Internal medicine
We offer a second opinion referral service for internal medicine cases. Internal medicine is a wide ranging discipline which often involves investigating many of the body's systems. We see a very diverse range of conditions from endocrine problems such as diabetes mellitus, liver disease and haematological cases to gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease. We have a wide range of diagnostics available to thoroughly investigate these cases including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), video endoscopy and Doppler colour flow ultrasonography. These will complement modalities such as X-ray and blood testing which are commonly available in most veterinary practices today.
An MRI scan
Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft tissue surgery is surgery not involving the bones, and includes such areas as ENT, urinary tract, thoracic and gastro-intestinal surgery. Although soft tissue surgery cases are often dealt with routine in general practice, some cases require more expertise and experience to perform safely and effectively. These include procedures to treat urinary incontinence (eg colposuspension), diagnosis and closure of abnormal liver vessels (portosystemic shunts), removal of tumours that have recurred or are in difficult areas to operate in, intra-thoracic and cardiac surgery. We are fortunate to have an internationally recognised soft tissue surgeon in Alasdair Hotston Moore. Alasdair also performs many procedures under key hole surgery to reduce the discomfort of surgical procedures, and he was recently introduced at the international endoscopy meeting where he was lecturing as "one of the leading lights of veterinary laparoscopy."
Oncology
Many new treatments have become available in the UK to treat cancerous conditions and where we find this underlying cause we can advise you on the best treatment options that are available. These commonly include surgery , chemotherapy and radiotherapy. You can employ any or a combination of these treatments depending on the type of tumour found, extent of spread at diagnosis as well as the potential side effects of the treatment and other complicating factors such as co-existing conditions. We can offer some of these treatments in house and regularly see animals back on a 'day case' basis for chemotherapy.
Ophthalmology
We are happy to see ophthalmology cases that have been referred from other veterinary surgeons. We commonly see a wide variety of cases ranging from corneal disease and glaucoma to ocular disease that is secondary to systemic problems such as hypertension. MRI is of great utility in the diagnosis of orbital disease, showing a high degree of sensitivity for detection of changes. Although MRI does not give a definitive diagnosis of tissue type or pathological process, much can be inferred from the extent of the disease process, and by comparing T1W, T2W and gadolinium-enhanced scans. MRI is also the treatment of choice for the diagnosis of blindness of intracranial origin, eg chiasmal or retrochiasmal, or for neoplasia of the orbit with suspected intracranial extension.
Access To Other Disciplines
If we can't find a diagnosis or treat a case in house we have an extensive network of colleagues who specialise in different areas to us who can help.
Bath Canine Hydrotherapy
Run by a qualified Animal Physiotherapist Lauren Foster MCSP ACPAT
Hydrotherapy is a way of working dogs in a non-weight bearing, heated environment which will aid recovery from injury or surgery. It also allows a good progression to Physiotherapy, or even just to increase fitness levels and lose weight!
Our hydrotherapy centre is based at Priston Mill, 3 miles south of Bath.