Clinical Examinations, Diagnosis and Treatment Plans
We aim to reach a specific diagnosis for every case presented to the practice. This means that we can target treatment to each individual case and therefore get the animal better in the shortest possible time.
This means that we may have to run various diagnostic tests. This may be using some of the equipment in the practice therefore saving time or using the help of outside laboratories that will be able to run more specific tests or enable us to get the assistance of a specialist veterinarian to give us their expert opinion on those test results.
We aim to envolve the owner in every step of the process so that the decisions about the case are fully informed and so the owner understands the condition and therefore understands the goals of treatment.

PETS Travel Scheme
We have a number of vets in the practice that are allowed to issue the PETS Passport.
If you would like to take your pet abroad then you will need to make an appointment with one of these trained vets.
Please ask for an appointment with a vet that is trained for the PETS Travel Scheme and we will be able to walk you through the process.
For the normal pet travelling to Europe for a holiday with their owner the process normal will take 6 to 7 months before the pet is able to go and re-enter the UK.
It involves having the pet identichipped, vaccinated with Rabies vaccine, waiting 4 weeks for a blood sample, a passport being issued and then a 6 month cooling off period in the UK before the animal is able to travel.
For some people emigrating to Europe e.g. Armed Forces personnel this period can be much shorter but some of the stages will need to done in the foreign country.
For non-EU countries the rules are very much different and you will need to contact the local SVS office which we can help you with.

Acupuncture
As part of our on going professional development we need to undertake constant training.
A few years ago now we were offered the chance to undertake an Introductory Course in Acupuncture.
One of our vets, Craig Johnston, decided to go on this course as a true non-believer.
After the initial course he was immediately converted having had varios needles placed in his own back which made an instant improvement.
From that day on we have been offering acupuncture as a treatment option for dogs and cats with stiff joints and other problems.
We have found that the animals tolerate the needles extremely well, with some patients becoming extremely calm and sleepy during the needling.
We have found it so beneficial that we are sending, Elinor Cliff, on a training course in order that we can offer a more consistant service.
For more information please contact the practice.

Electronic Microchipping
As one veterinary surgeon said when I was training, we must of been at the back of the queue when we graduated as we both were not given a crystal ball when we left veterinary college.
Some conditions are obvious when they walk through the practice door, but most are not or some conditions look verty similar to others but all of them need to be treated in very different ways.
Because of this we need to get a very good clear history of symptoms from the owners.
When did it begin?
How did it start?
Has it been getting worse?
Are they eating or drinking at all?

Then we need to do a thorough clinacal examination which may then lead to even more questions.
After this we can then narrow it down to may be 4 to 8 different possible conditions but to narrow the list down further we may need to do some further tests.
These may be blood tests, urine tests, skin biopsies, fine needle aspirates, bacteriology swabs, virus swabs, xrays, ECG's, ultrasound tests, endoscopy biopsies or even a full look inside the body.
Some of these tests can be done in the practice and may take 15 mins to 2 hours depnding on the test. A glucose test for example only takes 15 seconds to read, although getting the blood sample may take a bit longer!

Blood Testing - Haematology
We have a Vetscan Haematology Analyser in the practice.
This machine enables us to accurately measure the animals red blood cell and white blood cell numbers. It also give us the size of the red blood cells which is very useful if the animal is anaemic or has lost alot of blood.
We can tell if some infections are recent or old, or if the condition might be tumour related or not.

Blood Testing - Biochemistry
At both branches we have a Vetscan Biochemistry Analyser.
This machine can very quickly give us answers about kidney and liver problems. It can also give us readings on the electrolytes in the blood.
It is really useful in the diagnosis and stabilisation of animals with thyroid problems.

Radiography or X-rays
In both Melton Mowbray and Grantham we have high quality xray facilities. At Grantham we have just invested in a new high frequency unit with a 4 way flaoting table which means that we can position the animal more easily and accurately.
Both practices have automatic film processing which means that we can have a film to view in 2-3 minutes after it have been used.
We use this facility to allow us to examine bones mainly but it is also useful in the imaging of the chest and abdomen to see if there are any abnormalities we need to know about before we may be go for surgery or not.
Some of the xraying is being phased out due to the use of ultrasound now.
We are able to take BVA Hip Score xrays and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme xrays and have a fixed cost for this.

Ultrasound
Melton Mowbray and Grantham both have ulatrasound facilities. The practice at Melton Mowbray has a larger and more detailed scanner which also has Doppler facilities for heart work, and so some customers from Grantham may need to be referred to Melton should a more detailed scan be required.
We use the ultrasound as a non-invasive aid to diagnostic work ups. It is especially useful for liver and kidney disease, heart disease, bladder disease, pregnancy work etc.
Your animal can be scanned fully conscious if well behaved but will require a small area of skin to be shaved in order for the probe to get a good contact.

Vaccinations and Boosters
We encourage all our owners to have their animals vaccinated.
Once they have been vaccinated they then go onto our reminder system whereby we write to you and remind you when the next vaccination is due.
For dogs, some kennels require the dogs to have the kannel cough vaccine before they are allowed into the kennels, so please check when to book your kennel dates if this is due.
Rabies Vaccinations-we have a number of vets that have been trained and are on the Animal Health/State Vet Service panel and are able to issue the PETS Passport.

Electronic Microchipping
For that extra piece of mind we recommend that pets are micropchipped. Every stray animal that is brought into the practice is thoroughly scanned for a microchip.
All of my pets have been chipped including the dogs and ponies!
It means that should they get lost and then lose their collars there is still a chance that we will get that beloved pet returned.