Dog & Cat Vets in Ballincollig

## Summary Riverview Veterinary Clinic Ballincollig is part of the Riverview Veterinary Group (the website notes 80 years in practice). Based on both the site and recent reviews, the clinic is set up for routine care (e.g., first vaccinations) as well as more complex surgical cases, with multiple owners describing orthopaedic procedures and detailed aftercare. The website also states they provide emergency support for pets and farm animals, including a mobile service for farm animals; one recent reviewer also mentions “satellite offices” that can provide 24‑hour urgent care. Concrete examples owners mention include cruciate ligament reconstruction and other knee surgeries, treatment of fractures/leg breaks, and staff taking time to explain options in detail before treatment. ## Services Services and capabilities explicitly mentioned in the available sources include: - **Emergency support** for pets and farm animals (website), including a **mobile service for farm animals** (website). - **Urgent/24-hour care access via satellite offices** (as described by a reviewer). - **Orthopaedic/soft tissue surgery** as described by multiple owners: - Surgery for a **fracture/leg break** (reviews) - **Cruciate ligament rupture** surgery / **reconstruction** and related **knee surgery** (reviews) - **Repeat surgeries** during an inpatient stay (“2 operations”) (review) - **Vaccinations** (a kitten’s first vaccination is specifically mentioned) (review). - **Pre- and post-operative advice and aftercare follow-up** (owners describe thorough aftercare and support before/during/after surgery) (reviews). ## People - **Dr. Carl / Carl McAuliff (vet)**: Named repeatedly in reviews in connection with complex surgical cases (fracture repair, cruciate rupture/knee surgery). Owners specifically mention: - **Clear pre- and post-op guidance** (“great pre and post op advise”). - **Support before, during and after** reconstruction surgery, plus **thorough aftercare** to support recovery. - Taking time to **explain options and address concerns**, including around managing a household with an older dog and a new puppy (as described by one owner). - **Bee (team member)**: Mentioned alongside Carl in one review thanking them for helping save a puppy’s life and supporting the family during recovery. - **Wider team**: Multiple reviews describe staff being **kind and gentle with nervous/young animals**, including handling a puppy gently during a visit and taking care of a dog staying in for operations. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 87 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Repeated reports of **successful surgical outcomes**, especially **orthopaedic cases** (cruciate rupture repairs/reconstruction, knee surgery, fracture/leg break surgery). - Owners highlight **communication and decision support**, including staff **explaining options in detail** and giving **pre- and post-operative advice**. - Multiple mentions of **aftercare and follow-up support** to help dogs recover well after surgery. - Several reviews focus on **gentle handling and kindness**, including with puppies and a kitten at a first vaccination visit. - One reviewer specifically values access to **24-hour urgent care via satellite offices**.

## Summary Oldcote Veterinary Clinic describes itself as an exclusively companion-animal practice that has been providing care since 2002. The website lists core day-to-day services (consultations, vaccinations, surgery and neutering) and notes they commonly see cats and dogs as well as smaller pets such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. From the latest reviews available to us, owners most often mention: - returning for routine care and neutering for cats - straightforward, “to the point” explanations focused on the animal’s best interest - helpful vet nurses and flexibility when booking appointments There is also a clear service complaint from one reviewer about being asked to wait two hours for a microchip scan on a found dog, which contrasts with other comments about speed and helpfulness. ## Services Based on the clinic website and the written reviews available to us, services referenced include: - **General consultations** - **Vaccinations** - **Surgery**, including **neutering** (specifically mentioned for cats in reviews) - **Care for companion animals** including **cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs** (as stated on the website) - **Treatment for sick pets** (one review describes “speedy, friendly and effective treatment” for a sick dog, without clinical details) - **Microchip scanning (requested by a member of the public)** is discussed in a review; one reviewer says they were told to come back in two hours for the scan ## People - **Deirdre** (role not explicitly stated, but referenced as the main vet by reviewers): described by one reviewer as “straight to the point” and focused on the animal’s best interest. - **Vet nurses** (not named): mentioned as “brilliant” and “very helpful,” with one reviewer highlighting flexibility when booking appointments. - Multiple reviewers refer to **“Deirdre and her team”** looking after their pets over a long period. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 77 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Long-term loyalty and repeat visits:** reviewers describe bringing multiple pets over many years, including “nearly 20 years.” - **Neutering and routine pet care:** one owner mentions bringing a cat “a couple of times” and returning to have another cat checked and neutered. - **Communication style:** one review values that Deirdre is “straight to the point” and prioritises the animal’s best interest. - **Booking/helpfulness:** vet nurses are specifically credited with being helpful and flexible with appointment scheduling. - **Mixed experiences on responsiveness for a found pet:** one negative review says they were told to return in two hours for a microchip scan on a lost dog, while other reviews describe “speedy” and effective care for an unwell pet.