Expert Vet Services in Stoke-on-Trent
At Willow Veterinary Clinic Ltd, we are proud to offer a variety of professional vet services to clients across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. From the latest and best quality equipment to our cat-friendly clinic, we take every step and precaution to ensure your animals receive the best care possible. If you need any further information on the services we provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team to find out more.
CT Scanner
Our CT scanner was installed at our Tunstall practice in 2017 and was the first permanent veterinary CT scanner in our area. It is available 24 hours a day to both our own patients and as a referral service to surrounding practices.
Computed Tomography (CT) involves the use of x-rays to take thousands of pictures of cross-sections of the body. These can then be built up into a 3D image and used to create a detailed reconstruction of the patient. This is a thorough and prompt way to reach a diagnosis and enable quicker treatment. The CT scanner is particularly useful for the diagnosis and planning of complex surgical procedures and medical conditions.
We are able to obtain full results from external specialists and also, we are lucky that one of our own vets - Charlie Green - is an Advanced Practitioner is Diagnostic Imaging and a General Practitioner in CT; meaning she can read our CT scans on site and enhance surgical planning and treatments.
We also have a ‘Vet Mousetrap’ available for cats and exotics. It is a made from a type acrylic that allows us to sit the patient comfortably in the device without the need for sedations or anaesthesia. This is particularly useful for dyspnoeic patients (patients that have difficulty breathing) and enables us to reach a quicker diagnosis.
Brian’s CT Scan
The first CT scan we carried out was done on Clive's dog, Brian's, nose. We found a sarcoma in his upper jaw, and successfully removed it. A CT was needed to ensure the surrounding area was in good health.
Vet CT Mouse Trap
At Willow Veterinary Clinic Ltd, we have a new piece of equipment imported from the US. It allows us to investigate cats and other small species, who may be in severe respiratory or cardiovascular distress, without having to sedate or anaesthetise them first.
Dyspnoeic cats (cats struggling for breath), may have a plethora of differential diagnosis, which requires different types of medical or surgical management. It is important to find out what is wrong with these patients while stabilising them at the same time. Handling these patients, and clipping them for radiography, ultrasound examinations, or thoracocentesis can send these patients over the edge into respiratory or circulatory failure. With the 'Mouse Trap', it is possible to investigate these patients in an emergency, without causing further distress. This allows the vet and client to make informed decisions about how to proceed with the case. Examinations can be carried out while providing oxygen therapy and intravenous support.
Eye Surgery
Clive Curry, the founding vet at Willow Veterinary Clinic Ltd, has a special interest in ophthalmology and experience in dealing with a wide range of ocular conditions. Clive has undertaken several post-graduate certificates in ophthalmology, in addition to investing in state-of-the-art equipment. Clive can offer a full in-house service and performs complex surgeries, including cataract surgery (phacoemulsification).
The services we can offer include:
Page 3
-
Microsurgery
-
Ocular Ultrasound
-
Direct and Indirect Ophthalmoscopy
-
Retrobulbar Investigations (CT & MRI)
-
Lens Luxation Evaluation and Surgery
-
Glaucoma Management
-
Trauma Management
-
Ocular Foreign Body Removal
-
Neurological Evaluation including ERG (Electroretinography)
-
Surgical and Medical Corneal Ulcer Management
-
Dry Eye Evaluation, Medical and Surgical Management
-
Adnexal Surgery and Reconstruction for Eyelid Disorders/Eyelid Tumours
-
Nasolacrimal Duct Imaging (Dacrocystography) and Treatment of Obstruction
Cataract Surgery
The term “cataract” refers to opacity within the lens of the eye, which should be clear to allow clear vision. Chemical changes within the lens can cause a loss of clarity, which would first be apparent to the sufferer as a fogginess to the vision, followed by an increasing loss of vision and eventual blindness. To an observer, the lens becomes increasingly milky or blue coloured.
The removal of cataract material within the lens is known as Phacoemulsification, whereby a specialised instrument is inserted into the lens of the eye. It combines ultrasonic energy with flushing saline and suction, to break down and remove the old lens material. A new plastic lens is then inserted into the lens capsule, the eye is flushed, and the corneal incision is sutured closed. This surgery must be undertaken with an operating microscope and requires large amounts of specialist equipment, surgeon training, and experience.
The post-operative care is very involved for patients, as often the eye undergoes a period of glaucoma, or high-pressure within the eye, which can lead to loss of vision. Patients often require lifelong anti-inflammatory eye-drops. We have offered this procedure for cataract sufferers at the practice for the last 5 years. We are happy to discuss expectations and outcomes with any client. As we are a general practice, we endeavour to provide a high standard of care at a reasonable price, which can restore sight to otherwise blind animals.
At Willow Veterinary Clinic Ltd, we constantly invest in training and equipment to keep our service up to date. Founding vet, Clive Curry, currently performs our cataract operations and holds post-graduate certificates in the field of veterinary ophthalmology. We have specially trained ophthalmic nurses, Lisa Hawkins RVN (who is currently undertaking a modular course in ophthalmology), and Nicole Leighton RVN, who regularly assist Clive with his ophthalmic surgeries. Clive also undertakes cataract surgeries in other practices, nationally.
