PLAN YOUR VISIT TO PETVISION
We value your time and appreciate your patience. Our aim is to help in all situations. We hope owners understand that priority will be given to an emergency eye issue and will review these patients even when fully booked. We ask that emergency eyes are presented prior to 5pm. This means that, in spite of our best efforts, timeframes can deviate from the intended. We thank you for your understanding and please know that we will be working very hard to see cases as close to their alotted time.
Please note that we will aim to inform you if the wait time is longer than 15 minutes. We understand how busy life can get, so if the wait time is problematic for you, there is an option for your pet (or fur baby) to be left in our care and admitted into hospital. Your pet will then be assessed as soon as possible by Dr Guy who will then relay his findings (examination, working diagnosis and treatment options with costs) via text and email. Where appropriate, consent forms can be signed digitally, and costs settled electronically. There will be no additional charge when a pet is left, in our care, under these circumstances.
WHAT TO EXPECT
NEW CONSULTATIONS
Dr Guy is 'high energy' and passionate about fixing eyes - expect nothing less!
Please bring your pet starved. This gives us the option of performing same-day surgery whenever appropriate and possible.
Please bring all of your pet's medications with you, even those that aren't relevant to their eye(s). Eye medications are used pre-op and in the post-op period and bringing medications with you will minimise any 'doubling-up'. It will also allow us to assess whether we need to supply additional drugs.
Please make sure that your pet is under your control at all times. A collar or harness and leash is a minimum for dogs and cats need to be in a secure basket.
Please try and 'toilet' your pet prior to entering Aura Vet Hospital (AVH).
After being greeted by our Front Desk Team, your pet will need to be weighed on our scales.
Please make all relevant Staff members aware if your pet has shown any form of aggression towards non-family (or even family) members. We can use medications to help relieve their anxiety or fear, however certain tests need pets to be non-chemically sedated. In these instances, if possible, once your pet is muzzled we will try and do those tests first and then use chemical restraint where necessary. Dr Guy usually requires around 5 seconds observation time per instrument per eye to conduct his examination.
For pets typically <30kg examination is conducted on a table. For those >30kg the floor is often more appropriate.
After Dr Guy has conducted his ophthalmic examination with the appropriate ancilliary testing: Schirmer Tear Test (STT); intra-ocular pressure (IOP) and Fluorescein Staining Test (FST), he will explain his working diagnosis and offer treatment options together with prognosis (% chance of a successful outcome). Cost implications will be discussed for the various treatment options.
An owner will be asked for signed consent in the following situations: when a pet is left on AVH premises; when a pet is to have a procedure performed, with or without sedation or anaesthesia. Click here to view our Industry Standard Consent Forms.
Risks associated with an anaesthetic or surgical procedure will be discussed. Click here to view information on anaesthetic and surgical risk.
After your pet is admitted into our Hospital for a procedure, Dr Guy will text a message once the procedure has been performed. It is typical, due to the variability in a working day for an owner to receive this text 8h after drop-off. If you have not received a text after 8h, please call for a verbal update from our Reception Team.
As PetVISION has a fixed-fee guarantee, please make payment before picking up your pet. This will help greatly with an efficient discharge. The cost for up to 2x Post Op Checks (in-person, or via photographs for those travelling long distances) is included in the pricing with any surgical procedure.
At discharge, Dr Guy will hand back your beloved pet with the appropriate medications and discharge instructions. Click here to see typically what is required. An Elizabethan Collar is mandatory to prevent self-trauma. Click here to see how one is sized, altered, fit and taken on and off.
Dr Guy will explain the time-frame he would like for his next review - the 1st Post Op Check (POC). Please make this appointment booking in your own time using the online e-Booking facility.
Case 'Sign-off' occurs when Dr Guy doesn't ask for a formal RV. It would be normal practice for him to request from the referring practice if he can keep a case 'open' for a period of time, typically 3 - 6 months. If an owner had any concerns with respect to that particular eye and the original condition an owner can book an appointment to come back without first needing to see their own veterinary team. If it is a separate issue or an issue involving the 'other' eye, referral would be needed prior to returning back to see Dr Guy
The ‘Fear-Free Experience for Your Pet When Visiting Dr Guy
PetVision works within Aura Vet Hospital (AVH) which is an Australian leader in the 'Fear-Free' approach for pets attending a veterinary surgery. AVH, has a specific cat only area near the Main entrance. In addition, 'free treats' are available for your pet at Reception
The 'Fear-Free' approach commonly uses behaviour modifying medications to reduce a pet's anxiety. Unfortunately, these medications affect several tests that are commonly performed by Dr Guy and as such can't be used at initial consultation or RV where tear levels and intra-ocular pressure (IOP) need to be measured. At other times Dr Guy will likely prescribe these medications (gabapentin and trazodone for dogs and just gabapentin for cats)
When surgery is planned for a day other than 1st Consultation, behaviour modifying medications are likely to be prescribed. Recent work has shown the benefits with respect to reducing the overall requirement of anaesthetic agents when given 2h prior to a vet surgical appointment
If you know that your pet is fearful in the veterinary environment, we will try and work to reduce everybody's stress, but it is best for your pet to stay in the car whilst you come and let our Reception Team know that you've arrived. We will call you when Dr Guy needs to see your pet, so you can come straight into the Consulting room and help reduce 'anxiety wind-up'
Please work with us, if you are in the Waiting Room and we suggest that your pet would likely be less anxious if they are outside. If this is suggested we will call you when it's your turn for their eye assessment
PetVISION together with Aura Vet Hospital will try our best to minimise your pet's stress and maximise the chances of a positive all-round experience.
Patient information
We have included a comprehensive guide for you to understand PetVISION’s surgery procedure and post-operative care for your beloved pet.
GET DIRECTIONS
We’re located at Aura Vet Hospital
14 Matheson Street, Baringa Q 4551
COUNSELLING
Pets and People is a pet loss, grief support and counselling service whose aim is to help connect pet owners with qualified and experienced pet loss counsellors who can support them in difficult times.
The 1300 line is a toll-free number, but once connected with a professional, counselling rates will vary according to the service provider. For more information, head to the Pets and People website.
1300 431 450