Services

See all the services offered at Wheelhouse Vets

Book An Appointment
Register Your Pet
  • Facilities
  • Puppy & Kitten Nurse Clinics
  • Dental Nurse Clinics
  • Weight Clinics
  • Cats Only Clinics
  • Vaccinations
  • Microchipping
  • Neutering
  • End of Life Care
  • Other Services
  • Wheelhouse Healthcare Plan

Facilities

Practice Facilities

  • Ample car parking for clients
  • A modern, inviting reception and waiting area
  • Clean, well lit consulting rooms
  • Fully computerised patient records and billing system
  • Two fully-equipped operating theatres
  • Seperate Kennel and cattery area for day cases and in-patients
  • Veterinary Nursing Approved Training Centre


Diagnostic Facilities​

We have facilities to carry out a wide range of diagnostic tests, from routine skin microscopy to detailed blood analysis. This allows us to obtain rapid results (usually within 2 hours) thereby enabling us to treat your pet more promptly. These include:

  • Comprehensive in-house laboratory facilities for blood and urine testing
  • Ultrasound
  • Endoscopy
  • Electrocardiography (ECG)
  • Digital X-ray facilities


Surgical Facilities

  • Piped gas anaesthetic systems in both theatres and x-ray room
  • Heated operating tables in the main surgical theatre
  • Isoflurane and propofol anaesthetics routinely used
  • Pre-anaesthetic blood testing

Most surgical cases and investigations are treated as 'day patients' so that they can return home the same evening. Occasionally, your pet may be hospitalised for further treatment and observation.

All of our patients are monitored throughout their surgery by the vet and also a member of our nursing staff, who will continue to monitor your pet until discharge.

Puppy & Kitten Nurse Clinics

We want to make sure that you receive all the information necessary in order to raise a balanced healthy pet. For this reason, after your pets first vaccination or health check with one of our vets, we then invite you to speak with one of our nurses in a puppy or kitten clinic.

The nurse will also do your pets second vaccination, which should occur two weeks later for a puppy and three weeks later for a kitten.

After this appointment, we will then invite you back for monthly checks for puppies and two monthly checks for kittens.

These appointments are designed to provide you with support and guidance through this time when your pet is growing up so fast!

Topics that will be discussed include:

  • Preventative healthcare such as flea and worm treatment and vaccinations
  • Diet and nutrition
  • Socialisation and handling - to help your pet grow into a relaxed and happy adult
  • Insurance
  • Training issues such as toilet training, chewing, mouthing, jumping up, or in the case of kittens; trying to catch your hand as if it were a mouse and causing general mischief!

View our Puppy and Kitten videos below for more advice about caring for your puppy or kitten.

Dental Nurse Clinics

These free clinics are a perfect opportunity for a nurse to check your pet’s teeth. Dental disease affects 80% of the dog and cat population that over 2 years old - so it’s not just restricted to older pets.

A nurse will examine your pet and grade their dental health in terms of tartar build up (accumulation of bacteria and food debris that is one of the main causes of dental disease - the same as in humans) and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

Dental disease not only causes pain and bad breath, but can also affect other body systems due to the bacteria getting into the blood stream.

Once the nurse has examined your pet, they can then advise you on what the best action to be taken would be for your individual pet.

Sometimes your pet may require dental surgery like having teeth removed, or having their teeth cleaned and de-scaled with a polish afterwards. Unlike humans when we go to see the dentist of hygienist, animals require a general anaesthetic to carry out any kind dental surgery.

Dental services include:

  • Routine dental checks
  • Advice on preventative dental care (brushing and specialist diets)
  • Ultrasonic removal of the dental calculus that builds up on your pet’s teeth
  • Polishing
  • Dental extractions, where required

Watch our video below for more advice on how to brush your dog's teeth

Weight Clinics

Dogs, cats and rabbits often love their food, and with eating being of their favourite past time obesity is a huge health problem for today’s pets.

We understand that it is quite easy for a few pounds to creep on without even realising it. So The Wheelhouse offers free weight clinics where a qualified nurse will weigh your pet and assess their weight. The nurse can advise you on suitable diets, how much you should be feeding each day, and if your pet is overweight they can tailor a weight reduction program for you.

Cats Only Clinics

We offer special cat only clinics for cat owners at our Chesham and Chalfont St Giles surgery.

We understand that some cats find it upsetting being in the waiting room at the same time as dogs so at both our main surgeries once a week we hold our cat only clinics.

The only time a dog will be present in the waiting room during these clinics, is in the case of a veterinary emergency.

If you aren’t able to attend our cat only clinics due to time limitations, and you are worried about your cat whilst in the waiting room with dogs present,  please do ask our reception team for assistance.

We can lend you a towel to place over your cats basket or we could pop your cats basket with the reception team behind the desk, so your cat doesn’t have to see other patients in the waiting room.

Vaccinations

Cats
We urge that all kittens are vaccinated against Feline Enteritis, two types of Flu virus and Feline Leukaemia from the age of 9 weeks. The course consists of two injections which are done 3-4 weeks apart and includes a full health check given at the first appointment. One with the vet, and one with the nurse, who will also go through preventative healthcare for fleas, worms and neutering.

A yearly booster is required to provide your cat with the necessary ongoing protection against Feline Enteritis, Cat Flu and Feline Leukaemia. During the consultation, our vet will also give your cat a full clinical examination.

Dogs
We urge that all puppies are vaccinated from the age of 8 weeks. The course consists of two vaccines done in 2-4 week intervals and protects against Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis and Leptospirosis. Boosters are required on an annual basis to maintain immunity levels. One vaccine with the vet and one with the nurse, who will also go through preventative healthcare for flea, worms and neutering. You will also receive a puppy information pack.

A yearly booster injection is required to adequately protect your pet against Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis and Leptospirosis. A full clinical examination is also given prior to vaccination.

Rabbits
We strongly advise that all rabbits are vaccinated against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease from the age of 8 weeks. VHD1 is a virus which affects rabbits and is usually fatal. We can help to protect against these diseases using a combined vaccine which lasts 12 months.

More recently, there has been a new strain of VHD reported and diagnosed which is called Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease 2 (RVHD2). RVHD2 is equally as nasty and in most cases still proves fatal although some rabbits have recovered with veterinary care. However, this particular strain of the disease could be considered as being more dangerous than RVHD1.

The Wheelhouse Vets highly recommend that all pet rabbits be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and both strains of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease in order to give them the very best protection from these awful and often fatal diseases. This is done as a two-part course.

Check out our prices.

Microchipping

Microchipping is a quick, simple and safe procedure to carry out and is something either our nurses or vets can perform for you in an appointment. Once your pet has had the microchip implanted, it lasts forever!

The microchip itself is as small as a grain of rice and has a unique 15 digit number which will then be allocated to your pet.

On the day of implantation, we will make sure that we have the correct contact details for you to be registered to your pets microchip. These details are then stored in a microchip database using the unique 15 digit code.

When pets are found or believed to be strays, and are taken to animal professionals such as ourselves or a dog warden for example, they will scan the pet to hopefully reveal the unique microchip code. We can then call the microchip database, go through some security checks and gain the contact information stored against that microchip number, enabling us to call the pets owners and reunite them!


Compulsory microchipping of dogs

In April 2016, it became a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped and contact details kept up to date to ensure compliance with the law.

If a dog owner moves house or changes contact numbers and fails to up date the microchip database, the dog is no longer considered to be microchipped under the new law, meaning that enforcement can be taken.

All puppies must be microchipped and recorded onto a microchip database by the age of 8 weeks old.


What about other pets?

We highly recommend microchipping all pets, including cats, rabbits and tortoises.

Cats have a tendency to go wondering wherever they feel and are often considered by people to be a ‘stray’ if they are seen in their garden, for example. In cases like these when people bring these cats into a vets or contact a rescue charity, we are able to scan them for a chip and get the details in the same way as dogs, enabling us to hopefully reunite them with their owner.

The database which we use for microchipping is PETtrac.

View our prices for microchipping.

Neutering

Why and when to neuter?

Cats
We recommend castration of male cats from the age of 4 months.

We recommend that female cats are spayed when they are 4 months of age. This helps to prevent the number of unwanted kittens. Although this is a routine operation, it is an ovariohysterectomy which is major surgery in any animal so a degree of after care is appropriate. Your pet would stay with us a day patient and would be monitored by a dedicated kennel nurse during their stay. We will ask to see her back for a checkup appointment which is already included in the cost one week after her surgery, at which point any sutures will be removed.

Dogs
We castrate dogs from 6 months of age. There are many reasons why male dogs should be castrated for example to minimise prostate problems. Please call to book a free of charge appointment with one of our vets to talk about castration and the effects it may have.

The spaying procedure can take place from the age of 6 months, we recommend neutering before your dog’s first season, but should you choose for her to have a season first then neutering can take place 3 months after her season. Spaying before the first season has been shown to reduce the risk of developing mammary cancer significantly and prevents Pyometra (Pyometra is a serious infection of the womb resulting in the accumulation of infective fluid (pus). It is usually seen in older dogs that have not been neutered).

Rabbits
We recommend castrating male rabbits from 4 months of age for small breed rabbits and from 5 - 6 months of age for larger breed rabbits. Neutering male rabbits helps to enable rabbits to be kept in social groups and protect against unwanted pregnancies.

The same age ranges apply to female neutering as it does to male neutering. Spaying of female rabbits helps to prevent uterine cancer and unwanted pregnancies. It could help resolve some issues with behaviour. Please call to speak to one of our nurses or vets for further advice.

View our prices for neutering procedures.

End of Life Care

We are here to help

As a pet owner, there is no harder decision to make than choosing the time to say goodbye. No one knows your pet(s) better than you do, so you will know if they still have the same quality of life that they are used to. All pets are different, so don’t be afraid to ask our team if you need advice.

When you are ready to make an appointment, simply contact your surgery and the team will guide you.

Can euthanasia be done at home?
Yes. We are more than happy to visit you and your pet in your home. It is a personal choice and we want to do whatever is easiest for you.

How is euthanasia performed?
After having discussed your wishes we will ask you to sign a consent form.

Your vet will clip a patch of fur, usually on your pet’s foreleg to locate their vein. Once your pet is comfortable the vet will then carry out the injection. The injection is similar to an anaesthetic so they will not feel any pain and just feel like they are falling asleep. It is usually a very quick and painless procedure.

Many people are surprised at how peaceful euthanasia can be.

Occasionally when your pet is unconscious, some involuntary movements such as twitching and deep breaths may occur. This is perfectly normal when your pet’s muscles relax as their body is shutting down.

Do I have to be present whilst euthanasia is performed?
It is your choice to be present or not. Being there with your pet when he or she is put to sleep can be an emotional time. You may also feel relief in knowing you can comfort your pet during their last moments while you say goodbye.

This is not true for everyone and we fully understand if you do not want to be present with your pet when the injection is given. There will be time for you and your family to say your goodbyes afterwards.

What happens afterwards?
If you wish to have your pet cremated, there are two options for cremation.

An individual cremation is when your pet is cremated on their own and you will receive their ashes back afterwards.

A standard cremation is when your pet is cremated with other pets. No ashes are available to be returned after this process.

Alternatively you may wish to take your pet home with you afterwards for home burial. Your vet will discuss these options with you in your appointment and there is no need for you to rush your decision.

If you have further questions or would like to talk with a nurse, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Bereavement support

The Blue Cross
The Blue Cross offers bereavement support if you would like to talk to someone.
www.bluecross.org.uk
Phone: 0800 0966606
Email: pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk

The Wheelhouse Pet Loss Support Group
Visit us on Facebook.

The Ralph Site
A not-for-profit website that provides support to pet carers around the loss of a beloved companion.
www.theralphsite.com

Individual cremation service

The Wheelhouse Veterinary Centre offers a bespoke individual cremation service on-site at our Chesham surgery, to ensure your pet receives the best after care possible. All our individual cremations are carried out by fully trained staff to ensure that the ashes which are returned belong to your pet. This is the Wheelhouse Guarantee.

Individual cremations can take up to two weeks depending on the type of casket you would like your pet returned in. Your pet will be cremated and their ashes returned in a cardboard scatter box unless you request a casket or urn. There are several different caskets and urns that can be supplied by the practice depending on your requirements. Plaques and memorials are also available on request. If it is your wish to supply us with a special casket or urn, then we are happy to transfer the ashes here for you.

Euthanasia Cost
Cat £152
Dog £152
Large Dog (over 25kgs) £198
Small Pet Up to £82
  Communal Cremation Individual Cremation 
Cat £70 £360
Dog £90 £435
Large Dog (over 25kgs) £120 £575
Small Pet Up to £49.00 £360
Individual Cremation Caskets Cost
Scatter Box  Included
Scatter Tube £15
Keepsake Box  £36
Sleeping Cat Casket £57.25
Solid Oak Casket  £70


CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AVAILABLE CASKETS

Other Services

The Wheelhouse is able to offer comprehensive and diagnostic services for your pets. Many of our pet’s problems are best managed if caught early, so if you have any concerns, please contact us, we can then help by advising whether we would recommend an appointment with a vet or a nurse. In a consultation with your vet, you can expect them to perform a full clinical examination, advise of his/her findings and, where required, recommend the best course of action.

Wheelhouse Healthcare Plan

As a nation of pet lovers, it is natural for us to want to provide the best care for our animals, but preventative healthcare, medical bills, referral operations and unforeseen emergencies can often prove to be costly and difficult to manage. This is why we created The Wheelhouse Healthcare Plan.

Our comprehensive plan for illness and injuries, preventative healthcare and specialist referral enables you to budget and spread the cost of care with a convenient monthly direct debit.

Our aim is to provide a plan that will cover your veterinary expenses without claim forms and remove the uncertainty of waiting for reimbursement of bills.

  • A unique healthcare plan
  • No claim forms to complete
  • No large veterinary bills to pay
  • Affordable monthly contribution

Find Out More Here