Services

Clinical Services

Abbey Veterinary Group is a well equipped surgery offering comprehensive care and treatment for your pets.

Bringing your pet to surgery

Cats Please always bring your cat to the surgery in a carrier. Cats will often feel more secure in a carrier and may try to escape if not confined . Dogs Please keep your dog on a lead at all times. Where possible please encourage your dog to pass urine or faeces before coming to the surgery. If your dog does accidentally pass urine or faeces in the waiting room or in the car park please inform reception so they can arrange for this to be removed. If your pet is particularly noisy, aggressive or very nervous, please inform reception when you make the appointment and we will try and see your pet during a quieter time of the day.

Emergencies

Emergency treatment is more effectively administered at the surgery and in most cases a severely injured animal can be moved quite safely. Have as many helpers as is necessary to move the animal with the minimum fuss and ensure that its airway is kept clear at all times.
Please let us know that you are on your way so that we can be ready to deal with the emergency.
After hours our emergency work is covered by Vets Now. Please telephone our surgery number and follow the instructions on the recorded message.
Consultations out of normal surgery hours will incur additional charges.

Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions by law, can only be prescribed if the animal has been seen at the surgery within the last six months. In some cases the interval may be less depending on the condition the medication is required for. Requests may be made by telephone or in person. Please allow 24hours to collect medication from us. If a written prescription is required please allow 72 hours not including Saturday and Sunday.

Euthanasia

Deciding to have your pet put to sleep is a very hard decision and will only be advised after a thorough evaluation of your pet’s circumstances and in accordance with your wishes. If you have made the decision and need to arrange an appointment, please inform reception and they will make you an appointment at a quieter time of the day so that you will not have to wait unnecessarily.
You will have the option to have your pet individually cremated with the  ashes returned in a scattering box or in a casket. With general cremation your pet’s ashes will be scattered in a memorial garden at Green Pastures Crematorium. You are welcome to visit Green Pastures to spend time in the gardens.  Please ask at reception and they will discuss all the options with you to try and make this very difficult time a little easier for you.

Hospitalisation Facilities

Pre-operative Guidelines

Operations are carried out routinely at both our surgeries Monday to Friday.
We request that all cats and dogs due to have an operation have their last meal no later than 7pm the night before the operation, with water available up until midnight
Our nurses will admit your pet between 8.00am and 9.00am at the Chaddesden surgery and between 8.30am and 9.00am at the Chellaston surgery where dogs will be weighed and if appropriate given a sedative. One of our nurses will contact you by phone/text/email with a progress report and will arrange a convenient time for you to collect your pet.
Generally animals go home the same day during the afternoon unless we feel that it is necessary to monitor them overnight.

Neutering

Our recommendations with regard to neutering are as follows:-

Dogs
We recommend spaying bitches to reduce the possibility of unwanted puppies, mammary tumours and pyometra (infected uterus). This is normally carried out 3 months after her season has finished.
If you wish to have your bitch speyed before her first season we advise a free of charge consultation with one of our vets to discuss this in further detail prior to arranging the operation.
We recommend that dogs are neutered around 12 months of age this will help to prevent aggression, straying and prostatic problems.

Cats
We recommend that both females and males are neutered at 4 months of age if they are physically mature enough. In females this will prevent unwanted litters of kittens and in males will reduce the incidence of spraying, straying and fighting.

Tail Docking

We will not dock tails.

Preventative Healthcare

Vaccinations

We recommend regular vaccinations for dogs and cats
Dogs are vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza. They can also be protected against Kennel Cough.
The vaccinations can be started at eight weeks with a second one at ten weeks old. Your puppy can then go out for walks etc one week later, allowing them to become socialised at an early age.
Cats can be vaccinated against Cat Flu, Feline Infectious Enteritis and Feline Leukaemia.
The vaccinations start at nine weeks with the second one at twelve weeks old.
Annual vaccinations are advised to maintain immunity. At the time of the annual vaccination a thorough health check is given enabling you to discuss any concerns that you may have.

Parasites

All pets are susceptible to worms, fleas, ticks, lice and mites.
We recommend monthly flea treatment and worm treatment every 3 months in line with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s advice.
An examination every 12 months will be required for us to be able to prescribe flea treatments. Both flea and worm checks are carried out by our qualified nurses who will discuss the various products available. These examinations are free of charge. More information below.

www.fleafree.co.uk

www.profender.co.uk

www.lungworm.co.uk

Weight management
Flea and worm checks
Diabetic clinics
Well cat clinics
Microchipping
Management of the older cat

Puppy Parties

We also run regular where newly vaccinated puppies are encouraged to socialise with others in a fun environment. All aspects of preventative healthcare are discussed. These are fun for all the family and where possible a tour of the operating, kennel and laboratory facilities is included. All puppies and kittens will receive a goody bag with their vaccination course.

 

Pet Bereavement Counselling

Pets do not live as long as humans. Thinking about euthanasia is sadly a decision that many pet owners may eventually have to face. Taking responsibility for this decision is the kindest thing you can do for a much loved pet.

Making that difficult decision

Talk it over with a vet and your family and friends.

Can your pet still eat, drink, sleep and move around comfortably?
Do they respond to you and greet you?
Are they interested in feeding times?

You and your family know your pet better than anyone else and will be able to judge their quality of life. Your vet can help you with this and can make a recommendation. If you are hoping for an improvement it is a good idea to set a time limit and reassess. Sadly few pets die peacefully in their sleep at home but they reach a point where their quality of life is unsatisfactory, and the decision to put to sleep needs to be made. Planning ahead Consider the options available regarding cremation or burial. Most people opt for general cremation where their pet is cremated with other pets and their ashes buried in a remembrance garden. There is the option to have individual cremation where the ashes are returned to you in a cask or in a scattering box. You can take the body home for burial. We use Green Pastures Pet Crematorium. There website features their remembrance gardens. Explain the situation to the receptionist who can then suggest a quiet time for you to come to the surgery. Bring a family member or friend with you to help and support you. If your pet is hospitalised you can arrange to come and visit to say goodbye if you would like to, it is entirely your choice. If your pet is under anaesthetic it may be kinder to let them go to sleep without waking and perhaps see them afterwards. What will happen You will need to sign a consent form. Euthanasia is carried out by injecting an overdose of anaesthetic into the vein of the front leg, although can be given to other areas of the body as well. A small patch of fur will be shaved off to make the vein more visible. A nurse will hold your pet to raise a vein. All your pet will feel is a tiny prick of the needle the injection is painless there is a brief feeling of dizziness as the drug takes effect. Your pet will become unconscious within seconds, often before the injection has finished and death will occur within a few minutes when the heart stops beating. This may take a little longer if your pet is extremely ill or has poor circulation and in these instances it may prove difficult for the vet to find a vein. In the few minutes after death you may see a reflex muscle movement or an involuntary gasp. These are not signs of life they are reflexes denoting that death has occurred. Should you stay This is entirely your choice and you should not feel guilty if you are unable to do this. If you are upset you may well upset your pet as well. You can be assured that the vets and nurses will treat your pet sympathetically in your absence. If you wish to spend some time with your pet afterwards do not be afraid to ask you will always be able to spend time alone to say goodbye. It will take time to recover from the loss of your pet and you will experience many emotions often sadness, loneliness and even anger. All are quite normal. Try not to blame yourself and question if you made the right decision. You made this decision with your pet’s best interest at heart and to prevent their suffering. We have a Book of Memories if you would like to share a picture and story about your pet which will in turn help others. Speaking with our pet bereavement counsellor It can be helpful at times to talk to someone who understands how you are feeling. If you feel you would like to talk to someone we now have a trained Pet Bereavement Counsellor who will be happy to discuss things with you. If you would like to speak to her please ring the Chaddesden surgery 01332 661554 and ask to speak to Vicky.

VIP Pet Healthcare Plan

Our aim is to provide the best possible health care for your pets in a pleasant, friendly environment.
We are committed to keeping abreast of the latest developments in modern veterinary practice - providing high-quality treatment at sensible prices. To enable pet owners to spread the cost of routine treatment, we have designed our own practice membership scheme - the VIP Pet Healthcare Plan. See here for details.

Loyalty Card Scheme

As a thank you to our clients we are now issuing loyalty cards. With this card you will earn 1 point for every multiple of £10 spent in the surgeries.
These points will be issued for all transactions including consultations, vaccinations, operations, drugs and food and miscellaneous items purchased.
When 20 points have been earned we will send you a voucher for £10 to be used in the surgery.
To apply for a loyalty card please call in at either surgery and complete an application form or download one here.

Special Offers

Spring has arrived and it is time to prevent any unwanted litters SPRING OFFER 25% off the cost of all routine spays and neuters. This offer is valid from 2nd April 2012 until 31st May 2012. Please bring this voucher to either surgery or quote the website offer when telephoning. Voucher available here
THINK RABBIT FORTNIGHT 21st May to 1st June. During this fortnight we will be offering free consultations with our nurses and a free goodie bag. For further details please contact either surgery.
SUMMER SPECIAL ON VACCINATIONS We are doing a special offer on all vaccinations from the 21 May until the 31st August. To take advantage of these offers and for further details please contact either surgery.
JUNE IS NATIONAL MICROCHIP MONTH During the month of June we are offering microchips for £10. Make sure you never lose your pet and take advantage of this offer by making an appointment at either surgery.
JUNE IS DENTAL CARE MONTH Gum disease is the most common condition in adult dogs and affects four out of five dogs over three years of age. During Dental Care Month Abbey Veterinary Group will be offering FREE dental check ups and advice on dental care for your dog, cat or rabbit. Your pets teeth and gums will be examined by one of our nurses who will give you advice on how to best care for your pets teeth at home. Your dog will also receive a FREE pack of Dentastix which when chewed daily have been proven to reduce tartar build up. There will be special offers on dental products during June. Should your pet require dental treatment you will receive a 20% discount off the cost of this treatment if booked within 6 weeks of your appointment. (This offer includes general anaesthetic, full dental examination, scale and polish and any extractions necessary. It does not include any medication required.) To make an appointment during June please contact either surgery. Chaddesden 01332 661554 or Chellaston 700256 Or request an appointment on line by clicking on the VetsGlobal link here

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