Two Vet Practices In Stirlingshire And Perthshire Merge, To Form Forth Valley Vets

Some of the Forth Valley Vet team, L to R: Stacy McGookin, Practice Manager, Patrick Day BSc(hons), BVM&S MRCVS, Claire Cameron BVMS MRCVS, Ian Roger BVMS MRCVS, David Reed BVM&S MRCVS. Two major vet practices in Stirlingshire and Perthshire have merged their farm and equine expertise to form Forth Valley Vets Ltd. The new business, based at new premises in Stirling, will provide the highest standards of large animal and equine veterinary care at realistic, competitive prices. Struthers and Scott Veterinary Practice, based in Doune and Grahams Road Veterinary Clinic based in Falkirk have joined forces and moved to a brand new premises in Stirling where they can provide state-of-the-art diagnostics, treatment and care for horses and large animals. Facilities include a new X-ray machine and scanner, endoscope, electro-ejaculator for reproduction services and an in-house laboratory for speedy turn around of results. Ian Rodger, Practice Partner, said: “By sharing expertise and buying power Forth Valley Vets has been able to invest in the best specialist equipment and software and to access better deals on medicines and vaccines. This means even better value and service for our clients.” To this end, for horse owners the new practice has introduced free individual horse health plans. Through discussion between owners and the vet and the completion of a free health questionnaire individual health plans can be tailored for each horse and their current situation. For farmers Forth Valley has introduced free herd and flock health planning with regular updates. The plans are not only useful for outside agency requirements but also allow vets to better understand individual farm business aims and work with them to achieve targets for production. To help with budgeting equine clients can take advantage of the new Horse Annual Plan. A predictable monthly fee gives access to all the routine veterinary care horse owners may need, including worm egg counts, annual dental check ups and vaccinations. They can also opt for a prompt payment discount of 10% if they choose to settle the bill at the time at which the work is carried out. Farm clients will be offered a free visit on request every six months to discuss any farm requirements and any new services available, without detracting from other “working” visits. It allows the Herd Health Plan to be kept up-to-date and relevant and enables compliance with legislation governing the supply of medicines. Requirements for preventative medicines/vaccines can be conveniently discussed during these visit and discounts for early payment of purchases taken advantage of. For further cost-saving benefits, both farm and equine clients can benefit from free visit days for routine procedures and the delivery of pre-ordered medicines for specific areas on set days every month. Medicines can also be collected from Forth Valley Vets’ associated small animal practices at Doune, Falkirk or Linlithgow, by prior arrangement. David Reed, Practice Partner, said: “Through this joint venture we hope to continue to develop our businesses and provide the best possible service for our clients. We care deeply about the animals under our care, and the people we work for. Both practices have been serving the local farm and equine community for over sixty years and we plan to be at the forefront of veterinary provision over the next sixty as well.”

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