Consultations

• Consultations are available from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 10am until 3pm
• All consultations are by appointment only
• Referrals from other vets and practices are by appointment only

Emergency Service

We offer an emergency out-of-hours service. Please contact the clinic on (091) 584185 for the phone number of the emergency vet. An additional fee applies for this service.

Surgery

All of our vets are fully qualified and experienced, with a particular interest in treating pets. Two of our vets hold Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Certificates, one in Small Animal Medicine and one in Small Animal Surgery. This gives the practice access to advanced diagnostic abilities and treatments on-site, rather than having to send sick patients on long journeys.

We cater for a wide range of complex surgical procedures.

• Complex fracture repair
• Humeral Y-T fractures
• Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy, Cruciate Surgery (TPLO)
• Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
• Spinal surgery: fractures and disc protrusions
• Ear surgeries: total ear canal ablations
• Eye surgeries: diamond eye, conjunctival pedicle flaps
• Soft tissue surgeries: skin grafts and axial pattern flaps and major oncological reconstructions
• Thoracic surgery: pericardectomy, lung lobectomy
• Abdominal surgery: gastric dilation volvolus, prostatic omentalisation
• Hernia repairs: diaphragmatic and perineal hernias

We ensure the highest standard of care in the management of all cases. All fees must be settled before the patient is discharged.

Anaesthesia

The clinic uses modern gaseous anaesthesia with all patients being intubated. Anaesthesised patients are monitored by a nurse using an oesophageal stethoscope and pulse oximetry to minimise risks. Older patients are offered a pre-anaesthetic blood test to screen for any underlying disease that may be exacerbated by anaesthesia or may complicate the anaesthetic.

Laboratory

The clinic has its own in-house blood test machines. These give us rapid haematology, biochemistry and electrolyte results and allow for quick and accurate diagnosis. This technology can make the difference between life and death for very sick patients.

We routinely perform fine needle aspirates and examine these in-house to help us with diagnosis. This allows us to quickly establish if a lump or bump is a benign growth or malignant tumour that needs immediate treatment.

Radiology

The clinic carries out routine radiology and more advanced diagnostic imaging such as myelograms and contrast X-rays, including contrast studies of joints, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

We also take and submit X-rays for the BVA Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dyslasia scheme for scoring for breeding purposes.

Ultrasound

The clinic has a state of the art ultrasound machine. This enables us to examine the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder and prostate in detail and improves our diagnostic abilities. Ultrasound aids us in diagnosing various diseases by performing ultrasound guided biopsies where appropriate.

ECG

An ECG greatly enhances our diagnostic abilities for pets with heart disease. It allows us to accurately diagnose various arrhythmias, or irregular heart beats, and so treat and medicate correctly.

Dermatology

Allergic skin disease, or atopic dermatitis, is commonly diagnosed in pets. It may cause seasonal or year round itching. Intradermal skin testing, where we examine skin scrapes, hair plucks and tape strips in our own laboratory, allows us to identify the causative allergens.

These allergens can vary and may include house dust mites, pollens, grasses and weeds. Once the allergen is identified, a vaccination can be formulated for the individual pet, which may help avoid the use of steroids and immunosuppressive agents.

Ophthalmology

Glaucoma and anterior uveitis are relatively common conditions for dogs and cats, resulting in painful eyes. Using a special device, called a tonopen, to measure the intraocular pressure enables us to make an accurate diagnosis and also allows us to measure and assess the response to treatment.

We also perform ocular surgeries, for example conjunctival pedicle advancement flaps, where patients have developed deep corneal ulcers which have either ruptured or are threatening to rupture and may result in the loss of the eye.

If your dog needs cataract surgery, we work closely with a skilled qualified veterinary ophthalmologist who can see you quickly.

Dentistry

Most owners are not aware that 85% of cats and dogs aged over three years suffer from periodontal disease. One of our nurses can advise you on dental care and hygiene to prevent this. Our new air-driven dental machine allows us to perform quicker and gentler extractions where required and allows a better recovery for your pet.

Arthroscope

Young and old dogs commonly present with joint disease. A diagnosis cannot always be made from an X-ray, especially if it is a soft tissue injury. An arthroscope enables us to visualise and inspect the joint surfaces and associated structures without having to open into the joint.

This type of equipment is typically only used in consultant practices and we are fortunate to have access to its use.