Inevitably there are cases that require more than a physical examination of the animal in order for us to reach a diagnosis, and for those occasions we use the most cost-effective means of testing that we consider necessary.
The list of in-house equipment that we use includes:
Separate dog kennels and cattery - to reduce the stress on hospitalised patients.
Temperature-monitored dog kennels and cattery - to keep your pets warm, safe and comfortable during their stay.
In-house CCTV of dog kennels and cattery cages - so we can monitor the recovery of your pet even when we are not in the room
X rays - for those bony problems, troublesome joints, and foreign objects that some dogs like to swallow.
Ultrasound - usually used for pregnancy diagnosis, but also for examining internal organs such as the prostate gland, spleen, or liver. This is a non-invasive and pain-free method of examining internal organs.
Auroscopes and ophthalmoscopes - for looking inside ears and eyes respectively.
Cardiophone - an ECG for checking abnormal heart rhythms.
Blood pressure monitor - to measure and monitor blood pressure in dogs and cats. High blood pressure is a newly recognised problem in dogs and cats.
Isoflo anaesthesia - we use Gold Standard Anaesthesia to ensure that anaesthesia is as safe as possible for every single pet. Animals have a physical examination and, if thought necessary, a pre-anaesthetic blood test to check for any underlying illness that might increase their anaesthetic risk.
Pulse oximeter - for measuring the oxygen level in your pet whilst under anaesthesia and so make the whole process even safer.
We have the firm opinion that age is no barrier to safe anaesthesia - it is health that is important, not age.
Dental machine - to help clean, descale, polish, and if all else fails, extract, teeth.
Diathermy - electrocautery for removing certain types of tumours with minimal bleeding.
Blood testing - we have the latest machines for assessing what may be happening under the surface of your pet and can obtain most results within hours.
Ultra-violet light - not for getting a suntan but for identifying certain skin infections
Microchip reader - to read any available microchip in the UK so that your identichipped pet can be returned to you.
These facilities are at the main premises in Horncastle, where we have a full complement of trained, experienced and caring staff to assist with all procedures.
Branch Premises
At the two branches, at Woodhall Spa and Coningsby, we maintain enough equipment for the routine full clinical examination of patients that are presented, but for any more detailed investigations that may be necessary, it will be necessary to take you pet to the main branch at Horncastle where a more detailed investigation can be performed.