Where do you do your scans? Can I organise a home visit?
I only provide my services to partner practices and perform ultrasound examinations and related services within a veterinary practice. I do not visit clients’ homes.
VetArtis is an independent service and is not affiliated with any corporate group though some of my work is with them.
Do you bring your own ultrasound machine?
Yes! I have a high-quality ultrasound machine – better quality than you might usually find outside referral centers – and I’ve learnt all its knobs and quirks. Ultrasound machines vary hugely in quality so by having my own machine I can ensure I can get the very best quality images possible and therefore the best information from the scan. It also saves time as I know my machine intimately (I don’t take it to bed but I do dream of it sometimes).
I am also happy to show you how to use your own ultrasound machine to get the best from it and to advise if you are thinking of buying a new machine.
How do I book and what happens on the day?
Initially please sign up to be a partner practice so I can allow you access to the hidden parts of the website where pricing and other sensitive information is available.
To book me, please use this form – this is not under the partner practice login as other members of your practice may need to do the actual booking.
If your request is for an emergency visit then please ring or send a text to Sarah on 07421320662 leaving your practice name and contact number (and then complete the form so I have the information I need). If your request is an emergency and you do not hear back from me within 2 hours then please assume I cannot help at this time and find alternative help.
To find out what happens, please read the ‘how’ and go through the checklist prior to my visit.
What is a Partner Practice?
I call the veterinary practices I work with ‘Partner Practices’ because I work with the clinical team to complement and supplement the services already provided. By signing up to be a Partner Practice, you can access hidden parts of the website where pricing and other sensitive information is available. This is also where you will find my terms and conditions, a pre-visit checklist to help your clinical team prepare for my visit, suggested sedation protocols and information leaflets for clients to explain the procedures and major medical diseases.
If you would like to receive information on offers and digital newsletters then please sign up to receive these here. This is separate to the Partner Practice sign up.
How do I describe your services to my clients?
You cannot call me a Specialist and you need to be honest with clients – I am an RCVS listed Advanced Practitioner which means I am accredited to have particular knowledge and experience in my designated field of medicine. I am a highly experienced vet of over 20 years (graduated in 2002) and have been actively studying medicine and ultrasonography for over 10 years.
The value of my skills and experience I bring to your practice are in a large part the consultation with the case vet and the case discussion. I advise and give my recommendations and it is up to the case vet to take the case forward, including discussions with the client.
There may be times when cases are beyond my skills and experience and I will not hesitate to recommend these are referred to a suitable RCVS Specialist. There is sometimes uncertainty in what I find as ultrasound is an art at times and I have a network of vets I can call on for a second opinion to ensure my report to you is the best it can be.
Can I add an unplanned ultrasound examination on the day?
I understand that decisions to perform ultrasound exams are often taken at short notice and emergencies always turn up! I will do my best to see all emergency cases and any extra cases you might have for me. Please let me know as soon as possible so I can reschedule any subsequent visits if needed.
How much does it cost?
I have transparent, fixed pricing explained on the pricing page in the ‘Partner Practice Area’. The charges include the visit charge (time for me to drive to your practice as well as the mileage) in bands from my home – see the drive map. There are charges per ultrasound scan with a discount for multiple scans on the same visit, with additional charges for additional procedures and consumables such as biopsy needles.
Is sedation required?
Sedation will not be required in all cases but in a scared, panting animal it will not be possible to get the best quality images and this will impair the diagnostic outcome. Also, it is not fair or ethical for a scared animal to be forced to lie for an examination. I find that nearly all cats need to be sedated – they will not willingly tolerate fur clipping! Please clip the patient before my arrival as that way the case vet can gauge the level of sedation required for the individual. Please have a protocol and doses (and an IV catheter placed if appropriate) prepared in case sedation is needed. I can help advise on suitable sedation protocols though the case vet decides what is used.
For echocardiography, my preference is to try without sedation as sedation affects the measurements and may change the diagnostic decisions. However, this often means two assistants are required to hold the animal. Also panting, scared animals do not give good quality images. Please see the document on sedation recommendations for echocardiography.
Is general anaesthetic required?
Generally, a full GA is not required for ultrasound examinations, but it may be safer than a deep sedation in some animals. Also, if core biopsies are required to be taken then a deep level of sedation or a general anaesthetic will be required.
Is fur clipping required?
Yes, always. Please do not promise your client that the scan can be done with little or no fur clipping – this will compromise the image quality severely. If the owner is concerned on this, please direct them to the owner information.
What happens if I have an emergency case?
If your request is for an emergency visit then please ring or send a text to Sarah on 07421320662 leaving your practice name and contact number (and complete the booking form so I have the information I need). If your request is an emergency and you do not hear back from me within 2 hours then please assume I cannot help at this time and find alternative help.
If the visit is required before 9am or after 6pm during the week, or any time at the weekend or on Bank Holidays, there will be a small additional charge.
What happens out of hours, at weekends and bank holidays?
I am a small, one woman business so I cannot provide a 24 hour 7 day a week service. However, if you are in need then please call me and I leave a message – I will get back to you as soon as I am able. I can provide some visits at weekends and on holidays – there will be a small extra charge for this.
Does the pet need to be starved?
Abdominal examinations general – 12 hours, unless an urgent/emergency case.
Ectopic ureter search – 24 hour scan, or shorter with colon preparation.
Non-cardiac thoracic scans – ideally starved, especially if sedation or sampling required.
Echocardiography – if not an emergency then starved in case sedation required.
Pregnancy, ocular and emergency scans – starvation not required if sedation not required.