Prescriptions

Prescriptions

Your pet may need long term prescription only medications (POM-Vs) These can only be dispensed by a qualified vet to an animal who is classed as being ‘under their care’

Your pet will need an assessment by a vet at least once every 6 months for most medications, but it is at the discretion of the prescribing vet as to whether they need to be examined more or less frequently. This is to:

  • Ensure your pet is not suffering from any side effects of the medication
  • Ensure that the medication is still appropriate and discuss any new treatments which may be more appropriate
  • Weigh your pet to ensure the dose of medication is still safe and accurate
  • Ensure we fulfil our legal requirements as set down by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to demonstrate that your pet is ‘under our care’

If the vet does not feel it is safe or appropriate to dispense any more medication without a reassessment first, they are entirely within their legal rights to do so. This is especially important in the case of controlled drugs, antibiotics, antivirals and anti parasiticides.

We will dispense anti-parasiticides ( worm, flea and tick treatment) which are POM medications for up to 12 months, as long as we have an up to date weight for the pet and their appropriate use has been discussed with the vet.

We have a limited supply of PML-VPS treatments which can be dispensed without a physical check up by the vet, but we must have an up- to- date weight.

The standard charge for examination is £40, plus whatever tests or medications are necessary at the time.

Clients are welcome to request a written prescription for medications so that you can then get dispensed elsewhere e.g. an on-line pharmacy. We advise that you use a pharmacist who is registered on the VMD ( Veterinary Medicines Directorate) website to ensure that they have undergone the same medicines check as ourselves. This ensures that legitimate medications are being dispensed in a legal manner.  The same prescribing rules as described above apply, as it is our vets who have ultimate responsibility for the prescription.

The cost of a written prescription is £20 in addition to the reassessment fee of £40.

We kindly request that at least 48 hours notice is given for repeat prescriptions, including written prescriptions. In the case of written prescriptions, if you do not have enough medication to last until the prescription is filled, we will happily dispense a short supply to cover for delivery time.

IN AN EMERGENCY

please try to telephone first so that we can ensure someone is available to assess your animal quickly…this may be a qualified nurse or vet        

0121 453 1006

    Or out of hours 0121 712 7071 (Willows Veterinary Centre, Shirley)

The opening hours of our practice are:

- Monday to Friday 8.30am-6.30pm

- Saturday  8.30am-12.30pm

- Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

Outside of these hours, we are registered with the following out of hours provider who will provide advice and see your pet in case of emergency. This is in compliance with guidelines set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Please call the practice on the usual phone number and the answer phone will give you the relevant information.

Willows Referral Centre, Shirley, B90 4NH

Any fees incurred at the out-of-hours vets are a separate contract between them and yourselves, and we have no control over charges made whilst your pet is in their care. Fees are payable at the time of treatment unless alternatives are offered.

Your vet will communicate with the out-of-hours vet and share all relevant history and information to ensure your pet has continuous care. The same will happen in reverse the next day if they need to be returned to us rather than be discharged.

Transport of your pet to the out-of-hours provider is your responsibility.

In exceptional circumstances, we sometimes will offer hospitalisation overnight at our practice for cats and small animals e.g. your pet is admitted during an evening surgery for a procedure the next day or it is deemed less stressful to your pet for them to stay with us than be moved

We are not present on the premises between the hours of 6.30pm and 8.30am, and if this arrangement is not suitable for your pet it will not be offered. Your vet will make you aware of what level of monitoring and treatment is needed to keep your pet safe, and make arrangements with you for this.