Farm & Large-Animal Vets in Essex

## Summary House & Jackson LLP is an **independent equine and small-animal veterinary practice** (established **1980**) that appears set up for both routine pet care and higher-intensity equine cases, including urgent call-outs and surgery. The practice offers **emergency and out-of-hours care**, with **small-animal calls forwarded to Vets Now (Witham)** when the clinic is closed; the website also notes **additional charges** for some emergency-only cover periods. From the latest reviews, owners most often describe **fast response and decisive treatment in emergencies** (including a late-night equine colic case with surgery readiness), alongside **strong compassion during difficult end-of-life visits**—but there are also reports of **long waits and feeling skipped or dismissed at appointments**, and one account of a poor bedside manner during euthanasia. ## Services - **Equine and small-animal veterinary care** (practice describes itself as serving both). - **Emergency and out-of-hours care** - Website: out-of-hours **small-animal emergencies are forwarded to Vets Now (Witham)** when the practice is closed. - Website: during certain emergency-only cover periods, the practice has **one of their own vets on duty for emergencies only**, with **additional charges** applying. - Reviews: late-night **equine emergency call-out** described as arriving within ~20 minutes. - **Equine colic work-up and treatment**, including **surgical care** (review describes rapid treatment on arrival and surgeons “ready to go” the next day; surgery was performed). - **Dental work** (review mentions a horse having “teeth done” while hospitalised). - **Hoof/feet care support** during hospitalisation (review mentions they managed a horse’s “feet” when the farrier couldn’t). - **Euthanasia and end-of-life care** (multiple reviews describe dogs being put to sleep, with very different experiences reported). - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in the clinic data). ## People - **Thomas (vet)**: mentioned in a review where an owner sought him out due to recommendations; they credit him and the team with using “the right medications” that gave their dog “extra precious months,” and describe compassionate support through euthanasia. - **Charlotte**: thanked by name for looking after a hospitalised horse; the owner reports multiple needs being handled during the stay (teeth and feet) before discharge. - **Reception team**: described as “friendly and understanding” in one end-of-life review; another review describes reception saying the client would be next, but the vet then took another patient first. ## Reviews **4.6 stars from 259 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Emergency response and equine care**: one owner describes a late-night colic call-out within ~20 minutes, rapid treatment on arrival, and surgeons prepared for the next day; another reports a successful hospital stay where teeth and feet care were managed before discharge. - **Not pushing extras**: one reviewer says treatment was effective and the clinic “only did what was necessary,” without insisting on unnecessary tests. - **End-of-life experiences are mixed**: some owners describe compassion and support around euthanasia; others report a very negative interaction, including perceived harsh manner during a dog’s euthanasia. - **Appointments and waiting/triage concerns**: one detailed complaint describes waiting ~35 minutes past an appointment time and then being taken out of order, with the vet perceived as irritated—leading the client to leave without being seen.

## Summary Paton & Lee Ltd is an equine veterinary practice that (based on the structured clinic data) offers emergency veterinary services, and is described in reviews as responsive when called out. Owners specifically mention vets coming out for pre‑purchase vetting, routine vaccinations (“yearly jabs”), and surgery, with clients highlighting clear explanations and willingness to answer questions. The clinic website content available to us references a sustainability policy, but does not list clinical services in the extracted summary. ## Services - **Emergency veterinary services** (listed in the structured clinic data). - **Equine call-outs** (implied by multiple reviews describing vets “came out” to the horse). - **Pre‑purchase vetting** (reviewed explicitly). - **Vaccinations / routine injections (“yearly jabs”)** (reviewed explicitly). - **Surgery** (mentioned by a long-term client in a review). ## People - **Johnathon**: Mentioned for a pre‑purchase vetting; the reviewer says he explained everything clearly and was open to questions and concerns. - **Ali**: Mentioned for carrying out vaccinations; the reviewer notes she explained the process and what to expect, and discussed general health. - **Piret, Sam, and Jonathan**: Thanked by name by a long-term client for help across issues including surgery and routine care. - **Reception staff**: Praised in one review for being helpful over the phone. ## Reviews **4.9 stars from 118 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Equine focus and continuity of care:** owners describe the team as “equine vets” and mention being a client for many years, covering everything from routine injections to surgery. - **Clear explanations during visits:** multiple reviews mention vets explaining what they were doing, what to expect, and being open to questions (notably during pre‑purchase vetting and vaccinations). - **Responsiveness for visits/call-outs:** one reviewer says the team “always come quickly” when needed and “sorts my 2 boys out.”

## Summary Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic Limited is an RCVS-accredited practice (established in 1990) that treats small animals and equines, and is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Recent reviews repeatedly mention a spacious, clean reception designed to keep animals apart, plus clear explanations of treatment and costs (including pet plans). Several owners also describe being accommodated at short notice (including a Saturday appointment for a non-registered client) and supportive handling of reactive dogs. One recent review conflicts with this, describing a more impersonal experience since a “takeover,” including a vaccination-style injection given without any attempt to settle the dog first. ## Services - Small animal and equine veterinary care (species listed on the clinic website). - Preventative care mentioned on the website: vaccinations, neutering, nutrition. - Ongoing preventative healthcare plan referenced on the website: Pet Health Club® (details and pricing not provided in the available data). - Appointments and case handling mentioned in reviews: - Support for reactive dogs (owners say the practice is accommodating). - Urgent/last-minute booking availability (an owner reports being booked in at short notice on a Saturday despite not being registered). - “Emergencies” are mentioned positively by one reviewer, but no specific emergency/out-of-hours arrangement is described in the available information. ## People - **Lynne** (role not stated): mentioned as welcoming and as explaining costs and pet plans “thoroughly.” - Vets (not named): multiple reviewers highlight detailed explanations of the cause of problems, treatment, aftercare, and costs; one reviewer specifically appreciated not feeling rushed during appointments. - Conflicting feedback exists: one reviewer describes a vet administering a monthly injection without first engaging with or calming the dog, and characterises the overall service as impersonal. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 318 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Reception environment: described as very clean, warm/welcoming, with “plenty of space” and attempts to keep cats and dogs in separate areas. - Communication: repeated mentions of vets explaining the cause of issues, treatment options, aftercare, and costs in detail; one review also notes clear explanations of pet plans. - Handling and behaviour: owners mention accommodation for reactive dogs, and that some dogs are calm/excited to visit. - Access to appointments: one owner reports being seen last-minute on a Saturday even though they weren’t registered. - A notable negative outlier: one long-term client reports a perceived drop in care/connection since a “takeover,” describing a brusque injection appointment and dissatisfaction with the overall service style.

## Summary House & Jackson LLP describes itself as an **independent equine and small-animal practice** that has been caring for animals **since 1980**. It appears set up for **routine and urgent same-day care** (one owner reports calling in the morning and being given an appointment that same day, with a planned recheck **48 hours** later), and it also provides **emergency/out-of-hours cover**, with some calls forwarded to **Vets Now (Witham)** outside stated times. Decision-relevant points from recent reviews are mixed: several owners describe **kind handling and clear guidance**, including support around **pet loss**, while others report issues around **fees for Sunday emergencies** and **inconsistent continuity (different vets each visit)**. One long-term client describes a serious customer-service problem involving **lost insurance claim forms** and a complaint about a nurse’s phone manner. ## Services - **Small-animal and equine veterinary care** (practice description). - **Emergency and out-of-hours services** (practice policy described on the website). - The website states that calls between **6.30pm–7.45pm (Mon–Fri)** and emergency appointments **after 12pm on Saturdays, plus Sundays and Bank Holidays**, incur **emergency fees**. - The website also states that calls **outside these hours** are forwarded to **Vets Now, Witham**. - **Time-sensitive appointments and follow-ups**, as described by one owner: same-day assessment for a dog, medication provided, and a planned review **48 hours** later. - **Chicken medication supply** is mentioned in two reviews (specifically **Exholt**), with the reviewer noting they could access appropriate medications for chickens. ## People - **Kim (vet)** is named in a review as being notably **empathetic and understanding**, with the owner highlighting her **knowledge and experience** and also thanking reception. - **Sam Brown (nurse)** is named in a negative review alleging **rudeness on the phone**, including the reviewer stating they were **hung up on** during a call about **missing claim forms**. - **Molly** is mentioned in the same negative review as being **understanding and trying to help**. ## Reviews **4.4 stars from 74 reviews.** The latest written reviews include both strong praise for urgent support and empathy, and criticism about emergency fees, continuity, and administration/communication. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Fast access for urgent problems:** one owner reports a same-morning call leading to an appointment later that morning, diagnosis explained, medication provided, and a **48-hour recheck** arranged. - **Handling and stress-awareness:** one reviewer says staff **stopped when the dog became too stressed** and handled her carefully; reception staff reportedly noticed active bleeding and quickly gathered supplies and advice. - **Support around bereavement:** reviewers describe staff showing **sympathy** and giving **next-step advice** after a dog died. - **Continuity concerns:** one owner says there is “always a different vet,” leading to **lack of consistency**. - **Fees and tone in emergencies:** one recent reviewer describes being quoted a **£200 Sunday fee** before consultation/other charges, and felt the phone response was **short** and uninterested. - **Administration/customer-service complaint:** a long-term client alleges **unprocessed/misplaced claim forms** and reports an upsetting phone interaction with a named nurse.

## Summary Murrell Equine Ltd is an equine veterinary practice (horse/pony care is repeatedly referenced in reviews). Ownership/group status isn’t stated in the available information. Based on client reports, the practice is frequently used for **horse vettings** and ongoing care, with multiple long-term clients (8–16 years) describing **thorough assessments** and **clear prognosis/treatment plans**. However, there are also reviews describing problems around **punctuality**, **communication style**, and **delays in receiving paid-for reports**, plus one account alleging a vetting **missed dental and lameness issues** and that follow-up was handled inconsistently. ## Services - **Horse vettings / pre-purchase examinations** (explicitly mentioned by multiple reviewers, including a “2 stage vetting”). - **Diagnosis and treatment planning** for ongoing issues (“prognosis and treatments are swift and exact” is claimed by one owner). - **Telephone advice/reassurance** is mentioned in one review (“reassurance over the phone”). - **Dental and lameness assessment during vetting** are discussed indirectly: one reviewer states a vetting should have included incisor inspection and that missing incisors/impacted tooth and lameness were missed. ## People - **Mark (vet)**: mentioned by name in several reviews. Clients describe him as: - Providing careful handling of horses/ponies (“treated our pony” and “good with the horse”). - Giving what one owner calls an “honest opinion” when vetting a horse. - **Practice owner (unnamed)**: one reviewer describes initial helpfulness after a disputed vetting, followed by an email response they felt was dismissive; the matter was later passed to insurance. ## Reviews **Google rating: 3.9 stars from 7 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Strong praise for clinical thoroughness and long-term reliability:** several reviewers (including multi-year clients) say diagnoses were accurate and that horses’ needs were prioritised. - **Vetting experiences are a major focus:** one buyer-side review describes a vetting as “polite, efficient”; another reviewer says they particularly recommend the practice if you want a vetting and an “honest opinion.” - **Service/process complaints appear in a minority but are serious:** one review alleges lateness, rudeness/condescension, and a four-week delay to receive a report that was paid for upfront. - **Disputed vetting outcome and follow-up:** one reviewer says a 2‑stage vetting missed obvious dental issues and lameness, and reports inconsistent handling until insurance became involved (they state a payout was made).