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All animals seen by us are individually assessed during a consultation which generally lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. In this time we will ask a lot of questions about your pet and their lifestyle. Whilst some of these questions may seem irrelevant, please bear with us as they are all important. After building up a picture of your pets general health the questions are then directed at the presenting problem. Often information given by owners can be very important in reaching the correct diagnosis.

 

The clinical examination often begins with a trip to the car park to make a visual assessment of gait. This principally allow us to observe lameness, weakness or incoordination on a non slip surface.

 

Detailed orthopaedic examination follows. This involves palpation and manipulation of bones, joints and muscles. Many orthopaedic conditions can be painful and occasionally yelps can occur. Whilst this is sometimes distressing, such reactions are helpful in identifying the region of interest.

 

Neurological examination is vital in many cases that we see where spinal or peripheral nerve disease is suspected. Evaluation involves the testing of many reflexes and can be very helpful in accurately determining the location of disease.

 

Once your pet has been examined, any radiographs or other supporting material from your vet may be examined. Often it is helpful to assess this information after the animal has been examined in order not to build up pre-conceived ideas as to the cause of disease.

 

At this time we discuss the likely diagnosis with you. Sometimes further tests will be necessary to reach a firm diagnosis before specific treatment can be started. Often it is possible to start these investigations or treatment the same day as the consultation but is not possible in all cases. It is helpful if pets are always brought in pre-starved for 12 hours prior to consultation as recent feeding may make sedation or anaesthesia more hazardous.

 

Before an animal is admitted into the hospital a consent form must be signed. This is to confirm that you are happy for us to treat your animal and to acknowledge that procedures can carry a risk. The estimated costs of treatment are also detailed on this form. We are happy to provide a copy of the consent form for your records if required.

 

Please remember that you are under no obligation to go ahead with further investigations or treatments following the initial consultation. It is important to us that you feel comfortable with the tests or treatment that we recommend. If you feel uncertain about how you wish to proceed and wish to have time to consider the findings, please let us know.