Waiting room

BEHIND THE SCENES

The Waiting Room is where you will be greeted by one of our friendly team members. We have a range of Hills diets available and pet accessories, including collars, leads, shampoos, treats, toys and behavioural products. We can also source alternative diets within 24 hours of request. You can also browse through a catalogue, which has hundreds of products, which again can be ordered for you within 24 hours. The waiting room also has a number of information displays, usually topical for the season, and a Rogues Gallery of pet photos from many of our proud pet owners. There is also a set of weighing scales for dogs in the waiting area. Please feel free to weigh your dog and let our staff enter it on your pet’s record. Cats can be weighed on smaller scales in the security of the Consulting room.

Our staff at reception have access to the computerised records and will be able to give you advice regarding vaccination, worming and flea products, and any other general advice specific for you pet. Appointments, invoicing and receipting are all managed on the computer system. Payments in cash, credit card and cheque are accepted.

We also have information on Puppy Classes, Pet Sitters, groomers and kennels.

The Consulting Room is where the veterinary surgeon will examine your pet and give the necessary advice and treatment required. All your pet’s records, including examination findings, laboratory test results and treatments are computerised. This allows an easy revision of your pet’s health record by the vet before your pet is examined. The vet has a wide range of examination instruments at hand as well as some basic laboratory tests. All medication will be discussed and dispensed, with clearly printed labels, by the vet at the time of examination.

Our Nurse also has an examination room for procedures such as nail clips, suture removal, as well as general advice clinics on obesity, new puppy or kitten checks, dental check ups etc.


One of our consulting rooms


Our kennels, where your pet will be kept warm, comfortable and secure throughout his or her stay.

The Kennel Area: This is central to our “procedures” area, which means your pet will have company and be monitored by staff before and after surgery. Our kennels are modern, secure and easy to disinfect. Your pet will have it’s own space with clean fresh bedding. Your pets kennel will be marked with a record card with details of admission and any blood results which may be relevant.

The Prep area is where patients are anaesthetised and prepared for surgery. General anaesthesia is induced by the vet with an injection into the patient’s leg vein, and whilst unconscious a tube is placed into the windpipe and connected to our gas anaesthetic machine. Anaesthetic monitoring is done by the Nurse with veterinary supervision. We also use electronic devices to check breathing and heart rates as well and blood oxygen and exhaled carbon dioxide levels. Once anaesthetised, the nurse will clip and sterilise the area on the patient for surgery, before the patient is taken to theatre for the procedure.

The prep area is also used for minor procedures of a non sterile nature and also for all dental work. Animals need to have a general anaesthetic for dental procedures, even cleaning. Teeth are first cleaned by our nurse with an ultrasonic scaler. Extractions are performed by the vet with the aid of a high-speed drill and cutting device. The nurse will then polish all remaining teeth and applies a sealant to the enamel to reduce further plaque build up.


A qualified nurse performs an examination


Kevin performing routine surgery on a patient

The Theatre and X-ray area: The theatre is used for sterile surgical procedures which range from neutering, to emergency and reconstructive surgery within the capabilities of the veterinary surgeon present. If specialist surgery or diagnostics are needed, we are able to refer patients to veterinary colleagues in referral centres nearby. X-rays are taken using high quality screens and films, which allow reduced exposure factors. Films are processed immediately with our automatic processor, which shortens sedation or anaesthetic time for your pet.

Laboratory: Our in house lab allows us to do general blood screening tests within minutes of sampling. This includes Pre anaesthetic blood tests which are recommended before your pet has a general anaesthetic. We are also able to perform basic urine and skin tests in house. For more involved tests, samples are collected daily by a Veterinary Laboratory courier and results faxed and emailed direct to our clinic.


Laboratory equipment for in-house analysis of blood samples