Your Pet's Journey
We know how concerning it can be when your pet is unwell. At our hospital we strive to provide you with the information and support you need during this stressful time.
What to Expect When Visiting Us
To make your visit as relaxing as possible we have detailed everything you need to know to prepare for your pet’s appointment and to understand before you arrive. We will also email you with a welcome pack which will include all the information regarding your upcoming appointment.
Your pet’s appointment will be held at our hospital in Fakenham, North Norfolk and you can find directions via our ‘How To Find Us’ page.
Your Pet’s Preparation
We advise that all patients are starved from 10pm the night before their appointment, unless specifically advised otherwise, but they can have access to water at all times. There may be some individual cases where we will advise differently and we will make you aware of this at the time of booking your appointment.
The reason for withholding food is to minimise risks if your pet requires sedation or anaesthesia, however certain pets such as young puppies, kittens and those with diabetes may require special requirements. If you have any concerns about your pets fasting requirements please contact our reception team ahead of your appointment.
By following these guidelines we can ensure that your pet receives the safest and most effective care during their appointment.
Consultations
Initial consultations usually last between 30-60 minutes depending on the nature and complexity of your pet’s condition.
The consultant will have reviewed your pet’s history, prior radiographs and test results performed at your local primary care vets before the consultation. This information should be provided by your vet at the time of arranging the referral or on request by our referral secretary.
Physical Examination, Diagnostic and Treatment Plan
The consultation may ask you to walk your dog to assess any lameness followed by a detailed physical examination of your pet.
Based on the examination, the referral clinician will then discuss with you a diagnostic plan to investigate your pet’s issues, and a treatment plan. Suggested investigations can include blood and urine tests, Radiography, computed tomography (CT), Arthrocentesis (joint fluid samples), echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and ultrasound scans, among others.
Please note that tests are not mandatory after the consultation, and the decision to proceed with any procedure or test will be yours to make. An estimate of the costs will be provided, and you will have the opportunity to discuss different alternatives if required with the referral clinician.
Informed Consent
Once a diagnostic and treatment plan has been agreed, you will be asked to read through and sign a consent form.
We will contact you once the tests or treatments are complete, or with any updates and arrange for the discharge of your pet back to you. We always try to keep the duration of procedures, and your pet’s stay in hospital, as short as possible; however, in some cases, your pet may need to stay with us for the entire day and for cases requiring surgery an overnight stay will be required.
While you wait, we offer tea and coffee facilities, Wi-Fi access, and restrooms, including disabled toilet facilities. Alternatively, we have a list of nearby attractions to help you make the most of your time until collection of your pet. We strive to provide a comfortable and informative experience for you and your pet during your visit to our hospital
We provide a continuous 24 hour provision of veterinary and nursing care for in-patients ensuring your pet’s stay with us is as stress free and comfortable as possible. We will contact you each and every day with updates about your pet’s treatment and progress.
Estimates
We will provide an estimate of the approximate costs involved to the best of our ability. However, please note that as the level of care and treatment required is individual to each patient, it may change as the procedures progress. In the event that the total costs may exceed the initial estimate, we will keep you informed and updated throughout the process.
Please rest assured that our goal is to stay within the estimate and ensure that there are no surprises when it comes to your pet’s care. For certain surgical cases we offer a fixed price package which includes all investigations, treatments, medications and follow-up appointments – A list of package and guide prices can be found on our Price Guide page.
Consent Forms
We will require you to sign a consent form at the end of the consultation to enable us to carry out any tests, surgery or treatment for your pet. The referral clinician will discuss this in detail with you during your appointment. All the consent forms will include an estimate of the costs. On rare occasions, the estimate may be exceeded if emergency or additional procedures are required, but if this is the case it will be discussed with you in detail beforehand and you will be regularly updated on your pet’s bill while they are hospitalised with us.
Aftercare
Once your pet is discharged from the hospital, you will be given a plan for their ongoing management and care. Your local primary care vet will also receive a detailed report about the treatment your pet has received and follow-up plan within 24-48 hours of treatment or discharge. Some patients may need regular follow-up with us; in other cases, your pet’s care may be continued at your local primary care vet. Either way, we endeavour to provide ongoing support to help manage your pet’s illness where possible.
Additional fees may be incurred for follow-up appointments or radiographs unless they’re part of a fixed price package.