Emergency Vets in Harlow

## Summary Vets4Pets Harlow is part of the Vets4Pets group and describes itself as a locally owned practice. Based on its own service list, it’s set up for a wide range of diagnostics and surgery (including keyhole procedures), alongside routine care for dogs, cats, rabbits and small mammals. The practice also states it has separate cat/dog waiting areas and separate wards plus an isolation unit. Recent reviews are mixed: some owners describe clear explanations of treatment choices and an “honest approach” from named staff, while others report long waits, rude front-desk interactions, admin errors (medication ordering/notifications and reminder systems), inconsistent advice between vets, and one complaint about being charged around £400 for tests the owner felt were unnecessary. ## Services From the clinic’s own information and what’s mentioned in reviews, the practice offers: - **Consultations and treatment planning**, including discussing options for a dog’s treatment (review mentions detailed explanation of choices). - **Diagnostics and monitoring**: digital X-ray, dental X-ray, ultrasound, ECG/echocardiography, blood pressure monitoring, in-house laboratory testing (biochemistry, haematology, electrolytes). - **Surgery and anaesthesia**: orthopaedics (including cruciate surgery and fracture repair), soft-tissue surgery, airway surgery, ear surgery, dentistry, and keyhole surgery (listed as laparoscopy/arthroscopy/endoscopy). - **Hospitalisation and infection control**: hospital ward plus isolation unit; separated dog/cat wards (as stated by the practice). - **Cancer care**: chemotherapy and oncology services (as listed). - **Other clinical services**: microchipping, prescriptions/medication, nurse clinics, nutritional advice, weight clinic, rabbit medicine and testing, small mammal medicine and surgery, bereavement support. - **Travel documentation**: animal health certificate / pet passport (as listed). **Emergency/out-of-hours:** The practice states that when it is closed, emergency cover is available through the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals at the Royal Veterinary College. ## People - **Nichola (vet)**: One reviewer says Nichola “sympathised and explained in detail the choices” for their dog’s treatment, describing an “honest approach.” - **Alex (reception/customer service)**: Mentioned positively for “brilliant” customer service in a recent review. - **Ruth (practice manager)**: Named in a negative review as sending a “rude and condescending” response to a complaint about costs and treatment decisions. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.3 stars from 332 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Front-desk experience varies sharply:** one owner reports the receptionist was “extremely rude” and they waited ~30 minutes without an update before leaving; another specifically praises “brilliant” customer service from a named staff member (Alex). - **Communication and decision-making are a key differentiator:** a positive review highlights detailed explanations of treatment choices and an “honest approach” from vet Nichola; a negative review describes “different advice from different vets” over multiple visits. - **Admin and follow-up issues:** complaints include not being told when medication would be delivered because it wasn’t in stock at the appointment, and not receiving annual vaccination reminders for all pets. - **Cost concerns and perceived upselling:** one reviewer says they were charged **£400** for what they believed was unnecessary testing/treatment for a cat, and felt the practice was focused on “money making”; other reviewers similarly mention feeling pushed towards spending more rather than resolving the problem.