Services
Whether it’s a routine wellness check or you’re worried about your pet, our veterinary surgeons are here to help. We take the time to listen to your concerns, thoroughly examine your companion, and explain everything in a way that makes sense. No question is too small – we want you to feel confident in your pet’s care.
When your pet needs surgery, we understand how worrying it can be. Our modern, well-equipped facilities allow us to perform everything from routine neutering and dental procedures to more complex operations. We’ll look after your companion with the utmost care, keeping you informed every step of the way and ensuring a comfortable recovery.
Getting to the heart of what’s wrong is crucial for helping your pet feel better. Our advanced IDEXX laboratory equipment allows us to run comprehensive blood tests and analyses quickly, so we can identify issues promptly and get your pet on the road to recovery.
Find our laboratory services here.
When we need to see what’s happening inside your pet’s body, our modern radiology equipment helps us get the answers quickly and accurately. These valuable diagnostic tools allow us to investigate health concerns, diagnose conditions, and create the most effective treatment plans for your companion.
Digital X-rays
Our digital radiography system produces clear, detailed images of your pet’s bones, chest, and abdomen in just moments. X-rays are invaluable for diagnosing fractures, detecting foreign objects your pet may have swallowed, assessing heart and lung conditions, examining joint problems, and investigating unexplained symptoms. The digital technology means we get instant results, and images can be emailed directly to specialists for expert second opinions when needed; ensuring your pet benefits from the best possible expertise.
When Radiology Helps
We might recommend x-rays or other imaging if your pet has suffered an injury, is experiencing breathing difficulties, has persistent vomiting or digestive issues, shows signs of joint pain or lameness, or needs pre-surgical assessment. These tools help us see the full picture and make informed decisions about your pet’s care.
Safe and Comfortable
To get the clearest, most diagnostic images, we often need your pet to remain still in specific positions. Depending on the area being x-rayed, your pet’s temperament, and whether they’re in any discomfort, we may recommend sedation or general anaesthesia. This keeps your pet calm and comfortable while ensuring we capture the high-quality images needed for accurate diagnosis. Our team will always discuss what’s required for your individual pet.
Expert Interpretation
Taking the image is just the first step. Our experienced vets carefully analyse every radiograph to spot even subtle abnormalities, and for complex cases, we can quickly share images with specialist radiologists to ensure your pet receives the most accurate diagnosis.
Our wonderful veterinary nurses are the heart of our practice. They’re here to help with everything from bandage changes and nail trims to weight management support and nutritional guidance. They genuinely care about your pet’s wellbeing and are always happy to answer questions or offer a reassuring word.
Saying goodbye to a beloved companion is one of the hardest things you’ll ever face. During this difficult time, our team is here to support you with compassion, kindness, and understanding. We believe every pet deserves a peaceful, dignified farewell surrounded by the love and comfort they’ve always known.
Our Approach to End of Life Care
When your pet’s quality of life is declining, we’ll work closely with you to understand what’s best for them. Together, we’ll discuss their comfort level, their ability to enjoy the things they love, and whether further treatment might help or simply prolong suffering. These conversations are never rushed; we’ll take all the time you need to talk through your concerns, ask questions, and make the decision that feels right for you and your companion.
Making the Decision
Knowing when it’s time is incredibly difficult, and there’s rarely a clear-cut answer. We’ll help you assess your pet’s quality of life honestly and gently, considering factors like pain management, appetite, mobility, and their overall happiness. Ultimately, the decision is yours, and we’ll support whatever choice you make with complete understanding and without judgment.
Peaceful Euthanasia
When the time comes, we ensure the process is as calm and peaceful as possible. Euthanasia involves a gentle injection that allows your pet to drift peacefully away without pain or distress. You’re welcome to be with your companion during this final moment, holding them and offering comfort as they pass. Alternatively, if you find it too difficult, our caring team will stay with your pet so they’re never alone.
Aftercare Options
Following your pet’s passing, we offer several aftercare options including individual cremation with ashes returned to you, communal cremation, or burial arrangements. We’ll discuss these options sensitively and give you time to decide what feels most appropriate for your family.
Support for You
Grief is a natural response to losing a treasured friend, and everyone experiences it differently. Please know that our door is always open if you need someone to talk to. We understand the profound bond you shared with your pet, and we’re here to listen and support you through this painful time.
Remembering Your Companion
The love and joy your pet brought into your life will stay with you always. Though saying goodbye is heartbreaking, you gave them a wonderful life filled with care, comfort, and devotion. That’s the greatest gift any pet could receive.
A healthy smile means a healthier, happier pet! We provide gentle dental care including check-ups, professional cleaning, and treatment when needed. Our team will also show you simple ways to care for your pet’s teeth at home, helping prevent problems down the line.
Your pet’s heart health matters to us. An ECG allows us to assess how well your companion’s heart is functioning by measuring its electrical activity. This quick, painless procedure helps us detect irregular heartbeats, diagnose heart conditions, and monitor pets with known cardiac issues
Just like in humans, monitoring your pet’s blood pressure is an important part of understanding their overall health. High or low blood pressure can indicate underlying health issues or help us manage existing conditions more effectively.
Why Blood Pressure Matters
Blood pressure monitoring is particularly valuable for older pets, those with heart or kidney disease, cats with hyperthyroidism, and pets on certain medications. High blood pressure (hypertension) can damage vital organs including the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain, sometimes without obvious symptoms. Catching and managing blood pressure problems early can help protect your pet from serious complications and maintain their quality of life.
What to Expect
Measuring your pet’s blood pressure is completely non-invasive and painless. We use a small cuff, similar to the one used in human medicine, which is gently placed around your pet’s leg or tail. The procedure takes just a few minutes, and most pets tolerate it beautifully – many barely notice it’s happening! We’ll take several readings to ensure accuracy, as pets can sometimes feel a bit nervous at first, which can temporarily raise their blood pressure.
A Calm, Gentle Process
Our experienced team knows how to make blood pressure monitoring as stress-free as possible. We work patiently and calmly, giving your pet time to settle and relax. You’re welcome to stay with them for comfort and reassurance throughout.
Monitoring for Better Health
Regular blood pressure checks help us track your pet’s condition over time, adjust medications when needed, and spot potential problems before they become serious. It’s a simple test that provides valuable insights into your companion’s wellbeing.
Planning to take your furry friend abroad or welcoming a pet from overseas? We’re here to make the journey as smooth as possible!
The Pet Travel Scheme allows cats and dogs to travel to and from certain countries without lengthy quarantine periods, but there are important health requirements to meet.
Traveling Abroad with Your Pet
Before your pet can jet off on holiday with you, they’ll need:
- A microchip for identification (this must be done before rabies vaccination)
- A valid rabies vaccination (your pet must be at least 12 weeks old)
- An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian, completed within 10 days of travel
- Tapeworm treatment (for dogs traveling to certain countries, administered 1-5 days before entry)
Different destinations have different rules, so we’ll guide you through exactly what your pet needs based on where you’re heading. It’s important to plan ahead; we recommend contacting us at least 4-6 weeks before your travel date to ensure everything’s in order.
Bringing a Pet to the UK
If you’re bringing a four-legged friend into the UK from abroad, they’ll need to meet specific entry requirements including microchipping, rabies vaccination and have the appropriate documentation.
How We Can Help
Jo is an Official Veterinarian (OV), which means we can complete all your pet travel documentation right here at the practice with no need to visit multiple locations! Our team will walk you through every step of the process, ensure your pet meets all health requirements, complete the necessary paperwork, and answer any questions you have about traveling safely with your companion.
Don’t let the regulations worry you, we’ve helped many pets travel successfully, and we’ll make sure yours is ready for their adventure!
Get in touch with us well before your travel dates, and we’ll help make your pet’s journey stress-free.
Think of ultrasound as a window into your pet’s body. This safe, non-invasive imaging technique uses sound waves to create real-time pictures of your pet’s internal organs, helping us investigate symptoms like vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or abdominal discomfort. It’s particularly useful for examining the heart, liver, kidneys, bladder, and other soft tissues. The best part? It’s completely painless and in most cases; doesn’t require anaesthesia or sedation. We’ll simply apply some gel to your pet’s skin and glide a small probe over the area. Ultrasound gives us valuable insights that help us diagnose conditions accurately and create the best treatment plan for your beloved companion.
An ‘identichip’ is a tiny microchip, about the size of a grain of rice and is designed to be injected under an animal’s skin.
Each microchip has a unique 15 digit identification number which can be scanned using a small handheld device.
Veterinary surgeons, dog wardens, rescue charities and other organisations dealing with lost and found pets are equipped with these scanners.
The microchip is implanted in the scruff of the neck (a straightforward injection, just with a slightly larger needle) and the keepers details and identification number are registered on a database.
When a lost pet is scanned and a chip is detected, the owner’s details can easily be traced and the pet reunited, as long as the contact details have been kept up to date.
Cats and dogs are routinely identichipped but nearly any species can have a chip implanted.
As of 2016 there was a change in the law that means that all dogs must be implanted with a microchip by the time they are 8 weeks old and if they are not micro-chipped you can be fined unto £500.
New legislation was introduced in England on 13th March 2023 and all cat owners must have their pets microchipped by June 10, 2024.
Owners who don’t get their cat microchipped will be given 21 days to have one implanted and if they don’t, could face a fine of up to £500. The change is part of the Government’s flagship Action Plan for Animal Welfare, and campaigners hope it will mean more lost or stray cats can be reunited with their owners
