Pet Owners

Your Visit

We look forward to welcoming you to the Ferguson Veterinary Clinic. We understand that a visit to our clinic will often mean that your pet is injured or unwell and this can be a stressful time for all involved.

To make your visit as smooth and stress-free as possible, here is what to expect.

Before your visit

Once our reception team have booked your appointment, you will receive a minimum of two emails from either @fergusonvetclinic.co.uk account or @vetcheck.it address. Please ensure to check your spam folder if you don’t receive them.

One email will contain a questionnaire and filling this out in advance helps us understand more about your pet. Additional links may be sent which may include explanations of your pet’s condition, lameness scoring forms and consent forms. While reading these is optional, digesting the information prior to your consultation maybe beneficial as it can help you prepare questions for the vet. However, our team will provide detailed explanations and advice during your visit.

If your pet has any special dietary requirements, please bring their own food. We stock a variety of diets but even a slight change could potentially upset patients with sensitive stomachs.  Bringing enough food for 2-3 days is usually sufficient.

Finding us

The clinic is situated in Bankhead Park, just off the Bankhead roundabout of the A92 in Glenrothes.

Ferguson Veterinary Clinic, Bankhead Park, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 6GH

When you arrive

For those arriving by car, ample parking is available at the Ferguson Veterinary clinic.  In addition, there is a fast EV charging point for client use.

On arrival, if you require assistance with your pet, let our reception team know and we will be happy to help.

The waiting area is divided into separate areas for cats and dogs. If you feel it would be less stressful for your pet to wait privately then please explain this to the reception staff when you check in. You are welcome to wait outside or in your car and we will come to inform you when your appointment is called. Alternatively, dependent on availability, we may be able to provide a quiet room for you and your pet to wait.

Your appointment

You will be greeted by one of our friendly experienced clinicians who will already have reviewed your pet’s full medical records and any previous x-rays or scans provided by your local practice.   During your consultation a detailed history will be taken and you will be asked about your pet’s problem, what your concerns are and when the issue first became noticeable. They will also enquire whether medication had improved the condition.

Your pet will then undergo a detailed examination which may include watching them walk and trot in our carpark to assess their movement and gait.  This will to help determine lameness/stiffness and which limb(s) are affected. Some patients may not exhibit lameness on the day of examination so it can be helpful to bring videos on a phone or tablet to show your clinician at the time of your consultation.

Admission

Your pet will likely be admitted to allow further detailed examination to take place, often under sedation. Our team will also undertake further investigations such as obtaining CT scans and/or X-rays.  Additional procedures such as joint fluid sampling may also be performed sometimes under general anaesthesia. Your vet will discuss everything fully with you first before proceeding.

You may need to leave your pet with us for a few hours while this investigative work is being carried out. Our receptionist can suggest local cafes, restaurants and even local places of interest to visit while you wait. After your initial consultation, we’ll let you know when to return or call you when your vet is ready to discuss the results.

Discussion

On your return, your clinician will discuss the test results and possible diagnosis. This will be explained in full detail including all available treatment options.

The benefits, risks, and potential complications of surgery will be discussed thoroughly before you decide to proceed. We may offer to admit your pet on the day of your consultation with a view to performing the surgical procedure the following day. For urgent cases surgery may be performed the same day.

For more complex issues, advanced planning maybe required. Specialist implants and equipment may have to be organised in which case the procedure is likely to be scheduled for a later date. In this situation your pet will go home after the initial consultation.

Surgery

Once your pet has been admitted for surgery you will receive regular progress updates via phone, text or email. If you would like additional progress reports, feel free to call our reception or nursing team.

We understand that all owners are anxious to receive news so once your pet is safely back to bed and recovering well following surgery, the veterinary nurse designated to their case will call you. Your surgeon will usually call you at the end of their operating day, to let you know the outcome of your pet’s operation.

Patients will remain hospitalised with us for pain management and monitoring until we are happy that they will be manageable and comfortable with you at home. Most routine cases stay one night after surgery while more complexes cases may require a longer stay to receive specialised care over several days.

Home discharge

A discharge appointment will be arranged following surgery. Your surgeon will have discussed many aspects of your pet’s aftercare, and the nursing team will explain this with you again in detail at the time of discharge of your pet. We want to ensure you feel totally prepared and confident regarding the aftercare your pet requires. This will include a discussion regarding administration and dosage of medication.

Wound monitoring and the need for any follow-up appointments will also be discussed at the time of the discharge appointment. Some pets may have external sutures or staples, which will need removal at an appointment at your local vet.

If you have any concerns regarding the healing of the surgical wound, you can contact our clinic for advice or arrange an appointment with your local vet for a check. Your vets will receive a detailed report the day after discharge from our clinic which will cover their procedure performed and aftercare plan

Follow-up

For most patients, a follow-up visit is recommended to allow our surgeons to ensure proper healing and progress. This will involve a re-examination and full assessment. A light sedation may be required for any follow up X-rays or CT scans, so please don’t feed your pet that morning. There are a few conditions where a physical recheck is not necessary and rather we may ask you to provide a progress update a few weeks after surgery by phone instead.

The timing of follow-up varies between procedures and will be made clear to you by your clinician at the time of discharge. Full details can also be found on the discharge information you will have received.

For most patients, the follow up consultation and check-up is the last step before your pet is fully signed off and ready to resume normal activity!