Specialist Vets in Strathaven

## Summary Avondale Veterinary Group provides routine and emergency care for small animals and equine, with on-site equine facilities for hospitalisation and intensive care (including intensive care). The website also references farm work, and notes the practice has operated since 1921 from purpose-built premises opened in 2009. Reviews most often describe clear communication and flexibility around appointments (including rescheduling when a cat wouldn’t go into a carrier), plus gentle handling in sensitive situations (including end-of-life care). The practice website also states it works with Thistle Referral services as a “group partner.” ## Services - **Small animal care** (website and reviews mention dogs and cats). - **Equine services**, including **out-of-hours emergency care** for equine (website). - **On-site equine hospitalisation and intensive care facilities** (website). - **Out-of-hours emergency services for small animals** (website). - **Acupuncture** (website). - **Behaviour support** (website). - **Cardiology** (website). - **Dental** (website). - **Worming** (website). - **Pre-purchase examinations** (listed under services on the website; typically relevant to equine). - Preventive care items specifically mentioned in reviews: **kennel cough vaccination**, **worming tablets**, and **tick/flea treatment**. ## People - **Miss Lilly Diamond (vet)**: specifically thanked for **compassionate end-of-life support**, described as making a difficult goodbye “gentle and respectful.” - **Charlotte (practice nurse)**: praised for **support and advice** regarding a dog’s wellbeing and health. - **Nick**: thanked for being **gentle** with a cat that had a history of neglect; also mentioned alongside the wider team for compassionate treatment. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 428 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Kindness in difficult moments:** one review highlights careful, respectful handling of euthanasia/end-of-life care. - **Clear explanations and advice:** owners mention vets explaining things “in detail” and nurses giving supportive health guidance. - **Gentle handling and patience with anxious pets:** one owner notes the team was understanding about rearranging appointments because their cat was too nervous to get into a carrier. - **Convenience and communication:** online booking is described as “easy and simple,” and communication as good when owners need to get in touch. - **Clean environment:** reception and consultation rooms are described as “spotlessly clean.”

## Summary Elite Vet Group is an independent veterinary clinic (no corporate group named in the available information) offering a broad mix of preventative care, medical workups and surgery, with in-house diagnostics (lab work, X‑ray and ultrasound). The website lists emergency vet services, and reviews describe the team stepping in immediately for an emergency even when they were only open for another procedure at the time. Owners also repeatedly mention clear explanations before procedures, including allowing an owner to be present to comfort their pet as anaesthetic was given. Surgical problem-solving comes up in reviews, including a dog with a “corkscrew tail and skin pocket” with severe infections where owners say the clinic helped avoid euthanasia. ## Services From the clinic website summary: - Preventative care: vaccinations, microchipping, dental checks, senior pet health, weight loss support - Medical and diagnostics: blood tests, dermatology, ultrasound - Surgery: desexing surgery, soft tissue surgery, dental care (listed separately from dental checks), caesarean section (listed as a “popular service”) - Facilities/capabilities: in-house lab, X‑ray, ultrasound - Emergency care: “emergency vet services” are stated on the website, and a review describes urgent life-saving treatment provided immediately during an emergency situation. Services referenced in reviews: - Cherry eye treatment (dog) - Surgery/management for a corkscrew tail/skin pocket associated with severe infections - Anaesthesia for a procedure (owner describes being allowed in to comfort their pet when being put under) ## Pricing - One review describes the clinic as “very reasonably priced” and mentions “no hidden costs,” but no specific prices are provided. ## People - Vets/staff are frequently described as explaining procedures clearly beforehand (mentioned in multiple reviews). - One owner notes they were allowed to come in and comfort their pet (“give him a kiss”) as anaesthetic was administered, suggesting flexibility around anxious-owner/pet handling. - A reviewer describing a complex ongoing issue (corkscrew tail/skin pocket with repeated infections) highlights detailed “decision and discussion” with the team through the process. ## Reviews **5.0 stars from 23 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - Clear, step-by-step explanations before procedures, with owners feeling kept informed. - Emergency responsiveness: a reviewer describes the team immediately acting to save a dog’s life despite being open only for another procedure at the time, and providing help “at no extra cost.” - Surgical/medical problem-solving for difficult cases (e.g., chronic infections linked to a corkscrew tail/skin pocket; cherry eye treatment mentioned). - Calmer experiences for pets: one owner says their dog felt “calm and safe,” and another notes being allowed to be present during induction of anaesthesia to comfort their pet. - Value transparency is mentioned (“reasonably priced,” “no hidden costs”), though without itemised fees.