Patient Care (Inpatient / Overnight)

This page is useful if your pet has been or is to be hospitalised at Braid Veterinary Hospital:

Wards

We have separate dog and cat wards as well as an isolation room, and post operative recovery kennels. The wards are centrally heated day and night as animals, like people, feel the cold when they are ill. For your pet’s comfort we use a deep-pile hygienic fleece (Vet Bed) and special, individual heated pads as necessary.

Feeding

Your pet may be fed a ‘prescription diet’ whilst hospitalised. This is a food that has been specially prepared to help with some diseases and conditions. If this is not necessary we will feed a lifestage diet such as Hills Science Plan. For those patients that have not been interested in food recently, or are fussy eaters, we will offer a variety of tempting treats such as chicken, white fish, pilchards and tuna. If your pet is on a particular type of food please let us know so we can maintain the normal feeding regime of your pet. The water intake of your pet will be measured twice daily so we can monitor exactly how much is being drunk. All bowls are disinfected twice daily to maintain hygiene levels.

Exercise

Animals that have been admitted to hospital and not feeling themselves will, in general, be less likely to need a lot of exercise.  However, dogs have access to separate, outside, exercise runs and are taken out regularly. Cats do not have access to outdoors but may ‘stretch their legs’ under supervision in the cattery.

Veterinary Care

Your pet will be examined daily by the Veterinary Surgeon in charge of the case. Progress is assessed; treatment programmes prepared and carried out. We have a Veterinary Surgeon (and Veterinary Nurse) on the premises 24 hours a day monitoring your pets progress.

Nursing Care

Registered Veterinary Nurses and Student Veterinary Nurses provide a high standard of nursing care. They get to know your pet very well. Nurses continually monitor in-patients conditions and administer treatments around the clock. Tender loving care plays a great part in healing. We have nursing staff on the premises 24 hours a day taking care of your pet.

When to Ring

The Veterinary Surgeon in charge of your pets’ case will phone you after morning ward rounds have been completed. This may not always be possible, in which case we would ask you to call us at the following times.

Monday to Friday – Telephone (0131) 667 2478 – In patient reports: 11am onwards – Post Surgery reports: 2pm – 3pm.

Saturday: In patient reports: 9.30am to 10.30am.

Sunday: Telephone (0131) 662 1689 – In patient reports: 10.30am onwards

Boarding

We do not offer boarding – the RCVS prohibits it for Veterinary Hospitals. In cases where an old or infirm animal is undergoing treatment or, when discharging a pet after treatment is inconvenient, we will do our best to help out if accommodation is available.

Cost and Payment

Inpatient care can be expensive. We try to give an accurate estimate of the fees at the time of the admission, but the final fee may be more or less than estimated depending on response to treatment. You will be asked to pay when you collect your pet and, indeed, you have signed to say that you will do so on the admission/consent form.  We accept payment in cash, cheque with valid cheque card, or VISA/MASTERCARD/SWITCH cards. If you wish to discuss costs at any stage, please do not hesitate to ask the Vet.

Visiting

Generally speaking, we do not encourage visiting because many pets, whilst glad to see you, become quite distressed when they are not able to leave with you. Animals that are very ill and, perhaps on a drip, need to rest, be still and be quiet. If we feel that a visit may help to speed up your animal’s recovery, we will suggest it and arrange a convenient time.

We will do our best to have your pet home to you soon. After all, we realise that a pet really is part of the family.