Raheny Vets's home page
  • Call our surgery01 847 8044

Services

Find out more about our services

  • Diagnostics
  • Nurse Clinics
  • Microchipping
  • Pet Dental Care
  • Surgery
  • Euthanasia
  • Food

Diagnostics

Digital X-Ray:

Taking radiographs is an essential part of any practice. We use a digital processor which allows us to perform high quality x-rays relatively quickly. Sedation or general anaesthesia is normally necessary in order for us to gain good quality images, and ensure your pet is kept safe.

Ultrasounds:

Ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless procedure. Here at Raheny Veterinary Hospital, Ultrasound is frequently used to examine the structures of the heart, abdominal organs, and is also used for pregnancy diagnosis.

In-house Laboratory:

At Raheny Veterinary Hospital we have our own well equipped laboratory which enables us to analyse your pets samples quickly and efficiently. Blood tests may be run as a health screen prior to a general anaesthetic, or if your pet is unwell.

Analysis of urine, faeces, skin scrapings and aspirates from lumps can also be analysed.

For more extensive and specialist tests, we may send your pets samples to an external laboratory for analysis.

ECG:

This is a machine that is used to evaluate the electrical activity of your pet's heart.

Endoscopy:

An endoscope is a tiny camera which can be used to view otherwise inaccessible areas of the body such as the nose, throat and stomach.

Nurse Clinics

Our nursing team offer a range of FREE nursing clinics such as:

  • Puppy and kitten 6 month check ups
  • Dental clinics
  • Exotics clinics
  • Post-op checks and stitches out
  • Weight loss clinic
  • Geriatric clinic

Please get in contact to find out more about our Nurse Clinics!

Microchipping

A microchip is a sterile implant about the size of a grain of rice. Each microchip has an individual number which corresponds to your pet and the contact information you provide. In dogs and cats, the chip is inserted beneath the skin between the shoulder blades and does not require an anaesthetic. A microchip is identified by a special scanner which is run over the body.

Since March 31st 2016, it is a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped.

Please contact us on 01 847 8044 if you have any queries regarding your dog’s microchip status

Pet passports also available at the clinic.

Pet Dental Care

Periodontal disease (disease of the teeth and associated structures) is a common problem in veterinary practice. Owners are often unaware that their animals have dental problems, until signs such as bad breath, drooling and difficulty eating become apparent – by which time dental disease may be advanced.

The most common trigger for dental disease is accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, causing the trapping of bacteria and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Early removal of plaque and tartar is advisable to prevent disease progression

The best way to help prevent your pet from developing dental disease is to maintain good oral hygiene. The most effective way of doing this is daily brushing. There are many toothpastes and gels available for animals – never use human toothpastes as these may cause problems if swallowed.

A few more tips for maintaining a healthy mouth:

  • Dry food is better for your animal’s teeth.
  • Feeding things like dental chews and carrots can help scrape off plaque.
  • If your pet will not tolerate brushing, a small amount of enzymatic toothpaste/gel in the mouth can still help.

In advanced cases of dental disease your vet may suggest your dog/cat is booked in for a descale and polish under general anaesthesia, and it will be established if any tooth extractions is needed.

Surgery

Our vets have a wide variety of surgical knowledge and experience. We perform routine surgical procedures from Monday to Friday. These elective procedures include Spays, Castrations, Lump Removals, Dental Descale and Polishes. We also perform any number of non-routine or emergency surgeries 7 days a week if necessary. These surgeries can range from wound reconstructions to splenectomies, caesarean sections and fracture/cruciate ligament repairs.

For our elective surgeries, we admit patients into the hospital in the morning 8:30 am. We ask that you fast them from approximately 8:00pm the previous evening. There is no need to withhold water.

On admission, the nurse will ask you a few standard questions to gauge if your pet is fit for surgery on that day.
We will discuss with you the importance of a pre-anaesthetic blood screen in order to detect any abnormalities that may complicate your pet's surgery, and ask you for a contactable phone number whereby we can reach you at all stages throughout the day.

During anaesthesia and surgery, your pet is monitored continuously by one of our Registered Veterinary Nurses. Depending on the procedure performed your pet may need an overnight stay in the hospital, but most of our patients can be discharged within the same day.

Our Vets/Nurses will always update you on your pet’s progress throughout the day and arrange a discharge time whereby we can discuss all aspects of post-operative care with you. This includes advice on feeding, wound care, follow up appointments for wound checks or dressing changes, and suture removal. We will also discuss, in most cases, the importance of a buster collar to prevent your pet interfering with their surgical wound.

Orthopaedic surgery:

Some of the more common procedures that we perform on a regular basis include:

  • Cruciate ligament repair
  • Patella Luxation
  • Fracture repairs
  • Hip surgery

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) is the most common orthopaedic condition found in dogs. It is similar to the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in people. The cruciate ligament’s role is to stabilise the knee joint. Unlike in people where it is normally a traumatic injury, the majority of ruptures in dogs are caused by degeneration and genetic factors. Dogs usually present with lameness and pain of one of their hind legs. Diagnosis is made by x-rays and a full orthopaedic examination under sedation. Once a diagnosis has been made, we will explain all of the available procedures and make a recommendation best suited to your pet. Surgical options available include lateral suture for smaller dogs and a TTA procedure for larger dogs.

Euthanasia

One of the hardest parts of being a pet owner can be when your pet is coming towards the end of its life. This may be as a result of old age, or because your animal is seriously unwell. Some animals die naturally, but in other situations, it may be you choose to have your animal ‘put to sleep’ because you feel there is no longer a good quality of life, or it is suffering. 

Euthanasia is usually carried out in an appointment at the surgery, but home visits can be accommodated with advance notice.

Afterwards, you will need to make a decision about your wishes for the body. You can take it home with you and make your own arrangements. Alternatively, if you leave the body with us, it will be cremated. Cremation can be carried out privately and the ashes returned afterwards if you so wish. If you have any questions about this subject, please feel free to discuss them with a member of staff.

Food

We stock a wide range of pet foods to suit all lifestages and health requirements. These foods provide complete and balanced nutrition for your pet based on their age, lifestyle, neuter status, bodyweight and other important factors. All foods come in wet or dry formulas for both cats and dogs.

Food brands we stock:

  • Royal Canin
  • Hills
  • Burns
  • Propac

Lifestage foods:

These are foods specific to the age and lifestyle of your pet. They cover all stages from weaning, growth, adult and senior care.

Prescription foods:

These are foods that are prescribed by your vet and are used to improve a wide range of health issues such as; Urinary health, skin & food allergies, gastrointestinal health, joint support, renal health, and weight management, amongst others.

Special offers & Loyalty cards:

We regularly have promotions on our foods, so check in-store and on our Facebook Page for updates! We provide loyalty cards at reception for Hills, Royal Canin and Burns. These can entitle the holder to special offers. Please ask at reception about loyalty cards.

Ordering foods:

We have a weekly food order that is placed every Monday or Tuesday depending on the week. However, if you have run out of your pet's food, we can place a next day order so you are never stuck!

Orders can be placed at reception or by phone. Last order is at 3:00pm from Monday – Thursday.

Nutritional advice:

We provide FREE nurse clinics covering nutritional advice and weight checks, or to answer any common questions such as: correct feeding portions for bodyweight, unawareness of overfeeding causing obesity, choosing the correct food for your pet's age and needs, incorrect nutrient portions (e.g. homemade diets).

If you would like to find out more information about your pets nutritional health please contact reception to book an appointment with a nurse.

Preventative Healthcare

Preventative Healthcare

Prevention is better than cure - check out our preventative healthcare services!