Dog & Cat Vets in Caerphilly

## Summary Summerwood Veterinary Surgery is temporarily closed for refurbishment, with services continuing through other branches and partner practices. Out-of-hours care is stated to be provided by Vets Now (Newport). Based on reviews, the practice appears set up for routine care and plans (vaccinations, parasite prevention) as well as more involved cases (a broken leg is mentioned) and dentistry (including dental procedures/tooth extraction decisions discussed). Review details also point to a strong emphasis on explaining treatment and costs in advance, alongside mixed experiences around dental outcomes and end-of-life handling. ## Services - Routine preventative care via a Pet Health Club Plus plan (includes vaccinations, flea and worming treatment, and “free vet consultation,” per one review). - Dentistry is referenced (a “simple dental” is mentioned; discussion around whether more teeth should have been removed). - Treatment of injuries is referenced (a dog with a broken leg). - Follow-up diagnostics/communication are mentioned in one review (waiting for test results and being kept updated). - Out-of-hours care is stated on the website to be provided at Vets Now (Newport). - Veterinary Nurse Training facility (from structured clinic data). - Temporary closure for refurbishment, with services continuing through nearby branches/partner practices (from website). ## Pricing - Pet Health Club Plus: £31.99 (as written in a recent review), stated to cover: - all vaccinations - flea and worming treatment - dew claw trimming - anal gland expression - “Free vet consultation” - “Many other benefits” (not specified) - “24 Hour contact with a vet” (as claimed in the review) ## People - A “woman vet” is singled out in one end-of-life review as being “so kind” to the family during the dog’s visits (name not provided). - Across multiple reviews, owners describe vets explaining options and costs before treatment and making space for questions (e.g., “stopped for any questions,” “prices explained so there’s no shock at the end”). - Reception team experiences are conflicting: several reviews describe reception as friendly and welcoming, while one describes loud laughter and being asked for payment shortly after a pet was put to sleep. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 328 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Clear explanations and cost transparency:** owners mention procedures and prices being explained up front, including being asked to agree before treatment, and being kept informed while awaiting test results. - **Access and general service experience:** one review says appointments are available when needed; others describe efficient service and friendly staff across reception, nurses, and vets. - **More complex care mentioned:** a broken leg case is described positively, with thanks to nurses, vets, and receptionists. - **Significant negative reports alongside positives:** - One dental-related review describes a dog becoming unwell after a dental procedure, later diagnosed with an abscess at an emergency vet; the owner states the dog ended up blind in one eye and feels additional extractions should have been done initially. - One end-of-life review describes the reception area being noisy during euthanasia, loud laughter shortly after the pet passed, and being asked for payment while the family was still saying goodbye; the same reviewer separately thanks the vet for being kind.

## Summary Companion Care (Caerphilly) Ltd trades as **Vets4Pets**, so it’s part of the Vets4Pets group rather than an independent clinic. The practice positions itself as **modern and well-equipped**, with on-site diagnostics and surgical facilities (including **digital x‑ray, ultrasound, arthroscopy, endoscopy, an in‑house lab and pharmacy**, plus separate dog/cat wards and an isolation unit). From the latest reviews, owners most often describe: **being seen quickly for emergencies**, **clear explanations of treatment options and costs**, and **post-op check-ups** after surgery. One recent reviewer reports being unable to buy worming tablets without a vet consult (and being unhappy about the additional charge), while others describe staff prioritising safe handling—for example **clearing the reception area** for a reactive, muzzled rescue dog. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website include: - **Diagnostics & imaging:** in-house laboratory (biochemistry, haematology), **digital x‑ray**, **ultrasound**, blood pressure monitoring - **Endoscopy and arthroscopy** - **Surgery:** soft tissue surgery; **orthopaedics** (including **cruciate surgery** and fracture repair); airway, ear surgery; anaesthesia; operating theatre - **Dentistry:** dentistry and **dental x‑ray**; one review mentions a **scale and polish** done under anaesthetic with a same-morning update call - **Regenerative/holistic medicine (as listed):** **stem cell therapy**, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, laser treatment - **Preventive/routine care:** microchipping, nurse clinic, weight clinic, nutritional advice, prescriptions - **Travel documents (as listed):** animal health certificate and pet passport - **Species:** small animals; reptiles; small mammal medicine and surgery; “exotic pet care” is listed - **Facilities/policies (as listed):** separate dog & cat wards; isolation unit; on-site pharmacy - **Out-of-hours:** the website states emergency care when closed is provided via **VetsNow Newport** - **Home visits** (listed) ## People - **Maciej (vet):** mentioned in multiple reviews for explaining **treatment options and costs**, carrying out surgery and being **thorough at follow-up check-ups**. Another owner describes him supporting them through a month of treatment for their cat, including being “kind and thoughtful” at end-of-life. - **Debbie (receptionist):** one reviewer highlights her being “lovely” and “kind” when their cat was seen quickly as an emergency. - **Sarah (nurse, name/role inferred by reviewer):** one owner describes reassurance about anaesthetic for a dental scale and polish, followed by a call to confirm the procedure went well. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 325 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Clear communication about options and costs:** owners describe being kept informed about possible treatments and pricing before proceeding. - **Surgery and follow-up care:** multiple reviews mention operations with good recovery; one specifically notes thorough post-op check-ups. - **Handling nervous/reactive dogs:** one owner says staff arrange entry so the **reception is clear** for a reactive, muzzled rescue dog. - **Updates during procedures:** one review describes a **phone call shortly after drop-off** confirming a dental procedure went well and giving a collection time. - **Pricing/policy frustration from one reviewer:** one owner reports being unable to purchase worming tablets without a vet visit because their dog hadn’t been seen in a year, and felt the additional cost was a “rip off.”

## Summary Summer Court (part of the Summerwood Vets brand, per the clinic website text) is set up as a general first-opinion practice, with **veterinary nurse training** listed in the clinic data. Recent reviews describe a mix of routine and complex case management: one owner says the team identified a **broken back and multiple disc problems** after another vet had suggested arthritis, and arranged a **referral for scans** and correct pain relief medication. Multiple owners also mention **supportive care during serious illness and end-of-life**, including long-term care for a dog who later passed away. Feedback is mixed on service reliability: alongside praise for compassion and thoroughness, there are also reviews alleging **serious clinical error (human medication) and missed diagnosis**, and others describing **call-handling and appointment-order frustrations**. ## Services - General veterinary consultations and ongoing case management (multiple repeat visits mentioned for an unwell dog). - Assessment and management of significant pain/orthopaedic/neurological issues (review describing diagnosis of broken back and disc problems; pain-relief medication). - Referral for advanced diagnostics (“sent… for scans etc.”). - End-of-life support (owners describing compassionate care around a pet’s death). - Veterinary nurse training facility (listed in clinic data). ## People - **Byron (vet)**: named in multiple reviews; owners describe him as “amazing,” “brilliant,” and patient—particularly in long-term care and sensitive situations (ongoing care for an unwell dog; kindness noted with cats). - **Liz**: named positively alongside Byron for being patient and kind with cats. - **Nurses and reception staff**: often credited for compassionate treatment in difficult circumstances, but there are also specific complaints about reception/administrative handling—one review describes a call as “callous & insensitive,” and another describes being moved back in the queue after briefly stepping out to move a car. ## Reviews **4.4 stars from 212 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Compassion during serious illness and loss:** several owners describe dignity and support when pets were very unwell or nearing end-of-life. - **Thorough diagnosis and appropriate escalation:** one detailed review reports the clinic identified a serious spinal injury (after a previous “arthritis” opinion), arranged referral for scans, and started correct pain relief. - **Named staff repeatedly praised:** Byron (and also Liz) are singled out for patience and kindness, including with nervous pets. - **Process and communication complaints:** some owners report insensitive phone manner and frustration with appointment order/being seen out of turn. - **Serious negative allegation:** one reviewer claims their dog was given human medication and that a missed diagnosis led to loss of an eye; this conflicts sharply with other reviews describing careful, thorough care.

## Summary Caerphilly Veterinary Clinic has been operating since 1987, and the website highlights an experienced, long‑serving team. It is a **Cat Friendly Clinic (Gold Standard)** and is also listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. Recent reviews repeatedly mention a **modern, clean premises**, a **separate cat waiting area**, and **clear, thorough consultations** (including annual boosters and vaccinations). There is also a notable negative review describing a past experience involving **a £180 bill**, concerns about **communication during an exam**, and a feeling that cost-saving options (like buying medication online) weren’t discussed. ## Services Based on the website summary and recent reviews, the clinic is referenced as providing: - **Puppy Packs** - **Kitten Packs** - **Pet Health Plan** - **Vaccinations and routine check-ups** (yearly vaccinations and annual boosters are explicitly mentioned in reviews) - **Consultations for skin issues** (one review describes an initial flea assessment followed by discussion of allergies) - **Cat-friendly handling and environment** (Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic; reviews mention a dedicated cat waiting area) ## People Named staff mentioned in the latest reviews: - **Lucy (vet)** — described as treating cats “like they were her own,” with owners saying they felt their pets were in safe hands during annual boosters. - **Sue and Tracy (reception)** — specifically mentioned for a warm welcome on arrival. Other recurring (but unnamed) staff themes in reviews include vets being described as **thorough and clear** during appointments, and staff offering small practical touches like **providing towels to dry a wet dog** after arriving in the rain. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 154 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Clean, modern environment:** multiple reviewers mention the premises being modern, clean, and welcoming. - **Smooth visit flow and clear consultations:** examples include not waiting long to be seen, vets being “thorough, clear and efficient,” and owners being given time to raise concerns. - **Cat-focused setup:** one review highlights a **special cat waiting area** designed to help cats feel safer. - **Positive handling of pets:** pets described as relaxed during vaccinations/check-ups; one dog reportedly jumped onto the weighing scales expecting a treat. - **A significant negative account about costs and communication:** one reviewer describes an earlier visit leading to a **£180 bill** for fleas, later being told it was allergies, and a later appointment where the vet “stayed silent” during the exam; they also felt not being told about cheaper online medication options mattered when money was tight.

## Summary Live Well Vets Caerphilly is part of the Live Well Vets group (they operate clinics in two places, including this one). Based on owner reports, the practice appears set up for routine care plus medical and surgical workups, with an emphasis on explaining choices and costs before proceeding. Recent reviews repeatedly mention: being seen promptly; vets giving clear options (including “worst case scenario” discussions); and thoughtful end-of-life support, including keepsakes (card, paw prints and flower seeds) provided at ashes collection. Owners also describe the team helping nervous dogs acclimatise with pre-visit “get used to it” drop-ins with treats and fuss, and giving regular text updates during a neuter day. ## Services - **Emergency guidance:** The website states that outside opening hours, clients should call the regular clinic numbers for emergencies. - **Vaccinations/boosters:** Vaccinations and booster jabs are specifically mentioned in reviews. - **Neutering:** Kitten neutering is described, including day-of text updates and aftercare advice. - **Parasite control:** Flea treatment and worming are mentioned. - **Dentistry/infection treatment:** Treatment for a **tooth abscess** is described, including a **second course of antibiotics** arranged quickly for collection after a phone call. - **Chronic/medical cases:** Reviews reference support for a cat with **kidney issues**, and a dog with long-running **allergies** where options were discussed without pressure. - **Diagnostics and surgery:** One owner reports a vet diagnosing **bladder stones** (including palpation) and that **surgery** was performed with stones removed. - **Nail trimming:** Mentioned as a needed service by one reviewer (not described as completed). ## People - **Emile (vet):** Mentioned multiple times for taking time to listen and explain options in depth (allergies work-up; bladder stones leading to surgery; thorough checks at vaccination visits; discussion of a previous blood test). Owners specifically note not feeling rushed and not feeling pressured toward a particular option. - **Kat (receptionist):** Described as knowledgeable when discussing a “kitten package,” with an owner saying it saved money overall. - **Laura (receptionist):** Mentioned for a personal welcome (recognising clients on arrival), being approachable, and offering advice/recommendations. - **Vet performing bladder stone operation (name not given):** Described as confidence-inspiring; noted Emile’s palpation finding was difficult to detect. ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 52 reviews.** The themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Clear explanations and real choices:** Owners describe being talked through options (including worst-case scenarios), having costs explained step-by-step, and feeling no pressure toward more expensive routes. - **Support around difficult moments:** An end-of-life appointment is described in detail, including unhurried time, dignity in handling, and thoughtful aftercare/keepsakes at ashes collection (card, paw prints, flower seeds). - **Communication during procedures:** One neutering experience mentions **regular text updates** through the day plus aftercare advice. - **Helping anxious pets acclimatise:** A receptionist reportedly invited an anxious dog in ahead of time to get comfortable with the clinic, with treats and fuss, leading to calmer future visits. - **Speed and practicality:** “Promptly seen” is mentioned, and one owner describes arranging a second course of antibiotics with a quick phone call and same-day collection.