veterinary care because they worry the experience will be too stressful for their pet—or simply impossible.

We understand those concerns.

At Paws Indoors, we spend much of our working lives helping cats that don’t enjoy visiting the vet. By seeing them in the familiarity of their own home, taking our time and adapting our approach to each individual patient, we can often achieve far more than owners imagine possible.

Just as importantly, treating problems early is almost always simpler, safer and kinder than waiting until they become emergencies.

Elsie was very nearly lost because a series of manageable problems gradually snowballed into a life-threatening one.

If your cat is becoming difficult to medicate, is no longer grooming properly, or you’re avoiding asking for help because you’re worried about how they’ll cope, please don’t struggle alone.

We’re here to help.

01508 498718 
info@pawsindoors.co.uk 
www.pawsindoors.co.uk 

A troubling find.

We have known Mrs Davies’ little terrier family for many years. Florence, the mum, and her daughters, Fidgit and Fudge, are regular patients of ours. In fact  we were there to check the two little girls over soon after they were born. We have visited for all the usual things — vaccinations, itchy ears, torn claws and the occasional upset tummy. They lived life to the full, long walks, comfy sofas, sharing everything in their own little pack.

So when Mrs Davies rang one afternoon, we immediately sensed something was different. She sounded calm, but worried. 

“I think Fudge has a lump on her leg,” she said. “It feels swollen… different.” 

Finding a lump on a beloved pet can be frightening. Many owners immediately fear the worst. Others hope it might disappear on its own and try not to think about it too much. Both reactions are completely understandable. 

The best course of action is different for each pet.

The truth is that lumps are very common, particularly as pets get older, and many are harmless. Some do disappear without treatment. The difficulty is that it is often impossible to know exactly what a lump is just by feeling it. 

The best way to understand what we are dealing with is to investigate properly. Sometimes this means taking a sample of cells with a needle. In other cases, a biopsy gives us much more reliable information. A biopsy is usually a straightforward procedure. The incision is small, often requiring only one or two stitches, and most pets recover very quickly.

After examining Fudge, we agreed that a biopsy would be the best next step. Mrs Davies brought her into the surgery and we carried out a small procedure under anaesthetic to remove a tiny piece of the lump for testing. Fudge was awake, comfortable and back home with Mrs Davies within a few hours. 

Then came the difficult part — waiting for the results. 

Results

A few days later the laboratory confirmed that the lump was a type of cancer. 

Breaking news like this is never easy. We talked carefully through all the options with Mrs Davies. Because only a small sample had been removed, the rest of the tumour was still present in Fudge’s leg. 

The cancer was unusual and treatment options varied considerably. One possibility was extensive surgery to try to remove the entire lump. Another was to manage the condition conservatively and focus on maintaining Fudge’s quality of life for as long as possible. 

Mrs Davies knew Fudge better than anyone. She felt that aggressive surgery would not be right for her, so together we made a different plan — mild chemotherapy alongside regular monitoring at home. 

One of the advantages of home visits is that pets can be assessed in familiar surroundings, without the stress and anxiety that frequent trips to a clinic can sometimes cause. Over the following months we visited Fudge regularly, adjusting her treatment as needed and keeping a close eye on how she was coping. 

To everyone’s surprise, and delight, Fudge continued to do remarkably well.

The lump caused her very little discomfort and treatment kept the disease stable for nearly two years. During that time she enjoyed life exactly as she always had — chasing balls around the garden, barking enthusiastically at anyone approaching the front gate and curling up alongside Florence and Fidgit at the end of the day. 

Emotional care as well as medical care

At first, Mrs Davies was so worried that she even cancelled a holiday, frightened that Fudge might deteriorate suddenly while she was away. But as the months passed and Fudge continued to thrive, her confidence slowly returned. Eventually she felt able to go away again, reassured that Fudge was happy, stable and enjoying life. 

Sadly, after almost two years, Fudge’s condition changed quite suddenly. Her mobility deteriorated, she lost weight, and it became clear that the cancer was finally catching up with her. 

Because we had monitored her so closely throughout her illness, Mrs Davies felt prepared for this moment when it came. She knew that every decision had been made with Fudge’s comfort and happiness at the centre of it all. 

Fudge was peacefully put to sleep at home, surrounded by the people and dogs she loved most. Fidgit lay beside her as she gently slipped away.

Although losing her was deeply upsetting, Mrs Davies later told us that knowing Fudge had enjoyed such a long period of good quality life after her diagnosis brought her enormous comfort. Instead of remembering only the cancer, she remembered the extra years of normal walks, games, cuddles and happy memories they had been able to share together. 

Happy New Year!

To all our clients and their adorable pets.

We are looking forward to another year during which it will be our pleasure to serve you. All the team takes great pride in offering our unique service to the best of their ability and helping out in any way we can. We were touched by the great number of gifts and cards that we received over Christmas and we are glad that we have been able to make a difference to so many people’s lives.

New Year’s Resolutions

If you have resolved to get healthier this year, remember that keeping your pet a healthy weight and giving them appropriate exercise are the best (and most cost effective) ways of keeping them healthy. For anyone needing an incentive to give up smoking, passive smoking can affect pets living indoors too. Cats particularly have small airways in their lungs and are very sensitive to the byproducts of smoking.

This coming year we have several new plans for promoting the practice. Rosie will be giving talks about cat health at The Cat House – Norwich. These are ticketed events so if you would like to attend, please visit The Cat House website to book.

We will also be visiting dog shows and will let you know nearer the time, as these will be in the Summer.

Social Media

We have also expanded our presence on Facebook and Instagram. We post regularly with seasonal information and illustrative stories. It is also the method we use to alert clients if we have an urgent problem such as phone lines going down, so worth a follow. https://www.facebook.com/pawsindoorsvet. On Instagram look for paws.indoors

Snowy Weather.

We all love the look of fresh snow and many dogs really enjoy having a romp around. If your dog has fine hair, like Bazil, a bit of olive or coconut oil, or hand cream rubbed into the lower legs and between the pads will help stop the build up of snow on these areas. Old, young, small and thin dogs, as well as dogs such as greyhounds, with little body fat covering or thin hair coats, will need extra care. Reduce the time spent outside and dress them up in a water proof extra layer. If you have been walking next to salted or gritted roads, it is worth washing paws off at the end of the walk.

Antifreeze is highly toxic, but also sweet tasting, so mop up any spills and check that cats haven’t crept into the engine for some extra warmth before you start the car.

Driving in these conditions is hazardous, so if you have an appointment, please be patient. We will allow extra time for staff to reach you but the condition of the roads is beyond our control and  we will always prioritise safety over speed.

Prices for 2026

Please find below our headline prices for 2026. More information can be found on our website and we are happy to send you a full price list should you request it. We will always send you an estimate prior to any scheduled procedure and are happy to discuss costs and benefits of a variety of approaches prior to starting any course of treatment.

In addition, we offer our pet health plans for regular treatments and also have consultation included plans. These offer excellent value and savings compared to buying treatments individually, as well as giving you the peace of mind of knowing that we will come out to you whenever needed, without the worry of having to quickly find the cost of consultations. It also means that the cost of follow up visits is covered. For more information on the plans, please visit the website here .

Vet Services:

Vet Consultation Fee £155

Vet Consultation Same Day £225

Additional Pet Consult (Pet at same home at same appointment) £85

Vaccinations

Course £250 Puppy, Kitten, Re-starts – 2 injections 2nd with Vet Nurse.

Annual booster £170

Kennel cough £170 alone or £85 if given with annual booster.

Rabies £170

Rabbit £170 Myxo/VHD1 and 2.

10% Discount for 2 or 3 animals vaccinated at the same time if paid at the time of booking

Written prescription Fee £29

Referral fee £50

Certification fee £50

Vet Nurse Services:

Nurse Consultation £70

Two Nurses visiting Together £140

Terms and Conditions

Our full terms and conditions can be found here. Our privacy policy can be found here.

If you have any questions, as always call on 01508 498718 or email info@pawsindoors.co.uk, where we will be happy to assist you.

Milly is a delightful terrier cross with sparkly black eyes, perky ears and an enthusiasm for life that her family adore. She loves long countryside walks, spending time with her people – and she really loves to chew.

Unfortunately, that love of chewing has landed Milly in trouble more than once.

When past experiences shape present fears

Milly has previously eaten things she shouldn’t have, leading to surgery to remove foreign objects from her stomach. While these procedures were necessary, they were understandably frightening for her.

As a result, Milly now has a deep fear of vets. When she senses one nearby, she becomes extremely anxious and can react defensively. For her owners, Tim and Anna, this has always been a considerable concern.

Helping Milly feel safe

Tim and Anna spent a long time patiently teaching Milly to wear a muzzle, helping to keep everyone safe during stressful moments. Even so, their priority has always been to minimise Milly’s stress.

That’s why a calm, carefully planned approach was essential when Milly became unwell again.

Subtle symptoms that couldn’t be ignored

Milly started showing intermittent symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. At first, we monitored her closely and supported Tim and Anna with dietary advice and simple first aid guidance – all aimed at avoiding unnecessary stress.

However, after a couple of weeks, it became clear that Milly wasn’t improving. In fact, things were getting worse.

A concerning change

Despite still enjoying her walks and eating normally, Tim noticed something worrying – Milly’s tummy was becoming swollen and bloated. At that point, further investigation was unavoidable.

Planning care around Milly’s needs

Because of Milly’s personality and past experiences, every step had to be carefully thought through.

Tim brought Milly to our small, quiet surgery wearing her muzzle. Before she had time to realise where she was, we gave her a gentle sedative injection – so smooth that she barely noticed.

A different kind of veterinary surgery

Our surgery is very different from a typical veterinary practice:

No busy waiting room

No barking dogs or unfamiliar animals

No extended stays away from home

Because Paws Indoors is primarily a mobile vet service, we only have one or two in-patients at a time. This creates a calm, controlled environment that is ideal for anxious pets like Milly.

Investigating while Milly slept peacefully

Once sedated, Milly was allowed to sleep quietly in her kennel, under close monitoring by our veterinary nurses. While she was blissfully unaware, we were able to:

Take blood samples

Perform X-rays

Carry out an ultrasound scan

Unfortunately, the initial findings were concerning.

Accessing specialist care without added stress

We recommended a specialist opinion. For Milly, referral to a large veterinary hospital would have been her worst nightmare – noisy wards, lots of animals, clanging doors and unfamiliar smells.

Instead, we arranged for a specialist to come to our surgery.

Using the same calm, well-practised protocol, Milly was gently sedated again, and while she slept, we carried out further investigations and took samples for laboratory testing.

Minimising time apart

On both occasions, Tim was on standby to collect Milly as soon as she was awake enough to go home. Keeping her stay as short as possible was better for both Milly and her family.

Even pets who aren’t as sensitive as Milly benefit from spending less time away from home – and we know how important that is for owners too.

Positive progress and thoughtful ongoing care

We received the specialist’s opinion on the same day, with laboratory results following the next day. Milly was started on medication promptly, and we were delighted to hear at her follow-up that the swelling had reduced significantly.

What does ‘best’ care really mean?

If Milly were a more relaxed dog, we might routinely repeat blood tests and scans to closely monitor her progress.

However, with Milly, we carefully discussed all options with Tim and weighed the risks and benefits. Together, we agreed that the kindest approach was to monitor her symptoms closely at home and adjust her medication as needed.

This is what we mean by contextualised care.

Contextualised care at Paws Indoors

Contextualised care means recognising that:

Every pet is different

Every family is different

“Best practice” isn’t one-size-fits-all

Our goal is always to find a treatment plan that takes into account a pet’s medical needs, emotional well-being and home environment – delivering the best possible outcome for that individual animal.

Looking for a calmer veterinary experience?

If your pet finds traditional vet visits stressful, or if you’re looking for a more personalised, compassionate approach to veterinary care, we’re here to help.

Get in touch with Paws Indoors

Learn more about our mobile veterinary services or call us to book an appointment.

For some pets, like Milly, calm, understanding care makes all the difference. 🐾

A much-loved Labrador

Rolo was a classic Labrador through and through – tail in constant motion, a wide, infectious grin, and a gentle patience that made him the grandchildren’s favourite playmate. He loved food, family, and fuss, and perhaps that was why he carried a little extra weight.

For his 14th birthday, the whole family gathered for cake and celebrations, marking another year with their loyal companion. But behind the happy moments, it was clear that Rolo was beginning to struggle.

Subtle signs that something was wrong

Rolo had started tripping up the small step from the back door into the garden. He found it difficult to climb onto the sofa, and he refused to use the boot ramp Graham and Brenda had bought for the car.

And then came the clearest sign of all: he stopped eating. For a Labrador, this is never normal, and his family knew it was time to seek help.

A home visit and a diagnosis

When I visited Rolo at home, it became clear that he had arthritis in multiple joints, and the way he moved suggested significant back pain as well.

Like many dogs – especially Labradors – Rolo had been hiding his discomfort for a long time. Their eagerness to please means they push through pain to keep up their routines, greeting the family, going for walks, and showing enthusiasm, until the discomfort becomes too overwhelming to mask.

Rolo had done such a convincing job that his family hadn’t realised he needed help.

Supporting an older dog through arthritis

Thankfully, there was a lot we could offer Rolo. With a combination of medication, complementary therapies, nutritional support, and minor environmental changes, he soon regained his appetite. Before long, he was playing with his toys again and enjoying gentle strolls to the post box and back.

But arthritis is a progressive condition. After about six months, the signs returned. Rolo was still eating, still wagging his tail, but walking was more challenging, and even the ramp to the garden was becoming difficult.

Understanding quality of life

Over a cup of tea, I sat down with Graham and Brenda to revisit Rolo’s quality of life. When caring for an elderly or unwell pet, it’s easy to focus on one issue, such as mobility or toileting. But looking at the whole picture offers a more straightforward guide.

The 5 key areas we assess

1. Eating and Drinking

Is the pet eating enough to sustain itself and drinking enough to stay hydrated?

2. Toileting

Can they toilet independently, or can the owner manage incontinence with tools like puppy pads, wraps, nappies, or litter trays?

3. Mobility

Are they able to move around freely and choose where they want to be—whether that’s a sunny patch, their bed, or the garden?

4. Pain, Anxiety, Distress, and Nausea

Are these symptoms well-controlled? This may involve medication, as well as gentle nursing care and companionship.

5. Engagement – Their “Head in the Game”

Does the pet still show interest in life? Do they come for cuddles, explore scents in the garden, greet visitors, investigate shopping bags—or are they withdrawn, sleeping most of the day, or simply existing?

There are many scoring charts online, but these five principles allow families to talk honestly about what is acceptable for their individual pet. Together, we identify the “red lines” that would indicate that their companion’s quality of life is no longer sufficient.

Making the kindest choice

Graham and Brenda monitored Rolo closely over the next few weeks. Then, one morning, they called. Rolo had eaten his breakfast and greeted them happily, tail thumping the floor… but he couldn’t stand. The pain was simply too much.

Saying goodbye is devastating, no matter how much love surrounds the moment. Families always worry whether they’re choosing the right time. But helping Rolo pass peacefully at home, supported by the people who adored him, was an honour.

Rolo was deeply loved—and that love guided every decision.

Need support with your senior pet?

If you’re caring for an older dog or cat and need help managing mobility, pain, chronic illness, or quality of life decisions, Paws Indoors is here for you.

As a mobile vet service, we provide gentle, compassionate care in the comfort of your home—where your pet feels safest.

👉 Contact us today to book a home visit or discuss your pet’s needs.

When a Rescue Cat Stops Going to the Loo!

Treacle, a 13-year-old rescue cat, hadn’t had a poo for three days, and Mrs Collins was understandably worried. Like many people who adopt an older pet, she’d quickly formed a deep bond — along with a strong sense of responsibility for her new companion.

There had been a few hiccups in the early days. Treacle had a delicate tummy and a tendency to be a little grumpy (and occasionally swipy). But with time, patience, and the right diet, she began to settle. She gained confidence around the house and even started exploring the garden.

Her daughter, Andrea, was equally relieved. As the designated backup for vet visits, scratches, and emotional support, she was delighted to discover that Paws Indoors could take one worry off her list. Our DBS-checked mobile vet team visits pets at home — offering reassurance, gentle care, and expert advice without the stress of a trip to the clinic.

What We Found During Treacle’s Home Visit

When we arrived to check on Treacle, Mrs Collins feared constipation. A quick look in the litter tray revealed just two small, hard pellets — but her tummy was otherwise empty.

As we examined her, something else caught our attention: Treacle’s odd, stiff walk. When our vet, Rosie, gently touched her back legs, Treacle made it very clear that this was a painful area.

Even though she could still hop onto the sofa and seemed mobile, her hip pain was significant — far more than anyone realised.

Treating the Whole Pet, Not Just the Symptoms

We recommended treatment for Treacle’s hip pain — not because we expected her to be chasing birds again, but because managing her discomfort would help solve many of her other problems.

Here’s how easing Treacle’s pain helped improve her overall wellbeing:

· Better hydration – Comfort made her more willing to walk to her water bowl and drink regularly, reducing the risk of constipation.

· Improved grooming – With more flexibility, she could keep her coat clean and healthy.

· Happier mood – Less pain meant less irritability, making her calmer and more affectionate.

· Better long-term health – Reduced stress and inflammation improved her comfort and resilience.

· Peace of mind for her owners – Mrs Collins and Andrea could relax knowing Treacle was comfortable and content.

This case perfectly illustrates why we take a holistic approach to pet care. Treating pain doesn’t just solve a single issue — it improves appetite, mood, hygiene, and the emotional bond between pet and owner.

Why Holistic Care Matters for Older Pets

For many older people, pets like Treacle are more than companions — they’re daily motivation, a source of comfort, and often their closest friend. Caring for those pets is about much more than medicine; it’s about protecting that special relationship and improving life for everyone involved.

Compassionate Vet Care at Home

At Paws Indoors, we believe in treating pets as part of the family. Our mobile vets provide gentle, fear-free, holistic care — right in the comfort of your home.

Call us today on 01508 498718 Email: info@pawsindoors.co.uk Visit: www.pawsindoors.co.uk

Because a happy, comfortable pet means a happier home.