Diagnostics and Procedures

General anaesthesia or sedation is an essential part of many of our daily procedures. We take the safety of patients under anaesthesia very seriously. In order to further minimise the small risks involved we have invested in multiparameter monitors which measure heart rate, blood pressure, blood carbon dioxide levels and ECG. All anaesthetics are also monitored by one of our qualified veterinary nurses. Two of our vets have completed post-graduate RCVS Certificates in Veterinary Aneasthesia.

X-rays are a vital tool in the investigation and monitoring of disease. Radiography is used on a daily basis for musculoskeletal, abdominal and other soft tissue conditions, cardiac investigations, tumour staging and as an aid in the management of dental cases. We have a dedicated x-ray suite housing advanced digital radiography. The quality of image gained by digital radiography is dramatically higher than from conventional film radiography enabling us to gain more information from the pictures taken. It can also reduce the number of radiographs we need to take therefore reducing the amount of radiation the patient is exposed to. We have radiography equipment for taking images of all patients, from gerbils to Great Danes.

Ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to create a moving image of the area being scanned. It is a non-invasive and safe means of imaging and can even be carried out in a conscious patient. We have two large clinic based ultrasound scanners fully fitted with colour flow doppler and a range of probes. This allows us to accurately image any size of patient from a kitten to a Great Dane. Abdominal, cardiac, reproductive tract and eye conditions are routinely investigated using ultrasound. Vet Abi Wolfe holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Diagnostic Imaging and Amanda Smith has the Improve International GP Certificate in Diagnostic Imaging.

Endoscopes are essentially flexible cameras that allow us to see inside the patient via the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. The practice has a range of endoscopes allowing us to visualise the respiratory tract, oesophagus, stomach and some parts of the intestine. They are used for sample collection, taking biopsies and sometimes removing foreign bodies e.g. swallowed toys from dogs’ stomachs.

We are equipped with a wide range of advanced ophthalmology equipment. This means we can fully examine all aspects of the eye including the measuring intraocular pressure to test for glaucoma. Our ultrasound scanner is capable of providing an image of the globe which can be useful in diagnosing conditions such as a detached retina and ocular growths. All our consultation rooms are fitted with lighting that can be dimmed for ophthalmic examinations.

We aim to provide a very high standard of medical care to all our small animal cases . We routinely investigate and treat a wide range of medical disorders with the aid of our equipment that also includes electrocardiogram, doppler blood pressure monitor, infusion pump and critical care tent. Jess Gillon holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Small Animal Medicine and is very interested in all medical cases.

We have a dedicated operating theatre that is managed to ensure high standards of sterility. We carry out both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. Our orthopaedic equipment allows us to carry out both internal and external fixation for the repair of fractures. We also have surgical suction, electrocautery and surgeon-mounted magnification for delicate procedures.

Small animal dentistry is one of the most common (and important) procedures that the practice performs. We have a modern dental machine with water-cooled high speed drill, ultrasonic scaler and motorised polishing. In 2012 the practice invested in modern dental x-ray facilities in order to be able to fully evaluate dental disease in our patients. We also have specialised dental equipment for safe and effective management of dental disease in rabbits and rodents.

Vet, Suzy Gillon, has acheived the General Practitioner Certificate in Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery in 2023.

Treatment options in the management of tumour based disease are rapidly developing and expanding. Accurate tumour diagnosis and staging, coupled with surgery and anti-cancer drug therapy means we are able to manage many of these difficult diseases very effectively.

All cat dog and rabbit neutering is performed under general anaesthesia.

Your pet will be admitted to the practice on the morning of the day of surgery, usually by one of our veterinary nurses.

Anaesthesia is induced by one of our vets and monitored throughout by one of our team of qualified veterinary nurses. The recovery from anaesthesia is also monitored closely for any sign of problems or stress.

Painkillers are always given before surgery and to go home with when your pet is collected later the same day.

We also generally recommend a medical pet shirt or Elizabethan type collar to reduce the risk of your pet interfering with its wound.

We usually advise a post-operative check consultation the following day, for which there is no extra charge, as well as a healing check at around 10 days post-operatively, when any skin sutures will also be removed, again at no additional cost.