Frequently Asked Questions

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What services do Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals offer?

Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals currently offer services to treat conditions within the areas of medicine, orthopaedics, oncology, neurology and soft tissue.

How do I register my pet with Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals?

If you would like to attend Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals with your pet for veterinary referral treatment you should speak to your primary care vet and they will arrange for a referral to be made.   A clinical history and any other relevant and supporting information will be sent to us by your vet. We can then organise an appointment for you at a convenient time.

Where can I find you?

Our referral hospital is situated in Foveran by Newburgh Ellon Aberdeenshire AB41 6AU. For further details on our location and our opening times, please visit our contact us page.

How long will I have to wait for my pet’s appointment?

We will offer you an appointment at the earliest and most convenient time possible. If your pet needs urgent treatment this will be organised through your primary care vet and you will be advised to make your way to the practice for your pet to be assessed.

Are the staff at Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals qualified in their field?

We take pride in the referral service we provide at Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals. To enable us to provide the highest standard of care, our team consists of qualified and experienced veterinary professionals across all departments. Our vets are certified by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and may have carried out further qualifications in their field. All our veterinary nurses are registered with the RCVS.

Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals is also a registered training centre for veterinary nurses and encourage all members of staff to attend regular continuing professional development meetings, conferences, and seminars.

What should I expect during my initial visit to Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals?

You will be welcomed into the practice by our reception team where they will advise the referral veterinary surgeon of your arrival. Please bring along any information regarding your pet’s insurance provider including a claim form and pass these onto the reception team.

The veterinary surgeon will welcome you into a consult room where your pet will be examined thoroughly, and recommendations will be made for further investigation and treatment. Please take this opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Please make sure your pet has had no access to food from 8pm the previous evening if you have been advised of further treatment taking place, access to water can remain the same. Depending on the treatment required, your pet may be hospitalised after their appointment for treatment.

How will I know what is happening?

At the time of admission, the referral vet will discuss a communication plan with you; this will involve the referral vet and our veterinary nurse team. We understand this can be a worrying time for you and your family therefore, we understand that communication is imperative. We will arrange specific times for you to call for updates and our team will always try to make themselves available to speak to you however, on occasions, your referral team member may be called to treat an emergency patient and may not be available at the discussed time. If this happens, the referral team member will call you as soon as they become available again.

Can I visit my pet if they are hospitalised?

We will always try to make your pets stay as comfortable as possible and if we feel your pet would benefit from family visitors, we are more than happy to arrange this. Each patient is treated as an individual and depending on the treatment and condition your pet is receiving, we may advise visiting might would be  detrimental to your pet’s recovery. Any visit must be made with prior permission and arrangement.

How much will my pet’s treatment cost?

During this consult the referral vet surgeon will give you an estimate of costs for the treatment suited to your pet. This will vary depending on your pet’s injury or illness. All costs will be discussed with you at the time a treatment plan is agreed.  Please see our payment policy for more details.

Now my pet has been seen by Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals, can I take my pet there for routine treatment?

Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals provide a veterinary referral service to veterinary practices in Scotland. After your pet has been discharged from Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals you must return to your primary care vet for routine treatment. If your pet requires further treatment, we will be pleased to welcome you back although this will need to be organised through your primary care vet again.

What hours are you open?

We provide24-hour care 7 days a week to all our patients. Our reception team are available from 8am-7pm Monday to Friday and 8am-5pm on Saturdays.

What happens to my pet overnight?

We understand consistent and exceptional around-the-clock care is important for your reassurance and your pet’s well-being. We exclusively provide an onsite dedicated night team who are there to meet all your pet’s needs.

I want to give some feedback about Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals – How do I do this?

We value feedback and encourage you to let us know how you found your experience at Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals. If you have recently visited us with your pet and would like to give feedback about your visit or the treatment your pets received, you can do this by emailing info@avr.vet.