Frequently Asked Questions

Our Frequent Asked Questions will hopefully give you quick answers to many of the questions you may have. However, should the answer not be here, please feel free to call us on 01634-666655 or e-mail us at enquiries@nkrvets.co.uk

Why can’t my vet treat my pet’s condition?

What will it cost?

How do I know NKR Veterinary Specialists is a reputable referral practice?

I don’t have transport, how can I get to my appointment with my pet?

Can I make an appointment directly with NKR Veterinary Specialists rather than go to my veterinary surgeon?

Can my pet have their favourite toy with them in the NKR Hospital?

Can I ring you up anytime to find out how my pet is?

Can I visit my pet in the NKR Hospital?

What if I forget or don’t understand something that I have been told?

Why can’t my vet treat my pet’s condition?

With veterinary knowledge and techniques increasing all the time, it is now impossible for an individual vet to keep up-to-date and expert on every type of condition and disease that he or she is likely to see among their patients. So the veterinary profession has developed a system of “veterinary referral”.

This means that in some cases the vet will “refer” or send their patient to a veterinary expert who will often work at a veterinary specialist referral clinic, centre or practice. These experts, who are already veterinary surgeons, have undergone further training, often for several years and have advanced qualifications and experience in a particular area of veterinary medicine for example cardiology or orthopaedic surgery. They also have the interest in, knowledge and expertise to deal with these more difficult and complex cases because they work with them every day. Throughout their careers these experts have to study to keep up-to-date in their chosen area of veterinary medicine.

The referral system means that sick animals with difficult conditions can benefit from being seen by a specialist. The vet who refers their sick patient to a referral clinic is ensuring that the animal has the advantage of the best diagnosis, treatment and equipment that the veterinary profession can offer.

What will it cost?

Referral services do tend to be more costly than other veterinary work. Mainly this is because the cases treated are often more complex and time consuming. Often, the use of expensive equipment is required. The fees charged by a referral practice will also reflect the fact that their veterinary experts have spent time and money, often over several years, acquiring specialised training and qualifications. This is an ongoing process for these veterinary experts who have to keep up-to-date in their particular area of veterinary medicine.

NKR Veterinary Specialists always provides an estimate of the fees involved before beginning a treatment plan. However as a patient’s condition may change so may their treatment requirements, which may involve extra costs. If this is the case, clients are asked for their approval before further treatment is undertaken.

How do I know NKR Veterinary Specialists is a reputable referral practice?

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon’s runs a Practice Standards scheme that awards veterinary practices with a status based on their standards. To be awarded Hospital status, as we have been, a referral practice must be regularly and rigorously inspected to ensure that the highest standards of patient care, cleanliness, equipment and expertise have been attained.

NKR Veterinary Specialists was proud to be awarded Hospital status in 2007 and now displays the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Hospital Logo on our website and literature. So you can be certain that your pet will receive the best possible care and treatment at NKR Veterinary Specialists.

I don’t have transport, how can I get to my appointment with my pet?

At NKR Veterinary Specialists we run an Ambulance Service that can pick you and your pet up and bring you to our clinic. We can do this either from your home or your own veterinary surgery and after your appointment take you back home or to your own vet’s surgery. Our Ambulance drivers are very helpful and will be an added support for you both.

If however your pet is critically ill, then a veterinary nurse or one of our Interns (who are also qualified veterinary surgeons) will arrive with the ambulance to accompany you and your pet. Our aim is to give your pet the best possible treatment the moment he or she is in our care so our Ambulances also carry oxygen and essential drugs.

If you are interested in using our Ambulance service and want to know how much this will cost please do ring or talk to our administration team to get a quote for your journey.

Can I make an appointment directly with NKR Veterinary Specialists rather than go to my veterinary surgeon?

As a referral practice, NKR Veterinary Specialists only takes clients and patients that are referred to us from their own veterinary surgeon. If your pet has a problem please do go to your own vet who will give your pet a thorough examination. It is most likely that your own vet will diagnose and treat your pet’s problem. Only the most complex and difficult cases are referred to us and only your own vet can decide whether that is the case with your pet.

Of course if your vet should decide to refer you and your pet to NKR Veterinary Specialists we shall be very happy to give you and your pet our complete support. Your pet will receive absolutely the best care, treatment and expertise that he or she needs to become healthy and happy again.

Can my pet have their favourite toy with them in the NKR Hospital?

We are very happy for your pet to come in with their favourite toy as we feel this will help them to feel more relaxed. It is only natural that if your pet is admitted into our NKR hospital you will feel concerned, not just about their treatment but about how they will cope with feeling unwell and being in a strange place. At NKR Veterinary Specialists we are very experienced in helping sick animals to feel as secure as possible. Of course every animal is different so you will find that the nursing staff will ask you lots of questions about what, when and how your pet feeds, sleeps, goes to the toilet and lots more. Your pet will have their own nurse ‘best friend’ who will spend extra time with them every day getting to know their own special ways so we can give them, as far as is possible, what they like and are used to having. You can help your pet too by letting us know anything that you feel will benefit their welfare and recovery while in the hospital.

Can I ring you up anytime to find out how my pet is?

We know what a worrying time this is for you and your family so we are happy for you to call us whenever you want on 01634 66 66 55 and talk to one of the staff about how your pet is.

We call you regularly every morning and every evening to let you know your pet’s progress during the day and how they have been overnight. Your specialist or clinician will also ring you daily to give you an update on your pet’s clinical progress.

Can I visit my pet in the NKR Hospital?

Yes of course, we think it really helps for a sick pet to have a visit from their families, so we do encourage this. Very occasionally though, the circumstances of their illness are not helped by a visit. When this happens the nurse or specialist will discuss with their family the reasons for this, naturally though we would not go against the family's wishes if they still want to visit.

What if I forget or don’t understand something that I have been told?

Please do just ring us and tell us about it and we will put you in touch with whoever originally gave you the information so you can talk to them again or if you have another appointment to come to the clinic, please just ask us. We want you to understand and be happy with every aspect of your pet’s care and treatment so we will be pleased to talk things through with you again whenever you want.