Specialist Vets in Ingatestone

## 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 Ingatestone Veterinary Centre is part of the Spring Lodge Vets group, and is also a veterinary nurse training facility. The practice is mentioned in reviews as handling ongoing, complex care over many years (including multiple surgeries), and as a place owners go for a second opinion when they’ve felt pressured elsewhere. Specific examples owners describe include a vet reading prior notes in detail before an appointment, carrying out a thorough examination and clearly explaining options, and staff being comfortable handling a very large dog “with many issues” throughout his life. The clinic also promotes a Pet Health Club® Plus plan that includes consultations. ## Services - **Consultations** (also promoted as included within a Pet Health Club® Plus plan). - **Second opinions** (one owner describes moving after feeling pressured and unsupported at a previous practice). - **Examinations and treatment planning** (reviews describe detailed history-reading, thorough exams, and clear explanation of options). - **Surgery** (multiple surgeries referenced for a dog with long-term, complicated health needs). - **Vaccinations/inoculations** (puppy inoculations are specifically mentioned). - **Emergency/out-of-hours arrangements:** the website states that a Spring Lodge branch provides emergency cover from **8am–5pm**, and **Vets Now** operates an out-of-hours service. ## People - **Neil** (vet; role implied in reviews): repeatedly mentioned in long-term care stories, including supporting a dog over 15 years and handling a large breed confidently (the dog was nicknamed “The Beast”). - **Izabella** (vet; role implied in reviews): described as calm and gentle with a dog, having read notes in detail, listening carefully, performing a thorough examination, and clearly explaining options. - **Support staff**: described as “magnificent” by an owner whose dog had multiple issues and surgeries. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 93 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Long-term relationships: owners mention staying with the practice for 15 years, and from a dog’s puppyhood through to end-of-life care. - Capability with complex cases: multiple surgeries and ongoing issues are referenced, with owners feeling their dogs were well cared for throughout. - Calm, thorough second-opinion consultations: reading prior notes, careful listening, thorough exams, and clear explanations of options are specifically described. - Handling and temperament: owners highlight staff not being intimidated by a very large dog, and another owner reports their young dog happily goes in “wagging her tail.”