Preparing For Your Visit

kettering, practice-internal

Meet Elmo! Chief Operating Woof-icer at Kettering!

What can I expect as a new client?

You and your fur-friend can expect a warm welcome from our friendly reception team who will be happy to answer many questions you may have. We want to make your visit as stress free as possible so our waiting rooms have designated cat and dog areas. We also cater for anxious/nervous pets so please just speak to a member of our team if you have any concerns for your precious pet.

Information for puppies and kittens

When you have collected your puppy or kitten and it has settled in to your home it is a good idea to socialise them with different situations; one of which will be coming in to see us for their vaccination course. As your new fur baby will not be fully protected from diseases you should bring them in either a carry box or in your arms, as they should not be in contact with the pavement or floor where other animals have been. Cat carriers can be sprayed with Pheromone support like Feliway Spray to help reduce stress which will make your kitten feel more comfortable and at ease.

After the visits for their vaccinations it is a good idea to bring your puppy in to be weighed regularly – this is so they can get used to being fussed by our nurses without being treated for something. We can then give you the correct dose of wormer or flea treatment according to the pup’s bodyweight. By coming to see us regularly your furry friend will get used to the smells and being handled by our staff so that it doesn’t become a scary place for them.

It is also a good idea to prepare yourself for your first visit to the vets by bringing along any questions you might have. Do not feel embarrassed about asking us anything – your vet is very likely to have heard them all before.

How do vaccinations work?

The diseases that we vaccinate against are potentially fatal and generally highly contagious. Leptospirosis, a disease that we vaccinate against in dogs, can also be passed to humans causing severe kidney and liver disease. Bringing your pet yearly for their vaccine is also a great opportunity to have a free health check with a vet to ensure that they are in great health. Find out more about vaccinating your pet on our vaccination advice page here.

What is involved in a health check?

Annual Health checks are normally performed by the vet. These involve the vet doing a nose to tail check, where the vet will check for any abnormalities. Abnormalities include discharges, swellings, dental issues, dry/red and inflamed skin.

My pet needs to see a vet, what do I do?

Simply get in touch with the practice who will be able to book an appointment at a time to suit you.

You can check all of our opening times and contact details on our website and get in touch as and when suits you.

What do I do if I have an emergency?

If you have a veterinary emergency please head straight to your nearest easipetcare practice without delay and our team will take immediate action to care for your precious pet. Please make reception aware that you consider your visit an emergency so that they can alert the clinical team.

What can I expect when my pet has their neutering operation?

When your pet is due to have their neutering procedure we will ask you to drop them off at 8am. Cats and dogs must always be starved after 8pm the evening before their operation.

Water is fine although we do advise to take up their water bowl an hour or so before leaving for your appointment so they are not desperate for the toilet on their way here!

It would be a good idea for you to take your dog out for a short walk before coming down to encourage them to go to the toilet.

Please note that rabbits and ferrets should not be fasted as it is actually very dangerous for them.

The nursing team will admit your pet in the morning and this is where you will be required to sign a consent form and ask any questions you may have.

Usually, you will receive a call in the afternoon where we will be able to let you know how the procedure went and when you will be able to collect your precious pet. We are here until 8pm every week-day and so we are very flexible on discharge time to be able to work around your work and personal commitments.

What happens when ‘that time’ comes?

Making the decision to euthanise your pet is the hardest decision we ever have to make for our beloved pets. There are a number of things which we can do to make the situation less stressful for the pet and you, as the owner. Our nurses are always happy to discuss the different options for the place that you would prefer to be such as in your own home or in one of our consulting rooms. If you decide to say goodbye to your pet at home, we can arrange for a vet and a nurse to come to you and euthanize your pet in their familiar surroundings and with members of the family. For owners this is sometimes an easier place to grieve. (We cannot always guarantee immediate availability for a home visit so please do try to book in advance where possible.)

If you decide to come into us, we will show you into one of our consulting rooms so you don’t have to wait in the waiting room. A vet or nurse will come to you to discuss how the procedure is done and if you would like to stay or not. This is entirely up to the personal preference of the owner. The nurse or vet will discuss the options afterwards such as types of cremation or you can take your precious pet home to bury. A consent form is always required by us as we use a prescription drug. We try to get the formalities decided on before the procedure is done so that you can leave straight away, as we understand that many owners will be very upset afterwards. All of the staff understand what you, the owner, are going through as we have all been through the same situation with our own pets. Please therefore always feel free to ask anything you wish.

Do you offer pet insurance?

Pet insurance is extremely important but as a veterinary group we do not offer our own insurance. Instead, we are accredited as an Appointed Representative of Vetsure Pet Insurance®. Find out more about Vetsure Pet Insurance [HT1] , and how you can activate your free trial today!

What do I do if I cannot afford treatment?

At easipetcare we work to provide affordable veterinary services to all. That being said, we do understand that some clients may be facing times of financial hardship, meaning they are unable to afford veterinary treatment for their beloved pet/s. Whilst we do understand how difficult this situation can be, our practices are unfortunately unable to offer clients the option of charitable discounts or payment plans, as we need to cover our costs as a business. To ensure there is minimal delay in seeking affordable treatment for your pet, we have listed the numbers of some local charities that may be able to help, subject to eligibility.

PDSA: 0800 731 2502.

Cats Protection: 03000 12 12 12 (Neutering assistance only)

How do I make a complaint?

We are sorry to hear that you may have cause for complaint, and we take this very seriously. In order to be able to give your concerns the appropriate attention, we ask you to follow our complaints procedure.

complaints procedure