The Oaks Veterinary Centre

The Oaks Veterinary Centre is reported by some reviewers to be owned by IVC (a corporate group), and reviews are split between strong praise for clinical care and concerns about pricing and sales-style “plans.” Recent experiences describe being offered rapid appointments for unwell pets (including being seen “as soon as” the owner could arrive, and another case “within 4 hours” of calling), and vets discussing “a couple of alternatives” before treatment. Reviews also mention the practice accepting an injured wild bird for triage and safe keeping until the SPCA could collect it, and at least one owner attending specifically for a “specialist vet” for an African bullfrog.

Services

•Urgent/same-day illness appointments are repeatedly described (seen immediately on arrival availability; seen within 4 hours of calling).
•Emergency veterinary services are listed in the provided clinic data (24/7 or extended-hours emergency care is mentioned there, without further detail).
•General veterinary assessment and treatment for dogs, with reports of pets improving after treatment (e.g., a dog settling back to normal; another brighter within a couple of days).
•Treatment planning with options: one review describes a vet offering “a couple of alternatives” and advising on the chosen approach.
•Wildlife triage/holding: a reviewer describes the clinic taking in an injured starling, triaging its injuries, and keeping it safe pending SPCA collection.
•Exotics capability mentioned: a reviewer sought out a “specialist vet” for an African bullfrog.

People

•Shona (vet) is named in one recent review: described as “very thorough,” offering alternatives, and giving advice that led to improvement over the following days.
•Reception team and nursing staff are repeatedly noted in specific terms as welcoming/helpful, and one owner commented on “warm hands” during handling.

Reviews

4.5 stars from 234 reviews. The written reviews available to us include several recent first-hand accounts of quick access to care and positive outcomes, alongside a minority raising cost and corporate-ownership concerns. “”

•Fast access when pets were unwell: being offered an appointment immediately, or within hours of calling.
•Clear clinical process and options: vets described as thorough and giving alternatives rather than a single take-it-or-leave-it plan.
•Positive outcomes reported: dogs settling after treatment and improving over a couple of days.
•Broader animal help beyond routine pets: one account of accepting an injured wild bird for triage/safekeeping; one account of an exotics “specialist vet” for a bullfrog.
•Cost/ownership concerns from some owners: a few reviewers describe “extortionate prices” and “pressure to sign up for various plans,” and state the practice is corporate-owned—contrasting with others who focus on good care and staff.

Reviews for The Oaks Veterinary Centre

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 234 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Paul Downess

in the last week

Great staff great service the mutt said warm hands too 😀

Helen Rumbold

a week ago

I called as my dog had been unwell all day and wasn't settling. I was told I could be seen as soon as I could get there. What a relief. After treatment he settled to his normal self.

Jacqueline

4 weeks ago

In twenty years as a dog owner and having seen numerous vets, this is hands down the best practice we have used. Cannot fault the treatment our dogs have received and the staff are lovely. Pricing neither here nor there, all vets seem to be very expensive these days, just glad we had insurance.

Ann McKay

a month ago

I found a little starling with an injured wing in my back garden. It was late on a Friday evening. As I live in Millport the SPCA could not get here until the next day, they couldn't give me a time. Their information was however if I could take it to a local vet, they could triage it's injuries and keep it safe until the SPCA could collect it. Oaks were happy for me to drop the wee bird off. It was a lively despite having a wing injury, I am hoping it has now been treated and returned to the wild. Thank you so much to Oaks for helping this beautiful little animal back to recovery.

Lara McLeish

Lyz Barber

Visited this practice whilst on holiday as our little Spaniel was ill. Seen within 4 hours of calling so pleased at the speed. We were seen by Shona who was very thorough and offered us a couple of alternatives. We went with her advice and after a couple of days Ellie was much brighter. The Reception team, vet nurse and vet were welcoming, helpful and kind. Very happy with the outcome and thank you to all.

Martyn Hambley

The staff are really good, pleasant and helpful and the premises are very clean. However this is not the family business that it used to be. It’s become a corporate business where the focus is on sales at extortionate prices. Real shame that the corporate owners have killed the family ethos that this practice was renowned for.

Nadine Reid

4 months ago

Couldn’t recommend more, drove 40 miles to see the specialist vet for my African bullfrog well worth the drive, he was kind and knowledgeable and very patient with bulbasaur, all the staff were excellent

Paul Dixon

6 months ago

We've had our 2 dogs at Oaks for the last 2 years - but are now going elsewhere as it's a mixed bag. The staff at Oaks are excellent, I have no issues there. What I do have an issue with is the prices and the pressure to sign up for various plans. It turns out Oaks is owned by IVC, a big multinational. Google them. They're accused of pressuring vets at their practices to 'upsell'. Read the BBC File on 4 investigation and make your own mind up, I have.

Annabelle Tully

2 years ago

I was a bit nervous about taking my dog to the vet for the first time. Everyone was very professional and friendly, answered all my questions and put me at ease. I felt I could trust them with the care of my dog. They loved him and helped him to relax as well. I would highly recommend oaks vet practice.