Diagnostic Facilities | Surgical Facilities | Dentistry | Preventative Healthcare
Puppy Parties | Microchips | Passports | Fish medicine | Acupuncture | Euthanasia & Cremation
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
Diagnostic Facilities
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.
Our diagnostic facilities include:
- X-ray with the plates developed on-site
- Ultrasound with colour Doppler
- Endoscope
- Laboratory for the testing of blood and urine samples
- Electrocardiography (ECG)
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Surgical Facilities
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 in both rooms
- A heated operating table in the main surgical room
- 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.
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Dentistry
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.
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
- Filling of cavities
- Extraction of teeth that have severe periodontal disease or cavities that are beyond repair
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Routine and Preventative Healthcare
- Free 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.
Health Care Program For Older Dogs
Free benefits include:
- 6 monthly health checks
- Urinalysis
- Dietary advice
- Dental checks
- Reduced price routine blood tests.
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Puppy Parties
We regularly host puppy parties on week-day evenings.
Early socialisation of puppies with other dogs and humans is crucial to the development of a well adjusted adult. Puppy parties build your puppy’s confidence and help to familiarise them with our premises and staff. Some dogs are nervous of coming to the vets, but Puppy Party pups soon learn that our surgery is safe and welcoming.
The evenings are run by a vet supported by one or more of our nurses/receptionists. As well as encouraging your puppy to play and interact with other pups and owners, we also spend time discussing important issues such as parasite control, the value of neutering, the Pet Travel Scheme, vaccination etc.
We will give you a guided tour of the surgery and refreshments are served at the end of the evening. The Puppy Parties are FREE and great fun. Any pup is welcome, once they’ve had their first vaccination.
Please contact the surgery for further details and to book a place for your puppy.
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Microchip Implants & Pet Passports
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.
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Fish medicine
The keeping of ornamental fish has increased enormously in the last ten years. Considerably more pond fish, principally Koi carp, are being kept. Ornamental fish medicine has similarly developed and Sarah Kitwood is now providing a fish veterinary service, offering medical and surgical treatments.
Investigation of fish illness often requires a multifaceted approach since there is a complex relationship between water quality, stress and disease. We offer a full laboratory service including bacteriology, blood sampling, post-mortems, examination for ectoparasites and detailed sampling of skin, fin and gill lesions. Issues of water quality can also be addressed. We also have the facilities to anaesthetise fish. This procedure is particularly useful to treat such conditions as Koi ulcer disease, or for the removal of tumours.
We see fish at the surgery (please call first for advice on transport conditions), or Sarah can make a pond-side visit. Whether you keep fish for recreation, or in a professional capacity, we would be pleased to discuss any health concerns you may have. Please call the surgery and ask to speak to Sarah Kitwood.
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used very successfully in veterinary medicine, either on its own or alongside along side conventional Western medicine.
Acupuncture is the placing of needles into various areas of the body to evoke a healing effect. Veterinary acupuncture is over 2,000 years old. Veterinary surgeons in ancient China observed that, when pressed, certain pressure points on an animal’s body relieved pain in a given area or reduced signs of generalised ill-health. It was later discovered that a better effect was produced if these points were penetrated by a needle.
Click here for more information on veterinary acupuncture
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Euthanasia & Cremation Services
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 – At Forest House we tend to use a separate consulting room which has a more comfortable and informal atmosphere. There are easy chairs and 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 and soft 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.
Some people wish to take their pets home and bury them in the garden. We can provide coffins for this. For some this is not an option. Cremation is provided by Ashes Pet Crematorium near Thirsk who are an excellent company and if the owner wants the ashes back then an individual cremation is guaranteed. Owners can attend if they wish.
