Dog & Cat Vets in Ellon

## Summary Cùmath Pet Surgeons describes itself as an **independent referral surgical practice** (founded by **Scott Rigg** and **Michelle Murphy**) that takes on cases sent by primary-care vets when extra surgical experience or equipment is needed. It focuses on **dogs and cats**, with surgeons listed as **RCVS recognised advanced practitioners in small animal surgery**. Based on the website and recent reviews, it appears set up for **complex surgical work with structured aftercare and frequent updates**—owners mention **thorough explanations of options**, **follow-up calls**, and **reassuring emails with photos** during overnight stays. Recent cases owners describe include **cruciate repair**, **tendon injury surgery and aftercare**, **dermoid sinus removal**, and imaging to locate and remove a **foreign body close to an artery** after other clinics had failed attempts. ## Services * **Referral small-animal surgery (dogs and cats)** for cases sent by primary-care practices. * **Orthopaedic surgery**, including (as listed on the website): * Lameness investigation * Arthroscopy * Corrective osteotomies * Fracture repair * Arthrodesis Review examples: **cruciate repair**; an **ankle fracture** in an elderly dog with a recovery described over several months. * **Soft tissue surgery** (website states a wide variety). Review examples: removal of a **neck foreign body** located via a scan; owners also mention **growth/foreign-body related neck surgery**. * **Spinal surgery** (website), including: * Spinal decompressive surgeries * Vertebral stabilisations * Treatment for intervertebral disc disease and other causes of spinal compression * The clinic data provided lists **emergency veterinary services**, but the website summary supplied does not describe emergency/out-of-hours arrangements. ## People * **Kasia (vet)** – repeatedly mentioned for **clear explanations** and **staying in touch** (including **follow-up calls**). Owners also describe her as providing ongoing **aftercare** for a dog with a tendon injury, and one review credits her with **saving a cat’s life**. * **Masha (surgeon)** – mentioned for **keeping owners informed throughout surgery and recovery** (including a **dermoid sinus removal** case). * **Scott** (named in a review) – credited with doing a **scan** to locate a **foreign body near an artery** and successfully removing it after earlier failed attempts elsewhere. * **Reception and nursing team** – multiple owners mention them as **attentive** and helpful, including support during longer recoveries and when pets stayed overnight. ## Reviews **4.9 stars from 26 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. * **Communication and updates during treatment**: owners describe options being explained, regular progress updates, and **emails with photos** when a pet stayed overnight. * **Complex surgical cases with long recoveries**: examples include **cruciate repair**, **tendon injury surgery**, **ankle fracture repair**, and **dermoid sinus removal**, with owners noting steady improvement over weeks to months. * **Diagnostics used to solve difficult problems**: one owner reports a **scan** identified a hidden foreign body close to an artery, leading to successful removal after prior unsuccessful attempts elsewhere. * **Aftercare and follow-through**: owners mention ongoing check-ins (including **follow-up calls**) and support through rehabilitation. * **Pricing discussed openly (without figures)**: one review specifically mentions **pricing transparency**, but no actual prices are given.

## Summary North East Veterinary Ophthalmology appears to be a referral-focused eye clinic for pets, based on multiple reviews describing cases sent over by primary vets for “ongoing eye issues” and complex problems. Owners repeatedly mention detailed eye examinations, clear explanations of options (including alternatives before surgery), and follow-up contact after treatment—for example, a next-day check-in call after a cat was treated the same day. Surgical ophthalmology is specifically referenced in reviews, including eye removal and corneal ulcer procedures, with owners reporting good recoveries and pain relief in older pets. ## Services - Veterinary ophthalmology assessments for ongoing/complex eye problems (several owners mention being referred by their usual vet). - Thorough eye examinations (described as “detailed and thorough” and giving pets time during assessment). - Same-day treatment for eye issues (one owner reports their cat was treated on the day of the visit and the issue “seems to have resolved”). - Follow-up after visits (a next-day check-in phone call is specifically mentioned). - Surgical eye procedures mentioned by owners: - Eye removal (enucleation) following assessment and discussion of options. - Corneal ulcer treatment including debriding and a “blood vessel graft.” - Eye operation for an elderly dog after alternatives were discussed first. ## People - **Anne-Marie**: Mentioned by multiple owners as central to their pet’s care. Examples owners give include taking time to assess eye problems, “well explained” decision-making with “various alternatives offered,” and supportive guidance during an unexpected bereavement. - **Ivan**: Mentioned as being “gentle and compassionate” during a cat’s detailed eye examination; that cat was treated the same day. - **Other team members (not named)**: One owner describes receiving a next-day check-in call from another staff member after treatment. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.9 stars from 36 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Referrals for difficult eye cases, with owners describing thorough examinations and time taken to assess problems. - Clear explanation of options and decision-making, including trying alternatives before proceeding to surgery when appropriate. - Specific procedures and outcomes reported by owners, including enucleation and corneal ulcer debriding with a blood vessel graft, with reports of recovery and improved comfort. - Follow-up and communication: a next-day check-in call after treatment is specifically mentioned. - Support during stressful situations, including guidance offered to an owner after their pet died unexpectedly while under the clinic’s care for eye issues.

## Summary Glenythan Vet Group Ltd appears to be a multi-branch veterinary practice (the website lists more than one branch) and is also noted in the clinic data as a veterinary nurse training facility. Reviewers most often describe it as set up for both urgent problems and longer-running conditions: examples include being asked to bring a dog in quickly for a badly bleeding foot injury, ongoing support for a new epilepsy diagnosis (talking through options and starting medication), and management of complex skin problems including discussion of alternative remedies. A few reviews also mention extra support for anxious dogs, including free socialisation sessions to help a nervous dog tolerate full health checks. ## Services - **Emergency/urgent care:** Clinic data lists emergency veterinary services; reviewers describe being advised to bring a dog in promptly for a significant foot injury with heavy bleeding. - **Medical workups and ongoing condition management:** Epilepsy diagnosis support is described, including explaining treatment options and providing the “right meds.” - **Post-operative/aftercare visits:** Removal of stitches and staples is specifically mentioned, with an owner saying they were fitted in quickly. - **Behaviour/handling support for nervous pets:** One owner describes free socialisation sessions to help an anxious dog become comfortable attending the clinic and receiving a full health check. - **Surgery:** One review describes surgical removal of a “huge lump” on a dog’s paw pad (noted as a difficult area). - **Skin/dermatology-type cases:** Multiple dogs with “complex skin problems” are mentioned, alongside time spent researching and discussing possible treatments. - **Approach that may include alternative options:** One reviewer describes a vet being open to “homeopathic and alternative remedies,” alongside conventional care. ## People - **Katrina**: Mentioned by name in a review for “going the extra mile,” including providing free socialisation sessions for a nervous dog and offering support both in person and by phone. - **Suzy**: Mentioned alongside Katrina for the same practical support with an anxious dog and owner communication. - **Alastair**: Credited in one detailed review with extensive time spent researching complex skin problems, having long phone discussions to explain options, and performing successful surgery to remove a lump from a dog’s paw pad. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4 stars from 23 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - Owners describe being **fitted in quickly for urgent issues**, including a dog with a badly bleeding foot injury. - Several reviews highlight **clear explanations and decision support**, such as talking through options for epilepsy and arranging medication. - Some owners mention **above-and-beyond communication**, including telephone support and long calls discussing treatment choices. - Specific extra help for **anxious/nervous dogs** is reported, including free socialisation sessions that helped a dog tolerate a full health check. - A few reviewers comment on **cost**, including one noting a visit was about **one-third of the price** quoted elsewhere (no exact prices given).

## Summary Glenythan Vet Group Ltd is a multi-branch veterinary practice with an **online shop**, **prescriptions**, and both a **Pet Health Plan** and **Equine Health Plan** listed on its website. Clinic data also lists **emergency veterinary services**, and reviews include an example of getting an **emergency appointment for an unregistered dog**. From the latest written reviews available to us, owner experiences are mixed: some describe **clear explanations “not in vet talk”** and good handling of difficult-to-treat pets (including an **ill dog that didn’t like being touched or injected**), while others report a situation where a **sick puppy wasn’t helped** and felt the vet focused on **paperwork over treatment**. Cost is also a recurring point, with one reviewer giving specific examples of **high charges and medication pricing**. ## Services Only services and capabilities explicitly mentioned in the provided sources: - **Emergency care/urgent appointments** (listed in clinic data; one review describes obtaining an emergency appointment for an ill dog that wasn’t registered with the practice). - **Pet Health Plan** (named on the website). - **Equine Health Plan** (named on the website). - **Prescriptions** (website includes a prescriptions section; reviews discuss paying for prescriptions and using online pharmacies). - **Online shop** (listed on the website). - Treatment for **cats and dogs** (reviews mention a cat with frequent visits and an ill dog). - The practice appears to work with **livestock clients as well** (a reviewer discusses being registered with the practice for livestock via livestock societies). ## Pricing Pricing is only included where specific figures were provided in reviews (and may reflect historical pricing at the time of the reviewer’s experience): - One reviewer reports a **“labour charge” in excess of £165 per hour** (described as “many years ago”). - The same reviewer gives an example of **£165 for a month’s medication** from the practice vs **less than £60** for the same medication from an online veterinary pharmacy (including postage). - The reviewer also states that **prescriptions cost “a lot”** (no specific figure given). ## People No individual vets or nurses are named in the provided website summary or reviews. What reviewers do describe: - Staff are repeatedly credited (in positive reviews) with being **good with owners and their animals**. - One long-term client says the vets **explain things clearly** and avoid “vet talk,” helping owners understand what’s happening. - A reviewer describing an emergency visit mentions **receptionists and vets** working well together and being **skilled with an ill dog that resisted handling and injections**. ## Reviews **Google rating: 3.9 stars from 7 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Clear communication:** one long-term client highlights explanations in plain language rather than jargon. - **Handling challenging pets:** an emergency-appointment review praises skill with an ill dog that didn’t want to be touched or injected. - **Emergency access:** one review describes being seen urgently even though the dog wasn’t registered. - **Strong negative experience reported:** another reviewer says their sick puppy was not helped and felt the vet was more focused on paperwork than care; they also allege being blocked on Facebook after posting a review. - **Cost concerns:** one reviewer describes very high charges (including an hourly labour charge figure and a medication price comparison) and advises using online pharmacies for long-term medications.