Woodlands is proud that we run our own 24-hour emergency service for our registered* clients. We will never begrudge seeing you in a genuine emergency but please do not use the out of hours service for routine appointments or enquiries.
Using the Woodlands emergency service
Please call the normal practice number in the case of an emergency:
Telephone: 01752 700600
Our vets rota the “on call” between them and there is always a veterinary surgeon available 24/7 in the case of a genuine emergency. Our nurses and/or vets are able to stay onsite to provide your pet with overnight emergency care and treatments whilst hospitalised. House visits may be possible for our registered clients; however this will always be at the discretion and availability of our on duty vet.
This out of hours service is primarily for the use of our registered* clients and their pets. We can see unregistered clients out of hours but it is recommended where possible to visit your registered veterinary clinic.
Contact information
- Call the normal surgery telephone number 01752 700600. You may hear an answer phone message asking you to stay on the line.
- Your call will be answered by the nurse or duty vet. In the rare event she is on another telephone call at the time please call back within a few minutes.
- If your call is in the middle of the night please be aware that the call may take a little longer to be answered.
- Please DO NOT just turn up at the practice as it will be closed.
- When you speak to the nurse or vet, she will ask you questions about the emergency. Please make sure that the person making the phone call knows the details of the emergency.
- If the vet thinks your pet’s condition is urgent but not immediately life threatening you will be advised of the costs and given the opportunity to decide whether you feel your pet can wait or if it should be seen.
- If your pet has an immediate or life threatening emergency be prepared to make some immediate decisions and listen carefully to advice that is given.
Emergencies to call immediately
- Poisonings – please keep the packaging and bring it with you to the surgery. The vet can contact the poison information service while you are on route to the surgery and save valuable time.
- Road traffic accidents – most injured animals can be moved safely and quickly on a blanket or towel for a dog or wrapped in a towel and put in a box for a cat. Please contact the vet for advice if you are unsure and bring to the surgery ASAP.
- Bloat or gastric dilation – in large breed dogs. If your dog’s stomach is suddenly distended please ring your vet immediately.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Persistent vomiting and diarrhoea in an unwell patient.
- Any other condition that appears to be making your pet suddenly seriously ill.
Costs
Providing our clients with a 24-hour emergency service is part of our promise to you. You will always be seen by one of our own vets and your pets will be cared for by our own dedicated vet and nursing team 24-hours a day.
However, having a vet and qualified nurse available 24-hours a day is very costly and there is an emergency surcharge that applies out of hours. The rate is dependent on the time of day/night that you are calling. As with all our standard terms and conditions we expect payment at the time of treatment.
* Registered clients are those who have been seen by one of our vets within the last 12 months.
