Services

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AVAILABLE CASKETS