Referral Service

Cases are seen at the Cheadle Hulme Veterinary Hospital

Investigation and management of:

• Heart murmurs
• Dyspnoea
• Coughing
• Arrhythmias
• Episodic weakness/collapse
• Congestive heart failure
• Nasal disorders

Equipment and techniques available include:

• Radiography
• Fluoroscopy
• Echocardiography (including colour flow Doppler)
• Electrocardiography
• Holter and event monitoring
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Rhinoscopy
• Broncoscopy (BAL)
• FNAB

Surgical procedures performed include:

• Correction of upper airway obstruction (nares, palate, laryngeal paralysis)
• Thoracotomy
• Lobectomy
• Diaphragmatic hernia repair
• Chest drain placement
• Pericardiocentesis
• Pericardectomy
• Patent ductus arteriosus and persistent right aortic arch

Cases are seen at the Cheadle Hulme Veterinary Hospital

Additional diagnostics include:

• In-house biochemistry
• Haematology
• Electrolytes
• Coagulation profiles (PT, APTT, BMBT)
• Radiography
• Abdominal ultrasonography
• Endoscopic examination of upper and lower GI tract
• FNAB
• Biopsy (“Trucut”, surgical)
• Bone marrow aspirates
• CSF

Suitable cases for referral include:

• Gastrointestinal disease
  
• Urinary disease
  
• Clinical Syndromes
  
• Laboratory abnormalities
  
• Endocrinopathies
  
• Feline medicine
  
• Dermatological manifestations of internal disease

Veterinary Surgeon - David Parker BVSC (Hons) CertSAO MRCVS

Cases are seen at the Heaton Moor Veterinary Centre

Facilities for the investigation and management of orthopaedic and spinal cases including:

• Radiography
• Myelography
• Arthroscopy
• Joint cytology
• Bone biopsy
• External fixators
• AO-ASIF
• 3M air-driven equipment

Suitable cases for referral include:

• Single or multiple limb lameness/weakness
• Fracture management
  
• Malunion
• Tibial plateau levelling surgery for cruciate disease
• Spinal pain
• Spinal surgery (including distraction-fusion, discectomy, hemilaminectomy)
• Arthrodesis

Cases are seen at the Cheadle Hulme Veterinary Hospital.

Diagnostic and surgical facilities:

• Slit lamp biomicroscopy
• Applanation tonometry
• Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy
• Orbital and ocular ultrasound
• Operating microscope
• Gonioscopy
• Blood pressure assessment
• Extraocular and intraocular microsurgery
• Electroretinography

Cases are seen at both the Cheadle Hulme and Heaton Moor Centres and also a domiciliary consultation service, at the owner’s home can be arranged, at mutually convenient times.

The following discipline is offered on a peripatetic basis.

Rachel and Gillian hold a clinic every Monday evening at Cheadle Hulme Veterinary Hospital.

Manual therapies – include:

• Joint mobilisations
• Trigger point treatment
• Massage
• Frictions
• Exercises and stretches

Electrotherapies – include:

• Laser
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
• Ultrasound
• Neuromuscular stimulation

Advice given during and post treatment includes:

• Advice to owners regarding management of arthritic dogs
• Daily exercises and stretches to promote successful recovery.
• Positioning of the recumbent dog post surgery to prevent pressure sores.
• Graduated exercise programme to ensure the dog returns to as near its normal level of function as the injury or surgery allows.

All treatments are only undertaken following veterinary referral/authorisation.

Helpful Hints when referring cases

• Please telephone the relevant centre to arrange the referral.
• A referral letter, history print out and copies of laboratory data will aid the referral process.
• Cases are usually seen Monday to Friday, with morning and afternoon appointments available. Urgent cases can usually be accommodated.
• Directions to all veterinary centres can be posted or faxed. All lie close to the motorway network.
• Many cases can be dealt with on a “day case” basis, eg investigation of a murmur in a stable patient. Others may be admitted if required.
• Payment is expected at the time of collection. Costs will range from £250 upwards. Estimates will be given at the initial consultation.
• After examination and treatment, referring veterinary surgeons will be contacted initially by telephone or fax and followed up with a written report.
• Please check availability if a blood transfusion is required.
• Cases for gastrointestinal endoscopy may require particular pre-operative preparation. Please telephone for details.