Services

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Acupuncture

This treatment was developed in southern China more than 2,500 years ago. The Chinese discovered that they could stimulate healing within the body by stimulating certain special points called 'Acupoints', by using needles.

These points are distributed along lines of energy called channels or meridians and are associated with specific organs.

Acupoints used by a vet are generally transposed from human acupuncture and can be found all over your dog or cat's body; they are rich in nerve and blood vessel supply. It has been shown scientifically that needling carefully chosen acupoints causes the release of endorphins - which are morphine-like substances.

Acupuncture treatment aims to restore the balance by stimulating or depressing particular organs using the appropriate acupuncture points. For example, infection is a heat pathogen i.e. an excess of heat, therefore it needs cooling by stimulation of the water elements. This is why the acupuncture needle is not always inserted in the area where the problem is located.

The acupuncture points are found at different depths. The ones near the surface are about the size of a pea and the deeper ones about the size of a penny. If an acupuncture point is in need of stimulation it is tender to the touch and an acupuncture needle placed in the correct position penetrates the tissues easily and without pain. The needles remain in place for about 10-20 minutes depending on the needs of the individual patient. A point that does not need stimulating, or because of treatment no longer needs stimulating, often resists the entry of an acupuncture needle. Finding the tender points can often help the Vet in diagnosis.

When acupuncture needles are used they are much thinner than normal hypodermic needles, very flexible and are usually made of stainless steel - although gold, silver or copper can be used depending on whether a stimulating or suppressing effect is required.

Cat Acupuncture Session: This cat is fully conscious - a sensation is likely to be felt when the needles are inserted but once they are in place, they are painless.

Stimulation of acupoint sites is being done by inserting very thin sterile acupuncture needles through the skin to prompt a response. Needles need to be left in place for 10-20 minutes. Gently twisting the needles stimulates them.

The frequency of treatment will depend on the diagnosis/condition of the patient.

Acupuncture is not used solely for lameness or joint / back pain but can be beneficial in respiratory, digestive and urogenital conditions in the cat or dog too.

If you would like more information please contact reception on 01225 793335 and a referral can be arranged to see Jan Bradshaw MRCVS. She charges £30 a session and your pet is likely to need 4-6 weekly sessions.

Anaesthesia

Patient safety is a major priority and so we use the most up-to-date anaesthetic drugs and inhalation anaesthetic equipment. Here a patient is being induced with intravenous anaesthetic.

Patients under anaesthetic are monitored at all times by a qualified registered veterinary nurse (RVN) who is aided by sophisticated monitoring equipment which measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and electrocardiogram (ECG).

After surgery, patients recover in our 'recovery kennels' within the prep room where constant observation takes place, prior to returning to the cat or dog ward respectively.

Blood Pressure Monitoring

Blood pressure is monitored during anaesthesia to ensure that the patient does not have either hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure).

Should either occur, immediate action can be taken to correct these conditions.

Dentistry

We have a dedicated dental workstation and modern, air driven dental equipment. This allows us to carry out many dental procedures including scaling, polishing and teeth extractions.

Our Veterinary Nurses run free dental clinics where they can advise on all aspects of caring for your pet's teeth.

Dental procedures are also important in cats and rabbits and we are fully equipped to perform these as safely and efficiently as possible. Home dental care is also very important and our veterinary nurses can advise on all aspects to help you to achieve this as well as possible.

Laboratory

We have our own laboratory with fully automated haematology, biochemistry and electrolyte machines. This allows the rapid assessment/ diagnosis of many diseases.

It also allows us to carry out pre-anaesthetic and older pet blood screening.

Other tests available in-house are:

Checking urine, faeces and skin/hair samples
Feline leukaemia and FIV testing

For more specialised testing, we also use an external laboratory.

Kennels & Wards

Our separate heated, air-conditioned wards ensure patients are cared for in best environment to suit their needs.

The Cat Ward

Cats particularly benefit from being nursed in a quiet ward. Different sized kennels accommodate short and long stay patients.

The Isolation Ward

Patients are 'barrier nursed' to prevent cross-infection and to maintain continuity of care. This enables infectious or potentially infectious patients to be nursed individually.

The Dog Ward

Different sized kennels including a large walk-in kennel to accommodate all breeds.

Home Visits

Home visits will usually be made on request. During the day, it may be that the veterinary surgeon is consulting or in theatre and a visit would need to be made for later in the day or at the end of evening surgery.

Every effort will be made to meet our clients' needs.

Nurse Clinics

Cats

Cats are often less demanding of our constant attention than dogs and therefore can make the perfect companions for people with busy lifestyles.

We advocate preventative health care and offer free advice on all aspects of general pet care including kittens, worming, weight, nutrition, dental care, senior pets, breeding. Simply phone to make an appointment with one of our nurses.

Dogs

Dogs make wonderful companions and give us unconditional love. Early socialisation and habituation is very important to help ensure they become a well-adjusted member of the family.

We advocate preventative health care and offer free advice on all aspects of general pet care including puppies, worming, weight, nutrition, dental care, senior pets, breeding.

Simply phone to make an appointment with one of our nurses.

Rabbits and Guineas

Rabbits are the third most popular pet and their popularity is gaining rapidly—especially as house pets.

We can offer advice on the following:

Diet and nutrition, housing and bedding, environmental enrichment, behaviour, neutering, nail clipping.

Simply phone to make an appointment with Sarah who has over 20 years’ experience with rabbits and guinea pigs.

Operating Theatre

There is a dedicated air-conditioned room where the majority of the operations are carried out. High standards of cleanliness/sterility are always observed.

A full range of surgical instruments is available, including specialised orthopaedic equipment. We also use a diathermy unit that helps to control bleeding during vascular operations and can reduce the surgery time.

Prescriptions

Medicines are put into specific categories:

Prescription Only Medicines - Veterinary (POM-V)
Prescription Only Medicines - Veterinary, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person (POM-VPS)
Non-Food Animal (NFA-VPS)

It is a legal requirement that all patients must have been seen within the last six months before repeat prescriptions can be issued for POM or POM -VPS prescriptions. In some instances, a patient should be seen three-monthly.

On occasions, blood tests need to be carried out to ensure correct therapeutic levels of the drug(s) have been attained.

For all Prescription Only Medicines (POM V) (POM-VPS) a veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or suitably qualified person, must have been consulted before a prescription is issued. For flea and worm treatments that fall in the POM -VPS category, we need to have seen you pet within the last year from when the request for a repeat prescription is made. We also need to have an up to date weight for your pet to ensure we prescribe and dispense the correct product.

Please therefore allow 24 hours for all prescription requests.

Written prescriptions are available from this practice at a charge of £12.50

You may obtain Prescription Only Medicines, Category V, (POM-Vs) from your veterinary surgeon OR ask for a prescription and obtain these medicines from another veterinary surgeon or a pharmacy.
Your vet may prescribe POM-Vs only for animals under their care.
A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an in-patient or if immediate treatment is necessary.
You will be informed, on request, of the price of any medicine that may be dispensed for your animal.
The general policy of this practice is to re-assess an animal requiring repeat prescriptions every three to six months, but this may vary with individual circumstances.
The standard charge for a re-examination is £19.50.
Prescriptions for POM-V flea and worm treatments require an annual check-up with a vet.
Further information on the prices of medicines is available on request.

Radiology

We have a dedicated X-Ray room with a modern high-powered X-Ray machine.

The x-rays are processed digitally. X-Rays are useful in diagnosing many problems – especially those involving dense structures, such as bone.

Ultrasound

We have a sophisticated ultrasound machine with colour flow Doppler. Ultrasonography is a very safe technique and utilises sound waves.

It is especially useful for looking at soft tissue structures. In many cases, this can be carried out without the need for sedation or anaesthetics. It is also very useful in detecting early pregnancies and monitoring foetal health.

Weighing Scales

Our dog scales have been set into the floor to encourage dogs to walk onto them. Monitoring your pets’ weight is easy and you are welcome to pop into the surgery at any time and use the scales.

Cats are weighed on one of our consulting room scales and it is advisable to telephone to check a room is available first.

If you have any concerns or questions about your pets weight please make an appointment for the nurse clinic to see Jill or if preferred for a consultation with Trevor, Karen, Jenny or Maddie.