OUR SERVICE Opening Times

Consultations

Veterinary surgeons are available by appointment to diagnose and treat illness as well as carry out a variety of health-care procedures.

Appointments may be made by telephone or at the reception desk and due priority is given to urgent cases. We would ask you to please specify if there is a particular vet that you would like to see.

Operations

Our clinics are fully equipped with modern facilities to provide comprehensive treatment. The practice has laboratory facilities, x~ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, ecg, together with sterile operating theatres incorporating up-to-date anaesthetic equipment.

Routine surgery is carried out on week days and the animals are usually admitted at the beginning of the day and sent home in the afternoon or early evening.

Before you entrust your pet to our care you will be fully briefed on the surgery involved and what is required at home before and after. On admission animals are checked and given pre-medication to assist them to settle before their operation, which is normally carried out later in the morning. We do require your consent in writing and any final queries about the procedure can be answered at this time. You will be given an approximate time for you to collect your pet and a full progress report with aftercare instructions will be given then.

Please note that cats and dogs should have no food for at least 8 hours before surgery.

Nurse clinics

The practice staff include a number of qualified veterinary nurses as well as trainees and auxiliary nursing assistants. Much of the preventative health care is in their hands and you will find them friendly and willing to help.

In our Buckley clinic they carry out a variety of minor proceedures such as microchipping, nail clipping and suture removal as well as providing advice on feeding, dental care, flea and worm control. Some nurse appointments are free of charge and if you feel that one of our nursing staff may be able to help then please ask for a nurse appointment.

House Calls

We recognise that while the best facilities for treatment of your pet are in the clinic, there are circumstances when home attendance is more appropriate and we are happy to arrange a visit for you on these occasions. Please make your request for a visit before 10.00am where possible. We will endeavour to provide an approximate arrival time later in the day which does not clash with commitments to morning and evening consultation sessions in the clinic. Please be aware there is an extra charge for this.

Prescriptions

Most medications are dispensed during consultations and after examination by the veterinary surgeon. Current legislation requires us to carry out regular re-examinations to confirm the usefulness of the medication, the accuracy of the dosage and the absence of significant side effects. Most long term conditions will require a veterinary re-examination at no more than 3 month intervals subject to the judgement of the clinician in charge of the case.

For owners requiring ongoing supplies of medication we will endeavour to prepare prescriptions within 24 hours. Please telephone the surgery to order repeat prescriptions.

Insurance

Whilst procedures such as consultations, vaccinations and neuterings have standard prices, the charges for the most surgical operations are based on the time they take. The costs of blood tests, X~rays, dressings, drugs, hospitalisation and any special materials (e.g. orthopaedic implants) are always added to the surgical fee. With the costs of the extras mentioned above, the final charge for surgery could exceed £1000.00, especially if prolonged hospitalisation is needed. You may, therefore, like to consider the insurance policies that are available to cover veterinary fees.

We recommend Pet Plan insurance.