Optivet Referrals

16/04/2026

📦 Postage Fee Update 💊

Due to recent price increases from Royal Mail (with standard 1st class stamps now around £1.80 and 2nd class at 91p), our medication postage fees have been updated to reflect these changes.

Our new postage fees are:
• 1st Class Letter – £2.77
• 2nd Class Letter – £1.88
• 1st Class Large Letter – £3.86
• 1st Class Small Parcel – £6.45
• 2nd Class Small Parcel – £5.25
• Special Delivery (1pm up to £750) – £10.95
• Special Delivery (1pm up to £1000) – £13.95

We always aim to keep our fees as low as possible and only pass on necessary increases. Unfortunately, these changes are outside of our control.

If you’d prefer, medications can still be collected directly from the practice. Please just let our team know.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support 💙

14/04/2026

A purse was found on-site and is being safely kept with us.

If you think it’s yours, please get in touch and let us know what’s inside so we can return it to the right owner.

📩 Message us or call to claim

01243 888 091
advice@optivet.com

14/04/2026

Calling all Optivet Referrals patients - On the 21st of April we are holiday a Cake Fundraiser Day! 🍰

On this day we will be supporting Battersea Cats and Dogs, who provide much needed support and care to so many animals day in day out.

We want to share our support for this amazing charity by offering Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, and you guessed it: Cake! All for a small donation that will go a long way.

So if you have an appointment booked on the 21st of April, and fancy a slice of cake while you wait, we've got you covered! 🙌

See you then :)🍪

Got a query? Drop us an email to advice@optivet.com

13/04/2026

🌟 We're Hiring! Veterinary Care Assistant Wanted! 🐾

Are you passionate about animals and dream of working in a supportive, inclusive environment where your care truly makes a difference?

Join us at Optivet Referrals, a leading independent 24/7 emergency and specialist referral practice based in the South.
We’re on the lookout for a Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) to become a key part of our compassionate, expert-led team. 🐶🐱

👩‍⚕️ What you’ll do:
✨ Support specialists & RVNs in delivering top-quality care
🛏️ Assist with inpatient care and theatre procedures
🧽 Keep our hospital spotless and equipment prepped
🧪 Help with lab work & client communication
🌈 What we offer:
💷 Starting salary from £26,500 (DOE)
🎂 Day off for your birthday
🏝️ 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
🏥 Private health care
🐾 Pet insurance contribution
🚗 Free onsite parking
📚 Real opportunities for growth – personally and professionally
🕒 Full-time, 40 hours/week (day, twilight & night shifts on rotation)

✅ Ideal candidates are organised, empathetic, calm under pressure, and passionate about patient care.

📍 Sound like your next step? Apply now and be part of a practice that’s built on values, compassion, and clinical excellence.

🔗 Learn more: www.optivet.com

📩 DM us or send your CV to emma.phillips@optivet.com – we can’t wait to meet you!

Optivet, a specialist veterinary clinic, with our veterinary ophthalmologist performs an extensive range of ocular examinations and surgical procedures.

04/03/2026

Spring is finally here! 🌸

The sun is shining (finally) and the plants are growing, so at .referrals we thought we would take a moment to share which plants get a tail wag* from your pups, and which plants to avoid! Also swipe for some handy tips for creating your own scent garden! 🌿🌷🌾🌺

Got a query? Call us on 01243 888 091, or email to advice@optivet.com

For more information about our 24 hour emergency pet hospital, head to 🐾🚑

*Please note, while the plants featured above are safe for a dog friendly garden, ingestion of any plant in large quantities can cause issues to your dog.

25/02/2026

🐾 Why a Specialist Anaesthetist Matters for Your Pet’s Safety 🐾

💉 Anaesthesia is an essential part of our veterinary care - and modern techniques make it very safe. We have a small team of Anaesthetists that specialise is multi-modal methods of analgesia and anaesthesia to ensure your pets safety and comfort.

Did you know that a pet’s overall health plays a big role in anaesthetic risk?

🫁 Large international studies show that while anaesthesia is generally safe (with mortality rates under 1%), the risk increases in pets with underlying health conditions - especially heart disease, respiratory disease, endocrine disorders, or other systemic illnesses

Why a Specialist Anaesthetist …

🛏️ Most complications don’t happen during surgery, they happen in recovery. That’s why expert planning and close monitoring matter so much.

Why a Specialist Anaesthetist …

👩‍⚕️ A veterinary anaesthesia specialist provides:
✓ Individualised anaesthetic plans
✓ Careful drug selection and dosing
✓ Advanced monitoring throughout the procedure
✓ Intensive recovery supervision - when pets are most vulnerable

For higher-risk patients, specialist involvement isn’t just an extra layer of care, it can make a real difference to safety, comfort, and outcome.

If your pet has a medical condition and requires a procedure with us, we offer 1-2-1 anaesthetic planning.

Because every heartbeat matters. ❤️🐶🐱

20/02/2026

Happy !

Today we are celebrating the unconditional love, slobbery kisses, gentle purrs, and loyal companionship our furry (and feathered, and scaly!) friends bring into our lives every single day.

At Optivet Referrals, we're honoured to partner with you in keeping your pets happy and healthy - because they deserve a long lifetime of love ❤️🐾

Drop a photo of your pet in the comments and spread the love 🐰🐱🐸🐶

Got a query? Contact us via email at advice@optivet.com, or call on 01243 888 091

14/02/2026

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the love that’s always unconditional 🐾💖

From muddy paw prints to late-night cuddles, our pets have a way of stealing our hearts every single day.

We’re honoured to care for the ones you love most - today and always.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us 🐶🐱

05/02/2026

What does “specialist” actually mean? 🐾

In veterinary medicine, a specialist is a vet who has completed years of additional training, advanced qualifications, and rigorous examinations in one specific area – such as surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology or anaesthesia. We are lucky to say we have specialists for all of those areas under one roof!

So when your local vet refers your pet to a specialist team like ours, it’s because:

• Your pet needs advanced expertise
• Specialist equipment or facilities are required
• The case is complex or high-risk
• The best possible outcome matters most

Your vet stays involved throughout. We work together, share updates, and return your pet to your usual practice once specialist care is complete.

Same goal. One team. The very best care for your pet. 💙

26/01/2026

🐾 General Internship Opportunity – Optivet Referrals (Hampshire) 🐾

We’re excited to welcome applications for a General Intern to join our inclusive and supportive team at Optivet Referrals.

Optivet is an independent practice providing first-line 24/7 emergency care, alongside a specialist referral service in Ophthalmology, Surgery, Internal Medicine and Anaesthesia. Our focus is always on delivering the highest standard of patient care — grounded in teamwork, knowledge-based growth and exceptional nursing support.

✨ About the internship
This 12-month rotating internship (with potential 6-month extension) is ideal for veterinary surgeons with some UK general practice experience. Interns rotate through all referral disciplines, supporting inpatient care, consults, surgery, anaesthesia, and our A&E service.

You’ll benefit from:
• Exposure to multiple referral specialties
• Weekly journal clubs and in-house CPD
• A supportive culture focused on learning and wellbeing
• Competitive salary and benefits
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays and your birthday off 🎉

⏰ Average 42 hours per week (day and night shifts)
📚 CPD allowance: 5 days
📍 Must be MRCVS with right to work in the UK

📩 How to apply
For more information or to apply, please contact:
Emma Phillips, People Lead – emma.phillips@optivet.com

Eva Rioja Garcia, Clinical Lead (Anaesthesia & Analgesia) – eva@optivet.com

Please include a letter of intent, CV, and two referees.

✨ We can’t wait to hear from you!

26/01/2026

🥹🩷👀🐾

12/01/2026

🎉 Huge Congratulations to our very own Specialist, Chris! 🐾

We’re proud to share that Chris has just published a peer-reviewed paper in Vet Journal Case Reports.

The study - Anthracosis in a cat exposed to smoke - provides valuable insights into this complex condition and will help clinicians and cat guardians alike better understand diagnosis and outcomes. 📚✨

A brilliant contribution to feline medicine — well done, Chris! 👏🐱💙