Frequently asked questions

It will depend on the procedure. Your pet’s discharge instructions, which need to be followed so that your pet can recover properly, will include details about the recovery time.

The vet will advise if your pet needs physiotherapy or hydrotherapy. This is usually discussed at the six-week post-operative check.

Some pet insurance policies do cover hydrotherapy, but you should always check your policy, or speak to your provider, for more information. 

For most procedures, your pet will need to stay overnight after the surgery. Depending on recovery, your pet may need to stay with us for a little longer. Ask our reception team for more information about where to stay.

We advise that you don’t feed your pet from midnight the day before the appointment (unless otherwise advised by us due to age or medical condition). Please ensure that your pet has access to water at all times.

The veterinary surgeon will discuss all the potential options with you during the initial consultation. If surgery is needed, the timings of the surgery will be agreed with you prior to you leaving your pet in our care. Sometimes this will be the same day or the next day, depending on the outcome from any investigations.

Once your pet has been referred to our practice, an appointment with one of our highly qualified orthopaedic clinicians will be made to examine your pet and consider the best course of treatment. During this appointment, you will be able to discuss your concerns and be given a choice in the next steps.

If you have a nervous or anxious pet, we would be happy for you to wait with them in the car until it is time for your appointment to help keep them more settled. The vet can adapt the initial assessment to the needs of the patient, so please let us know what would suit your pet when you check in at reception.

If your pet is used to being in a crate, then this can be ideal for recovery purposes. Please discuss how best to manage your pet during its recovery with the vet at your pet’s initial consultation.

You will have a full consultation with one of our clinicians, where they will examine your pet and discuss treatment plans and options with you. They can also answer any questions or concerns you may have. If you’d like to go ahead with treatment or surgery, then your pet will stay in with us.

We prefer for you to pay us for the appointment and claim the cost back from your insurance company. However, it may be possible to make a direct claim. This will need to be arranged prior to your appointment and can take up to 10 working days to process and confirm. Please discuss this at the time of booking your initial appointment.

We don’t offer payment plans currently.

An estimate of costs will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation. If your pet is being admitted, then you will be asked to sign a consent form which provides an estimate of the costs. You can find information about our charges here. 

When your pet is admitted for treatment, the vet will let you know how long your pet is likely to be with us for. If the procedure only takes a few hours, there are lots of places nearby that you can visit while you wait. Ask our reception team for more information about where you can stay, eat and visit.

This will depend on the type of surgery your pet has had. Please ask your vet for advice based on your pet’s individual circumstances. 

You are welcome to bring a small favourite toy for your pet to have with them. We will make sure that your pet stays comfortable throughout their time with us, and can accommodate any personal requirements they might have.

We have various types of recovery food for our patients, as well as fresh fish or chicken. If your pet is on a specialist diet (e.g. for allergies or illness), then please bring some with you. Please note that we do not accept raw food.

No. All follow up appointments will be charged unless included in a fixed price surgery (e.g. TPLO / THR).