Putting your pets first…

looking into airways and the lungs, plus a larger flexible endoscope used for examining intestines. With all our scopes, a magnified image is projected onto a screen, and pictures and recordings can be taken.

Endoscopy is an alternative to some forms of surgery. Foreign bodies can be retrieved from the nostrils or lungs using a specially designed, long pair of forceps passed along the scope. Using a special tool, they can also be removed from the stomach! In addition, biopsies and fluid samples can also be taken via any of the endoscopes, all saving the need for complicated surgery. (The picture is of a hook that was removed from the oesophagus of a dog).

Radiology (X-rays) has long been established as an essential tool in veterinary medicine. Nowadays we use digital radiography – this means the image is produced almost instantly and stored on computer the same as your digital camera! The big advantage with this is that we can magnify the images to look in finer detail, but they can also be easily sent to a specialist if required to obtain their opinion. In addition to standard X-rays, we also have digital dental radiography. This means we can take detailed x-rays of the teeth, looking at the roots. Without this tool it is known that up to one third of painful dental problems will be missed, which is why we routinely perform full mouth dental x -rays on any patient that is having any dental work.

Ultrasound is yet another way of looking inside the body. Most people are aware of ultrasound being used for pregnancy scans, but it has many more uses than that. You can scan almost any organ with an ultrasound, which can help to determine the cause of many problems. Ultrasound and x-rays are complimentary to each other, sometimes both will be needed. We have an NHS hospital standard ultrasound machine, enabling our vets and nurses to see extremely detailed images of your pets’ internal organs! These are just some of the tools we use daily to help identify the causes of - and treat your pets ailments. In addition, we have a full in-house laboratory enabling us to process most blood and urine tests on the same day, specific instruments to check the health of your pets eyes, ears, heart, blood pressure and full surgical facilities, for both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries. The practice has air-conditioning for your comfort, along with separate cat and dog waiting areas and separate wards.

I must mention the most important tool in our armory, the one which if we did not have, the rest would be pointless. Our team. From the reception team, the nurses, their assistants, and our vets. Every one of them is dedicated to looking after you and your pet, both in the short and the long term, whatever adventures you both get up to!

Give us a call on 01603 783920, for any of your pet’s needs.

David Martin BVM&S MRCVS