Northeast veterinary practices began using Bridge Referrals for soft tissue services today. There has been expressions of confidence in our services so far. Practices have been impressed with our willingness to communicate, and problem solve. It’s easier to build meaningful workplace relationships with the Bridge Referrals team. As Bridge Referrals finish off the new referral centre just off the A19, in South Tyneside, we continue to develop our peripatetic offering.  Our latest Soft Tissue Service will concentrate on delivering peripatetic surgery for veterinary practices throughout the whole of the northeast. Our new soft tissue department knows how hard it can…

During this hot weather, it is especially important to look after our furry friends and keep them cool. There are some breeds and conditions that need extra care in this heat.  The brachycephalic breeds (flat faced) are especially prone to overheating and find it difficult to cool down. Their breathing often deteriorates in the warmer weather and becomes very noisy. Owners worry about taking them out for walks. This is known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Some of these breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs and British Bulldogs) can benefit from surgery to open up their airways, making it easier for…

Emma Mace Ernie was seen by one of our surgeons recently because he had been suffering for some time with recurrent pain and dermatitis secondary to his screw tail. This is a common condition in English Bulldogs and is due to ankylosis (fusion) of the tail vertebra. This means they are unable to move the tail to allow air to circulate underneath. This also causes areas of the skin, around the tail, to fold in on itself. This subsequently leads to recurrent infections, dermatitis and pain (skin fold pyoderma). Poor Ernie had multiple courses of oral medications and topical treatments…

Our build programme now sees the start of the M&E installations. We are committed to delivering Bridge Referrals in an environmentally sustainable way. We’ve incorporated advanced heating and cooling technologies including heat recovery and heat pumps. Local temperature adjustment and our air source heat pump system combines for energy efficiency. A pumped hot water recirculation system will minimise hot water heat loss. We’ve also factored in thermal insulation on heat recovery systems, fresh air, supply air and return air. The ventilation is designed with a pressure regime for infection and contaminant control. Odour and moisture controls have also been incorporated…

Kidney ultrasound As our peripatetic offering becomes more in demand our ability to offer synergy across our departments becomes evident. Our Internal Medicine and Oncology department, headed up by director Darren Long, has been working up cases and passing them over to our surgical teams. This is allowing Bridge Referrals to offer a unique holistic service to veterinary practices across the north east of England. Our veterinary peripatetic service is driving client satisfaction producing excellent clinical outcomes for our beloved pets. One example of how Darren can assist and then facilitate further surgical work is anal sac adenocarcinoma in dogs.…