Welcome to Island Referrals
We are a small, RCVS-recognised specialist led, team working within Island VetCare’s RCVS-recognised Veterinary Hospital, providing exceptional clinical services & care, individually tailored to the needs of the Island’s pets, vets and owners
Our Services
We offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for ill or injured dogs and cats at our Specialist Referral Practice, based at Island VetCare. Utilising our extensive diagnostic imaging facilities such as CT, MRI, Endoscopy, and Ultrasonography, our RCVS-recognised Veterinary Specialists help understand each individual case and plan a diagnostic route that works for the patient and pet owner alike. Once a diagnosis is reached, we can discuss any treatment options to reach a final plan. Then our on-site Specialist Surgical team can operate, as needed, supervise the recovery period and follow up in partnership with the referring vet.
Our Mission
To build and maintain a happy and fulfilled veterinary referral team, who can focus their energy and skills to meet the complex needs of patients and owners, and who deliver the highest standards of veterinary care at all times.
Island Referrals Core Values include Integrity, Excellence, Empathy and Openness. Our Commitment is to connect to local veterinary care with excellence, to drive improvements to veterinary care on the Island as a whole and to train and educate the current and next generation of Vets and Vets nurses.
Our Goal is to be the first choice for small animal specialist care for pet owners on the Isle of Wight.
Our Team
Our team at Island Referrals is headed up by Specialist Surgeon Ian Nicholson with visiting Specialists in Diagnostic Imaging, Ophthalmology, Cardiology and Internal Medicine (via telemedicine) – the team is supported by Referrals Assistant Manager Amy and our Insurance coordinator, Sarah.
Latest News
MRI SCANNING AT ISLAND REFERRALS
MRI SERVICES AT ISLAND REFERRALS MRI and CT are widely used in human and veterinary medicine and surgery, to help reach a diagnosis more easily than X-ray and ultrasound, by making a 3-D image of the body. MRI is safe and highly effective for all body parts, but is especially good at...
The Story of Bear, an MRI Lorry & a case of Lungworm!
Bear was a normal, 5 year old cocker spaniel, full of life and mischief! One day, for no particular reason, he became less keen to walk and started to drag his back left leg. After seeing his regular vet, Caron, at Carisbrooke Vets, she referred him to Island Referrals for assessment with our...
We are an official Dog Friendly Clinic
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A DOG FRIENDLY CLINIC? Congratulations to Courtney who has been assessed by the Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association and has now achieved recognition as a dog-friendly veterinary nurse. The Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour...
Our Testimonials
We came to the practice as a referral and instantly felt reassured and at ease. Nothing is too much trouble for everyone who works at the practice from reception, nurses and vets. A friendly welcome makes you feel good and you know you can trust them all thoroughly.
Our two Westies, Bracken and Bailey, have no trouble going in and they really enjoy the way they are greeted and treated. How many animals wag their tail when they are taken through for surgery? It is a very happy place to take your pet.
We rescued Pandora the lab after losing our chocolate in a sudden and distressing time. Changing vets and taking our new dog to Island Vetcare was very nerve wracking but our worries were soon allayed by the caring and personable staff, vets, nurses and admin! To top it off the incurable eating disorder we thought we had inherited with Dora as something else and she received life changing heart surgery at the vets. It was such a relief not to have to travel for the major surgery which has meant Dora can eat almost normally!! We have a lot to be immensely grateful for to the team at Island VetCare and We highly recommend them.
Tess was in a lot of pain with her shoulder and limping quite badly. She was diagnosed after a visit to Ian and Matthew and we were advised that she would need surgery, which turned out to be more extensive than first thought, however after the surgery gradually her mobility has improved and now Tess runs and plays like a pup again. We are 100% satisfied with the treatment and results so well done and thank you. We would recommend Island Referrals to anyone to save the journey and expense of taking a poorly pet to the mainland.
