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A mixed animal general practice in the centre of the Welsh Marches |
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There are nine Veterinary Surgeons working in the practice assisted by a team of eight qualified nurses and also by reception and administration staff and an accounts manager. The practice is registered as an Approved Training Centre for Veterinary Nurses and continuing training and education of all staff members, as well as veterinary surgeons, is actively encouraged. The Ryelands Road surgery also has BSAVA approved status of which we are very proud. Appointments in the various surgeries can be made to see a specific veterinary surgeon if so desired. We try to maintain continuity of treatment with the same veterinary surgeon if at all possible and have semi-dedicated teams allotted to the main disciplines involving care for pets, horses or farm animals. Our team of nurses also give advice on a number of topics and appointments can be made with a nurse to discuss diet problems (Chubby Chums), Puppy and Senior checks, and Dental Checks. The checks and advice are all free. At night and weekends whichever number is dialled, all calls are automatically diverted through the Leominster Surgery to either the duty veterinary surgeon or to a specialist answering service. Thus, modern communication systems enable direct voice contact 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We do not use an answering machine!! We are sure that you would always much rather speak to somebody in person. Any calls which are automatically diverted do not cost you any more than the normal telephone call. All of the Veterinary Surgeons cars have mobile telephones and a pager system is also used to maintain contact with veterinary surgeons and duty nursing staff if necessary. Being a mixed general practice we are involved in the care and treatment of farm animals and horses as well as pets. We also see smaller furry pets and exotics such as reptiles and fish and wild animals when presented. All case histories are recorded on computer as are all accounting procedures. We endeavour to constantly update our facilities and equipment to enable us to cater for all of these species. In Leominster there are three consultation rooms adjoining a spacious waiting room, a four room operating suite for dogs and cats as well as smaller patients such as birds and hamsters. There is also a dedicated fully equipped dental suite. An important part of our work involves dental care in rabbits and horses as well as dogs and cats. Ultrasonic descalers and polishing equipment is used in both surgeries. In the operating theatres we have up-to-date closed-circuit general anaesthetic equipment and this is used together with electronic patient monitoring. A state-of-the-art high-frequency x-ray machine and an automatic film processor provide dry radiographs within minutes. Fibre-optic endoscopes, an ultrasound scanner and an ECG are also used to help diagnostic procedures. We have full hospitalisation accommodation for all types of animals. In Leominster we have centrally heated, separate wards for dogs and for cats which, we feel, is kinder for both species especially if staying with us for a period of time. We also have an isolation ward if animals are admitted with an infectious disease. An essential part of the practice in Leominster is our laboratory. Performing a very wide range of tests, we can achieve very rapid results to assist diagnosis and treatment. Semi-automated wet chemistry biochemical analysis and haematology equipment is installed and our range of test procedures is constantly under review. On occasions, for more complex specialist tests we send samples away to outside laboratories and even then we are still usually able to achieve a 24 hour turn round time with results being faxed or sent electronically to us. The premises in Ludlow were occupied in June 1997. The surgery is a smaller version of Leominster but has basically the same facilities for small animal consultations, small animal operations and for dispensing. There are also facilities for routine blood analysis and radiography. The hospitalisation ward is centrally heated. Any long-term hospitalisation cases or pets needing more extensive diagnostic test procedures or complex surgery may be transferred to the Leominster Main Surgery. The surgery in Leintwardine is located in a room in the Community Centre. We can send items such as food or repeat prescriptions to Leintwardine for collection. Please telephone the main surgery and give us 24 hours notice if you require this service. We have a newly built out-of-town unit specifically for examination and treatment of horses. Radiography, endoscopy and ultrasound facilities are available and there is also an operating- theatre with hospitalisation available. Access to a menage and lungeing ring complement the surgical facilities. And stocks are available for restraining horses for dental procedures, scanning and internal examinations. A farrier, Steve Alford, is available for specialist remedial and surgical shoeing. We are also fully equipped for routine and more complex dental treatment. At our Leominster surgery we have an on-site pet grooming and clipping parlour. Where there is need for some sort of skin or coat care involved in the treatment of a skin condition, this can, if necessary, be carried out there rather than at home.
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To avoid disappointment, telephone them now on 01544 260 606 We strongly advise that your dogs, cats, rabbits and horses receive routine vaccinations against the main problem diseases together with annual booster injections. The vaccine range we use is chosen for its quality and the range of diseases covered. Aware of the current advice to modify the frequency and constituents of booster vaccines, we assess each patient and the level of protection required and then administer the most appropriate vaccine. For puppies, vaccinations are normally commenced at 8-9 weeks of age and for kittens at 9-10 weeks of age, but under some circumstances these may be started earlier. Other vaccines can also be given, for instance against Kennel Cough in dogs and FELV and Flu and Chlamydia in cats. We are happy to advise on these as necessary. Where dogs or cats are going abroad we use rabies vaccine under the PETS programme. Rabbits should be vaccinated against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease. The vaccines commonly used for horses and ponies protect against influenza, tetanus and, if necessary, also herpes virus and are usually started from the age of 5 – 6 months. We send out Booster reminders when they are due. Whenever any vaccinations are given, a veterinary surgeon will make a clinical examination and any problems can be discussed at the same time; thus, annual boosters provide an opportunity to clinically examine your pet at least once a year. We also advocate an adolescent health check at approximately 6 months of age for puppies and kittens; this is normally performed free of charge by one of our nurses. We strongly advocate microchipping of dogs, cats and horses which, together with inclusive registration on a computerised pet register, provides peace of mind should any of your animals go astray. We stock a wide range of Specialist and Prescription dog and cat foods. These have revolutionised our long term management of many different on-going clinical conditions. We also hold a wide range of Life Stage diets, mainly from Hills, for dogs and cats. These provide suitable diets for different ages from puppies and kittens right through to the more senior dog or cat! We also have foods and bedding for rabbits, guinea-pigs and other furries. Nurses as well as Veterinary Surgeons are very willing to offer advice on feeding problems if desired. Weighing of pets is performed free of charge; just pop in and ask one of our staff to weigh your pet and trends of weight loss or gain can then be monitored and advice given by either a Nurse or a Veterinary Surgeon as and when necessary. Our Nurses hold Weight-control clinics and we also strongly advise that dogs and cats when reaching late middle age (7 or 8 years) should have a Senior pet screening consultation when management and feeding requirements can be discussed. Pet health-care services and products We stock an extensive range of products to treat and control worms and external parasites as well as good quality collars, leads and other pet products. The best products for your situation can be supplied by nurses and reception staff. If necessary, advice on worming, external parasite control, general pet-care, boarding establishments and training-classes can be given by nursing and reception staff at any time in office opening hours. We can also offer advice on dental health care and are keen that any patients requiring dental treatment are seen for regular check-ups given by our nurses. We actively encourage the use of pet health-care insurance and leaflets from a variety of Pet Insurance Companies are available. Long illnesses and conditions which may require sophisticated treatment can become very expensive. Injuries received in road traffic accidents are seen very commonly and can require extensive treatment. These sorts of policies can cover the cost of these Veterinary procedures as well other expenses such as third party damage. Leaflets from a variety of companies are available at the Surgeries. Pet Health Scheme and Equine Health Scheme We have developed preventive health schemes for both pets and horses that are formulated to spread the cost of booster vaccinations, parasite control and regular health checks over monthly direct debit payments. Clients registered with these schemes also benefit from substantial discounts on most other services and products including medications and pet-foods. Leaflets explaining these Schemes are available on request and any member of staff would be only too willing to discuss the details. As all prescriptions must be authorised by a veterinary surgeon and cannot be given out by a nurse or receptionist without such authorisation, it is important that you should telephone to allow us time to authorise and dispense your prescription. This will save you having to wait for authority to be given and drugs to be dispensed. It also enables us to check that we have what ever you require in stock. It is preferable also that you should phone before coming in for Prescription or other diets so that we can ensure that they are here ready for you. It will be necessary to examine your pet every few months to supervise the continued use of on-going medication. At this time we may find, in fact, that the medication may need changing in dose or type. Where appropriate and at our discretion the consultation fee may be reduced or waived for this examination. Whereas we are prepared to visit your pets in your own home, it is only fair to say that a more thorough examination and speedy service can be provided at the surgery. This is especially true in the case of road accidents where prompt attention can often be life-saving. Please remember that if we have to visit, an additional charge has to be made and it can sometimes be cheaper to arrange a taxi. On occasions, if necessary, we can arrange for a nurse to come out to collect your pet but a charge may have to be made for this service. Home visits by nurses are also available if necessary to assist with ongoing medication, nail-clipping etc. We endeavour to provide the best value for money possible but at the same time to offer the highest standards of health-care and service. To constantly up-date our equipment and train all of our staff to the highest levels is, we feel, very important for both you, the client, your animals and also for our job satisfaction. To achieve these ideals can entail considerable expenditure on our part but these costs, we hope, are reflected in the quality and the value of the services we aim to provide. Payment Fees owing are calculated at the time of treatment and we request that these are settled at the time of consultation or at the latest at the end of the course of treatment. Being fully computerised, records are constantly updated to keep an accurate picture of amounts outstanding. Payments can be made by any method including credit cards and debit cards if necessary over the phone. We are always pleased to discuss long term treatment costs but would like to emphasise that it is not always possible to give an accurate estimate of what an on-going course of treatment may cost ultimately. We are quite prepared to discuss stage payments if necessary. Billing accounts are only allowed by previous arrangement and then only if the average monthly expenditure is likely to exceed £50.00. Please see out Terms and Conditions for more details of our payment policy.
The team at Marches Veterinary Group would like to feel that we offer a friendly, efficient and compassionate service to all of our clients and their animals. If there are any suggestions or problems that you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are unhappy about anything in the practice or about the treatment which we have recommended or carried out to your pet please tell us. If we don't know about a problem we are not able to deal with it. Please contact reception initially or speak to the vet that has treated your pet. If you wish to discuss the matter further please contact either Andrew Praill or Jonathan Horlock at the Leominster practice on 01568 612 266. We will make every effort to resolve problems as soon as they arise. If you are happy tell your friends. |
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