Hospitalisation

At Valley Farm we realise that your pets are loved members of your family. If your pet needs to be hospitalised you can be assured that it will receive the very best of care. We aim to make our patients’ stay with us as relaxed and comfortable as possible.
We try to get patients home as soon as possible, as we know they are happier there. Our equipment, which includes an X-ray machine and blood analyser, allows us to make a diagnosis and start treatment quickly.
Just like a human hospital our hospital has several different wards: a high-care area, a dog ward, a cat ward and an isolation ward. All of the wards are furnished with easy-to-clean, secure cages. The wards are all climate controlled for your pets’ comfort. Each cage is lined with a soft and comfortable fur Vetbed and the cats have cosy caves to hide in. 

Patient identification and treatment records are attached to the cages.
Our kennel staff and nurses are responsible for the day-to-day care of the inpatients. All pets receive daily attention from staff, which includes grooming, cuddles, walks outside, baths, physiotherapy or yummy treats. We realise that this is not home, but do all we can to keep the patients comfortable and happy.

Cages are cleaned out thoroughly twice per day with F10 disinfectant and bedding is changed as often as required between these times. All bedding and feed bowls are washed with F10 for your pets’ safety.
We have a wide range of foods available for inpatients, enough to tempt even the fussiest of eaters, and many go home spoilt rotten after eating fresh chicken breast during their recovery!

Personal belongings 
Because of the number of patients that we have staying in our hospital, personal belongings can get “lost in the wash” We are able to provide most home comforts, so we request that you do not leave personal belongings with your pet.  

Visits
Many pets benefit from a visit from their owners during their stay.  However, our hospital is very busy and, in order to allow us to get on with our work of caring for your pets, we ask that you please observe the visiting times below.
We also ask that you do not stay too long, as your pet does need to rest and may need to receive treatments or tests.  In some cases pets become too excited when owners arrive or are very distressed when they leave. In these instances we may request that you do not visit or that you keep your visits to a minimum.  

Visiting times
Monday to Friday 9am to 6.30pm
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 11.30am & 4pm – 5pm

If you are unable to visit during these times, please call to make an arrangement before coming to the practice.                                                                                                                                                                      
High-care ward
Our high-care ward is situated centrally in the hospital, allowing veterinary staff to observe the critically ill patients and respond immediately to any problems. This small ward has a maximum of six patients, with a dedicated nurse in attendance. Many of these patients need round-the-clock, hands-on care.
The high-care ward is equipped with all the specialised equipment required to nurse and monitor critically ill pets. We have infusion pumps to administer fluids (drips), blood, plasma, sedatives and antibiotics. These allow for precise and constant infusions, absolutely critical for some treatments, and in very small patients and. We make use of monitoring equipment such as ECG and pulse oximetry.  The respiratory ventilator is used for animals, such as snakebite victims, that are unable to breathe for themselves. These patients need constant monitoring and are placed in a low bed-like cot for easy access by the staff.  All high-care cages are equipped with their own oxygen supply.
 An orthopedic mattress can be used for recumbent patients. Warming blankets, either electric or water bed types, are used to warm up hypothermic patients and keep them comfortable. We have heat lamps and fans for specific cases.

Dog ward
Our dog ward has 26 secure, easy-to-clean cages. Four of these cages are reserved for the giant breeds (Irish Wolfhounds, Great Danes, etc.). The remaining cages are big enough for large dogs (of the size of a German Shepherd). Dogs are taken out a minimum of 4 times a day, and each patient is examined by the attending doctor at least once daily. Infusion pumps are used for the administration of fluids.

Cat ward
Our cat ward is secluded, quiet and contains 16 secure and easy-to-clean cages. These cages are ample in size to accommodate litter trays and feed bowls. There is an igloo for cats to climb into, to feel more secure. Infusion pumps are used for the administration of fluids.
Cats can often be nervous patients. For this reason minor examinations, such as the taking of blood samples, are carried out in the cat ward, as often as possible, to avoid the cats’ becoming too stressed.

Isolation ward
This ward is for patients suffering from infectious diseases and dogs with Parvovirus and Distemper are hospitalised here. The ward has 6 cages. The isolation ward is built to allow thorough cleaning, and the large drains, hose, and extractor fan help to maintain an environment which is as close to a sterile as possible. Infusion pumps are used for the administration of fluids.