Dog & Cat Vets in Bishops Stortford

## Summary Bishop's Stortford Veterinary Hospital is an **independent** practice (“proudly independent since 1878”) with **veterinary hospital status** (achieved in 1985). It’s set up for **small animals**, with a stated emphasis on investing in **equipment and staff training**, and it runs its own **24-hour emergency service** with an **in-house duty vet and nurse**. From the latest written feedback available, one owner describes returning years later with an older cat and receiving **“kindness and compassion”** alongside sustained effort and attention during an upsetting situation. ## Services - **Small-animal veterinary care** (species handled: small animals). - **24-hour emergency care** for small-animal emergencies, with: - an **in-house duty vet and nurse available 24/7** - **overnight nursing care on site** if a pet has to stay in - the option for the duty vet to **see you at the surgery or arrange a visit if needed** (as stated). - **Wellness Plan**: a monthly payment plan for “essential preventative care” (no prices or inclusions specified in the provided summary). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in the provided clinic data). - Information/services referenced on the site include: - guidance for **pet travel to the EU** - information for dogs imported from abroad, including **Brucella canis**. ## Reviews **4.6 stars from 347 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - One recent reviewer describes **strong clinical care paired with compassion**, saying staff put in significant **time and effort** and made a difficult situation with an older cat “a bit easier.” - The same reviewer notes they had previously used the hospital years earlier and again found the care **impressive**.

## Summary Stansted Veterinary Specialists is a newly opened, specialist-led veterinary **referral** clinic (opened **August 4th 2025**) offering advanced care in a **purpose-built facility**. Recent reviews consistently describe complex cases being managed end-to-end on-site, including **MRI and blood testing for cluster seizures**, **spinal surgery after urgent referral**, and **orthopaedic surgery** (knee operation, dislocated hip, metatarsal fractures). Owners also repeatedly mention **frequent updates during hospital stays**, clear explanations of options and recovery, and practical help with **insurance paperwork** from reception staff. ## Services - **Referral-led specialist care** (clinic describes itself as a referral clinic providing specialist-led advanced care). - **Neurology-style diagnostics mentioned in reviews:** blood tests and **MRI** for a dog with cluster seizures; epilepsy diagnosis reported by the owner. - **Orthopaedics / surgery mentioned in reviews:** - **Spinal diagnostics and spinal surgery** following urgent referral (with updates during/after the procedure). - **Knee operation**. - Treatment for a **dislocated hip**. - Surgery for **metatarsal fractures** (multiple broken metatarsals). - **Inpatient care / hospitalisation:** multiple reviews describe pets staying overnight or for several days, with regular owner updates. - **Post-operative recovery support:** one review describes being shown **physio and manual handling** techniques for home recovery. - **Attention to existing conditions:** one owner notes the team took care to avoid exacerbating a dog’s **allergies** during weekend inpatient care. ## People - **Rachel (vet/clinician, role not explicitly stated):** mentioned for detailed explanations and clear communication; one owner credits quick diagnosis and care after cluster seizures, including discussing MRI/blood results and next steps. - **Darren Barnes (specialist, as described by a reviewer):** associated with orthopaedic cases (knee operation; dislocated hip). Multiple owners highlight clear explanations of what would be done and reassurance. - **El (clinician, role not explicitly stated):** one review says El came in on a day off to consult/examine, then carried out emergency diagnostics and spinal surgery, with phone updates during and after. - **Ines (clinician/rehab support, role not explicitly stated):** described as walking owners through the recovery phase and demonstrating physio/manual handling. - **Francisco (surgeon/clinician, role not explicitly stated):** named as performing surgery for multiple metatarsal fractures; owner notes multiple updates per day. - **Siobhan and Julia (reception):** specifically praised for keeping owners informed and for talking them through the **insurance process**. ## Reviews **Google rating: 5 stars from 21 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Complex referral cases and advanced diagnostics:** examples include MRI and blood tests for seizures, emergency spinal diagnostics/surgery, and complicated fracture repair. - **Frequent communication during inpatient stays:** owners mention being called/updated during and after procedures, and receiving multiple updates per day while pets were hospitalised. - **Clear, detailed explanations:** several reviews describe clinicians taking time to explain what was needed and what recovery would involve (including demonstrations of physio/manual handling). - **Admin support around insurance:** reception staff are repeatedly credited with helping owners through insurance processes and claims.

## Summary Walton Lodge Veterinary Group Ltd describes itself as a long-established veterinary company (15+ years) with six surgeries, offering **24-hour emergency care** and a **Pet Health Club® Plus plan** that includes consultations. Reviews most often mention vets taking time to **explain treatment options in detail** and being notably good with **nervous or vet-shy pets** (for example, a cat “not a fan of strangers” handled well by **Zoe**, and a dog that “actually liked being there”). Pricing is a point of disagreement: some owners report being happy overall, while others describe costs as high and one review reports poor receptionist service when prices were questioned. ## Services - **24-hour emergency care** (as stated on the clinic website). - **Pet Health Club® Plus** plan with **consultations included** (as stated on the clinic website). - **Repeat prescriptions** (as stated on the clinic website). - **Online shop** (as stated on the clinic website). - Species explicitly mentioned on the website: **dogs, cats, guinea pigs**. - End-of-life care is referenced in reviews, including support during **euthanasia** of a cat. ## Pricing - One reviewer reports **£70 for a consultation** (including VAT). - The same reviewer reports **£46.74 for Isaderm gel** (including VAT) and compares it to **£12.99 online**. - Another reviewer describes “awful pricing” (no amounts given). ## People - **Zoe**: mentioned by name as being particularly good with a cat that is “really not a fan of strangers or the vets.” - **Robyn**: described as “new,” with the reviewer reporting a “lovely experience.” - One first-time visitor says the **vet greeted them in reception**, explained **treatment options in detail**, and made them feel comfortable asking “a lot of questions” without being rushed. - One reviewer reports **poor customer service from a receptionist** when pricing was queried. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 87 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Vets and staff are frequently described as **friendly**, and several owners say their pets were unusually comfortable during visits. - Multiple reviews mention **clear explanations** and being given time to ask questions about treatment options. - Pricing comes up as a drawback in some reviews, including specific examples of **consultation and medication costs**, and one report of a negative interaction when prices were questioned. - Compassion around difficult moments is mentioned, including kindness during a pet’s **euthanasia**.

## Summary No corporate group affiliation is mentioned in the available information. The practice is repeatedly described in reviews as having a team approach (vets, nurses and reception staff), with several owners noting their pets are comfortable coming in—one owner says their dog “runs into the building” and is recognised by staff. The most detailed clinical example in the reviews is a dog having a **cancerous mass removed from the gum**, with the vet explaining the operation, expected recovery, and what was achieved. A minority view in the reviews conflicts with this, alleging the clinic “puts profit before care.” ## Services - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in the clinic’s structured data). - **Surgery for oral/gum masses**: one review describes removal of a cancerous mass from a dog’s gum, including pre-op explanation and discussion of recovery expectations. - **General vet care for cats and dogs**: multiple long-term clients mention ongoing care over many years. - **Telephone help/advice**: one reviewer notes the vet is “always happy to help, even over the phone.” ## People - **Pauline (vet)**: specifically credited in one detailed review for explaining a gum-mass operation clearly (what would happen, recovery expectations, and outcome). - **Wider team (vets, nurses, receptionists)**: one owner highlights that staff recognise their dog by name and make a fuss of her, which reduced the owner’s anxiety about visits. ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 19 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Pets appearing comfortable at the clinic, including a dog that “runs in,” and staff recognition/familiarity with the pet. - Clear explanations around procedures and recovery, illustrated by the gum cancer mass removal review. - Helpfulness outside appointments (phone support mentioned). - A conflicting note from a negative reviewer who felt the practice prioritised profit over care and advised others to “make sure you are getting what you pay for.”