Consultations

Consultations are by appointment only to avoid excess waiting times. However, in the case of an accident or emergency, help is on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
We believe that case continuity is important for you, your pet and also our vets here. Therefore, we always attempt to accommodate requests to see a particular veterinary surgeon.

It is important that all dogs, cats and rabbits are vaccinated. A general health check is carried out at every vaccination appointment.

Dogs
Dogs should be routinely vaccinated against the following diseases:
Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis and Coronavirus.

At Sevenoaks, we use a combined vaccine providing protection against all of the above. Dogs initially require two injections two weeks apart. Following this, annual boosters are required to maintain immunity.

Vaccination of puppies can be carried out from 6 weeks of age, the second from 10 weeks. The puppy will have protection 2 weeks after their second injection.
We also recommend vaccinating against kennel cough. A single dose of vaccine is administered into the dog’s nostril. Annual vaccination is required to provide immunity. Kennel cough is a form of infectious bronchitis and can be caught by contact with an infected dog.

Cats
Cats should be routinely vaccinated against the following diseases: Cat Flu, Feline Enteritis, Chlamydophila, Calicivirus and FeLV.

At Sevenoaks, we use a combined vaccine providing protection against all of the above. Cats initially require two injections three weeks apart. Following this, annual boosters are required to maintain immunity.
Vaccination of kittens may be carried out from 9 weeks of age.

Rabies
Rabies vaccination is stipulated as part of the PETS Travel Scheme. Please refer to our section on the PETS Travel Scheme for further advice on requirements.

Rabbits

Rabbits should be vaccinated against two major pathogens: Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. Myxomatosis is a very common and horrific disease and affects both wild and domestic rabbits. It is transmitted by the rabbit flea and other blood sucking insects. The virus attacks the skin of the face, ears and anus causing large swellings and the majority of rabbits affected will die. Prevention of the condition is dependent on vigilant flea prevention and regular vaccination. The Sevenoaks, Meopham and Swanscombe surgeries are all in high risk areas and booster vaccinations are recommended on a six-monthly basis. Rabbits can be vaccinated from six weeks of age and a single injection will provide immunity for 6 months.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease is caused by a virus which attacks the liver and causes severe bleeding. Unfortunately the most common presenting clinical sign is death. It is a particularly persistent virus and survives for a long time in the environment. Due to its persistence, it is easily transmitted on shoes, clothes and insects. There is no effective treatment for this disease and the only way to ensure your rabbit is protected is to vaccinate. Rabbits need to be vaccinated from the age of ten weeks and one vaccination will provide immunity for twelve months.
The vaccines for these diseases must be administered at least two weeks apart.

Nurse Clinics
Nurse clinics are carried out by our Registered Veterinary Nursing staff at the Sevenoaks, Swanscombe and Meopham Veterinary surgeries. Basic consultations are free of charge such as post operative wound checks, suture removal and post dental checks. Weight clinics include in depth discussion regarding dietary management of your pet and monitoring of weight reduction. These are free of charge and an important part of the management of the most common disease in pets today: obesity.
Some procedures such as nail clips, identichip implantation, anal gland emptying and dressing changes can be performed by our Veterinary Nurses for a small fee.
Some of the procedures which may be performed by Registered Veterinary Nurses:

• Beak clips
• Weight Clinics
• Anal gland emptying
• Dressing changes
• Suture removal
• Wound checks
• Post dental check ups
• Second vaccinations.
• Nail clips
• Identichip Implantation