Frequently asked questions

Although anaesthesia in pets with heart or kidney disease requires extra care, it can still be performed safely with careful monitoring and tailored protocols. We take all necessary precautions and adjustments to ensure the well-being of your pet. As always, we’ll discuss the risks and benefits with you beforehand so that you can make an informed decision for your pet’s health.

Age isn’t necessarily a hindrance to anaesthesia. Each pet is evaluated on an individual basis considering their overall health and specific needs. Remember, our main aim is to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort. If you have concerns due to your pet’s age, we’re more than happy to discuss them with you.

Non-anaesthetic cleanings can miss the area beneath the gum line where most dental disease occurs as scaling this area can be uncomfortable. They can also be stressful for your pet, as holding still for a cleaning can be difficult and uncomfortable, and there is a risk of aspiration pneumonia. Non-anaesthetic dental cleanings are not recommended by international veterinary associations.

General anaesthesia allows us to perform a more thorough and effective cleaning, especially beneath the gum line. It also keeps your pet still and comfortable during the procedure. Importantly it also allows us to maintain a clear airway and protect their throat and lungs from inhalation of any water or debris.

Our team ensures your pet is comfortable and stress-free throghout their hospital stay and while having their dental cleaning. This includes using gentle fear-free handling techniques, pain management, and sedation if necessary.

Did you know that 2/3 of your pet’s teeth are hidden under the gum line? Dental X-rays allow us to see beneath your pet’s gum line, which is where most dental disease occurs. This helps us diagnose and treat issues that might be missed during a visual examination.

Yes, dental disease is one of the most common health issues in pets, affecting the majority of them by middle age. We find that over 70% of patients have dental disease by the time they are 5 years old! Regular dental care can help prevent these issues.

Periodontal disease is an inflammation and infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth, which can lead to discomfort, tooth loss, and other health problems if left untreated.

Good dental care involves regular brushing at home, feeding a dental-friendly diet, and routine check-ups with our vets. We’ll provide specific post-procedure care instructions based on your pet’s needs.

Yes, a pre-dental appointment helps us assess your pet’s overall health and determine the best dental care plan for them. We also make sure that your pet is ready to have anaesthesia and you have the opportunity to discuss the plan and any findings with our veterinary team.

The cost of dental procedures can vary greatly depending on the specific needs of your pet. You can find the average price ranges on our pricing page for both standard cleanings and those with extractions. We can provide a detailed estimate during your consultation after our veterinarian has examined your pet’s mouth and dental condition.

Signs of dental issues can include bad breath, difficulty eating, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or visible changes like red or bleeding gums. If you notice any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment.

Extractions are performed to alleviate pain and infection caused by diseased or damaged teeth, enhancing your pet’s overall health and quality of life.

A typical dental cleaning for pets can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours, depending on your pet’s oral health and whether any additional procedures, such as extractions, are necessary. We will admit your pet for a day procedure which gives them time to settle in and wake up from anaesthesia before going home in the evening.

A dental cleaning involves removing plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth, both above and below the gum line. We create a dental chart for your pet and also take full-mouth X-rays as standard. We also polish the teeth, apply a protective sealant, and perform a thorough dental examination.

Dental extractions are procedures where one or more of your pet’s teeth are removed, usually due to disease, decay, or injury. We remove teeth that are broken, loose, dead or infected. We take full dental X-rays that show the bone under the gum line and remove as few teeth as is possible to keep your pet health.

We conduct a thorough oral examination, take comprehensive radiographs of the entire mouth, and perform a meticulous scaling and polishing of the teeth. This process helps us remove plaque both from the visible part of the teeth and beneath the gum lines. By measuring the pockets under the gum lines, we can assess the overall health of your pet’s teeth. If we find any severely diseased teeth, we remove them to alleviate pain and prevent the risk of infection. Based on feedback from our clients, pets tend to display increased energy and are generally happier after a dental cleaning!

Identifying the nature of a mass often involves a biopsy, where we take a small tissue sample and it is examined under a microscope. This analysis can help us determine if the mass is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), guiding the next steps in your pet’s care plan.

It’s crucial to have any new mass on your pet examined by a veterinarian. We assess several factors, such as size, growth rate, location, and any accompanying symptoms. If a mass is causing discomfort, growing rapidly, or suspected to be malignant, removal might be the best option. Remember, every pet is unique, and we’ll discuss the best course of action with you.

Although anaesthesia in pets with heart or kidney disease requires extra care, it can still be performed safely with careful monitoring and tailored protocols. We take all necessary precautions and adjustments to ensure the well-being of your pet. As always, we’ll discuss the risks and benefits with you beforehand so that you can make an informed decision for your pet’s health.

Age isn’t necessarily a hindrance to anaesthesia. Each pet is evaluated on an individual basis considering their overall health and specific needs. Remember, our main aim is to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort. If you have concerns due to your pet’s age, we’re more than happy to discuss them with you.

The length of the hospital stay varies based on the surgery and your pet’s recovery rate. We’ll give you a more precise timeframe during your consultation. Rest assured, our team will provide all necessary care to support your pet’s recovery.

We strive to create a calm and soothing environment to make your pet’s experience as stress-free as possible. Our team is skilled at handling pets gently and with compassion.

Your pet will be given a light sedation as premedication so they don’t feel anxious or scared before we place an intravenous catheter and administer the anaesthetic medications. Your pet will be maintained on an inhalant anaesthetic that delivers the medicine as gas to their lungs throughout the surgery. We apply the same process, quality and medications that you would expect for yourself in a human hospital to give your pet the best throughout their procedure and the quickest possible recovery.

Yes, follow-up visits are essential to monitor your pet’s healing process. Depending on the surgery we generally recommend one or two revisits on day 3 and 10-14. If you’re worried about the incision or surgical site at any point, bring your pet in for a complimentary recheck or send us a picture to make sure things are healing appropriately.

Your pet will need some time to heal post-surgery. The recovery period varies based on the type of surgery and your pet’s overall health. As a guide, you’ll likely need to restrict their activity for 10-14 days after surgery. We’ll provide specific guidelines to help your pet have a smooth recovery.

After surgery, your pet may be groggy due to anesthesia. We’ll call you as soon as they are awake and when you collect them from the hospital our veterinarians will provide detailed instructions on wound care, medication, feeding, activity and rechecks.

Sedation works by administering medications that calm your pet and reduce their responsiveness to stimulation. This helps them stay still and comfortable during the procedure.

Yes, your pet will be sedated to ensure they remain still and comfortable as well as ensuring they have the safest possible general anaesthesia. We take every measure to ensure this process is as safe and stress-free as possible.

Don’t worry we will provide you with detailed instructions prior to the surgery date. This includes withholding food and water for a certain period of time and reducing physical activity as they will need an empty stomach to be sedated.

While it can vary depending on the breed and health condition, generally, we recommend spaying or neutering pets between 6 and 12 months of age. We can discuss the best timing for your pet during a consultation.

Absolutely, we are fully equipped to handle emergency surgeries. Our team is committed to providing immediate, high-quality care when your pet needs it most.

Spaying or neutering can benefit your pet in numerous ways. It can prevent unwanted pregnancies, certain types of cancers, uterine infections and behaviors related to mating instincts such as roaming or aggression. It’s especially important for some dog breeds, like bulldogs and chihuahuas, as pregnancy can be dangerous.

Yes, an appointment is necessary before any surgery. This enables us to understand your pet’s health better and to fully prepare them for a safe and successful procedure.

You can certainly handle your pet’s travel arrangements yourself, but working with our professional pet relocation service can streamline the process, particularly for international travel. Our professionals are knowledgeable about specific regulations and requirements, have access to some of the best rates and have an extensive partner network which can be especially helpful if your itinerary is complex.

Absolutely! However, special considerations might be necessary for pets with specific needs. Speak to our team about how best to support your pet during travel, and always communicate any special requirements to the airline or relocation company.

Although the idea of cargo travel might be unsettling, airlines have protocols in place to ensure pets’ safety. In most cases it is the most relaxed and safe method of travel for your pet – they have their own temperate-controlled space, are prioritised as last-on first-off and transported and handled by trained and experienced staff.

It’s important to remember each pet is unique and you should always have one of our vets perform a fit-to-fly assessment on your pet beforehand.

Staying with your pet in the cabin may, understandably, seem the most reassuring option. But the cabin is often loud and chaotic which is far more stressful for your pet than flying in the quiet and regulated hold. Additionally, this option is only viable for very small animals given they must travel in an airline-approved crate beneath the aeroplane seat. Even so, some routes still have restrictions no matter the size of your pet and many international airlines don’t permit this option at all.

This is one of the most frequent questions asked to our team and one of the most easily answered: no.

Sedation can increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems and injuries and many airlines now require a signed statement to confirm that your pet has not been sedated before flying.

If your pet has a nervous temperament there are other ways to minimise the stress of travelling. The most effective is to acclimatise your pet to their crate as far in advance as possible to significantly help to relax your pet during their journey.

Gradually exposing your pet to short trips can help. Consider comfort items like a favorite blanket or toy in the carrier. In some cases, our vets may recommend anxiety medication during training – but never for air travel. Always consult with our vets if you have concerns.

Choose a carrier that is secure, well-ventilated, and has enough space for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. For air travel, the carrier should also meet IATA’s specific size and construction requirements and be strong enough to be handled in an airport setting. We have a full range of high-quality imported crates from small to XXL!

Some airlines have restrictions on specific breeds, especially for brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, due to potential breathing difficulties at high altitudes. Always check with your airline and destination country for breed-specific regulations. Fortunately, our veterinary team are IPATA-approved Vet Assessors for Brachycephalic breeds – reach out to our travel team to learn more!

International pet travel can involve a range of requirements, such as specific vaccinations, health certificates, and possibly quarantine depending on the destination country. We recommend checking with either the embassy or our specialist pet travel team for the most accurate information.

When determining the best course of treatment, our veterinarians will always discuss with you what procedures are needed for your pet’s well-being and are committed to providing them with the best care. While we always focus on your pet’s health as our priority and will never cut corners in our clinical care, if there are non-essential services our veterinarians will let you know and it’s your decision if you’d like to proceed.

We accept a variety of payment options including credit cards, cash and bank transfer.

Your pet’s health doesn’t follow working hours and we work hard to ensure that we are there for you and your pet – whenever you need us. Unfortunately, due to the increased resources required to provide the best care for your pet outside of our regular hours there may be additional charges for emergency visits or after-hours care. We always strive to keep these costs as reasonable as possible and we will inform you in advance if these apply to your pet’s situation.

We understand that caring for your pet is a significant financial investment and we occasionally run promotions to aid our beloved pet owners. We also offer discounted packages and wellness plans for routine care in our efforts to make preventive care more accessible and affordable for every pet owner. It’s best to reach out to our team or check our social media to stay informed about any current offers.

We empathize with your concerns about cost. Veterinary care involves sophisticated medical procedures and equipment, specialized training, and a dedicated team of professionals, all of which contribute to the cost. Our primary goal is to ensure the highest level of care for your pet.

We’re creating partnerships with leading insurance companies, so we can provide you with pet insurance polices in the future. Check back for more info soon!

We recognize that providing for your loved ones may entail significant expenses. While we don’t currently have the capacity to provide instalment plans, we are actively working to develop these options and hope to make them available in the near future.

We believe in price transparency. That’s why we publish our price list online, along with cost estimates for a range of procedures. We are always happy to discuss any charges in an open and transparent way, so that there’s never any unexplained costs. This commitment to clarity means we are unable to provide quotations for services not listed on our website prior to meeting you and examining your pet so any information is accurate and clear.

Nope! As a comprehensive animal hospital, our range of services is extensive, and while our website displays a price list for the most popular treatments, our veterinary team will gladly provide you with the cost of any additional services not listed when you visit our hospital and following consultation and examination of your pet. We work hard to ensure transparency and clarity during your visit to our clinic and provide written estimates at the time of treatment.

You’re welcome to watch the grooming session from the reception area. However, to ensure the comfort of all the pets and the because of our hygiene protocols, it isn’t possible for owners to enter the grooming area itself. You’re still close enough for your pet to know you’re there. (Which is why we sometimes have to ask owners to watch from a little farther away if their pet is excited to see them!)

This is so important, which is why our standard grooming process begins with our groomer having a discussion with all pet parents regarding their pet’s needs.

Your pet is loved and nurtured in our care, but even our five-star spa is no substitute for being by your side. We recommend that you collect your pet as soon as they are finished because they’re always most comfortable with you.

Absolutely! We always ensure a fresh water supply for pets while in our care. They also get plenty of toilet breaks.

However, some pets may feel uncomfortable performing these activities when they’re at a new location. So if you’re worried about your pet drinking more water than normal or using the toilet more frequently when they get home, don’t be. This is normal.

A bath and dry without trimming takes between one to two hours. If you would like your dog to be trimmed, the session takes between 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

For larger dogs with a long fur coat, our groomers need approximately two hours to give them a thorough bath.

To maintain a clean and manageable coat, most dogs should be groomed every four to six weeks. If your dog has a short coat, they may be groomed every eight to ten weeks.

Breeds that have short, shedding coats can usually wait 8-12 weeks between grooming appointments. However, pet owners need to brush them regularly at home.

Absolutely. Our groomers are experienced and trained to handle cats in a fear-free manner. That being said, not all cats tolerate grooming or bathing. Our groomer can advise you on what’s best for your precious feline.

It is good to familiarise your puppy to grooming as early as possible. You may schedule your puppy’s first groom after they’ve been fully vaccinated at 12-16 weeks of age.

We accept only a few grooming customers per day. This allows us to spend as much time as we need with your pet. Our groomers use only the best quality shampoos, conditioners and grooming tools, which are thoroughly disinfected between pets.

We pride ourselves on giving your pet an exceptional fear-free experience and bringing out the very best in them. That takes time, dedication and advanced training for our groomers.

We don’t offer at-home grooming services. We’ve discovered it’s not possible to achieve the same results without our specialised grooming equipment and bathing set-up. Most pets also appear to enjoy their grooming session. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to experience a “spa day”.

Your pet’s welfare comes first, which is why we never sedate or muzzle dogs for grooming. With our fear-free approach, patience, and positive reinforcement, it’s rare that we encounter a dog we can’t handle.

If we’re unable to groom your dog without putting too much stress or risk of harm to your pet or our staff, we let you know. In such cases, our groomers won’t proceed with the service.

To avoid confusion and miscommunication, we ask that owners speak directly with our groomers regarding your pet’s needs. Our groomers can provide a precise quote, allowing you to complete your payment right away.

If you are unavailable to drop off your pet, we ask you to provide the phone number and ID of the individual who is bringing your pet to our groomers.

Most dogs naturally empty their anal glands on their own. If your dog is unable to do this, it is a sign of a medical concern. Our groomers perform basic (external) anal gland expressions. But if they believe your dog’s anal gland expressions to be abnormal, you’ll be advised to consult with one of our veterinarians.