At The Vet Centre we pride ourselves on providing a wide variety of treatment options for your fur baby, whether is be of the purring nature or need a good annual develvet. We ensure our team are provided with continued education in the latest and greatest techniques, as well as providing the techniques that are tried and true.
For more information than is provided across this website or to make a booking, please contact us on [email protected]
Orthopaedic Services
At The Vet Centre we offer a variety of services including orthopaedic repairs. Using our diagnostic tools in house we can isolate a fracture or injury needing to be repaired and as a result come up with a surgical plan appropriate.
Pictured: An example of a measurement to perform a Tibial Tuberosity Advancement surgery (TTA).
We have experienced orthopaedic veterinarians Dr Matt Evans and Dr Lyndon White as well as a special interest in cruciate ligament disease and repairs in dogs. The team enjoy the challenge and adaptability orthopaedic work requires and love to manage the progress of our patients through our physiotherapy programmes, laser therapy and pain management. We will be with you throughout the whole process from diagnosis through to full recovery!
Veterinary Treatment for your Pet
Just as in human medicine, there are many techniques veterinarians can use to improve an animal’s health. We will diagnose your animal’s condition and recommend a course of treatment based on your pet’s symptoms, age, medical record, species, behaviour, and preferences. We can perform certain treatments, but in more complicated circumstances, your animal may need to be referred to a veterinary specialist with more extensive knowledge and experience. Within our team of 8 vets, we each have areas of special interest, but if your pets needs are not met within our group of vets we may offer a referral to an outside specialist.
Before purchasing or adopting an animal, you should be prepared to pay for any routine or necessary veterinary treatments to provide an excellent quality of life for your pet.
We may prescribe treatment as a result of routine examination, but you should not hesitate to seek assistance for your animal if you notice any distressing symptoms or abnormal behaviour. We will perform diagnostic tests to determine which course of treatment would be most suitable. As the animal’s owner, you will also have input as to the proper course of action for your pet’s needs and your own budget.
Before purchasing or adopting an animal, you should be prepared to pay for any routine or necessary veterinary treatments to provide an excellent quality of life for your pet. Once we create a treatment plan for your animal, we may also request to see your pet for follow-up care to ensure it is working properly.
In many cases, you as the animal caretaker will need to be involved in administering treatment. This could be as simple as feeding your dog a different type of food or as complicated as applying daily injections to keep your horse’s health under control. In more severe circumstances, your animal may even need to undergo surgery, in which case you will need to care for it during the recovery period. If you do not see your animal’s condition improving or notice any negative side effects from treatment, you should contact us for additional advice. We may be able to recommend an alternative and potentially more effective treatment option.
Medicinal Treatments
In certain circumstances, veterinarians will recommend medicinal treatments for animals. Some of the most common drugs include:
- Anthelmintics. These are used to eliminate parasitic worms, which infest their systems and steal important nutrients.
- Dermatological drugs. Oral, topical, or injected medications might be used to treat common skin and ear conditions in animals.
- Central nervous system medications. Drugs like aminocaproic acid or potassium bromide might be prescribed to help animals suffering from seizures or epilepsy.
- Respiratory drugs. A variety of medications can be used to help animals suffering from respiratory issues. For example, a veterinarian might prescribe inhaled or oral steroids to assist animals suffering from asthma or other disorders that cause wheezing.
- Antibiotics. These medications help animals’ systems fight infection and disease. They can be used once an illness is diagnosed, or a veterinarian might prescribe them preventively before a surgical procedure.
- Kidney medications. Many animals are prone to kidney issues and these treatments can help slow or stop the progress of these disorders.
- Ophthalmological drugs. Oral medications or eye drops can be used to treat infection and other ocular issues, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
- Behavioral modification treatments. If your animal appears neurotic, obsessive, or overly aggressive and other treatments have not been successful, your veterinarian may prescribe behavioral modifiers like antidepressants or antipsychotics.
- Cardiovascular treatments. These can be used to treat any conditions relating to the heart or blood vessels.
- Hormone medications. Veterinarians primarily prescribe these to assist animals with reproductive issues.
- Painkillers. These medications can help animals with chronic conditions or those recovering from major procedures.
- Chemotherapy. These chemical compounds can help kill cancer cells.
- Vitamins and Supplements. Just like humans, animals can sometimes benefit from taking vitamins and supplements, nutrients and organic compounds that can help support bodily function. Veterinarians most often recommend them for aging animals or those with long-term chronic conditions, but any animal can take these oral, topical, or injected substances. More and more owners are working to improve their pets’ quality of life and overall wellbeing with vitamins and supplements. Examples are:
– Multivitamins. These can help balance an animal’s diet and nutrition.
– Probiotics. These help with digestive function.
– Supplements for arthritis. Glucosamine, calcium, green tea, and vitamin E can help your animal’s joints function better.
– Antioxidants. These can help fight symptoms of aging and reduce animals’ risk for cancer.
– Omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy oils can make animals’ fur shiny and healthy, as well as limiting shedding.
Surgical Treatments
Sometimes surgery is the treatment option that best suits the need of your pet. It may be that lump removal, the surgical repair of a damaged joint or the repair of a bone fracture. The needs for surgery are vast and each decision will be based on your pets needs, the expected outcome, and your budget.
Physiotherapy for Animals
Pet physiotherapy services for cats and dogs are a rapidly growing veterinary sector, as both vets and owners begin to realise the benefits of physiotherapy for musculoskeletal, neurological and age changes in pets.
With advancements in surgical techniques, and orthopaedic treatment for conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia and disk degeneration now commonplace, the use of Animal Physiotherapy pre and post-operatively has been proven to enhance the patient’s outcome.
Pet physiotherapy can take place at the home as well as the surgery. Dogs and cats are usually much more relaxed at home enabling a much fuller treatment to be conducted and reducing their stress levels considerably.
Pre-surgical treatments help to lengthen and strengthen soft tissues which become contracted with underuse of a limb. Addressing this pre-surgery ensures that permanent contracture doesn’t result, and helps the patient to retain and regain full movement post surgery. Animal physiotherapy can be very effective in providing pain relief immediately post surgery and during the rehabilitation process, and post surgical rehabilitation can cover a myriad of possible areas such as rebuilding strength, mobility, or re-educating correct gait patterns.
The neurological patient finds immense benefit from physiotherapy techniques to support the muscles and joints whilst the patient is unable to actively move these areas, and the application of sensory stimuli can be used to reawaken neurological pathways and assist in regaining proprioceptive capability.
Age related changes creep up on our dogs and cats all too rapidly, and physiotherapy is an excellent way of ensuring that the effects of these changes are kept in check for as long as possible.
Working in partnership with vets, pet physiotherapy supports musculoskeletal conditions, neurological deficiencies, pre and post surgical conditioning and age related changes; and a combination of manual therapies, remedial exercises and electro-therapies are employed on a case-by-case, day-by-day basis to ensure the very best results.
Physiotherapy supports and directs the body’s own healing processes to ensure the best outcome. In much the same way as physiotherapy supports human medical practitioners, animal physiotherapy is now finding its place as a valuable adjunct to veterinary care.
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Neurological dysfunction
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Orthopaedic conditions
- Pre and post-surgical management
- Back Problems
- Wound healing
- Osteoarthritis and other age related changes
- Obesity
- Performance enhancement
Each case is different, and physiotherapy has been likened to an art as much as a science. A range of different techniques are employed, including manual therapies such as massage, active and passive stretches; electro-therapies such as Class IV laser therapy. These are coupled with remedial exercise prescriptions which actively encourage the animal to recover and provide a vastly improved long-term prognosis.
The Animal Physiotherapist is very much part of a team, made up of the vet, pet and owner.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Your Pet
We at the Vet Centre like to offer our clients and their pets; our patients, the best care we can offer. This approach can be very multi-faceted including the use of complimentary therapies to treat a variety of illness, diseases and even behaviour. We have a few different options that we like to use including, but not limited to, Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a system of treatment which includes acupuncture, nutrition, breathing techniques, exercise techniques (Qigong), specialised massage called Tui Na, and TCM herbs. Although acupuncture has been used to treat animals for thousands of years, the use of TCM herbs in veterinary medicine only really started in the last century. In TCM health is viewed as harmony and balance between a person and their environment, and illness is viewed as disharmony. A TCM vet will prescribe herbs based on a system of pattern differentiation. We will conduct an holistic consultation and traditionally, patients are evaluated by applying the four examinations which comprise: Asking (taking a detailed history), Touching, Listening and Smelling, and Looking. Additional information is gathered using Tongue and Pulse diagnosis. Herbal formulae are then prescribed based on the TCM diagnosis, and also which will best help the patient’s signs and symptoms.TCM herbal medicine began as an extension of nutrition. A single herb was added to a dish, to enhance its effect on the energy of the body. This has evolved to the hundreds of TCM herbal formulae used today. In animals, acupuncture and Chinese herbs work very well together. Acupuncture provides a more immediate benefit and herbs provide longer term home treatment between visits.
Can TCM herbs be combined with conventional medications?
Herbs can be used safely with most medications, but we advise that you inform the vet of any your pet is taking.
How long will my pet be on the herbs?
Herbs are gentler than medications, and may take longer to appear to work. Depending upon the condition for which they are prescribed, improvements may take two weeks, or longer. For acute problems a short course is all that may be required. For more chronic conditions, herbs may be prescribed for several months to help the body achieve homeostasis and wellness. Over time the formula may need to change, so regular rechecks with the vet will be required. Sometimes a small dose of herbs will need to be continued. Herbs may be combined with diet changes, lifestyle adjustments, and acupuncture treatments to enhance their benefits.
What can TCM herbs be used to treat?
TCM herbs are used in dogs and cats to treat many conditions. These may include, among others: skin conditions such as allergies or infections, gastrointestinal conditions such as vomiting, diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease or constipation, kidney disease, cystitis or other bladder problems, urinary incontinence, liver problems, heart problems, respiratory problems eg asthma or bronchitis, painful osteoarthritis, anxiety, hormone imbalances and behavioural problems, geriatric health issues and immune imbalances.TCM herbs are also used as part of a cancer support plan, and can be used with or without chemotherapy.
Our dedicated veterinarians
We are a team of dedicated veterinarians and nurses providing a broad medical and surgical service to all companion animals and production animals. Based in a purpose built facility, equipped with modern equipment to provide a broad range of diagnostic, medical, advisory and surgical services.
In todays advanced veterinary environment, veterinary nurses provide a critical role in the delivery of quality veterinary care. Without their expertise, professionalism and care, veterinary clinics would not be able to provide the medical and surgical care expected by todays public.
