Medicine
At the Ark, we aim to give your pet the best treatment available, using the latest equipment for rapid diagnosis, surgery where necessary, and several clinics for weight, cardiac (heart) and cancer cases. All done in a way to minimise stress and pain to the animal and owners.
Laboratory
Our lab area contains a biochemistry machine allowing us to check your pets liver, kidney and thyroid function, as well as measuring their blood protein levels and electrolytes (natural salts in the body). All results take 10-15 minutes and so can be preformed while you wait. A haematology machine, allowing us to check your pets red and white blood cell count and platelet count. Vital for any bleeding disorders, picking up anaemia, infection and the monitoring of animals on chemotherapy. Results take only 2 minutes allowing us to decide on treatment rapidly while you wait. We also have microscope, to check for any parasites that may be on your pet, or to check urine samples for crystals (which can lead to stones) and other signs of infection.
X-Ray & Ultrasound
Our x-ray suite contains a new powerful x-ray machine, allowing us to get good images of even the largest dogs. We also have a digital processor which displays your pets x-ray within 90 seconds of it being taken, allowing rapid diagnosis and reducing the time that your pet may have to be anaesthetised. As the images are digital it also means that we can rapidly email them to specialists to get 2nd opinions if required. There is also a digital ultrasound machine which allows rapid diagnosis of many heart and liver conditions, as well as pregnancy diagnosis.
Blood pressure monitor
Older cats, like many humans, are prone to high blood pressure. Often there may not be many warning signs, but untreated hypertension leads to heart problems and blindness, so screening of older cats is very important. We take cats blood pressure much the same way as humans. We use a small probe to listen to the blood passing through the artery in the foot, then inflate a cuff around the front leg until we no longer hear any blood flow, and as we let the air out of the cuff we note the pressure at which the blood flow returns, this gives us the blood pressure. It is quick and painless and frequently saves cats vision once they start medication to reduce high blood pressure.
ECG machine
Our ECG machine allows us to monitor your dogs heart rate and rhythm, allowing us to diagnose abnormalities that may lead to fainting or high blood pressure. Leads are attached in the same way as to humans, and your pet has to lie still for just a few minutes to get the results. No sedation or anaesthesia is required.
Tonometer
Many breeds of dogs suffer a high incidence of glaucoma, which causes an increase in pressure within the eye. Without treatment this painful condition will lead to the loss of vision in one or both eyes. Unfortunately clinical signs do not occur until the pressure has increased enough to start damaging your pets' vision. By monitoring at risk breeds using the tonometer to monitor the pressure in your pets eyes, we can pick up changes and start treatment long before any damage is done. The process only takes a few minutes and does not require any sedation or anaesthetic.
Surgery
We perform a wide range of soft tissue and reconstructive surgeries in our specially designed operating theatre. The table is thermostatically heated to keep your pet warm while it is anaesthetised, this reduces the length of time it takes to wake from the anaesthetic after the procedure is completed. We also perform a range of orthopaedic procedures for fixing broken bones and damaged ligaments
An electrosurgery unit allows us to perform bloodless surgery which is especially useful for operating in the mouth area. An electrical current seals the small blood vessels as they are cut, allowing us to operate in places that would generally bleed a lot, or that you would be unable to place stitches to stop any bleeding.
A cryotherapy pen allows us to freeze small skin growths, cysts and warts without the need for any anaesthetic. The procedure is painless and the growth usually drops off after 2-3 weeks.
Clinics
Weight watchers
We offer a free weight watchers clinic for your cats, dogs and even rabbits. Your pet is checked and weighed every 2 weeks and adjustments are made to their diet as required. All we ask is that you buy your diet food from us and follow our instructions.
Cardiac (heart) clinics
1 in 10 dogs and cats have a heart problem. Some of these require medication, others only monitoring. Many of these animals are older and we appreciate that you may not like to leave your pet at the surgery for the whole day to have any of these procedures & monitoring performed. In our cardiac clinics, you can relax with a cup of tea, while your pet has any necessary check ups including blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound scans and ECGs while you wait. The whole procedure generally takes about 30 minutes and all results will be available immediately. Thus minimising any stress for both you and your pet. Please phone reception if you need to book a clinic appointment.
Oncology (cancer) clinics
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in both cats and dogs. It is estimated that one in four dogs and one in five cats will develop a tumour in their lifetime. Tumours can be malignant or benign, but it is important to identify their type as early as possible so they can be successfully treated.
DiagnosisBiopsy is an essential part of all cancer cases. It allows us to diagnose both the type of the tumour and the likely aggressiveness of it. Imaging (x-rays, ultrasound and MRI- if indicated) help to identify the margins of the tumour and any signs of spreading, allowing treatment to be tailored to the individual patient.
TreatmentWith any tumour, complete surgical removal has the best long term prognosis, sometimes this will require some degree of reconstructive surgery to cover the deficit left behind. Many types of tumours, most notable lymphoma, affect many areas at once, and so removal is not an option. Used correctly chemotherapy can be extremely effective in these cases and can achieve complete remission without any negative effects on your pets quality of life. Chemotherapy in animals does not cause hair loss in the same way as humans, and although the may occasionally be slightly nauseous, most animals show no adverse effects. We at the Ark have extensive experience in chemotherapy protocols, many coming from America, which can return your pets' quality of life. All medications can be given while you wait and there is usually no special aftercare. Every pet with cancer is different and so our approach is tailored to the type of cancer, any signs of spread and any individual requirements of both you and your pet. If you have any questions regarding treatments please pop in for a chat.