What happens if your pet needs to see a vet?
We ask that you keep your phone on, at all times, during your holiday.
We will contact you immediately if we suspect your rabbit is unwell and arrange for them to see one of our vets. Depending on what illness they have we may take them to your vet if they are in Timperley or Altrincham.
The vets will call you so you can discuss you pets treatment plan and to pay for their consultation at the end of the appointment - so we do ask that you have your payment card to hand.
If we can't get hold of you, we will proceed in your pets best interests and settle the bill on your behalf. Our signed Veterinary Consent Form confirms that you will be liable to settle any veterinary bills in full, before you take your pet home. You can reimburse this to us in cash or pay on a credit or debit card. If you chose to pay on a card then there is a charge of *1.75% (of the total bill) for the card reader and a *2.5% charge for a payment link. *This is what we are charged by Sumup to use their service.
Unpaid veterinary fees will be referred to the small claims court for settlement which will include all court costs.
If you rabbit has a reduced appetite or suspected gut slowdown, gut statis or a bloated stomach
Under the animal welfare act 2006 we have a legal obligation to take your rabbit to our vets 'Ashleigh Vets in Chorlton' or an Animal A&E Hospital where they will be admitted for treatment until they are eating and pooping normally. These vets have specialist vets and nursing staff on site 24/7. Their staff can syringe feed, give oral medication and possibly an injection for a gut stimulant, sub-cutaneous fluids or pain relief.
After being discharged back into our care, administering any oral medication is charged at 50p per medication, per administration (oral, drop or cream) and we will keep you informed of your pets progress each day.
Should your pet regress at all then they WILL be transferred back to the vet for further treatment.
Fees
We charge £15.00 per hour (pro-rata) which starts from the time we leave the lodge until the time we get back.
Ashleigh vets currently charge £60 for a consultation during working hours (as of August 2023).
If your pet needs to see the Out Of Hours Vet at Ashleigh Vets their initial consultation fee starts at around £150 before 11pm and increases after 11pm. Unlike the emergency A&E pet hospitals this is a deposit that is knocked off your final bill.
If for any reason we need to take your pet to an Out Of Hours Veterinary Hospital (Vets Now or Pet Medics) – you need to be aware that their veterinary consultations start at £150 with any costs for treatment and medication on top of that. AN OVERNIGHT BILL AT AN ANIMAL A&E HOSPITAL COULD BE IN THE REGION OF £600 - FOR ONE NIGHT.
Of course we will always try your vet or our vets first – but due staff shortages, this may not always be possible.
The vet will discuss any costs of treatment with you. If we can't get hold of you we will proceed in your pets best interest. Our vets will give me a print off of the treatment received and a receipt for your records/insurance claim.
It is worth arranging with your vet (and having it recorded in their notes) that if your pet needs treatment from them while you are away, that you can pay an invoice when you return.
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Ashleigh Vets (Chorlton): +441618816868 – 0161 881 6868
Vets4Pets Altrincham Retail Park: +441619279318 – 0161 927 9318
Woodcroft Veterinary Hospital (Stockport): +44161486 2333 - 0161 486 2333
Vets Now (Bury): +441612220109 - 0161 222 0109
Pet Medics (Worsley): +441617944999 - 0161 794 4999