Southfields Veterinary Specialists

- Oncology - Reviews frequently mention radiotherapy for cancer cases, including treatment for nasal tumours, bladder cancer, and lymphoma-related care. - Chemotherapy is also regularly referenced, with one owner describing support from first consultation through to a pet’s last chemo. - Owners describe both outpatient-style treatment courses and longer treatment periods involving repeated visits or hospital stays.

Southfields Veterinary Specialists is a Linnaeus small-animal referral hospital in Basildon, offering specialist-led care across complex referral cases. Reviews continue to focus on advanced oncology work, complex surgery, inpatient care, and a well-regarded exotics service. Recent feedback also highlights neurology and spinal surgery, with owners describing detailed explanations, regular updates, and supportive nursing care during admissions.

Services

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Small-animal referral hospital care
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Southfields operates as a referral hospital for complex cases needing specialist assessment, treatment, and inpatient support.
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Oncology
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Reviews frequently mention radiotherapy for cancer cases, including treatment for nasal tumours, bladder cancer, and lymphoma-related care.
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Chemotherapy is also regularly referenced, with one owner describing support from first consultation through to a pet’s last chemo.
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Owners describe both outpatient-style treatment courses and longer treatment periods involving repeated visits or hospital stays.
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Surgery
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Recent reviews mention spinal surgery for a dog with rapid-onset grade 4 IVDD, with surgery completed quickly after referral and follow-up recovery planning provided.
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Earlier feedback also describes complex tumour surgery, including removal of part of the nose with reported clear margins.
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Exotics service
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Rabbits and ferrets are specifically mentioned in owner feedback.
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Examples include long consultations, awake dental examination in a rabbit, sedation for X-rays, and detailed follow-up calls to discuss test results and treatment options.
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Inpatient and hospital care
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Reviews describe pets being admitted for 24 hours, for over a week, and for repeated oncology treatment blocks.
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Owners mention regular updates during admission and discharge with ongoing care plans.
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Emergency veterinary services
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Emergency care is listed in the clinic’s service data.
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Veterinary Nurse Training facility
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A veterinary nurse training facility is listed in the clinic’s service data.

Pricing

No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic.

People

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Dominic ("Dom", also referred to as Dr Dom) Strongly associated with the exotics service in owner feedback, especially rabbit care. Reviews describe very long consultations, detailed explanations, careful handling, and thorough follow-up discussions of results.
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Cassie Named alongside Dom in exotics care, particularly in support of ongoing rabbit treatment.
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James Mentioned in relation to oncology care and also by an owner whose dog was admitted for over a week.
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Sam Named alongside James and the nursing team for care during a longer inpatient stay.
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Mikele Mentioned warmly by an owner whose dog underwent lymphoma treatment and chemotherapy.
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Ines Described as compassionate and thorough in explaining a dog’s diagnosis.
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Hamish Named as a neurologist involved in IVDD surgery, with owners praising his explanation of risks, benefits, and recovery planning.
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Roberto Also named as a neurologist, with one owner highlighting his detailed explanation of treatment considerations.
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Lee Identified in one review as the hospital director, praised for keeping an owner updated during a dog’s admission.
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Nursing, reception and wider support teams Reviews repeatedly mention friendly reception staff, supportive nurses, and coordinated care across departments.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.2 stars from 193 reviews.

•Many recent reviews are very positive about specialist referral care, especially radiotherapy, chemotherapy support, and complex cases where owners felt their pets were treated with compassion and expertise.
•Neurology and inpatient care also stand out, with owners describing fast access to spinal surgery, daily recovery updates, and clear discharge plans.
•The exotics team receives repeated praise, especially Dom, with rabbit owners highlighting long consultations, careful examination, clear discussion of options, and detailed follow-up on results.
•A smaller number of reviews raise concerns around high cost, difficulty reaching a lead clinician, limited direct contact with the overseeing specialist, discharge after anaesthesia, and a lack of follow-up after treatment.

Reviews for Southfields Veterinary Specialists

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 193 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Lord Lucan

3 weeks ago

Although not the outcome we hoped for our dog, Ines (vet) did a fantastic job in understanding his condition thoroughly and the explaining the diagnosis, with compassion.

Rosemaree Morrison

4 weeks ago

Rosie started to have Seizures in Jan 26 weeks ago were recommended to see the amazing team at Southfields who were so great with Rosie she came home for weekend ‘s and had radiotherapy Monday Wed Fri I would take her back Sunday afternoon she would be exited to be back with all the staff nothing but praise for all the staff who do an amazing job thank you all

Ellen Steadman

1 month ago

My German Shepherd was referred to Southfields for radiotherapy to treat his lymphoma. Initially, communication from Southfields was good and they seemed to understand our hesitations about the treatment. However, getting hold of the main oncologist responsible for the radiotherapy proved very difficult, as they did not appear to be available very often. We paid a significant amount of money for a 20-minute phone consultation with the main oncologist. Unfortunately, many of the questions we had about the treatment could not be answered in detail, largely because radiotherapy for this condition still appears to be relatively new. In the end, the consultation did not provide much information beyond what we had already researched ourselves, although it seemed to be a required step before proceeding. Despite the very high cost of treatment, we never met the main oncologist in person. Each time we attended, our dog was handed over to members of the clinical team who appeared to be veterinary nurses (I may be mistaken). However, we never had any direct interaction with the oncologist or radiologist overseeing the treatment, which was disappointing considering the cost and seriousness of the situation. I also raised concerns about my dog’s back legs, particularly after he had been under anaesthesia. On one occasion I received a message saying he was ready to be collected, but when I arrived he was extremely unsteady, falling over and struggling to stand properly. In hindsight, I feel he may have been discharged before he had fully recovered from the anaesthetic. Since the treatment, his back legs have remained noticeably unstable and he appears uncomfortable at times. While I cannot say with certainty what has caused this, it has been very concerning to see, particularly given his condition before treatment. His back legs were already somewhat weak prior to treatment, which is why it was especially worrying to see him slipping and struggling to stand when I collected him. I am concerned that the fall he experienced at that time may have worsened his condition. This was very distressing for me to see. Considering the amount we paid for the treatment, I would also have expected some form of follow-up. It has now been four weeks since his radiotherapy and we have not received a single call to check how he is coping. Overall, the experience has been disappointing given the cost and expectations surrounding specialist treatment.

Megan L

It is impossible to put into words the gratitude I have for the amazing people at Southfields, and most importantly Hamish the Neurologist. My tiny dog was struck down with rapid onset of grade 4 IVDD and within 12 hours of her losing use of her back legs, the surgery to repair her spine was complete. Hamish explained all of the risks, benefits and considerations of opting for surgery and we were fully confident in the plan he proposed at the point we left her at Southfields. Our confidence only grew over the coming days with consistent daily updates on her recovery, before finally bringing her home with a detailed care plan at the end of the week. Four weeks of crate rest was not easy, and we still have a road ahead of us to full recovery, but seeing our dog walk again has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Thank you, Hamish and team, you are truly amazing.

Debbie

Absolutely fantastic hospital, looked after my dog Rosa for 24 hours. Lee, the hospital director, was brilliant keeping me updated on Rosa’s progress and Roberto, her neurologist was fantastic in explaining everything in great detail on things that could happen with Rosa’s treatment. All the staff are friendly and the hospital is five star with the best facilities. Highly recommend

Renae S

4 months ago

Vet Dom is clear, thorough and really empathetic. Must be the best exotics vet in this area!! Thanks Dominic!!!!

Tim Keeling

Very big thank you to James, Sam and all the nursing staff and wider team for all their help when our dog was admitted for over a week. They were thorough and genuinely cared for him. He's now back home and doing much better.

Georgina Miller

5 months ago

Our very much loved 12 year old vizsla was recently diagnosed with a nasal tumor. Our local vets suggested euthanasia and we are so grateful for the referral to Southfields. She underwent radiotherapy and I can’t praise James and the whole team highly enough. They looked after her so well and she has bounced back from the treatment to her old self- energetic and waggling. They have given us more quality time with her and it’s the most precious thing. Thankyou so much for everything.

Caroline Quinn

From the reception desk to the oncology department at Southfields we were provided exceptional care and compassion during our dog’s battle with bladder cancer with expertise, empathy, and state-of-the-art facilities. Unfortunately my girl passed away and I’d always recommend not having radiotherapy and chemo at the same time. Their little bodies can’t cope. The whole team were supportive and were as devastated at the outcome as my girl had been with them for 4 weeks of treatment battling against one issue and another. As heartbroken as I was I look back two years later and I’d have never put her through the pain of needles and feeding tubes and isolation from me in her last few weeks. She died without me by her side as my time with her was limit to 10 mins to 20 mins a day. My biggest regret is putting her through the suffering and I will live with this for the rest of my life.

Natalie Mainwaring

Dom and the team at Southfields have been outstanding the past six months. The care they have shown our rabbit has been phenomenal. After being dismissed by other vets, Dom took time to listen and really understand the symptoms and from what looked like a PTS situation, we now have a thriving bunny. Whilst we are not out of the woods, the ongoing care has been exemplary. The entire team have been amazing and I couldn’t recommend them enough. Without Dom, Cassie and the team we might not have had the past four months and many more to come with our rabbit. So grateful and clearly he is too as we have binkies and zoomies again!