POORLY pets have received a boost following a major revamp of Hexham’s oldest veterinary practice.
Hadrian Vets in Dene Avenue now boasts some of the most modern facilities and equipment after significant investment.
The latest phase of improvements have seen the installation of luxury dog kennels and a separate cattery to help minimise the stress suffered by pets during their stay.
The revamp also includes a new examination area in a fully equipped cat ward away from barking dogs, while the practice has also been undergone further modernisation with underfloor heating, new lighting and other facilities.
The practice has also been boosted by a new dental x-ray machine for cats, dogs and rabbits.
The latest round of improvements cost £30,000.
Hadrian Vets senior veterinary surgeon Honor Etherington has overseen dramatic improvements to the surgery since her arrival in 2017 shortly after the practice became part of VetPartners, a group made up of some of the UK’s most trusted and respected veterinary practices.
Last year the practice invested in £15,000 of new equipment and technology, including an upgraded digital x-ray, new anaesthetic machine and a multi-parameter ECG monitor.
Honor said: “The practice has undergone a massive transformation, making it much more modern and comfortable for pets and a great place for the team to work.
“The veterinary profession recognises that good accommodation can really improve the experience of pets during their stay and improve the outcome, so we have taken that on board and dramatically improved our dog and cat kennels.
“The aim is to minimise their distress while in the vets if they are unwell or frightened, so we have created open, light and airy private accommodation. There is climate control for rooms to ensure they are warm and comfortable during their recovery.
“All pet accommodation has been made of modern wipe clean materials to reduce infection risk and reduce the risk of cross infection. Other simple but effective measures are pull-down examination tables to minimize handling of pets and underfloor heating.”
The new dental x-ray machine cost £10,000 and will transform the care of pets coming into the practice for treatment.
Honor added: “Dental care is an often overlooked disease with as many as 70% of pets having some form is dental disease. The new machine is especially important for cats as their dental disease can’t be fully or assessed or treated without dental radiographs.”
The improvements have earned the practice Core standard in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme, which quality assures practices.
The Practice Standards Scheme aims to promote and maintain the highest levels of veterinary care and becoming an accredited practice is one of the profession’s most prestigious honours. Hadrian Vets is now aiming for General Practice standard and the final assessment by RCVS inspectors will be on September 25.
Improving facilities for cats is also a step towards the practice’s aim to achieve Cat Friendly Clinic status from the International Society of Feline Medicine.
For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners Head of PR and Communications, on 0191 300 1181 or email amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk