TWO Ryedale veterinary practices have joined forces.

Eastgate Veterinary Centre in Pickering and Edgemoor Veterinary Practice, Helmsley, merged on Friday, February 1.

Edgemoor Veterinary Practice is a well established practice, providing high quality veterinary care for small animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, working and show animals, and other exotics, throughout Ryedale and beyond.

The practice has modern purpose-built premises in Helmsley with branch surgeries in Pickering and Kirkbymoorside.

Eastgate Veterinary Centre also cares for pets along with farm animals.

Practice manager Fiona Vance said: “Both practices are committed to providing the highest standard of pet care and client service and the merger will also help us to maintain and build on this.

“We will continue to provide a fully comprehensive service, including running our own, locally-based 24-hour emergency service, staffed by our own team.”

She added: “We are looking forward to sharing skills, expertise and equipment between the practices which will enhance the range of treatments available and improve the client’s experience. We have carefully planned a smooth transition and are confident that the excellent level of care currently offered will continue.”

Fiona said the directors at the Eastgate centre would take on the management of both practices, however staff would remain the same.

“Both practices are in the practice standards scheme and have a team of fully qualified nurses,” she said.

“We would not have joined forces if we did not think it was the best thing for the clients, animals and staff at both practices.”

Fiona said the vets currently working at Edgemoor will still be working there along with some of the vets from Eastgate, who will carry out clinics, operations and out-of-hours work.

“The advantage of Edgemoor is that it is a purpose-built building, whereas Eastgate is in a small cottage,” she said.

“Edgemoor has a large walk-in kennels which means bigger dogs are more comfortable. There is also an isolation area so animals with contagious diseases can be better looked after.”

Fiona said other advantages to Edgemoor included a larger waiting room, car park and disabled access.

“There is also a large well-equipped operating theatre, dedicated dental table and an endoscope which can be used to look into the stomach or airways of animals,” she said.

“There are also more consulting rooms which should reduce waiting times for clients and as they are also larger this allows other treatments such as physiotherapy and acupuncture to be carried out as well as a grooming service and laser treatment.”

For more information, phone Eastgate Veterinary Centre on 01751 472204 or go to eastgateveterinarycentre.co.uk or phone Edgemoor Veterinary Practice on 01439 771166 or go to edgemoor-vets.co.uk