Long-Term Illness Care Plans

Should your pet be diagnosed with a chronic illness, we have a range of thoughtfully designed care plans, to help minimise costs and support you and your pet, with careful monitoring and all the essential care needed, to keep them happy, healthy and well.

Some examples of our long-term illness care plans are summarised below:

Renal Care Plan

In 2004 we created a carefully tailored renal care plan, for cats and dogs. Through our wealth of knowledge and experience, we designed this plan to support our patients, to improve the quality and length of life, for those diagnosed with renal disease. It is making a big difference.

The first step is to understand if there is a reason for the renal disease. Detailed testing and diagnostics look for; stones, infections, cysts, growths or vascular issues. In some cases, renal samples are sent for gold star analysis, to a specialist Laboratory at Utretch University, in The Netherlands.

Whenever possible, we aim to treat the underlying cause. For example, we may insert a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) for ureteric stones. However, some pets may have renal damage which cannot be fully reversed, even if we are able to confirm the cause. Treatments may include; blood pressure medication, dietary, nutrition and supplementary changes, to maintain a low phosphorous count.

Regular blood count and blood pressure checks are key to on-going care. To support you and your pets, and minimise care costs, our care plan includes a free, full 3 monthly check-up, renal blood check, blood pressure, review of weight, medication, lifestyle, diet and exercise regime. Blood tests help to ensure the dose of medication is correct; too weak and it may not help treat or manage the condition, too strong and it may have a detrimental effect on the liver and kidneys. This is really important, as it means we are able to pick up any changes, which may not be visible, as early as possible, to keep pets happy, healthy and well, for as long as possible.

Arthritis And Joint Care Plan

When any pet is diagnosed with joint arthritis, the first step is to try to understand if there is an underlying issue, to help explain the condition. For example, there may be a ligament or tendon injury which is creating mild instability, an immune-mediated condition or damage from a previous trauma.

Any findings may influence how we treat your pet, as we always aim to treat the underlying cause. We may offer standard treatment options, such as: anti-inflammatory medication, joint injections; natural routes, such as: acupuncture, swimming and physiotherapy; as-well as potential future options, such as: stem cell treatment, to help growth of new cartilage. In some cases we may consider joint replacement surgery.

Whatever treatment plan we agree, to support you and your pet, our care plan will help to minimise costs. It includes a free, full 3-6 monthly health check-up, weight check, blood tests, review of medication, lifestyle, diet and exercise regime. Blood tests help to ensure the dose of medication is correct; too weak and it may not help treat or manage the condition, too strong and it may have a detrimental effect on the liver and kidneys. To help prevent arthritis, controlling weight, diet, nutrition and exercise is key, particularly in young dogs, who may experience developmental joint problems. Mobility, and importantly, pain-free mobility, is a key factor to keep pets happy, healthy and well, for as long as possible.

Heart Care Plan

Unfortunately, heart disease is a common condition in cats and dogs. There are many different types of condition, but if your pet is diagnosed with a long-term heart condition, our care plan has been designed to support you and your pet, to improve the quality and length of life and minimise care costs. It includes; a free, full 3-6 monthly health check-up, heart rate monitoring, blood tests, blood pressure, review of medication, lifestyle, diet and exercise regime. Blood tests help to ensure the dose of medication is correct; too weak and it may not help treat or manage the condition, too strong and it may have a detrimental effect on the liver and kidneys.

Depending on the type and severity of heart disease, we may also repeat ECG tests, chest radiographs and/or heart ultrasounds, as regular monitoring of heart health will mean we catch any changes as early as possible, to help us prevent the condition from deteriorating. Each heart condition is different, so it’s best to talk to your vet, to agree the best treatment plan, to keep your pet happy, healthy and well, for as long as possible.

Cancer Care Plan

As there are so many different types of cancer, it is not possible to describe an exact care plan here, however, working closely with our team of specialists, we will be able to tailor the right care plan for you and your pet, to provide all the essential care needed, and to minimise costs.

Depending on the type of cancer, surgery may be needed and if so, it would be performed by one of specialist surgeons at our Surbiton Hospital. If chemotherapy is required as a separate treatment, or following surgery, this can be performed either at Surbiton Hospital, or at a local practice, depending on the type of medication and frequency required. Whenever possible, we offer the choice of location, to suit you and your pet.

A care plan typically includes; 3-6 monthly check-ups, blood tests, review of any medication, lifestyle, diet and exercise. Blood tests help to diagnose any return or progression of the condition, and ensure the dose of any medication is correct: too weak and it may not help treat or manage the condition, too strong and it may have a detrimental effect on the liver and kidneys. In addition, sometimes x-rays are taken for monitoring and diagnostic purposes, at 6 months and/or 1 year later.

With any type of cancer, regular check-ups and monitoring of health are important, so we catch any changes as early as possible, to keep your pet happy, healthy and well, for as long as possible.