Wellness Plan
Order Medication
Register Your Pet
Book Online
Meet The Team
Emergency Out Of Hours
We offer our own 24/7 out of hours emergency cover 365 days per year – you will only see one of our team!
We can’t predict when our pets and horses are going to be unwell or injure themselves; they can be fine one minute and under the weather the next.
Our wonderful team offer you this service because we believe that continuity of care is crucial at all times – not just for routine appointments and ongoing treatment.
Infact in the case of an emergency it is even more important that you and your pet or horse see one of your usual vets. Even if it’s not the vet you mostly see, our team have full access to your records, and also communicate very openly out of hours – so if they need to know something specific about your pet or horse they will ask the team.
Our ‘new’ Practice Management System allows the vets to access your full records from anywhere – even while they are on the phone to you – and it also allows us to share much better ‘other’ information so they are as fully briefed as possible about your pet or horse before they set off to see you.
What happens if you have an emergency out of hours
If you call our usual practice number, you will be forwarded to voicemail and given the out of hours emergency contact number. We would advise, to avoid having to make two calls, that you put our emergency number in your mobile phone too – 01209 823717.
On calling this number one of our emergency triage team will take down your details, your pets details and everything relating to the emergency call.
Shortly after you will receive a phone call from the on call vet who will discuss the details with you further and decide the best course of action.
For dogs, cats, rabbits and other small furries
An emergency visit to the practice
If you ever have to come to see us out of hours, you will find it’s not much different to a visit during the day – only quieter and less people around. The on call vet and/or nurse will meet you at the practice at an arranged time and will assess your pet and discuss a plan with you.
Depending on the severity of the emergency you may be able to take your pet home.
If you have to leave your pet with us, the team that you have come to trust will keep you updated about your pet’s recovery and will do everything to reunite you and your companion as soon as possible.
An emergency home visit
If for any reason you are unable to get to the practice, our vets may be able to come to you at home. They will give you an idea of their estimated time of arrival.
As it is likely to be dark, if there is any guidance you can give our team to direct them to your property, that is always useful – so worth thinking about in advance. We also use What3Words – a location App – so it might be useful for you to know what the What3Words is for your front door – and you could store that in your phone alongside our number.
Depending on the outcome of the visit your pet may stay with you, or the vet may opt to take them to the practice for treatment, surgery or to provide more intensive care.
This will all be discussed with you.
For horses and donkeys
An emergency visit
More often than not the vet will come to you at home or to the yard where your horse or donkey is kept.
When you speak to the vet you should confirm where your horse is kept – and if you have it – particularly if your horse is in a field – the What3Words which is very useful for our vets to locate exactly where you are.
Most of the time we find that emergencies can be treated ‘at home’ and then followed up the next day or within a day or so. Occasionally we may recommend that you bring the horse into the practice if they need more intensive care. Or we may refer you to one of the local equine hospitals if it is appropriate.
Whatever happens our team will be with you along the way – even if you’re referred we will keep in touch with you and the referred vet.
Pricing of emergency care
Please note that consultation fees for out of hours consultations, home and yard visits are higher than normal surgery hours consultations.
For small animals the out of hours consultation charge starts at £154.35 (dependent on time of day/night).
For equines the out of hours consultation charge starts at £168.
The costs of treatment and additional veterinary time will be charged on top of these fees, and for equines the journey price/mileage is also added.