Specialist Vets in Sandown

## Summary The Carisbrooke Vets is a multi-branch practice offering small animal, exotic and farm services, with **24/7 in-house emergency and out-of-hours provision** stated on its website. Recent reviews frequently mention a **friendly, efficient team** and good handling of cats and dogs (including an older cat and a nervous dog being put at ease). One review describes a **cost-spreading annual plan** that the owner felt worked out cheaper than paying separately for what it covers. There is also a clear negative account alleging **contradictory advice about vaccine timing and fees**, which the reviewer says led to extra cost and delayed neutering. ## Services - **Small animal care** (website). - **Exotic animal services** (website). - **Farm animal services** (website). - **24/7 in-house emergency and out-of-hours care** (website). - **Vaccinations** (reviewers describe kitten/first vaccination and follow-up timing). - **Neutering** is referenced indirectly (a reviewer says neutering had to be delayed after a vaccination course issue). - **Cost-spreading care plan** (review mentions an annual plan that “spreads the cost of treatment across the year”). ## People - **Nuria** (role not stated): one reviewer describes her as “very thorough,” “always smiling,” and says she made their dog feel at ease. - **Reception team**: repeatedly mentioned as friendly/helpful; one reviewer specifically appreciated reception being “pleasant” and “nothing is too much trouble.” - **Vet continuity/communication (mixed feedback)**: one reviewer noted they “rarely” saw the same vet twice and said vets didn’t introduce themselves and were “rarely engaging” about treatment options, despite being kind to their cat. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 101 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Owners often mention **friendly, helpful staff** and long-term use over “many years.” - **Pet handling and manner** is a recurring positive (older cat treated gently; dog made to feel at ease). - **Value/cost planning**: one owner highlights a plan that spreads costs across the year and felt it was cheaper than paying item-by-item for what it covered. - **Communication/trust concerns (conflicting experiences)**: one reviewer alleges inconsistent information about vaccine timing and being told they must pay for another course; another review separately raises a calmer concern about **limited shared decision-making** and not being introduced to clinicians.

## Summary Pet Doctors Lake is a small-animal practice that, according to its website, has been established since 1980 and is listed as an **RCVS General Practice**. The clinic describes on-site diagnostic capability (including **CT**, **ultrasound**, **X-ray**, and an **in-house lab**) and offers both routine care and more advanced work-ups. From the latest reviews available to us, owners describe a mix of experiences: some report being **fit in for a last‑minute appointment** and having conditions treated promptly (including **injections and tablets for an allergic reaction**), while others describe **long waits during a critical illness**, concerns about **billing focus**, and reception/customer-service problems. ## Services Based on the clinic website summary, services and capabilities include: - **Consultations** - **Diagnostic tests & imaging** (listed facilities include **CT scanner**, **X-ray**, **ultrasound**, plus an **in-house lab**) - **Surgery** (including **soft tissue surgery** listed as a specialty area) - **Dentistry** - **Microchipping** - **Neutering** - **Vaccinations** and **parasite control** - **Nurse clinics** and **six-month health checks** - **Blood pressure checks** - **Grooming & nail clipping** - **Anal sac expression** - **Pet travel documentation (GB)** - **Home visits** Species the practice says it treats includes **dogs, cats**, and a wide range of small pets and birds (including **rabbits, ferrets, reptiles/tortoises, poultry, and birds of prey**). Emergency care (as stated on the website): **emergency support is available during normal opening hours**, with **out-of-hours support provided by an external emergency vet service**. ## Pricing - One reviewer reports being asked about costs during an urgent case, including an **additional £500** mentioned “for anything additional” that might be needed. (This is a single review account rather than a published price list.) - A reviewer also states they were told the clinic **does not offer payment plans**. ## People - **Siobhan (vet)** is named in a review as “kind, competent and reassuring,” and is credited with handling a **last‑minute appointment** for a dog with compassion. - **Dr Guilherme Pacheo** is described in reviews as **patient and explanatory**, with one owner saying he took time to explain everything and helped an **anxious dog** feel comfortable. - Front-desk experience is mixed: some reviews mention a **friendly receptionist**, while others describe the desk staff as **rude/condescending**. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.2 stars from 101 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Being fit in quickly:** one owner says they were accommodated for a **last‑minute appointment**. - **Clear explanations and calming handling:** reviewers specifically praise time taken to explain care and helping an **anxious dog** cope. - **Treatment given promptly in at least one urgent walk-in:** a review mentions being seen despite not being registered and receiving **injections and tablets** for an allergic reaction. - **Serious complaint about urgent care and costs:** one reviewer describes a **two-hour wait for blood-test results** during a critical illness, feeling the conversation focused heavily on the bill (including an **extra £500** mentioned), and reports a problem after the visit involving a **needle left in the cat’s arm**. - **Reception/service inconsistency:** reviews conflict between “friendly” front desk and reports of rude/condescending behaviour.