Forest Veterinary Centre

- Recent reviews often praise the team’s kindness, empathy and clear communication, especially when pets are seriously unwell or owners are under stress. - Several owners highlight care for complex or less common cases, including exotic pets, surgery for a rat, and ongoing management of dogs with significant health problems. - The reception team is regularly mentioned positively for staying organised and keeping owners informed when the practice is busy.

Forest Veterinary Centre in Epping is part of the Linnaeus group. The practice offers emergency and urgent care, surgery, orthopaedic injury management, end-of-life care, and support for a range of pets including cats, dogs and smaller exotic species. Recent feedback is largely positive about communication, empathy and clinical attentiveness, with some criticism around cost, waiting times and administration.

Services

•Emergency and urgent care: Reviews mention emergency presentations, inpatient treatment with two overnight stays, and follow-up updates by message and video.
•Surgery and inpatient care: Recent feedback includes pyometra surgery on a rat, alongside longer-running care for dogs with serious complications.
•Orthopaedic injury management: One owner describes treatment of a fractured front leg using a splint, with follow-up checks and reapplications.
•Exotics and small mammal care: Recent reviews specifically praise care for rats and gerbils, with one owner recommending the practice for pets in the exotic category.
•Euthanasia and aftercare: One detailed account describes compassionate support during euthanasia, discussion of cremation options, and help with arrangements afterwards.
•Training facility: The clinic is listed as a veterinary nurse training facility.

Pricing

Published prices suggest the clinic sits above average, based on a partial sample of comparable services. Review comments on cost are mixed but include one owner saying pricing had risen and another calling cost the main downside. Example charges mentioned in reviews include £55 for one splint replacement and £120 for another.

People

•Dr Dimitri: Praised for clear explanations, reassurance and calm communication during a stressful consultation.
•Dr Phoebe: Credited by one owner with overseeing care that helped their dog recover from very serious episodes over several months.
•Ula: Described as a vet who went above and beyond with care, advice and support for a dog with recurring complications.
•Kat: Highly praised for her knowledge and compassion, especially in reviews about gerbil care and rat pyometra surgery.
•Rhys: Mentioned positively for kind handling and support with exotic pets.
•Alessandro: Thanked for sensitive support around euthanasia and aftercare decisions.
•Reception team and nurses: Repeatedly described as helpful, warm and attentive, particularly on busy days.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.1/5 from 177 reviews.

•Recent reviews often praise the team’s kindness, empathy and clear communication, especially when pets are seriously unwell or owners are under stress.
•Several owners highlight care for complex or less common cases, including exotic pets, surgery for a rat, and ongoing management of dogs with significant health problems.
•The reception team is regularly mentioned positively for staying organised and keeping owners informed when the practice is busy.
•Negative feedback centres on cost, long waits, and one detailed complaint about splint treatment and insurance paperwork, alongside one very negative review alleging poor care.

Reviews for Forest Veterinary Centre

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 177 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

mark warren

1 month ago

The vets and staff are knowledgeable & helpful. The biggest problem is the cost of everything. They've recently been taken over by Someone and now prices are UP . Add that to the now common place "your dog/cat has terminal cancer but if u take this medicine for hundreds/thousands u get an animal lingering on for a few weeks or months . Modern vets aren't top of my like list tbh ⚒️🤟

Leah Biller

2 months ago

Just wanted to put on record that I had my first experience of the Epping branch of Forest Vets yesterday - Monday, 16 February 2026 - having also been a client of Woodford for some time now. It's so easy to never say thank you when something goes so well and to always complain the minute things aren't up to scratch. Excellent care and attention as well as genuine empathy and practical understanding. Everything was covered in the consultation, together with next steps and an indication of how follow up will look but I'm confident it will be of the same high standard. The reception were good and 'on it' throughout when things were clearly busy. Altogether great. Thank you very much, Epping Forest Vets.

Nicholas Trbovic

Our dog Roy has had a few complications over the years and after being with many vets with family pets over the years around the country I’ve never experienced the care and attentiveness that Forest vets offered when Roy was ill, Ula the vet is a real gem going above and beyond at literally every opportunity to help and advise. I feel extremely lucky to be local to a vets with such advanced equipment and 24 hour access on our doorstep and very lucky for Roy to have Ula on hand to help! Thanks again all of the team at Forest vets, would recommend in a heartbeat.

Chlo Christina

AVOID!!! at all costs They lie they contradict there storys and they DO NOT care for animals. They dont check them for life threatening injuries or nothing and they are rude. They pass blame to different branches! If you love your animals find a vet who will love them too! Do not leave your animals in the care of forest vets!!!

Roxanne

We took our gerbil - Pepper - to see Kat, and from the first meeting we were so grateful for her extensive knowledge, and were treated with nothing but kindness and compassion. Kat did absolutely everything to make sure he was looked after and had the absolute best care. We also saw Rhys, who was equally kind and so lovely with us and our gerbils. I would 100% recommend Forest Vets - especially if you have struggled to find somewhere that understands animals that fit under the exotic category 💖 (below are pics, including some of the gerbils in their carrier at Forest vets - you can see how relaxed they were 🥲)

Sarah J Peirce

4 months ago

Cant thank these guys enough after struggling to find a vet to do a pyometra surgery on a rat Kat and the nurses did amazing looking after my baby Moon. Such a warm welcome by reception and the best support and care along the way. Will always be taking my rats here from now on

karolina tomialojc

5 months ago

I would like to thank you very much for today’s visit. Everything was explained to me clearly, and I truly appreciate the calm and supportive way in which all the information about my dog’s health was presented. I am especially grateful to Dr Dimitri, who kindly introduced herself and reassured me that I can contact her at any time if I have any questions or concerns. This gave me a great sense of comfort during a very stressful moment. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the reception team. Today was an extremely busy day, and I could clearly see how many patients were coming in and out. Despite this, the receptionists were always kind, smiling and very helpful. Even though I had to wait for over an hour to return to the consultation room and discuss the treatment plan, the reception staff checked in with me several times to reassure me that I had not been forgotten and that I would be called in as soon as possible. Their communication and kindness made a huge difference. Thank you for making such a stressful situation feel safe, friendly and supportive. I am very grateful for the professionalism, care and warmth shown to both me and my dog today.

Iain Cameron

The Epping team are absolutely amazing. I wouldn’t not trust anyone else with my wee doggie

Danielle Jones

6 months ago

Excellent service. Caring staff especially Dr Phoebe who has recently overseen the care of my boy Baloo who has come back from the brink twice in the past 6 months.