Dog & Cat Vets in Basildon

## Summary Medivet Laindon is part of the Medivet group (a chain practice) and is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. The practice advertises access to around-the-clock emergency care via Medivet’s network of 24-hour centres, with an overnight emergency consultation fee of **£130** (for consultations between **7pm and 9am**). From the latest reviews, owners most often describe a calm, relaxed-feeling practice where vets **listen and explain options**, including **pros/cons and costs**. Surgical care is mentioned multiple times (including repeat surgeries for one cat and a dog’s operation), as well as longer-term management for mobility/joint pain (one owner reporting a marked improvement after **6 months on Librela**). There is also a clear note of disagreement in the reviews: one owner reports a **misdiagnosis and feeling not listened to**, and raises concerns about pricing. ## Services - **Surgery**: multiple owners mention pets having surgery and being well cared for during/after (including a dog’s surgery and a cat having surgery twice in a year). - **Cancer care / complex cases**: one owner describes a cat with cancer where the vets “did everything they could,” though the cat was “beyond saving.” - **Pain management / mobility**: - A website promotion mentions a **FREE Mobility Pain Check** (time-limited on the site copy available to us). - Reviews reference **Librela** for an older dog, with ongoing follow-up over 6 months. - **Consultations and treatments discussed in reviews**: pain-relief injection, appetite stimulant tablets, and assessment of oral issues (an ulcer in a cat’s mouth is mentioned). - **Emergency care access (via Medivet network)**: the website states access to 24-hour emergency care at one of Medivet’s 24-hour centres, with an overnight emergency consultation fee (details in Pricing). ## Pricing - **£130 overnight emergency consultation fee** (stated by Medivet as a nationwide price for consultations between **7pm and 9am**). - Prices mentioned by reviewers (individual experiences, not a published price list): - **£102** for “a consultation, 1 pill and 1 injection” (one reviewer). - **£6,000** for a cat’s treatment earlier in the year (one reviewer). ## People - **Antonis (vet/surgeon, as described by a reviewer)**: one owner calls Antonis “a very skilled & competent surgeon,” saying he treated their dog throughout his life and performed recent surgery at this practice, with the dog “looked after amazingly by all the staff.” - Vets and staff are repeatedly described as: - **Listening to owners** and taking concerns seriously (several reviews), though one review explicitly says the vet **didn’t listen** and “made her mind up.” - **Explaining choices clearly**, including “options, pros and cons and costs” (one review about ongoing care for mobility issues). ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 362 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Clear communication and decision-making:** owners mention vets listening, being informative, and explaining options (including cost discussions in at least one case). - **Surgery and serious-illness support:** multiple accounts of surgery with good care; one owner describes efforts made for a cat with cancer, and another describes repeat surgeries for a cat in the same year. - **Longer-term management:** one owner reports a strong outcome with **Librela** over six months for an older dog’s mobility. - **Conflicting experiences on listening/accuracy and cost:** one reviewer alleges a **misdiagnosis**, says the vet didn’t listen to their observations, and describes the practice as “extremely expensive,” citing specific charges; other recent reviewers report the opposite (feeling listened to and supported).

## Summary Vets for Pets describes this practice as a **family-owned veterinary hospital (established 2009)** with **24/7 emergency and critical care** and a broad in-house setup (including **CT and MRI** listed on its site). The website also states it treats a wide range of species beyond cats and dogs (including **rabbits, reptiles, birds and other exotics**), and recent reviews back this up with an example of **surgery on a bearded dragon**, including **overnight monitoring**. Owners most often mention: - **Same-day and late-night support for end-of-life care**, with staff making arrangements quickly and providing a private room when needed. - **Clear explanations and home-care instructions** (e.g., an eye injury appointment where the vet explained the problem and how to treat at home). - **Post-op follow-ups included in pricing** for at least one procedure (a castration), which surprised the owner positively. ## Services From the clinic website summary, the hospital lists services and facilities including: - **General healthcare**: routine check-ups and **vaccinations** - **Emergency & critical care (24/7)** - **Surgery**: orthopaedics and soft-tissue surgery; the site also lists **keyhole surgery**, **arthroscopy**, **cruciate surgery**, **fracture repair**, **ear surgery**, and dedicated operating theatres - **Diagnostics & imaging**: **CT**, **MRI**, **ultrasound**, **digital X-ray**, **dental X-ray**, plus ECG and echocardiography (cardiology diagnostics) - **Laboratory & monitoring**: in-house lab work (e.g., haematology/biochemistry/electrolytes), **blood pressure monitoring**, and **blood transfusions** - **Dentistry** - **Cancer treatment**: chemotherapy/cancer treatment is listed - **Rehab therapies**: **hydrotherapy & physiotherapy**, plus laser therapy/laser treatment - **Other**: neutering and microchipping; nurse clinics; isolation unit; separate cat and dog waiting areas; separate cat and dog wards; an “Exotic Suite” (listed) Examples from the latest reviews available to us include: - **Exotic pet surgery** (bearded dragon) with **overnight care** - **Castration** with **included follow-up appointments** - Assessment and treatment guidance for a **cat’s eye injury** - **End-of-life euthanasia support** including same-day arrangements and a separate room for privacy Also listed in the clinic data: **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## Pricing - Website states an **out-of-hours emergency consultation fee of £190**. ## People Named in recent reviews: - **Libby (reception/admin)**: repeatedly described as helpful and understanding during an end-of-life visit; one owner said she **arranged a same-day appointment** and provided emotional support on the phone. - **Alberto (vet)** and **Yashu (vet)**: thanked for care around a **bearded dragon’s surgery**. - **Maisie**: mentioned as providing **overnight care/monitoring** during the reptile’s recovery. Other staff behaviours specifically described: - A receptionist **offered a separate room** when an owner was very upset during an end-of-life visit. - A vet treating a **cat’s eye injury** was described as giving a **clear description** of the injury and **clear instructions** for at-home treatment. ## Reviews **4.3 stars from 753 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **End-of-life care is a major theme**, including “speedy attention” late on a Sunday night and staff being described as empathic and thoughtful through the process. - **Practical, clear communication**: explanations of conditions and step-by-step guidance on home treatment are specifically mentioned. - **Support for anxious/reactive dogs**: one owner describes being able to **enter via the back and wait in a private room**, and says their anxious rescue dog became comfortable with visits over time. - **Pricing perceptions are mixed**: one reviewer makes a general complaint that vets “know you will pay,” while another says there were **no hidden charges** and that **extra follow-up appointments were included** in what they paid for an operation. - **Convenience for routine needs**: quick turnaround for a **repeat prescription** pickup (reported as a 5-minute wait).

## Summary Southfields Veterinary Specialists is a small-animal referral hospital (the website describes it as one of the largest and most diverse in Europe) with a large clinical team (“over 100” specialists, nurses and other professionals). Based on the latest reviews available to us, owners most often describe advanced referral-level care—especially oncology (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and complex surgery—alongside a busy inpatient setup (one dog described as admitted for over a week). The exotics service is also repeatedly mentioned, with multiple owners crediting “Dom/Dominic” and the exotics team for handling complex rabbit and ferret cases with long, detailed consultations and follow-up discussions of results. Specifics mentioned by reviewers include: radiotherapy delivered in multiple sessions for tumours; chemotherapy for lymphoma; a complex tumour surgery involving removal of part of the nose with “clear margins”; and exotics appointments where owners asked for quotes up front and had test results talked through in a later call. ## Services - **Small-animal referral hospital care** (website states small animal referral hospital; reviews describe referral cases and complex conditions). - **Oncology** - **Radiotherapy** for tumours (e.g., nasal tumour; neck tumour; bladder cancer mentioned in the context of treatment). - **Chemotherapy** (e.g., lymphoma; chemo nurses referenced). - Some owners describe combined treatment approaches (one review cautions about doing radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the same time, based on their experience). - **Surgery for tumours** - A “tricky procedure” including removal of part of the nose along with the tumour, reported as healing well with “clear margins.” - **Exotics service** - Rabbits and ferrets are specifically mentioned, including dental examination while awake, sedation for X-rays, and ongoing management of chronic/complex conditions. - **Inpatient care** - One owner reports their dog being admitted for **over a week**. - **Emergency veterinary services** - Listed in the clinic’s structured service data. - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** - Listed in the clinic’s structured service data. ## People - **Dominic (“Dom”)** (described by reviewers as part of/leading the exotics team; one reviewer calls him “head of Exotics”) - Owners describe unusually long, detailed consultations (one reports “just over 2 hours” in the consult). - Multiple reviews mention clear explanations of options and costs, and not feeling pressured into a plan. - Examples include taking time to listen to symptoms in a rabbit case that had previously been “dismissed,” and later spending time going through test results in detail (one review mentions a 40-minute discussion). - **Cassie** (nurse supporting the exotics service, per one review) - Mentioned as giving advice and reassurance if Dominic is absent. - **James** and **Sam** - Named in connection with an extended inpatient stay for a dog; the owner highlights thorough care during admission. - “James” is also named in connection with radiotherapy for a nasal tumour. - **Mikele** - Named as the vet overseeing a dog’s lymphoma care through to “the last chemo.” - **Nursing, reception and wider support teams** - Several owners explicitly mention the reception team, chemo nurses, and wider staff (including admin/cleaners) and describe coordinated support across multiple visits. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.2 stars from 186 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Cancer referral work is a dominant theme**, with multiple owners describing radiotherapy courses, chemotherapy, and complex tumour surgery (including one report of successful surgery with “clear margins” and a later “cancer free” update). - **Exotics care (rabbits and ferrets) is repeatedly singled out**, including long consults, careful handling during examinations, sedation for imaging, and follow-up explanations of test results. - **Communication and decision support come up often**, such as owners getting quotes before appointments, options being explained, and not feeling pressured into a particular treatment. - **A difficult trade-off is described around intensive oncology treatment**, with one owner expressing deep regret about the stress of treatment (needles, feeding tubes, limited visiting time) despite also describing staff as compassionate and supportive.

## Summary Companion Care (Basildon Pipps Hill) Ltd trades as **Vets4Pets** (a branded/group practice rather than an independent). The website positions it as a **modern, well‑equipped clinic** with in‑house diagnostics and surgical facilities (including **CT scanning**, **keyhole surgery**, and an **isolation unit**), and it also operates as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. Recent reviews include detailed accounts of **major procedures and ongoing monitoring** (e.g., a cat whose condition needed timely action, and a guinea pig that underwent **eye enucleation under anaesthetic**), alongside a sharp complaint about **unclear health-plan/vaccination terms**, and one report of **difficulty getting through by phone during an emergency**. ## Services Based on the clinic website summary and the written reviews available: - **Diagnostics & imaging (in-house):** biochemistry, haematology, in-house laboratory, digital X‑ray, ultrasound, **CT scan**, dental X‑rays. - **Surgery:** operating theatre, **keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery**, **soft tissue surgery**, **orthopaedics**. - **Hospitalisation:** hospital ward and **isolation unit**. - **Dentistry:** dentistry listed; dental X‑ray mentioned as a facility expansion. - **Nurse clinics:** nurse clinic listed. - **Travel documentation:** **Pet Passport / Animal Health Certificate**. - **Out-of-hours:** the site states that if the clinic is closed, **emergency care is available through out‑of‑hours services** (no further details provided). - **Species/procedures explicitly mentioned in reviews:** cats; guinea pig; **vaccinations**; **anaesthesia**; **eye enucleation** surgery; post-procedure **monitoring**. ## People - **Dr Ilianna (vet)** – named in a review for managing a guinea pig’s serious eye problem that required **surgery under anaesthetic**; the owner specifically credits her (along with the reception staff and operating team) with clear communication about the procedure being successful and the pet coming through the anaesthetic safely. - **Reception staff / wider team** – mentioned for being friendly and engaging in conversation (repeated in two reviews), and for their role supporting a surgical case. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 367 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **High-stakes care and follow-up monitoring:** one owner describes the team “knowing when to act” for a young cat and continuing “monitoring time.” - **Small-animal anaesthetic and surgery experience:** a detailed account of a guinea pig undergoing **eye enucleation**, with the owner emphasising relief at being told the procedure was successful and the pet recovered from anaesthetic. - **Perception of value vs. upselling:** one reviewer says the practice was “not just about getting more and more money,” while another reports feeling misled about when they needed to join a **health-check plan** for vaccinations to be included. - **Access/communication concerns in urgent situations:** one reviewer reports calling repeatedly over two days for a “life threatening emergency” without an answer, and says they had to seek help elsewhere.

## Summary Cherrydown Vets Ltd is a veterinary clinic with additional facilities at other sites (as described on its website). The website directs owners needing urgent care outside normal opening hours to contact **Vets4Pets Basildon**, indicating out‑of‑hours cover is arranged via that provider rather than stated as in-house. From the latest reviews, owners most often describe prompt appointments (including being seen within **3 days** for a new dog check) and supportive end-of-life handling (providing a **quiet room**, a **blanket**, and sending a **sympathy card** after a pet’s death). Pricing and value is a mixed point: some reviewers say costs felt reasonable (e.g., a standard consult plus medication), while others strongly criticise costs and perceived lack of compassion. ## Services - **Urgent/out-of-hours arrangements:** the clinic website says that for urgent veterinary care outside normal opening hours, owners should contact **Vets4Pets Basildon**. - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in the clinic’s provided service/specialisation data). - Examples of care mentioned in reviews: - General consultations for newly adopted dogs (check-over). - **Medication courses** prescribed (e.g., “two short courses of pills/tablets”). - **Blood tests** with results pending/following up. - Care for vomiting/off-food cats and elderly cats. - End-of-life support (quiet room to say goodbye; handling a deceased pet). ## Pricing - **Standard consultation fee:** **£78** (reviewer report; included consultation plus “two short courses of pills”). - Example total for illness work-up/visit: **£247** for a cat (reviewer report) covering **blood test, tablets, and the vet visit**. - One reviewer states the **£247** total had to be **paid the same day**. - One reviewer asked about an **over‑65 discount** and was told **they don’t offer one** (receptionist reportedly suggested trying the PDSA). ## People - **Nicola T** (role not stated): a reviewer singled her out for “making a fuss” of their dog and taking interest in what had been prescribed previously. - Reception team is mentioned in one review as “nice,” particularly when discussing discounts and signposting to the PDSA (though the reviewer was unhappy with overall cost). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.4 stars from 741 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **End-of-life compassion is specifically described**: providing a blanket, a quiet room for goodbyes, and sending a sympathy card days later. - **Speed/access:** being seen promptly and getting an appointment within a few days is mentioned more than once. - **Treatment/work-up examples:** medications prescribed; blood testing for an unwell cat with improvement while awaiting results. - **Cost is a recurring tension:** some reviewers call the **£78** consult + meds reasonable, while another describes a **£247** visit as “ridiculous,” and a 1‑star reviewer alleges the practice is “all about taking as much money as possible.”