VetOrtho Referrals

As pet owners in Northern Ireland, we understand that our furry, feathered, or scaled companions are cherished members of our families. Their health and well-being are paramount, and when serious issues arise, particularly those involving orthopaedic or spinal problems, knowing where to turn for expert care is crucial. This is where specialist veterinary practices like VetOrtho Referrals come into their own, providing advanced treatment options for complex conditions that require a high level of expertise.

VetOrtho Referrals is a dedicated veterinary orthopaedic and spinal referral service located in the heart of Northern Ireland. They focus exclusively on a range of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, offering advanced surgical and diagnostic capabilities that complement the excellent care provided by local general practice vets. Their commitment is to help pets regain mobility, alleviate pain, and ultimately lead active and fulfilling lives. For residents across Northern Ireland, from Belfast to Enniskillen and beyond, VetOrtho Referrals stands as a vital resource for specialist pet care.

Finding a trusted specialist for your pet’s orthopaedic and spinal needs is made easier with the central location of VetOrtho Referrals. Situated at 72 Gilford Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT63 5EG, UK, the clinic benefits from its accessibility within Northern Ireland. Portadown is well-connected by road, making it a convenient destination for pet owners travelling from various parts of the region. Its proximity to major road networks, including the M1 motorway, ensures that even those with pets requiring urgent care due to trauma or sudden illness can reach the clinic with relative ease. This central positioning means a shorter and less stressful journey for both pets and their owners, which is particularly beneficial when dealing with animals in pain or discomfort. The clinic also offers free off-road parking, adding to the convenience for visitors.

VetOrtho Referrals provides a comprehensive suite of specialist services, all dedicated to orthopaedic and spinal conditions in small animals, primarily cats and dogs. Their focus ensures a deep level of expertise and state-of-the-art equipment for these specific areas of veterinary medicine. These services are often referred by your primary veterinarian, ensuring a collaborative approach to your pet's health. The services offered include:

• Fracture Repair: Utilising an array of modern techniques, VetOrtho Referrals handles a wide range of bone fractures, aiding pets in returning to good function. This includes complex cases involving head and jaw fractures, pelvic fractures, and limb fractures, using methods like external fixators (Imex linear and circular Ilizarov type) and AO/ASIF plating.
• Spinal Surgery: Spinal disc prolapse (slipped disc) cases are treated as an urgent priority, with rapid progression to imaging and decompressive surgery. This is followed by attentive nursing and physiotherapy. They also address conditions like Caudal Cervical Spondylopathy (CCSM), also known as "Wobbler Syndrome."
• Cruciate Ligament Disease: Successful outcomes are achieved in the vast majority of cruciate cases in cats and dogs of all sizes, appropriately using surgical techniques such as TPLO (Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy), TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement), and LFS (Lateral Fabellar Suture).
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Advanced techniques are employed to treat these painful conditions, including arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) for elbow conditions and Total Hip Replacement using cementless total hip prostheses for hip dysplasia. They also perform Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) and Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS).
• Joint Surgery & Arthroscopy: This includes treatment for conditions like Osteochondrosis (OCD), fragmented coronoid process (FCP), ununited anconeal process (UAP), and articular fractures. They use minimally invasive arthroscopic keyhole surgery.
• Patellar Luxation: Surgical correction for dislocating kneecaps.
• Limb Deformity Corrective Surgery: Addressing angular limb deformities through corrective osteotomy surgery.
• Luxations/Dislocations: Repairing dislocated joints, including hips, elbows, and hocks, and associated ligament injuries.
• Advanced Diagnostics: Including digital radiography (X-ray) and myelography to accurately diagnose complex conditions.
• Post-operative Care & Rehabilitation: While largely working in collaboration with your referring vet for ongoing aftercare, the clinic provides essential post-operative care and can advise on physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

VetOrtho Referrals distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that underscore their commitment to high-quality pet care:

• Specialist Orthopaedic Focus: They are a 100% orthopaedic and spinal focused referral service, meaning their entire practice, from equipment to staff expertise, is geared towards these specific conditions. This specialisation allows for an unparalleled depth of knowledge and experience.
• Experienced and Qualified Team: The practice is led by Ewing Walker, who has achieved the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and was one of the first vets in the UK to be approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as an RCVS recognised Advanced Veterinary Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery. The nursing staff are also highly qualified, caring, and dedicated, playing a vital role in patient comfort and recovery.
• State-of-the-Art Equipment: VetOrtho Referrals is equipped with the full range of specialist orthopaedic equipment from world-leading manufacturers such as Stryker, Hall/3M, Synthes, Kyon, and Arthrex. This includes advanced tools for fracture repair, arthroscopy, joint surgery, and total hip replacement, far exceeding standard veterinary equipment.
• Urgent Care Prioritisation: Cases requiring referral are treated as a priority and seen immediately, especially urgent spinal cases or those involving trauma. The team is also available to discuss cases and provide advice to referring vets.
• Client and Referring Vet Collaboration: They emphasise working closely with referring veterinarians to ensure continuity of care and a smooth return of the client and patient to their own practice post-operation. They do not perform other first opinion treatments on referred cases beyond what is necessary during hospitalisation.
• Affordable & Transparent Service: While offering specialist care, VetOrtho Referrals aims to provide an affordable orthopaedic referral service without sacrificing quality. They offer competitive fixed-cost quotations for most procedures following an initial examination.
• Direct Insurance Claims: They permit direct insurance claims and offer free assistance with the insurance process, easing the financial burden for pet owners.
• High Patient Satisfaction: Customer testimonials highlight their compassionate and professional approach. One pet owner highly recommended them, praising Ewing as a "very caring vet" who kept them updated on operations, enabling their beloved dog "Archie" to remain part of the family. Another review commended their immediate response to an emergency, even at 8 PM, demonstrating their dedication to animal welfare.
• Approved Veterinary Nurse Training Practice: VetOrtho Referrals is an Approved Veterinary Nurse Training Practice, contributing to the development of future veterinary professionals and ensuring a high standard of care.

For those in Northern Ireland seeking expert orthopaedic and spinal veterinary care for their pets, VetOrtho Referrals is readily contactable.

Address: 72 Gilford Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT63 5EG, UK

Phone: 028 3887 1942

Mobile Phone (for veterinary professionals to discuss referrals, or for pet owners to arrange a call-back): +44 28 3887 1942

For local pet owners in Northern Ireland, VetOrtho Referrals stands out as an exceptionally suitable choice for specialist veterinary care. Their singular focus on orthopaedics and spinal conditions means that your pet will receive attention from a team with profound, specialised knowledge and extensive experience in these complex areas. The combination of highly qualified surgeons, dedicated nursing staff, and cutting-edge equipment ensures that your pet receives the best possible diagnostic and surgical treatment right here in Northern Ireland, without the need to travel further afield for such specialised services.

The testimonials from real customers speak volumes about their compassionate approach and effectiveness, demonstrating that they are not just highly skilled professionals but also genuinely caring individuals who understand the deep bond between pets and their families. Whether it's a planned surgery for hip dysplasia or an emergency fracture repair after an accident, VetOrtho Referrals provides a beacon of hope and healing for pets across the region, making them an invaluable asset to the Northern Irish community.

VetOrtho Referrals

72 Gilford Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT63 5EG, UK