AN emergency service for poorly pets in the Borders has expanded.

The e-vets emergency service is now run seven nights a week and has transferred to bigger premises at Galedin Vets in Galashiels.

Launched 12 months ago at Border Vets, which has branches in Galashiels, Selkirk and Innerleithen, e-vets initially provided a weekend out-of-hours service for the host practice and for Robert Young Vets in Kelso.

The success of the service has seen it extended to seven nights a week with a team of three vets and four nurses, working on a rota basis from Galedin Vets at Easter Langlee Industrial Estate on Melrose Road in Galashiels.

While e-vets currently serves Border Vets, Galedin Vets and Robert Young Vets, which are all part of the VetPartners group, it is hoped it will soon expand to offer out-of-hours care to other practices across the Borders.

The team sees up to 30 cases a week and also provides over-the-phone advice.

Typical cases from the last 12 months include a dog stung after disturbing a wasps’ nest, a dog eating socks, cats and dogs involved in road accidents and several poisoning cases.

Lead vet Rosemary Webster told us: “Clients are really happy that calls come directly through to a vet or nurse and we can provide free advice. We have inpatients on site being monitored throughout the night and demand for the service is growing.

“At first we were just doing weekends and now we are a seven-nights-a-week service because the demand is there. We hope to expand in 2020 to offer out-of-hours care to other practices in the area.”

Pets are cared for overnight by Rosemary and her experienced emergency and critical care team, where they will receive the best possible care at Galedin’s surgery in Galashiels.

Rosemary added: “The number one aim of the service is improving patient care because hospitalised pets will have 24-hour monitoring from vets and nurses, which is a big advantage and comfort to their owners.

“In most situations animals are best treated at the clinic with access to all modern equipment. We can assist with transport concerns and do house visits when necessary.”