Specialist Vets in Market Harborough

## Summary Town & Country Veterinary Centre describes itself as an **independent veterinary practice** serving both **pets and horses**, with a **purpose-built small animal site** and an **ambulatory equine service** supported by **portable diagnostic imaging**. The website highlights **state-of-the-art diagnostic and operating facilities**, plus services such as **advanced dentistry**, **lameness investigations**, **stud medicine**, and **pre-purchase examinations**. In the latest reviews, owners most often point to **specific clinicians by name** (including **James**, **Michael**, **Tim**, and **John Abbott**) and describe outcomes such as a dog being “saved” after a critical 24-hour period, and calm handling of an older dog while discussing comfort options. There is also a clear **conflict in emergency-cover information**: the website states a **“24/365 Emergency Service,”** while one recent reviewer says they **don’t have 24-hour cover** and that out-of-hours care involves going elsewhere. ## Services - **Small animal care (pets)** - **Vaccinations and check-ups** (explicitly mentioned in reviews and on the website) - **Advanced dentistry** (listed on the website) - **Surgical/operating capability** is implied by the website’s “diagnostic and operating facilities” (no specific procedures named in reviews) - **Equine care** - **Ambulatory equine vet service** (website) - **Vaccinations** (reviewed) - **Equine dentistry/teeth work** (reviewed: “do 3 of our horses teeth”) - **Pre-purchase examinations** (website) - **Lameness investigations** (website) - **Stud medicine** (website) - **Portable diagnostic imaging and testing on visits** (review describes equipment carried, including portable x-ray, scanning equipment, and blood-sample diagnostic machines; the website also mentions portable diagnostic imaging) - **Emergency care** - Website states a **“24/365 Emergency Service.”** - A reviewer states the practice **does not have 24-hour cover** and that urgent out-of-hours care requires going to another provider. (This is presented as a direct contradiction between sources.) - **Other practical support noted** - **Text reminders** mentioned by a long-term client. - Website mentions **online appointment booking**. - Listed in provided clinic data as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## People - **John Abbott** (named on the website; described there as leading the ambulatory equine team and holding the title **Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine**) - Reviews describe him doing **vaccinations** and **equine dentistry**, explaining what he’s doing, and showing findings during a visit. - **James** (named in a review) - Credited (with colleagues) with **saving a dog** during an acute, life-threatening episode (“came within a whisker of losing our boy… saved him”). - **Michael** (named in a review) - Mentioned as being **excellent with a dog** and handling the dog carefully during appointments. - **Tim** (named in a review) - Described as attentive, understanding an owner’s explanation, and discussing **ways of keeping an ageing dog comfortable** while the dog stayed calm during the consult. ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 480 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Owners repeatedly mention **professional, polite service** and **helpful reception staff**. - Several reviews are **clinician-specific**, naming vets and describing what stood out (calm handling of nervous/older dogs; clear explanations; sharing findings during equine work). - **Routine preventive care** comes up directly (vaccinations and post-vaccine comments). - **Facility impressions** include a “**lovely large waiting room**” and “**always so clean**” (from one long-term client). - **Emergency-cover information is inconsistent**: the website advertises a **24/365 emergency service**, while one recent review says **out-of-hours urgent care requires going elsewhere**.

## Summary Ash Tree Vets is a long-established small-animal practice (no corporate group stated) treating dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters. The website highlights in-house capability in ultrasonography, cardiology, orthopaedics, medicine and soft tissue surgery, plus IIE Accreditation. In the latest reviews, owners most often describe calm, practical handling during appointments—such as using blankets over carriers for nervous pets, sitting on the floor with rabbits rather than using a high table, and providing routine care like vaccinations, worming tablets and claw clipping with support from veterinary nurses. One named vet (“Nick”) is repeatedly described as direct and clear in explanations. ## Services - Small-animal care for **dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters** (website). - **Ultrasonography** (website). - **Cardiology** (website). - **Orthopaedics** (website). - **Medicine / internal medicine** (website). - **Soft tissue surgery** (website). - Routine care mentioned in reviews: - **Vaccinations** (cat vaccination described). - **Worming treatment** (worm tablet given). - **Nail/claw clipping** (cat’s claws clipped “with the assistance of vet nurses”). - **Annual check-ups** (rabbits’ annual check-up referenced). - Comfort measures for nervous pets mentioned in reviews: - **Blankets over carriers**; vet examining rabbits while **sitting on the floor** with a blanket. ## People - **Nick (vet)**: described as “straight and to the point,” explaining things plainly and inviting questions (“you feel you can ask him anything”). - **Reception team**: repeatedly described as welcoming, friendly and approachable, helping owners feel at ease in the waiting room. - **Vets and vet nurses**: owners mention considerate handling (e.g., calming a vocal cat with a blanket) and nurses assisting during procedures like claw clipping. ## Reviews **4.6 stars from 220 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Owners consistently mention **clear, informative communication**, including straightforward explanations and being able to ask questions. - Multiple reviews describe **low-stress handling for nervous pets**, especially rabbits (blankets over carriers; vet examining rabbits on the floor with a blanket). - Several examples of **routine, practical care delivered smoothly**: vaccinations, worming tablets, and claw clipping with nurse assistance. - Some reviewers mention **support during difficult moments/end-of-life care**, as well as trying to be accommodating with appointment scheduling.

## Summary Market Harborough Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets chain and is listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Based on the latest reviews available to us, owners most often describe a calm, friendly experience alongside practical touches like post-op updates—one owner received a WhatsApp message and photo after their kitten’s spay and microchip procedure. Reviews also mention staff taking time to listen and explain options, and handling nervous pets gently (including giving a vaccination without the dog noticing). There are also examples of the team resolving an appointment-time mix‑up quickly and politely. ## Services - Spaying (spay procedure specifically mentioned for a kitten) - Microchipping (mentioned both as a standalone visit and alongside spaying) - Vaccinations (one review highlights a gentle approach where the dog didn’t notice the injection) - General consultations and treatment planning (owners mention being listened to, with causes/solutions explained and home-care advice given) - Same-day/unscheduled help reported in one case (an owner says they were seen after a short wait without an appointment, on a Sunday) - Veterinary nurse training facility (listed service/specialisation) ## People - **Christian (vet)**: Mentioned as “friendly and relaxed” during a kitten’s spay/microchip visit; the owner particularly valued the post-op WhatsApp update and photo. - **Sian (staff member; role not stated)**: Praised for giving advice related to “a couple of pet issues.” - **John (vet)**: Described as friendly, polite and professional, alongside a positive outcome for the pet. - **Unnamed vet (female, in one review)**: Credited with calm handling—remembered a puppy from a prior visit, checked the dog over without the dog realising, and administered a vaccination so smoothly neither owner nor dog noticed. ## Reviews **4.5 stars from 153 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Post-procedure communication: a WhatsApp message and photo update after a kitten’s anaesthetic/spay is specifically mentioned. - Clear explanations and listening: owners describe vets listening carefully, explaining causes/solutions, and giving home-care guidance. - Gentle handling of anxious pets: one owner notes the vet took time with a nervous dog; another highlights a vaccination delivered without upsetting the dog. - Front-desk problem-solving: an appointment time mix-up was handled with an apology and resolved to the owner’s satisfaction. - Value perceptions vary by case but one owner explicitly felt pricing was fair and that they “did not take advantage” in an urgent visit.

## Summary Rutland Veterinary Centre is an RCVS-accredited small-animal practice offering routine care (vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping) alongside procedures such as neutering and keyhole spaying, plus diagnostic imaging and veterinary nurse consultations. The clinic also states it provides its own 24-hour emergency service (365 days a year) for registered clients via another branch, where you would see their regular vets and nurses. From the latest reviews available to us, owners frequently describe prompt appointment access and friendly front-desk and clinical teams; one review gives a detailed example of a badly cut paw being stitched and bandaged by two vets, with the dog collected about two hours later. A minority of reviews raise concerns about cost/value and policies—one owner felt pressured into a re-check to obtain pain medication, and another queried closure over the Christmas period except for emergencies. ## Services Based on the clinic website summary and review details, services mentioned include: - Keyhole spaying and pet neutering - Pet vaccinations, annual health checks, and “start of life” care for puppies/kittens - Flea and worm treatments - Microchipping - Diagnostic imaging - Veterinary nurse consultations - Prescriptions - Pet insurance support - Animal health certificates - End-of-life care (“saying goodbye”) - “Lifetime Care Club” (membership plan is referenced, but inclusions/prices aren’t detailed in the inputs) - 24-hour emergency service for registered clients (provided by the practice at another branch; stated to operate 365 days a year) ## Reviews Google rating: **4.7 stars from 135 reviews**. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Speed of access and treatment:** one owner reports getting an immediate appointment for a deep paw cut; two vets stitched and bandaged it, and the dog went home about **two hours** later. - **Staff interactions:** multiple reviews mention reception staff, nurses, and vets being **friendly and supportive**, and that owners felt their pets were taken seriously. - **Cost/value is disputed:** one owner felt the bill was “a small fortune” and described being offered extra advice/products; another owner with an insured case said the total bill felt **reasonable** for the treatment provided. - **Policies/availability concerns raised by a minority:** one review questions being closed over Christmas except for emergencies; another describes needing a **repeat check** before pain relief could be prescribed again for an elderly dog. - **Access note:** one reviewer flagged that metal ramp surfaces at the entrance can become **very hot in summer**, cautioning owners to prevent pets walking on them.