Personal Veterinary Care
Caring for your pets for over 40 years in Preston, Lancashire. Call Us On 01772 726 745
Riverbank Veterinary Centre
Preston
You and your pets are our priority!
Quality pet care by qualified professionals
Riverbank is a long established private veterinary surgery for small animals, providing professional and quality care with understanding and compassion. Our dedicated team aim to give a first class, friendly service, treating our clients animals as though they were our own.
Meet Our Team
Riverbank Veterinary Centre has been providing veterinary services to the people of Preston for over 40 years.
The practice has always prided itself in offering a service to the community provided by veterinary surgeons who have gained valuable experience over many years.
Richard Armour - Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon – BVMS MRCVS Principal
Richard Armour, the principal, graduated from Glasgow Veterinary School in 1983. Richard joined the practice as an assistant to Mr Sladen in 1996 and became the practice owner in 2012. From the clinical point he has an interest in dermatology cases and lameness cases which involve investigating troublesome gait issues by radiography. Outside of practice life Richard likes to visit Scotland with his wife and two teenage sons and harbours thoughts of eventually moving to the west coast. A wildlife enthusiast he regularly can be spotted out and about at one of the RSPB nature reserves around Lancashire.
Philippa Hardman - Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon – BVSc MRCVS Associate
Philippa Hardman qualified in 1991 from Bristol Veterinary School and has been at the practice since 2003. She takes on the lions share of clinical cases at the practice and enjoys both medicine and surgery. She will always go that extra mile to help her patients in a very friendly and conscientious manner, which has endeared her to her growing clientele here at Riverbank. Away from work Philippa has two cats who were both rescued. She also has two border collies and enjoys spending most of her spare time training her to compete in dog agility.
Jackie Kinder - Support Staff Manager
Support Staff Manager
Jackie is our Support Staff Manager and has worked for Riverbank for over 30 years, and so, has seen many changes in the veterinary profession. She is very versatile and is key in ensuring a smooth running practice. Jackie’s day involves a huge range of roles, being responsible for personnel, health and safety and all practice administration and IT duties, juggling these with nursing and reception duties too. Jackie is a familiar face to most of our clients and is a lively member of staff, always keen to give excellent customer care. In her spare time she enjoys walking her Welsh Sheepdog Caio, working out – time permitting, spending time with her family, and going to see local bands with her partner.
Pauline Rose - Nursing Support Staff, Receptionist
Nursing Support Staff, Receptionist
Pauline is also a long-standing member of the practice. Cats are her main area of interest and she has 5 of her own which she takes for regular walks. Hence she is very handy when one of our more feisty friends decides to visit the practice. She has become a fountain of knowledge over the 30 years working here at Riverbank. In her spare time, she dabbles with donkeys and supports the Cats Protection League. Pauline’s hobbies are photography and collecting rare bears. She also enjoys cycling down country lanes and writing poetry.
Ellie Lancaster - Nursing Support Staff, Receptionist
Nursing Support Staff, Receptionist
Ellie had always wanted to work with animals and so took the opportunity to study at Myerscough College. Whilst studying she also worked in canine hydrotherapy which she thoroughly enjoyed. Having joined the practice over 20 years ago, she has become a long established member of our team and is a favourite with the clients, giving superb client care. She will go the extra mile to make sure they are happy with our service and this shows by the year in year out nominations she receives for Vet Nurse of the year. She is a family girl and so, outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her young son, husband and close family.
Eleanor Cunningham – Veterinary Care Assistant, Receptionist
Nursing Care assistant, Receptionist
Eleanor recently graduated from UCLAN after studying Philosophy. Having a great love for animals, she proceeded in the direction of becoming an animal care assistant and joined us in March 2022. Out of work, she walks her dog on various walking trails, looks after her small furries and as film is a big passion of hers, is often seen at the cinema watching all different genres.
Kim Winter – Veterinary Care Assistant, Receptionist
Veterinary Care assistant, Receptionist
Kim joined us in February 2022. Having previously worked in a veterinary environment, she was keen to re-kindle this career path after having studied at university and worked in publishing. When not at work, her time is spent with her husband and two daughters, running the girls here and there as they are busy with their hobbies. Her cats and chickens also take up her time feeding and caring for them. All of us at Riverbank would also like to say she makes exceedingly good cakes too!
Veterinary Surgeons for dogs, cats, rabbits and small animals
Veterinary Services
We aim to provide a complete healthcare for your pet.
Here’s a brief outline of all the services we can provide. If you’d like to discuss any aspect of your pet’s care in more detail, please call us on 01772 726745.
Medical & Surgical Procedures
X-Ray Ultra Sound
Pet Dentistry
Neutering
Microchipping
Small animal practice
Home visits by arrangement
Vaccinations
24 Hr Emergency Services
15 Minute Appointment
24-hour Emergency Cover
Outside our normal opening hours, emergencies only are attended by either our own vets or mainly by Vets Now out of hours service; telephone 01772 726 745. Please listen carefully to the recorded message, this will give you the number you will need for the emergency vet on call.
Pet Services Click to view information
What is microchipping?
- A small chip, slightly larger than a grain of rice, is implanted in the scruff of your pet’s neck, in a very quick and simple process.
- The procedure does not require an anaesthetic and is no more painful than a standard vaccination.
- We use Tracer Advance Microchips which is contained within an almost unbreakable polymer coating which is ten times stronger than glass microchips. It sits safely and comfortably under your pet’s skin.
- The microchip holds a unique number and when it is scanned using a microchip scanner, the number can be obtained. This unique number along with your pet’s details and contact information is held within a database.
Your dog or cat must be microchipped by law
You must make sure your dog or cat is fitted with a microchip and registered on an approved pet microchipping database.
Your dog must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 8 weeks old.
Your cat must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 20 weeks old. This includes cats that usually only stay indoors.
You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not microchipped when they need to be.
What happens when your dog or cat is microchipped
Your pet’s microchip must be fitted by a trained professional. It contains a number, which will show up whenever your dog or cat is scanned.
You must make sure that your dog or cat is registered on one of the following databases (they all meet government standards):
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You’ll be asked for your address and contact details when you register your pet on one of these databases.
You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is registered on a database that is not on the list.
If you have a dog, it must still wear a collar and tag with your name and address when in a public place.
Updating your details
You’re responsible for keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date, for example if you move house.
Contact the database company your dog or cat is registered with to update any of your details.
You might be charged a fee for updating your pet’s microchip information.
Find out where your dog or cat is registered
If you do not have the microchip number, you can ask any of the following to scan your dog or cat for it:
- a vet
- a dog warden
- a rescue centre
RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) new guidance, which all veterinary surgeons must follow with regard to the dispensing of veterinary medicines, state that a clinical/physical examination must be performed by a veterinary surgeon before dispensing prescription only medication (POM-Vs). The practice can continue to supply medicines for pets under its care for a certain period of time, after which a vet must examine your pet thoroughly and ensure that the treatment is still correct, that no other condition has arisen which could affect treatment and that your pet remains in overall good health.
For the purpose of dispensing, Riverbank Veterinary Centre will supply medicines up to between 3 and 6 months, depending on the particular condition or illness being treated at the time. This period is regarded by the majority of practices as standard in the veterinary sector and is in the best interests of your pet’s health.
PLEASE ALLOW 48 HOURS for your prescription to be prepared as some drugs require ordering in advance and each prescription request must be checked by a veterinary surgeon.
Prescriptions can be collected between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, although between 11am and 3pm is preferred, as this helps avoid consulting hours, which is helpful to clients and staff.
On Saturday’s prescriptions can be collected between 9am and 11am.
Unfortunately no refunds are possible once a prescription of loose tablets has been collected or opened.
We would ask for owners understanding on this important area of legislation covering the supply of veterinary medicines.
We are mainly a Hills stockist of food although we can order other manufactures’ food which is usually delivered from our supplier ready for you the next day, Monday to Friday.
Our support staff are happy to give dietary advice on our diets and to help manage weight loss on overweight pets.
Vet Essentials Multi-Benefit keeps healthy simple
Keep your pet’s health simple every day with our advanced multi-benefit nutrition — formulated to give your pet the essential health benefits they need. Be sure to check your Vet Essentials dry bag, can or pouch to see the specific health benefits that your pet receives in every bite.
Hills Multi-Benefit + their exclusive technologies
Along with the essential health benefits that come with advanced multi-benefit nutrition, select foods include Hills exclusive technologies or special ingredients that specifically target the unique health needs of your pet.
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Weight-management Technology Hill’s proven technology burns off fat effectively and prevents weight gain after neutering |
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Dental Kibble Technology Clinically proven “toothbrush-like” technology helps reduce plaque and tartar build-up, keeping teeth clean and freshening breath. |
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ActivBiome+ Technology Clinically proven to support healthy digestion by feeding the unique microbiome that lives in your pet’s gut |
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Calming Ingredient Made with hydrolysed milk protein, a clinically proven ingredient to help support dogs’ emotional balance in intense situations |
New rules for pet travel from 1 January 2021
Pet owners will need to follow new requirements before taking their pet to the European Union or Northern Ireland at the end of the transition period.
Pet owners are being encouraged to check the latest government advice about travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland or the European Union with their pets at the end of the transition period.
Before taking their dog, cat or ferret to the EU for the first time after 1 January 2021, pet owners must complete the following steps. The only new requirement for travel to the EU is the use of a certificate, rather than a pet passport:
- Ensure their dog, cat or ferret is microchipped.
- Ensure that their dog, cat or ferret is vaccinated against rabies – pets must be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated.
- Wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel
- Dogs must be treated against tapeworm 24-120 hours before landing, if they are travelling to a tapeworm free country.
- Visit their vet to get an animal health certificate (AHC) for their pet, no more than 10 days before travel to the EU.
Pets and assistance dogs will also need to enter the EU through a travellers’ point of entry (TPE), which includes all the major French ports such as Calais, Caen and Dunkirk.
All of these requirements will also apply for movements of pets and assistance dogs from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
There will be no change to the current health preparations or documents for pets entering Great Britain from the EU or Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.
How to get an animal health certificate
You must take your pet to your vet to get an animal health certificate. You need to do this no more than 10 days before you travel.
The certificate needs to be signed by an ‘official veterinarian’ (OV). Check your vet can issue animal health certificates. If they cannot, ask them to help you find an OV.
When you visit your vet, you’ll need to take proof of your pet’s:
- microchippingdate
- vaccinationhistory
Your pet’s animal health certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:
- 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland
- 4 months for onward travel within the EU
- 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain
Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
Further information
Passengers should always check the rules of the country they are travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before they travel.
Travellers from the EU and other listed third countries (https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-uk/listed-andunlisted-countries) with pets need to wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel into GB.
There are different requirements for pets entering from certain third countries (https://www.gov.uk/bringpet-to-uk/rabies-vaccination-boosters-and-blood-tests), such as a rabies blood test.
Contact the pet travel helpline if you need more help.
Email: pettravel@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 0370 241 1710 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm (closed on bank holidays)
For When The Time Comes – Saying Goodbye
EUTHANASIA & PET BEREAVEMENT
We all understand the joy of loving a pet, the companionship and loyalty they show us, but what happens when the time comes to say goodbye?
It is advisable to plan in advance what your personal preferences will be, then when the time comes nothing is left to chance. At the time of your pet’s death, rational thoughts can be difficult, as you are coming to terms with the bereavement.
Click here to find out more information
Pet Care Plans
What is included in our plans?
Our Pet Care Plan is an easy way to take care of all those essential things our pets need to stay happy and healthy.
With vaccinations, health checks, flea and worming treatments all planned throughout the year and managed with low monthly payments, it’s the simplest way to provide the level of health care we recommend – and your pet will love you for it!
DOG Health Care Plan
Annual Booster/health assessment with Free anal gland expersssion & nail clip
Kennel cough vaccine
2 x consultations with the vet for check up or sickness/injury
12 months of prescription strength FLEA and TICK control products
12 months of prescription wormers
CAT Health Care Plan
Annual health check assessments / boosters including leukaemia
2 x consultations with the vet for check up or sickness/injury
12 months of FLEA and TICK control prescription products
12 months of prescription strength worm control of your choice
PLUS 10% discount on …
Consultations, Neutering, general health blood profiles, dental procedures, x rays and food purchased at our surgery
25% DISCOUNT ON … Anal gland expression & nail clippings when performed at non routine consultations
Half price microchip OR £10 voucher redeemable in Practice when you join!
Click below to sign up to our Pet Care Plan online
Latest News
Get in touch today
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Find Us
16-22 Watery Lane, Ashton, Preston, PR2 2NN – Get Directions
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday – 9am – 6.00pm
Saturday – 9am – 12 noon
Sundays and Bank Holidays – No surgery
All consultations by appointment only.
Outside these hours emergencies only are attended.
Contact information
We have a private car park to the side of the building with disabled access.