Specialist Vets in Clay Cross

## Summary Matt Smith Vets is a small-animal practice established in 2018. Based on its stated facilities (in-house lab, X‑ray, ultrasound) and services list (dentistry, diagnostic tests & imaging, surgery, nurse clinics), it appears set up for both routine care and in-practice diagnostics/treatments. From the latest reviews available to us, owners repeatedly describe: - staff taking time to settle anxious pets before starting an exam (including a dog that had tried biting at other practices) - compassionate end-of-life care, including handwritten condolence cards mentioned by multiple owners - clear updates and aftercare advice during urgent situations (one review describes a newborn puppy with intestines outside the body being treated and returned home within about an hour) Out-of-hours emergencies are handled by MiNightVet Rotherham, as stated on the clinic website. ## Services From the clinic website summary, services include: - Consultations and vaccinations (including booster injections mentioned in reviews) - Nurse clinics, including six-month health checks - Surgery (including soft tissue surgery and orthopaedic surgery listed as specialties) - Dentistry - Diagnostic tests & imaging, supported by on-site X‑ray and ultrasound plus an in-house lab - Microchipping, neutering, parasite control - Anal sac expression, blood pressure checks - Grooming & nail clipping - Pet travel documentation Species treated (per the website) include dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, caged birds, and backyard poultry; reviews also mention care for a ferret. Emergency care (per the website): - Emergency support during normal opening hours by contacting the practice - Out of hours: MiNightVet Rotherham ## People - **Kim**: mentioned in a review as providing “loads of time” during a booster visit, giving detailed advice on another issue, and handling the dog gently. - **Matt**: named by a reviewer alongside the wider team as being “lovely” and caring about pets. Across multiple reviews, owners describe vets, nurses, and reception staff keeping them informed during urgent care, being careful with anxious pets, and providing supportive end-of-life discussions and aftercare guidance. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 366 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Managing nervous or reactive pets:** owners describe the team taking time to relax the pet before examining, with one example of a dachshund who had tried to bite at other practices. - **Urgent care communication and aftercare:** one reviewer describes prompt treatment for a newborn puppy with intestines outside the body, with staff providing updates and aftercare advice. - **End-of-life support:** several reviews mention gentle handling during euthanasia and follow-up gestures such as handwritten condolence cards. - **Value perceptions vary by reviewer:** multiple owners call prices “reasonable/OK” or “not super expensive,” but no specific fees are given.

## Summary Vets Now Chesterfield is part of the Vets Now emergency veterinary group, set up for out-of-hours urgent and emergency care for small animals, with support also available via video consultation (as described on the clinic’s site). Recent reviews frequently mention being seen quickly during out-of-hours emergencies (including “within 10 mins”), and that notes can be sent on to a client’s regular “partner practice” vet. Pricing is a repeated decision point: several reviewers describe very high fees (including being quoted £300+ for a consultation and £1500–£1600 for overnight care), while others say costs were “high” but treatment felt “worth it” or “reasonable” once underway. ## Services - Out-of-hours emergency care when host practices are closed (website). - Small-animal emergency treatment (website). - Video consultations (“Speak to a Vet Now” via video chat) mentioned on the clinic’s site. - Cases and treatments explicitly mentioned in reviews: - Treatment for a tooth abscess, including antibiotics. - Care for a cat with a glass cut. - Emergency assessment/treatment after a road traffic accident referral. - Secondary pneumothorax (air around the lungs) management discussed in a dog’s case. - Euthanasia (PTS) and time/space provided for families to say goodbye. - Communication/continuity: - One reviewer states notes are sent to a client’s regular vet if it is a “partner practice.” ## Pricing - One reviewer reports paying **£300** for “basic observations.” - One reviewer says they were told on the phone a **£300+ consultation fee** to be seen. - One reviewer reports being quoted **£1500–£1600** for **overnight emergency care**. - One reviewer reports paying **£455.55** for their cat to be seen and euthanised (PTS). - One reviewer reports an additional **£400+** quoted for **individual cremation and casket** (on top of the visit/PTS bill). - Multiple reviews describe costs as “high”/“ridiculously high,” and one mentions wanting a clearer breakdown of charges. ## People - **Will (vet)**: described as “very knowledgeable” in an out-of-hours visit. - **Lottie**: specifically thanked for care provided to a dog with a secondary pneumothorax. - **Vet nurse (unnamed)**: in one review, handled a cat with a glass cut and the clinic “waived the vet consultancy fee” as a result. - Communication style noted in end-of-life situations: one family appreciated that staff were “prompt and clear,” didn’t “sugarcoat,” and allowed time and space to say goodbye (including late at night). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.2 stars from 388 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Speed/access out of hours:** several accounts of being seen quickly (including “within 10 mins”) during urgent situations. - **Handling anxious pets and owners:** one owner says staff “made a real fuss” over their dog to ease anxiety; others describe gentle handling during traumatic situations (e.g., post-accident referral). - **Clear, direct updates in emergencies (including end of life):** reviewers mention straightforward explanations without false reassurance, and being given time to say goodbye. - **Costs are a major pain point, but experiences vary:** multiple reviewers describe consultation/treatment as “extortionate” or “ridiculously high” and ask for clearer itemised costs, while others say it was expensive but “worth it,” or that treatment costs felt reasonable despite a high consultation fee. - **Mixed experiences with staff manner:** one reviewer felt the vet wasn’t friendly and seemed nervous around their dog, while others describe staff as kind and compassionate.