South Downs Veterinary Referrals

23/01/2024

Post operative rehabilitation should never be underestimated.
Just like us, animals also benefit hugely from rehabilitation after a surgical procedure.

After the initial period of rest, hydrotherapy is an excellent form of rehabilitation often used alongside physiotherapy as they complement each other well.

Buoyancy within the underwater treadmill helps to decrease pain and minimises the weight placed on the joints and muscles. Hydrostatic pressure can reduce oedema, pain and swelling of post op areas.

Hydrotherapy can also create phastic stimuli to the sensory skin receptors, which causes a decrease in hypersensitivity. This is hugely beneficial as this reduction in pain perception allows patients to move with greater confidence enhancing their rehabilitation process.
For more information or to book please contact us at SDVR 01903 947598 or via the referral form on our website.

19/01/2024

Have you noticed that your pet has become a bit stiff lately? Do they seem to be uncomfortable on their joints or have they been diagnosed with osteoarthritis?

We can offer your pet Laser Therapy to assist with pain management.

Laser Therapy is a painless procedure performed in the consulting room. It only lasts a matter of minutes with no discomfort for the patient, and is a great non-invasive treatment.

We can arrange referral for an initial course of 6 treatments, given over the course of 3 weeks. We can then tailor the treatments after the initial course to suit your pet - some require sessions every week, some every fortnight and some even less.

Laser Therapy works by delivering specific red and near-infrared wavelengths of light to induce a therapeutic effect within the body. These effects include increased circulation, decreased swelling, reduction in pain and enhanced tissue repair.

Studies show that Laser Therapy can help with:
- Osteoarthritis
- Muscle strains
- Ligament sprains
- Post-orthopaedic recovery
- Chronic wounds
- Surgical wounds

Get in touch to book an appointment with our rehab team if you feel Laser Therapy may suit your pet. If they are referred for sessions, you can either choose to pay per treatment or make use of our 6 sessions for the price of 5. Our contact form is on our website or call: 01903 947598 or DM us for more information.

10/01/2024

CT in action! – CT scans are x-ray generated images that are obtained in 3D. Once this image is acquired it can be manipulated and reconstructed to enable vets to diagnose a disease or condition.

To refer your case to our Outpatient CT Service, please use the referral form located on our website or call Kerrie on: 01903947598

09/01/2024

Exercising on an underwater treadmill takes advantage of certain properties that water possesses. The buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and resistance created by water all help optimise the healing and recovery of the patient.

Hydrotherapy can be beneficial for several conditions such as:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cruciate disease – conservative and post-operative care
• Osteoarthritis
• Performance enhancement, fitness and weight loss

At SDVR, our team work in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act; ensuring that treatment is only undertaken following veterinary referral. Any conditions outside the practitioner’s remit are always referred back to the veterinary surgeon as soon as possible. This ensures that problems can be identified and treated sooner than is usually possible when relying solely on the owner’s knowledge and perception.

To refer your case to our Hydrotherapy team, please use the referral form located on our website.

https://southdownsveterinaryreferrals.co.uk/referrals/

22/12/2023

VETERINARY RADIOGRAPHER
BASED AT OUR STORRINGTON HOSPITAL

− Salary from £37,870.00 depending on experience
− 7 weeks' holiday, including bank holidays
− Professional fees for HCPC and VDS paid
− Generous CPD allowance
− Enhanced family-friendly policies
− Employee discount scheme
− Occupational health including mental health support
− Based at our newly furbished state-of-the-art Hospital based in Storrington, West Sussex

South Downs Veterinary Referrals (SDVR) is an exemplary mid-tier veterinary referral service
− Part of the Diagnostic Imaging department
− Active role in our CT and Radiography suites
− Ensure high-quality diagnostic images are obtained in a safe and timely manner
− Upholding radiation safety measures and expected standards
− Equipment includes; a 32-slice Siemens Somaton Go.Now CT scanner and a Digital radiography machine
− Full-time, based on 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm

Applicants must be qualified diagnostic radiographers holding either an honours degree in Diagnostic Radiography, or other relevant degree/qualification, HCPC registered with experience working with CT imaging and digital radiography. While full training will be given on the intricacies of veterinary image acquisition, previous veterinary experience is advantageous.

For more information or an informal discussion with the department manager, please contact Kerrie Oakley, Referrals Manager via email at [email protected].

To formally apply for this role, please submit your CV and cover letter to [email protected] or apply via our website careers page, or through Indeed.

Website: https://arunvetgroup.co.uk/referrals/
Careers page: https://arunvetgroup.co.uk/jobs/

08/12/2023

WE ARE RECRUITING - VETERINARY RADIOGRAPHER

Salary from £37,870.00 depending on experience

7 weeks' holiday, including bank holidays

Professional fees for HCPC and VDS paid

Generous CPD allowance

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Employee discount scheme

Occupational health including mental health support

Based at our newly furbished state-of-the-art Hospital based in Storrington, West Sussex

South Downs Veterinary Referrals (SDVR) is an exemplary mid-tier veterinary referral service

Part of the Diagnostic Imaging department

Active role in our CT and Radiography suites

Ensure high-quality diagnostic images are obtained in a safe and timely manner

Upholding radiation safety measures and expected standards

Equipment includes; a 32-slice Siemens Somaton Go.Now CT scanner and a Digital radiography machine

Full-time, based on 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm

Applicants must be qualified diagnostic radiographers holding either an honours degree in Diagnostic Radiography, or other relevant degree/qualification, HCPC registered with experience working with CT imaging and digital radiography. While full training will be given on the intricacies of veterinary image acquisition, previous veterinary experience is advantageous.

For more information or an informal discussion with the department manager, please contact Kerrie Oakley, Referrals Manager via email at [email protected].

To formally apply for this role, please submit your CV and cover letter to [email protected] or apply via our website careers page, or through Indeed.

Website: https://arunvetgroup.co.uk/referrals/

Careers page: https://arunvetgroup.co.uk/jobs/

04/12/2023

Head of rehabilitation and Veterinary Physiotherapist Becky, received these beautiful biscuits today from one of her patients.

Thank you Will.i.am and family.

08/11/2023

Have you noticed that your pet has become a bit stiff lately? Do they seem to be uncomfortable on their joints or have they been diagnosed with osteoarthritis?

We can offer your pets Laser therapy to assist with pain management using our KLASER.

Laser therapy is a painless procedure performed in the consulting room. It only lasts a matter of minutes with no discomfort for the patient and is a great non-invasive treatment that has many advantages.

At SDVR we can arrange referral for an initial course of 6 treatments, given over the course of 3 weeks. We will then tailor further treatments after the initial course to suit your pet - some require sessions every week, some every fortnight and some even less. This will be discussed with you at the time of appointment and is based on a case by case basis.

Laser therapy works by delivering specific red and near-infrared wavelengths of light to induce a therapeutic effect within the body. These effects include increased circulation, decreased swelling, reduction in pain and enhanced tissue repair.

Studies show that Laser Therapy can help with:
- osteoarthritis
- muscle strains
- ligament sprains
- post-orthopaedic recovery
- Chronic wounds
- Surgical wounds

If you would like to find out more, please get in touch - [email protected]

26/10/2023

A recent study revealed that 39.8% of dogs between the age of 8 months - 4 years old showed osteoarthritic changes in radiographs. (1)

We often associate osteoarthritis with our more elderly dogs, however, 20% of dogs in the study with evidence of osteoarthritis showed clinical signs of pain. With a subject group of over 120 dogs and 40 different breeds, only 30% of owners recognised the clinical signs (when presented) of their dog. With this in mind, it is essential that we share the signs of pain with owners.

So, what can you look out for?

Observe your pet's behaviour. Changes can be a huge indication:

*Difficulty getting up and down *Struggling/slowing down on walks

*Struggling with stairs or steps

*Intermittent or persistent lameness

*Struggling to get in or out of the car Struggling on different floor surfaces

*Becoming short tempered Losing interest in interactions

* Even licking their joints

If your dog is showing any of these signs, it is essential to discuss these with your vet. A thorough examination including diagnostics will help to establish the cause/causes of these signs allowing us to ensure that they are comfortable.

Alongside medical management, rehabilitation is a vital part of the multimodal approach to the management of arthritis.

At SDVR we offer physiotherapy, LASER therapy with hydrotherapy coming in November.

To learn more about how rehabilitation can help manage osteoarthritis, please contact us at [email protected]

Other useful resources:

Canine Arthritis Management

Canine Arthritis Resources Education

(1) Enomoto M et al. 2022. Prevalence of radiographic osteoarthritis and associated clinical signs in young dogs. Abstract and Poster. NCSU CVM 2022 Research Forum https://www.ncsu-cprec.com/research-abstracts [Accessed October 2023].

19/10/2023

We understand that a visit to the vets can be upsetting for both owners and pets, and it's natural to feel anxious about your pet’s treatment.

At South Downs Veterinary Referrals, you can expect:

Experienced veterinary surgeons and rehabilitation practitioners with advanced certified training and decades of combined experience within their discipline.

Seamless advanced care, guidance, and support throughout the referral journey.

Transparent and consistent communication between South Downs Veterinary Referrals, your regular practice and you, the pet owner.

Should your pet need to stay with us for a short duration, they will be looked after by our dedicated night team within our hospitals.

Whatever the situation, we are here to guide you through the process and will answer any queries along the way.

To find out more about what we can offer, please visit www.southdownsveterinaryreferrals.co.uk

16/10/2023

👀

We hope you have all had a great weekend!

A little fun post for you to start the week off.

As most of our Storrington clients will be aware of, our builders have been very busy this last few months - not forgetting Operations Manager, Rani who has been managing the project. Things are finally beginning to take shape and would anyone like to take a guess what this big hole is waiting for?! This is just one of many new additional rooms and suites we have to show you.

We will give you a clue.... Becky, our veterinary physiotherapist and head of rehabilitation at South Downs Veterinary Referrals is starting to feel like Christmas is coming early!

Please be sure to follow South Downs Veterinary Referrals for further updates and photos of this exciting project.

11/10/2023

An interesting post for anyone with an older dog.

Diagnosis is key to setting up a thorough treatment plan for the management of arthritis. There are different ways to diagnose arthritis, but all are reliant on the owner, noticing that their dog ‘is ‘slowing down’ or is ‘getting old’.

Dogs tend to show subtle signs that they are in discomfort. These could be as subtle as a change in energy levels, in their posture, how they walk or run, sometimes it can be as subtle as their capability to get onto the bed or sofa. Their muscle distribution may also change. It is important that you notice these changes to make a diagnosis possible.

If you suspect arthritis or have noticed any of these changes in your dog, we recommend that you book an appointment with your vet to have a thorough examination. There are other conditions that can look very similar in their presentation, but these require different treatments.

A thorough approach to accurately diagnosing arthritis in your dog might be as follows:

- Identify changes in energy levels, behaviour, gait and mobility
- Consultation and full physical examination with your vet
- Further investigations at your vets – such as Blood Tests, Urine Samples, X-rays or referral for CT Scans and sometimes Joint Fluid Collection
- Assessment of response to treatment on anti-inflammatory medication

This will allow for a thorough plan for your individual dog can be created, whilst considering the severity of the disease.

It is important to note that If this level of veterinary care is not available or affordable, the veterinary surgeon can still diagnose arthritis with some accuracy as the most consistent signs are altered activity levels and behaviours, pain, swelling and restriction in range of motion in one or more joints, and also the changes in the way a dog walks, runs an even how it sits and lays down. Do always ask your vet for advice as guess work can have disastrous results.

It can be a very difficult to notice arthritis as it tends to be insidious and comes on slowly. Looking for signs of arthritis which are often put down to ‘slowing down’ or ‘just getting old’ are key to early diagnosis. If you notice these or have any concerns, we recommend that you have a discussion with your vet.

Do we have many followers interested in hydrotherapy? Please give us a thumbs up below if you are.

Watch this space.......

04/10/2023

Who remembers the story of Wilma and her cataract operation?

Wilma caught up with Helen Appelboam in the Ophthalmology department this week for a follow up after her recent cataract surgery.

Wilma's owners reported that she is doing incredibly well and we are pleased to see how fantastic her eye is looking already.

If you would like further information on cataract surgery, please do get in touch with us at [email protected]

29/09/2023

One of the most important aspects of the rehabilitation process is to isolate and treat the pain and discomfort that the animal is suffering from. In order to do this veterinary physiotherapists work alongside your vet, enabling us to assist with the management once a diagnosis has been established and a pain management plan has been put in place.

Once a diagnosis has been achieved we can then assess the patient for muscular dysfunction as well as any proprioceptive issues. This will allow us to formulate a suitable treatment programme which is likely to include manual therapies, electrotherapies as well as therapeutic exercises.

Many of the bespoke treatment plans that we put into place involve simple home exercises for the owner to complete. These form a very important part in re-establishing normal function.

Please note that although we advocate the use of therapeutic exercises and equipment as part of a management plan, it is important that you consult your vet and a veterinary physiotherapist before implementing them into daily routines.

For further information or to book a physio consultation please get in touch [email protected]

25/09/2023

Wilma recently received surgery for a unilateral cataract.

A cataract is an opacity in the lens of the eye. The lens is a spherical structure made of transparent proteins contained in a clear capsule, suspended in the eye behind the iris. The job of the lens is to focus light onto the retina. New lens fibres grow throughout our life, like rings of a tree, condensing the older lens fibres into the centre.

When the lens proteins are disrupted, they lose transparency and become opaque/white. An immature cataract is when only a part of the lens is cloudy, and vision is only partially affected. Mature cataracts affect the whole lens, and they are blinding. They appear as a round white opacity behind the iris (see the first image of Wilma’s eye – you can see that these look cloudy and white).

Sometimes the cause of cataracts is unknown, but the commonest cause in dogs is hereditary cataract and the second most common cause is diabetes mellitus. Cataracts can also be age related while others may develop after trauma to the eye.

To remove the cataracts, surgery is performed using an operating microscope. The surgery time is between 30 to 45 minutes per eye. Two micro incisions are made through the cornea, and the front of the lens capsule is opened (capsulotomy). The lens proteins are removed with an ultrasonic handpiece. If the lens capsule remains intact, a prosthetic lens will be placed in the eye, otherwise the eye will be left without a lens. An eye without a lens can still see much better than an eye with a cataract, but the eye is long sighted. The incisions are then closed with absorbable suture.

Success rates for cataract surgery are 85 to 90%. Surgery is currently the only way to restore vision in patients with mature cataracts, but the costs, demanding post-operative care and potential complications after surgery must be taken into account before undertaking cataract surgery.

If you would like to discuss potential cataract surgery for your pet, please ask your vet to refer you to our Ophthalmology department at SDVR. We will arrange for a thorough consultation with our Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Helen, who will examine the eye and determine whether this surgery is an option.

Please note that we can only accept referrals directly from your vet, without this we are unable to book you an appointment.

17/09/2023

We understand that a visit to the vets can be upsetting for both owners and pets, and it's natural to feel anxious about your pet’s treatment.

At South Downs Veterinary Referrals, you can expect:

Experienced veterinary surgeons and rehabilitation practitioners with advanced certified training and decades of combined experience within their discipline.

Seamless advanced care, guidance, and support throughout the referral journey.

Transparent and consistent communication between South Downs Veterinary Referrals, your regular practice and you, the pet owner.

Should your pet need to stay with us for a short duration, they will be looked after by our dedicated night team within our hospitals.

Whatever the situation, we are here to guide you through the process and will answer any queries along the way.

To find out more about what we can offer, please visit

South Downs Veterinary Referrals (SDVR) is an exemplary mid-tier veterinary referral service within Arun Veterinary Group (AVG) that provides a range of seamless advanced care, open to all across West Sussex.

12/09/2023

Dry eye is a common disease in dogs, affecting 1 in 22 dogs with certain breeds being predisposed (Bulldogs, Pugs, Cocker spaniels, Cavalier king Charles spaniels and West Highland White terriers, amongst others).

The most common form of dry eye (also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS) is caused by immune mediated destruction of the lacrimal gland leading to reduction or absence of tears.

This is a painful condition with symptoms of sore eyes often with a sticky discharge that can lead on to recurrent infections, corneal damage or even blindness.

To test for dry eye, your vet will measure tear production with Schirmer tear test strips. These are placed under the lower lid and left in place for a minute. Less than 10 mm/minute of tears confirms dry eye, and less than 15 mm/minute is suspicious.

05/09/2023

Did you know that the cornea is only half a millimetre thick?

Half a millimetre thickness doesn't sound like a lot, but this structure has a huge responsibility for the duration of the pet's life.

The cornea is responsible for the first line of defence against infection and debris, so it is important that we ensure optimum health of this delicate structure.

At SDVR our Ophthalmology department is well equipped to help protect and treat a range of ocular issues.

To learn more about our Ophthalmology department and their services, please visit www.Southdownsveterinaryreferrals.co.uk

29/08/2023

The acutely red eye can be a clinical sign of many different eye diseases, some more serious than others.

Conjunctivitis or a small scratch to the eye can usually be readily managed with antibiotic drops.

Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye that can be devastating to the eye if not managed) and glaucoma (raised intraocular pressure that can lead to blindness within 24 hours if not treated) are the two most serious causes of the acutely red eye.

Differentiating between uveitis and glaucoma is important as the treatment is very different. This can be done using tonometry to measure eye pressure and careful magnified examination of the eye to look for evidence of intraocular inflammation.

These cases must be referred quickly for a favourable outcome.

22/08/2023

MEET THE PHYSIO PATIENT

The lovely Fred has managed to avoid us in the veterinary physiotherapy department for a good long while now, with this photo being taken last year when he had a flare up of lower back pain, resulting in nerve discomfort and lameness in his hindlimbs.

Typically, as quickly as Fred would feel better, he would pull another "spaniel-ism" and re-exert himself! As a true gentleman however, Fred was a wonderful patient, and being a classic example of an acute exacerbation of a chronic condition, would settle into a more stable period once more after treatment. Typical break through or "flare-up" pain as it is termed, is often short lived when managed well, and can happen with or without any obvious resultant trigger. Fred has concurrent, chronic elbow and lower back conditions making him more complicated than most, but as a spaniel he is not willing to let it stop him enjoying life to the fullest!

Well done Fred!

14/08/2023

Dogs' eyes aren't that different from ours. They have pupils, corneas and lenses that work in a very similar way to ours, however they see things slightly differently.

A condition that dogs can develop just like us humans is cataracts.

Cataracts are an opacity in the lens of the eye. These opacities make the eye look opaque/white in appearance. Once cataracts mature, they will affect the whole lens leading to blindness.

Sometimes the cause of cataracts is unknown, but hereditary conditions, Diabetes Mellitus, trauma to the eye as well as general aging can cause them to develop.

Signs to look out for include.

Cloudiness, grey tinge to the eye
Loss of vision - bumping into things, unable to locate food and water bowls
Some types of cataracts can cause pain and inflammation. If you notice redness, persistent rubbing of eyes, it is important to have a check with your vet.

At SDVR we are able to perform surgery to remove cataracts.

The surgery is performed using an operating microscope and takes between 30-45 minutes per eye.

Two micro incisions are made through the cornea, opening the front of the lens capsule. The lens proteins are then removed with an ultrasonic hand piece before a prosthetic lens is placed within the eye.

To find out more, ask your vet about referral to our SDVR Ophthalmology Department

11/08/2023

MEET THE PHYSIO PATIENT

Not being content enough to be anything other than "interesting", Marshall the Westie, at the ripe age of 14years, has been keeping us busy recently. With an unblemished monthly attendance record over the past 2 years in our veterinary physiotherapy department, he has finally decided that he is potentially old enough to try out the other members of the medical team.

Marshall came to us from his previous vets back in 2021 for treatment of his bilateral cruciate ligament disease and has been a welcome visitor with Becky our veterinary physiotherapist ever since. Being that he has a concurrent cardiac condition, corrective surgery was never a reasonable option for Marshall, meaning that we have had to manage his cruciate disease conservatively, with physiotherapy, laser treatment and weight management as appropriate.

Interestingly, a recent study carried out by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has confirmed that certain breeds are in fact more genetically predisposed to cruciate disease than others, with Westie's now coming out as 1.8 x times more likely to develop this condition than the average dog. In Marshall's case, as he couldn't have the surgery, he has gone on to develop significant osteoarthritis in his stifles, as well as his elbows and hips as he has got older, which has now meant that movement is more difficult for him, and as such his owner has had to be cautious with exercise length and duration. We commonly have to reduce walks as our canine counterparts get older for their own good, but thankfully Marshall is very sensible all on his own, and his owner tells us that he's still getting on with the things he enjoys most: betting on the horse racing, snoring on the sofa, watching the football and eying up the takeaway offerings!

Being such a massive character, Marshall is very dear to us, and despite his penchant for peeing in Becky's consult room when she's not looking, we hope that he can continue to defy all odds for many more years to come!

08/08/2023

Most of our ophthalmology procedures and consultations are undertaken at the Chichester hospital so these comments are fantastic to read and reassuring to any pet owners reading who may be referred to us from their regular vet.

07/08/2023

Us humans fear losing our vision, and it can be the same for our pets too.

Sadly, our pets can't tell us when something is wrong, so we rely on signs and symptoms to identify issues.

With this in mind, we will be posting regularly about different ocular diseases and health conditions to look out for, including their key symptoms to look out for.

If you are worried about your pet's vision, ask your vet about referral to SDVR today

03/08/2023

Meet Doug

Pictured here sporting a very fetching pair of booties, Doug's new footwear's as practical as they are charming when it comes to helping him navigate his surroundings, with something as simple as the grip they provide helping to give him the confidence to perform his day-to-day routine as normally as possible considering his circumstances. This little lad is currently being conservatively managed by Becky for an ongoing period of hindlimb paraparesis, a neurological issue that results in a limited capacity to form useful, coordinated movement following on from an injury or inflammation within his neurological system. This makes engaging appropriate motion in the right order and pattern difficult for him and means that he needs extra help and support to enjoy his day safely.

Cases like Doug's which involve neurological compromise, often require lengthy, flexible recovery periods, with intensive treatment inhouse, and ongoing environmental adjustment at home. Doug has been having laser therapy to help settle inflammation around his spine in a bid to boost healing, and appropriate physiotherapy to help restore his neurological system, which he has thus far been an excellent boy for; as long as there are treats involved!

Whilst Doug is gradually improving and is now able to stand unaided in his boots without wobbling, a full recovery will take a long time, and we often measure rehabilitative success in the months rather than weeks. Doug's development has been hard won thus far by his very committed owner, but as we do not yet have a diagnosis, he may still need to go through more invasive interventions in the future to safeguard his spinal health. For now, whilst he has a long way to go, his progress thus far means there is plenty to be positive about, and regardless of his new normal, we have no doubt that this cheeky little boy will continue to keep his family busy in one way or another with his stereotypical pug antics!

If you have a pet that would benefit from physiotherapy and want to know more, contact Becky on [email protected]

31/07/2023

MEET OUR VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Vicki Loose initially joined the AVG nursing team in January 2022 after locuming when the Chichester hospital first opened. Vicki moved over to work part time for SDVR in April 2023 after finishing her MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy. She is based at the Chichester hospital and is currently studying for her level 3 diploma in Hydrotherapy.

Vicki’s passions lie in seeing her patients progress through their rehabilitation plans, but she also has a soft spot for chronic cases and their quirky personalities.

Outside of work Vicki loves to take her horse for strolls in his retirement and spend whatever time she can at the beach or on water.

27/07/2023

Meet Pepper

Pepper recently received surgery for bilateral cataracts.

A cataract is an opacity in the lens of the eye. The lens is a spherical structure made of transparent proteins contained in a clear capsule, suspended in the eye behind the iris. The job of the lens is to focus light onto the retina. New lens fibres grow throughout our life, like rings of a tree, condensing the older lens fibres into the centre.

When the lens proteins are disrupted, they lose transparency and become opaque/white. An immature cataract is when only a part of the lens is cloudy, and vision is only partially affected. Mature cataracts affect the whole lens, and they are blinding. They appear as a round white opacity behind the iris (see the first image of Pepper’s eyes – you can see that these look cloudy and white).

Sometimes the cause of cataracts is unknown, but the commonest cause in dogs is hereditary cataract and the second most common cause is diabetes mellitus. Cataracts can also be age related while others may develop after trauma to the eye.

To remove the cataracts, surgery is performed using an operating microscope. The surgery time is between 30 to 45 minutes per eye. Two micro incisions are made through the cornea, and the front of the lens capsule is opened (capsulotomy). The lens proteins are removed with an ultrasonic handpiece. If the lens capsule remains intact, a prosthetic lens will be placed in the eye, otherwise the eye will be left without a lens. An eye without a lens can still see much better than an eye with a cataract, but the eye is long sighted. The incisions are then closed with absorbable suture.

Success rates for cataract surgery are 85 to 90%. Surgery is currently the only way to restore vision in patients with mature cataracts, but the costs, demanding post-operative care and potential complications after surgery must be taken into account before undertaking cataract surgery.

If you would like to discuss potential cataract surgery for your pet, please ask your vet to refer you to our Ophthalmology department at SDVR. We will arrange for a thorough consultation with our Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Helen, who will examine the eye and determine whether this surgery is an option.

Please note that we can only accept referrals directly from your vet, without this we are unable to book you an appointment.