Hospital Facilities

Our in-patient wards are large, air-conditioned, well-equipped and meet the highest RCVS and ISFM standards. We have species specific accommodation with separate wards for cats, small dogs and large dogs, and we boast a separate intensive care ward for critical patients. A purpose-built isolation unit with separate areas for dogs and cats is also available to ensure that patients with infectious diseases can be separated from the rest of the hospital. In addition, dedicated canine and feline ‘procedure rooms’ are provided so that examinations and minor procedures can be performed away from the other patients.

The kennels themselves are stainless steel to facilitate easy cleaning. We ensure that they are kept spotless at all times and they are disinfected after every patient to minimise infection risk. Similarly, the flooring throughout the hospital is vinyl, to maximise hygiene standards. Importantly, the wards are equipped with bathing facilities to ensure that patients can be kept clean and dry at all times. Each kennel is individually thermostatically controlled so that the temperature needs of each patient can be met, which is particularly important for those patients recovering from sedation or anaesthesia.

All the wards contain a wide range of specialist equipment and all have piped oxygen ports, enabling oxygen to be supplied quickly to any patient with breathing problems. There are larger kennels for long-stay patients and the large dog ward has spacious walk-in kennels which can comfortably accommodate even the largest of breeds. There is amble outdoor space giving dogs the opportunity to exercise, urinate and defaecate and, within a large central yard, we have three separate outdoor exercise runs with artificial grass.

All our wards are staffed 24-hours a day by dedicated qualified nurses who have full knowledge of each patients’ condition, and who spend the time with each patient, getting to know their individual needs. We strive to ensure that the atmosphere within the wards remains calm and quiet at all times so that patients are able to recuperate in a peaceful environment. Padded ‘Vet Bed’ bedding is supplied for each patient along with mattresses for those patients who need to remain recumbent.

Feline patients are also offered a variety of cat boxes, bags and igloos and there is a wide range of cat litter available to suit each individual patient’s preference. All patients have a daily nutritional assessment and we stock a wide variety of diets to ensure that the nutritional needs of all our patients are met.

Our state-of-the-art theatre suite has been designed to minimise infection and complications during surgery and ensure that patients under anaesthetic are monitored closely to reduce any problems. It is coated in elastomeric paint, which is easy to wipe clean and has a double door entry to create a sterile barrier leading into theatres which are under positive pressure to keep airborne bacteria out.

We have 5 spacious operating theatres within the suite, each being equipped to the highest standards with piped oxygen, surgical air and power supplied via ceiling pendants to allow free movement around the patient. Operating tables are heated to prevent peri-operative hypothermia and multi-parameter monitors wirelessly link back to a central nurse station so that not just the anaesthetist, but also a theatre nurse is monitoring each case.

Double LED lights allow good lighting of operating sites without emitting heat and drying out tissues during the operation and the orthopaedic theatre has intra operative radiography via C arm/carbon fibre table to ensure accurate implant placement and minimise errors. Access to digital radiography (X-rays), MRI and CT images is available on a monitor in theatre so these are always available to the surgeon.

There is a separate scrub and gowning area, and the kit preparation area and equipment are to human hospital standards to keep infections at a low rate.

There is easy access to the imaging suite if required and all patients are returned to the intensive care unit to ensure a safe recovery from anaesthesia.

The lab run haematology samples on an IDEXX Procyte which offers a comprehensive 5-part differential. These results are backed up by examination of a blood smear down the microscope by a trained veterinary diagnostic technician. Results can be available in as little as 5 minutes which is extremely beneficial for very sick animals and pre-check bloods for chemotherapy treatment.

Our biochemistry samples are analysed using a 'wet' chemistry system supplied by Randox Diagnostic laboratories. This system is capable of running 180 tests/hour using an extremely small sample of blood. We also have a comprehensive panel of tests available.

We have recently invested in an endocrinology analyser to support our existing suite of diagnostic equipment which is capable of T4 analysis along with cortisol.

All our analysers undergo robust quality assurance checks both internally and externally, comparing with a large population of other labs and testing platforms worldwide.

Our lab team work closely with our referral disciplines to ensure there is a constant communication between the lab and the vets which helps the whole process run smoothly.

Our dedicated intensive care ward enables us to manage critical medical and surgical patients 24 hours a day. This ward provides kennelling for these patients in close proximity to the preparatory room to allow access to maximum facilities and anaesthesia staff in an emergency situation.

It is manned by qualified veterinary nurses, 24 hours a day, who have undergone additional training in management of these critical patients and is managed by an Emergency and Critical Care Clinician, who has undertaken ECC training and certification.

Monitoring via multi-parameter monitors includes: blood pressure, ECG, kennel side blood gas analysis and pulse oximetry and these are all linked wirelessly to a central station where they can be closely monitored. Fluid administration is via a drip pump to enable accurate dosage and management and blood transfusions are performed when required. An onsite laboratory allows regular monitoring of these patient’s statuses.

Incubators are available for smaller patients that require warming and all kennels have individual thermostatic control via heating pads at the back to meet each patient’s needs and prevent pressure burns in patients that need to lay down. There is piped oxygen directly into the ward to enable supplementation when required.

The radiology team at Pride Veterinary Referrals uses MRI, CT, digital radiography, fluoroscopy and ultrasound equipment to help our clinicians make an accurate diagnosis. 

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

We have a High field 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner, which uses a magnetic field and radio frequency to show the body’s internal structure.  Common indications include imaging of the brain and the spine for evaluation of neurologic disorders.

CT (Computed Tomography)

Our 16 Slice GE BrightSpeed Elite CT scanner gives us a 3D image when a conventional X-ray does not show sufficient information.  CT has a broad range of applications in small animal 

imaging and is particularly useful in the investigation of nasal and orthopaedic disorders, lung disease, vascular imaging, and cancer detection and staging.

Digital Radiography

We have GE Definium 5000 Digital radiography machines, the images from which can be viewed throughout the hospital to investigate orthopaedic, thoracic or abdominal diseases.

Fluoroscopy

Our high-definition GE Fluorostar 7900 is used both in and out of theatre allowing dynamic and functional imaging and to show a real-time moving image of the patient’s body. It is particularly useful to determine the cause of regurgitation and to perform interventional radiology.

Ultrasonography

We have 3 ultrasound rooms, 1 for exclusive use of the Cardiology team, and 2 for abdominal, thoracic, ocular and musculoskeletal ultrasound.  We use GE Vivid 7 and Logiq S7 ultrasound machines to produce state of the art images of the internal organs of the patient.

There are also a number of high resolution screens for examining images in the Viewing Room and throughout the hospital.

Our Rehabilitation Facilities include:

Hydrotherapy Pool - accessed by ramp. We have drying facilities in the hydrotherapy room and clients are welcome to stay during the session. Our hydrotherapists use a harness for each pet and are present in the pool at all times whilst the patient is in the water.

Underwater Treadmill - separate to the pool. There is space for clients to wait during their pet's treadmill session. The room is kept warm for our patient's comfort and we have drying facilities for after their session. This is particularly ideal for patients who do no respond well to contact during their hydrotherapy session as the Hydrotherapist can be outside the treadmill whilst administering treatment.

Land Treadmill - where hydrotherapy is not appropriate

Large indoor exercise area with rubber floor, and a range of balance/strengthening equipment - we have a range of physiotherapy equipment for all size of patient.

Assessment/treatment rooms with non-slip floors - all patients are assessed prior to their session to ensure the correct treatment is administered

Electrotherapies such as low-level laser therapy

The prep area at Pride Veterinary Referrals sits at the heart of the hospital.  This central hub allows the direction of patients in from wards for anaesthesia for procedures, and back from theatre for recovery. It is situated close to ICU, isolation and chemotherapy and just along the corridor leading to theatre, imaging and wards. The anaesthesia team are based in the prep area, allowing immediate intervention when required.

This area serves as a central area for the Nottingham University Vet School Students that also spend time in our hospital as part of their final year rotations.

We have a number of mobile workstations to prepare, anaesthetise and wake up patients who have undergone surgery, imaging or other procedures and treatments. Crash stations are also housed in this area.