Dog & Cat Vets in Barrow-In-Furness

## Summary Wild Side Vets is a veterinary practice where the ownership/group status isn’t stated in the information provided. From the available detail, it appears set up for both routine care and more complex situations, including supporting nervous pets and carrying out surgery (including in small pets such as guinea pigs). Reviews repeatedly describe staff taking time with anxious animals—one owner mentions being offered desensitisation visits for a nervous spaniel—and there are also specific accounts of end‑of‑life support, including a home visit for euthanasia with step‑by‑step explanations and time given for owners to say goodbye. ## Services - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed service). - **Consultations**, including discussing **end-of-life options** (mentioned in reviews). - **Support for nervous/anxious pets**, including **desensitisation visits** to help a dog feel comfortable attending the clinic (mentioned in reviews). - **Home visit euthanasia** (described in a review as handled sensitively, with the process explained during the visit). - **Surgery under general anaesthetic**, including for **guinea pigs** (multiple procedures and recoveries described). - **Spay surgery** for a guinea pig with **cysts**, including a return to anaesthetic within 24 hours after stitches were eaten (review account). - **Surgical removal of a polyp** (described as emergency treatment for a guinea pig). - **Emergency treatment** is referenced in a review (no further details provided on how emergencies are covered). ## People - **Kate** (named in reviews): described as responding promptly to an enquiry (including outside normal hours), discussing end‑of‑life options with “patience, sensitivity and understanding,” and being central to surgical decision-making and follow-up care for guinea pigs (including warning about risks before proceeding). - **Un-named vet/nurse (“the lovely lady”)**: described as patient and effective with a very nervous dog, helping the owner feel at ease during a first visit. - **Team generally**: multiple reviewers mention a calm approach with anxious pets and owners, including offering desensitisation visits and taking time during appointments. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 51 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Handling **nervous pets** with patience and calm, including offering **desensitisation visits** to reduce anxiety around appointments. - **End-of-life care** described in detail: prompt initial response, a consultation to talk through options, and a **home euthanasia** visit with explanations during the process and time given for owners afterwards. - **Small-pet (guinea pig) care and surgery** comes up repeatedly, including general anaesthetic procedures, a spay for cysts with a quick return to surgery after complications, and emergency surgery to remove a polyp. - Comments on the **clinic environment and facilities**, with one reviewer noting a well-decorated building and good facilities.

## Summary Grove Veterinary Centre is listed (in the clinic data provided) as a veterinary nurse training facility and as offering emergency veterinary services (described there as 24/7 or extended hours). Recent reviews most often describe prompt routine appointments and a team approach involving reception staff, veterinary nurses and vets. Several owners mention an “immaculate” interior and a welcoming experience, while one detailed negative review raises concerns about follow-up and support after kidney treatment and about the terms of a preventative plan cancellation. Concrete specifics mentioned by reviewers include: - Routine visits described as “very prompt” and “efficient,” with good support from reception, nurses and the vet. - Ongoing care for cats with recurring health problems, with vets offering reassurance to worried owners. - A dog kept in for a 24‑hour kidney “flush,” followed by a complaint that no further tests were done to check response and that the plan was “see how it goes.” - Out-of-hours care: one owner’s only downside was that the out-of-hours service is “so far away.” ## Services Services and care mentioned in the provided sources include: - **Emergency care:** the clinic is listed as providing emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours per the clinic data). One reviewer notes the **out-of-hours option requires travel** and felt it was far away. - **Routine veterinary care:** described as prompt/efficient for “routine things.” - **In-patient/acute medical treatment:** one review describes **24-hour kidney flushing** (likely IV fluid therapy) for a dog. - **Ongoing medical management:** reviews mention continued treatment for a young cat with “many health problems.” - **Preventative care plan:** one reviewer references a preventative plan that included **flea and worming tablets**, and describes it as a **12‑month rolling contract** (see Reviews for the disputed cancellation experience). - **Veterinary nurse training facility:** listed in the clinic data provided. ## People No individual clinicians are named in the information provided, but reviewers repeatedly mention: - **Reception team:** described as friendly, helpful and efficient (e.g., “very prompt… good service from the reception staff”). - **Veterinary nurses:** several owners mention nurses as consistently supportive and helpful with questions and problems. - **Vets:** some owners say vets reassured them during ongoing health issues; one owner reports the opposite experience during a kidney problem, describing uncertainty about next steps and feeling there was “no support.” ## Reviews **4.6 stars from 387 reviews.** The themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Efficient routine appointments and smooth front-desk handling** are mentioned in recent 5-star reviews (prompt service; good support from reception, nurse and vet). - **Positive environment and manner:** multiple reviewers describe staff as courteous/kind and the interior as “immaculate” and welcoming. - **Care continuity for cats:** one owner describes extended treatment for a young cat with repeated health problems and says the team provided reassurance throughout. - **Out-of-hours trade-off:** one reviewer’s main negative is that the out-of-hours service is far away. - **A contrasting negative account about clinical follow-up and plan terms:** one reviewer describes a 24-hour kidney flush for their dog but says no follow-up tests were done and they were told to “see how it goes,” then reports difficulty cancelling a preventative plan (told they must pay the remainder of a 12‑month contract and would not be entitled to services, including flea/worming tablets, after initiating cancellation).

## Summary Church Walk Veterinary Centre is a small-animal practice that sits within **The Vet Collection** (as shown on its website) and treats **dogs, cats and small pets** such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. The clinic advertises a broad mix of **routine care and surgery**, supported by **in-house diagnostics (X‑ray, ultrasound, lab tests)**, and it is accredited to **RCVS Core Standards**, **Cat Friendly Clinic (Gold)** and **Dog Friendly Clinic**. It’s also listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. From the latest reviews available to us, owners repeatedly describe: - **Calm, practical handling for nervous or difficult-to-handle cats**, including putting both pet and owner at ease. - **Clear, honest explanations and advice** (“clear and honest with me” is specifically mentioned). - **Help in urgent situations**, including being seen for an emergency appointment even when not already registered. - **Supportive end-of-life care**, with empathy and professionalism noted during euthanasia visits. ## Services Based on the clinic website and available reviews, services include: - **General consultations** and ongoing care - **Vaccinations** and **parasite control** - **Neutering** and other **surgical procedures** - **Dentistry** - **Diagnostic tests & imaging**, including **X‑ray**, **ultrasound**, and an **in-house lab** - **Microchipping** - **Nurse clinics**, including **six‑month health checks** - **Blood pressure checks** - **Grooming support**, including **nail clipping** (specifically mentioned in reviews) - **Anal sac expression** - **Acupuncture** - **Behaviour** and **cardiology** (listed as specialties on the website) - **Pet travel documentation** - **Puppy parties** - **Home visits** Emergency arrangements (as stated on the website): - During normal opening hours, clients are advised to contact the practice for guidance. - For out-of-hours emergencies, care is provided by **Vets Now Kendal**. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 104 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Handling and reassurance for anxious pets/owners:** one owner with an elderly, difficult-to-handle cat says the team put the cat (and them) at ease throughout the visit. - **Straightforward communication:** multiple reviews mention being given **clear and honest** advice. - **Urgent help when needed:** an emergency appointment is described for a pet owner who wasn’t registered, with staff “doing everything possible.” - **End-of-life support:** several reviews describe empathetic, professional care during euthanasia appointments. - **Efficiency for quick procedures:** a first visit for **nail clipping** is described as attentive and efficient.

## Summary Alexander Veterinary Centre offers general veterinary care with on-site diagnostic and treatment facilities, including modern surgery and dentistry, an in-house laboratory, and imaging (X-ray and ultrasound) plus ECG. The clinic also states it provides emergency care, and one review describes late-night treatment after a cat was attacked by a dog. Based on the latest reviews available to us, owners often mention thorough explanations (for example, a vet discussing a young dog’s growth in detail and answering questions), but there are also serious negative reports: one reviewer describes a major medication error, and another describes poor communication and follow-up around euthanasia as well as an automated vaccination reminder two weeks later. The website notes participation in the IVC Evidensia “Positive Pawprint Partner” scheme and references Pet Health Club®. ## Services From the clinic website summary and reviews, services mentioned include: - Emergency care (clinic states it offers this; one review describes out-of-hours treatment for a cat injured in a dog attack) - Modern surgical facilities - Dental facilities (dentistry is listed on the website; a reviewer also mentions their dog later needing 8 tooth extractions elsewhere after months of raising dental concerns) - In-house laboratory testing - Diagnostic imaging and monitoring: - X-ray - Ultrasound - ECG - Blood pressure monitoring - Preventive care: - Annual health check with booster vaccination - Pet Passport and export of pets - Veterinary nurse training facility (listed in the structured clinic data) ## People No individual clinicians are named in the information provided. In reviews, owners describe: - A vet being “very thorough” and giving detailed information (example: discussing a young dog’s growth and development) - Staff taking time to explain things “carefully and in multiple ways” and not making clients feel rushed (reported by one reviewer) - A contrasting experience where a reviewer felt no one checked in after their dog was put to sleep, and they report a promised follow-up from a manager did not happen ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 199 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - Explanations and thoroughness: owners describe detailed discussions during appointments and staff answering questions without rushing. - Emergency care: one account credits the clinic’s late-night treatment and quick judgement with saving a cat after an attack. - Cost: one reviewer comments the clinic “can be a tad costly” (no prices were stated). - Serious complaints (conflicting with the many positive reviews): - One reviewer alleges a major drug error. - Another describes a poor euthanasia experience (waiting with the body, lack of check-ins) and a later automated vaccine reminder; they also report that a promised managerial follow-up never happened. - One reviewer says repeated dental concerns were not acted on, and their dog later required multiple tooth extractions elsewhere.