FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Radiography

We have recently invested in a brand new, top of the range, digital x-ray developer system. This system will enhance the quality of the x-ray images we can produce of your pet. It also saves time as the digital machine works faster than the automatic developer we used previously. It may therefore lead to better diagnostics as well as a reduced anaesthetic time for your pet.

Puppy Party

These are held here, at our Sevenoaks branch every Wednesday and Thursday between 1pm and 2.15pm and run for four consecutive weeks. (If it is your puppy’s first week, please arrive slightly earlier). The puppy parties are an excellent way of socialising your puppy which is very important in those early weeks. The parties are run by two nurses and they will cover topics such as behaviour, fleas & worms, dental care and nutrition, grooming and insurance as well as any other questions you may have. The puppies thoroughly enjoy these parties and any future visits to the vets are usually less stressful for your dog as they remember the practice as a happy place where they came and played.

IT’S A FANTASTIC WAY OF SOCIALISING YOUR PUPPY and if you attend all 4 weeks, your puppy will receive a certificate and party bag full of goodies.

And what’s more it FREE!

Your puppy must have had their 1st vaccination and been seen by one of our vets/nurses beforehand.

Your puppy must come equipped with both a collar and a lead.

You must bring your own training treats; however we do provide some.

Children are welcome; however they must be kept under control and remain sitting. However, during school holidays we may have to limit the number of children allowed to come due to lack of space/seating area . Please mention to the nurse if you are bringing children so she knows numbers.

We hope you and your puppy enjoy your time with us at these parties.

Cremation

Individual cremation is available on request for your pet. The ashes can then be returned either in a wooden casket with the name of your pet on a brass plaque. A scattering container for you to scatter in a favourite place or a sleeping cat – the ashes are inside a carved wooden cat.

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Repeat Prescriptions

As a practice we require at least 24 hours notice to prepare your pets medication or food.

If you turn up at the surgery to buy tablets or food please be aware that we may not have enough in stock or you may have to wait for your pet's medication to be dispensed. We place orders every day with our supplier and have a next day delivery service Monday to Friday. If you require a repeat prescription please order it before 1.00pm the day before it is required to make sure that it will be ready. If an order for a repeat prescription is placed on a Friday it will be delivered the following Monday. Any repeat prescriptions ordered during the weekend will not be delivered until the following Tuesday.

Please be aware that pets on repeat prescription, by law, have to be seen by the vet every 6 months for a check up. The vet may have to take a blood sample or a urine sample depending on the type of medication or food your pet is on.

For certain illnesses the vet may require your pet is seen at 3 monthly intervals or monthly intervals but the vet will inform you of this.

There will be a charge for check ups and any tests that the vet needs to perform on your pet.

Laboratory

The Practice has a fully equipped laboratory that is used to detect and treat illnesses quickly and effectively.

Biochemistry and Haematology Blood Machine - To test your pet's blood for deterioration of organ function and individual cells in the blood to check for infections and abnormalities. This is an essential item of diagnostic equipment to speed up diagnosis of your pet and check for suitability for anaesthesia.

Microscope - Used to look at microscopic samples of parasites, skin, hair, tissue, urine, blood cells, bacteria etc.

Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity - We can do our own cultures and antibiotic sensitivity testing, to reduce waiting times for results from outside laboratories

Nurse Clinics - A qualified Veterinary Nurse (VN) will give your pet a general health check free of charge and advise you on preventative health care.

Clinics run by the nursing staff are as follows:

• Free weight clinics to check your pet's weight and prepare a tailored diet plan to suit your pet's needs to stay healthy
  
• Free puppy and kitten checks
  
• Free dental check-ups and advice
  
• Free feeding and nutritional advice
  
• Free general pet keeping advice
  
• Teeth clipping (rabbits and 'small furries')
  
• Nail trimming
  
• Worm and flea treatment advice
  
• Post operative check-ups
  
• Blood tests and some other minor procedures

These clinics are for preventative health care only. If you pet is unwell you must make an appointment to see one of the Vets. Any treatment administered will incur a charge.}

Modern Operating Theatre - equipped with up to date anaesthetic monitoring equipment and the use of modern anaesthetic techniques to ensure your pet will receive the best care. Your pet's anaesthetic will be monitored Nurse, overseen by a vet.

Radiography Machine ('X-rays') and Processor -
Used to diagnose fractured bones and other conditions of the skeletal system, as well as to visualise many soft tissue structures.

Ultrasound Machine - Diagnostic imaging technique, mainly used to visualise internal organs and their structure. This piece of equipment can also be used to diagnose pregnancies and conditions affecting the heart.

Endoscope - This piece of equipment is used to visualise the internal parts of the gastro-intestinal and respiratory tract. It can also be used to retrieve foreign bodies and take biopsies.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) - Used to diagnose heart disease and monitor anaesthetics.
Isolation Ward - To prevent cross infection with other patients.

Full Referral Service - if your pet needs to be referred to a specialist veterinary hospital, this can be arranged.

Internal Referral Service - We have two visiting specialists on selected days of the week. Anita Patel, BVM, DVD, MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology, visits us on Tuesdays to work up complicated skin cases. Jackie Grant, MCSP, SRP, an ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist, visits on Wednesday or Fridays to deal with patients requiring physiotherapy, including pre- and post-operative orthopaedic and neurological cases.

Puppy Parties - We run FREE puppy parties every Thursday afternoon, to help your puppy to socialise with other puppies and people. You will get lots of information from our nurses or vets about training, behaviour, neutering, nutrition, parasites, dental care and much, much more!

Repeat Prescriptions - 24 Hours Notice for repeat prescriptions.

Full Membership to VPS - Veterinary Poisons Service 24 hrs a day, 7 days a weeks.

Consulting Rooms - We have 4 spacious consulting rooms. All consulting rooms and the hospital are air-conditioned.

Cremation Service - Individual cremation available on request, please contact the surgery for more details.

RCVS Accredited Practice

This practice is proud to be part of the voluntary RCVS practice standards scheme.
To achieve the high standards set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons we have had to undergo rigorous inspection by a qualified inspector.