At Your Appointment
We understand that visiting a referral practice with your pet can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our aim is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.
The information below explains how to prepare for your visit, what to expect during your appointment, and what will happen if your pet needs to stay with us.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time. Your pet will have an initial 30-minute detailed consultation with one of our referral vets, after which a diagnostic and treatment plan will be formulated.
We should have already received your pet’s medical and imaging history from your primary care vet; however, please mention any other problems or concerns that may be relevant at this time.
There are a number of items that need to be completed and brought with you:
• Your insurance policy certificate
• A signed insurance claim form (this can also be completed at the practice)
• All current medications
• Any relevant medical history that has not already been sent by your primary care vet
We always aim to provide clients with accurate estimates prior to any procedures being performed. Please be aware that these estimates will be discussed during the consultation and may be subject to change once your pet has been assessed.
Before your appointment
Your pet may be admitted on the same day as the initial consultation, so please ensure they have nothing to eat after midnight on the day of their appointment. Fresh water should always be available.
If your pet is diabetic or taking medication, please call us so we can advise you on how to proceed.
If your pet requires a specific diet, please bring this with you. Please note that we cannot provide raw food diets due to infection control protocols.
Overnight Hospitalisation
In many cases, we may need to hospitalise patients overnight to allow for investigations or following surgical procedures. Unfortunately, we cannot accept toys or blankets from home; however, we have plenty of bedding available to keep your pet comfortable.
Rest assured that your pet will be well cared for, and you will receive daily updates from our team. Our dedicated night team is on hand out of hours, ensuring your pet receives continuous care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please discuss visitation with your veterinary surgeon, as this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Home Time
When its time for your pet to be discharged you will be
When it is time for your pet to be discharged, you will be contacted to arrange a convenient appointment time. Our team will ensure that all discharge instructions are clearly explained and that you understand any ongoing care plan.
Further appointments may need to be arranged. A detailed report will be sent to your usual vet within 7 days.
Please note that your pet may be discharged before laboratory or imaging results are available. If this occurs, your veterinary surgeon will contact you once the results have been received.