ADMISSIONS
Scheduled surgical
procedures and investigations are carried out from Monday to Friday at Norwich. A hospital appointment will be made for your pet, booking them into
an appropriate kennel for the day. We ask that dogs and cats undergoing
sedation or anaesthesia have been starved from 8pm the night before the procedure. A bowl of water can be
left down all night and taken up first thing in the morning. Dogs should be
taken out to allow urination and defaecation before coming to the surgery. An
admission appointment will be made for the morning of the operation between
8.00 and 9.00am. At this appointment a nurse will go through the consent form
for your pet's procedure. You will be asked to sign this form to give
permission for us to carry out the detailed procedures and to say that you
understand that all fees are payable at the time of collection of your pet. We
also ask for contact phone numbers at this time. It is very important that we
are able to reach you on these numbers in case any unexpected findings or
procedures need to be discussed during your pets stay with us.
DISCHARGES
You will be phoned
to arrange a collection time for your pet after an operation or a stay in the
hospital. We always aim to get pets back to their own homes as soon as
possible. When you arrive to collect your pet, we ask that you report to
reception so that you can settle your bill. A nurse or vet will then speak to
you about the operation or procedure your pet has undergone. Post-operative
care will be discussed and any follow up appointments can be made.
SURGICAL FACILITIES
We have 2 fully
equipped operating theatres at Norwich. This enables us to perform many
different types of operations with pre-medication, anaesthesia and recovery
being supervised by our team of vets and veterinary nurses. Most day patients
are provided with food and water before being discharged from the hospital and
remain in the hospital until they are suitable recovered from their anaesthetic
and we feel that they are ready to go home.
DIAGNOSTIC FACILITIES
- Laboratory: We have in-house laboratory facilities at the
Long Stratton surgery that enable us to process many tests rapidly.
These tests can be performed immediately a sample is taken in
consultations or in the hospital. Basic blood profiles give us more
information on organ function and on the numbers of red and white blood
cells. Results are usually available either the same or the following
day once they have been completed and interpreted by the vet. These
results may give a diagnosis or point us towards any further tests
required.
We are able to examine urine samples, blood smears and tissue samples
with our microscope. It is necessary to send some samples and tests to
our outside laboratory, Nationwide Labs. Most of these tests have a
quick turnaround and we will have results faxed to us within 2-3 days
(allowing for post, weekends and Bank Holidays.) Your vet will ring
with your pet’s test results as soon as they have been received and
interpreted. Some tests take longer to yield results and we will try to
advise you of this at the time of the samples being sent to NWL.
- Radiography: There are small animal X ray facilities at the
Long Stratton surgery. Most pets will require sedation or general
anaesthesia to acquire good quality, diagnostic X rays. The X rays are
developed immediately and can be viewed and interpreted on the day of
the procedure. Occasionally we send X rays to specialists for a second
opinion. This can apply to some orthopaedic cases. As soon as we
receive the specialist report, we will inform you of the results and
any further action required.
Any X rays taken remain the property of the practice but can be
forwarded to another practice if you change vets or leave the area.
- Ultrasound: We have an ultrasound scanner at the Long
Stratton surgery that can be used for non-invasive investigation of
various problems. Pets do not usually require any sedation or
anaesthesia for ultrasound scanning but require hair to be clipped from
the area to be investigated. Abdominal organs such as the liver,
spleen, stomach and intestines and the urinary and reproductive tracts
can be investigated with ultrasound.
- Endoscopy: We have access to video endoscopy at Long
Stratton that enables us to investigate respiratory and intestinal
problems. Under a general anaesthetic, we can pass the endoscope down
the trachea (windpipe) and into the lungs or down the oesophagus and
into the stomach and small intestines (depending on the size of the cat
or dog). Endoscopy allows us to see abnormalities inside these
structures, retrieve some kinds of foreign bodies and take biopsies of
suspicious looking tissues to send to the laboratory for further
assessment.
EUTHANASIA
There are many
different circumstances in which the decision to put your pet to sleep can
arise. Our aim is to offer advice and support at this difficult time and to
allow your pet a dignified death. Euthanasia can be performed at the surgery or
at home. At the surgery an appointment can be made at a quiet time during the
day, usually either at the beginning or end of consultations. If you wish your
pet to be euthanased at home, a suitable time can be arranged if you call the
practice with as much notice as possible.
There are various
options after euthanasia for the care of your pet. You can bury your pet at
home or we can take care of their body. We can offer various cremation options
in association with Peaceful Pets. The vet or nurse can go through these with
you at the time of your appointment.
INSURANCE CLAIMS
We are only able to
process direct insurance claims (where the insurance company pays the amount
owed minus your excess directly to the practice) on claims totalling £400 and
over.
If your bill is less
than this, you will be expected to settle your bill in full at the time of
treatment and then make a claim for reimbursement from your insurance company.
You can hand in
your insurance form at reception once you have completed your section of it. We
will then process and complete your form which can either be collected from the
surgery or posted back to you for you to send to your insurance company. Due to
recent changes in procedures, we are unable to send the forms directly to your
insurance company. There is a surgarge of £11.75 which you must pay yourself.
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