Specialist Vets in Eastleigh

## Summary Riverside Vets Ltd is an independent, privately owned practice (established in 1976) offering routine care alongside a 24-hour emergency service on site. The practice appears set up for both small animals (cats, dogs and rabbits are listed) and equine work (multiple reviews specifically mention “Riverside Equine” and vets attending injured horses). Reviewers repeatedly describe strong support around end-of-life care, including compassionate euthanasia appointments and follow-up gestures such as a card and paw prints sent afterward. A monthly plan is also mentioned in reviews as covering “essentials” and including 24/7 on-call access, with one equine owner saying a newer equine plan reduced the financial stress of calling a vet out for assessments. ## Services - Veterinary consultations. - Preventive care: - Dog and cat vaccinations. - Parasite control for dogs and cats. - Neutering. - Identification services for dogs and cats. - Diet/nutrition support for dogs and cats. - Grooming services. - Puppy Pre School. - Food and pet supplies. - Pet insurance support and claims help. - 24-hour emergency service on site (also described by reviewers as 24/7 on-call coverage). - Species mentioned across sources: - Cats, dogs, rabbits (listed by the practice). - Equine care (referenced repeatedly in reviews). - An injured wild bird was accepted for care in one review (a woodpecker). ## People - **Heidi (vet)**: mentioned in multiple reviews in the context of end-of-life care for dogs; one owner describes being treated with compassion and notes receiving a card and paw prints afterward. - **Charlotte**: described as helpful and kind on the phone for equine clients. - **Gemma**: credited by an equine owner with persevering through a difficult case and getting a mare “sound and comfortable” after injuries. - **Reception team**: several reviews mention quick assistance and a welcoming manner. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 254 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - End-of-life support is a recurring theme (compassion during euthanasia; a follow-up card and paw prints sent afterward; owners describing feeling supported through difficult decisions). - Owners mention coverage for both domestic pets and equine work, including handling challenging equine injuries and rehabilitation. - A monthly plan is referenced as including “essentials” and 24/7 on-call access; an equine plan is described as reducing the financial stress of call-outs for assessment. - Practical helpfulness is highlighted in specific situations (e.g., the practice taking in an injured woodpecker “without hesitation”).

## Summary Boyatt Wood Veterinary Surgery is part of the Chandlers Ford Veterinary Surgery group (the practice is referenced alongside Chandlers Ford in recent client feedback). It appears set up for routine care and common surgeries across a range of pets, including rabbits. Owners repeatedly mention considerate support around difficult visits (including euthanasia), and practical “extras” such as a handwritten bereavement card after a pet death and claw-clipping noticed after a cat’s procedure. A recurring downside in one review is limited continuity—“you rarely see the same vet” between visits. ## Services - **Euthanasia/end-of-life care** (a recent owner describes their dog being put to sleep, and thanks the vet for being “professional and kind”). - **Health checks and vaccinations** (explicitly mentioned for rabbits; also restarting vaccinations for a cat). - **Neutering surgery** (explicitly mentioned for rabbits). - **Other surgery** (a cat was “booked in… to have his surgery… the next day”; the specific procedure isn’t stated, but it’s described as an operation with pre/post support). - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in the clinic’s structured service information). ## People - **Reception team (including “Nicki”, spelling unconfirmed)**: mentioned for helping resolve a registration issue quickly, sorting rebooking after an owner had a car accident, and being chatty/supportive while clients waited. - **Vets (not named)**: described as knowledgeable and understanding with pets; one owner appreciated “no pressure to do any more treatment than was necessary,” and another thanked a vet for being professional and kind during euthanasia. - **Nursing team (not named)**: described as “very caring and kind” around a cat’s operation. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.9 stars from 102 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Supportive handling of sensitive situations**, including euthanasia and bereavement (owners mention professionalism, kindness, and a handwritten condolence card). - **Clear communication and flexibility when plans change**, including fast sorting of registration issues and straightforward rebooking when an owner couldn’t attend. - **Care for small animals as well as cats/dogs**, with rabbits specifically mentioned for vaccinations, health checks, and neutering. - **Attention to detail after procedures**, e.g., an owner noticed their cat’s claws had been clipped. - **Mixed experience on continuity**: one reviewer says you “rarely see the same vet,” which they felt reduced consistency.

## Summary Eastleigh Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets group and describes itself as a locally owned practice. The website positions it as a modern, well‑equipped clinic for both routine care and more complex work (for example, in‑house imaging and lab testing), with separate cat and dog waiting areas and wards. Across the latest reviews available to us, owners repeatedly mention smooth, supportive experiences around routine care and procedures (including a kitten spay with good healing and follow‑up support from staff), and good handling of small mammals. One owner describes seeking a second opinion for an older rabbit with an aggressive leg lump and feeling the team helped achieve a much better outcome than expected. ## Services Based on the clinic’s website and what owners mention in reviews, services include: - **Routine and preventive care** - Vaccinations and annual health checks (reviewed) - Parasite prevention and prescriptions (website; reviewed via flea/worm treatment and boosters mentioned within a plan) - Microchipping (website) - Weight clinic and nutritional advice (website) - Nurse clinics (website) - **Surgery and procedures** - Soft tissue surgery and operating theatre (website) - **Neutering/spaying** (kitten spay mentioned in reviews) - Dentistry (website) - Anaesthesia (website) - **Diagnostics and in‑house facilities** - In‑house laboratory blood testing (biochemistry, haematology, electrolytes) (website) - Blood pressure monitoring and ECG (website) - Digital X‑ray and ultrasound (website) - Eye pressure testing (Tonopen) (website) - **Advanced/less common treatments (as listed on the website)** - Chemotherapy & cancer treatment (website) - Blood transfusion (website) - Laser treatment (website) - Stem cell therapy (website) - **Species and exotics** - Care for **exotic pets**, including rabbits and small mammals (website; guinea pig and rabbit cases discussed in reviews) - The website states access to **exotics referrals with an RCVS recognised Exotics certificate holder**. - **Emergency / out-of-hours** - The website states they provide **emergency cover when closed**, with out‑of‑hours care via **Vets Now Southampton**. ## Pricing - A **health/care plan** is mentioned in reviews as covering **boosters (vaccinations), flea treatment and wormer**, and described as helping owners “not have to worry about the money” for those items. No prices are stated. ## People - **Jay (reception team)** is singled out in one review for being “particularly wonderful” when booking annual vaccinations for multiple pets. - Reviews repeatedly mention **receptionists**, **nurses**, and **vets** being helpful and patient, including: - Support around a **kitten spay**, with the owner feeling “so supported by all staff” and reporting good healing. - A vet being “very patient” during a **guinea pig** appointment. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 337 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Post‑procedure support:** a kitten spay is described as going smoothly, with good healing and strong support from staff. - **Small mammal/exotics care experiences:** a guinea pig visit is praised for patient handling; a rabbit case involving an aggressive leg lump is described as achieving a far better outcome than the owner had been told elsewhere. - **Front-desk experience:** multiple reviews highlight helpful reception staff; one specifically names Jay for assistance with booking vaccinations. - **Health plan mentioned positively:** owners say it covers boosters plus flea and worm treatments, reducing the need to think about cost at each visit.

## Summary Chandlers Ford Veterinary Surgery is part of a small group of surgeries (the website mentions Chandlers Ford, Boyatt Wood and Village Vets). It’s also listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. Reviews point to a practice that regularly handles **long-term conditions (arthritis management)**, **new-pet onboarding (kittens)**, and **end-of-life support**, with one reviewer describing pain relief/anti-inflammatory treatment for arthritis and another describing being given time and support to say goodbye. There’s also a clear conflict in feedback around **behaviour-related euthanasia discussions**: one reviewer alleges euthanasia was raised “casually” for minor behavioural issues without behavioural support being proposed. ## Services - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in the clinic data). - **Arthritis/long-term pain management** (painkillers/anti-inflammatory medication for a dog with arthritis mentioned in review). - **End-of-life care and euthanasia support** (multiple reviews mention being supported through the decision and being given time to say goodbye). - **Puppy parties/puppy social sessions** described as “gently controlled,” timed around vaccinations, with Q&A support (review mentions Charlotte and Ryan hosting). - **Getting started with new pets (kittens)**: help “to get the ball rolling with what they need” when rehoming kittens (review). ## People - **Joe Gosling (vet)**: credited with guiding an owner through arthritis management and “other various health issues.” - **Sophie (vet)**: mentioned as professional and compassionate during a difficult period with a dog. - **Charlotte and Ryan**: described as knowledgeable hosts of “gently controlled puppy parties,” answering questions and supporting new puppy owners. - Reviews also mention helpful phone support when arranging care for newly rehomed kittens (staff member not named). ## Reviews **4.6 stars from 332 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Support during euthanasia/end-of-life decisions**: several owners describe staff being understanding, compassionate, and allowing time to say goodbye. - **Chronic condition management**: one owner specifically mentions a pragmatic vet starting arthritis medication and continued guidance from Joe Gosling. - **New pet support and early-life guidance**: positive mentions of phone help for rehomed kittens and structured “puppy parties” with vaccination-timed sessions and detailed Q&A. - **Serious negative concern (behaviour case)**: one reviewer says euthanasia was suggested for minor behavioural issues without behavioural support, referral, or a wider management plan being proposed, and urges others to avoid the practice.

## Summary Pet Doctors Chandlers Ford is part of the Pet Doctors Veterinary Group (established in 1998) and is set up as a small-animal practice; it’s also listed in the clinic data as a veterinary nurse training facility. Reviews describe a practice that can be very thorough in routine appointments (including taking time with cat check-ups) and communicative around operations (keeping owners informed and welcoming calls if worried). Owners also mention a paid “pet plan” that they felt was good value (with parasite tablets noted as a key benefit). Alongside the positive experiences, a few reviews raise serious concerns: repeated complaints about rabbit knowledge (including an incorrect long-term pain-med dose and not knowing basic rabbit checks), one report of last-minute appointment cancellations linked to “not enough vets,” and one account of a dog dying after a caesarean with disagreement afterwards about responsibility and post-mortem options. ## Services From the practice website summary and the latest reviews, the clinic is associated with: - Consultations and routine check-ups (including cats being “well checked over” in one review) - Surgery and operations (owners mention being kept informed throughout) - Neutering/spaying (discussed when collecting tablets; also mentioned in a complaint about spaying at the same time as a caesarean) - Dentistry - Diagnostic tests and imaging - Microchipping - Vaccinations - Parasite control (also referenced in connection with the “pet plan”) - Nurse clinics - Blood pressure checks - Cardiology referral service - Six-month health checks - Grooming & nail clipping - Anal sac expression - Home visits Emergency care arrangements (as stated in the website summary): - During normal hours: clients are advised to call the practice - Out of hours: clients are directed to MiNightVet (a dedicated emergency service) Species: the website summary lists dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils and ferrets. However, multiple reviews specifically advise against using this practice for rabbits due to perceived gaps in rabbit-specific knowledge. ## Pricing - A caesarean section (with spay suggested at the same time, according to the reviewer) was reported to cost **over £1600**. ## People Named individuals aren’t mentioned in the provided material, but owners describe: - **Vets/practitioners** who take time in appointments: one owner highlighted a practitioner who was “super attentive,” did a careful check-over of two cats, and handled them gently. - **Surgical/operation communication**: one reviewer said the team kept them informed during an operation and welcomed phone calls if they were worried. - **Reception team**: described as particularly kind during an emergency visit, and one owner reported receiving a sympathy card and remembrance seeds after a pet died. Concerns raised about the team’s capacity and expertise include: - A complaint that the practice “don’t have enough vets” and cancels appointments last minute. - Two similar reviews alleging inadequate rabbit care (including medication dosing and basic rabbit assessment). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 133 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Time spent and handling during appointments:** owners describe careful check-ups (not rushed) and gentle handling, including with cats. - **Communication during procedures and follow-up:** being kept informed during an operation; one family received a sympathy card and remembrance seeds after their pet died. - **Value and decision-making:** a “pet plan” is described as good value (parasite tablets specifically mentioned), and one reviewer felt the team were upfront about what was or wasn’t needed (not “upselling”). - **Urgent care experiences vary:** one owner describes a calm, thorough response and being directed to a partner vet when needed; another says their dog’s spreading foot infection was not treated as important. - **Rabbit care is a repeated concern in negative reviews:** two reviewers report long-term under-dosing of arthritis pain medication and a lack of basic rabbit knowledge, and advise registering with a rabbit-experienced vet instead. - **A serious complaint about a caesarean outcome and aftercare:** one reviewer reports their dog died following a C-section, disputes the advice to spay at the same time, and describes conflicting explanations afterwards and dissatisfaction with post-mortem guidance and compensation.