Dog & Cat Vets in Witham

## Summary Brookend Veterinary Practice Ltd is an independent clinic that became employee-owned in 2025, and the website emphasises continuity of care (being able to “see the same people and build a real relationship”). Based on the website and recent reviews, it appears set up for routine healthcare (vaccinations, neutering, microchipping) as well as more involved medical and surgical work—owners describe diagnostics such as X‑rays and procedures including spaying, dental extraction, and treatment for ongoing stomach issues. Reviews also give examples of urgent access when needed (a cat “seen… immediately” after an emergency call) and ongoing management for chronic problems (including feline diabetes and rabbits with health issues). ## Services - Routine care: vaccinations, microchipping, neutering (website). - Dental care (website); owners specifically mention tooth extraction (review). - Surgery and peri-operative support: pre-operative and post-operative care (website); spaying described in reviews. - Diagnostics mentioned by owners: X‑ray and a gastrointestinal examination as part of investigating stomach issues (review). - Advice services: diet and feeding advice; travel advice (website). - Species specifically referenced: cats, dogs, rabbits (website), with multiple reviews mentioning rabbit care and chronic cat conditions including diabetes. - Emergency/urgent care: listed as an emergency veterinary service in the clinic data; one review describes being seen immediately by a vet for an emergency health concern after calling. ## People - **Mike / Michael** (role not stated in the inputs): repeatedly named by long-term clients. Owners describe seeking his second opinion because they “completely trusted” his judgment, and one review says he helped save their dog from a serious illness and supported them in their decision-making. - **Rebecca** (role not stated): mentioned positively by a long-term client as one of the vets they’ve known the longest. - **Dr Alex**: credited by one owner with diagnosing and resolving a dog’s ongoing stomach issues, and performing spaying, a tooth extraction, and diagnostic work including an X‑ray. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 403 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Long-running client relationships are common, with several owners mentioning 20–30+ years using the practice. - Specific clinical outcomes are described, including resolving ongoing stomach issues, performing spays and tooth extraction, and managing complex or chronic cases (diabetic cat; rabbits with health problems). - Owners frequently mention taking time to explain concerns and build treatment plans, and providing clear communication and updates. - Urgent access is specifically described by one cat owner who reports their pet was seen immediately after an emergency call. - Multiple reviews highlight handling of nervous or first-time pets (e.g., a kitten’s first visit described as “no sign of distress before or after” treatment).

## Summary Vets Now is a corporate emergency-vet provider (Vets Now) focused on out-of-hours pet care for small animals, with services also offered via video consultations according to its website. Recent reviews describe a service geared toward urgent triage and stabilisation: some pets were seen immediately or quickly on arrival, with staff keeping owners updated on expected costs and treatment. Owners also mention practical next-step planning—tests done while they waited, advice on what to watch for at home, and referral on for further investigations (including X‑rays at a regular daytime vet). Experiences are mixed on communication and value: several reviews describe clear explanations and ongoing updates during the visit (including an overnight stay for a kitten), while others describe poor communication/empathy and frustration about wait times and what could be done during a busy period. ## Services Based on the website summary and the latest reviews, services mentioned include: - Out-of-hours emergency veterinary care for small animals. - Clinical assessment and diagnostic testing while you wait (tests are specifically mentioned in one emergency visit). - Medication for acute problems, plus home-care instructions and warning signs to monitor. - Imaging and orthopaedic-type emergencies are referenced in reviews: - X‑rays are mentioned (some owners were advised to arrange them via their usual vet; another review describes being unable to get an X‑ray during a very busy period). - A dislocated hip case was referred on to an orthopaedic vet. - Overnight stay/hospital-style monitoring is described in one review (kitten kept overnight). - Video consultations with a vet are mentioned on the Vets Now website. - The Vets Now website also references 24‑hour referral hospitals and specialties including neurology and oncology (presented as part of the wider provider offering, not necessarily specific to this clinic). ## Pricing Only specific amounts mentioned in reviews: - One owner reports being charged **£403** on a holiday period visit and feeling the treatment did not match the suspected problem. - The same review states they were told to return the next morning for an X‑ray and pay **another £324** in emergency fees (plus treatment/X‑ray costs). Other reviews describe out-of-hours care as “very expensive” without giving figures. ## People - **Silvia (vet)** is specifically named in one review; the owner describes her as supportive when they were upset during an emergency visit. - Front-of-house/call handling is mentioned positively in multiple reviews: - A “friendly and calm” call handler explained the process before arrival. - A receptionist is described as kind and helpful on the phone. - Communication style appears inconsistent between experiences: - Some owners describe vets who were thorough, did tests, and explained medication and next steps clearly. - Others describe a lack of sympathy and poor explanation (including not being shown X‑rays and limited updates). ## Reviews **4.1 stars from 348 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Speed/triage:** several owners say their pet was seen quickly or immediately on arrival; one review describes a long wait (about 3 hours) during a holiday period. - **Communication and updates:** multiple reviews mention being kept informed about costs and treatment, and receiving clear advice for home care; other reviews report minimal explanation and a lack of empathy. - **Diagnostics and next steps:** tests “while we waited” and guidance on further exploration are mentioned; X‑rays come up repeatedly—sometimes as a recommended follow-up with a regular vet, and in one case described as unavailable at that time due to workload. - **Outcomes noted by owners:** improvement after medication is reported in a few cases, including recovery signs after emergency treatment and a pet returning to normal after anaesthetic wore off. - **Billing/administration frustrations:** one review focuses on perceived high charges for limited treatment; another mentions problems processing an insurance claim.