Specialist 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.

## Summary McMurtry and Harding appears set up for both routine small‑animal care and more specialised bird work, with multiple recent reviews specifically seeking out their avian and poultry expertise. The clinic is also listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. Owners describe being able to **get appointments booked quickly**, having **time to discuss options without feeling pressured into treatments**, and receiving **support during difficult end‑of‑life decisions**. Practical touches mentioned include a **clean, modern surgery** and staff helping to **send vaccination information to a pet travel documentation company**. ## Services - **Avian and poultry care** (multiple owners describe an “excellent avian vet” and being “poultry friendly”; parrots and poultry are explicitly mentioned). - **Acute/urgent care** (a dog becoming ill quickly on a Saturday afternoon and receiving “acute care”). - **Diagnostics/investigation work** (one owner attended for “detailed investigation” after referral and left with a diagnosis and management plan). - **Vaccinations documentation support for pet travel** (staff helped send vaccine information for travel paperwork). - **Euthanasia / end‑of‑life support** (help with the decision-making process and handling a “sad day” described by an owner). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in the clinic’s services/specialisations). ## People - **Paul (vet)**: repeatedly highlighted for **avian expertise**—owners describe him as very knowledgeable and good with parrots, even when handling becomes difficult (one mentions him “endur[ing] a bite”). - **Arielle (team member/vet, role not stated)**: mentioned in the context of **Saturday acute care**, with the owner noting both professional treatment and personal support during a rapid illness. - **Sarah (vet/team member, role not stated)**: thanked for **guidance and professionalism during euthanasia decision-making**, helping an owner through an emotionally difficult situation. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 255 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Bird/poultry expertise is a recurring reason for choosing the clinic**, including avian vet consultations for parrots and “poultry friendly” care. - **Clear communication and unpressured decision-making**: owners mention vets listening to concerns, discussing options, and not pushing treatments. - **Support in high-stress situations**: examples include acute illness care and sensitive handling of euthanasia decisions. - **Good organisation and helpful admin**: quick appointment booking, a pre-visit phone call explaining what to expect, and help providing vaccine information for travel documentation. - **Facilities noted**: “super clean” surgery and described as a modern practice.