Long Face to Face Consultations
Most first consultations are normally around 60 minutes with 30 minute follow up appointments. We can gain the most information from seeing you in person, so book to come and see us here in East Hoathly if you can.
Easy Parking
We have plenty of level free parking right outside the practice with only a couple of very small steps into the building.
Postal Sevice for repeat prescriptions
You can of course pick up repeats from us here in East Hoathly, but either way give us as much time as you can to get things ready for you, ideally 48 hours. You can email us with your repeat order, call us or leave a message on our answerphone.
Video and Telephone Consultations
If you live too far away or simply cannot get to us, we can arrange for a telephone or video consultation instead for many (but not all) conditions. Call us for more information.
House & Stable Visits
We can arrange for a house or stable visit where this is better suited to you, the animal or the individual condition that needs treating. Call us for details relating to the costs.
Reduced Consultations for Village Pets
If you live in East Hoathly, we offer reduced consultation fees for animals with minor conditions. Let us know what the problem is and we will see if we can help.
About Us - The HVMC
The practice is situated in the pretty East Sussex village of East Hoathly, about a mile from the A22. We are around 40 to 50 minutes from Eastbourne, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells and about 2 hours from South London, Chichester and Canterbury.
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The HVMC was established by Tim in 1995 to provide alternative veterinary therapies for a range of domestic and farm animals. We use Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine (including CBD oil) and Acupuncture as well as the use of Flower Essences, Nutraceutical Medicine (the use of dietary supplements), Medicinal Mushrooms, Essiac and Iscador. We can also help with Dietary Advice including advice on raw food feeding.
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Joining Tim are vet Kay Barkley, vet Siobhan Menzies, chiropractor Serena Ridley and Emmett therapist Toni Stevens.
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There is ample easy level parking and a playing field across the road to exercise your dog. There is also room for parking small to medium sized horse boxes as well.
The village has an excellent Coffee Shop, Pub, Village Shop & Post Office.
How we can help ....
We can provide support for range of acute and chronic, non-life-threatening conditions from A to Z, including minor injuries, arthritis, back pain, allergies, IBD & other digestive problems, endocrine conditions such as Cushing’s Disease, behavioural issues including cognitive dysfunction, epilepsy, liver and kidney issues and some immune based diseases.
All breeds ....
Common conditions we help with include mobility issues, skin problems, over-grooming, stress linked cystitis, liver and kidney disease, epilepsy, rodent ulcers, rhinitis and sinusitis and some behavioural problems.
Large and small ....
The most common problems we can address include sweet itch, Cushing’s Disease, EMS, chronic laminitis, head shaking, DJD and back pain, rhinitis and sinusitis and COPD as well as some types of sarcoid.
Both farm and pet ....
There are a number of conditions that we have been able to manage using alternative approaches, including mastitis, ringworm, back injuries (post-calving), chronic foot abscesses, chronic respiratory disease and mobility issues.
Often respond well ....
Back pain and mobility problems in general, skin problems such as orf, and other conditions such as pink eye, chronic respiratory disease, foot rot and chronic abscesses can all respond to an alternative approach.
To alternative approaches
We can sometimes help with abscesses, back leg weakness, skin issues including pododermatitis, snuffles, mastitis, endometritis, chronic diarrhoea and some eye and ear conditions.
THERAPIES WE OFFER
We offer a wide range of therapies, sometimes applied singly, sometimes in combination, across all species.
Our aim is to treat animals as individuals and tailor each treatment accordingly.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on the principal of "like treat like" and uses ultra high dilutions of substances working at nano particle level. Remedies are matched closely to the animals symptoms to stimulate resolution of the clinical symptoms linked with illness. Homeopathy can be used to support animals of all species across a huge range of medical problems.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine, sometimes called phytotherapy, uses plants that have medicinal properties to provide support for a wide variety of conditions. Plants contain complex mixtures of compounds that have synergistic effects within a single remedy or within mixes made from combining several herbal remedies together. Plant based remedies have physical actions on the body such as relieving inflammation, boosting the immune system, loosening mucus, stimulating healing, removing toxins and supporting individual organs such as the liver, kidneys and brain.
Acupuncture
Acupunture involves the stimulation of acupuncture points (using traditional acupuncture needles or a laser) which lie on specific lines running over the body called meridians. This type of therapy is especially good at helping with musculoskeletal problems such as joint or back pain and neurological conditions, but can be used to provide support for a range of other conditions as well.
Flower Essences
Flower Essences work on homeopathic principles, using healing properties of individual flowers. They are used almost exclusively to help with behavioural problems and the physical ailments that can result from behavioral issues. The Bach Flower Remedies (which includes Rescue Remedy) are the most famous range of flower essences but we often like to use Australian Bush Essences for the animals we see here.
Pain/Rehabilitation Clinics
Veterinary Rehabilitation and Multimodal Analgesia clinics with vet Siobhan Menzies. Improve your pet's quality of life by using pain relieving medications and physical therapies to assist in their recovery from surgery, illness, trauma or debilitation. Conditions that respond include osteoarthritis, elbow and hip dysplasia, cruciate disease, spinal disease, degenerative myelopathy, lumbosacral disease, sporting injuries, tendinopathies, muscle weakness, geriatric issues, recovery from surgery, accidents etc. Any condition that causes pain or affects movement in cats or dogs might benefit. Therapies include acupuncture, physiotherapy, laser, Emmett therapy, electro-therapy, therapeutic exercises, conventional and complementary medications and supplements.
Diet & Nutraceutical Medicine
We are real fans of raw food feeding but can give you advice on any type of diet, on pet food labeling, pet food ingredients and on how diet can be used to improve health generally and in relation to a number of different conditions. This includes in particular, long term gut conditions, kidney disease and skin problems such as allergies.
Nutraceutical Medicine uses nutritional supplements which act like medicines but which can only be classed as supplements. We use a wide range to help with problems as diverse as cognative decline, gut health, respiratory disorders, skin problems, poor immune function and mobilty.
Chiropractic with Serena
The McTimony approach is a safe, effective, non-invasive and gentle approach to chiropractic, working to align and balance the musculoskeletal system. The benefits can include improved joint flexability and range of movement, stride length increase and balancing of weight on each leg, improved co-ordination (great for sports dogs), improved blood circulation and relief from pain and discomfort.
Emmett Therapy with Toni
Emmett is a unique body therapy and involves using a gentle muscle release technique. It understands the body's response to light touch via skin receptors which connect to the brain allowing resetting of muscle action through muscle memory recalibration. It can help with injuries, gait abnormalities, back pain, sprains and strains, performance issues and some behavioural problems.
Support for Cancer Cases
We can provide integrative support for cancer cases using homeopathy, herbs, diet, medicinal mushrooms and other immune supporting supplements. We also have many years experince in using Iscador which is based on the use of Mistletoe. Most of the cancer supporting therapies can be used alongside conventional medications. We can also provide support for animals receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Fees
Remedies, other Medicines and Supplements not included
With Vet Tim or Kay
- First face to face consultation - Around 1 hour, £185.00
- Reduced first consultation for existing clients (registered onwards from January 2020 only) - Around 1 hour, £165.00
- Second face to face consultation - Around 30 minutes, £65.00
- Third face to face consultation - Around 30 minutes, £50.00
- Video consultation - Around 1 hour, £160.00
- Telephone consultation - Depends on time - Around 30-60 minutes, £90.00-160.00
- Repeat Acupuncture Session (with Tim), £49.50
- Reduced consultations for East Hoathly Pets, from £45.00
- House calls, on a mileage basis, please contact reception
With Vet Siobhan - Multimodal Pain Relief Clinics & Veterinary Rehabilitation
- Initial consultation, around 1 hour, £150.00 (£125.00 if existing case referred internally to Siobhan)
- Follow up consultation, (30-45 minutes), £90.00
With Serena
- Chiropractic Session, around 30 minutes, £45.00
With Toni
- Emmett Therapy Session, Up to 1 hour, £50.00. Summer Special price, £35.00 for the first treatment
Opening Hours
Monday - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Tuesday - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Wednesday - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Thursday - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Friday - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
Bank Holidays - Closed
Team
Welcome to the HVMC Team
Kay Barkley BVetMed,
LFHom(Vet), MRCVS
Veterinary SurgeonBefore becoming a vet, I was a General and Sick Children's Nurse in Manchester and London, studying in my spare time to achieve the necessary qualifications to apply to veterinary college. I qualified from The Royal Veterinary College in 2006 and as a new graduate vet worked at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital in Finsbury Park, London. I have obtained the LFHom(Vet) qualification and am now studying towards VetMFHom certification. I live in Whitstable with my husband and our two children that we educate at home.
Tim Couzens BVetMed, VetMFHom, CertVetAc (IVAS), MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon, Practice PrincipleTim qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1980 and spent his first year as a qualified vet working in Ealing. Moving to the New Forest in 1982 he spent the next 3 years in mixed practice before moving to Sussex. Until 1990 he worked in small animal and equine practices during which time he had the opportunity to attend some of the original homeopathic courses for vets held in at the RLHH in Great Ormond Street.
Tim gained his membership of the Faculty of Homeopathy in 1991, his IVAS certificate of Veterinary Acupuncture in 1999 and is self-taught in veterinary herbal medicine. He opened the HVMC in 1995 as a dedicated holistic clinic. He is co-author of several books and sole author of Homeopathy for Horses published by Kenilworth and Horses and Homeopathy published by Saltire. He has three grown up children and a niece who is a small animal veterinary surgeon.
Siobhan Menzies BVM&S, CCRP, GPCert, LFHom(Vet), MRCVS
Veterinary SurgeonSiobhan has spent more than twenty years working in pain management for pets and is passionate about improving the quality of life of animals struggling with reduced mobility and chronic pain. In 2002 she opened Northern Ireland’s first dedicated acupuncture, pain management and rehabilitation clinic, providing tailored multimodal analgesia solutions for dogs and cats and is looking forward to providing a similar service in Kent and East Sussex. She holds a CCRP [Canine Certified Rehabilitation Practitioner] qualification, a GP Certificate in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain and has studied Canine Sports Medicine with the CRI.
She has lectured to the veterinary profession on pain management, rehabilitation and cannabinoids and is currently preparing a practical rehabilitation course for vets and vet nurses in order to encourage this valuable therapy within the profession. She lives with her husband and dogs in Kent and NI and loves travel, hiking and kayaking.
Serena Ridley DC, MChiro, MMCA, MSc
ChiropractorSerena has always been an animal lover, and after a nasty fall whilst competing her pony, injuring the pair, she sought a McTimoney Chiropractor to help them both. Having been so impressed at the results of the technique, she decided, aged 13, to pursue a career in McTimoney Chiropractic. After finishing her A Levels, Serena completed a 5 year Masters course to treat humans, followed by a second Masters course to treat animals. Serena is registered with the McTimoney Association (MCA) and the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
Toni Stevens BCCSDip, HthNut
Emmett TherapistToni has a lifelong passion for animals, particularly dogs and their relationship with humans. Her interest in Emmett began when she discovered how effective this treatment is, whilst receiving it during a chiropractic treatment on her back. She was amazed at how such a gentle therapy can encourage the body to reset muscle memory and re-align itself.
As a trainer for many years, with a passion for dogs health and happiness, Toni observed how mobility, diet and general well-being affected their behaviour and ability to learn, and developed her business specialising in training, mobility and diet. She is qualified in Canine Psychology, Human and Animal Reiki, Emmett for Dogs & their handlers, and holds a BCCS Diploma in Canine Nutrition & Health. She continues to maintain her CPD and is currently studying a diploma in Petbc Advanced Canine Behaviour When not absorbed with dogs, Toni volunteers for the BHWT, as the East Sussex Co-ordinator, rehoming ex commercial hens, and enjoys walking, dancing, yoga and various crafts. .
Useful Links
Useful and practical links to help you find out more information on Veterinary Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture as well as information on Chiropractic, Emmett Therapy and Raw Food Feeding and books which might be of interest.
Contact
All our contact details are below, including where to find us. The phone line can be very busy, so if its engaged, our apologies.
You can leave messages on our answer phone outside normal working hours.
Location:
HVMC, Unit 2, The Village Works, London Road, East Hoathly, East Sussex, BN8 6QA, UK
Call:
01825 840966