There has been a lot of growth and expansion recently with the opening of our new Sherborne practice. For our pet owners, amongst other things, it has meant an upgrade in premises and equipment. It is important to us, however, that we maintain the same personalised care that you have come to know and expect from us at our independent practice. We understand our pet owners appreciate continuity of care. Remaining proudly independent is part of our philosophy. It goes hand-in-hand with providing the highest standard of care for your pet. We are a first-opinion practice and yet our team continues to go above and beyond, undertaking further qualifications to ensure we continue to stay aligned with our practice values. So, you may ask, what happens when my pet needs a little more specialist investigation or care? This is where our visiting specialists come in!

Visiting specialists

For most pet owners, this will mean taking their pet to a referral hospital, often located some distance away. Our aim has always been to bridge the gap between a first opinion practice and a referral hospital. This is so that our pet owners can see a team they know and trust, in familiar surroundings. This is especially important during times of need, when you are perhaps dealing with something more challenging with your pet and venturing into the unknown.

With that in mind, as many of you will know, we have welcomed a number of visiting specialists to our practice for several years. In lending us their expertise and working out of our premises, they have become an extension of our team. With mutual trust and respect, Rata Vets and Heart Vets don’t just treat our patients with more complex orthopaedic, soft tissue and cardiac needs, but also clients of local neighbouring practices. In addition, we are very pleased to let you know that we have expanded our visiting specialists team to include:

> Dermatology

> Ophthalmology

> Physiotherapy

How can these NEW visiting specialists help your pet?

Dermatology

This is a branch of veterinary medicine which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders. Skin conditions are complex and can greatly affect overall well-being. We are in a privileged position to have a more advanced skillset at first opinion level, as our vet, Peter, is recognised as an Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Dermatology by the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). With this already more advanced skillset in practice and the addition of our specialist colleagues, you can rest assured your pet really is in the best hands. Pets being referred will often be suffering from allergies, infections, autoimmune diseases or even tumours. 

Ophthalmology

For pets with eye or vision issues, it can really impact their quality of life. Pets, like humans, can suffer from a wide range of conditions and ailments. The eyes are a very sensitive and specific part of the body requiring specialist attention. A referral to the ophthalmology specialist will be done so with the aim of restoring or maintaining the best possible vision and relieving pain or suffering in the process.

Physiotherapy

Many pet owners will be familiar with physiotherapy, as it is a common prehabilitation and rehabilitation practice for humans! Physiotherapy for pets can lend itself to many ailments. Its benefits include reducing pain, improving mobility through joint range of motion and muscle strengthening, and overall, providing better well-being. It is most commonly used to help pets suffering from chronic conditions such as arthritis and more acute preparations and recovery from orthopaedic surgery or strains/sprains. 

Of course, if your pet is under our care, where necessary, our team will discuss the options available to your pet in line with their specific needs. If they need to be seen by a member of our visiting specialist team, you can rest well knowing they are in the best hands and familiar surroundings. If you are a pet owner of a local neighbouring practice where your pet requires a referral to a specialist, we are now able to welcome you to our practice to see the specialists available.