Your visit

Admission

If the problem needs further investigation and you are in agreement that it is the best course of action, they will be admitted to the hospital and prepared in our state-of-the-art prep area. While it is always a hub of activity, it is calm and spacious. At this point, a dedicated prep nurse will be allocated to your friend to hold their paw and remain with them as a constant while they travel through the next stages.

Imaging

Most of the patients we admit require some sort of imaging procedure, be it radiography or advanced diagnostic imaging e.g. MRI or CT. We believe that our imaging modalities enable more accurate and timely diagnosis of both routine and potentially life-threatening conditions. By providing this easily accessible and advanced facility, our patients can be treated much more quickly.

Theatre

We have seven theatre suites fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and patient monitoring facilities, including arthroscopy equipment that allows us to look directly inside the patient’s joints and treat problems in a minimally invasive fashion which massively decreases recovery time.

Find out more about Fitzpatrick Referrals arthroscopy facilities.

Wards

The wards are where our patients are given their own dedicated healing space during their stay. We have a team of ward nurses and veterinary care assistants whose sole purpose is to ensure all aspects of inpatient care are met.

We are committed to delivering the highest level of care available anywhere in the world and you can feel assured that your pet will receive as much care, attention, love and cuddles as it would at home.

Our wards have a no-bars policy and our glass door kennels have electronic monitoring systems to ensure the animals in our care feel happy, relaxed and at home.

The wards offer the best facility imaginable for the care, recuperation and home-from-home feeling for patients staying with us.

Please find out more about the duties of our ward nurses and veterinary care assistants.

Patient care

We are fortunate to be based in one of the most beautiful parts of the English countryside in the southeast of England and have a large field where patients can be taken for a walk or if unable, carried outside to sit in the sunshine and get some fresh air.

The healing environment of every patient is taken into great consideration and adapted based on his or her unique and special needs.

Depending on the treatment your friend receives, they will stay at the hospital for monitoring and care until they are ready to continue their recovery at home.

Home aftercare

You will be given comprehensive discharge instructions from your clinician regarding their care and medication, to follow at home.

The recovery period after surgery typically involves a prolonged period of crate rest, with restricted walks, physiotherapy exercises and important care instructions to follow (e.g. no running, jumping, slipping or sliding, or climbing stairs) to help ensure your patient achieves optimal healing.

We recommend preparing your home in advance of your pet’s return. For example:

• Order a suitably sized crate that will comfortably accommodate your dog or cat and have enough space for them to move around in when wearing a large plastic cone.
• Ensure they have a clean environment to minimise their risk of infection by washing their bedding and toys; cleaning the boot of your car for their transportation home; and washing their collar and leads.
• Cover any slippery floors with rugs or mats.
• Block access to stairs with a stair gate if necessary.

If you have any worries at all regarding the instructions or their recovery, please contact us.

Boarding

We understand that during postop recovery clients may wish for their animal to receive extended aftercare and boarding facilities.

However, Fitzpatrick Referrals cannot provide this service due to limited ward space and we always encourage families to be around during the important recovery period. To find out about other options, please visit our FAQs section.

Rehabilitation

We believe that good rehabilitation is an integral part of the success of surgical intervention, promoting increased mobility, reducing pain, inflammation and recovery time. We have a state-of-the-art rehabilitation service that offers some of the most advanced physiotherapy and hydrotherapy facilities for small animal rehabilitation in the UK.