Vets4Pets Harlow

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. “”

• •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.