Emergency 01254 814863
Lostock Hall 01772 696868
Lytham 01253 737187
Nelson (Brierfield) 01282 699588
Oswaldtwistle 01254 398737
Preston (RSPCA) 01772 880764
Ashton on Ribble 01772 727262
St Annes 01253 716736
Clayton Le Dale 01254 814863
Padiham 01282 779265
Bacup 01706 878877
Clitheroe 01200 423256
Freckleton 01772 632317
Great Harwood 01254 877654
Haslingden 01706 223287
Hesketh Bank 01772 814498
Leyland 01772 440358
Blackburn 01254 681811
Darwen 01254 777005

FAQs

Common questions answered

Many of your pet health care questions are answered here. If you need any extra information or advice, please call your local branch to speak to one of our team or ring Clayton Le Dale on 01254 814863

Microchipping

What is a microchip?

It is a small identity chip, approximately the size of a grain of rice, which is injected under the animal’s skin. It contains a unique 15 digit number which can be scanned with a microchip reader. This number is linked to you and your pet’s details on a registered national database.

Can any animal be microchipped?

Almost any animal can be microchipped including dogs, cats, rabbits and reptiles.

What are the benefits of microchipping?

Microchipping permanently, invisibly and uniquely identifies your pet. This is important in the event of loss or theft. Many pets have been reunited with their owners as a result of a microchip and all vets, dog wardens, police and RSPCA officers carry microchip scanners. Microchipping is also compulsory if you wish to travel abroad with your pet under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

Do I need to get my pet microchipped?

Microchipping will soon be compulsory for all dog owners in England and Wales. It is not compulsory for other pets unless travelling abroad, but should offer peace of mind in the event of loss or theft.

When can I get my dog/cat microchipped?

It can be done during a regular consultation whilst you wait, or it can be done, at a discounted rate, at the same time as a surgical procedure.

Will microchipping hurt my pet?

In dogs and cats, the microchip is inserted under the skin beneath the shoulder blades. This may cause a moment of mild, temporary discomfort but your pet should not suffer undue pain. As with any injection, there may be a spot of blood.

Do I need to do anything once my pet is microchipped?

At the time of implantation, we will register you and your pet’s details alongside the chip number onto the national microchip database. You will then receive official confirmation of this registration by letter. Should you change any of your contact details, it is important that you inform the database. This is vital should anyone need to get in touch with you regarding your pet in the event of loss or theft. There may be a small administration fee to amend your contact details.

Neutering

What is neutering?

Neutering is the surgical removal of a pet’s reproductive organs. This is performed to prevent certain serious conditions, reduce unwanted behaviours and prevent unplanned pregnancies. Neutering male pets is called castration whereas in females this is known as spaying.

At what age shall I get my cat spayed/castrated?

Cats are usually ready to be neutered from 4 months of age onwards.

How soon can I get my bitch spayed?

We recommend spaying at two to three months after the end of the first season. This season usually occurs between 6-8 months of age.

At what age can I get my dog castrated?

There is no age restriction once he is fully-grown. This is usually after 6 months of age but may be later for giant dog breeds.

Do I need to get my rabbit neutered?

We strongly recommend neutering rabbits. Female rabbits are prone to developing tumours of the uterus (womb). By spaying a female rabbit, this risk is eliminated. Male rabbits are prone to aggressive behaviour if they are housed with other male rabbits. Castrating your male rabbits greatly reduces these unwanted behaviours. Also, neutering means your male and female rabbits can live together without risk of unplanned pregnancies. It is important for rabbits to live with other rabbits for companionship. 

How can I book my dog/cat/rabbit in for neutering?

Just ring or call into any surgery to make an appointment.

What happens when my dog/cat/rabbit is neutered?

The procedure is performed at the Clayton Le Dale, St Annes, Clitheroe or Southport sites by prior arrangement. Your pet will be admitted for the day.  Please phone or call in to your local branch to discuss this with one of our vets or nurses.

Can you transport my animal for me?

Yes, we run an ambulance service from all the branches to the surgical units. Please ask the receptionists for more information.

Pet Insurance

Do you advise pet insurance?

We strongly recommend pet insurance. We are authorised representatives for Pet Plan insurance. We can provide free, instant, 4-week cover Pet Plan insurance to any puppy or kitten (aged between birth to 12 months) following a health check by one of our vets. 

How much does pet insurance cost?

The cost of insuring your pet depends upon your pet’s age, breed and sex and the level of cover you require. You may get a multipet discount if you have several pets covered by the same insurance provider. Howver, you should still choose the best policy and provider to suit each individual pet.

Does pet insurance cover everything?

Many insurance companies exclude common veterinary treatments. These are called exclusions. Exclusions are usually against routine and preventable issues and treatments including: vaccinations, neutering, microchipping, worming and flea treatments and breeding.

Insurance companies will also exclude any condition that your pet has had noted or treated before the policy was taken out.

What is an excess?

This is the amount you will pay toward each separate condition before the insurance company reimburses you as part of a claim. You will pay an excess for each separate condition every time that the policy renews (usually annually) if you continue to make claims for each of these conditions. Your excess may increase as your pet ages or if you make numerous claims on the policy.

What is a policy year?

The policy will renew exactly one year after it was first taken out and every year on this date onwards. The policy year is the time between these dates, before it is renewed again.

Can any pet be insured?

Most pets including dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic pets can be insured. However, some insurance companies will not start to insure an animal once they reach a certain age. They should continue to honour an existing policy if they are insured prior to reaching this age.

I have found a cheaper company – should I change?

If you are considering switching insurance providers, make sure you check what will be excluded from your policy first. If your pet has had a condition noted or treated previously, it is very unlikely that this will be covered by any new insurance provider. This is true even if your current insurance company have been paying out for this condition.

What are the different types of policy?

Time limited: provide cover against a particular condition for a set amount of time (usually 12 months) from when the condition was first noted or treated at the vets.

Maximum benefit: provide a specified amount of cover (money) for treatment of a particular condition. Once this specified amount has been used up, the condition will no longer be covered.

Lifetime cover: provide a specified amount of cover against a particular condition every year for your pet’s life. This usually renews annually so that you can continue to claim for ongoing conditions every policy year, even if you used up the specified amount during the last policy year. The lifetime cover is the premium policy for pet owners and provides the best peace of mind that your pet will be protected in their time of need.

Do I need to do anything now my pet is insured?

You should bring your pet for a routine health check up at least annually and ensure your pet remains fully vaccinated to prevent any exclusions being placed on the policy. You must remember to renew your policy annually otherwise cover will lapse and exclusions for exisiting conditions may be placed on your pet’s policy.

Do I need to let my insurance provider know before my pet receives treatment?

Some companies ask you to inform then before your pet is treated; it is important that you check your policy documents carefully. Some companies also allow us to pre-authorise treatment. This means we can submit an authorisation claim before treatment is carried out to check if your pet will be covered for that treatment or procedure. This can delay treatment for your pet but may give peace of mind to you if urgent treatment is not required.

How do I claim?

Standard claims: If your pet receives veterinary treatment from us, you pay us for your pet’s treatment and claim the costs back from your insurer, minus your excess and other excluded treatments.

Direct claims: in certain circumstances we can claim the costs of your pet’s treatment directly from the insurance company. In this situation, you would pay us the excess and the insurance company would pay the remainder of the costs directly to us. However we cannot accept direct claims from all insurance companies so it is important that you check with one of our team before you consent to veterinary treatment for your pet.

How do I get a claim form?

You can ring your insurance provider who will post out a claim form. You can usually download and print a claim form from many insurance provider websites. We also carry blank Pet Plan claim forms at each of our branches.    

What do I do with my claim form?

Fill in the customer side of the claim form following the instructions provided. Make sure you have provided correct information and that you have signed and dated the form. Hand your claim form in to your nearest branch. We will process the claim form centrally and we will post the completed claim to your insurance provider and post a copy of the claim form back to you for your records.

What should I do if my insurance company won’t pay?

Ultimately, the insurance provider reserves the right to decline to settle a processed claim and payment to us for your pet’s treatment remains your responsibility. If you have any questions regarding your claim, do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

Registration & Booking

How do I register with your practice?

It’s easy! Just phone your nearest branch or call in. Our reception staff will enter your pet’s details onto our computer system.

Do I need to make an appointment?

Yes, all consultations are by appointment.

Do you offer evening and weekend consultations?

At Clayton Le Dale, surgeries run until 20:00 every weeknight. Most other branches are open until 18:00, with St Annes offering appointments until 18:30. Be sure to check the opening hours of your relevant branch. 

On Saturdays there are surgeries at Haslingden, Padiham, Clitheroe, Oswaldtwistle, St Annes, Lytham, Freckleton and Ashton on Ribble. Clayton Le Dale is open for routine consultations until 16:30 and for emergency appointments thereafter.

There is a surgery at Clayton Le Dale on Sunday morning and another on Sunday afternoon. Sunday consultations are charged at a slight premium to other days.

Our own vets are available 24 hours a day for emergency appointments. Out of consulting hours, an appointment with the vet will incur an additional charge.

Do you provide a 24-hour emergency service?

Yes, our own vets provide a 24-hour service every day of the week and we have trained staff on site around the clock. THE NUMBER TO CALL IN AN EMERGENCY IS 01254 814863. Outside of normal working hours you will be asked to attend the Clayton Le Dale site, where our dedicated emergency team and facilities are based. Emergency appointments incur an additional charge.

Will I see the same Vet every time?

At Myerscough Vets we value the client vet relationship and so strive to ensure that you see the same vet. This is not always possible in emergencies or at weekends. If you wish to see a particular vet please mention it to the receptionist when you book an appointment.

When do I pay for your services?

We ask for payment at the time of the service. We accept most credit/debit cards and cash. Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept cheques.

Vaccinations

What happens when I bring my puppy or kitten for vaccination?

The puppy or kitten receives a full health check from one of our vets. Our vet will then give the vaccine by injection – this is not a painful procedure. You also get four weeks free health insurance for your pet.

When do I get my new kitten vaccinated?

We start the course when your kitten is nine weeks old. It is a course of two vaccinations given three weeks apart.

What do I need to get my kitten vaccinated against?

We have a choice of two vaccines. The basic course covers cat flu and enteritis (infection of the intestines). The more comprehensive course covers cat flu, enteritis and leukemia (which is caused by a virus).

Will my kitten ever need any more vaccinations?

One year after the primary vaccination course and every year thereafter, your cat should have a booster vaccination to ensure continued immunity against disease.

When do I need to get my puppy vaccinated?

We recommend vaccinating puppies initially at eight weeks old. The course requires two vaccinations given two weeks apart.

What does the vaccine protect my puppy against?

Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza virus and Leptospirosis. These diseases are still prevalent. We can also vaccinate against kennel cough, a respiratory infection, and this is cheaper if administered at the same time as the other vaccines.

My puppy has had its vaccinations. How soon before I can take him out for a walk?

One week after the second vaccination.

Will my puppy ever need any more vaccinations?

In some cases and for some breeds we recommend an extra Parvovirus vaccination at approximately 16 weeks of age. Please discuss this with one of our vets at your first appointment.

In future, your puppy will also require a booster vaccination every year after the first course of injections. This ensures continued immunity against disease.

What happens if my dog or cat misses a booster vaccination?

If you realise you have missed your dog or cat’s booster, ring one of our vets for advice. In many cases we can safely administer another booster as normal. If the booster has lapsed by a long time we may need to restart the primary vaccination course again.

Should I get my rabbit vaccinated?

We strongly recommend vaccinating all rabbits. Vaccination protects against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease that are relatively common and almost always fatal diseases.

When should I get my rabbit vaccinated?

Rabbits can be vaccinated from 5 weeks of age. To ensure continued protection, your rabbit needs a booster vaccination every year thereafter.

Worm & Flea Treatments

When do I need to worm my puppy/kitten? What should I use?

We recommend worming puppies and kittens every month until six months of age and every three months thereafter. We provide a complete worming tablet with every puppy/kitten vaccination course that covers roundworms, tapeworms and lungworm. You can also call into the surgery any time to buy wormers as long as your pet is registered with us or has been recently weighed.

You also receive wormers with every dog or cat vaccine booster. If you are unable to administer a tablet to your pet, we can supply wormers in a powder or a spot-on formulation.

When do I need to flea treat my puppy/kitten? What should I use?

We recommend using a spot-on flea treatment every month for puppies and kittens and to continue this regime throughout their life. We provide spot-on flea treatment with every puppy/kitten vaccination course. This also covers other parasites including many mites and some worms. You can call into the surgery any time to buy flea treatments as long as your pet is registered with us or has been recently weighed.

Some of the newer flea treatments are available in tablet form and last for up to three months against fleas and ticks. We also can supply prescription collars which can protect against fleas and ticks for over six months. Always check with your vet before you use any flea treatment – some dog flea treatments can cause serious illness in cats.

What should I do if my pet has worms?

If you have seen worms in your pet’s faeces, you will need to buy a worming tablet to treat all of the pets in your household. However, if you suspect your pet has worms but aren’t sure, we recommend a consultation with one of our vets. Many of the symptoms of worm infestations are very similar to the symptoms of other more serious conditions. We would always advise you seek veterinary advice from one of our vets if you are concerned your pet may be unwell.

What should I do if my pet has fleas?

We recommend a consultation with one of our vets. Fleas can be very difficult to eliminate, especially with over the counter products. Our vets can discuss the available options for appropriate treatment of all of your pets and your household. And don’t forget, fleas can transmit tapeworms to dogs, cats and children!

Do I need to worm or flea treat my rabbit?

Rabbits can get worms and fleas too! It is important to keep your rabbit up to date with worming and flea treatment as it can protect against some fatal diseases. It is also important to protect your rabbit from flies, especially in the warmer summer months. Ask your vet for advice regarding your rabbit’s needs.

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