Keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) is a minimally invasive way of performing surgery through tiny incisions assisted by cameras (endoscopes) inserted into the body.

It is common place in human surgery and we are proud to be able to offer this service through our clinic. To date we have performed over 1500 keyhole bitch spays with patient size ranging from just 2kgs right up to 60kgs.

A key benefit is that the recovery period from keyhole surgery is much quicker than normal open abdominal surgery and so it is not necessary to use buster collars or to keep the patients quiet for more than a day or so.

At Martin & Carr strongly recommend this technique for bitch spays. Please contact your local Martin & Carr surgery for more information and prices.

At Martin and Carr, we have 5 fully qualified veterinary nurses and 4 SVN’s (nurses in training), ready to see your pet in one of our Nurse Clinics.

The aim of these clinics is to provide our clients with a familiar and friendly face, with whom they can discuss any issues involving their animals. Nurses are happy to spend as much or a little time as necessary with pets and owners and provide:

• Pet Health Checks - for all ages and species
• New puppy or kitten checks and advice, pre-puppy party
• Information on fleas and other parasites
• Information on diets of all types, including prescription food
• Routine dental checks, and dental care advice. Includes rabbits and guinea pigs
• Geriatric/Older pet Clinics - a basic health check with optional blood test, blood pressure check
• Diabetic Support Clinics. We are happy to discuss any issues surrounding diabetic pets and can help with blood glucose monitoring
• Small animal husbandry advice for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furries
• Basic training and behavioural advice for young or old. Our Puppy Party Team are particularly specialised in this area
• Administration of medicines which have been prescribed by a Vet - all nurses are happy to do this and it is useful for example, with difficult cats
• ECG’s which have been recommended by a Veterinary Surgeon
• Blood pressure checks/routine monitoring
• Administration of routine wormers or flea treatments
• Suture removal and post-op checks
• Dressing changes
• Weight management consultations for over or under weight pets
• Tick removal
• Ear cleaning
• Routine blood sampling
• Heska (allergy) injections
• Breeding advice
• Nail clipping for cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs
• To discuss euthanasia - A sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to explain the procedure and options available

Nurse clinics are usually by appointment only between 11am and 3pm Monday to Friday. This allows us to make nervous pets an appointment at a quiet time where necessary. For people who find these times difficult, we will do our best to accommodate.

For further information, please contact us.

Socialising your puppy is a very important and the earlier they can start to experience all aspects of life, the better. If a dog is not properly socialised it may not learn what is appropriate behaviour when faced with new people, dogs or situations. This is why we invite new puppies to attend our Puppy Parties.

The parties are run for two consecutive weeks for an hour each time. During the party, the puppies will be able to meet and play with other puppies and people in a safe environment. There will also be time with the nurses to discuss all aspects of having a puppy, from house training to nutrition. At the end of the second party the puppies will be awarded with a certificate of attendance and a goody bag that includes the “Good Puppy Guide” written by Erica Peachey.

We hope that by attending the parties, the puppies will start to become a little more confident while learning about the big wide world and all the new things they will come across. Remember, visits do not only have to be when something is wrong we actively encourage social visits, it may be for a weight check, to collect wormers or to just say “hi”!

If you have a young puppy, or are thinking of getting one soon, and would like more information on attending our parties then please call and speak to one of our nurses.

We have advanced diagnostic imaging equipment and a dedicated operating theatre and amongst our specialisms we have:

• Diagnostic imaging: we use ultrasound extensively within the practice
• Minimally invasive surgery:  we do more key hole spays than any other practice in the county
• Cruciate surgery: we offer the advanced tibial tuberosity advancement procedure and have performed in excess of 50 of these. We also offer a full orthopaedic service and have access to referral for MRI examinations for spinal cases.
• Soft tissue surgical procedures: we offer entropian surgery, laryngeal tieback surgery (upper airway surgery), perineal hernia surgery and general abdominal surgery, including tumour removals.
• Laparoscopies. We have the latest Karl Storz endoscopes including 5mm straight scope, 30 degree 2.5mm scope, arthroscope, and a 1.1metre 11mm flexible scope for gastroenterology.
• Acupuncture: we offer a full pain management assessment and control
• Endoscopies: gastroscopies and colonoscopies. Transurethral cystoscopies (for female dogs) 

Vets are assisted by our professional veterinary nurses. The nurses also have special interests that complement the practice:

• Puppy and kitten behaviour and socialisation
• Obedience training
• Rehabilitation post operatively
• Dietary advice