Specialist Vets in Southend-On-Sea

## Summary Southend Airport Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets group, described on its site as a locally owned practice. The clinic appears set up for day-to-day “first opinion” care with a broad in-house diagnostic and surgical setup (including an in-house lab, imaging, and an operating theatre), and it also offers home visits. Recent reviews give concrete examples of practical decision-making (one owner says they were advised *not* to spend money on blood tests that weren’t needed yet) and supportive follow-through during difficult appointments (owners mention receiving a card and paw prints after saying goodbye to a pet, and another owner being sent photo updates while their dog was hospitalised). ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the website include: - Consultations for dogs, cats and rabbits - In-house diagnostics: biochemistry, haematology, electrolyte assessment, blood pressure monitoring, and an in-house laboratory - Imaging and procedures: digital X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy - Dentistry - Anaesthesia and use of an operating theatre - Soft tissue surgery - Nurse clinics and nutritional advice - Microchipping and medication dispensing (pharmacy listed) - Isolation unit - Home visits Out-of-hours emergency care is stated to be provided by “Medivet 24 Hour Southend”. ## Pricing - One review reports paying **£85.00** for a **consultation and Metacam** (pain relief) for a cat (dated 2/5/25 in the review text). - The same reviewer also reports being told there is an additional charge for a **written prescription** (no price given). ## People - **Carlo De Vito** (Practice Owner & Veterinary Surgeon) is listed on the clinic website. The site bio states he has special interests in “all first opinion conditions” in dogs and cats, plus ultrasound and orthopaedic procedures. - **Daniel** is repeatedly named in reviews. Owners describe him as gentle with pets and particularly supportive during euthanasia decisions and appointments. - **Jade** is described in a review as the **head nurse**; one owner also mentions being kept updated with **photos** while their dog was being cared for. - **Holly** is named as a receptionist in a review; that reviewer describes a negative interaction about being unable to receive a prescription without paying an additional written-prescription fee. ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 324 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Multiple owners praise specific vets by name (Daniel; Carlo) for calm, gentle handling and clear explanations, including support through end-of-life care. - Several reviews highlight practical, cost-aware guidance (e.g., being advised not to proceed with blood tests “at this time”). - Communication updates are mentioned, including **photo updates** while a dog was with the clinic. - Bereavement gestures are specifically noted (a **card and paw prints** after a pet was put to sleep). - One review reports dissatisfaction with front-desk communication and a requirement to pay extra for a written prescription, contrasting with the same reviewer’s past positive experiences with staff.

## Summary This Vets4Pets practice is described on its website as **locally owned**, and it appears set up for **in-house diagnostics and surgery**, with facilities such as an **in-house laboratory, ultrasound and digital X‑ray**, plus a **hospital ward** and **separate dog and cat wards**. Reviews most often point to **thorough consultations with options explained**, **fast blood-test turnaround with follow-up calls**, and practical steps to **reduce stress for nervous/elderly cats** (for example, arranging a nurse to deal with severely matted fur during the same visit). One reviewer also noticed a **candle in reception** to mark when a family was saying goodbye to a pet. ## Services Based on the clinic website and the reviews available to us, services and capabilities mentioned include: - **Diagnostics & monitoring:** in-house **biochemistry** and **haematology**, **blood pressure monitoring**, **ultrasound**, **digital X‑ray**, **dental X‑ray** - **Surgery:** **keyhole surgery**, **orthopaedics**, **cruciate surgery**, **fracture repair** - **Dentistry** - **Hospitalisation:** **hospital ward** and **isolation unit** - **Nurse-led care:** **nurse clinic** (also reflected in a review where a nurse helped with matted fur) - **Exotic pet care** (the website lists exotic pets specifically) - **Health plans** and **nutritional advice** - **Out-of-hours emergency care** is stated on the website as being provided via an external provider - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in the clinic’s structured details) ## People Named team members mentioned in reviews include **Hannah, Katie, Rebecca, Holly and Katy**, thanked for being “professional, caring and understanding” during a pet’s care. Other staff details are not tied to specific names, but reviewers describe: - A vet carrying out a **thorough examination** and giving **multiple treatment options** for an elderly cat. - A **nurse arranged during the same appointment** to remove **severely matted fur**, to avoid bringing the cat back for an additional, stressful visit. - **Reception staff** described as helpful and friendly. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 386 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Clear, option-based decision-making:** owners mention being offered “various options” after a thorough exam (example: elderly cat appointment). - **Fast testing and follow-up:** one owner describes **blood tests** performed across two appointments in a week, with **results shared quickly** and **follow-up calls** after suspected garlic ingestion. - **Stress-reduction and practical help:** arranging nurse support during the same visit (matted fur removal) to avoid an extra appointment. - **Emotional sensitivity:** a reviewer noticed a **candle in reception** during a time when another family was saying goodbye to a pet. - **Cost note:** one review describes the clinic as **“expensive but does the job.”**

## Summary Earls Hall Veterinary Group – The Veterinary Hospital is the main hospital branch within the Earls Hall Veterinary Group. The website describes it as an **RCVS Veterinary Hospital** and a **Cat Friendly Clinic (Silver)**, with on-site facilities including **X‑ray, ultrasound and an in-house lab**, plus a **dedicated on-site emergency service with full-time night staff**. It’s also listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. Recent reviews include specific positives such as: - A cat with breathing problems later found to have a **heart condition**, with the vet explaining the situation “calmly and clearly” and the cat improving on **medication**. - A dog brought in as an **unannounced emergency** being “seen in minutes”. - **Follow-up phone calls** to discuss a stray cat’s care. There are also sharp complaints about **pet travel paperwork handling** (handover issues when a vet was off sick, difficulty getting updates) and disputes about **fees/charging**. ## Services From the clinic website summary (and supported by reviews where noted): - **Consultations** (including follow-up appointments mentioned in reviews) - **Vaccinations** - **Microchipping** - **Neutering** - **Dentistry** - **Surgery** (including **soft tissue** and **orthopaedic** referral services; **keyhole/laparoscopic surgery** referral service) - **Diagnostic tests & imaging** (website lists diagnostics; facilities include **X-ray** and **ultrasound**; **in-house lab**) - **Cardiology referral service** (also reflected in a review describing a diagnosed **heart condition** managed with medication) - **Exotic animals GP service** (species list includes small mammals, reptiles/tortoises, birds, backyard poultry and wild birds) - **Nurse clinics** (plus blood pressure checks, blood sampling, parasite control, anal sac expression, grooming/nail clipping) - **Pet travel documentation** (raised in reviews—both service availability and complaints about the process) - **Six-month health checks** - **End of life care** - **Home visits** - **Emergency care**: described on the website as an on-site emergency service with full-time night staff ## Pricing Only explicit pricing mentioned in the reviews: - One reviewer reports being charged **£60** for a follow-up check they believed had been described as “no cost”, after later receiving a letter stating there had been a mistake. ## People - **Mark Freeman (vet)**: named positively in a recent review for diagnosing and managing a cat’s **respiratory infection and subsequent heart condition**, and for explaining treatment “calmly and clearly”. Another review describes “Mark the vet” phoning to discuss a stray cat’s care. - **Reception staff**: mentioned as “really helpful” when an owner needed a quick appointment. - **Area manager** (not named): credited in one review with stepping in and mediating during a disputed pet travel documentation process. - **Ian Daly**: named in a very negative review alleging negligence (the review refers to an incident from several years earlier). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.3 stars from 376 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Fast response in emergencies**: one owner says they walked in unannounced with an emergency and their dog was “seen in minutes.” - **Clear explanations and ongoing management**: a cat’s heart condition was discussed clearly and managed with medication, with the owner reporting improvement. - **Communication follow-ups**: one reviewer specifically mentions a vet taking time to **phone** and discuss a cat’s care. - **Pet travel documentation complaints**: a 1-star review describes poor handover when a vet went off sick, difficulty getting updates, and needing to escalate to an area manager; they also describe the service as “massively over priced” and the replacement vet as unprofessional. - **Fee/charging disputes**: one reviewer reports being told a recheck would be free, then later being billed **£60**.

## Summary Medivet Thorpe Bay Broadway is part of the Medivet group. The practice is set up for routine care (health checks for kittens/puppies), dental work (a teeth scale and polish is specifically mentioned), and treating longer-term or more complex issues (one owner describes surgery and ongoing support for a young dog with hip/back-leg problems). Owners also mention practical touches like being fitted in early when they arrived ahead of an appointment, and online booking being “easy to navigate”. Pricing comes up in two different ways: some reviews praise “transparent” costs, while another says you need to “keep an eye on what they are charging you.” ## Services - **Routine appointments and health checks** (e.g., kitten health checks; first-visit guidance and advice for a new kitten). - **Dental care**, including a **teeth scale and polish** (other dental/health “issues” treated at the same time are mentioned but not specified). - **Surgery and follow-up support** (one owner describes their puppy having “much needed surgery” after initial treatment to help her gain weight). - **Pain/mobility checks** are referenced on the Medivet site (a “FREE Mobility Pain Check” promotion is mentioned in the website text). - **Emergency care access**: the website states access to around-the-clock emergency care via one of Medivet’s 24-hour centres, with a **nationwide overnight emergency consultation fee of £130** for consultations between **7pm and 9am**. ## Pricing - **£130** nationwide emergency consultation fee for consultations between **7pm and 9am** (as stated on the Medivet website). ## People - **Johan (vet)** is named repeatedly. Owners describe him: - explaining treatment clearly (“treatment is fully explained”) - offering options that “weren’t designed to cost a lot of money” - providing ongoing management for chronic issues (hip/back-leg problems mentioned) - handling routine kitten checks efficiently (“very efficient and professional”). - A **nurse working alongside Johan** is mentioned as “very friendly” during kitten health checks. ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 176 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Clear communication and guidance**: owners mention lots of advice on first visits and that treatment is “fully explained”. - **Flexibility and speed**: being fitted in early when arriving ahead of time, and being seen “super quick”. - **Dental and ongoing-case experiences**: a teeth scale and polish is specifically praised; another review describes surgery plus longer-term support for a dog with lasting hip/back-leg problems. - **Costs are mentioned in mixed ways**: some say prices are transparent, while another review warns to watch what you’re being charged.

## Summary Medivet 24 Hour Southend is part of the Medivet group and is set up as a 24-hour veterinary hospital, with facilities and staffing for urgent and intensive cases as well as routine care. The clinic advertises advanced diagnostics and surgery support (including CT imaging, an in-house lab, and an orthopaedic theatre) and is accredited as an ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic (Gold). From recent reviews, owners most often mention: - Being seen quickly for emergencies (e.g., a dog that had swallowed a dangerous foreign body was seen “straight away” and treated without “unnecessary costs/treatments”). - Rabbit care specifically being a reason people choose the practice (“rabbit savvy”), including phone advice and call-backs when busy. - Follow-up after difficult visits is inconsistent: one bereaved owner describes a call a few days later plus a handwritten card, while another reports a rabbit euthanasia visit felt rushed and they received no follow-up. ## Services Services and capabilities stated on the clinic website include: - **24-hour emergency care** and **24-hour intensive care** - **15-minute consultations** - Routine preventive care: **vaccinations**, **parasite care**, **microchipping** - Surgery: **pet neutering**, **laparoscopic spays/neutering**, **laser surgery**, **orthopaedic theatre** - Diagnostics: **CT imaging**, **X-rays**, **ultrasound**, **ECG**, **endoscopy** - **In-house laboratory** - **Dentistry** - **Nurse clinics** - **Vet blood supplies** Species listed on the website: **cats, dogs, rabbits, and small mammals**. Structured clinic data also lists the practice as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## Pricing - Website states an **out-of-hours consult fee of £130**, and **no charge for assessment by phone**. - One reviewer set up an **annual plan at £14.50/month**, reported to include: vaccinations, microchipping, **two 6‑monthly health checks**, and **flea and worming medication for the year**. - One reviewer reports paying **£115** for a consultation plus ear treatments (swab and prescribed medication) and being quoted **£55** for a follow-up appointment when symptoms hadn’t improved. ## People - **Carmen** is specifically thanked in one emergency case review for help alongside the night team; the owner also notes the clinic handled insurer paperwork after payment, reducing stress. - Staff approach is described very differently depending on the situation: some owners describe being supported through pet loss with a follow-up call and handwritten card, while another describes a euthanasia appointment feeling impersonal and rushed. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 484 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Emergency responsiveness and pragmatism:** an urgent foreign-body ingestion case was seen immediately; the owner felt reassured and says unnecessary treatments/costs weren’t added. - **Rabbit care is a repeated draw:** reviewers describe the team as “rabbit savvy,” knowledgeable, and willing to give phone advice and call back with answers. - **Follow-up and bereavement support is mixed:** one owner reports a keepsake, follow-up call, and handwritten condolence card; another reports no alternatives offered besides euthanasia and no follow-up. - **Payments/insurance handling concerns:** multiple reviewers mention paying **upfront**, with insurance dealt with afterwards; this makes some owners anxious about affording emergencies. - **Consultation access varies:** one reviewer says they weren’t allowed into a dog’s check-up appointment on one occasion (reported as unusual compared with past visits). - **Treatment outcomes and recheck fees are a pain point for at least one owner:** one cat ear case worsened after treatment, and the owner objected to being charged again for follow-up.