We understand what a worrying time it can be if your pet is unwell and has to stay with us in the hospital. We are pet owners too and feel the same if happens to our pets.
The Practice
Abbey House is a member of the British Veterinary Hospital Association (BVHA) and The British Association of Veterinary Emergency Centres (BAVEC) and as such has to comply with the highest standards of veterinary care. Facilities, equipment, staff training and services provided are inspected on a regular basis by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
A number of the veterinary staff specialise in a variety of disciplines (surgery, radiography, cardiology, opthalmology , dermatology and physiotherapy) and alongside the other veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses and those working the night shift, ensure that your pet is provided with on-site 24-hour veterinary care.
Hospitalisation
Your pet has been hospitalised for one or more of the following reasons: observation, investigation, treatment or surgery.
Every effort is made to ensure that your pet’s stay with us is comfortable. Where needed, special bedding is provided and a variety of methods of heating the kennel area are employed.
Special diets are often used but if your pet has any particular likes or dislikes please let us know so that we can ensure that their stay is as stress free as possible.
Birds (particularly parrots) will often not eat a new diet so it is important that their normal food is brought in with them.
Feliway and Adaptil (DAP) diffusers and FeliFriend sprays are routinely used in many areas of the hospital to aid in the reduction of stress in cats and dogs.
Rabbits are housed in a separate area of the hospital to also aid stress reduction.
Belongings
To ensure that your pet’s belongings are not misplaced we usually ask you to take collars/ leads, baskets, blankets etc home with you on their admission. With some of the smaller pets e.g. birds, small rodents and reptiles we may admit them in their own cages.
Ward Rounds
Ward rounds take place between:
- 8am– 11am
- 4pm– 5pm
- 7pm-8:30pm
If you telephone us between 8am and 11am the receptionist will pass on a brief update from the night vet regarding your pet’s progress.
The attending veterinary surgeon or senior medical nurse will then speak to you later on in the morning. Occasionally rounds will be extremely busy and the veterinary surgeon will not be able to speak to you until late morning.
Be assured that they WILL contact you if your pet’s condition is considered critical. Should you wish to telephone for a progress report from a nurse about your pet please feel free to do so.
Visiting
Should you wish to visit your pet whilst they are hospitalised please ask the attending veterinary surgeon. This often helps the patient but in certain circumstances it may not be possible or it may even cause stress to your pet.
