Emergency Service. In common with all UK vets, the practice operates a 24-hour emergency service. Nursing staff may be contacted by telephone, and if the animal concerned requires attention the nurse on-call will contact the duty vet and a time will be arranged to see the animal. As a general rule, patients are seen out-of-hours at the Hospital premises - if a patient needs emergency care, the Hospital is best equipped to deal with almost any eventuality.

Home visits. We don't routinely offer a home visiting service, as it is impossible to provide a good standard of care to a patient whilst it is in its own home. Indeed, it is often impossible to even examine the patient when it is secure in its own home! We recognise, of course, that there will be times when an animal can only be treated at home, and we do occasionally carry out home visits. More often than not, such visits involve nothing more than transporting the patient to the Hospital where proper care can be given. A very expensive ambulance ride!

Dental Surgery. Routine dental care is usually done on an out-patient basis and most patients will return home the same day. While restorative dentistry such as fillings and crowns does exist within veterinary surgery, suitable patients are rather thin on the ground. If any such procedures are needed, we will pass the case on to a vet who is experienced in the techniques.

Most of our patients suffer from calculus build up on their teeth ("tartar") which causes a gum infection and eventual loosening of the otherwise healthy tooth ("gum disease"). This differs from the situation in human dentistry where the commonest problem is caries (or "cavities"). So most veterinary dental work involves removing the build up of deposits from the tooth, extracting any damaged teeth, and controlling any infection.

ECGs. Recording and examination of an electrocardiogram is often of great benefit in the diagnosis of heart disease. We will generally read the tracing immediately, though if the case is a little unusual, it may sometimes be of benefit to seek the opinion of a cardiologist. It is often possible to fax the tracings and receive a telephoned report in a very short time, often the same day.

Slimmers' Clinic. One of the nursing staff runs a weight-loss clinic, and will weigh your pet and give dietary advice throughout the day. Please telephone to arrange a time for you and your pet to be seen. At the moment we do not charge for this service!

Dental Clinic. Another of our nurses runs a dental clinic, checking patients after dental surgery and offering advice. She keeps up-to-date with the latest products and techniques designed to make dental care easier for both you and your pet. Again, these clinics are run throughout the day, please telephone to arrange a time. At the moment, this service is also free!

Identity Chipping. During a consultation it is easy to implant an "identity chip" under the skin of your pet, in the scruff of the neck. When scanned by a chip reader, the tiny chip responds by transmitting its unique number, and this is received and displayed by the reader. This is a very good method of identifying your pet, and is very nearly permanent.

"Specialists". If your pet requires the services of a veterinary specialist we will most likely refer your pet to an appropriate centre for treatment. The practice does not employ a specialist as defined by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. There is, however, a wide range of special interests within the practice.