Specialist 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 No corporate group ownership is mentioned in the available information; it presents as “Andrew Melling Ltd” / “Andrew Melling B.V.Sc MRCVS.” The practice is set up for equine and farm-animal work (including animals kept as pets), with multiple reviews describing vets travelling out for emergencies and procedures. Concrete examples owners mention include: - Emergency call-outs for horses/yearlings, including out-of-hours responsiveness being specifically praised. - Ongoing treatment of a chronic toe granuloma in a pet sheep, including repeat removal/treatment and then a toe-removal procedure arranged within a week. - Clear explanations of options and what to expect afterwards (owners cite this as reducing worry). - A minority report of administrative/communication problems during registration (one reviewer says they were told registration was complete but later found they were not registered). ## Services Based on the website summary and the latest written reviews, the practice is described/used for: - **Equine veterinary care** (horses/yearlings), including **emergency call-outs**. - **Farm and smallholding/pet farm animals**, explicitly including: cows, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, pigs, poultry, and donkeys. - **Minor surgery/procedures on-farm**, with a specific example of **toe removal** in a sheep after a recurring toe granuloma. - **Treatment of chronic/recurring conditions**, with at least one owner describing repeated treatment attempts before opting for a more definitive procedure. ## People Named team members mentioned in reviews: - **Jade (vet)** – described attending an **emergency call-out for a yearling**, and being “polite” and doing “a very good job” during a stressful situation. - **Andrew (vet)** – described visiting a yearling two weeks earlier and **explaining everything well**; the owner notes the outcome wasn’t what they hoped for but valued the “help and support.” - **Stuart and Danny** – described coming out to perform a **toe-removal procedure** on a sheep; the owner says **everything was explained clearly**, including what to expect afterwards. - **Ellie (vet)** – described as being good at **putting a horse at ease** during a visit. - **Reception staff** – one reviewer explicitly praises them as “lovely,” though another review reports difficulties with communication and completing registration. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 63 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Fast response for urgent problems**, including “quick response time in and out of hours” and emergency call-outs for horses. - **Clear communication during care**, with owners describing vets explaining situations, options, and aftercare expectations in detail. - **On-site treatment for larger animals**, including repeated treatment of a sheep’s toe granuloma and arranging a toe-removal procedure within a week. - **A specific negative theme around admin/registration**: one recent reviewer describes being told registration was sorted, then finding they still weren’t registered after back-and-forth emails/messages, and ultimately switching elsewhere.

## Summary Pennine Vets - Harwood is part of the Pennine Vets small-animal practice group (established in 2004) and sees a wide range of pets beyond dogs and cats (including rabbits, birds, reptiles and fish). Based on the website and recent reviews, it appears set up for routine care (vaccines, parasite control, neutering), in-house diagnostics (lab tests, X‑ray and ultrasound), and procedures ranging from dentistry to surgery—including a stated soft-tissue surgery referral service. From the latest reviews available, owners most often mention: - Supportive handling of end-of-life appointments (patience and empathy during euthanasia). - Practical, hands-on help with difficult handling tasks (a dog’s dew claw clipped after sedation and “many treats”). - A split experience around administration and follow-up—some praise emergency treatment, while others describe being “bounced” between branches, appointment mix-ups, and unresolved medication issues. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website and in reviews include: - **Consultations** (general appointments are referenced in reviews, including skin issues and medication reviews). - **Emergency care arrangements:** the website says emergencies during normal hours are handled by calling the practice; **out-of-hours** is directed to **PetMedics Veterinary Surgeons – Worsley**. - **Surgery:** neutering/spaying is referenced in reviews; the website also lists **surgery** and a **soft tissue surgery referral service**. - **Dentistry** (listed on the website). - **Diagnostics:** **in-house lab**, **X-ray**, and **ultrasound** (listed on the website). - **Microchipping**, **vaccinations**, **parasite control** (listed on the website). - **Nurse clinics**, including **blood pressure checks** and **six-month health checks** (listed on the website). - **Grooming/nail clipping** and **anal sac expression** (listed on the website; dew claw clipping with sedation is described in a review). - **Pet travel documentation (GB)** and **home visits** (listed on the website). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in the provided clinic data). - **Species treated** (from the website): dogs, cats, rabbits, small mammals (e.g., guinea pigs, ferrets), reptiles/tortoises, a range of birds (including birds of prey), backyard poultry, wild birds, and aquarium fish. ## Pricing Pricing mentioned in reviews (not a full price list): - One owner reports a **consultation costing “over £60”** for a skin issue. - The same owner reports being **charged nearly £300 in total** for that visit/episode of care. - The same owner reports being offered a **£9 discount** after raising a complaint. ## People Named staff mentioned in reviews: - **Faye (vet)**: one reviewer credits her with outstanding care during an emergency and says she “cares so much for the animals in her care.” - **Kat**: mentioned for giving a new puppy “cuddles,” which the owner says the puppy enjoyed. Across reviews, staff are most often described (with examples) as: - **Patient and empathetic during euthanasia appointments**, helping owners through difficult decisions. - **Persistent with anxious/strong dogs during handling**, including getting a dew claw clipped after sedation and using lots of treats. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 149 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Multiple owners describe **kind, patient support during euthanasia**, including weekend appointments for rabbits. - **Emergency treatment can be a strong point** for some owners; one reviewer updated their rating upwards after emergency care. - **Handling and nursing support** is praised in specific situations (sedation plus perseverance to clip a difficult dog’s dew claw). - A minority report serious frustrations with **costs and follow-up**, including a very short consultation, an allegedly incomplete prescription (short by 9–12 tablets), and no follow-up. - Several reviews describe **administrative issues** (appointments booked at the wrong branch, vet availability changes, and a spay cancelled on the day due to weight—with the owner saying there had been no pre-op check).