Teddy Cameron is a handsome one and a half year old short-haired cat. He was presented to our Basingstoke branch after spending the whole night vomiting.Teddy was stabilised at the emergency clinic over night and came in to us for a check-up in the morning. He was brighter but the vet could feel something was not right with his intestines. Poor Teddy was sore when touched on one specific area and he was still feeling sick.
X-rays showed that there was a blockage in Teddy’s intestines and it required emergency surgery. During the surgery, we discovered that Teddy had an unusual condition called an “intussusception” of his small intestine. This means that the intestine slid into itself, became trapped, started to swell and caused a blockage.
This is a life-threatening situation if left for too long. Sadly, the intestine was too stuck and damaged to save it, so the vet team needed to surgically cut it away and stitch the two remaining ends together.
This procedure has some possible complications associated with it but it was Teddy’s only chance. The next few days were critical for Teddy but thanks to our dedicated nursing team and Teddy being the ultimate trooper, he pulled through. We are pleased to say his wounds have now healed up, and he is back to his normal self playing with his friend Tusk.
If your pet is booked to have a general anaesthetic or operation:
It is helpful if dogs are taken for a short walk before coming to the surgery for their comfort.
You will be asked to sign a consent form for the procedure. A vet or a nurse will go through this form with you, please ask for a detailed estimate if you require one.
We will ask you to ring later in the day to see how your pet is and to book a discharge appointment.
Your pet will be admitted by one of our nurses or vets and will receive a thorough pre op check and a cuddle to settle them in. The operation will be carried out during the day.
Your pet will be discharged by one of our veterinary surgeons or nurses, usually in the late afternoon or early evening of the same day, unless we have specified differently.
Please see our Post Op instructions for your pet’s after care.
Payment
Payment will be expected in full at the time of collection.
Insurance claims
If you have not done so we will require a copy of your insurance schedule to keep with your pet’s records.
Once we have the Insurance schedule and can confirm your pet is covered, we are happy to do a direct claim. Please bring your signed claim form with you at the time of collection. You will be expected to pay any excess at this time.
General (Dog/Cat)
When your pet has had an anaesthetic, they may be drowsy for the following 48 hours. The anaesthetic will be injected into a vein in his/her front leg and a small area of fur may have been clipped. There may be a bandage on a front leg where the catheter was placed–please remove this within a few hours of getting home. Please offer your pet a bland meal of Hills I/D or chicken and rice if he/she prefers. It is not unusual for occasional vomiting to occur following an anaesthetic. However, if vomiting is frequent or continues for longer than 12 hours, please contact us for advice.
If your pet has a wound:
It is advisable to keep cats indoors until sutures are removed and to restrict dogs to short walks on the lead. Please try to keep your pet as quiet as possible during this post-operative recovery period. If you notice any swelling or redness around your pet’s wound, please contact us for advice. If your pet licks the wound excessively, it may be necessary to purchase a medical pet shirt or elizabethan (“buster”) collar to prevent early removal of the sutures and the need for re-suturing. Please contact the surgery if you feel you need a medical pet shirt, collar or have any other concerns.
Our nurses and vets will have given you instructions on when we would like to see your pet again, this is usually 3 days after the operation and then again 7 days later for sutures out.
Additional costs
After most routine operations, patients recover uneventfully and there will usually be no further charge after the initial payment. We do not charge for post-operative check-ups and suture removal. However, sometimes the animal’s natural instinct to clean its own wound and occasionally take its own sutures out may cause an infection. Further treatment may then become necessary and will not be covered in the original costs.
For all the latest practice news and health information, check out our newsletter in the link below!
Lungworm (known as Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasitic worm dogs and foxes can carry.
The lungworm parasite lives in the heart and blood vessels of an infected animal where it lays eggs that get carried to the lungs.
If your dog becomes infected, it can cause series problems and can prove fatal.
Slugs and snails carry the lungworm parasite. If your dog ingests a snail or slug, it can become infected; the slime trail can also be enough to infect them. Although the disease cannot be passed from dog to dog, infected dogs still pose a risk. Larvae pass into their faeces which can then come into contact with slugs and snails, spreading the disease more rapidly.
Signs of lungworm can often be vague but can include:
Diagnosing Lungworm can be difficult, however we offer blood testing for lungworm along with chest x-rays if required.
If you think your dog is infected please contact the Practices.
Treating lungworm is relatively simple and requires a regular monthly treatment of anti-parasite treatment (wormers.)
Simply, yes!
We recommend monthly worming treatment to protect your dog from lungworm and other parasitic worms and fleas.
Always pick up and dispose of your dog’s poo.
Want to see what we have planned this summer?
Take a look at our Summer newsletter to find out!
StKittsSum19
This March St Kitts Veterinary Group shall be running a VACCINATION AMNESTY!
Is your pet overdue its annual booster?
Why not book an appointment to re-start your pet’s vaccination this March?
You get the full vaccination course for the simple cost of a booster – £42.50!
Don’t miss out! Book your appointment today!
February is dental awareness month at St Kitts Veterinary Group.
We are offering
*A FREE dental check with a nurse….
*10% off a dental scale and polish.
Why not pop in and book your appointment today?
This March St Kitts Veterinary Group shall be running a VACCINATION AMNESTY!
Is your pet overdue its annual booster?
Why not book an appointment to re-start your pet’s vaccination this March?
You get the full vaccination course for the simple cost of a booster – £42.50!
Don’t miss out! Book your appointment today!
Charity Event!
On January the 12th we shall be holding a charity event at our Firgrove Veterinary Centre.
Our team will be taking part in a spinathon!
The aim is to cycle the distance between our 4 practices, 44.1 miles.
The St Kitts Veterinary Group team will be taking part and the public have the chance to sign up too if they would like to take participate.
We are asking people to sponsor the team spinning.
There will also be a chance to win some amazing prizes in the raffle. Prizes range from afternoon tea at Tylney Hall, a month’s free membership and a free massage at Results Health Club, sparkling wine, pet toys and much more.
We will also be giving out goodie bags and the public have a chance to tour the newly opened practice in Aylesham way.
There will be lots of refreshments available, so we would love the public to pop down and support us.
One of our registered assistance dogs (part of Canine Partners) ‘Tia’ will be at the event with her owner Isabel, they shall be cutting the ribbon and getting the event started!
So please come down and support an amazing cause!https://stkittsvet.co.uk/
