Specialist Vets in Matlock

## Summary Derwent Valley Vets Ltd is a veterinary clinic that (per its own site) offers routine preventive care alongside specific clinics such as dental clinics and weight-loss programmes, plus procedures like microchipping and keyhole speying. Reviews add detail that the practice is used for both routine appointments (e.g., puppy first visits) and more complex work-ups: one owner describes blood tests and an ultrasound followed by same-day surgery after a rapid discussion of options. Several reviewers also highlight practical touches such as follow-up phone calls after the weekend and accommodating end-of-life care at home at short notice. The clinic is also described in multiple recent reviews as having a guinea pig specialist (Dr. Ellie), including the option of telephone/online consultations for guinea pigs. ## Services From the clinic website summary: - Nail clipping - Expressing anal glands - Microchipping - Weight loss programmes - Dental clinics - Administration of flea and worming medication - Puppy health checks - Kitten health checks - Keyhole speying From the latest reviews available to us: - Guinea pig-focused care with a named “guinea pig specialist” (Dr. Ellie); one reviewer also mentions telephone/online consultations for guinea pigs - Diagnostic work-up described by an owner as including blood tests and ultrasound, with subsequent same-day surgery - At-home euthanasia is described by one owner as being arranged at short notice - Follow-up phone call after the weekend mentioned following treatment Emergency/out-of-hours: the website mentions emergencies but does not give details of emergency or out-of-hours arrangements. ## People - **Dr. Ellie (vet)**: repeatedly referenced as a guinea pig specialist; owners describe her as “knowledgeable and thorough” with guinea pigs, and one mentions she is willing to do telephone/online consultations. - **Lisa (vet)**: described by a puppy owner as kind and knowledgeable, and as involving the owner in decisions (“keen to know my thoughts and preferences” for treatment plans), which the reviewer contrasts with past experiences of being spoken down to elsewhere. - **Charlotte (vet)**: mentioned as “wonderful” and very affectionate/positive with dogs during an appointment. - **Reception team**: multiple reviews mention receptionists being welcoming and helpful; one owner describes a receptionist actively distracting a vocal dog with treats during the visit. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 272 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Guinea pig owners specifically seek out the practice for **Dr. Ellie’s specialist care**, describing thorough examinations and clear expertise; remote consultations are also mentioned. - **Owner communication and shared decision-making** comes up in puppy visits (e.g., vets asking for the owner’s preferences and discussing plans rather than talking down). - **Responsiveness and follow-through**: examples include getting a worried owner a quick appointment, chasing prior medical history, doing further tests (bloods) and a follow-up call after the weekend. - **Handling difficult situations**: one owner reports the practice arranged **at-home euthanasia at short notice**, and another thanks the team for care around a pet that later passed away. - **Diagnostics and rapid escalation when needed**: one account describes bloods + ultrasound followed by a phone call about options and **same-day surgery**.

## Summary Derbyshire Veterinary Services T/A McMurtry & Harding Veterinary Surgeons is an RCVS-accredited practice that, based on its own materials, covers both small and large animals and offers routine and emergency care for equines (horses, ponies and donkeys). It’s also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. From the latest reviews available, owners most often describe being able to see the same vet over time (helpful for nervous dogs), and mention specific staff members (Bethany and Chris) for ongoing care. One review raises a clear policy/communication complaint: a client paying £18/month for flea and worming says they were told they needed to pay for a consultation before being supplied because the dog hadn’t been seen “in so long,” and describes the interaction as rude and money-driven. ## Services - **Small and large animal veterinary care** (practice-stated). - **Equine care (horses/ponies/donkeys)** including **routine and emergency care** (practice-stated). - **End-of-life care**: one owner specifically mentions support when having their dog put to sleep (review-stated). - **New puppy support**: one owner references help when getting a new puppy and with queries (review-stated). - **Parasite control plan**: a reviewer reports being on a monthly flea and worming payment plan (review-stated). ## Pricing - **£18 per month**: reported “payment plan” for flea and wormer (review-stated). - A reviewer also reports being told they would need a **paid consultation** before flea/worming could be supplied because the dog hadn’t been seen for a long time (review-stated). No consultation fee is stated. ## People - **Bethany** (vet role not explicitly stated): praised by an owner for doing “a super job looking after my pets,” including attention to pets’ emotional state as well as physical health (review-stated). - **Chris** (vet role not explicitly stated): mentioned alongside Bethany for looking after the same owner’s pets, contributing to the owner feeling reassured after visits (review-stated). - **Reception team** (not named): described as “welcoming and helpful” in one review (review-stated). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 118 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Continuity of care**: repeat mention of being able to see the same vet consistently, which one owner says matters for a nervous dog. - **Reassurance and handling of anxious pets**: owners describe leaving appointments feeling reassured, and one specifically notes pets’ emotional state being addressed as well as physical issues. - **Warm welcome/front-desk experience**: reception is described as welcoming/helpful. - **A notable negative around parasite-medication supply rules and tone**: one reviewer paying **£18/month** says they were required to book/pay for a consultation before ordering flea and wormer due to not being seen recently, and they describe the interaction as rude and focused on money.