• Follow any instructions regarding starvation of food or water before your pets' visit; and the giving of any medication
• Bring any paperwork which your vet may have given you e.g. lab results, x-rays 
• If your pet is having occasional ‘funny’ attacks, which they may not show when they visit SCVS, a video of the episode taken on a phone is very useful
• Please try to ensure your pet has emptied his/her bowels before seeing us. We do have a small, shingled area for this purpose next to our car park
• While we appreciate that your pet may have a “favourite” toy or blanket, please do not bring these with you for 1-2 day procedures. In order to maintain our strict hygiene levels, everything is washed several times a day, and on a busy day it can be very difficult to keep track of individual blankets or toys in the washing. For longer stays, we recognise the value of having something “smelling of home”, so please discuss this with our ward nurses
• Please bring your signed insurance claim form. 

Our receptionists will welcome you and there is complimentary tea and coffee available in our waiting area. Please allow yourself 10 minutes to register. 

Step 1

Firstly, we make sure we know all about your pet, his/her habits, normal activities, and also the problems they may be experiencing. This may well repeat the information we have from your vet, but it is helpful for us to hear your version, rather than relying on a printed summary. These details may be taken by a specialist or by an intern. (Interns are qualified vets studying with us to further their knowledge, and possibly become specialists in the future).

Step 2

The specialist will then examine your pet and discuss with you his/her findings. They will outline the options for further investigation or treatment, and the costs involved (taking into account any insurance policy you may have).

Step 3

We may occasionally have to repeat previous tests performed by your vet. Your vet will often perform “screening” tests to look for problems, e.g., blood tests or x-rays. These may be relatively low in cost. However, if they do highlight a problem, we may need to repeat them in more detail to explore the exact cause.

Step 4

Should further investigations be needed, you may be required to leave your pet with us and return later in the day. Alternately, we may decide to investigate and, if appropriate, keep your pet in for treatment (surgery or medical) over the following days. In all cases, we will liaise directly with you to ensure you are happy that the treatment options fit in with your circumstances.

Some pets will have had previous investigations. If that is the case, you will be dropping them off for surgery, or to have a specific procedure carried out. In these cases, an intern or veterinary nurse will admit your pet. You should let them know if there have been any changes since we last saw your pet.

Visiting times are available for our long staying patients for the duration of 20 minutes.

They are between:

11.00am -12:30pm and 3.00pm - 4.00pm - Monday to Saturday and are by appointment only.

Emergency visits are only permitted on a Sunday. 

Your pet will be discharged within our opening hours of 8.00am - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8.00am - 12.00pm Saturdays. Only in the case of emergencies will Sundays be considered for discharge. 

You will see either a specialist, an intern or a veterinary nurse when your pet goes home. This will depend on your previous discussions with a specialist.

Direct feedback will always be provided by the specialist involved with your pet before you collect him/her – either at discharge or via telephone.

Should your pet require further rehabilitation treatment at home and/or with us, your pet may be booked in to see one of our physiotherapists.

Upon your pets' discharge, you will receive written instructions regarding our findings, details of medication, when to return for re-examination and any physiotherapy which may be required. We will also arrange a re-check appointment if appropriate.

We email a written report to your vet following the discharge of your pet. We will also often speak to them on the phone. This is to ensure that they are aware of the treatment we have given.

• If your pet has returned home following surgery or a procedure and you are concerned, please call us via +44 (0)1425 485615. You will initially reach one of our interns or veterinary nurses, who are based at SCVS 24-hours a day. They may not be familiar with your pet’s problem; however, they will be happy to provide general advice
• Should your pet’s problem appear serious, our specialists are on call. In this instance, our interns will contact them directly and ask them to call you back. In some cases, we may see your pet at SCVS, or we may suggest you see your local vet 
• Any questions regarding appointments, insurance claims or invoices should be directed to us from 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.