Dog & Cat Vets in Fordingbridge

## Summary Forest Veterinary Clinic is an RCVS Accredited companion-animal practice that has been providing pet healthcare for over 20 years (no corporate group affiliation is stated). The clinic also operates as a veterinary nurse training facility. Owners most often describe straightforward, practical help—ranging from routine annual check-ups to urgent same-day situations like a dog that had eaten raisins—alongside clear explanations and good appointment availability. Out-of-hours emergencies are handled by VetsNow (as stated on the clinic website). ## Services - **Companion-animal veterinary care** (described on the website as a companion animal practice providing pets’ healthcare needs). - **Routine health checks** (annual check-up mentioned in a review). - **Urgent/acute presentations** (example: care for a dog after eating raisins). - **Referral onward when needed** (a “swift referral” is specifically mentioned). - **Medication and diet/supplement support** - Owners report being supplied with what they needed for a stress-related stomach upset (Pro-Kolin was mentioned). - Advice on a simple “in-car” calming product (Calmex was mentioned). - **Online ordering** for pet food and medication (website). - **Out-of-hours emergencies** are handled by **VetsNow** (website). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (structured clinic data). ## People - **Lizanne (vet)** — mentioned positively for her manner during an annual check-up; the owner highlighted her “bedside manner” and that she “go[es] through everything with you” (as reflected in the wider review themes about explanation and communication). - **Reception, nurses, and vets (team)** — in an urgent situation (raisin ingestion), one owner singled out the whole front-to-clinical team for “fantastic care,” suggesting coordinated handling from reception onwards. ## Reviews **4.9 stars from 115 reviews.** The written reviews available to us describe routine check-ups, urgent care, and referrals, with repeated comments about communication and practical help. **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Clear, supportive communication during appointments**, including “go through everything with you” and strong comments about a vet’s “bedside manner.” - **Helpfulness with immediate, practical needs**, such as supplying a GI product and suggesting a calming option for car stress. - **Urgent-care responsiveness**, including a specific account of handling a dog that had eaten raisins. - **Referrals arranged promptly** when required (“swift referral” mentioned). - **Access to appointments** is explicitly praised (“Great appointment availability”).

## Summary Pilgrims Vet Practice describes itself as a modern practice with mobile vet equipment and “experienced vets, nurses & support staff,” and it offers a Pet Health Club® Plus plan where consultations are included. Reviews most often point to the clinic being set up for both routine care and urgent same-day problems: owners describe being seen promptly, having tests run with same-day results, and getting clear communication on treatment and costs. Several reviewers also mention active follow-up after treatment (“not a ‘walk away’”), and care for a wide range of animals including cats, dogs, chickens and ponies. ## Services - **Emergency/urgent care**: listed as providing emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours). Reviews describe prompt care for urgent cases, including **adder bite treatment** and rapid assessment when pets became suddenly unwell. - **Diagnostics/testing**: reviewers mention **tests being carried out with results returned the same day**. - **General consultations and treatment**: examples include a **thorough examination** and **medication prescribed** after a previous misdiagnosis elsewhere. - **Puppy classes**: mentioned by a long-term client. - **Multi-species care**: the practice website states care for “any species of animal,” and owners specifically mention cats, dogs, chickens and ponies. - **Training**: listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. - **Pet Health Club® Plus plan**: website states **consultations are included** as part of this plan (no further plan details provided). ## People - **Niall (vet)**: described as patient, empathetic and thorough during a “very challenging time,” and as combining expertise with “open minded honesty and empathy.” - **Nikki (vet)**: praised for listening, reassuring worried owners, and **keeping clients up to date with costings** during a cat’s assessment and treatment. - **Jackie (reception)**: mentioned for being notably kind and supportive during a stressful visit. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 148 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Fast access and calm handling in urgent situations**, including cases while owners were travelling and a reported adder bite. - **Follow-up after treatment**: owners note the team checks in rather than ending support once the appointment is over. - **Clear explanations and cost communication**, with one review specifically highlighting being kept updated on pricing as care progressed. - **Diagnostics and treatment that owners felt made a difference**, including thorough exams, prescribing needed medication, and same-day test results.

## Summary Ocean Vets Ltd is an **independent** veterinary practice offering both routine and higher-end clinical work (the website lists **laparoscopic surgery**, **advanced orthopaedics**, **ultrasound**, and **in-house blood testing**, plus **nurse clinics**) and says it provides a **24-hour emergency service**. In recent reviews, owners describe being **fitted in quickly for urgent concerns** (including being seen within an hour and returning the next day for tests) and mention **no “hard sales” pressure** at the counter. One recent negative review disputes **added charges** (including “day board” fees during testing and medication pricing compared with pet shops), while others describe the team as **kind and accommodating**, including help with an injured wild rodent. ## Services Based on the clinic website and the written reviews available: - **24-hour emergency service** (as stated on the website). - **Nurse clinics** (website). - **Laparoscopic surgery** (website). - **Advanced orthopaedics** (website). - **Ultrasound** (website). - **In-house blood testing** (website). - **Testing/diagnostics for acute concerns**: one reviewer describes returning the next day for tests after an initial check (reviews). ## People - **Jeremy (vet)**: mentioned by name in a recent review; an owner says he “tried everything” to help their pet and that staff were very understanding when the pet could not be saved. - **Vaughn (vet)**: one long-term client describes him as an “excellent successor” (review also notes they later chose to change practices due to charges introduced by “new vets”). - **Front-desk/team**: multiple reviewers point to the **counter experience**—specifically “no hard sales pressure”—and staff being willing to help and sympathetic in stressful situations (including when bringing in an injured wild rodent). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 83 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Fast access when worried about an urgent issue:** one owner says they were fitted in within an hour and came back the following day for tests that were OK. - **Communication and time for questions:** one reviewer says the vets share information in response to questions. - **Sales/charging experience is mixed:** one review praises “no hard sales pressure,” while another objects to additional fees (including “day board” during a day of tests) and medication pricing compared with pet-shop alternatives, plus not being able to return the product. - **Compassion in difficult situations:** owners mention staff being understanding when a pet couldn’t be saved, and being sympathetic when someone brought in an injured wild rodent.