Dog & Cat Vets in Hamilton

## Summary Hamilton Vets4Pets Ltd is a **locally owned Vets4Pets practice** with on-site diagnostics (including **in-house lab work, digital X‑ray, ultrasound and dental X‑ray**) and facilities designed to separate cats and dogs (separate waiting areas and wards, plus isolation). Reviews most often describe vets taking time to **explain options and answer questions** (including for cat care and post-op recovery), and several mention **support around end-of-life care** (being allowed to stay with a pet). A smaller number of recent reviews raise concerns about **missed findings (a heart murmur)** and **waiting/handling of a new litter**, plus one review warning about **upfront payments/deposits**. ## Services - **Diagnostics & imaging:** digital X‑ray, **dental X‑ray**, ultrasound, blood pressure monitoring, biochemistry and haematology (in-house laboratory). - **Surgery & anaesthesia:** anaesthesia, operating theatre, hospital ward; **keyhole surgery** listed on the practice site. - **Dentistry:** dentistry services listed; dental imaging available. - **Preventive/routine care:** microchipping, nurse clinic, medication and prescriptions. - **Documentation:** animal health certificates listed. - **Facilities/patient separation:** separate cat & dog waiting areas; separate dog & cat wards and isolation units. - **Out-of-hours:** when the clinic is closed, emergency care is provided via **Vets Now in Glasgow** (as stated on the practice site). - **Training:** listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## People - **Frances (veterinary surgeon):** named in a review for handling a dog’s mouth swelling work-up (including X‑ray being discussed) and for strong communication at a follow-up—owner specifically mentions feeling “at ease” and that empathy/compassion stood out. - **Kerri:** thanked by name for “kindness and support throughout a difficult time.” - Reception team is repeatedly mentioned in reviews as helpful, including on the phone and during a busy Sunday visit. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 553 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Clear explanations and reassurance:** owners mention vets answering questions and explaining processes (e.g., spay procedure discussion and reassurance for cat owners). - **Support during difficult visits:** multiple reviews describe considerate handling of euthanasia/last goodbye, including being allowed to stay with the pet. - **Procedures and investigations mentioned:** spaying with a smooth recovery; investigations for mouth/gum swelling including X‑ray being booked/considered. - **Concerns raised by some owners:** one review alleges a stage 3 heart murmur was missed and questions the need for further blood tests; another describes a 20‑minute wait with very young puppies and worries about the environment being too cold. - **Payment/deposit policy frustration:** one review reports a **£100 deposit** being retained when an X‑ray appointment was cancelled after the pet improved on medication.

## Summary Julie Innes Veterinary Surgery offers appointments for consultations and is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Reviews describe care for both dogs and cats, including planned surgery (spaying) and longer-term support for serious illness (terminal cancer), as well as end‑of‑life appointments where the vet explained what would happen step by step. Experiences with the front desk are mixed: some owners describe reception staff as “wonderful,” while others report rude communication and extra trips required for registration paperwork. One reviewer also raises repeated problems getting insurance paperwork handled without chasing. ## Services - Consultations by appointment (stated on the clinic website). - Veterinary nurse training facility (listed in the structured clinic data). - Surgery mentioned in reviews: spay procedure for a dog. - Cancer care mentioned in reviews: diagnosis of terminal cancer and ongoing advice/support for the owner. - End-of-life care mentioned in reviews: time spent explaining “every step” during a pet’s final minutes. - Care for dogs and cats (multiple reviews reference both). ## People - **Julie (vet)**: mentioned for diagnosing terminal cancer and guiding owners through that process; also thanked for taking time to explain each step during an end-of-life appointment. - **Reception team**: some owners praise reception as “wonderful,” while others describe a receptionist as rude/snippy, including one account where a new client felt unwelcome during registration due to how confidentiality rules were communicated. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 291 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - Owners describe supportive communication in difficult situations, including cancer discussions and end‑of‑life care where procedures were explained step by step. - Several reviews mention friendly, reassuring staff who helped put owners at ease (including with a cat). - Front-desk experience is inconsistent: some praise reception, while others report rudeness and frustration with how registration was handled (being told to collect a form in person, then asked not to complete it in the waiting area and to return it later). - Insurance admin is a sticking point for at least one long-term client, who reports unanswered insurer calls/emails and needing to repeatedly chase. - One reviewer says the premises feel “run down” and in need of an update.

## Summary Real Vets Limited describes itself as an **independent, locally owned** practice with **over 40 years** of providing veterinary care. In the latest reviews available to us, owners most often talk about support during **end‑of‑life care (including euthanasia)** and clear explanations when pets arrive in distress (one review mentions an **elderly dog with a torn cruciate ligament** being talked through options). Reviews also show a **mixed experience around aftercare/communication**, with one owner upset that cremation arrangements required **upfront payment** and saying this wasn’t clearly explained at the time. Concrete specifics mentioned by owners include: - Staff **guiding owners through euthanasia** and preparing them for what to expect. - A vet calmly explaining **treatment options** for a **torn cruciate ligament**. - Discussion of **cremation/ashes** arrangements, including a report that cremation needed paying upfront before collection. ## Services Based on the provided clinic data, website summary, and reviews, the following services/capabilities are mentioned: - **Emergency veterinary services** (listed in clinic data as “24/7 or extended hours”; no further details provided). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in clinic data). - **Euthanasia and end‑of‑life support** (multiple reviews describe being supported through putting a dog to sleep). - **Orthopaedic problem assessment / care planning** for a **torn cruciate ligament** (one review describes options being explained and the dog being put at ease). - **General consultations/health checks** (one negative review describes being charged for repeat visits that included health checks). ## People - **Lesley** (vet, per a long-term client): described as guiding an owner “very gently” through euthanasia and preparing them for what was coming. - **Lilly** (role not explicitly stated in reviews): repeatedly thanked for being “professional,” for putting dogs at ease, and for explaining options clearly during a visit involving a dog in distress (torn cruciate ligament). Another owner says Lilly “dealt with [their dog] the most” around end-of-life care. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.3 stars from 173 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **End-of-life care is a major focus in recent feedback**, with several owners describing kindness and support during euthanasia and bereavement-related discussions. - **Communication and clarity about aftercare/cost process is inconsistent:** one owner reports they were not told cremation required **upfront payment**, leading to distress when they later discovered their dog had not yet gone to the crematorium. - **Explanations of options in urgent/distressing situations** are highlighted positively (e.g., calm, clear discussion of options for a torn cruciate ligament). - **Cost concerns appear in some feedback:** one owner notes “costs” as a downside (without specific prices), while another complains about paying for two visits for the same issue.