Dog & Cat Vets in Epping

## Summary North Weald Veterinary Surgery is an RCVS-accredited small-animal practice with on-site surgical facilities and a stated 24-hour emergency service. Based on both the website and recent reviews, it appears set up for routine care (e.g., neutering, dental work, microchipping) as well as urgent stabilisation and referral when specialist care is needed. Reviewers repeatedly mention practical, decision-relevant touches such as an online booking system and the team helping during holiday periods when other practices were closed. One recent review describes the practice arranging urgent transfer for a critically unwell puppy and a vet accompanying the journey with a nurse to provide medication en route; there is also at least one very negative recent review (1 star) without written detail, so experiences may vary. ## Services - **General small-animal care** (described as a small animal practice on the website). - **Dental care** (website). - **Neutering** (website). - **Microchipping** (website). - **On-site surgical facilities** (website). - **24-hour emergency service** (website). - **Urgent assessment and referral support**: one review describes suspected anaphylactic shock, rapid deterioration, and urgent referral to specialist care, including supervised transport with medication given during the journey (review). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (structured clinic data). ## People - **Amanda (vet)**: described by one owner as “brilliant and extremely helpful,” with the pet (an Akita) expected to be “much happier” after the visit (review). - **Emma**: mentioned in multiple reviews as leading care and decision-making in high-pressure situations. One owner reports Emma declined to let them transport a critically ill puppy themselves and instead drove the pet to specialist care with a nurse to monitor and medicate during transit (review). Another reviewer references “Emma and the team” providing ongoing care for working Labradors (review). - **Reception team**: one owner highlights “prompt, attentive service” and specifically mentions support both in person and over the phone, plus “easy online booking” (review). ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 327 reviews.** The latest reviews include short, non-specific praise alongside detailed accounts of emergency help, booking convenience, and staff taking decisive action in urgent cases; there is also a recent 1-star rating without written context. **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Responsiveness when other practices weren’t available**, including being open and able to help over the Christmas period (review). - **Clear examples of “above and beyond” emergency support**, including arranging/undertaking urgent transfer to specialist care and providing medication/monitoring during the journey (review). - **Convenience and communication**, with online booking called out as easy, and reception described as prompt and attentive (review). - **Continuity/loyalty over years**: multiple owners describe using the practice for many years and for multiple pets (reviews). - **A note of mixed experience**: at least one recent 1-star review is present, but without written detail it’s not possible to tell what went wrong (review).

## Summary Forest Veterinary Centre is a multi-branch practice that describes itself as having over 30 years’ experience and “state-of-the-art facilities.” Based on the information available, it appears set up for both routine consultations and more complex or time-sensitive cases: reviews mention emergency care (including overnight stays), small-mammal surgery (pyometra surgery on a rat), and end-of-life support including euthanasia and cremation decisions. Recent feedback is mixed on operational consistency: some owners describe clear explanations and proactive updates (including WhatsApp video/messages during an inpatient stay), while one owner reports repeated splint failures, long waits, and slow insurance paperwork. ## Services - **Emergency / urgent care**: mentioned in reviews, including an emergency presentation and inpatient care with **two overnight stays**, plus follow-up updates by message/video. - **Surgery**: a review specifically mentions **pyometra surgery on a rat**. - **Orthopaedic-type injury management**: one review describes a **fractured front leg** treated with a **splint** and subsequent rechecks/reapplications. - **Euthanasia and aftercare arrangements**: one review describes support through **euthanasia**, discussion of **cremation options**, and handling of collection afterwards. - **Veterinary nurse training facility**: listed in the clinic’s structured data. ## Pricing - **£55**: reported charge in a review for replacing a slipped splint at a check-up. - **£120**: reported charge in a review for another splint replacement (described to the owner as a “bigger” splint). ## People - **Dr Dimitri**: repeatedly noted for communication—one owner says she introduced herself, explained the dog’s health clearly, and reassured them they could contact her with questions. - **Dr Phoebe**: credited by one owner with overseeing care that helped their dog “come back from the brink twice” over six months. - **Alessandro**: thanked by name for sensitive handling during euthanasia and support with decisions and next steps. - **Reception team**: described as checking in during a long wait on a busy day, keeping the owner informed they hadn’t been forgotten. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.1 stars from 172 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Strong communication during stressful cases**, including clear explanations of treatment plans and reassurance about follow-up questions. - **Updates during hospitalisation**, with one owner describing WhatsApp video/messages and timely calls while their dog stayed overnight. - **End-of-life care described in detail**, including acting quickly to reduce distress, giving time during the appointment, and guiding cremation decisions. - **Operational and quality concerns raised by one owner**: long waits without promised callbacks, repeated splint slippage/falling off with additional charges, and an insurance form said to take 12 days to submit.