Specialist Vets in Scarborough

## Summary Dunslow Road Veterinary Surgery offers routine care (vaccinations, neutering) alongside diagnostics like X‑rays and ultrasound, and advertises 24‑hour emergency care with out‑of‑hours cover provided by Aldgate Vets. Recent reviews give concrete examples of urgent and procedural care: a dog with a deep pad cut was seen within an hour and sedated for stitches, and a kitten spay included follow‑up appointments and “nice neat stitches.” Owners also mention staff taking time to handle nervous or “temperamental” pets, and one reviewer noted the consultation and prescription felt “competitively priced.” ## Services - **Emergency care** (stated as 24‑hour), with **out‑of‑hours service provided by Aldgate Vets** (as described on the clinic website). - **Vaccinations**, including annual vaccinations (mentioned in reviews). - **Neutering**, including **spaying** (kitten spay specifically described in reviews). - **Microchipping** (priced in a review). - **X‑rays** (listed on the website). - **Ultrasound** (listed on the website). - **Wound treatment and suturing**, including **sedation for stitches** and post‑procedure **antibiotics and pain relief** (described in a review). - Treats a range of small animals per the website: **dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, some birds, and small pets**. - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in the provided clinic data). ## Pricing - **Kitten spay:** £131 (reviewed experience). - **Microchip:** £25 (reviewed experience). - One owner also described a consultation and prescription as “competitively priced,” but no specific amount was given. ## People - **Reception team**: thanked for support during an emergency registration and visit (review mentions “the ladies on reception”). - **Veterinary team**: reviewers describe staff handling anxious or difficult pets by taking steps to settle them (e.g., helping a nervous dog during vaccination; being “amazing” with a “very temperamental” cat even without prior history available). - **Post‑op communication**: one reviewer notes staff **explained post‑operative requirements** after a spay and that **follow‑up appointments were included**. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 295 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Calm handling of nervous pets** during routine care (e.g., a nervous dog at vaccination; a temperamental cat in an emergency consult). - **Fast response for urgent problems**, including being seen within an hour for a deep paw cut that required sedation and stitches. - **Clear post‑procedure guidance and follow‑ups**, including post‑op instructions and follow‑up appointments after a spay. - **Costs occasionally called out positively**, including specific pricing for spay/microchip and a comment that consultation + prescription were competitively priced.

## Summary Swanzdale Veterinary Care Centre is an independent, first‑opinion small animal practice established in 2000 by Matt Purnell and Trish Johansen (taking over an existing practice on the same site). The clinic is equipped for in‑house diagnostics and surgery, with facilities including ultrasound, digital x‑ray, endoscopy and full lab facilities, plus separate dog and cat hospital areas and a sterile theatre. From the latest reviews available to us, owners most often describe prompt, hands-on care for acute illness (including an intestinal blockage found on x‑ray and removed surgically), and vets who take time with pets (including getting down to the animal’s level during consults). There are also accounts of the team investigating sudden severe illness thoroughly even when the outcome is poor. ## Services - **First-opinion small animal care** (as described on the clinic website). - **Diagnostics on-site:** ultrasound, digital x‑ray, endoscopy, and full laboratory facilities. - **Surgery and inpatient care:** large preparation (“prep”) area described as the surgical hub; sterile theatre for more complex procedures; separate dog and cat hospital areas. - **Anaesthesia/monitoring:** anaesthetic machines and monitoring equipment are specifically mentioned. - **Emergency veterinary services** are listed in the structured clinic data (details such as how it’s provided are not stated in the inputs). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** is listed in the structured clinic data. ## People - **Matt Purnell** (founder; role not specified beyond establishing the practice). - **Trish Johansen** (founder; role not specified beyond establishing the practice). - **Oliver** (vet, named in a review): credited with leading care for a dog with an intestinal blockage, including rapid surgery after x‑ray. - Reviews repeatedly mention the wider **vets, nurses, and reception team** having time for questions and engaging directly with pets (for example, “get down with your pets”). ## Reviews **4.9 stars from 383 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Fast action for serious illness:** one owner describes x‑ray diagnosis of an intestinal blockage followed by swift surgery to remove it, saying it “saved my dog’s life.” - **Time spent in consults and practical handling:** owners mention staff making time and interacting at the pet’s level. - **Thorough attempts even in end-of-life situations:** one review describes the team “pull[ing] out all the stops” to find the cause of sudden illness; the pet died the same evening, but the owner felt everything possible was done. - **General impressions of service:** multiple reviews describe “first class care” and “excellent vets,” but with limited detail beyond those statements.

## Summary Alma Veterinary Surgery Ltd describes itself as a long‑established **independent** practice. The website says it has **changed to a booked appointment system** (no open surgery): **some appointments are released in advance for planned/non‑urgent cases, and the rest are released the same morning** for on‑the‑day needs. It also notes a **large free car park** at the rear of the surgery. Emergency care information is **conflicting**: the clinic data lists “emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours)”, while the website says the practice **does not provide in‑house out‑of‑hours emergency care** and instead uses an external specialist emergency provider. In the latest written reviews available, owners describe **prompt responses when pets needed help**, a case where a vet **suspected thyroid disease immediately and confirmed it with a blood test**, and an instance where an **elderly dog was seen immediately during an acute collapse** and the team supported the owners through an unsuccessful resuscitation/end‑of‑life situation. ## Services Based on the website and reviews, services mentioned include: - **Booked consultations/check-ups** (a new client mentions a checkup after moving practices). - **Same-day appointment availability** via the practice’s revised booking system (some appointments released the morning of the day). - **Diagnostic testing**: blood tests are explicitly mentioned (used to confirm suspected thyroid disease). - **Ongoing medical management**: medication for thyroid disease is mentioned, with reported improvement over time. - **Urgent assessment**: a review describes a dog being seen immediately after a suspected heart attack/collapse. - **Out-of-hours emergencies**: the website says out‑of‑hours emergencies are handled by an external specialist emergency service provider (not in-house). - **Pet health scheme**: one reviewer recommends joining the practice’s “health pet scheme” (no further details provided). - **Rescue/re-homing link**: one reviewer says they got their rescue cat “from there” several years ago (no details on current rescue services are stated). ## People Named team members mentioned in reviews: - **Rosie (vet)**: credited with identifying suspected **thyroid disease in one appointment** after a prolonged period without diagnosis elsewhere, arranging a **confirmatory blood test**, and starting treatment that led to weight gain and coat regrowth. - **Amy (vet)**: described as **knowledgeable and reassuring** at a checkup; also named (with Karen) in a review about an elderly dog’s acute emergency where the owners highlight the team’s **professionalism and compassion** during a crisis and after the dog couldn’t be saved. - **Karen (role not stated)**: thanked alongside Amy for support and compassion during an emergency/end‑of‑life situation. - **Kimberley (role not stated)**: mentioned for making a new client feel welcome at a first visit. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 279 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Fast response when a pet needed help**: multiple owners mention prompt attention, including one case where a dog was “seen immediately” during an acute collapse. - **Clear diagnostic work leading to treatment**: a cat’s over‑grooming/coat loss was linked to suspected thyroid disease in a single visit, **confirmed by blood test**, followed by medication and reported recovery. - **Supportive handling of serious illness and end-of-life**: reviews describe sensitivity around cancer diagnosis and loss, and compassion during an emergency where the pet could not be saved. - **A minority negative signal without details**: one recent review is 2 stars but includes no written explanation in the data provided.

## Summary Companion Care (Scarborough) Ltd operates under the Vets for Pets / Pets at Home brand (a corporate chain). The practice presents itself as a modern, well‑equipped clinic with in‑house diagnostics (lab testing, imaging) and a surgical set‑up (operating theatre, anaesthesia, oxygen chamber), plus separate cat and dog waiting areas. It is also listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. From the latest reviews available to us, owners describe good ongoing support through the **Pet Plan/Health Plan** (including listening to new-owner anxiety and aftercare), and specific staff members are repeatedly thanked after multiple visits for an injured cat. However, there are also strong complaints about **vet availability**—including claims of appointments being cancelled when the vet is off sick and reliance on locum cover—alongside criticism that “Health Plan” benefits didn’t help during an urgent situation. ## Services Services and facilities mentioned on the clinic website include: - **Surgery & anaesthesia:** operating theatre, anaesthesia, **cruciate surgery** - **Dentistry:** dentistry and **dental X‑ray** - **Diagnostics & monitoring:** in‑house lab testing (**biochemistry, haematology**), **ECG**, **blood pressure monitoring** - **Imaging:** **digital X‑ray**, **ultrasound** - **Supportive care:** **oxygen chamber** - **Preventive care:** **microchipping** - **Medication:** prescriptions, pharmacy listed - **Nurse clinics** and **health plans** - **Waiting-room set-up:** separate cat & dog waiting areas Out-of-hours: the website states **out of hours care is available through Aldgate Vets**. ## People Staff members mentioned by name in recent reviews: - **Amber, Bianca, Leanne, Emma, Jonathan** — one reviewer thanks them for “professionalism, skill and kindness” across **five visits** for an injured cat. - **Jon** — an older review credits “Jon the vet” and the team with ongoing support for multiple pets, including during emergencies (details not specified). A reviewer also states that **Joao Alves** (described as the in-house / venture partner vet) was “removed” and that customers were not informed; this is presented as part of their reason for cancelling the practice’s health plan. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.3 stars from 135 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Health plan experiences are mixed:** some owners say the Pet Plan has been “excellent” and that staff listened to their worries as new owners; others say their “Health Plan” felt “null & void” when they needed urgent help. - **Aftercare and repeat-visit support:** one owner mentions “after care has been brilliant,” and another describes multiple visits for an injured cat with consistent professionalism. - **Vet availability concerns vs. positive care when seen:** multiple 1‑star reviews allege limited vet cover/appointment cancellations and reliance on backup arrangements, while several 5‑star reviews describe attentive care once appointments happened.