March 22, 2017
RECEPTION AND WAITING ROOM
It is important to us that your visit to the vet is as comfortable as stress free as possible. All cats need to be in a cage and all dogs on a lead. We have two separate areas inside and one outside, that pets and their owners can wait in. Where possible we try to separate dogs and cats. There are towels available to place over cat cages, so that cats can feel secure as they wait.
All of our receptionists are nurse trained and able to answer your queries and give you advice. We have scales in the waiting area that you are more than welcome to come in any time to use to monitor weight control.
CONSULTATION ROOMS AND PHARMACY
We have two spacious private consult rooms for our vets to be able to discuss your pet’s history and perform a clinical examination. We have a great stash of treats to try to calm your animal in what we know is an unusual environment that your pet may find stressful. Nurse support is available where necessary to hold your pet and take any samples we may need.
Most medications we prescribe are available in our MVS pharmacy and will be dispensed during your consultation. Other medications that need to be ordered in usually arrive overnight, or we may provide a prescription for it to be dispensed at the local Unichem Life Pharmacy. If you have any questions about your pet’s prescription details or instructions, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 07 888 8197.
THE HOSPITAL AREA
The hospital area is separated into a cat and a dog ward to try to reduce stress and provide a peaceful environment. We also have two isolation cages when we have patients that have contagious diseases.
The cages are roomy and have underfloor heating to ensure patients are comfortable, especially when recovering from surgery or illness. We use specialised, soft, comfortable, absorbable bedding and non-slip mats. There are several doors through the ward to help keep control both noise and temperature.
A dedicated hospital nurse monitors and cares for hospital patients and assists in the recovery of surgical patients.
DENTAL FACILITIES
All of our dental patients are under a full general anaesthesia with intubation to protect their airways from the moisture of the dental procedure. They are placed on a warming pad with warm blankets over their bodies and have monitoring equipment to include pulse oximetry (monitoring heart rate and blood oxygenation), respiratory and blood pressure when needed. Intravenous fluids are administered using an automated drip pump to ensure accurate fluid administration.
Teeth are charted before and after the dental and photos can be taken to show owners the difference the dental procedure can make.
Pain relief is given in the form of oral nerve blocks, opoids and post-op non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Antibiotics are given when necessary.
THE OPERATING THEATRE
Our roomy operating theatre has a glass wall to allow outside viewing. The theatre is a dedicated environment for sterile surgeries. Prior to any operation pets are surgically prepped and surgeons are gowned and gloved to ensure a highly sterile environment for procedures, such as orthopaedics, or soft tissue surgeries.
We aim to provide the safest of anaesthetics for our patients, so use Isoflurane gas with Humphreys ADE-circle breathing system. Pulse oximetry (heart rate and blood oxygenation) and respiratory monitors are standard, with Doppler blood pressure in our more complex procedures. Digital x-ray viewing is available for the surgeon during surgery.
Our nurses are all fully trained and experienced and a detailed anaesthetic chart is recorded for all procedures.
THE LABORATORY
MVS has an in-house laboratory and can process a range of Haematology, Biochemistry and urinary tests almost immediately. The service is invaluable when undertaking pre-anaesthetic blood testing and sick animal blood testing of patients in hospital.
We are able to perform Cytology interpretation with our in-house microscope and staining system to include ear samples, lump aspirates and vaginal cytology. Our incubator allows us to plate and culture samples to assess for bacterial infection.
Any specimen that need to go to an external laboratory for specialist testing are couriered to Hamilton one of four scheduled courier pick-ups through the day.
X-RAY SUITE
A purpose-built x-ray room with lead-lined walls ensure we operate to the highest safety standard. Complying with the NZ Radiation Standards is of high importance to us to provide a safe environment for animals, owners and staff.
Our high output x-ray unit allows us to image even the biggest dogs and the digital CR x-ray unit provides us with excellent quality images that help with accurate diagnosis. The digital imagery allows us to send images instantly around the world for any outsources image assessment.
We provide health screening x-ray services to include, but not limited to:
- PennHIP (hip dysplasia risk scoring)
- Australian hip scoring
- NZVA elbow scoring
- Spinal x-rays for hemivertebral assessment
- Lumbar spine x-rays for lumbosacral disease assessment
ULTRASONOGRAPHY
Ultrasound is a non invasive method that uses sound waves to form a picture of the interior of the body without using radiation. The procedure can often be done with no, or only mild sedation.
Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool with many uses, including evaluating pregnancy, heart function, liver and kidney disease, vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal masses, soft tissue injuries and ligament or tendon damage.
In order to offer the very best in ultrasonography we have invested in a MyLAB 30VET gold to help provide the images for assisting in diagnosing and treating your pet.
THE TREATMENT ROOM
The Treatment Room is the busy central area of the Small Animal Clinic. It is connected to the hospital, the x-ray suite, the laundry and the laboratory, optimising work flow.
One prep table is designated as the dental and non-sterile work station. The second prep table is used for surgical patients to be anaesthetised and prepped before heading for the theatre, as well as for the more cleaner procedures.
This well-lit roomy area is purpose-built for a busy Small Animal Clinic.
