Dog & Cat Vets in Bolton

## Summary This is a Vets4Pets practice (the website describes the group’s practices as “locally owned”). Recent reviews point to a clinic that handles a lot of routine, ongoing care (annual check-ups, vaccinations/inoculations, flea and worm treatment), alongside sensitive end‑of‑life appointments where owners wanted extra time and clear guidance. Concrete details mentioned include a recent refurbishment, staff booking enough time during euthanasia visits so families don’t feel rushed, and a follow-up condolence card with a pawprint/footprint keepsake after a pet was put to sleep. ## Services Based on the available clinic data and the latest reviews, this practice is associated with: - Routine preventative care: annual check-ups, vaccinations/inoculations, and flea & worm treatment. - End-of-life care: euthanasia appointments are described, including talking owners through the process step by step and allowing extended time. - Emergency veterinary services are listed in the clinic data (the exact out‑of‑hours/24‑7 arrangements aren’t described in the website summary or the reviews we have). - Veterinary Nurse Training facility (listed in the clinic data). - A grooming/pamper service is mentioned by a reviewer as something they use alongside their vet care (details of whether this is onsite or separate aren’t stated). ## People - **Zoe (vet)** is specifically thanked for delivering difficult news with empathy and helping an owner make decisions during an end‑of‑life visit for a cat, with the owner describing a peaceful, dignified goodbye. - **The wider team** is repeatedly described as accommodating and helpful, with examples including: making a dog feel at ease at regular visits (no panic) and taking time during euthanasia appointments (including sending a card and a keepsake print afterwards). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 754 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Preventative/routine visits are commonly mentioned (check-ups, vaccinations, parasite treatments). - Multiple owners describe strong support during euthanasia visits: explanations “every step,” not being rushed, and a condolence card plus a keepsake paw/footprint afterwards. - Owners mention pets being kept calm during appointments (one notes their dog shows “no panic”). - One recent reviewer notes the clinic has been refurbished.

## Summary Darley House Veterinary Centre Ltd is an RCVS Cat Friendly Clinic and treats cats, dogs, and several small pets (including rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and hamsters). The clinic advertises on-site diagnostic capability including an in-house laboratory and endoscopy, plus nurse clinics and pet wellness screening. Emergency care is also stated as available. From recent reviews, owners most often describe compassionate handling in difficult situations (including cancer discussions and very unwell cats), and they also mention practical positives like being able to get appointments without too much difficulty. Pricing is a point of disagreement: one recent reviewer reported very high charges for an X‑ray and medication, while others explicitly felt the team prioritised the animal’s health over money. (Ownership/group is not stated in the provided sources.) ## Services Based on the clinic website summary and the latest reviews, services mentioned include: - Routine care: health checks and vaccinations - Neutering - Nurse clinics (one reviewer specifically mentions nurse-administered Librella injections) - Diagnostics and medical facilities, including: - In-house laboratory - Endoscopy - Pet wellness screening (described as a full health check for mature cats and dogs to catch issues early) - Emergency care (stated on the website) - End-of-life aftercare discussion appears in reviews (one owner mentions being offered “basic cremation” and not being told ashes would not be returned) The clinic is also listed in the provided clinic data as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## Pricing - One recent reviewer reports being charged **£700 for an X‑ray of a front paw**, and says the total bill was **over £1,000 with medication**. No other specific prices are provided in the inputs, and other reviewers give mixed signals on value (some feel costs are high; others feel care is not money-driven). ## People Named team members from the clinic website include: - **Sarah Jane Bayley** (Practice Manager) - **Nicholas Cameron** (Clinical Director) - **Michael Nolan** (Veterinary Surgeon) - **Andrew Dawson** (Veterinary Surgeon) - **Jodie Derricott** (Registered Veterinary Nurse) - **Avril Jackson** (Registered Veterinary Nurse) - **Emily Beazant** (Registered Veterinary Nurse) - **Emma Mccleary** (Registered Veterinary Nurse) What clients describe in reviews (without always naming individuals): - Clear explanations and options: one owner of a senior cat said the vet explained “different options and the treatment process,” which they found especially helpful. - Supportive handling of serious illness: reviews mention compassionate guidance around cancer and attentive care for a very ill cat over multiple days. - Reception experience: multiple reviews point to polite/welcoming reception staff and help with registration/appointments. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 450 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Compassionate care is a repeated theme, including in emotionally difficult situations and with seriously ill pets (e.g., cancer discussions; treatment over consecutive days for a very ill cat). - Practical experience: several owners mention easy appointment booking, a clean/quiet waiting room, and friendly reception and nursing teams (including for repeat injection visits). - Pricing and communication are mixed: one reviewer describes extremely high costs for an X‑ray plus medication, while another explicitly felt the practice focused on the animal’s health rather than money. - One review raises a specific aftercare communication issue: being offered only “basic cremation” and not being told ashes would not be returned.

## Summary Bolton Central Vets for Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets group (described on the Vets4Pets site as “locally owned”). Based on recent reviews, the practice is used for both routine consults and procedures (including a cherry eye operation), and also sees exotic pets such as reptiles. Several owners highlight longer, explanation-led appointments (rather than being “in and out” with medication), respectful end-of-life care where owners could stay with their pet, and personal follow-ups such as a handwritten sympathy card after a loss. The clinic is also listed as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility. ## Services - General consultations, with owners describing thorough explanations of treatment options. - Soft-tissue eye procedure: cherry eye operation (specifically mentioned for a young dog). - Exotic pet care: reptiles and a leopard gecko are specifically mentioned, with one reviewer describing an “exotic vet” they’ve used for years. - End-of-life care: euthanasia is described in reviews, including being able to stay with the pet and the pet being treated with “respect and dignity”. ## People - **Aine/Ainee (vet)**: repeatedly named for compassionate care and communication. Owners describe feeling listened to, having treatments explained (not “just handed tablets”), and support through euthanasia with the option to stay with their pet. - **Jochem (described by a reviewer as their “exotic vet”)**: mentioned for working with rescued reptiles and providing detailed explanations without rushing. One owner also notes he asked to be kept updated and that the practice sent a sympathy card after their leopard gecko died. - **Reception team**: multiple reviews mention friendly, helpful reception staff. ## Reviews **4.6 stars from 215 reviews.** The written reviews available to us focus mainly on staff communication, compassion, and a few specific procedures and situations. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Clear explanations and unhurried appointments (owners contrast this with being quickly given tablets elsewhere). - Compassionate support in difficult situations, including euthanasia with owners able to stay, and being treated respectfully throughout. - Follow-up gestures after pet loss (a handwritten sympathy card is specifically mentioned). - Positive feedback on a cherry eye operation outcome and the team’s care around the procedure. - Reception staff are repeatedly described as friendly and helpful.

## Summary Community Pet Clinic operates under the Animal Trust group (the original Animal Trust practice, established in 2012) and is set up as both a general practice and an emergency hospital with a Pet A&E service described as available 365 days a year. The website highlights in-house diagnostics (including CT, ultrasound, X‑ray, dental X‑ray, and an on‑site laboratory), which aligns with reviews mentioning same‑day X‑rays and hospital-style care including overnight stays. From the latest reviews, owners most often describe: - being able to get urgent or same‑day appointments (including booking via an online chatbot system) - confident handling of difficult or anxious dogs (e.g., promptly taking a barking dog to the back to settle) - diagnostics and surgery being organised quickly for serious issues (e.g., suspected ACL rupture; foreign body “bone” surgery), plus post-op progress updates and wound checks ## Services Based on the website and reviews, services referenced include: - **Free consultations** (website; also mentioned by an owner who was surprised their full health check was free) - **Emergency care / Pet A&E** with out-of-hours emergency services stated on the website (365 days a year) - **Preventive care**: annual boosters mentioned in reviews; vaccinations listed on the website - **Parasite treatment**: worming tablets mentioned in reviews (including one instance where they were missed at checkout) - **Skin treatment**: monthly skin injection mentioned in a review - **Dentistry** (website) - **Imaging & diagnostics**: X-rays (website and reviews), CT scans (website), ultrasound (website), on-site laboratory (website), dental X‑ray (website) - **Surgery**: general surgery (website); orthopaedics (website and reviews referencing suspected ACL rupture and bilateral leg surgery); foreign body surgery mentioned in a review - **Hospital care**: overnight stay mentioned in a review - **Referral services** and **endoscopy** (website) ## Pricing - **Free consultations / free health checks** are explicitly stated (website and a review). - One review reports **£95 for three medications**, and the owner notes they weren’t given a breakdown per item at payment. ## People - **Maria (vet, name as remembered by a reviewer)**: praised for explaining what was happening, being helpful during an emergency visit for an injured cat, and leaving the owner reassured. - **Bran / Bran Costas (vet, name given in reviews)**: mentioned in two separate reviews in the context of orthopaedic issues and surgery planning; described as professional and supportive, with “immediate attention,” plus follow-up for wound checks. - **Reception team**: repeatedly noted for helping secure urgent appointments; one review specifically says reception “go the extra mile.” ## Reviews **4.0 stars from 948 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Urgent access and booking speed**: same-day appointments are mentioned, including booking through a chatbot; reception is credited with helping get urgent slots. - **Clearer, more decisive plans after other vets**: owners describe bringing pets after unsatisfactory experiences elsewhere and getting clearer diagnosis/treatment steps (e.g., moving straight to X‑rays for suspected ACL rupture; correcting medication when a dog became sick). - **Handling anxious or challenging pets**: staff are described as understanding with a dog that barks continuously, taking him to the back where he settles. - **Surgery and inpatient care**: reviews reference orthopaedic surgery (including bilateral issues and follow-up wound checks), foreign body surgery, and an overnight stay with progress updates. - **Process/policy friction noted by one owner**: an owner reports worming tablets were accidentally not provided, says they couldn’t pre-book a recurring monthly injection due to rota issues (a change from prior experience), and wanted a clearer itemised breakdown of medication costs at checkout.

## Summary Animal Trust Vets CIC Bolton is part of the Animal Trust group (described on its website as a mission-led veterinary social enterprise). The clinic presents itself as a full-service general practice with urgent care available 24/7, and the website states urgent care is charged at the same costs as daytime services plus a £79 supplement. From the latest reviews, owners most often describe: - Same-day access being possible (including booking via an online chatbot), though it can be busy. - A mix of routine care (annual boosters, parasite treatment) and more complex cases (X‑rays for suspected ACL rupture, foreign body surgery, bilateral surgery with an overnight stay). - Communication that helps owners feel reassured (for example, vets explaining treatment plans step-by-step), alongside occasional frustrations with admin/dispensing (one review mentions worming tablets being missed and difficulty pre-booking a regular monthly injection). ## Services Based on the website summary and the reviews available: - **24/7 urgent care** (website states an additional supplement applies; see Pricing). - **Vaccinations** (annual booster mentioned in a recent review). - **Diagnostics and imaging** - **X-rays** (used to investigate suspected ACL rupture; also mentioned in another owner’s case history). - **CT scans** (listed on the website). - **Surgery** - Routine procedures such as **spay/castration** (review mention). - **Major surgery** (listed on the website). - Examples from reviews include **foreign body surgery** (bone) and **orthopaedic surgery** (ACL-related and bilateral surgery referenced by owners). - **Referral care** (listed on the website). - **Ongoing treatments / follow-ups** - **Monthly skin injections** are referenced by an owner (with a note that pre-booking policy may have changed). - **Wound checks** after surgery are mentioned. - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in clinic data). ## Pricing - The website states **24/7 urgent care** is provided at the **same costs as daytime services, plus a £79 supplement**. - One reviewer reports paying **£95 for three medications**, and notes they weren’t given a per-item breakdown at payment. - One reviewer says a **full health check was free** in their case. ## People - **Maria (vet)**: mentioned by name in an urgent case involving an injured cat; the owner says she explained everything clearly and left them reassured after treatment. - **Bran / “Bran costas” (vet)**: praised in two separate reviews connected to orthopaedic/surgical care (suspected ACL rupture leading to X‑rays and surgery booking; and another case involving medication changes, diagnostics, overnight stay, and post-op wound check). Owners describe him as supportive/professional and credit him with prompt decision-making. ## Reviews **4.0 stars from 948 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Access and booking:** same-day appointments are mentioned (including via a chatbot), but several reviewers note the clinic can be busy. - **Handling and reassurance:** owners describe staff managing stressed or noisy dogs by taking them through promptly, and vets explaining findings and next steps in a way that reassures them. - **Complex casework appears common in reviews:** X‑rays for suspected ACL rupture, surgery for a foreign body, bilateral surgery with an overnight stay, and post-op wound checks are all described. - **Process/policy frustrations appear alongside positives:** one owner reports a missed dispense of worming tablets, uncertainty about why a regular monthly injection could not be pre-booked due to rota issues, and wanting clearer itemised pricing at reception.