Information for Pet Owners

How referrals work

If your vet refers you to us, think of it as your GP referring you to a consultant.  As an Independent first opinion and referral centre, we have the facilities and experienced team to offer advanced care at first opinion prices.  Our onsite resources include: 

• Laboratory services
• CT scanning, radiography, and ultrasonography (available as outpatient referrals)
• Bronchoscopy
• Surgical suite
• Laparoscopy
• Separate cat and dog waiting areas.
• Separate dog, cat, and isolation wards 

Our dedicated team is experienced in treating a wide range of patients and conditions.  Your pet’s comfort and welfare are our priority – we ensure warmth, gentle care, and effective pain management, with the goal of returning them home as quickly and safely as possible.  You will also receive all the information you need to continue care at home. 

Please note: Our Vets are advanced practitioners, not specialists.  If you would like a referral to a specialist, please discuss this with your own vet. 

Once we have received your referral from your vet, we will contact you directly to explain the Millennium referral process and arrange your initial consultation.  You will be informed of the consultation fee, which is payable at the time of your appointment.  If further investigations or procedures are needed, your vet will provide an estimate of costs.  Please see our terms and conditions. 

Where possible, we aim to combine the initial consultation, investigations, and procedure in a single visit.  Many of our patients are also discharged on the same day, helping to reduce travel and stress for both you and your pet. 

We will send you out a questionnaire to bring with you completed where we will ask you about your pet, their daily routine, current medication, diet etc which also helps us to ensure a comfortable stay with us if there is the need for an over night stay with us.

Our referral team, lead by deputy head nurse Kayleigh, coordinate all referral cases and will be your first point of contact. Once booked, you will receive an email confirming the date and time of your appointment, along with our terms and conditions.  Please read these ahead of your visit. 

On the day of your appointment, our reception team will welcome you and your pet, you will then meet the Veterinary Surgeon who will be responsible for your pet’s care on the day.  They will fully discuss your pets’ needs in detail and will explain any investigations or treatments.  They will already have your primary vets care medical notes/ x-rays/ laboratory results etc to refer to. 

If your pet stays with us for additional procedures on the day we will also ask you to complete and sign a consent form. 

Follow up care. 

Most procedures require follow up appointments.  The number and type of appointments will vary depending on your pet’s needs.  Where procedures fall under our fixed-fee schemes, follow up appointments are usually included. 

Fees and Insurance 

Estimates for procedures will be provided at the initial consultation and can also be requested by your vet in advance.  Fixed fees are available for most procedures. 

If your pet is insured, we will work with you and your insurance provider to confirm cover. Direct claims can only be processed with authorisation from both your insurer and us, confirmed in writing before the procedure.  If your policy covers the full cost, you will typically only need to pay the excess, any co-payment and admin fee on the day.  Waiting for insurance confirmation can sometimes cause delays in booking, but we will do our best to speed up urgent cases. If your pet is not insured or preauthorisation is not obtained, full payment is required on the day of the procedure. 

Contact us. 

• Telephone: 01376 325511
• Email: referrals@millenniumvets.co.uk  

Please note: Referred pets are not eligible for primary care with us until 12 months after discharge.  For all other veterinary care, please contact your own vet.