Dog & Cat Vets in Loughton

## Summary Loughton Vets4Pets Ltd operates under the Vets4Pets brand and is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Based on reviews, the practice is frequently used for cat and dog care ranging from routine procedures to urgent cases, with multiple owners describing clear communication and structured decision-making (for example, being given “clear-cut options” for a complex neurological case). Owners most often mention: - **Surgery with post-op support:** a dog spay where “everything went smoothly,” with “brilliant” aftercare and recovery guidance, and a very neat incision noted by the owner. - **Dentistry:** a dog dental extraction, with anxiety around anaesthetic addressed by the team, and the vet and head nurse named in thanks. - **Urgent treatment:** one account of a very unwell cat receiving emergency treatment that the owner says “saved his life.” There are also **serious negative accounts** raising concerns about (a) prescribing an arthritis injection without prior blood tests and disputing reported side effects, and (b) an allegedly incorrect in-house blood test result later contradicted by an external lab, followed by a dispute over a refund. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned by owners include: - **Emergency/urgent treatment** for a critically unwell cat (described as emergency treatment). - **Spay surgery** with aftercare advice and wound-healing checks described by the owner. - **Dental extraction** for a dog. - **Blood tests/diagnostics** (including an in-house test result that one reviewer alleges was inaccurate and attributed by the practice to possible “machine error”). - **Arthritis treatment/injections:** one owner describes a monthly injection for mild arthritis (drug named in the review as Librela), and later management with Metacam via another vet. - **Referral discussions:** one owner mentions a referral to the RVC for a cat’s neurological issue (outcome described as no diagnosis/treatment plan). ## Pricing - **Blood tests:** one reviewer states they paid **£385** for blood tests for a cat. ## People Named team members mentioned in reviews: - **Cheryl** (role not stated): repeatedly highlighted for handling complex cases with “clear, honest guidance,” and for surgical skill (one owner credits a very neat spay wound and fast healing). - **Magdalena** (described as the vet in one review): specifically thanked in a dental extraction case; also mentioned (with Cheryl) for taking great care of a cat. - **Amy** (described as head nurse): thanked alongside the vet during a dog dental extraction. - **Jennifer** (reception): described as “prompt with all reception tasks” and a “friendly face,” also thanked for support in another review. - **Aaron** (role not stated): described as attentive and invested in a cat’s ongoing neurological/healing journey. - **Georgina** (role not stated): described as gentle with animals; owner notes their cat was content around her. - **Laurel** (role not stated): thanked for support during a dog’s dental extraction. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.4 stars from 325 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Strong praise for compassionate handling of anxious owners and sick pets**, including one urgent case where a cat is said to have been “saved.” - **Procedure experiences are often described in practical terms** (smooth spay, neat incision, quick healing; dental extraction with supportive team). - **Communication and options:** some owners describe “clear-cut options” and calm explanations during complex cases. - **Conflicting experiences around medical decision-making and diagnostics:** one review alleges side effects from an arthritis injection were dismissed and that risks weren’t explained; another alleges a major blood-test error later contradicted by an external lab and a refused refund.

## Summary Sage Vets is a family-run independent practice with **GOLD Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation (iCatCare)**. The clinic appears set up for both routine care and more involved in-house work, with **digital X‑ray, ultrasound/echocardiography, an in‑house laboratory, an operating theatre, and dental facilities** listed on its website. In recent reviews, owners repeatedly describe **thorough investigations and option-by-option discussions** (including a **one-hour first appointment for a dog with seizures**) and several specific procedures are mentioned, including **dental extractions**, **spaying**, and **lump removal**. ## Services Based on the website and latest reviews, Sage Vets provides: - **Vaccinations** (website) - **Medicine/medical workups** (website; reviews mention investigating ongoing symptoms and managing seizures) - **Surgery** (website), with examples in reviews including: - **Spay** for a kitten - **Lump removal** from a cat’s paw - **Dental surgery/extractions** (one dog had “most of his teeth removed”) - **Dentistry** supported by “dental facilities” on the website and multiple dental mentions in reviews - **Diagnostics and in-house facilities** (website): **digital X‑ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, in‑house laboratory** - **Parasite treatment/products** (review mentions picking up tick and worm treatment; another mentions recommended dental products) - **Pet Health Plans** (website; no plan details/prices provided) **Out-of-hours:** The website states that if your pet is **registered** and needs urgent attention outside opening hours, you should contact their **out-of-hours providers** (provider name/details not given in the available info). ## People - **Mark (vet)** is named repeatedly in reviews. Owners describe him as: - Taking time to gather history and explain choices (e.g., **spent an hour** at a first appointment for a dog with seizures; **discussed all options** during a cat’s treatment). - Avoiding “upselling” in at least one account (a client says there was **no pressure for unnecessary treatments/investigations**, instead advice and guidance). - Handling difficult/nervous pets without complaint (a reviewer notes their cat was “a handful” and the team “never complained”). - **Sue (reception)** is specifically praised in one review for being consistently pleasant and easy to deal with (“always a pleasure, never a drama”). ## Reviews **5.0 stars from 31 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Time and thoroughness:** examples include a **one-hour appointment** for seizure history-taking and reviews noting “thoroughly investigating” symptoms over months. - **Clear decision-making support:** multiple owners mention options being discussed and guidance offered, including a specific comment about **no pressure for unnecessary investigations**. - **Successful, clearly described procedures:** **spay**, **lump removal**, and significant **dental extractions** are all mentioned, with one owner noting their dog was “completely recovered” the day after dental work. - **Kindness during difficult moments:** one review describes supportive, gentle care around a rabbit’s end-of-life visit. - **Front-desk experience:** helpful, welcoming reception is mentioned, with one staff member named (Sue).

## Summary Goddard Veterinary Group Loughton is part of the Goddard Veterinary Group and has been established since 2003. The practice is RCVS accredited, has an in-house lab and X-ray, and the website says it was recently fully refurbished to create a more spacious, stress-free environment for pets. Based on the latest reviews, owners most often describe hands-on care for serious situations and dentistry: one cat was treated after being hit by a car, and another pet had “lots of teeth removed” with owners highlighting thorough checks and strong aftercare communication. A contrasting theme appears in a 1-star review describing an urgent call about an injured stray cat where the receptionist allegedly required upfront payment despite an RSPCA incident number and did not offer immediate welfare care. ## Services From the clinic website and the reviews, services and capabilities mentioned include: - Consultations and nurse clinics - Dentistry (including dental extractions; “lots of teeth removed” mentioned in reviews) - Blood testing and an in-house lab - Diagnostic imaging, including X-ray (X-ray listed on the site; X-ray facility mentioned) - Neutering - Microchipping - Pet vaccinations - Flea and worm treatment - Weight and diet advice - Wellness health screen - Free new pet health check Emergency/out-of-hours: the website says that emergencies and out-of-hours cases are referred to dedicated 24/7 emergency pet hospitals (with Wanstead Veterinary Hospital named as the closest). ## People - **Walter (vet)**: mentioned repeatedly for treating a cat after a road traffic accident, and for dental work involving multiple tooth removals. Reviews describe “smashing communication throughout” during aftercare, and one owner says they “never felt rushed” during an euthanasia appointment. - **Abbie**: mentioned alongside Walter during an euthanasia visit; the owner reports they were told to take as long as needed and could pay the next day. - **Front desk team (unnamed)**: one older review describes staff putting a puppy into a side room to avoid a nervous dog; a separate 1-star review describes a receptionist being “dismissive and abrupt” when asked to help an injured stray cat with an RSPCA incident number. ## Reviews **4.6 stars from 99 reviews.** The latest reviews available include multiple detailed 5-star experiences (dentistry, emergency care, euthanasia support) and a repeated 1-star complaint about handling an injured stray cat and payment policy. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Serious case care:** a cat hit by a car was described as receiving “exceptional care” from admission onwards, with the vet and nurses credited with saving the cat. - **Dental procedures and aftercare:** multiple teeth removals are mentioned, with owners emphasising thorough checking, strong aftercare, and clear communication. - **End-of-life support:** one owner says they were not rushed, were encouraged to take their time, and were allowed to pay the next day. - **Handling nervous pets:** one review describes front staff using a side room to avoid a nervous dog. - **Conflicting reports on urgent welfare cases:** one reviewer alleges being asked to pay upfront for a stray cat despite an RSPCA incident number and being told the case would wait for a standard appointment slot.