Do I have to make an appointment to see a vet?
Yes. We prefer that all consultations are by appointment (see opening hours). This is so that we can plan our day and avoid keeping you waiting.
If my pet needs surgery or needs to be hospitalised, can I visit?
Yes, of course. In fact, we encourage you to visit your pet on a daily basis. We know it makes our patients feel better and you also get to see that your pet is being looked after as well as we say we are.
We do ask however you give us a call and let us know when you're coming so we can have someone available to speak with you about your pet's progress.
If my pet is hospitalised, can I leave a favourite item with her?
Yes. If your pet will be in hospital for some time, we suggest you bring a favourite toy or item of clothing with your familiar scent to place in your pet's kennel. It provides your pet with a connection to a familiar place so she's less likely to fret.
How long is a consultation?
We allocate 10 minutes for a routine consultation. This allows enough time to address most issues. If we find that we need more time to get to the bottom of a problem we may ask you to leave your pet with us for a while to enable us to complete their treatment as our schedule allows.
If you know at the time of booking your appointment that we may need more time simply ask our receptionist to allocate a longer time for your appointment.
Can I ask to see a specific vet when I book my appointment?
Yes, of course, simply ask for them by name when you make your appointment. We understand that your relationship with your vet is an important one and we respect your need to deal with someone you know and trust. Rest assured that our vets work very closely together so if your preferred vet is not available on a day or time that suits you, another vet can take over your pet's case and pass on all information when he or she returns. Our detailed medical records allow us to easily transition between vets and review cases as a team.
Why do fees vary for a particular service or procedure between clinics?
Unlike human medical services, our profession is not subject to fixed fee policies. Fees between clinics will vary depending on many different factors which include:
- The equipment used - different clinics have different equipment available to maintain anaesthesia, monitor patients under anaesthetics, run tests and to diagnose illnesses. Using advanced technology will influence overall pricing. Learn more about our facilities and equipment.
- The surgical techniques may differ - some use more advanced techniques for the same procedure
- Different standards of care for the treatment of the same condition
- Whether trained assistants are used to monitor patients during anaesthesia and during the recovery period
- The quality of the materials and drugs used in surgery or to treat a condition. Some drugs and materials are cheaper than others
- The type of anaesthetic agent used. Some or safer (and hence more expensive) than others
These and other reasons are why we encourage pet owners to always ask detailed questions about all veterinary services. Comparing services on price alone can be a real trap if you're not aware of all the things that can differ behind the scenes.
Unfortunately most people are not aware of this. Please refer to our Surgery Fact Sheet.
What type of anaesthesia will be used on my pet?
The Gold standard in Veterinary medicine is inhalation anaesthesia. Some clinics still use intravenous (injectable) anaesthesia which was the norm many years ago before gaseous anaesthetics became available. There are different types of gaseous anaesthetic agents that can be used. We use ONLY Isofluorane which is the best and the safest.
What standards are met to ensure sterility and reduce the risk of post-operative infection?
As veterinary surgeons we are required to wear appropriate surgical clothing when performing surgery. This includes a sterile mask, gloves and gown for aseptic procedures. We have a separate theatre for performing aseptic surgery and a preparation room where the patient is initially prepared for the procedure. We use an individually prepared sterile surgical pack for each patient.
Do you charge extra for consultations on weekends and Public Holidays?
A surcharge applies to consultations on Saturdays after 1:00pm, Sundays and Public Holidays during our listed hours. Any consultations outside these hours will attract a higher charge.
What if my pet becomes ill and you are closed?
If we're closed, call us on 02 4627 1333 and our after-hours service will refer your call to one of two dedicated emergency centres – either the Animal Referral Hospital at Homebush, or the local Ingleburn Veterinary Emergency Centre. Please refer to our Emergencies page for more information, including what to do in an emergency and when to call for help.
I have a question that isn’t covered here.
Please call us during our normal opening hours if you need any further information about our services or are concerned about your pet’s health. We’d be pleased to help you.