What to Expect

Your Visit

Whilst visiting us, we're here to provide you and your pet with the best experience, and high quality of care in the safest way.

Who has my pet been referred to?

Northwest Veterinary Specialists is a multi-disciplinary, specialist-led referral hospital with a team of over 120 people, providing the highest quality of treatment and holistic care for pets 24/7, 365 days a year.

With all our departments led by specialists, our multi-disciplinary team and extensive facilities provide a complete service for our patients. From on-site MRI and diagnostic imaging team, to industry-leading operating theatres and recovery areas, we can help your pet return to a fit and active life. Our specialist vets in orthopaedics, oncology, soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, neurology and neuro-surgery are supported by specially-trained veterinary nurses, on-site anaesthestists and physiotherapists.

We’re located just off J12 of the M56 in Sutton Weaver, Cheshire - convenient for travel from North West England, North and Mid Wales and further afield.

Your Appointment

Paperwork needed for your appointment

There are a number of items that need to be completed and brought with you:

  • Your insurance policy certificate
  • A signed insurance claim form
  • Completed cat or dog questionnaire – this will be sent to you with your appointment information. 

It’s important to complete these ahead of your appointment in order to avoid delaying your appointment, and reduce your pet’s waiting time and potential stress to a minimum. If everything is completed in full the team will take the forms from you, ask some key questions and you can take a seat. Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment so paperwork can be processed.

Preparing for your appointment

Key points to remember

  • We may need to perform some blood tests, or urgent treatments or procedures on the day and therefore we ask that all pets, apart from diabetics, are asked to come unfed after 10pm the night before the appointment. Please do allow them free access to water as usual.

If your pet is diabetic, please telephone us in advance to discuss whether to feed or administer insulin before the appointment.

  • If your pet is on any medication please contact us to see whether this is to be administered before your appointment
  • Please bring with you any medication that your pet is currently prescribed.

Can my pet have any belongings with them?

Unfortunately we cannot accept any toys, bedding or other personal items into the hospital in order to comply with our hygiene policy. This includes collars and leads.

Raw meat diets

For reasons of infection control, we do not feed raw meat diets to patients in the hospital. If your pet is fed a raw diet at home we will feed an easily digestible complete dog food – if you have a particular preference please bring it with you.

What happens if my pet needs any diagnostic imaging? (MRI, CT, Ultrasound)

When you have your appointment with the veterinary surgeon they will make the decision whether or not your pet needs a diagnostic procedure on that day. This may not be on the same day as your appointment, however it will be discussed in full with you at the appointment by the veterinary surgeon.

More information about what to expect if your pet is admitted, prescriptions, visiting your pet, paying for treatment and insurance claims can be found in our detailed guide here.