Clare Vet Group's home page
Ballyclare 028 9332 2223
Whiteabbey 028 9036 5573
Carrickfergus 028 9332 9385
Cavehill 028 9071 8134

Medicine & Surgery

Medicinal and surgical services for your pet

Medicinal and Surgical Services

At Clare Vets we offer a range of medicinal and surgical services for your pet. Due to the depth of experience and knowledge through the practice as well as the facilities, we can offer a range of surgeries that is not always available at every vet clinic.

These include:

  • Soft tissue surgery
  • Orthopaedic surgery
  • Oncology and Chemotherapy
  • Ophthalmology
  • Biopsies
  • Critical Care and Emergencies
  • Investigations
  • Second Opinion consults and surgery
  • Biopsies
  • Critical Care
  • Oncology & Chemotherapy
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Soft Tissue Surgery

Biopsies

Biopsies are normally taken to determine if growths, lumps and bumps are cancerous.  Most of the time they can also help determine the severity of a disease.

A biopsy allows your veterinary surgeon to determine the types of cells in a tissue sample. Mostly, these biopsies, are sent off to a specialist external laboratory for analysis.

The tissue removed during a biopsy is examined under a microscope by a veterinary pathologist at the lab.  These professionals are specialists in examining cells and tissue samples.

Sometimes, your pet will be anaesthetised or sedated to perform a biopsy, this is to ensure your pet is comfortable and as stress free as possible.

Biopsies are very important for helping to confirm a diagnosis. With many types of cancers, early diagnosis is helpful for determining the course of treatment and can help increase the chance of survival. Biopsies can also help to confirm causes of other conditions, including skin lesions, as well as diseases of the kidneys, liver, or bone marrow.

Your vet will discuss at length the procedure and treatment plan for your pet. If your pet is hospitalised, we have a dedicated team of veterinary nurses who will look after your pet during the recovery period to ensure he/she is comfortable and pain free.

Critical Care

We provide emergency and critical care facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in our Ballyclare hospital.

At any time, your pet may be involved in an accident or become sick following an acute illness.  In these cases you can have peace of mind, knowing that our qualified and experienced team of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are fully trained to deal with all types of situations that may arise. We have a fully equipped hospital to deal with anything from oxygen therapy to collapsed pets.

We operate specialist-managed cases within the RCVS-accredited hospital which means your pet gets full investigative work up and a treatment programme to ensure the best possible chance for a full recovery.

If your pet requires urgent treatment, please call the clinic on 02893 322223

Oncology & Chemotherapy

At Clare Veterinary Hospital we offer some of the most advanced cancer treatments in pets.  Our veterinary oncologists provide a wide range of chemotherapeutics and surgical cancer treatments.

It can be a very distressing time if your pet is diagnosed with cancer. Our aim is to offer expertise and understanding to allow the best possible decisions to be made for you and your pet.  Our veterinary surgeons will discuss at length the diagnostic and treatment options that are appropriate for your dog or cat.

Some cancer treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, palliative drug therapy, immunotherapy, metronomic chemotherapy or a combination of these.

Our main aim through treatment is to try and maintain the best possible quality of life for your pet. We understand that dealing with cancer in your pet will be very difficult and we want to ensure you have the best possible care.

The types of cancer we often see include:

  • Mast cell tumours
  • Malignant melanoma.
  • Sarcomas including haemangiosarcomas, osteosarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas
  • Lymphoid and myeloid cancers including lymphomas, myelomas and leukaemias
  • Carcinomas including oral carcinomas, anal sac adenocarcinomas, thyroid carcinomas and bladder tumours

Our team of caring and dedicated qualified nurses will ensure your pet has the best possible hospital care during their treatment in the hospital.

If you are worried about your pet and wish to make an appointment, please contact the clinic on 02893 322223.

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is the treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye.

If your pet has an eye problem, you will need to make an appointment with one of our vets. During the consultation, the vet will be able to perform a range of examinations such as using the binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy and tono pen exam for checking intraocular eye pressure to assess for glaucoma.

After consultation with one of our vets, your pet may be referred for eye surgery.

We offer a range of eye surgery:

  • Entropion
  • Distichiasis/Trichiasis by electrolysis
  • Prolapsed Nictitating Gland/Cherry Eye
  • Conjunctival Pedical Grafts
  • Corneal foreign bodies
  • Eyelid adenoma removal
  • Grid keratotomy as treatment of corneal ulceration

Often these surgeries require hospitalisation and intense nursing care. We have a dedicated nursing team and facilities at the Ballyclare hospital to ensure your pet has the best recovery post-surgery.

To book an appointment please contact the clinic on 02893 322223

Orthopaedics

Clare Vets are proud to be able to offer your pet a wide range of orthopaedic procedures. These operations are carried out at the Ballyclare hospital where we have the facilities to hospitalise and monitor your pet throughout their recovery.

We are experienced in all aspects of general practice orthopaedics such as;

  • Angular limb deformity
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Arthroscopy
  • Luxating patellas
  • Joint surgery – including cruciate surgery (tibial tubiosity advancement)

Soft Tissue Surgery

Clare Vets perform many soft tissue surgeries. We have a team of dedicated fully trained and qualified veterinary surgeons, which gives peace of mind to you if your pet is referred for surgery.

Soft tissue surgery is a varied discipline and includes the majority of surgical procedures which do not fall under the remit of orthopaedic surgery.  Areas covered include;

  • Aural surgery
  • Nasal surgery
  • Oral surgery
  • Cardiothoracic surgery
  • Hepatic surgery
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Urogenital surgery
  • Skin reconstructive procedures
  • Oncological surgery

Our qualified and dedicated team of veterinary nurses will provide any post-operative care in the hospital if required, after your pet has had their surgery.

Your pet will need a full consultation with one of our veterinary surgeons to discuss any lumps and bumps and refer your pet for surgery. If you would like to book an appointment please contact the clinic on 02893 322223

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