Same Day Appointment Promise
If you phone before 10.00am (Mon Fri) we guarantee an appointment with one of our vets that day. Appointments are available throughout the day Mon – Fri (9.00am – 6.00pm) and Saturday morning 9.00am to 11.30am.

Your pet’s operation within 3 days
We do not have waiting lists. If your pet needs an operation you will never need to wait for more than three working days. Referral to a veterinary specialist can be made within 5 working days.

You Choose the Level of Service you require.
We aim to provide the best possible care for your pets but understand this may have to be tailored to your financial situation. You will probably choose one of the 3 options below.:-

1)  You have Pet Health Insurance
If you have taken out Pet Health Insurance it allows us to proceed with the necessary investigations, treatment and on-going monitoring without cost constraints. Please do tell us if your pet is insured. Ask for our info leaflet on how to get the best from your pet health insurance.

2)  You don’t have Pet Health Insurance
If you do not have insurance we will still offer the best treatment first but are always willing to discuss and explain less expensive options. This may include avoiding tests, choosing cheaper medications and seeing a patient less frequently.

3)  You are likely to find payment very difficult
If you need to be particularly economical please do tell the vet at the start of the consultation.
Ask for our info leaflet on what we can and can’t do to help with your finances.

Our Veterinary Surgeons are skilled in companion animal medicine, undertake on-going further education, discuss cases on a daily basis and, where appropriate, refer cases to each other within the practice.

Our Veterinary Nurses are highly trained experienced professionals. At the Veterinary Health Centre nurses are responsible for monitoring anaesthetics, X rays, blood sampling, laboratory tests, fluid therapy, drug administration and dental de-scale and polishing. Our surgically trained nurses regularly undertake minor skin surgery, wound closure and simple dental extractions. Nurses run regular healthcare consultations, weight clinics and much much more!

2. Vet Consultations   <top of page>

Vet Consultations are charged on time - - see Price List for details.
this allows us to provide an in-depth service to cases that need more time and a more economical service to simpler cases.
Vaccinations and boosters include a consultation up to 12 minutes, time beyond 12 minutes will be charged at £10.50 per 10 minutes (or part).
By charging for time we can keep prices down.
                                              
Missed Appointments: A nominal fee of £10.50 will be charged for all
un-kept appointments. If you are unable to keep your appointment please let us know as soon as possible.

Mobile Phones in consultations. Mobile phone calls regularly interrupt and delay consultations. Please switch off your mobile phone before you enter the consulting room area.

3. Nurse Consultations  <top of page>
Our veterinary nurses can:-
q Check your pet’s general health, spot problems early, and show you how to examine your own pet.
q Check your pet’s weight and guide you in the best ways to control your pet’s weight.
q Provide and administer routine flea and worm treatments - choosing the medications most suited to your circumstances (and explain why).
q Advise on diet and feeding issues.
q Discuss behaviour and training.
q Check your pet’s teeth and gums regularly and advise on dental healthcare.
q Clip Nails and even show you how to do it properly if you’d like to do it yourself.
q Show you how to give tablets.
q Help you get the best out of your pet insurance.
q Discuss and guide you with any healthcare problems or worries.
q Discuss diet, medication and treatment costs and help with economical planning.

Consultations with the nurse -  - see Price List for details.

Mobile Phones in consultations. Mobile phone calls regularly interrupt and delay consultations. Please switch off your mobile phone before you enter the consulting room area.

Please phone us at approx. 1.00pm for a progress report and to plan a discharge appointment time.

High Anaesthetic Standard
We maintain a high standard of care by using the very best drugs, monitoring vital signs constantly using pulse oximetry, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature monitors. We actively nurse all patients throughout their anaesthetic. All patients are monitored until fully recovered. We use Isoflo as our only gas anaesthetic. For induction we use domitor and propofol. For cats and rabbits we may also use ketamine, torbugesic or ACP. Ask for our info leaflet explaining our high standard of anaesthetic.

Blood Tests -We recommend a screening blood test on the day of surgery to check for underlying, hidden medical problems to ensure the best post-surgery recovery and healing. This is particularly important for poorly or older (over 7 yrs) patients.

Clients that are especially concerned about leaving their pet for an anaesthetic may:
1) Phone in for a progress report at any time.
2) Stay in the waiting room during a surgical procedure
3) Visit the wards at any time during working hours (by arrangement with reception)
4) Be present as the anaesthetic is given*
5) In some cases, be present for a surgical procedure*
* for 4 and 5 above a fee applies - see Price List for details.

Overnight Patients
Patients are allowed to go home as soon as we judge it to be wise. When a patient requires overnight rest at the surgery we use sedation and pain relief as appropriate to give them a comfortable night. We have no overnight staff on the premises for two reasons: 1) Cost - maintaining overnight professional staff is very expensive (consider the cost of just a babysitter for 12 hours) 2) Need - most patients rest better undisturbed overnight, often better than when at home. Patients that need overnight treatment are visited as required during the night.

We always use a "licensed veterinary medicine" where one is available. If no specific drug is licensed for a particular condition we may use a drug licensed for another species, or a human drug. If you wish us to avoid the use of unlicensed drugs then we ask you to discuss this with the vet right away so we can make special arrangements for your pets needs.

Collecting your prescription after a consultation
Please allow 15 minutes for the medication to be prepared and dispensed. Bear in mind that when you visit your doctor you then make a separate trip to the pharmacy. We provide both services on site.

Repeat Prescriptions
l Repeat prescriptions can be supplied for up to 3 months after examination by the vet. After 3 months the vet needs to see the patient again to supply further prescription medication.
l Please order your repeat prescription at least 24 hours before collection to allow our vets time to authorise the medication. We will, of course, do our best to supply your urgent needs if you run out of medication unexpectedly.
l If you call in without pre-ordering please allow at least 30 minutes for us to prepare your order. If there is no vet in the building then prescription medicines cannot be dispensed.

Written Prescriptions can be provided for you to purchase your pets drugs elsewhere. An information leaflet is available explaining how this works and why we do not recommend it. There is currently no charge for a written prescription.

Refunds on drugs
Refunds on returned drugs can only be made for unopened commercial packs or complete bubble-pack strips returned within 7 days of purchase. A re-stocking fee of 20% is charged on all refunded medications.
Loose tablets can not be refunded.

Unused or Unwanted drugs, syringes and sharps should be returned to the surgery for safe disposal in clinical waste. (There is no charge for this service)

For safety all pets must be restrained whilst in the Veterinary Health Centre and also on the car park.
Dogs should be on a lead attached to a neck or head collar. The collar should be tight enough to prevent the dog slipping the lead.
A harness is not a suitable restraint for a dog over 5 kg weight.
Unrestrained dogs may run away in fear or may attack and injure other patients. Flexi Leads are not suitable for use at the surgery - many dogs simple run round the vet and tie up his legs!
Please use a simple short lead attached to a firm neck collar.

Cats and rabbits should be in a suitable and secure small pet carrier. Top opening cages are strongly recommended as they are always less distressing for the pet (and the vet!). Loose cats are regularly lost from the cat park often after escaping from an insecure pet carrier.

Small mammals, birds and reptiles should be brought in a suitably secure transport container.

Nervous or aggressive dogs
If your dog is nervous or aggressive please tell reception as you arrive so we can arrange for you to wait in a quiet consulting room.

Pet Preferences
Dogs and cats may be more nervous in a particular room, on the table or on the floor, or with a particular vet/nurse. If your pet seems to have a preference do let us know, we’ll try to help. If your dog is very distressed entering the surgery you may prefer the vet to examine him/her on the car park or in your car.

7. Emergencies & Out of Hours Service   <top of page>
     <Download PDF on Out-of-Hours Service>
Emergencies during normal open hours will be seen at any time. During working hours do try to phone to tell us you are on your way, and to get advice about first aid or how to transport your pet.

Out-of-Hours Emergencies  
We provide a 24 hour emergency service on 01254 53622. Outside of normal hours a phone answer machine will tell you how to contact the veterinary surgeon on duty. Out-of-hours calls are handled by The Armac Emergency Veterinary Practice in Bury (for Streetmap click here) (for Directions click here) which operates a fully staffed pet emergency service through nights and weekends providing a much higher level of service than the vets of Blackburn have ever been able to provide, with a full team of vets and nurses on duty all night. The Armac Centre is just 25min drive from our practice.
l We pay Armac to take your calls.
l Phone advice is free 24/7.
l You pay Armac only when you need to use their services, and this is claimable on your pet's health  insurance (exclusions excepted).
<<out-of-hours service - your questions answered>>

1. Ask for an appointment at the beginning of a surgery session.
2. Tell the receptionist if it’s important you are not delayed. We’ll do our best to help.
3. Always check that the receptionist knows you have arrived.

There is only one reason why our appointments sometimes get behind -
- we give our clients and our patients the time they need.
Good medicine can’t be squeezed into a timetable.

Payment is due at the time of the consultation or on discharge of an in-patient.

Payment may be made by cash, cheque with valid bankers card, VISA, Access or Switch. A detailed receipt is always provided.

In cases where an outstanding amount is due this can be paid by
1) By phone to reception using a credit or debit card.
2) By Internet Banking - contact reception and ask for our acct no and sort code. Please make it clear whose account you are settling.
3) and, of course, by any postal method.

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Out of Hours Service - your questions answered    -   Phone 01254 53622    24/7
How will I know where to go?  Armac will give you clear instruction on how to find them. Or you can check the Map now.
Why can't I see my own vet at night? In the past vets worked all hours night and day. Now, not only is that illegal but these days there are very few people willing to work throughout the day and be on-call during the night as well.
Why can't we have an emergency service nearer?
To provide a fully equipped and staffed night service requires the clients of 25 vets to make it viable. Blackburn has 12 vets. Bury is currently the nearest quality night service, this may change with time.
Can I get advice at night?  Armac will always provide a full and free phone advice service out of hours (free to the caller, we pay for this for you).
Isn't it a long way to Bury?  The Armac Centre is 25 minutes from the Veterinary Health Centre during the day, less at night. If you pet is in need of attention you are just 25 min. away from an excellent service.
What if I can't get to Bury?  see Transport to the Vet
You will need to find transport to Bury. If this means knocking on a neighbours door for help then do knock on the door. If a patient is genuinely unable to move i.e. is stuck down a hole or impaled on a railing, or is a large dog in convulsions then Armac will contact an off-duty vet in Blackburn to arrange for treatment locally.
 

Directions to The Armac Emergency Veterinary Practice    <Download PDF with directions>

147 The Rock, Bury, Bl9 0ND. Phone: 0161 764 4618

From Blackburn join the M65 at Jcn. 6 (Whitebirk). Travel towards Burnley and leave at Jcn. 8 to join the A56 towards Bury. Continue onto the M66 and leave at Jcn 2. for Bury town centre. Proceed along Rochdale Rd (A58) to the town centre and continue round to the right onto The Rock. The Armac practice is well marked. There is normally easy parking opposite the entrance.
 

The Armac Emergency Clinic is in between Wilkinsons and Bury Central Fire Station on The Rock.

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