Important information: Please be aware that we have updated our privacy policy which can be viewed here
What Services Can Local Vets in Dalkeith Offer You?
Whether you own a pet as small as a hamster or as large as a Great Dane, one thing remains the same - they’re a part of your family. As such, it’s only natural that you’d want the best care services for them, which is why it’s in your best interest to find a local vet clinic that can offer you comprehensive services designed to prioritise your pet’s health first and foremost.
That’s exactly what we strive to do here at Market Cross Veterinary Clinic. Based in Dalkeith, our small animal vets provide tailored care services for dogs, cats, birds and other small pets. Keep reading as we discuss the services we offer in more detail, so you can get a better understanding of exactly what it is we can offer you and your pet.
What is a Small Animal Vet?
Before we delve into the services we offer, let us first make clear what we mean by small animal vets. When people hear this term, many of them hear the word ‘small’ and immediately assume this involves working exclusively with the smallest of pets, such as hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs. Whilst this is an understandable assumption to make, it’s not quite true.
Whilst we do work with such animals, small animal vets tend to work with all common pets, in general. This includes:
- Hamsters
- Mice
- Rats
- Guinea pigs
- Ferrets
- Rabbits
- Birds
- Cats
- Dogs
So, you could own a large breed of dog that no one would consider small, yet rest assured you will still be able to seek treatment for them at your local small animal vet practice.
In comparison, large animal vets often work with animals that spend most of their time outside (such as sheep, cows and horses) and are thus required to travel to treat such animals, rather than the animals being brought in to be treated at a clinic. They often specialise in either livestock, equestrian or zoo animals.
There is then the case of animals kept as exotic (also known as non-domestic) pets, such as snakes, tortoises and bearded dragons. Whilst these animals can be considered to be in the bracket of ‘small’, treating exotic animals is an elective specialism that veterinary students can choose to study when training to be a qualified vet, meaning not all vets will have knowledge on how to treat these animals as standard. Instead, you should always find a specialist if looking to treat such an animal.
An Insight into the Services We Offer
Now that you know the kind of pets that we treat as a small animal pet practice, let us next move on to take a close look at the extensive services that we offer to you and your furry or feathery friend.
Pet Vaccines
What?
Just how babies need vaccinations when they’re born, so, too, do your pets. Puppies, for example, require vaccinations once they’re between six to eight weeks old, which they must have before they’re walked out in public for the first time. Dogs then require annual vaccinations, protecting them from:
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
- Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
- Canine Adenovirus (CAV) (also known as infectious canine hepatitis)
- Canine Leptospira
They can also receive a vaccine for Rabies if you are taking your dog abroad, or Kennel Cough, if they’re going into kennels or are regularly in contact with lots of other dogs (e.g. playing in the park).
As for kittens, they are old enough to receive vaccinations at eight to nine weeks old and also require annual vaccinations throughout adulthood. They’re protected against:
- Cat Flu
- Feline Infectious Enteritis (FPV)
- Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)
Again, there are additional vaccines available depending on the specific health, lifestyle and risk factors surrounding your cat, however these are the core vaccines they must receive.
It’s also strongly advised to get annual vaccinations for your pet rabbit. This protects them against:
- Myxomatosis
- Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease 1 & 2 (RHD1 & RHD2).
Why?
Keeping your pets up to date with their annual inoculations is incredibly important for keeping them protected from some nasty diseases that could otherwise have severe impacts on their health.
Typically, our vets and nurses will also conduct a full health check on your pet during their annual vaccine appointment, making sure that nothing is amiss and listening to any worries or concerns you may have. This offers you peace of mind that your pet is in good health, whilst checking that all is well with them so that they aren’t suffering in silence.
Neutering
What?
Neutering refers to a medical procedure that is carried out in order to prevent your pet from being able to reproduce. With regards to male pets, this tends to involve castration, whereby their testes are excised or completely removed. As for female pets, this involves being spayed, whereby their ovaries and uterus are removed.
These procedures involve the use of general anaesthesia. You can then expect check-up appointments post-operation, with the purpose of checking that your pet and their stitches are healing well.
Why?
Whilst neutering is known to be done to control breeding potential - especially in cats that roam around outside and unsupervised, there are also a number of health benefits to neutering your pet.
One such benefit relates to behavioural issues. Male pets, for example, may become territorial and show signs of sexual aggression if left unneutered.
As for physical health, there are various diseases and cancers (e.g. prostate cancer or ovarian cancer) that your pet can contract that are completely mitigated when neutered, which can subsequently increase their overall life expectancy - meaning you get even more happy years to spend with them!
Microchipping
What?
Microchipping is most commonly offered to dogs and cats and involves inserting a microchip under their skin. This tiny chip (approximately the size of a grain of rice) contains a unique code that, when entered into a database, will bring up your contact details.
Why?
Having your pet microchipped is one of the most reliable ways of finding them if they ever get lost. For example, if someone finds your pet and assumes they are a stray or can see that they’re lost, then they can take them to a local vet clinic where they will be scanned to check for a chip - thus allowing you to be contacted if your pet is found.
Not only does this offer you peace of mind as an owner, but if you own a dog this is also a legal requirement; all dogs in the UK over the age of eight weeks must be microchipped and contain up-to-date details on the chip.
Diagnostics
What?
Diagnostics can cover all ranges of potential problems and ailments. If your pet is acting out of character, has sustained an injury or is showing symptoms of discomfort and illness, then diagnostics and interventional treatment allow our veterinarians to identify the underlying issues of their ailment and make an informed decision on the best course of treatment going forward.
This may involve the use of various high-end equipment and facilities that support the diagnosis and prognosis of different ailments, such as:
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Endoscopies
- Microscopies
- IDEXX suite (for haematology, biochemistry and serum antigen/antibody blood analysis)
Why?
Bringing in your pet when there seems to be something wrong with them but you’re unsure on what this could be allows us to use our expertise and facilities to determine just that. It’s always important to bring your pet in to see us in such instances, even if their symptoms or change in behaviour is minor, as it can allow us to identify and treat any potential illnesses early, ensuring your pet gets the treatment they need before their symptoms get any worse.
This not only offers you peace of mind that your pet is being treated promptly and effectively, but also ensures that they are comfortable and not in pain.
Pet Emergencies
As well as our regular services, we also cater to pet emergencies here at Market Cross Veterinary Clinic. We understand that sometimes your pet's health can take a sudden turn for the worse - whether they’ve been involved in an accident, won’t stop vomiting or have eaten a poisonous substance, having access to emergency care in these circumstances is vital.
We’re proud to offer 24/7 pet care, having teamed up with Vets Now, who are able to offer advice and care on our behalf outside of our operating hours.
If you’re unsure about whether or not your pet’s symptoms should be deemed an emergency, don’t hesitate to check out our pet guides, offering information on common pet poisons and urgent symptoms, so that you can make an informed decision on how best to seek treatment for your beloved pet.
Register Your Pet Today
Now that you have a better overview of the general services we offer, we’re sure you can see that we’re serious about the health of all the pet’s we treat. Not only is our team passionate about your pet’s health and wellbeing, but all members of our staff are compassionate to you as an owner, too, ensuring full transparency and sympathy regarding your pet’s health at all times.
Entrust us with your pets health,
get in touch to register your pet today. We’re based in Dalkeith and serve the surrounding areas.
