Midland Veterinary Surgery's home page
  • Call our surgeryTel: 020 8539 3538 | Fax: 020 8556 6261

If you are looking to book a cat vaccination, please be aware that there is an ongoing shortage of some cat vaccines affecting all UK Veterinary practices. Find out more here.

Services

A wide range of affordable veterinary services available for pets in East London

  • Our Services
  • Nurse Clinics
  • Exotic Pets
  • Ornamental Fish
  • Emergencies
  • Euthanasia

Our Services

Our services include:

  • Fully computerised record system
  • Vaccinations, worming and microchipping
  • Surgical and medical treatments
  • Dental descaling and polishing
  • Radiography with plain and contrast studies
  • Ultrasound facilities
  • Basic in-house laboratory tests
  • Laboratory sampling and interpretations
  • Nurse clinics
  • Pet Passport Scheme and animal export health certificates
  • Local Veterinary Inspector (LVI) work on behalf of DEFRA
  • Comprehensive health care for ornamental fish (private and commercial)
  • Euthanasia, with routine and private cremations
  • Emergency cover outside normal hours

We also stock a wide range of prescription diets for dogs and cats in addition to a variety of diets for all life stages (juvenile, maintenance and senior). Our experienced nurses can offer advice on all nutritional matters, including helping to develop a suitable dietary control program for your pet and provide clinics to monitor for those on weight control diets. Our stock includes various specialised diets by Burgess Supafeeds for rabbits and guinea pigs.

Please get in touch for any questions you may have regarding our services.

Nurse Clinics

All of our veterinary nurses have completed a minimum of two years formal training and examinations covering practical and theoretical aspects of animal nursing. The training scheme and examinations are supervised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and further details for budding nurses can be found on the RCVS website.

Our qualified nurses are listed with the RCVS, enabling them to undertake a range of procedures. They are actively involved in assisting the veterinary surgeons in the consulting rooms, operating theatres and X-ray department. All nurses provide constant care for the hospitalised pets following surgery. Our nurses can discuss problems with clients on a friendly basis over the counter or by telephone. They regularly perform some basic laboratory tests and monitor anaesthetics under the supervision of the veterinary staff. Qualified veterinary nurses are required to improve and update their skills by regularly attending continuing professional development (CPD) courses and seminars.

During our Nurse Clinics, our qualified nurses can perform minor procedures and give a range of advice and practical help on a wide variety of different topics:

  • Free puppy and kitten health checks
  • New pet health care
  • Nutrition and dietary advice
  • Elderly pet health care
  • Weight monitoring and diet control
  • Dental care
  • Worming and flea treatment
  • Nail clipping
  • Post operative checks
  • Suture removal
  • Blood pressure testing (under a vet’s supervision)

Please contact the practice to arrange for an appointment with one of our qualified nurses.

Exotic Pets

We routinely see rabbits and rodents for vaccinations, neutering and health checks.  We are happy to see other exotic species for basic consultations and health exams and routinely consult with specialists about conditions if needed.

For more complex conditions we may recommend visiting a vet with further qualifications in exotic veterinary medicine.

Please give reception a call for further enquiries and they can put you in touch with our vet Emma to see if she can help.

 

Ornamental Fish

William Wildgoose has provided professional services to fish clients on a first and second opinion basis for over 30 years. Most fish work involves private hobbyists with coldwater ornamental fish such as koi and goldfish. He has been the veterinary advisor to the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) since 1996 and offers professional services to several importers and retailers of ornamental fish. In 2013, he compiled the list of vets willing to treat pet fish and beame an honorary life member of the Fish Veterinary Society. He is on the Secretary of State’s list of registered zoo inspectors with a special interest in public aquaria.

Our services for ornamental fish include:

  • Diagnostic disease investigations in ornamental fish
  • Health care for commercial and private clients
  • Consultations and site visits by appointment
  • Routine health monitoring and water quality testing
  • Laboratory tests (microscopy, autopsy, bacteriology, virology, histopathology)
  • Veterinary radiography, medical and surgical treatments
  • Assistance in litigation and insurance cases

Further information on ornamental fish:

Memberships

Publications

  • Written several peer-reviewed scientific papers
  • Written many articles for the scientific and hobby press
  • Editor of the Fish Veterinary Journal for three years
  • Edited and contributed to the BSAVA Manual of Ornamental Fish (2001)
  • Advised on fish in the CIEH Model Conditions for Pet Vending Licensing (2013)
  • Advised on the Animal Welfare Foundation leaflet on Ornamental Fish Keeping
  • Contributed to the BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 9th Edn (2015)

Recent Scientific Papers

Emergencies

Outside our normal opening hours, we provide access to emergency advice, care and treatment for your pet at Wanstead Veterinary Hospital. The hospital is staffed throughout the night and at weekends.

Please phone in advance to arrange to be seen. Information regarding any treatment is sent to us by fax the next day so that we can update our records and arrange any follow up treatment.

Please telephone our usual number to receive details of our out-of-hours emergency service:

020 8539 3538

Euthanasia

How do I know it is time?

As pet owners, we endeavour to make sure that our faithful companions stay fit and healthy, enabling them to live to an old age. Unfortunately, our pets do not live as long as us and at some point, we will have to prepare to let them go. Sadly, few of our pets pass peacefully away in their sleep. Therefore, we all wish to do the right thing at the right time, fulfilling our responsibility and commitment in their final days. We hope these words will help you and your family in a time of conflicting emotions.

Nobody knows their pet better than you and your closest family and friends, so let them help and share in making a reasoned judgement on your pet’s quality of life.
 
Indications that things may not be well may include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • A reluctance to play and move around as normal
  • Restlessness or becoming withdrawn from you

When the time is right to put your pet to sleep, you may see evidence of a combination of all the above indicators and your pet may seem distressed, uncomfortable or disorientated within your home.
 
Is there nothing more I can do?

As your vet, we will discuss all treatment options available for your pet to relieve their symptoms, but there will come a time when all forms of treatment have been exhausted, we have discovered the disease is incurable, or you feel your pet is suffering too much. You and your family may wish to talk with your Veterinary Surgeon to help you all come to this final decision; in this case, we will arrange an appointment for you.
 
When and where can we say goodbye?

We hope this section will help you and your family understand your pet’s end-of-life journey. This is known as ‘euthanasia’ but often referred to as ‘putting to sleep’. After discussing with your family and your vet, and having decided that the time has come, you can contact your surgery and make an appointment. We will always try to make this appointment at a time that is convenient for you – usually at a quieter time of the day.
 
It is also possible to arrange this appointment to be performed in the comfort of your own home. If this is an option you would like, we will do our best to arrange a home visit. In these cases, a vet and a nurse will visit your home. When they have put your pet to sleep, they will either take the body back to the surgery for cremation or leave them with you to bury at home. Additional charges will apply for this service and certain times of day may be restricted.
 
Will I be able to stay with my pet?

Being present when your pet is put to sleep will be both emotional and distressing, but the majority of owners feel that they give comfort to their pet during their last moments, and can make their final goodbyes. But this is not comfortable for everyone; we understand if you do not want to stay in the room with your pet but make your goodbyes afterwards. We will always make time for you and your family to do this.
 
What will happen?

Initially, your vet or another member of our team will ask you to sign a consent form to give us permission to put your pet to sleep. You may have already discussed with your vet what you then wish to do with your pet’s body, but we will confirm this on the consent form.

Many owners are surprised by how peaceful euthanasia can be. Euthanasia involves injecting an overdose of anaesthetic into the vein of your pet’s front leg. Some of our vets would have previously inserted a catheter into the vein or sedated your pet if they are particularly nervous or uncomfortable.
 
After the anaesthetic has been injected, your pet’s heart will stop beating and they will rapidly lose consciousness and stop breathing. Your vet will check that their heart has stopped beating and confirm that they have passed away. On occasion, the pet’s muscles and limbs may tremble and they may gasp a few times, these are reflex actions only – not signs of life – but may be upsetting. If they occur, they are unavoidable. Your pet’s eyes will remain open and it is normal for them to empty their bowel or bladder as the body shuts down.
 

Afterwards

What happens next?

There are several options available for your pet. Your Veterinary team can discuss these with you and give you an idea of costs involved.

  • Communal Cremation – Leave your pet with us to be cremated with other pets. With this type of cremation, no ashes will be returned to you. For the majority of our clients, this is the most appropriate form of closure.
  • Individual Cremation – A private cremation for your pet at our nominated crematorium company, Pet Cremation Services (PCS). Your pet’s ashes will then be returned to you in either a sealed casket of your choice or a scatter box, for you and your family to scatter their ashes in a location of your choice. Our team will have several options you can choose from.
  • ‘Taking them home’ – You can also take your pet home for burial, but please bear in mind this may not always be practical. We can provide coffins for home burial. Please ask any of our team.
  • Some surgeries also have a local pet cemetery company that will arrange everything from collecting your pet from the vet, preparing a grave and performing the burial. Our practice team will be able to give you further information.

When will I need to decide?

We would encourage you and your family to discuss these options before your pet is put to sleep, and to let your vet know. We will keep a note of your wishes with pet’s notes. However, in some cases the euthanasia may have occurred after an accident and you will need more time to make this decision. It is possible for us to keep your pet for a short time afterwards, to give you and your family time to reflect before making a decision.
 
Coping with the loss

Everyone deals with grief in different ways. When grieving for a much-loved pet, you or other members of your family may experience a range of emotions from shock, denial, disbelief and, very often, guilt. Should you wish to talk to anyone at your Veterinary surgery, we can offer support and advice.
If, after reading these pages, there are still facts you would like to know, we will be more than happy to help. Please contact us at the surgery.

The following organisations can provide further help and support:

The Ralph Site

The Blue Cross

The Blue Cross also offer a bereavement support line if you would like to talk to someone. The number is 0800 0966606. The sites above also offer special books that have been written to help your children understand the loss of their pets.

Pre-Operative Information

Pre-Operative Information

Useful information ahead of your pet's operation

Practice information

Midland Veterinary Surgery

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  • Mon
    8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Tue
    8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Wed
    8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Thu
    8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Fri
    8:00am - 7:00pm
  • Sat
    8:00am - 2:00pm
  • Sun
    Closed
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Find us here:

655 High Road Leyton London E10 6RA
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