01434 607 677
Call us for more information about our referral service
Our referral services include Laparoscopic keyhole surgery & Diagnostic Imaging. Our highly qualified and experienced team strive to offer the very best treatment options for each case.
We always aim to be as approachable as possible and are very happy to discuss any cases with you prior to referral by phone or email.
Our Referral Services
Laparoscopic
What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a Vet to access the inside of the abdomen (tummy) without having to make large incisions in the skin.
This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Large incisions can be avoided during laparoscopy because the surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope. This is a small tube that has a light source and a camera, which relays images of the inside of the abdomen or pelvis to a television monitor.
The advantages of this technique over traditional open surgery include:
- a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time
- less pain and bleeding after the operation
- reduced scarring
Laparoscopy is carried out under general anaesthetic, so your pet won’t feel any pain during the procedure. During laparoscopy, the Vet makes one or more small incisions in the abdomen. These allow the Vet to insert the laparoscope, small surgical tools, and a tube used to pump gas into the abdomen. This makes it easier for the Vet to look around and operate. After the procedure, the gas is let out of the abdomen, the incisions are closed using stitches.
Procedures that are suitable for laparoscopy include; neutering, retained testicle removal, biopsy procedures, abdominal exploration, gastropexy and cystotomy.
Ultrasounds
We have an on-site small animal ultrasound unit, but for most cases we utilise a referral ultra-sonographer, Sophie Betts from North East Veterinary Imaging. Sophie comes to Hexham weekly, and in an emergency as required.
For more information on ultrasounds click here.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is an instrument used to examine the interior of the body. Unlike most other medical imaging devices, endoscopes are inserted directly into the organ. For instance, at Orchard House we regularly ‘scope’ the airways, the stomach and gut and the inside of the nose. Gastroscopy can be used to retrieve “foreign bodies” that have been swallowed, to check for ulcers or tumours or to take biopsies from the inside of the bowel.
For more information on our Endoscopy service click here.
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