As well as in-house ultrasound scanning with our own Vets, we are lucky to have a consultant veterinary ultrasonagrapher who visits the hospital on a regular basis for more complex cases such as cardiology. This allows us to provide specialist ultrasound facilities comparable to those available in a human hospital.

One of the most common reasons for an advanced ultrasound scan is the investigation of heart murmurs/disease. Many measurements are taken of the heart and also blood flow through the heart chambers and valves can be measured accurately using Doppler ultrasound. This can help diagnose heart conditions and provide better treatment options.

Also through this service we have the ability to take ultrasound-guided biopsies from organs such as the liver, spleen etc. to help diagnose conditions without invasive surgery. Previously many of these samples would have had to be taken by performing surgery.

Advanced scans of the abdomen can also be useful in the diagnosis of more difficult conditions such as pancreatitis, diseases of the adrenal glands etc. The ultrasonographer then reports the results of the scan directly to the vet dealing with your pet.

Our cattery located adjacent to the hospital provides a comfortable and safe stay for your cat while you enjoy your holidays.

One of our nurses Kim, supervises the running of the cattery and ensures that all our feline friends enjoy their boarding at Allpets Cattery. So why not let our nurses care for your cat in the environs of our spacious, homely cattery. After all, while you are away your cat should play!

As places are limited, it is advisable to book as far as possible in advance.

We will need to see your cat’s updated vaccination certificate / record, so please bring this along with you. You are also welcome to bring any non-essential requirements such as bedding, toys or special foods you would like your cat to have while you are away.

Drop off / Collection times are operated strictly by appointment, during the following time frames:

Mon – Fri: 10:00 – 12:00  OR 16:00 – 19:00

Sat: 10:00 – 12:00  OR 14:00 – 16:00

A viewing of the cattery facilities can also be arranged by appointment prior to your cats stay.

Call us on (041) 9810000 to book your cat’s stay or for further information.

Dental disease is probably as common and as painful in dogs as in man. Since dogs do not have the ability to communicate their discomfort until relatively recently a lot of dental problems have been overlooked.

It is estimated that over 85% of dogs over three years old suffer from some degree of periodontitis, making it by far the most common canine oral disease.

Periodontal disease is infection in the tissues surrounding the tooth. Accumulation of tartar (calculus) on the tooth will cause the gum to recede around the base of the tooth. Infection soon follows and as a result of inflammation of the gum (gingivitis) it recedes. Untreated, the infection then spreads into the tooth socket and ultimately the the tooth loosens.

At Allpets we carry out dental descale, polishing and xrays on a daily basis to try as much as possible to prevent our patients losing teeth and suffering oral discomfort but carry out extractions when teeth are beyond salvage and extremely painful.

During a descale tartar and more importantly invisible plaque has to be removed completely. For this with our animals a general anaesthetic is necessary. If the patient is fairly elderly it is prudent to carry out routine blood tests to establish that kidney and liver function are satisfactory. Sometimes antibiotic treatment is instituted before full dental prophylaxis is carried out. We will be happy to discuss this with you.

Under general anaesthesia scaling, both by hand and using ultrasonic cleaning equipment will be used to remove tartar, both that which is visible on the crowns of the teeth and also that which is accumulating below the gum line, since it is this which causes gum recession and subsequent infection. The teeth are then polished in order to prevent subsequent plaque build-up as much as possible. The teeth are all then assessed and any extractions carried out as required.

Post dental we will advise you re soft food for a short period if required post any extractions and also on prevention of further dental disease once the teeth had been attended to with diets, brushing, oral hygiene agents etc.

Diagnostic facilities available at Allpets on a daily basis include:

Xray

Digital xray allows us get xrays of your patient within minutes and vital for diagnosis of bony abnormalities, organ enlargement etc.

Ultrasound

Is an excellent, non-invasive diagnostic tool for assessing the internal structure and tissue type of body organs especially abdominal organs where biopsies may also be taken. The heart and the function of it’s valves and chambers can be very accurately assessed by ultrasound without any risk to the patient.

Electrocardiograph (ECG)

Assesses pet’s heart rhythm and rate as part of routine monitoring under GA or in investigation of cardiac cases.

Blood Pressure Monitoring

As part of routine monitoring under GA or when suspect renal/heart diseases where hypertension common.

Microscopy

Used to examine skin scrapings/ear swabs to detect parasites/bacteria/fungal infections, blood smears and urine samples to detect infections,crystals etc.

Blood Testing

Full haematology, biochemistry and electrolyte analysers in our lab – with results within 20 minutes which is essential to the care of our hospitalised /critical patients. We also run profiles of the thyroid and adrenal glands to detect endocrine disorders, tests to check for FIV/FELV in the cat, snap tests to detect pancreatitis and parvovirus and BAST liver function tests.

Auroscope/Ophthalmoscope

Allows us to fully examine the animal’s ear canal and assess the eye and its internal structures including the lens and retina. We have a daily courier to external lab in the event of specialised diagnostic tests being required on bloods or other body samples.

Fleas

Fleas are one of the most common parasites that can infest your pet. An infestation can occur at any stage of the year despite popular belief that spring/summer are the only times fleas are a problem.

How do you know your pet has an infestation?

Live fleas may be seen on your pets’ coat but they may not be easily seen in thick or dark coats. ‘Flea dirt’ will probably be seen on you pets’ fur, this looks like small dry specks of muck and will streak red when wiped with damp white cotton wool. Excessive scratching can also be another common sign of fleas.

How do you treat fleas?

Like most things, prevention is better than cure. Fleas live in the environment and not on your pet, so they can sometimes be hard to treat and may take a number of months to get rid of them fully.

Spot on treatments applied between the shoulders monthly or a new tablet (for dogs only) given every 3 months will serve as protection and treatment against fleas. Some of these work in the environment as well as on your pet. Please come in and talk to our staff further to find out what product best suits you and your pet.

Worms

Intestinal worms are extremely common in both dogs and cats but especially in puppies and kittens. They are also a parasite that can be spread to people, so for this reason it is extremely important to have a regular worming routine in place from when you first bring your new pet home.

Treatment Regime:

• 2 weeks – 12 weeks: dose every 2 weeks
• 3 months – 6 months: dose every 4 weeks
• 6 months – rest of life: dose every 3 months

Dosing can be done orally, either by tablet or by liquid. Also some spot on treatments will cover some types of worm. Visit our practice, and our staff can suggest what product would best suit your pet. Signs of worms can include a swollen tummy and ill thrift with increased appetite. Owners may also see irritation in the perianal area and in severe cases worms may be seen in faeces or vomit.

Pet Vaccinations

It is our ethos to try to prevent disease where at all possible and during your pet’s annual vaccination it will receive a full clinical exam as we will advise you on the specific vaccines available to offer maximum protection to your pet. Vaccines trigger the pet’s immune system to produce antibodies against disease.

This means that if your pet comes into contact with one of the infectious agents, its immune system will recognise and fight the disease. Vaccination is the only proven method of protecting against some specific diseases, that can be life threatening for the animal or in cases such as leptospirosis also transmitted to humans.

Initial Vaccinations are given in two parts: Puppies at 6-8 weeks and again at 10-12 weeks, Kittens at 9 weeks and 2-3 weeks later a second injection.

After their first vaccination cycle, your pet should then be given boosters every 12 months.  

Dogs should be routinely vaccinated against canine parvovirus, hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, Adenovirus and parainfluenza. If your dog will be spending some time at training classes/groomers or meeting a lot of other dogs in kennels or through exercising they may also be given an infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) vaccine.  

Cats should be routinely vaccinated against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, infectious enteritis, feline leukaemia virus, feline Influenza, Rhinotracheitis and Panleukopenia.

With our Pet Health Club plan; it makes budgeting for your yearly vaccines easier click here for more information.

Click the blue links to view more information on caring for your new puppy or bring your puppy to one of our puppy parties.

Rabbits need vaccinations on annual basis too, in order to protect them against myxomatosis and haemorrhagic disease.

Here at Allpets Veterinary Hospital we perform routine surgical procedures on a daily basis –Monday to Friday.

These elective procedures include Spays, Castrations, Dental Descale and Polishes. We also perform any number of non-routine or emergency surgeries 7 days a week if necessary.

These surgeries can range from dental extractions, lump removals, wound reconstructions to splenectomies, caesarean sections and fracture/cruciate ligament repairs.

For our elective surgeries, we admit patients into the hospital in the morning between 8-9:30am. Generally if your pet requires a General Anaesthetic we ask you to fast them from approximately 8pm the previous evening. There is no need to withhold water.

On admission, the nurse will ask you a few standard questions to gauge if your pet is fit for surgery on that day.
We will discuss with you the importance of a pre-anaesthetic blood screen in order to detect any abnormalities that may complicate your pets surgery and ask you for a contactable phone number whereby we can reach you at all stages throughout the day.

Your pet’s safety and comfort is a priority to us and we take a number of measures to minimise any anxiety/stress they may feel. We tailor your pets pre-med sedation to their needs and administer it prior to surgery to reduce their anxiety. We use Isoflurane gaseous anaesthesia which is extremely safe for all our patients including our geriatric and exotic patients. We always ensure adequate pain relief is given to your pet before, during and after any surgical procedure.

During anaesthesia and surgery your pet is monitored continuously by one of our Registered Veterinary Nurses. This includes ECG monitoring of the heart, SP02 monitoring for oxygen saturation (an estimate of the % amount of oxygenated haemoglobin in the blood), Blood Pressure, Temperature and Respiration rates to ensure any concerns are addressed efficiently and promptly. On recovery they are continually assessed and reassured by our nurses.

Depending on the procedure performed your pet may need an overnight stay in the hospital but most of our patients can be discharged the same day.

Our Vets/Nurses will always update you on your pet’s progress throughout the day and arrange a discharge time whereby we can discuss all aspects of post-operative care with you. This includes advice on feeding, wound care, follow up appointments for wound checks or dressing changes and suture removal. We will also discuss, in most cases, the importance of an Elizabethan collar to prevent your pet interfering with their surgical wound.

We are available 24 hours a day for any advice or reassurance you may need throughout your pet’s recovery period.

If you experience a pet emergency, please call us immediately on 086 60330600. During opening hours a member of the team will be available to assist you and arrange for your pet to be seen by one of our vets.

Calls between 9:00pm and 7:00am will be diverted to EMERGE, an Out of Hours Emergency Veterinary Service.