Information for clients

This page provides detailed information for pet owners whose animals have been referred to Clare Rusbridge, our neurology specialist.

On this page:

Your vet has arranged for your pet to be seen by Clare Rusbridge BVMS DipECVN MRCVS, our neurology expert, at Stone Lion Veterinary Centre.

If for any reason you are unable to keep the appointment or get delayed on your journey please call to let us know.

When you visit Stone Lion Veterinary Centre, Clare Rusbridge will examine your pet and arrange any further treatment for your pet in consultation with you and your veterinary surgeon.

After the consultation Clare Rusbridge will send a report to your veterinary surgeon, who will discuss the report with you to decide how to proceed.

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Contact Information

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How to find us

Please call if you'd like us to send you a map and printed directions, alternatively print out this page for reference.

Stone Lion Veterinary Centre is at 41 High Street. This is on the road that runs from the common to Parkside. We are opposite Samuel Johnson’s.

If coming by car, turn at the war memorial and follow the road around and back towards the main road again. Metered and Pay & Display parking is available.

On foot, turn into the road opposite the Rose & Crown and with Penny Bee kitchens at the corner. Stone Lion Veterinary Centre is on the left hand side next to CHAM’s. Reception is at the end of the courtyard.

If coming to Wimbledon railway or tube stations the walk uphill takes at least 15 minutes; you are advised to take a taxi or wait for a no. 93 bus.

Directions from the M25

You should aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time so that we can register you and ensure that we have all the referral information from your veterinary surgeon. Please call us if you get lost or think you may be late for your appointment.

Allow 30-45 minutes to reach Wimbledon from the M25.

If coming on the M25 from the north take the Wisley exit and follow the A3 into London.

If coming on the M25 from the south take either the Chessington exit, follow the signs for Chessington and once past the park follow the signs for the A3 into London; or take the Wisley junction and follow the signs for the A3 into London.

At Tibbets Corner follow the signposts for Wimbledon. Driving along Parkside the Common will be on your right. Turn right at the war memorial just after the no-right turn sign. Follow the road around to get onto the High Street; we are no. 41.

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What will happen when you visit Stone Lion

Consultations last 1/2 an hour for normal cases and 1 hour for epilepsy cases.

During the consultation the animals history is discussed before undergoing a full clinical and neurological examination. The possible diagnoses and diagnostic tests will be discussed.

If appropriate, the pet may then be admitted for further tests e.g. myelography, MRI etc.

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Things you need to bring with you

Please be prepared for a situation where your pet may be admitted immediately.

A full case history including laboratory results and radiographs should be provided to us prior to your consultation. Please liaise with your vet to ensure this has been done, and if not be sure to bring them with you on the day.

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Special instructions

MRI Scans

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and is one of the most sophisticated imaging techniques available for investigating disease.

Using the natural magnetic qualities of the various organs, a computer-generated picture of the body is created. It is particularly useful for looking at soft structures such as the brain and spinal cord, which will not show up using traditional methods such as radiographs (x-rays).

A MRI scan is safe in that unlike an x-ray there is no ionising radiation.

However, in order to keep your animal still an anaesthetic is required. This carries a small risk especially if your pet is misfortunate enough to have brain or neck spinal cord disease. If you are concerned regarding this then please contact us for advice.

Your pet may have a 1/4 of his/her breakfast in the morning of the scan and can have water until 2.30pm.

In order to prepare for the scan, please have your pet at the Stone Lion Veterinary Centre by 2.30pm at the very latest. Your pet will have a sedative and will have a catheter placed into his/her vein (this allows us to administer the anaesthetic safely).

We scan out of normal hours, at a local hospital. As your pet is having an anaesthetic late in the day it will be necessary for him/her to stay overnight at the practice in order to recover safely. Normally a discharge appointment is made for your pet the following morning and the scan results will be discussed at this time.

On discharge your pet may still be very sleepy and/or wobbly from the anaesthetic. This normally wears off within 24 hours. If you are in any way concerned, please contact us for advice.

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Cerebrospinal fluid analysis

If your pet is having a spinal tap for cerebrospinal fluid analysis then a square patch of fur will be shaved from the upper neck and/or lower spine.

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Common Questions

If my pet is insured can you make a direct claim?

No... in exceptional circumstances we will do a direct claim but you must have a letter of authorisation from your insurance company saying they will pay the amount owing or if a pro-forma claim has already been filled in. Some insurance companies will not do this.

We do, however accept payment by credit card, debit card or guaranteed cheque.

How much will it cost?

This is difficult to gauge. We can only supply a very rough estimate at reception for common procedures. All the specialists will give an estimate at first consultation.

When can I expect the results?

Reports are typed on the day of the procedure and depending on the time of day we will usually fax the specialists report to your veterinary surgeon that day.

Hard copy will be sent to your veterinary surgeon by first class post the next day. We often seem to experience delays in both incoming and outgoing post so this report may not reach your veterinary surgeon that quickly.

Can I visit my pet if it needs to be hospitalised?

We encourage you to visit your pet if if it needs to be kept in our hospital for a while,especially if it will require nursing when it goes home.

Wimbledon Village has many little shops, boutiques and eateries. The shops are rather exclusive and therefore tend to be expensive.

For the more usual range of high street shops you can walk (20 minutes downhill) into Wimbledon itself where there are a few supermarkets and small versions of high street shops.

A better shopping area is Kingston which is about a 20 minute drive; in addition to all the high street shops Kingston has a John Lewis and a Bentalls department store.

Croydon, about 30-45 minutes by car, has a large shopping mall area, and on Purley Way there are many large retailers e.g. IKEA, Currys etc.

There is a large ASDA on the A3 - about 5 minutes drive.

For green and open spaces there is Wimbledon Common, which has two golf courses open to the public. Richmond Park is also accessible, being about a 5 minute drive away.

Central London can be accessed by British Rail from Wimbledon into Waterloo. This is much faster than by Underground.

Local historic places include Caesar’s Camp on Wimbledon Common, Hampton Court Palace and Bushey Park.

Last updated 06/10/02