This 5 star review is 110% deserved

For context, i’m a high risk nurse (humans) so I have good understanding of clinical care, surgery, anaesthetics, anatomy, medicines, radiology, disease prevention and also holistic care and conservative management. So I feel i’m well placed to judge care of excellence.

Our dog - Walter- West Highland White Terrier has attended the same vet in Elwood/Brighton since 2015 with no issues that have ever exceeded a standard consult with a follow up. Occasional ear infection, sticky eye, ingestion of a hot cross bun, or a bout of diarrhoea. The only surgery he has ever had was his neutering at 7 months.

On Tuesday @ noon I gave him a lamb leg bone (same kind he’s had for 8 years) that I purchased at the butcher that same morning. He headed outside and started to enjoy. Unbeknown to me whilst consuming he swallowed the knuckle whole and it got stuck at the end of his oesophagus and the entrance to his stomach.

Within 30 mins he presented with intense irritability, coughing, pacing, sweating, drinking and attempted failed regurgitation over and over. Frothing and the nose and mouth. Different to any other time he has eaten a bone, or attempted to regurgitate.

Terribly concerned about airway obstruction and aspiration I quickly googled the Chelsea Vet n (as we now live in Chelsea Heights), advised them of the circumstances and they invited me to attend immediately - no appointment necessary, that the vet was currently in surgery, but she would interrupt him to advise him of our incoming presentation, and we would make a plan shortly after our arrival and he would be seen immediately.

Racing up to the vet with my critical
dog and newborn baby (9 weeks old), I was immediately greeted at the door and offered assistance. Unloading the dog, baby, car capsule, pram.

The dog was attended to in seconds, fresh water provided while he continued to try and regurgitate at the vet entrance. A vet on-site came out immediately and we made a plan.

To commence imaging via X-Ray +- sedation and asses the blockage. Immediately in my very tired and anxious new mum brain I started to worry about costs and lack of insurance.

I requested with my medical background to attend and calm him during imaging to avoid sedation. I was gowned up and we proceeded to X-ray.
Given this, the most delightful, calm, Dr Zeljko Jovanovic was the absolute professional and we reviewed the images together which showed a clear obstruction. He used the calipers to take the measurements and found the problem obstruction measuring 3X3X3cm, in a 9kg Westie.

At this point we discussed all lines of management options available to us starting with conservative to most invasive. Including
- Observation
- Induce vomiting
- Watch and wait for digestion
- Watch and wait for regurgitation
- Endoscope for removal via Oesophagus that afternoon.
- Proceed to Abdominal removal if failed Endoscopy

I was optimistic that we might he able digest it, so we proceeded with Induced vomiting on-site at the vet (unsuccessful) and my choice to overnight watch and wait, with a plan to re-image in the AM at clinic opening and if still blocked then we would proceed to endoscopy under anaesthetic +- surgery.

We took our dog home, and we’re provided with the nearest Emergency details if we needed to access care overnight.

We managed to get a second opinion over the phone from the Vet who had cared for Walter his first 8 years, and he was spot on with Chelsea’s Vet management being inline with what he would have also done.

During the long dark night, it became apparent to me that the bone was not moving. With our dog able to rest I decided to wait for the morning plan.

As soon as the sun was up, we were back at the clinic before the mornings consultations. Repeated the X-ray with me present showed no movement of the obstruction, distension and no water able to pass into the stomach and we made a plan for immediate intravenous hydration and surgery within 3 hours.

We paid an incredibly reasonable deposit for the surgery and departed for home. Told we would be contacted at commencement of procedure, if endoscopic procedure was unsuccessful and we were proceeding to invasive surgery, and upon waking up from anaesthetic.

At 1:30 pm (24 hours since ingestion the procedure commenced). One hour later, Dr Zeljko was on the phone, calmly as ever, advising us that the endoscope had been a success with no need for the more invasive procedure. To say we were relived was an understatement.

He discussed his recount of the procedure, what ended up being successful in moving and removing the obstruction, clinical observations of the oesophagus, stomach entrance and stomach contents. And just was he had measured on X-ray, it was 3cm all around.

Plan to stay 8 hours post op, and come home that night with analgesia, antibiotics and antiemetics. Upon collection we paid the remaining balance, which to my surprise was less that the deposit that included sedation, medications (3), repeat imaging, bloods, fluids, and procedure.

After 48 hours of observation at home, soft food, regular meds, lots of fluid and short walks to encourage digestion and bowel movements our boy is almost back to his cheerful self.

Last night we attended for post op follow up at 54 hours at my request. Chest clear, bowels back to normal, no temperature, tolerating food and fluids,
no stomach distension or pain on palpating. Also was not charged for this.

Dr Zeljko and his team (Tracey, Sue, Jamie, Jacki, and even the work experience student Zac) have nothing but our HIGHEST praise and admiration. I have complete confidence in their clinical care, management, patient consumer relationships all with a calm, empathetic and understanding disposition.

We will absolutely be moving to this vet for all care going forward (from North Road Vet in Brighton East).

I would not hesitate to recommended this team for both routine and emergency vet care. You can rest assured that strangers will quickly become friends and your will be glad you put your trust in them - We have no regrets!