Dog & Cat Vets in Ashbourne

## Summary Blenheim Veterinary Centre is a general small‑animal practice that also sees a wide range of species (including reptiles and birds) and is listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. The website highlights services such as nurse clinics, acupuncture, dentistry, home visits, and ophthalmology, and states that emergency care is available. It also lists accreditations including **RCVS Cat Friendly Clinic**, **Rabbit Friendly**, and **Chicken Vet**. From the latest reviews, owners most often describe: - **Complex/urgent care being handled quickly**, including a **same‑day appointment and a hip being relocated under general anaesthetic**. - **End‑of‑life care at home** being available, with very different experiences reported: one owner describes a compassionate vet visit, while another reports problems with communication and unexpected extra charges. - **Nervous pets being handled patiently**, including a dog with a **damaged nail that needed removing**. (Ownership type—independent vs corporate group—is not stated in the information provided.) ## Services From the clinic website summary: - **Emergency care** (stated as available) - **Nurse clinics** - **Acupuncture** - **Dentistry** - **Home visits** - **Ophthalmology** - Species seen: **cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters**, plus **lizards, snakes and other reptiles**, and **birds including chickens and fancy fowl** From recent reviews (examples of care owners mention): - **Home euthanasia** (requested/arranged as a home visit) - **Damaged nail removal** - **Orthopaedic procedure under general anaesthetic** (hip relocated) - **Care/advice for an FIV cat** - Taking in an **injured bird** to attempt treatment ## Pricing - One reviewer reports paying **£284** for a home euthanasia visit, and says they were later told there would be an **additional £83 charge** after an earlier quote. ## People - **Adam (vet)**: repeatedly named for clinical explanation and compassion, including **end‑of‑life support** and explaining a **procedure and aftercare** in detail; also named in a review describing a **same‑day urgent procedure under general anaesthetic**. - **Katie Hanks**: thanked for **patience with a nervous dog** and for sorting a **damaged nail that needed removing**. - **Charlotte Mould**: described as **open and helpful** when discussing a cat’s condition (an **FIV cat**). - **Debbie (receptionist)** and **Holly**: one review describes poor communication and a lack of empathy during arrangements for home euthanasia, including being **left on hold** and needing to repeatedly ask for basic timing information. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 315 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Standout praise for specific vets**, especially Adam, for explaining options/aftercare and supporting owners during stressful situations (including end‑of‑life care). - **Examples of prompt, high‑stakes treatment**, including a same‑day appointment and a hip relocation under GA. - **Handling of anxious pets**: patience and gentle management are specifically mentioned (e.g., during a nail removal). - **Clear conflict around reception/admin and end‑of‑life arrangements**: one owner reports an impersonal experience with long holds and an added charge after being quoted, while another describes compassionate support in a pet’s final hours.

## Summary Orthopaedic Vet Ltd is an **independent surgical referral centre** focused on **orthopaedic cases for dogs and cats**, with on-site **x‑ray**, **hospitalisation**, and structured **post-operative follow-ups** (including post-op appointments and dressing changes). Recent reviews repeatedly mention **cruciate ligament surgery** and **luxating patella operations**, plus **removal of existing pins/wires** from a prior surgery. Owners also describe fast, practical communication after surgery (for example, **questions answered within a few hours**) and the option to attend a **check-up and x-ray without their dog being “knocked out for the day”** (as described in one review). ## Services Services mentioned on the clinic site and/or in the latest reviews include: - **Surgical veterinary referrals** (orthopaedics) - **Consultations** - **X-rays** (including check-up x-rays noted in reviews) - **Orthopaedic surgery**, including: - **Cruciate ligament operations** (multiple reviews) - **Luxating patella surgery** (review mentions both back legs) - **Removal of previous patella pins and wires** (one case) - **Leg fracture repair** mentioned by an owner describing repeat fractures - **Hospitalisation** - **Post-operative appointments** - **Dressing changes** - **Aftercare support**, with owners describing prompt replies when worried and ongoing support through recovery ## People - **Karl (vet/surgeon)**: Frequently named in reviews for **explaining procedures and aftercare clearly** (e.g., “explained the procedure in detail” / “explaining the procedure he would be doing and the aftercare that was needed”), and for being available for concerns during recovery. - **Hubert**: Mentioned for care around **cruciate ligament surgery** and **removal of pins/wires**, with owners noting **aftercare** and that questions were answered quickly. - **Jon (vet)**: Described as “straight to the point,” with one owner highlighting **in-depth explanations prior to leaving** after their dog’s operation day. - **Kath**: Mentioned for a welcoming arrival experience (“coffee and chat on arrival”). ## Reviews **5.0 stars from 174 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Orthopaedic problem-solving and surgery outcomes** are a dominant theme, especially **cruciate ligament** and **patella** cases, with owners describing strong recoveries. - **Clear explanations before procedures**: several owners mention vets walking them through what would be done and what aftercare would involve. - **Responsive aftercare**: owners repeatedly describe being able to contact the team with worries and getting **prompt replies**, including “within a few hours” in one review. - **Practical follow-up arrangements**: one owner valued being able to come in for a **check-up and x-ray without a full-day sedation/anaesthetic** (as they described it). - **Supportive, welcoming team**: multiple reviews mention the whole team’s support for both pets and owners during stressful injuries and recovery.