Arthur Lodge
Veterinary
Surgery

Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery

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We offer a complete range of services and facilities to provide the highest standard of care for your pet

• Spacious reception & waiting area
• Clean well lit consulting rooms
• Dedicated, friendly staff
• All consultations by appointment

The most important diagnostic tool we possess is the experience of our team of four full time veterinary surgeons, who between them have a combined total of almost 50 years of front line veterinary care. In many cases, this experience alone is sufficient to diagnose your pet's problem and recommend a suitable course of treatment. In more complex cases our veterinary surgeons have a large range of modern diagnostic techniques and equipment at their disposal.

We have two modern, well equipped operating rooms each designed to meet the needs of different types of surgical or diagnostic procedure. Our absolute aim is that the anaesthetic should be as safe as possible for your pet. Unlike some practices, we do not reserve the safest anaesthetics for only ill or weak patients - we use the safest anaesthetics we can for all patients. Whilst anaesthetised, your pet will be continuously monitored by a vet or one of our nursing staff. Pulse oximeters are routinely used both rooms to monitor anaesthetised patients.

Our surgical facilities include:

• Piped gas anaesthetic systems in both rooms
• Pulse oximeters
• A draining shower table in the secondary room (for those messy jobs)
• Isoflurane and propofol anaesthetics routinely used
• Pre-anaesthetic blood tests can be taken the same day with the results available to the vet before the anaesthetic is given

Most surgical cases and investigations are treated as “Day Patients” so that they can return home the same evening. Occasionally your pet may be hospitalised for further treatment and observation.

All of our patients are monitored throughout their surgery by the vet and also a member of our nursing staff, who will continue to monitor your pet until discharge.

All patients undergoing surgery receive medication to control pain. In many cases you will be given pain controlling medication to administer to your pet at home after the surgery.

Dental problems in pets are much more than just a cause of bad breath.

Lack of dental hygiene is a preventable cause of pain and illness in pets. The bacteria living in the tartar on a dog or cat's teeth cause periodontal disease, weakening the teeth roots. The bacteria are also in constant battle with your pet's immune system. The long term effects of this battle can lead to damage to your pet's internal organs - especially the heart and kidneys.

Rabbits and guinea-pigs often have problems associated with overgrown or deformed teeth. These can lead to difficulty in eating, abscesses and osetomyelitis or infection in the bones of the jaw.

We provide:

• Routine dental checks
• Advice on preventative dental care (brushing & specialist diets)
• Routine trimming of rabbit's and guinea-pig's teeth
• Ultrasonic removal of the dental calculus that builds up on your pet's teeth
• Polishing after the removal of calculus to slow the build-up in the future
• Extraction of teeth that have severe periodontal disease or cavities that are beyond repair

• Health checks for puppies & kittens that are too young to start their vaccinations
• Worming advice
• Routine vaccinations for dogs, cats and rabbits
• Kennel cough vaccination for dogs
• Flea prevention advice
• Dietary advice

Age related problems can reduce your pet’s quality of life. The After 8’s Club is designed to detect these age-related changes at an early stage and to help you and your pet adapt to them. The After 8’s Club is run by our nursing staff who look forward to seeing you and your dog.

• 6 monthly health checks
• Urinalysis
• Dietary advice
• Dental checks
• Reduced price routine blood tests.

Microchips are small glass beads approximately the size of a grain of rice. Inside the glass bead is a coiled antenna and a microchip which in response to a weak electronic signal from the microchip reader will transmit a unique identification number. Microchips are implanted under your pet's skin by means of a simple injection. This can be easily done in the consulting room. They are a valuable aid in the attempt to reunite lost or stolen pets with their owners.

Dogs and cats travelling abroad to selected countries can return to the UK without spending 6 months in quarantine if they travel in accordance with the Pet Travel Scheme (Pet Passport). In addition to having a microchip implanted, dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies at least 6 months before they re-enter the UK and have a blood test taken to prove that the vaccine has worked. We can provide the complete package of services required to provide your dog or cat with a pet passport.

Regardless of the circumstances euthanasia is almost always a difficult subject to contemplate. However, if you are well aware in advance of the options available and the costs involved, you will be better able to make the correct decision for you and your pet when this choice has to be faced.

Unless it is an emergency situation you can decide on the location for euthanasia.

At home – This will involve the least disturbance to your pet as it will remain in familiar surroundings but it is not always a feasible option. Many pets are more easily handled at the surgery where everything is to hand including experienced staff. Euthanasia at home is also a more expensive option as it incurs a visit fee.

At the surgery – You will not feel at all rushed during this difficult time. You will be asked to sign a consent form to state your wishes regarding euthanasia and possible cremation. Your pet will be handled sympathetically by experienced staff and will usually be placed on a comfortable surface on the table. The vein will be exposed by clipping away some hair on the leg and then a concentrated anaesthetic will be injected. You can stay with your pet as long as you wish afterwards.

Many owners are not sure whether they should remain with their pet during the procedure – it can be a very distressing time. This decision can only be made by the individual.

It is important to ensure that the welfare of your pet always comes first.