Referral

We recognise that there are many different reasons to refer a case and you are welcome to call us if you would like to discuss a case prior to committing to a referral.

If you wish to refer an emergency or urgent case during office hours please call 08 9277 7737.

Alternatively, in non emergency cases you may email us on [email protected] to gain further information on diagnosis and management of current cases.

In order to provide optimal care to the referred horse we request that referring veterinarians provide us with a case history, including the results of any diagnostic procedures already undertaken and any treatment or medication that the horse has received. If an emergency referral is between 5pm and 8am weekdays or over the weekend, your call will be answered by the on call veterinarian. Please ask your client to call the out-of-hours number when they are approximately half an hour away from the hospital.

When making an appointment for lameness investigation, we can provide advice as to whether your horse should be shod or not, whether you should continue to keep your horse in light work, and whether it should continue on any pain-killing medication up to the time of its appointment.

If your horse is normally shod ideally it should have shoes on. Unshod horses often become foot-sore when trotted up for lameness examination.

Ideally your horse should be kept in light work until the appointment date unless welfare considerations or your veterinarian indicates otherwise. This ensures that your horse is clinically lame at the time of admission. Often soreness will subside after a period of a few days rest, and this can make it difficult for the veterinarian to see the true clinical picture and isolate the lameness. It can be frustrating for owners to make long journeys to be told that their horse is not lame enough to allow a lameness examination to be performed.

Administration of any pain killers should be stopped at least 48 hours before your appointment date unless you have been advised otherwise by a veterinary surgeon, as these drugs can mask clinical signs of lameness.

Please be aware that we may need to remove shoes for x-rays of the feet.

To perform a complete gastroscopic examination, your horse’s stomach needs to be empty. We ask that all feed be withheld from 6:00 pm the evening before the examination.

Water does not need to be withheld — in fact, we encourage you to keep water available at all times, especially during Perth’s hot summers.

Why is fasting important? 🌿
If there is food in the stomach, it can obscure the view and prevent us from thoroughly examining the stomach lining for ulcers or other issues.

If fasting at home isn’t practical, we offer a convenient service where your horse can be dropped off the day before. Our team will ensure they are safe, comfortable, and properly fasted overnight.

If your horse is admitted to hospital you will be updated on his/her progress on a daily basis, unless otherwise agreed with us.  Please be assured that the clinical team will always contact you immediately if there is important news to relay or an urgent development in your horse’s condition. Keeping you well informed about what is happening to your horse is very important to us.

You are also welcome to telephone to enquire about your horse’s condition and progress. If possible please call after mid-morning as by then our vets will have completed their morning checks, bandage changes etc and reassessment of the case. Please understand that the veterinarian in charge of your horse may not be able to leave another horse immediately when you telephone.

Depending on the level of care required, detailed checks are made throughout the day and night as required on an individual basis, with constant monitoring provided for the most critical hospital cases.

At discharge of your horse from hospital, you will receive a full set of discharge instructions. These will guide you through medications and care requirements. At the time of discharge, please remember to bring a head collar, take all your rugs and make sure you fully understand the discharge instructions. If in any doubt, please ask a member of staff. Special arrangements can be made if you cannot collect your horse during routine working hours. Please be advised that a daily hospitalisation fee applies to all cases.

If your horse has been referred, your referring veterinarian will be kept updated regarding your horse’s treatment. A full report together with a copy of discharge instructions will be sent to your veterinary surgeon outlining the details of any investigations and treatment that your horse has undergone.

We understand how important it is to spend time with your horse while they are in hospital. To help us keep all horses safe and ensure smooth hospital operations, please follow these guidelines:

• Visiting hours: Visits are welcome during normal working hours by arrangement with the veterinarian in charge of your horse.
• Check-in: Please report to reception on arrival before entering the hospital area.
• Weekends: We do our best to accommodate visits on weekends, usually around treatment times in the morning or afternoon. Please remember this is a working hospital — emergencies may arise, and our team may not always have much time to talk during your visit.
• Supervision: For safety and security, owners are not permitted on the property alone. A member of staff must be present during all visits.
• Biosecurity: Access to horses under isolation is strictly limited.
• Security: Visiting outside normal working hours is not possible. Clients cannot stay overnight. A list of nearby accommodation can be provided if required.
• Patient care: Please do not feed or walk your horse without approval from a veterinarian or attending nurse. Questions regarding treatments or care should be directed to the clinician in charge.
• Confidentiality: Please respect the privacy of other clients and their horses during your visit.

At your horse’s initial consultation, the veterinarian will discuss the investigation and treatment options with you and provide an estimate of costs. Please note this is an estimate (not a fixed quotation). Individual responses to treatment can vary, and the treatment plan may need to change as your horse’s care progresses.

• Revised estimates may be provided verbally if circumstances change during the hospital stay.
• You will receive ongoing updates on costs throughout your horse’s stay if required.

Payments:

• A 50% deposit of the estimate is required at the start of treatment.
• Full payment is due at the time of discharge.
• We accept Mastercard, Visa, debit cards, and bank transfer.
• Please note, we do not accept American Express.
• We also offer payment plans through VetPay if required.

Home – VetPay

Insurance claims:
If your horse is insured, we are happy to assist with completing insurance paperwork and providing the necessary documentation. However, please be aware that full payment is still required at the time of discharge.

Please note that the role of your insurance company is to reimburse you for veterinary treatment fees — payment is still required in full at the time of your horse’s discharge.

If your horse is insured, it is your responsibility to:

• Contact your insurance company before your horse’s appointment to confirm your level of cover and obtain any necessary claim forms.
• In the case of an emergency, notify your insurance company as soon as possible once your horse is stable and it is practical to do so.

Our team is happy to assist by providing the required documentation and completing claim forms, but all financial responsibility ultimately rests with the horse’s owner.