Dog & Cat Vets in Richmond

## Summary Medivet 24 Hour Richmond is part of the Medivet group and is set up for round-the-clock urgent and inpatient care, with on-site intensive care and advanced diagnostics (including CT imaging and endoscopy). The website lists a broad surgical and medical toolkit (for example keyhole surgery, laser surgery/treatment, and an orthopaedic theatre), and reviews include multiple examples of owners being seen quickly in emergencies and given same-day treatment (such as an anti-emetic for a suddenly unwell dog). Recent feedback is mostly positive about thorough vets and helpful reception staff, but there is also a detailed negative account alleging pressure into costly tests/surgery and poor outcome communication after a post-whelping visit. ## Services Based on the clinic website and the latest reviews, services and capabilities mentioned include: - 24-hour emergency vet care and 24-hour intensive care - 15-minute consultations - Diagnostics: CT imaging, ultrasound, X-rays, ECG, endoscopy, in-house laboratory testing - Surgery: keyhole surgery, laser surgery, orthopaedic theatre - Dentistry - Acupuncture and laser treatment - Nurse clinics - Animal Health Certificates - Home visits - Species treated (per website): cats, dogs, rabbits, and small mammals - Veterinary Nurse Training facility (listed in clinic data) ## Pricing - Emergency consult fee: **£130** (website) - **No charge for assessment by phone** (website) ## People - **Alba (vet)** is named in a recent review, with the owner saying they were “very happy” to have their pets in her care. - Reception team are repeatedly mentioned in reviews for practical help in urgent situations (for example, quickly finding emergency appointments and being friendly on arrival). - Vets are described in reviews as giving clear diagnoses and being thorough; one review specifically mentions medication being given and the dog returning to normal within days. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.3 stars from 540 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Rapid access for urgent cases** is a recurring point: owners describe being told they could “come at once” and being seen after only a short wait. - **Treatment that led to quick improvement** is mentioned (for example, an anti-emetic administered for acute sickness, and medication that helped a very poorly dog recover over a few days). - **Out-of-hours guidance and responsiveness**: one owner with an anxious, complex case says the team let them contact the clinic out of hours for guidance and appointments. - **Strong negative account raising concerns about decision-making and communication**: one reviewer describes a post-whelping visit where they felt their input was dismissed, expensive testing and surgery were pushed, nothing was found during surgery, and they were reassured that serious post-op deterioration was “normal,” followed by the dog’s death and loss of puppies. Other recent reviews describe the opposite experience (clear diagnoses, thoroughness, and effective treatment), so experiences reported are mixed.

## Summary Pennine Veterinary Referrals is a referral practice focused on complex surgical and imaging-led cases in dogs, with a Veterinary Nurse Training facility listed in its services. Recent reviews repeatedly describe orthopaedic and spinal/neurology problems being worked up quickly with advanced diagnostics (CT, MRI and blood tests mentioned), followed by surgery such as TPLO for cruciate disease and patella luxation repair. Owners frequently highlight: - Detailed, plain-language explanations of procedures and imaging findings (including being shown CT/MRI results in person). - Proactive updates during the day (calls after tests and after surgery are mentioned). - Next-day check-in emails after procedures. - Administrative help with insurance claims (described as being made “easy,” and in one case managed with a quick payout). ## Services Services and capabilities specifically mentioned in the available information include: - **Orthopaedic surgery** - Cruciate ligament surgery, including **TPLO**. - **Patella luxation surgery**. - Surgery for **broken legs/complicated fractures**. - **Knee surgery** for traumatic injury. - **Spinal/neurology-related care** - Treatment for **acute spinal disease**. - **Emergency spinal surgery** is described in one review. - **Diagnostics** - **CT scan** and **MRI** are both explicitly mentioned, alongside **blood testing**, used as part of same-day workups in at least one case. - **Post-op and ongoing support** - Owners describe being **updated throughout the day**, and receiving **follow-up check-ins by email the next day**. - **Insurance administration** - Reception/admin support for **insurance claims** is mentioned in multiple reviews. - **Training** - Listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## People - **Alasdair Frost** (vet/surgeon; named in multiple reviews) - Owners repeatedly mention him **explaining surgery step-by-step in understandable terms**, including what was done and why. - Several reviews describe **phone updates after each diagnostic step** and again after surgery. - Named in cases involving **cruciate/TPLO**, **patella luxation**, **knee injury surgery**, and **fracture repair**. - **Phillipa** (nurse; named in one review) - Mentioned for sending a **photo update** of a dog settled overnight after surgery, which the owner found reassuring. - **Sophie** (reception; named in one review) - Mentioned positively as part of a front-desk team that helps owners feel at ease. Reception staff more broadly are frequently referenced for being welcoming and for practical help such as making insurance paperwork straightforward. ## Reviews **Google rating: 5.0 stars from 38 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Fast workups and treatment for serious problems**, including same-day diagnostics (bloods/CT/MRI) and surgery in at least one case. - **Orthopaedic and spinal surgeries are a common reason for referral**, including TPLO, patella luxation repair, fracture surgery, and emergency spinal surgery. - **Communication is a repeated focus:** owners describe clear explanations, not feeling rushed when asking questions, and regular updates during the day. - **Follow-up after procedures:** next-day check-in emails are mentioned more than once. - **Support for anxious pets and stressed owners:** examples include extra handling/cuddles for a nervous dog, photo updates during an overnight stay, and reception staff providing reassurance. - **Insurance help is specifically praised**, including the practice managing claims and simplifying the process.

## Summary Swale Veterinary Practice Ltd describes itself as providing “quality, affordable pet care… from routine checkups to specialised treatments.” It is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility and offers emergency veterinary services. Based on the latest reviews available to us, the practice is frequently used for urgent problems as well as routine care: one dog was treated out of hours for a badly bleeding cut, with a general anaesthetic and sutures, and another was given a same-day appointment (about an hour after calling) after eating something it shouldn’t. Reviews also mention longer-term support for chronic illness (diabetes in multiple dogs). Alongside this, there is a conflicting account alleging an x‑ray miss (fracture reportedly not identified) and issues with reception interactions and billing. ## Services - Routine checkups (mentioned on the practice website). - “Specialised treatments” (mentioned on the practice website; not specified further in the available extract). - Emergency/out-of-hours care (listed in clinic data and described in reviews), including: - General anaesthetic and wound suturing after an accident with significant bleeding. - Same-day urgent appointment following ingestion of something inappropriate; exam, an injection, medication, and advice were provided. - Injury/lameness assessment and treatment (thorough examination for a limp/foot injury; medication given). - Diagnostic imaging is referenced in a negative review (x‑ray for suspected fracture), though details are disputed. - Ongoing management support for diabetes is mentioned by a long-term client. - Veterinary nurse training facility (listed in clinic data). ## People - **Hazel (vet)**: Mentioned for out-of-hours emergency care, including administering a general anaesthetic and suturing a dog’s wound after an accident. - **Gavin (vet)**: Described as calming and professional when examining and treating a dog that “hates having his feet examined.” - **Linda (vet)**: Described as reassuring and thorough during an examination for a limp; also mentioned by a long-term client as someone who has “looked after” their dogs over many years. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 285 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Fast access for urgent issues:** one owner reports being seen about an hour after calling for a puppy that had eaten something it shouldn’t; another describes an out-of-hours vet being ready on arrival for an emergency. - **Clear examples of treatment provided:** GA and suturing for a serious cut; full exam plus an injection, medication, and advice after suspected ingestion; thorough exam and medication for a limp/foot injury. - **Handling and manner with difficult examinations:** a vet is specifically described as calming with a dog that resists having its feet examined. - **Long-term support is mentioned:** one client describes managing diabetes across multiple dogs with help from the team, and support around end-of-life (“saying good bye”). - **Conflicting feedback about clinical accuracy and admin:** one reviewer alleges an x‑ray missed a fracture (leading to their dog being put under twice), and reports rude reception interactions and incorrect billing/extra bills.