Southfields Veterinary Specialists

Absolutely everyone is wonderful at Southfields! My Tibetan Terrier had lymphoma and from the first call to the last chemo-everyone was so kind, patient and professional and took such amazing care of him. Special shout out to his vet, Mikele who is so lovely! If you have to bring your beloved pet here, relax-they’re in safe hands 🥰

I cannot praise Southfields exotics team, especially Dr Dom, highly enough, and that doesn't come easily to me as bunnies are so often let down by veterinary care. Yes they are more expensive than your local vet, but you are paying for the next level of care and expertise that you can get. I am shocked by the negative reviews most which seem to be focused around payment. For myself I asked for a quote before I made an appointment and put myself and my beloved furkid through the stress of the travel there. I was greeted warmly upon arrival and as I had a bunny and both the dog and cat waiting areas were in use, we were taken straight through to a consult room to wait and the temperature was adjusted to make sure the room was at a pawfect 17*c for Bernadette's comfort. I was surprised when I booked the appointment that it was for an hours long consult, well, Dr Dom spent just over 2 hours with myself and Bernadette. He answered all of my questions, and made sure that I understood everything and felt comfortable with my decision with the treatment plan that I chose. Bernadette is not the easiest bunny to examine - she may be 12years and 5 months old, but she can be full of rabbitude when she wants to be, especially for a new vet. Well, she made my warnings out to be as if I was a liar! Good as gold and let Dr Dom actually examine her teeth! Only the second vet in her life to be able to look properly whilst she is awake. After she had been examined she was back in her carrier with me stroking her whilst us humans continued to talk and she was relaxed enough to be toofy purring and eating her hay! I've never known anything like it, and Bernadette has chronic health problems and has spent a lot of time at the vets before. I could see then why this hospital has been rated Gold by the Rabbit Welfare Association, and I felt more confident and less anxious in leaving Bernadette in their care and for her to be sedated for x-rays. (Just over 4 years ago she nearly died having sedation for x-rays with the local vet, so I was terrified of loosing her). I had a 4.5hour wait until she was all done and recovered enough to be discharged. And although there are tea/coffee and toilet facilities in the hospital, I mostly waited in my car as due to my bad back, I needed a bit more comfort than the waiting room. Though there are plenty of local places to go in Basildon for refreshments etc too. The nurse I spoke with upon Bernadette's discharge was friendly and let me know how she had been - a run down on her poops, as all bunny parents know how important that is. I had to wait 2 days for all of Bernadette's test results, but Dr Dom spent 40 minutes going through everything with me, again, making sure that I understood them and answering any questions that I had. He was super knowledgeable, friendly and helpful throughout and clearly cares about the bunnies. I love how he didn't write Bernadette off due to her advanced age and was in agreement with me that we could still improve her quality of life for however long she has left with me. So yes they are expensive - but it was worth every penny to me and for Bernadette's future.

I have been referred to Southfields for two of my ferrets in the last 18 months, both of which had complex conditions, and I cannot fault the service I have received. Dominic, head of Exotics, has gone above and beyond, is compassionate and clearly cares about the animals he treats (and their owners). Cassie, the nurse who supports him is absolutely wonderful and always happy to give advice and reassurance if Dominic is absent. The reception staff are a fantastic team and do a great job. Costs and options have always been clearly explained and I have never felt pressured. Thank you all, don’t know what I’d do without you!

Our little spaniel Rosie has now had 5 out of the 6 sessions of radio therapy for a tumour in her neck which if left untreated would grow, and would definitely not end well. The staff there are amazing and all call her by name as we walk through the door. (I don't care if this is rehearsed or not) she loves it and is happy to comply with anything they say. The receptionists, the nurses and everyone including the practice manager is everything you hope for when your little,un isn't well. We have one more treatment to go and rose tinted specs or not, I feel she is improving. I have every faith in the care she is receiving and at the end of the program, if we have given her more time, that'll do for me.

All the staff we met were kind and professional, from the cleaners and admin team to the nurses and specialists. I am confident Luna could not have received better treatment anywhere else. During a long and trying time of cancer diagnosis and treatment, we were always treated with respect, compassion and understanding. The surgeon who operated on my dog did an incredible job on what was a very tricky procedure. Part of the nose had to be removed along with the tumour, after healing it is barely noticeable and the surgery was a complete success with clear margins. The oncologist leading on my dogs treatment, and the wonderful chemo nurses, who all took fantastic care of her on her many visits, were all absolutley exceptional. We just got the final all clear this week, Luna is cancer free and we could not be happier.