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.

It is important that your horse’s stomach is empty to perform a complete gastroscopic examination. All feed should be withheld from 8pm the night before the examination and water should be withheld 2 hours prior to examination.

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.

You are welcome to visit your horse in hospital during normal working hours. A time can be arranged with the veterinarian in charge of your horse. Please check-in with reception every time you are on the premises.

Please be aware that due to bio-security reasons, access to horses under isolation is strictly limited.

Due to security reasons, visiting outside normal working hours is not allowed. Clients cannot stay in the hospital overnight. A list of nearby accommodation is available if required.

Please do not feed or walk out your horse without the prior approval of a veterinarian or attending nurse. Please direct any questions regarding patient orders, treatments and care to the clinician in charge of your horse.

Please respect the confidentiality of other owners and their horses when visiting your horse in the hospital.

At the initial consultation the veterinarian will discuss the investigation and treatment options with you and provide you with an estimate of costs. Please note that what we provide is an estimate (not a quotation) for the treatment projected. Individual responses to treatment vary greatly depending on many factors and the treatment plan may need to be revised. Revised estimates for care may need to be given verbally should circumstances change during the progression of the hospital stay. You will receive ongoing cost information throughout your horse’s stay at the hospital if required.

A 50% deposit of the estimate is required at the start of treatment. Our terms of business are that full payment must be made at the time of your horse’s discharge. We accept mastercard and visa credit cards, debit card, and bank transfer is also available. We also offer VetPay if required.

Home – VetPay

Please note the role of the insurance company is to reimburse you for fees incurred for veterinary treatment.  If your horse is insured, it is your responsibility to contact your insurance company before your horse’s appointment. In the case of an emergency, please contact your insurance company at the earliest convenience.