PET OWNERS
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.
Our aim is that our patients and their families are treated with the utmost respect and care. Fitzpatrick Referrals is a place where hope meets expertise and our commitment is to ensuring the wellbeing of your family member.
As you navigate through your journey with us, our team will guide you through every step with compassion, providing not only world-class medical and surgical care but also emotional support, making your journey at Fitzpatrick Referrals a reassuring experience.
Environment of healing
Your journey
Fitzpatrick Referrals is proud to be the home of some of the finest specialists in the country in the field of orthopaedics, neurology and rehabilitation. But so much more than this – our clinicians care passionately for animals.
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 animal friend’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
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.
Consultation
You will be met by your clinician for your appointment, who will do an extensive examination and explain with you in an open discussion the options available, 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
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, including 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 our patients are given their own dedicated healing space during their stay. We have a team of ward nurses and veterinary care assistants whose sole purpose is to ensure all aspects of inpatient care are 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 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.
Please find out more about the duties of our ward nurses and veterinary care assistants.
Patient care
We are fortunate to be based in one of the most beautiful parts of the English countryside in the southeast 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.
Aftercare and boarding
Depending on the treatment your friend receives, they will stay at the hospital for monitoring and care until they are ready to continue their recovery at home.
We understand that during postop recovery clients may wish for their animal to receive extended aftercare and boarding facilities.
However, Fitzpatrick Referrals cannot provide this service due to limited ward space and we always encourage families to be around during the important recovery period. To find out about other options, please visit our FAQs section.
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.
ENVIRONMENT OF HEALING
Our facilities
Advanced diagnostic imaging
Advanced imaging
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.
Advanced imaging
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.
Seven state-of-the-art theatre suites
Seven state-of-the-art theatre suites
We have seven theatre suites fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and patient monitoring facilities. We have advanced 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.
Seven state-of-the-art theatre suites
We have seven theatre suites fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and patient monitoring facilities. We have advanced 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.
No-bars wards
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 are met.
We are committed to delivering the highest level of care available anywhere in the world and you can feel assured that your animal friend 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 to ensure the animals in our care feel happy and relaxed.
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.
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 are met.
We are committed to delivering the highest level of care available anywhere in the world and you can feel assured that your animal friend 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 to ensure the animals in our care feel happy and relaxed.
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.
Rehabilitation with hydrotherapy
Rehabilitation with hydrotherapy
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.
Rehabilitation with hydrotherapy
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 while your pet is being treated with us or are looking for places to eat locally to pass the time, please see our recommendations.
CASE STUDIES
Latest patient stories
Our stories give an insight into some of our patients and their journey while having treatment at Fitzpatrick Referrals.
PATIENT STORY
Leeroy’s elbow trauma injury
PATIENT STORY
Monty’s bilateral antebrachial growth deformity
PATIENT STORY
Ellie’s intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE)
PATIENT STORY
Sunny’s rotating hinge total knee replacement
PATIENT STORY
Betsy’s amputation prosthesis
PATIENT STORY
Juno’s humeral condylar fracture
PATIENT STORY
Harrison’s forelimb lameness
PATIENT STORY
Jack’s middle / inner ear infection
PATIENT STORY
Kenji’s pelvic fracture
PATIENT STORY
Doug’s spinal tumour
QUESTIONS
FAQs
Here are some of the common questions we receive at Fitzpatrick Referrals – if your question is not answered, please get in touch and we will be happy to help!
My vet has referred my pet to Fitzpatrick Referrals what happens next?
Once we have received your primary care vet’s referral for your pet, our triage team will ensure we have all history/imaging for our surgeon’s review. Our reception team will then be in contact with you to book your animal friend in to see one of our clinicians along with an email confirmation of booking. You will also be provided with an information pack with all the key information about the consultation and what you need to prepare for your appointment.
What time does reception open for phone calls?
Monday – Friday 8am – 8:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Sunday 10am – 4:30pm
Bank Holidays 10am – 3pm