E rick Expands ;EV[MGO JEGMPMX] YTKVEHIW XS TVSZMHI IZIR FIXXIV GEVI JSV 'IVQYHEƶW ERMQEPW fter years of fighting for electrical outlet space, having to down tools when an X-ray took place, and using rooms for multiple purposes, Ettrick Animal Hospital is expanding to create a modern, high-quality animal care facility for the benefit of patients, their owners and the staff. “We are adding on two brand new extensions, then joining and gutting the whole existing building,” explains Ettrick’s owner, Dr. Andrew Madeiros. “At the end we’ll have a whole new facility.” The renovated building will have three exam rooms, a treatment room, surgery and dental room, main surgery, X-ray room, grooming room, separated dog and cat recovery rooms, as well as runs and considerable utility, storage and office space. There is also improved security and flow throughout the building and it’s outdoor areas because “you need to avoid two rottweilers meeting each other unexpectedly,” he points out. Building an animal hospital is a particular challenge explains Madeiros, because “animal hospital grade” is higher than just “hospital grade” due to the “nature of the animals and contamination. Things like air conditioning, flooring, and sound proofing become very important when you have animals housed.” To meet the needs of their patients,
A
12
the new building will have upgraded ventilation systems and sound proofing, and all the floors have been designed with hygiene in mind: “All the tile is porcelain, which is non absorptive, with epoxy grout, which is also non absorptive,” he says. “If an animal urinates, none of that can be absorbed into the grout. “In our medical areas we have hospital grade vinyl flooring, which again has sealed seams and covering at the walls,” he continues. This means the vinyl bends at the walls creating an easy to clean curve, instead of difficult to clean right angles. The new ventilation system has been engineered to reduce the transmission of aerosolised disease, such as upper respiratory tract diseases, which can be spread through animals coughing and sneezing. He explains that cats in particular are more prone to upper respiratory disease. “We have special cat cages,” he says. “The cages have a built-in exhaust system that pulls air through the cage. Fresh air enters the cage and dirty air exits the cage. Dirty air goes through the vent system and outside, which reduces the spread from cat to cat in the same room.” There is a similar system in the dog housing area. A lot of research has gone into how to make the animals comfortable and relaxed, especially if they are recovering from surgery, including subdued colours,
dimmable lighting and heated flooring in all the recovery cages and dog recovery runs. The dog and cat cages have glass fronted doors, but the cats also have horizontal slats because research shows they don’t like vertical bars. “We’ve focused on disease control and animal comfort,” he says. Upgrading the Ettrick Animal Hospital has been a 15-year project for Madeiros who has taken courses and attended lectures at veterinary conferences about laboratories and buildings: “you talk about all of the interior workings, fits, finishes, paint – things that cause less stress for animals. I’ve taken all of that and am trying to incorporate it in this, and tried to budget so we can afford this.” Madeiros received advice from Scott Learned of The Design Learned, Inc. group, which is a Norwich, Connecticut based engineering firm specialising in veterinarian practices and animal care facilities. “I had a lot of advice from him on plumbing, electrical, engineering and sound proofing.” He adds that Heather Lewis of Animal Arts Architecture in Boulder, Colorado also offered helpful advice. Locally, Madeiros used Ocean Interiors Ltd., and engaged CTX Design Group who he says have “done a great job understanding what we’re doing and incorporating that.” “We require a massive amount of electrical outlets,” he says. “We use a lot of equipment now. We are constantly fighting for outlets. In our surgical room we have 10 outlets now. You need somebody who understands that.” BUILDINGBERMUDA2021
