What happens if my pet needs to be referred to another veterinary establishment?
In some circumstances, your pet may require veterinary services over and above those we can offer at The Oaks. It is possible to refer your pet to other establishments such as Glasgow University Veterinary School, Vets Now Referrals or The Dermatology Referral Service. If this happens, your pet’s notes will be sent along with a referhwral letter and any other relevant images or results e.g. x-rays. We are kept informed as to your pet’s progress and when they are discharged, we are told of any further treatment that may be required at The Oaks.
What happens if my pet needs an operation?
The vet will go over what procedures are required, how long they may take and when they can be carried out. Our reception staff will then find a weekday that suits your schedule. In most cases, animals are dropped off at the clinic first thing in the morning and return home the same day, at a time that is convenient to you, in the afternoon or evening. We ask that animals receive no food after 7:00pm the night before, but they can have water until the time they come into the surgery. We realise this can be an anxious day for owners so we telephone with an update at lunchtime and ask that you leave an appropriate contact number with us on the morning of the surgery.
When do I have to pay for treatment?
Payment is due at the time of consultation or on collection of an animal that has been admitted for a procedure. We will happily estimate costs for you prior to admitting your pet.Procedures or operations that cost over £500 will require a form of payment at the time of admit. If you think you may have difficulty paying your bill, please inform reception before you see the vet or nurse.
How can I pay?
We accept most major credit/debit cards and cash. This includes Electron, Maestro, Solo, Switch, Visa and Visa Electron. We do not accept cheques as payment and we do not wish to embarrass you by refusing credit.
What happens to the contact information you have on record for us?
We fully operate in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 so will never make your details available to any third party.
When can I get my pet neutered?
Both male and female cats are routinely neutered from four months of age.
Rabbits can be neutered from 6 months of age.
Female dogs can be spayed from six months’ old. If they're operated on before reaching 2 years' old, the risk of mammary tumours is significantly reduced. It also eliminates the risk of womb infections (pyometra) and false pregnancies. We do not operate when the bitch is in season as they lose more blood. We ideally wait until 10 weeks after the end of the season.
Getting dogs castrated reduces the roaming instinct and aggression levels. Dogs can be castrated from six months of age.
Many people say neutering made their dog or cat fat. This is untrue, however they do require less to eat after surgery to avoid obesity.
All puppies are invited to a free health check when they reach 6 months of age. This is an ideal time to discuss neutering with the vet.
Do you make house visits?
We do offer a house call service if necessary. You should appreciate that it is not always possible to examine an animal as thoroughly at home as it is at the surgery, and there is a limit to what we can carry in the car. In some situations, it may not be possible to do a house visit and each case will be assessed on an individual basis. There is a house call fee over and above the cost of the normal treatment.
If the call is essential, then please call as soon after 8:30am as possible to help with organising the veterinary surgeon’s time.
We also offer a nurse collection service for housebound people who require help to get their animals to the surgery for routine treatments e.g. nail clipping, vaccinations. A nurse will come and collect your pet, it will have its treatment carried out at the surgery and then will be returned home to you. Any information required from owners can always be gained via telephone discussion whilst your pet is with us. There is a fee for this service but it is significantly lower than that of a home visit by one of the vets.
What happens after my pet has been euthanised?
In the event of a pet being put to sleep or if a patient dies, there are 3 main options. You may take your pet home with you to bury in your garden. We can arrange for your pet to be cremated along with other pets - this is known as a routine cremation. The third option is to have an individual cremation, where you get your pet’s ashes back. There are several options for how you would like to receive these ashes, for example in a casket, in an urn or in a container for scattering them. A leaflet showing these options is always available at reception and any member of staff will be happy to help you with the process.
Can I buy my pet food from you?
We are able to source most pet foods, usually the next day, to any of our surgeries. Our Largs branch has a large shop area which stocks pet food, treats, accessories, toys and healthcare products. If you can’t find what you are looking for, just ask and we will try our best to get it for you. We also offer a free delivery service for those larger items that you may not be able to carry yourself.
If you need advice on which food is best for your pet, please drop in or give us a call. We’ll be happy to help!