In recent years veterinary medicine and surgery has become increasingly sophisticated and many of the diagnostic and surgical techniques seen in human medicine are now available to veterinary practices.

However, with these advances there is the problem that some of the treatment costs can inevitably be expensive.

We know you want the best for your pet and, although we try to keep our fees as affordable as possible, we know that suddenly finding the money necessary in an emergency or with ongoing problems can be a great distress for some owners.

We aim to ensure that we never have to compromise on the quality of our veterinary care on the basis of cost.

We therefore believe that, in most cases, pet insurance is highly beneficial.

For a small monthly amount, you can relax in the knowledge that your pet will always receive the best treatment available, without you having to decide if you can afford it or not.

Another important aspect of Pet insurance is the inclusion of third party cover. This can be very important if your pet was to cause a car accident, bit or scratched someone, damaged property etc.

Not all insurance policies are the same and it is important you check that you are getting the level of cover you require.

Points to look for are:

• Is there '‘cover for life'? – some of the cheaper policies will only provide cover for 12 months for each condition. Whilst this is often fine if you are only concerned about accidents, it should be remembered that many claims relate to chronic illnesses which require check ups, diagnostic tests and medication over many years.

• Are congenital conditions covered?

• Is cover still provided as your pet gets older and, if so, is there likely to be a marked increase in the premiums?

• Is there adequate veterinary fee cover and do you want additional benefits, such as cover of kennelling fees etc?

Our staff are always happy to advise you on pet insurance, so feel free to telephone or come into the surgery for a chat.