Fox Red Labrador

Your visit

We are sorry that you are visiting us because your pet is unwell or injured, but rest assured we will work tirelessly to give you and your beloved animal family member the very best care and support at this difficult time.

You are here because you are in need of our guidance and medical expertise, and to invite us to join you on the journey to find the best path forward for your animal friend.

Fitzpatrick Referrals is proud to be the home of some of the finest specialists in the country in the field of orthopaedics and neurology. But so much more than this – our clinicians care passionately for animals. Their hearts are bigger than their heads – a key trait in all Fitzpatrick Referrals staff.

To help get a feel for what your visit could look like, here is an outline of the journey:

The referral

Your vet has sent us a referral for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet’s illness by one of our clinicians. Our specialist clinicians have an excellent and broad knowledge of all conditions, but in addition to this they have superb specialist knowledge on complex and unusual cases, and you will be referred to the specialist who is most suited to the issues you are dealing with.

We are proud that we have an excellent relationship with our referring vets and work closely with them throughout the treatment of your animal friend. We start the journey together and we will always work as one. To read more about referrals, visit our how to be referred section.

Arrival

Two receptionists sitting behind a desk at Fitzpatrick Referrals

Our friendly client care team will welcome you on arrival for your appointment.

When you arrive, you will be met by one of our friendly and reassuring receptionists who will make you feel welcome, and help put you at ease. You will be shown to our open and comfortable reception area to await your consult, and shown where to find refreshments for both you and your animal friend.

Consult

You will be met by your clinician for your appointment, who will do an extensive examination and explain with you in an open discussion their recommendations, and together you will work out your desired course of action.

Admission

If the problem needs further investigation and you are in agreement that it is the best course of action, they will be admitted to the hospital and prepared in our state-of-the-art prep area. While it is always a hub of activity, it is calm and spacious. At this point, a dedicated prep nurse will be allocated to your friend to hold their paw and remain with them as a constant while they travel through the next stages.

Imaging

Radiographer positioning black labrador in CT scanner

A Labrador patient being prepared for CT by one of our radiographers.

Most of the patients we admit require some sort of imaging procedure, be it radiography or advanced diagnostic imaging e.g. MRI or CT. We believe that our imaging modalities enable more accurate and timely diagnosis of both routine and potentially life-threatening conditions. By providing this easily accessible and advanced facility, our patients can be treated much more quickly.

Theatre

We have seven theatre suites fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and patient monitoring facilities. We have state-of-the-art arthroscopy equipment that allows us to look directly inside the patient’s joints and treat problems in a minimally invasive fashion which massively decreases recovery time.

Find out more about Fitzpatrick Referrals arthroscopy facilities

Wards

The wards are where the patients are given their own dedicated healing space during their stay, and we have a team of ward nurses and veterinary care assistants whose sole purpose is to ensure all aspects of inpatient care is met.

We are committed to delivering the highest level of care available anywhere in the world and you can feel assured that your pet will receive as much care, attention, love and cuddles as it would at home.

Our wards have a no-bars policy and our glass door kennels have electronic monitoring systems, audio and TV to ensure the animals in our care feel happy, relaxed and at home.

The wards offer the best facility imaginable for the care, recuperation and home-from-home feeling for patients staying with us.

Find out more about the duties of our ward nurses and veterinary care assistants.

Dogs wards at Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopaedics & Neurology

The dog wards at Fitzpatrick Referrals.

Patient care

We are fortunate to be based in one of the most beautiful parts of the English countryside in the south east of England and have a large field where patients can be taken for a walk or if unable, carried outside to sit in the sunshine and get some fresh air. The healing environment of every patient is taken into great consideration and adapted based on his or her unique and special needs.

Newfoundland dog being supported walking outside on the grass by vets following total hip replacement surgery

Our patient care team walking Newfoundland patient Rhubarb following her left total hip replacement.

Aftercare and boarding

We understand that following surgery and initial postop recovery, clients may wish for their animal to receive extended aftercare and boarding facilities, for example, whilst you are on holiday or away. Unfortunately, Fitzpatrick Referrals cannot provide this service due to limited ward space and we would always encourage families to be around during the important recovery period.

Rehabilitation

We believe that good rehabilitation is an integral part of the success of surgical intervention, promoting increased mobility, reducing pain, inflammation and recovery time. We have a state-of-the-art rehabilitation service that offers some of the most advanced physiotherapy and hydrotherapy facilities for small animal rehabilitation in the UK.

Local places to eat and stay

If you need to book a place to stay whilst your pet is being treated with us, or are looking for places to eat locally to pass some time, please see our recommendations.

Local places to stay and eat near Fitzpatrick Referrals

Local places to stay and eat near Fitzpatrick Referrals in Surrey.

Directions

Get directions to Fitzpatrick Referrals

FAQs

If you have any questions about your visit, please see our FAQs section.

Fitzpatrick Referrals