Preventative health care | Hospital facilities | Operating procedures | Repeat prescriptions
Pet passport scheme | Microchip implantation | Bringing your pet to the surgery | Blood sampling
House calls | Euthanasia | Farm work | Equine work | Fees and terms | Pet health insurance

Preventative Health Care

Vaccination

We recommend that all dogs, cats and rabbits are vaccinated against many serious and contagious diseases.
Dogs are vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. An
intra-nasal vaccine is available to protect against Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough).
Cats are vaccinated against Herpes virus, Calcivirus (cat flu), Panleucopenia (enteritis) and leukaemia.
Puppies and kittens need an initial course of 2 injections, 3 weeks apart, with immunity being maintained by annual boosters thereafter.
Rabbits are vaccinated against myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea (VHD).

Vaccines are proven to control the above diseases, so please do not let your pet’s immunity lapse. You are
most welcome to discuss with the veterinary surgeon the best frequency for vaccinations and boosters for the health of your pet.

Parasite Control

All pets are at risk of contracting worms, fleas, ticks, lice and mites. The dog roundworm, Toxocara canis can infect humans but with regular treatment, the contamination of our environment will be reduced. Fleas are very common and cause our pets to have skin problems (occasionally humans too) and fleas can transmit tapeworms to your pet.

We advise the routine use of an insecticide preparation on your pet and a household spray for your home. We are able to advise and sell you the current best products tailored to your requirements. We recommend worming every three months.

Pet Health Clinics

These are held by our nursing staff. Appointments can be booked with a nurse to give advice on preventative care, flea control, teeth, eye and ear hygiene. Specialist clinics include: Puppy Advisory Consultations to discuss how best you can care for new companion. Weight Watch, Senior Dog and Diabetic Control

Routine Health

Regular examinations of your pet are a requirement to diagnose and prevent diseases. Your pet will get such a health check at the time of the annual vaccination. Routine dental attention and urine and blood testing is often helpful for the older animal for early control of conditions.

Neutering (Spaying and Castration)

Our policy with regard to the neutering of pets is as follows:

Cats: Male and female are routinely neutered at 5 to 6 months of age. Otherwise entire males will spray urine, become territorial and often fight. Females will become pregnant, leading to potentially unwanted kittens.

Dogs: Females who are not spayed can develop false pregnancy, mammary cancers and pyometra (womb
infection). Pyometra is fairly common and while it is treatable, it can be life-threatening, requiring hysterectomy in the older and sick animal. Castration of male dogs can help to overcome unwelcome
behaviour such as vagrancy, hypersexuality and aggression, as well as helping to prevent disease of the prostate.

Both of these procedures can be carried out from 6 months onward.

There are many ‘old wives tales’ about pet neutering, and if you have any doubts about what is best for your pet, please contact us for a chat.

Hospital Facilities

The kennels offer safe, hygienic, cosy and comfortable accommodation. When necessary, patients are hospitalized but after routine surgery your pet is normally discharged the same day.

Operating Procedures

Surgical procedures are carried out every weekday morning. Patients are admitted between 8.30am and 9.00am and discharged usually the same day. All pets being admitted for a general anaesthetic must not be fed after 7pm the night before. They can be given water till first thing in the morning. The exceptions to this are rabbits and ‘small furries’ which do not need to be starved. It also helps if pets can be encouraged to urinate and defaecate before surgery and a wash and brush is also useful as a preparation. We will book an appointment for a discharge consultation at which appropriate post-operative care can be discussed with you.

Our nurses enjoying a patient's company

Repeat Prescriptions

Requests may be made by telephone or in person and can be collected within 24 hours. Regular check-ups (every 3 months) for prescription-only medicines are a legal requirement.

Pet Passport Scheme

All the necessary vaccinations, microchip implanting, blood testing and issuing of Pet Passports are done in-house.

Microchip Implantation

The microchip carries a unique identification code which is designed to allow pets to be re-united with their owners quickly. We strongly recommend that you microchip your pet.

Bringing your Pet to the Surgery

Dogs: Please ensure all dogs have a collar and lead. It is not advisable to feed your pet immediately before an appointment but it is advisable to allow them to urinate and defaecate before visiting. Please do not allow your pet to foul outside the surgery. However accidents do happen, so in these circumstances please ask for assistance from reception staff who can supply bags to aid the clear up. Thank you.

Cats: Cats should be brought in a secure cage or basket as they may try to escape. Your cat will feel safer in its own carrier.

If your pet is aggressive, noisy or nervous, or you suspect an infectious disease, please inform the receptionist when making your appointment.

Blood Sampling

Please leave your pets with us in the morning and pick up later in the day. This allows us time to administer a sedative, if required, as well as the necessary time to undertake the blood analysis. Some tests need to be sent away so such results may take up to a week for processing.

House Calls

It is possible to arrange a house visit during working hours during the week, but a more thorough examination and prompt attention can be given in the surgery.

Euthanasia

This is a very distressing time for all concerned. If at all possible we try to reduce the distress of putting your pet to sleep by arranging an appointment at the surgery at a quieter time. Euthanasia is performed by giving an injection which, within moments, induces sleep, then painless death. If you wish, you may stay with your pet whilst this is carried out. We can also arrange individual cremation and return of ashes, if desired.

Equine Work

Our experienced equine veterinary surgeons provide a full service with portable X-ray machine, endoscope, and ultrasound facilities available. We are happy to advise and assist with preventative regimes including vaccinations, worming and dental work. We also provide veterinary cover at Perth Races and local shows and events.

Fees and Terms

We stipulate payment at the time of your consultation or on collection of your pet, post-operation. We accept cash, cheques with banker’s card, and debit and credit card payments. If you are concerned about the cost of treatment please discuss with a member of staff beforehand.

Pet Health Insurance

We recommend Health Insurance for your pet with the provider of your choice.