Advanced veterinary care including referral centres, exotic pets and specialised services
About Specialist Vets in Swadlincote
Updated January 2026
Routine-focused clinics play an important role in Swadlincote's veterinary landscape.
Swadlincote Veterinary Surgery and Hartshorne Veterinary Surgery focus on everyday care, vaccinations, and non-urgent treatment. These clinics provide essential services for maintaining the health and well-being of pets in the town. They fit into the local landscape by ensuring that pet owners have access to reliable and consistent care for routine health needs. Overall, the town benefits from a robust clinic depth, with key services spread across multiple providers.
There are 4 veterinary clinics listed for specialist vets in Swadlincote.
Top Rated Specialist Vets in Swadlincote
Top-ranked veterinary practices based on quality, service, and customer reviews
## Summary
Ownership/group status isn’t stated in the information provided. Bright Side Vets appears set up for both routine care and urgent, high-stress situations: it’s listed as offering emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours) and is also a veterinary nurse training facility. In recent reviews, owners repeatedly describe clear communication during serious illness (including “running tests” and starting fluids straight away), plus notably thoughtful end-of-life support (including dignity during euthanasia and help with aftercare such as individual cremation options). Practical touches mentioned include a practice messaging system for advice and staff returning a dog’s harness and collar to the owner after an euthanasia visit.
## Services
- **Emergency/urgent care** (listed as emergency veterinary services, “24/7 or extended hours”); one owner describes being seen immediately for a critically ill pet, with **tests run and fluids given**.
- **Diagnostics and treatment planning**: owners mention **quick diagnosis** (including for a rabbit) and discussions about **next steps/further tests** when the cause of illness wasn’t yet confirmed.
- **Euthanasia / end-of-life care**: multiple reviews describe compassionate support during euthanasia.
- **Aftercare following euthanasia**: one review describes **individual cremation**, with return of ashes in a “coffin style” box plus a **clay paw print** and **fur clipping**.
- **Routine appointments**: a **cat health check** is mentioned.
- **Parasite prevention**: owners mention being sent home with **flea and worm treatment**.
- **Neutering**: **castration** is specifically mentioned (dog).
- **Client communication**: one review describes a **messaging system** to ask for professional advice.
## People
- **Emily**: praised for handling a rabbit calmly (“always up for cuddles”), and for a **quick diagnosis** that the owner believes helped their rabbit live longer; described as helpful with questions.
- **Tatum (vet)**: credited with **explaining a dog’s diagnosis and best course of action clearly**, with a focus on what was best for the dog, and discussing that **further tests may be needed**.
## Reviews
**Google rating: 4.6 stars from 453 reviews.**
**“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”**
- **End-of-life care is a dominant theme**: multiple owners describe euthanasia visits handled with compassion and dignity, including supportive staff when families were distraught.
- **Urgent care described as decisive and hands-on**: one owner reports their critically ill pet was treated immediately with tests and fluids, with explanations given clearly.
- **Communication outside appointments**: a messaging system is mentioned as a way to get advice between visits.
- **Extra practical kindnesses**: one family says staff brought back a dog’s harness and collar after they accidentally left without them.
- **Range of species mentioned**: owners describe care for dogs, cats, and rabbits (including a rabbit made noticeably calmer around staff).
Why This Ranking:
Bright Side Vets in Swadlincote offers a wide range of services, including emergency care, and maintains a solid Google rating. Despite a slightly lower review sentiment, its comprehensive service offering and high professionalism make it a dependable 24-hour vet in Swadlincote.
## Summary
The Star Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness Clinic Ltd describes itself as a family-run, independent practice focused on both general veterinary care and pet rehabilitation, including canine sports medicine, for dogs, cats, rabbits, and small furries. The clinic data also lists emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours) and that it is a veterinary nurse training facility.
Recent reviews point to a practice that often handles complex or higher-support cases alongside routine care—for example: inpatient care with IV fluids/drips and close monitoring, rehabilitation following a double hip operation (with physiotherapy/hydrotherapy support), and same-day appointments for an unwell dog with blood tests and rapid follow-up. However, a small number of reviewers report serious consistency issues they associate with locum cover (including a lost in-house blood test, concerns about shaving/skin irritation after blood sampling, and a medication they say “should never have been prescribed”), plus dissatisfaction with complaint handling and being told they could not re-register after raising concerns.
## Services
Based on the website summary, clinic data, and the latest reviews, services mentioned include:
- **Pet rehabilitation**, including **physiotherapy and hydrotherapy** (named in the context of post-operative rehabilitation).
- **Canine sports medicine** (listed as a specialty on the website summary).
- **Inpatient supportive care** for acute illness, including **IVs/drips for fluids**, monitoring, and diagnostic workups (“running tests”).
- **Surgery and post-op rehab support** (a reviewer describes a dog undergoing a **double hip operation** and subsequent rehabilitation at the clinic).
- **Diagnostic testing**, including **blood tests** (one reviewer describes bloods taken with results phoned through within about an hour; another describes an “in-house blood test” that they were later told had been lost).
- **Vaccinations** (annual booster mentioned).
- **Ongoing medication management** (hyperthyroidism medication mentioned for an elderly cat).
- **Emergency veterinary services** are listed in the provided clinic data as “24/7 or extended hours” (no further detail was available in the website summary or the reviews provided).
- **Veterinary nurse training facility** is listed in the provided clinic data.
## People
Named staff mentioned in the latest reviews:
- **Emma** — described as the **Proprietor** and **Head of the Physiotherapy & Hydrotherapy Team**. A reviewer credits Emma (and the rehab team) with helping guide their dog’s rehabilitation after a double hip operation.
- **Hollee, Dani, Sam** — named as part of the team supporting post-operative rehabilitation alongside Emma.
- **Ellie** — praised by one cat owner for taking time to understand a complex history and “treat the root cause… rather than just addressing the symptoms.”
- **Rebecca Smith** — described by one reviewer as a **non-locum vet** whose care they found “exceptional,” in contrast to their reported concerns about locum appointments.
## Reviews
**4.8 stars from 325 reviews.**
**“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”**
- **Updates and follow-through during acute illness:** one owner describes their dog being hospitalised on IV fluids with “calls and reassurances” through the day; another describes blood tests taken and a vet phoning results through within about an hour of getting home.
- **Rehab after major orthopaedic work:** one review specifically mentions a **double hip operation** and extensive rehab support from the physio/hydrotherapy team.
- **Access to care and continuity:** a same-day appointment is mentioned for an unwell dog, and one owner notes being able to see a vet their dog had seen before when requesting it.
- **Concerns about inconsistency and errors (minority of reviews, but detailed):** reviewers describe issues they attribute to locum cover, including being told an **in-house blood test was lost**, concerns about **razor scratches/poor shaving** after a blood test, and a medication that another vet later said should not have been prescribed.
- **Complaint handling and re-registration:** one reviewer reports that after raising complaints, they were told they could not return as clients and that communication came from front-of-house staff rather than the owners.
Why This Ranking:
The Star Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness Clinic Ltd in Swadlincote scores highly due to its extensive service coverage, including emergency services and VN training. Its high Google rating and comprehensive data completeness further enhance its reputation as a trusted local veterinary clinic.
## Summary
Swadlincote Veterinary Surgery offers routine pet care alongside support for more difficult situations like end-of-life decisions, and is listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. The website highlights **Pet Health Club®** and provides **information on what to do in an emergency**. In recent reviews, owners repeatedly mention **fast appointment availability (including same-day)**, staff taking time to explain options, and being offered **more affordable treatment routes** in some cases. Pricing feedback is mixed: one owner praised “reasonable prices,” while another was unhappy with a **£75** charge for a puppy’s second Nobivac injection.
## Services
- **Vaccinations** (including puppy vaccinations; Nobivac specifically mentioned).
- **Same-day appointments** mentioned by a first-time client.
- **Support for serious illness and end-of-life care** (ongoing care for a cat “from day one until she passed away”).
- **Emergency guidance** (the website says information is available on what to do in an emergency).
- **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in the clinic’s structured information).
## Pricing
- **Puppy second Nobivac injection: £75** (one reviewer compared this to other vets charging around £41 for the same litter, and said the explanation given for the difference was unsatisfactory).
- Another reviewer described the clinic’s prices as **“reasonable,”** indicating conflicting experiences on cost.
## People
- **Kev**: Mentioned by name in a review describing long-term care for a cat; the owner highlighted being given **more affordable options** and **appointments found within minutes** when needed.
- **Julia**: Mentioned in a review about a recovering German shepherd; the dog “loved his toy Julia,” suggesting staff engaged directly with the pet during care.
- **Reception team**: Described as **friendly and welcoming**, and in another case the practice knew the family **by name** during a prolonged period of care.
## Reviews
**Google rating: 4.7 stars from 574 reviews.**
“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”
- **Speed and flexibility of appointments:** owners describe being seen **same day** and getting appointments arranged **within minutes** when needed.
- **Time taken and explanations:** multiple reviewers say staff were **patient**, took time, and provided “so much information.”
- **Emotional support during difficult cases:** one detailed review describes supportive care for a cat through to euthanasia and support for the family.
- **Cost is a point of disagreement:** one review objects to a **£75** Nobivac injection price and felt the justification was poor, while another describes pricing as “reasonable.”
Why This Ranking:
Swadlincote Veterinary Surgery in Swadlincote is well-regarded with a high review count and a strong Google rating. The clinic's commitment to VN training and complete information availability contribute to its high score, making it a reliable choice for pet owners.
## Summary
Hartshorne Veterinary Surgery describes itself on its website as a traditional practice with over 30 years’ experience, treating cats, dogs and rabbits. Reviews repeatedly note it’s an **independent** vet, and owners mention practical experience points like being **seen on time** and a **quiet/calm waiting area** that helped their dogs stay relaxed. Several reviews compare it favourably to previous practices, citing **“value for money”** and bills that were **“not extortionate”** (without giving exact prices). End-of-life care is specifically described, with one owner thanking **Geoff and a vet nurse** for helping their dog have a “peaceful farewell”.
## Services
- Care for **dogs, cats and rabbits** (website).
- **End-of-life/peaceful farewell** support is specifically described in a review (handled with “dignity and respect”).
- General consultations are implied in multiple reviews (e.g., the vet “listened to what I had to say”; dogs being seen multiple times for illness, including a “virus” mentioned in one review).
## People
- **Geoff (vet)**: mentioned in reviews for looking after a dog with a **virus**, and separately for compassionate support during a dog’s **end-of-life** appointment.
- **Will (vet)**: mentioned as caring for a dog during a separate concern in the same week as another pet’s issue.
- **Vet nurse (unnamed)**: specifically thanked alongside Geoff for compassionate, sensitive handling of an end-of-life visit.
## Reviews
**Google rating: 4.9 stars from 266 reviews.**
“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”
- Owners repeatedly describe it as an **independent** practice and say they moved after disappointment elsewhere.
- **Calm/quiet environment** is a recurring detail; one owner said their dog was “totally relaxed.”
- **Punctual appointments** are mentioned (“seen on time”).
- **Cost/value comments** come up often (“value for money,” “not extortionate,” and “a lot cheaper than my previous vets”), but no exact fees are provided.
- A detailed account highlights **end-of-life care**, describing empathy, professionalism, and helping their dog have a “peaceful farewell.”
Why This Ranking:
Hartshorne Veterinary Surgery in Swadlincote boasts an excellent Google rating and positive review sentiment. Although its data completeness is slightly lower, the clinic's focus on VN training and client satisfaction ensures it remains a top choice for quality pet care.