033 3434316
WELCOME
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to you and your pets. We trust that this relationship will be a happy, trusting and lasting one
ABOUT US
Dr Lee Pachonick and Dr Margie Roach are the Veterinarians in the practice.
Both Margie and Lee qualified at Onderstepoort in Pretoria. Margie has worked in mixed practice in the Free State and then in Port Elizabeth before joining the Westville Veterinary Hospital, where she gained a large amount of experience in companion animals in the 18 years that she was there. She moved to Hilton in 2009 – to join the Howick Vet Group and joined the Umgeni Vet Practice in February 2012. Margie has an honours degree in Veterinary Small Animal Medicine and a Masters degree in Veterinary Tropical Diseases. Margie also has an interest in birds and exotic animals and helps with patients from Free Me. Margie has also obtained a qualification in canine rehabilitation and has a special interest in helping old and young animals with joint disease through a variety of methods including massage, therapeutic excercise, hydrotherapy, ultrasound and electro stimulation.
Lee worked in a mixed practice on the South Coast after qualifying, then moved to Pietermaritzburg to become the State Vet and then onto the laboratory at Allerton. She started Umgeni Vet in 2004 and since then deals with small animals.
Ros, Shelley and Janice are our Veterinary Nurses – having also qualified at Onderstepoort. The nurses assist with X-rays, anaesthetics and procedures. The nurses are always available to offer advice on petcare, nutrition, puppy training etc – call in to discuss your pet issues with them.
Rosh and Nicky, are our receptionists - they are able to assist with purchases of food, tick and flea treatments etc.
Tokkie is our admin clerk, doing jobs such as banking, post collection and debt collecting.
Percival and Regina assist with cleaning and handling pets where necessary.
CONSULTING HOURS
We are open from 08H00 – 18H00, but consultations are by appointment only. Lee and Margie take turns to operate with our Veterinary Nurses as the theatre assistants, but sometimes if the surgery is complicated then both vets will be involved, meaning that we are not available to consult, hence the importance of a booked appointment. Surgery takes place in the mornings mainly.
The afternoons are divided into 2 shifts, one being from 12H00 – 15H00 and the other 15H00 – 18H00. Margie and Lee do alternate shifts each day. There is no lunch time shift on a Friday.
Margie and Lee also consult on alternate Saturdays from 08H00 – 11H00.
AFTER HOURS /EMERGENCIES
Hilton Veterinary Clinic runs an afterhours service for emergencies at night and on weekends. Your pet will be treated and stabilised at Hilton Veterinary Clinic and then you will be expected to collect your pet and bring it to us for completion of treatment.
RABIES
Due to the increased concern about Rabies in Kwazulu Natal we operate a free Rabies vaccination clinic on Wednesdays between 08h00 and 12h00. These vaccinations are given by our Veterinary Nurses. Please make an appointment if you wish to use this service.
They are not available outside of these hours.
SERVICES OFFERED
Primary Health Care
Vaccinations, Sterilisations, nutritional advice, puppy and kitten care and petcare education.
Treatment of sick animals – we use intravenous fluids, pain medication, a wide range of antibiotics as well as other supportive medications.
Dentistry – our practice is equipped with a dental scaler, drill and polisher in order to perform up to date dentistry .
Laboratory – we have an in house microscope, centrifuge, microhaematocrit machine and a few in house serological tests. We have recently purchased new laboratory equipment, so will not have to outsource most of our laboratory tests anymore.
Ultrasound – basic ultrasonography – abdominal or splenic tumours, bladder stones, liver disease, pregnancy etc
Radiography – We have a state of the art digital imaging system - x rays are taken, developed and interpreted on site.
Anaesthesia – we use gas anaesthesia for all our anaesthetics using Sevoflurane gas as it is the safest on the market. Oxygen therapy is also available for geriatric patients, or patients with difficulty breathing.
NUTRITION
We stock a wide range of veterinary diets, but unfortunately cannot stock absolutely everything. We can order special requests which will usually arrive within 24hrs – please place your order with Rosh or Nicky at reception.
Sr Ros Woolley is available to discuss your pets dietary needs. She will also advise you on weight control for your pet – she runs a very informative weight loss program in conjunction with Hills. Please contact Ros if you are concerned about your cat or dog’s weight.
EDUCATION
We believe in helping to educate you about your pets needs. Please contact us if you have any queries. We are involved with the local schools – the younger children come on tours to see what a vet does and what it looks like in the veterinary hospital so we use this opportunity to discuss basic health care and vaccinations, sterilisation, training etc.
GROOMING
Doggone Clean grooming parlour is situated within our building. Toni will attend to your dog’s beauty needs. Grooming is strictly by appointment only – please contact Toni on 0825520422.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We assist at the annual Hills Township dog shows as well as the SPCA1000 paws Walk where we can. Dr Pachonick and Percival hold a biannual Rabies clinic in Howick West . We are currently involved in sterilising feral cats for a Masters student from UKZN as part of her research project. Dr Pachonick is involved in the Transkei Animal Welfare Initiative, where she volunteers, doing up to 100 sterilizations on each campaign.