Dog & Cat Vets in Romsey

## Summary Orchard Vets is a first-opinion practice and part of the IVC Evidensia group (listed as an “IVC Evidensia Positive Pawprint Partner”). The clinic describes having an on-site laboratory, digital X‑ray and a state-of-the-art operating theatre, and says it can carry out the majority of diagnostic investigations and surgical procedures. From the latest reviews available, owners most often describe: - Support through end-of-life care, including euthanasia that was “thoroughly and thoughtfully explained” and extra time at home for a pet “in comfort”. - Dental work including dental cleaning and a “deeply difficult extraction,” with further extractions planned. - Handling of anxious pets, including offering to examine a nervous dog on the floor rather than on the table. - Ongoing management of chronic illness (a dog with diabetes) with a vet who “listens and helps guide” owners through day-to-day stress. ## Services Based on the website summary and the written reviews available to us, Orchard Vets is set up for general practice care with in-house diagnostics and surgery, including: - **Diagnostics & facilities (website):** on-site laboratory; digital X‑ray; operating theatre; “majority of diagnostic investigations”. - **Surgery/procedures (website + reviews):** surgical procedures (general); dental procedures including cleaning and tooth extractions. - **Medical treatment (reviews):** treatment for **gastroenteritis** in a cat. - **Long-term care (reviews):** support for **canine diabetes** management. - **End-of-life care (reviews):** euthanasia and comfort-focused planning (including arranging time at home before saying goodbye). - **Therapies (website):** **K‑Laser Therapy**. - **Training (clinic data):** listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training** facility. - **Emergency care (clinic data):** listed as providing **emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours)**. ## People Named team members mentioned in the latest reviews: - **Nicola (vet/Dr Nicola):** repeatedly referenced for dental work (cleaning and a difficult extraction) with clear, step-by-step communication, and for adapting handling to a nervous dog by examining her on the floor and giving boosters gently. - **Maddy:** described as building trust with a dog that had “severe anxiety” around appointments, and being present with the owner at the end. - **Nik (vet) and Clare (vet):** mentioned during euthanasia care; the owner highlights compassionate support and that the situation was carefully explained. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 245 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **End-of-life support and clear explanations:** owners describe compassionate euthanasia care, with one review noting the clinic enabled a couple of extra days at home “in comfort” and that everything was thoroughly explained. - **Dental care including extractions:** dental cleaning and difficult extractions are specifically mentioned, alongside detailed communication “at every stage.” - **Managing nervous pets:** examples include taking time to gain an anxious dog’s trust over months and adapting the exam set-up (on the floor) for a fearful dog. - **Appointments and front-desk experience:** reviews mention getting a short-notice appointment and receptionists being friendly and easy to talk to. - **General medical cases:** treatment for a cat with gastroenteritis is cited as a positive experience.

## Summary Mainstone Veterinary Clinic is an RCVS-registered small-animal practice. Based on the clinic information and recent reviews, it appears set up for routine care plus urgent/same-day problems (for example, an urgent infection appointment arranged quickly, and a Saturday-morning emergency appointment for two dogs). Owners repeatedly describe thorough, unhurried consultations where treatment options are explained with pros/cons, and pets are handled gently. The clinic also states it can advise what to do in an emergency when the practice is closed, and it has step-free access plus a designated disabled parking bay. ## Services - Small-animal veterinary care for a wide range of species, including: cats, dogs, rabbits, cage pets, birds, fish, exotic pets, reptiles, and amphibians. - Urgent/emergency care is mentioned in reviews (including a Saturday emergency appointment) and the website notes guidance for emergencies when the practice is closed. - Consultations and clinical assessments/examinations are referenced in reviews, including discussion of treatment options and outcomes. - Veterinary Nurse Training facility (stated in the provided clinic data). ## People - **Alison (vet)**: mentioned by name in a review; described as “excellent,” with the appointment arranged quickly after registering and the cat leaving happy. - **Reception team**: noted for being polite and helpful both by phone and in person, and for supporting urgent appointment requests. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.9 stars from 213 reviews.** The comments available focus on speed of access for urgent issues, clear explanations, and calm handling of pets. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Fast access when something’s wrong:** owners mention getting an urgent appointment for an infection quickly, and being seen about an hour after calling to register and book in. - **Clear, detailed decision-making:** vets are described as explaining outcomes well and discussing options with pros and cons, rather than rushing appointments. - **Handling and bedside manner:** multiple owners note gentle handling and sympathetic/kind treatment towards pets. - **Emergency care experience:** one review describes a Saturday-morning emergency visit with a vet and nurse who explained everything clearly and “looked after our 2 dogs beautifully.” - **Practical downside raised:** one reviewer wished parking was better, which contrasts with the clinic’s statement that it has a designated disabled parking bay and step-free access.

## Summary The Pet Practice is a fully independent, family-owned veterinary clinic founded in 2009 by vet Ben Johnson. Reviews suggest the team routinely handles ongoing preventive care (vaccinations, 6‑monthly checks), anxious pets (calming medication, “happy visits,” and letting owners sit in the waiting room to desensitise), and minor procedures such as broken claw removal. There’s also mention of a grooming station on site. One recent review strongly disputes the quality of surgical and dental care (spay incision, lump removal margins, and missed dental disease), in contrast to multiple other reviews describing good support around surgery and illness. ## Services - **Routine preventive care:** annual inoculations/vaccinations and regular health checks (including 6‑monthly checks mentioned). - **Support for anxious dogs:** calming medication, “happy visits,” and owner-led desensitisation by spending time in the waiting room. - **Minor procedures:** broken claw removal described as done swiftly. - **Surgery (type not specified):** one owner describes post-operative reassurance/support following surgery; another alleges a problematic spay experience. - **Dental care:** dental check-ups are mentioned in reviews; one reviewer alleges concerns were dismissed over multiple visits. - **Grooming:** a grooming station on site is mentioned in a review. - **Veterinary nurse training facility:** listed in the clinic data. ## People - **Ben Johnson (vet):** founder (2009) per the clinic website. - **Bridget:** praised for fast, skilled vaccine administration for an anxious dog, and for efficiently removing a broken claw. - **Front desk/admin staff:** described as friendly and helpful; one review mentions occasional waiting/running late. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 130 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Owners frequently mention **friendly, welcoming staff** and clear advice (e.g., “great knowledge and advice,” “welcoming and informative”). - **Nervous/anxious pets:** several concrete measures are described—calming medication, “happy visits,” and being allowed to sit in the waiting room; one owner says anxiety persisted despite these efforts. - **Cats:** one review highlights the team being “awesome with the cats,” and notes the clinic being **spotless**. - **Continuity of routine care:** long-term use is mentioned (e.g., 6 years including puppy classes, checks, vaccinations, and other treatments). - **Mixed/contested experiences on clinical outcomes:** one detailed 1‑star review alleges missed tick treatment advice/coverage, a difficult spay recovery with a large incision, and inadequate dental/lump management; this conflicts with other reviews reporting reassurance and support following surgery and serious illness.