Referral and Orthopaedic Services

Stewart W. Bedford BVSc CertSAS MRCVS

General Information

Stewart qualified from Liverpool University in 1987. He has worked in general veterinary practice since then, initially being senior surgeon in charge of orthopaedics and general surgery at two large veterinary hospitals. Stewart set up in practice in Shrewsbury in 1994. He gained the RCVS Certificate in Small Animal Surgery in 1998 and has offered an orthopaedic referral service to local practices since then.

The Service

Having a firm base in general practice gives us a clear idea of the service that clients expect from their veterinary surgeon, and that veterinary surgeons expect from a referral service.

The aim of Pearl Referrals is to provide a high standard of treatment of orthopaedic and spinal cases, without losing the personal and caring service that owners expect, and without it costing the Earth. Years of experience in general practice means that we are aware of your clients needs as well as their pets. Referring veterinary surgeons can always be sure of their clients being treated as they would treat them, while their difficult orthopaedic cases are being treated with expertise.

Stewart is happy to discuss cases with colleagues and to interpret radiographs prior to possible referral, if required.

Situation

Our referral service has now moved to brand new premises, with dedicated orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery suites. All referrals will be seen at our new facilities:

For directions please see the map

Examples of Surgery Performed

1. Cruciate Disease Surgery – Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is the preferred method of treatment, but conventional surgery with a fascia lata graft or lateral tibiofabellar suture can also be offered.


2. Fracture Management – Any degree of complexity accepted.
3. Corrective Osteotomy for Growth Defects
4. Osteochondrosis Surgery
5. Joint Arthrodesis
6. Hip Dysplasia Management – Includes triple pelvic osteotomy and total hip replacement using the Biomedtrix non-cemented system. Biological hip replacement reduces many of the complications associated with cemented systems.
7. Myelography – Investigation of any spinal problem can be undertaken, with a view to surgery as necessary.
8. Spinal Surgery – Cases can be seen as emergencies, 24 hours a day, as time is often of the essence in acute onset paralysis. Procedures performed include fenestration, hemilaminectomy, dorsal laminectomy and ventral slots.

Arranging A Referral

1. Pet Owner Information

If your pet has a condition that you think may benefit from referral to us, you must discuss it with your own veterinary surgeon first. Your veterinary surgeon can then contact us to discuss your pet’s condition, or to arrange for us to see your pet.

We usually try to see referred cases first thing in the morning, so that they can be admitted for treatment on the same day, and so minimise your travelling. If your pet is referred to see us, please bring your pet ready starved for if we do need to give an anaesthetic on the same day. Please also bring a referral letter from your veterinary surgeon, along with any radiographs that may be relevant.

2. Veterinary Surgeon Information

Veterinary surgeons are free to telephone us to discuss cases, send radiographs or arrange appointments for clients. In most cases it is easiest to telephone and give us the pets details and then ask the owner to ring and arrange an appointment to suit them.

Please ensure that a history and any relevant radiographs are sent with the animal being referred.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI is an imaging process that has established itself as the diagnostic investigation of choice in human medicine. With its superior contrast sensitivity and tissue discrimination, MRI is unparalleled in the imaging of soft tissues. Images can be produced in any plane and without radiation risk, making MRI now the gold standard method of investigation in 95% of clinical cases.  Read More >> 

We now offer referrals in Cardiology and Ophthalmology

..more information to follow shortly, in the meantime if you would like to know more about our new referral services please contact the surgery for details.