Frequently Asked Questions – Veterinary Referrals
FAQ Contents
About Veterinary Referrals
What is a veterinary referral centre?
A veterinary referral centre is an advanced or specialist clinic where pets are referred by their general practice vet for advanced or specialist diagnostics, treatments, or surgeries. Medivet Dogwood Referrals has advanced equipment along with highly trained specialist vets and advanced-practitioner vets who provide care that may not be available in a standard veterinary practice.
How do I get a referral for my pet?
Your regular vet will need to send us a referral request, along with your pet’s full medical history, test results, and details of current medications. This ensures we have everything we need before your appointment.
Can I book directly without a referral?
No, we only accept patients via formal veterinary referral. This ensures your pet’s care is safe, coordinated, and managed in partnership with your primary vet. However, if you would like your pet to be referred to Medivet Dogwood Referrals, please speak to your vet and share our contact details with them; Telephone number: +44(0)161 962 8851, Email: dogwood.referrals@medivet.co.uk or you can send this link to them: www.dogwoodreferrals.co.uk/
Why would my vet refer me to Medivet Dogwood Referrals?
Referrals are made when your pet requires advanced care, specialist diagnostics such as MRI or CT scans, or complex orthopaedic surgery or neurosurgery.
Appointments and Consultations
What happens at my pet’s first referral appointment?
During your first consultation, one of our referral vets will review your pet’s medical history, carry out a detailed examination, and discuss possible diagnostic tests or treatments. Together, we’ll create a treatment plan tailored to your pet.
How long does a referral consultation take?
Most consultations last between 30 and 60 minutes. Complex cases, or those requiring immediate diagnostics, may take longer.
Can I stay with my pet during the consultation?
Yes, you can be present during consultations. For certain procedures (such as imaging or surgery), it is likely you’ll need to leave your pet with us as they may need to be taken into a separate area for safety reasons or require an anaesthetic, but we keep you fully informed throughout.
Advanced Treatments and Services
What services does Medivet Dogwood Referrals provide?
At Medivet Dogwood Referrals we offer a wide range of advanced veterinary services, supported by state-of-the-art, in-house equipment, as well as the latest medicines and therapies to diagnose and treat our patients, including:
- Routine and complex orthopaedic surgery – for example fracture repair, cruciate ligament surgery and total hip replacement surgery
- Routine and complex neurosurgery – for example to manage intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) or spinal stabilisation surgery
- Diagnostic imaging – MRI, CT, Digital X-rays, Arthroscopy
- Physiotherapy/Hydrotherapy – Post-operative rehabilitation delivered by our ACPAT-qualified physiotherapy and hydrotherapy team
Do you have MRI and CT scanning on site?
Yes. Medivet Dogwood Referrals is equipped with advanced diagnostic imaging suites including MRI, CT scanner, Digital Xrays and Arthroscopy. This allows us to quickly diagnose complex conditions.
Do you provide emergency and critical care?
We have overnight qualified veterinary nurses to look after our inpatients and we have an on-call vet at all times should any of our patients need advice overnight. However, we do not provide emergency call-outs through the night.
We only accept emergency cases from referring vets. Pet owners should contact their primary vets for emergency and out-of-hours care.
Costs and Insurance
How much will treatment cost?
The cost depends on your pet’s diagnosis and treatment plan. After your consultation, we provide a clear, itemised estimate so you can make an informed decision. Please visit Our Prices for more details.
Do you accept pet insurance?
We ask that all insurance documents be provided by email before your pets initial appointment so we can process direct claims. Occasionally we may ask for pre-authorisation before proceeding with further investigation and direct claims.
What if my pet is not insured?
If you don’t have insurance, we will still provide a detailed estimate and discuss payment options with you.
Clinic Stays and Aftercare
Will my pet need to stay overnight at Medivet Dogwood Referrals?
Some treatments are day cases, but others may require overnight monitoring. Medivet Dogwood Referrals is staffed 24 hours a day with fully-qualified veterinary staff during the week, so your pet is never left unattended.
How will I get updates while my pet is in your care?
Our staff provide daily phone updates and you are welcome to call us at any time. At discharge, you will receive a full consultation to explain home care and follow-up needs.
What aftercare is needed following treatment?
Aftercare depends on the procedure. You will be given written home-care instructions, prescribed medications, and a schedule for recheck appointments. Our team is always available to answer questions.
For Referring Vets
How do I refer a patient to your practice?
Referrals can be made via our online referral portal, via dogwood.referrals@medivet.co.uk, or by calling 0161 962 8851 for urgent cases. Please include clinical history, lab results, and any imaging.
How quickly can referred pets be seen?
Routine cases are usually seen within 1–2 weeks. Emergency referrals can be accepted immediately depending on clinical need.
Will I be updated about my patient’s progress?
Yes. At Medivet Dogwood Referrals we want to be an extension of your practice providing the best service for you and your client. We provide you with detailed reports after consultations, procedures and discharges.
Practical Information
Where are you located?
Our referral clinic is located in Sale, Manchester. We have free on-site parking and excellent public transport links. You can find a map and directions on our Contact page.
What should I bring to my pet’s appointment?
Please bring:
- Referral letter from your vet
- Details of current medications
- Insurance documents (if applicable)
- A familiar blanket or toy for your pet’s comfort
What are your opening hours?
Consultations run Monday – Friday 08:00am – 6:00pm. Emergency and critical care services are available 24/7 through the Medivet 24-hour clinic network.
Referring vets can contact us outside our appointment hours for emergencies.
