Dog & Cat Vets in Douglas

## Summary The Village Veterinary Hospital is a small-animal practice where recent reviewers describe both routine care (check-ups and vaccinations) and more complex treatment (including cancer surgery) with ongoing follow-up. Practical access and continuity come up repeatedly: one owner reports getting an immediate appointment on Christmas Eve, and another mentions being able to message the clinic via WhatsApp for questions and emergencies. Multiple reviews also point to pets becoming comfortable with specific staff over time (for example, a dog “bounces in” to see named team members), suggesting an emphasis on familiar handling and repeat visits. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned in the available information include: - General consultations and thorough physical examinations (including a “very thorough examination” at an urgent same-day visit) - Blood sampling / blood tests (blood samples taken during an appointment) - Vaccinations and routine check-ups for cats - Ongoing management of pets with multiple health problems (described as “persistent efforts to treat my dog”) - Cancer care including surgery, followed by post-op home discharge and follow-up checkups - Advice for new kitten owners (guidance and suggestions across early visits) - WhatsApp messaging for questions, and for emergencies (as reported by a reviewer) ## People Named team members mentioned by reviewers: - **Chara (vet)** — credited with a thorough exam and taking blood samples at an immediate appointment; follow-up care was described as “outstanding.” - **Aoibheann (doctor/vet)** — repeatedly highlighted in a detailed account of cancer care, including surgery and follow-up checkups; the owner specifically describes her approach as kind and reassuring with a shy, anxious dog. - **Declan (vet)** — associated with a “relaxed environment” and a “lovely experience” for a pet named Bella. - **Emma and the nurses** — mentioned alongside Aoibheann/Aoibheain as familiar staff a dog is excited to see on arrival. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.9 stars from 384 reviews.** The comments available to us focus on appointment access, clear clinical work (exams/tests), and follow-through after treatment. **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Fast access when something is wrong:** one owner reports an immediate appointment on Christmas Eve. - **Diagnostics and thoroughness:** blood samples and a “very thorough examination” are specifically mentioned. - **Follow-up after significant treatment:** owners describe post-surgery discharge and “every follow-up checkup,” as well as strong follow-up care after testing. - **Support for anxious pets and continuity with familiar staff:** an owner of a “shy and deeply anxious” dog describes patient handling, and another notes their dog is visibly happy to see specific vets/nurses. - **Routine preventive care done efficiently:** check-ups, vaccinations, recommendations per cat, and quick paperwork are all mentioned. - **Communication channel outside appointments:** one reviewer says the clinic offers WhatsApp messaging for questions and emergencies.

## Summary Animal Care Vets is a small-animal practice that says it has been providing care for over 20 years and has **Fear Free Accredited Staff** (as stated on its website). Reviews most often describe detailed explanations of treatment options and **clear cost updates before decisions are made**, including a case where a vet phoned regularly with updates and priced options. Owners also mention practical touches such as **same-day booking after a phone triage** and **help calming nervous cats during visits**. One recent review reports a frustrating experience when trying to arrange **repeat medication collection**, citing poor communication at reception. ## Services - **Small-animal veterinary care** (website). - **Fear Free handling approach** (website: “Fear Free Accredited Staff”), echoed by a review describing staff introducing themselves to a nervous cat and helping calm him before admission. - **Vaccinations and routine preventive care** (reviews mention “so many vaccinations… especially the first year” and repeated kitten vaccinations during fostering). - **Medication support**, including **repeat prescriptions** (a review references collecting repeat medication; fostering reviews mention kittens being medicated). - **In-patient/admitted care** is implied by a review describing leaving a cat at the clinic and being kept informed about what was happening. ## People - **Orla (vet)**: mentioned for listening from the start, phoning regularly with updates/questions, and **explaining options with cost updates for each option** before proceeding. - **Reception team/receptionist/nurse**: one owner says the receptionist/nurse listened to concerns and arranged a **same-day appointment**; another owner reports a negative interaction when requesting repeat medication, describing unclear instructions and poor manners. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 215 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Communication and informed choice**: multiple reviews mention clear explanations of procedures and options, including pricing and alternatives. - **Follow-up/updates during treatment**: one detailed account describes regular phone calls with updates and decision points. - **Handling nervous pets**: an owner describes staff introducing themselves to a nervous cat, calming him, and explaining what was happening before the pet was left in their care. - **Preventive care and fostering support**: owners mention vaccinations and medication for foster kittens; one review describes receiving a handwritten condolence note after a loss. - **Service inconsistency at reception**: a recent 1-star review describes difficulty arranging repeat medication and dissatisfaction with the interaction.