As the practice has grown we have listened to the comments of clients and acted upon their suggestions evolving this information bulletin.
In addition to this information and our practice brochure we have many free leaflets written by our staff for you on many topics, all available from reception.
Arriving at the Surgery
When you arrive at the Strathaven Rural Centre please follow the signs for Avondale Veterinary Group. As you go in front of Hamilton House (L.S.Smellie and Sons Ltd, Offices) you will see the sign for Town and Country Store on the front of the building. Continue ahead and there is private parking directly in front of the surgery for your convenience and to the side of the building. Please park in one of the designated parking bays.
If you, or any member of your group or pet has difficulty walking please ask for assistance. We are happy to assist owners to and from their cars with pets, wheelchairs, prams etc.
Dog Owners
Please bring your dog on a lead. We can lend you a lead if required. This is for the convenience of others with dogs or cats, as well as to prevent escape from you whilst in the car park or waiting room. We would kindly ask that your dog is brought to the surgery clean and dry. It is not pleasant or easy to examine dirty dogs and lesions on the coat can be easily missed. Clean dogs keep the surgery fresh and clean for the enjoyment of the following clients saving waiting times between consults cleaning. Please save the run or swim through Strathaven Park boating pond for another day.
Please inform reception if your pet passes faeces in the car park, entrance way or urinates in the waiting room, this is normal for pets especially anxious and you should not feel embarrassed to inform us so that we may clear the mess away for you.
Cat Owners
Please bring your cat in a basket or suitable box so that escape is impossible. The new practice has many hiding places for cats. We can lend you a cat basket for your visit.
Owners of Rabbits, Hamster, Guinea pigs etc
Please bring your pet in a suitable secure basket, box or carton. A small amount of hay is sufficient for a comfortable and warm transportation to the surgery as normal bedding is always scattered throughout the consult room when removing and replacing small mammals from their basket.
Appointments are available:
Monday – Friday :9am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 4pm, 5pm – 6.30pm
Saturday: 9am – 11.30am
All by appointment only
Reception
Reception is open from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday. Please telephone at any time of the working day for an appointment that suits your needs with your preferred vet. It is better to phone early especially if you want an appointment the same day. All consultations are by appointment only. There is a charge for failing to turn up for your appointment if you have not informed the surgery within 24 hours that you are unable to attend. When you arrive at the surgery, please report to the reception to check your details. You will be seen in the order of your appointment time, not the order of arrival, so there is no need to arrive earlier than your appointment time. We do our best to make sure you and your animal are seen as close to your appointment time as possible. However emergencies can occur and if this happens, we will advise you of the reason and how long you may have to wait.
Saturdays
Reception is open from 9am to 12noon with appointments from 9am to11.30am.
Bank Holidays
We are open for most bank holidays but close earlier. We do close for some Christmas and New Year holidays. Please see our notices on the front door, notice boards, web site or by speaking to us in advance.
Out Of Hours Service
A 24 hour emergency service for our clients is provided by Glasgow University Vet School Small Animal Emergency Service just off Bearsden Rd (Switchback Rd) near Canniesburn toll, G61 1QH. This is a centre of excellence providing 24hr emergency and intensive care as well as immediate access to specialists in medicine, orthopaedics, critical care etc. The duty vet can be contacted by telephoning 0141 330 7690. See their web site for full directions and services offered www.glasgow.ac.uk/sah . Please respect this service and only call the veterinary surgeon for genuine emergencies.
We have directions to Glasgow University Small Animal Emergency Service in PDF format below for you to read and print.
For directions click here | To view a map click here
For clients with transport issues please contact Dr. Doolittle Pet Care at www.drdoolittlepetcare.co.uk or PAWS-ITIV at www.paw-itiv.co.uk Both provide 24/7 emergency pet transport should you require them.
Prescriptions and Supply of Medicines
We can only supply veterinary medicines, worming tablets, flea treatments etc., to animals under our care. Please note that the law requires regular check-ups at least every 3-4 months but this may vary with individual circumstance. There is a charge for re-examination. Prescriptions are available from the practice. You may obtain prescription only medicine, category V (POM-V), from your veterinary surgeon or ask for a prescription and obtain these medicines from another veterinary surgeon or pharmacy.
Repeat Prescriptions
Please give us at least 24 hours by telephone or in person before collecting medication so we can ensure that it is ready for you. The veterinary surgeons must review your clinical notes to authorise the dispensing. The veterinary nurses can prepare the items ready for your collection. Requests made on a Friday may not be available until Monday afternoon due to our deliveries.
Payment of Treatment and Services
All fees are payable at the time of consultation, on dispensing medication and diets or on collection of a patient after an operation. Cash and all major debit and credit cards are welcome. We regret we are unable accept cheques or to offer credit.
If you feel you are unable to comply with the above terms please make it clear to a member of staff before any treatment is carried out.
Further charges will be levied in respect of interest, court costs or collection fees incurred during collection of unauthorised outstanding debts.
Home Visits
We are frequently asked about home visits. Home visits are not always appropriate for your pet’s condition. We can do a lot more for your pet if you come to the surgery as we have more resources and equipment.
Hospitalisation
We do not have facilities for staff to stay overnight. However the surgery is staffed from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. The duty vet will check on your pet as regularly as needed out with these hours. We will always try to get your pet home for the weekend but if treatment requires hospitalisation then the duty vet will check your pet as frequently as necessary.
Information on Inpatients
You will be given an appointment and pre-op instructions regarding medication and treatment. A vet or vet nurse will check your pet and attend to the necessary consent form. We find that if you leave your pet with the vet or nurse your pet settles better rather than your pet taken away from you. We appreciate that you will be anxious so please ask questions. It is best that we phone you with an update on your pet otherwise we may only be able to give limited information. However if you have not heard from us by 2pm please contact us on the following number 01357 520251.
Pet Insurance
We strongly recommend pet insurance and our staff are trained to advise you on the correct policy and common pitfalls. Please inform the vet attending your pet or reception that you may be making an insurance claim. The client is responsible for ensuring payment of account and any fees incurred are paid. Insurance cheques can be paid directly to the practice only with prior agreement.
Euthanasia
When the time comes that your pet sadly dies or has to be put to sleep we can arrange for your pet to be cremated. Many owners choose for their pet to have individual cremations so that they have the ashes to keep, bury or scatter in a favourite place. We only use a professional, licensed pet crematorium. This can be a very distressing time for all involved.