Patient Care (Inpatient / Overnight)

OVERNIGHT CARE OF INPATIENTS

Your veterinary surgeon may recommend that your pet stays overnight or over the weekend at Severn Veterinary Centre (for instance in cases of emergency, to continue medical care or simply if a pet requires treatment that can’t be completed during the normal working day). We hospitalise animals in the kennels or cattery at two sites; Berkeley House for pets from the Worcestershire branches and at the Stratford branch for pets from the Warwickshire branches.

If considered fit to travel your veterinary surgeon may ask you to transport your pet to one of these sites – if the location is unfamiliar to you the receptionists at each branch will be only too happy to provide advice and directions. If your pet is not considered fit to travel your vet may recommend the use of a practice vehicle to facilitate transport and for very unstable patients may be directly involved in the transfer themselves.

Whilst vets do not live on site, members of nursing staff are on site and are available to look after your pet. It is important that you understand the level of care your pet will receive in order that you can make informed choices with regard to alternative care plans and to understand the consent for hospitalisation you will be asked to provide.

BOARDING ANIMALS

Pets are checked at 10pm each evening by a member of the night time nursing staff but if we reasonably believe your pet’s condition will not deteriorate without direct attention your pet may not be visited after 10pm until the commencement of the next working day.

HOSPITALISED PATIENTS

Hospitalised patients are cared for by a member of a team of nursing and auxiliary nursing staff who administer treatment under the direction of a veterinary surgeon to pets requiring more than just boarding care. A vet is available overnight should a query arise or if for any reason the night time staff require support. If only intermittent night time or weekend care is necessary we will advise you how frequently your animal will be examined; this will depend on the severity of their condition and the care needed.

FULL-TIME OVERNIGHT CARE

Some animals may require hospitalisation that requires the full-time care of a veterinary surgeon. If this is the case we will facilitate the transport of your pet to the nearest branch of Vets-Now veterinary emergency service who provide dedicated out of hours care for sick or injured animals. You have the option of requesting that your pet is transferred for this service at any time.

OVERNIGHT CHARGES

If your pet requires hospitalisation please remember this will incur additional fees, especially if frequent nighttime visits or treatment are required. Your vet will provide you with an estimate of hospitalisation charges and keep you updated as often as practically possible if additional or unforeseen costs are incurred.