What happens if your pet needs to see a vet?
We ask that you keep your phone on, at all times, during your holiday.
We will contact you immediately if we suspect your rabbit is unwell and arrange for them to see one of our vets. Depending on what illness they have we may take them to your vet if they are in Timperley or Altrincham.
The vets may speak to you so you can discuss you pets treatment plan. We will phone you at the end of their consultation so you can pay for the appointment/treatment over the phone. Some vets can send you a payment link or invoice.
If we can't get hold of you, we will proceed in your pets best interests and settle the bill on your behalf. Our signed Registration Form confirms that you will be liable to settle any veterinary bills in full, before you take your pet home. You can reimburse this to us via a Monzo payment link.
Unpaid veterinary fees will be referred to the small claims court for settlement which will include all court costs.
If you rabbit has a reduced appetite or suspected gut slowdown, gut statis or a bloated stomach we reserve the right to take them to see a vet.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, Section 9 - we have a legal duty of care to ensure the welfare of any animals in our care. We must take reasonable steps to meet their needs, including preventing disease, providing proper care and protecting them from suffering.
If we feel your rabbit has a reduced appetite or suspected gut slowdown caused by pain, gut stasis or bloat we will take your rabbit to see a vet regardless of your wishes. In some circumstances they ‘may’ be admitted for monitoring and treatment until they are eating and pooping normally or until their pain is managed. Some surgeries have specialist vets and nursing staff on site 24/7 - but if need be your pet may be transferred to a 24/7 animal hospital. Veterinary staff can syringe feed, give both oral & injectable medication, sub-cutaneous fluids and pain relief on demand. They are also on hand should the situation become an emergency where more extensive diagnostics under anaesthetic or surgery may be required.
However, due to Ashleigh Vets not always having 24/7 cover available or if the vet feels that your pet is not sick enough to be admitted - but needs syringe feeding & oral medication given by us until they are eating on their own again. This supportive feeding is done around the clock and takes up a lot of time to do successfully and usually means that I have to cancel any other plans that I have - including other work.
After being discharged back into our care, administering any oral medication is charged per medication, per administration (oral, drop or cream/ointment/salve) and we will keep you informed of your pets progress each day.
Should your pet regress at all then they WILL be transferred back into the care of the vet for further treatment or diagnostics.
Fees
We charge £15.00 per hour (pro-rata) which starts from the time we leave the lodge until the time we get back.
Milage is charged at the government set rate of 0.45p/per mile - (45p) for each mile there and back.
We are so lucky to be registered with two exotic vets who specialise in rabbits as well as a local vets who have a great rabbit vet at the practice.
Depending on what the illness is and where we can get an appointment we are registered with the following vets:
The Exotic Animal Vets (Urmston)
Ashleigh Vets (Chorlton)
Rutland House Veterinary Hospital (St Helens)
Vets4Pets on (Altrincham Retail Park) - for minor injuries/ailments.
The vet will discuss any costs of treatment with you. If we can't get hold of you we will proceed in your pets best interest.
Our vets will give me a print off of the treatment received and a receipt for your records and insurance claim.
Please note that we are not vet nurses. We will give extra care & medication under instruction from the vets - the same as we would give it to our own pets.
Extra Medical Care Prices:
1 type of medication = £1.50 per application
2 types of medication (once or twice a day at the same time) = £1.50 for the first and 50p for the second
A single dose of medication between 10:30pm & 6am for example: a medication that needs to be given 3 times a day (8 hours apart) = £12.00 per dose
Cleaning, bathing, flushing eyes/ears, wiping areas of the body, checking skin for redness/swelling/discharge = £1.50 per session
Syringe feeding and oral medication = £60 for each 24 hour period/£30 for 12 hours.
Useful Telephone Numbers:
The Exotic Animal Vets (Urmston) :
+441612968092
0161 296 8092
Ashleigh Vets (Chorlton):
+441618816868
0161 881 6868
Rutland House Animal Hospital (St. Helens):
+441744853520
01744 853520
Vets4Pets (Altrincham Retail Park):
+441619279318
0161 927 9318