University of Edinburgh Hospital for Small Animals Veterinary Services

University-run small animal hospital linked to the University of Edinburgh rather than a corporate chain. It is set up for referral-level and complex care as well as ongoing therapies, with owners describing emergency referrals, advanced investigations including MRI and other imaging, inpatient stays, and major surgery. The hospital is also listed as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility.

Services

•Emergency and referral care: owners describe emergency admissions and priority referrals for serious cases, including kidney emergencies, paralysis after a slipped disc, traumatic injuries, and complex surgical cases.
•Diagnostics and investigations: recent examples include MRI scanning and other imaging as part of work-ups, alongside monitoring and assessment for medically complex patients.
•Inpatient care and hospital monitoring: multi-day stays are described, with frequent updates to owners during admission and detailed discharge or home-care instructions afterwards.
•Surgery and surgical decision support: reviews mention spinal surgery after hindlimb paralysis, adrenal tumour surgery linked to Cushing’s disease, operations made more complex by kidney issues, and multiple operations following traumatic burns.
•Dentistry and aftercare: one owner specifically praised a dog’s dental procedure and the aftercare that followed.
•Acupuncture: regular acupuncture sessions are mentioned as part of ongoing management for a dog.
•Medical treatment and case management: examples include fluids and antibiotics during a kidney-related emergency, along with broader supportive care for high-acuity cases.
•Ear problem work-up: one owner highlighted a thorough consultation that focused on getting to the bottom of a dog’s chronic ear issues without feeling rushed.

Pricing

Published prices suggest the clinic sits above average, based on a partial sample of comparable services.

People

•Callum Atkins: thanked for explaining options clearly for a paralysed dog and for carrying out surgery that the owner says led to a strong recovery.
•Angus: praised for a dog’s dental treatment and aftercare.
•Maaike: mentioned warmly for regular acupuncture sessions.
•Fiona: highlighted for kindness and support during end-of-life care.
•Albert (vet): repeatedly praised for clear, step-by-step explanations and helping owners feel informed about complex conditions.
•Joel and Esther: thanked for care during a cat’s kidney emergency referral.
•Sophie (vet): commended for taking time over a dog’s ear problem work-up and not rushing the consultation.
•Sofia: appreciated for prompt, helpful communication during a high-risk surgical decision.
•Kathryn Pratschke (Senior Surgeon): thanked for helping an owner work through the decision around adrenal tumour surgery.
•Elissia, Henry, Owen and Lisa: named by one family as part of the team caring for a dog with severe burn injuries.
•Wider nursing and surgical teams: owners describe multiple daily updates, photos during hospital stays, and careful discharge guidance.

Reviews

Google reviews show 4.8 stars from 153 reviews, with recent feedback painting a very positive picture of the hospital’s care and communication.

•Recent reviews focus heavily on complex and urgent cases, including hindlimb paralysis treated with MRI and surgery, severe burns requiring multiple operations, kidney emergencies, and endocrine or other high-risk surgical cases.
•Communication is a standout theme: owners mention options being explained clearly, frequent phone updates during inpatient stays, quick answers to questions, and detailed home-care instructions at discharge.
•Reviews repeatedly praise the kindness and reassurance shown by vets, nurses and support staff, especially when owners are anxious or dealing with very serious illness.
•Several owners report strong outcomes after intensive treatment, including improved mobility after spinal surgery and kidney values returning to normal after emergency treatment.

Reviews for University of Edinburgh Hospital for Small Animals Veterinary Services

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 153 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Reece

2 months ago

My dog, Daisy, was admitted here on August 6 after becoming paralysed in her hindlimbs. She was also incontinent. Callum Atkins phoned me to explain the options available. I decided to proceed with an MRI scan first and, depending on the results, move forward with surgery in the hope that Daisy would be able to walk again. Daisy went on to have the operation and is now doing incredibly well. She is back to walking and had already regained the ability to urinate on her own the day she left the hospital. I am extremely grateful that she was in such skilled and caring hands. Daisy beat the odds, and that is only because Callum performed such an excellent operation.

Hannah Wilson

I want to start this by saying the words I’m typing can in no way compare to the thankfulness I feel towards the staff at the small animal hospital. My miso has been in and out of their care for the last two weeks and they have been amazing looking after him, the vets, nurses, everyone involved in his care have been amazing. Dealing with my anxious calls sometimes 3 times a day, they have saved his life, quite literally, and are continuing to give him life saving care. I cannot say what it means to me that I still have my boy with me, thank you so much for everything you do, and we will see you at our follow ups! 🖤

Mark Doyle

There are simply no words that I can write that will ever be able to express the gratitude that we have as a family for the care that our girl Hiccup received from the Veterinary team at the Dick Vets. Hiccup suffered traumatic burn injuries in a horror accident and I knew from the moment I walked through your doors that she was truly in the best hands. For the past 11 days she has been surrounded by an extensive Veterinary team who have shown her nothing but kindness, care and compassion day and night. When she was fighting for her life, your team stood by her fighting every second with her. Tonight we got Hiccup home. We only managed to get Elissia, Henry, Owen and Lisa's names who were all truly amazing in everything they done from the initial consultation to the daily updates that we received letting us know exactly how Hiccup was recovering after her multiple operations and tonight for spending so much time with us going over her home care needs. We also know there was an extensive team that we didn't get to personally thank, so from the bottom of all our hearts, thank you for everything you have all done to get Hiccup home and looking after her during this time. Mark, Cassy and Hiccup.

Chris Misslin

3 months ago

Brooke Balmer

4 months ago

I couldn’t recommend the hospital for small animals and the team highly enough. From the very first appointment the staff took excellent care of my accident prone greyhound. Angus was fantastic and took great care of our boy. He had a dental and the procedure and aftercare was excellent with Angus. He then began seeing the wonderful Maaike who he adored for his regular acupuncture sessions and I just knew he was in the best hands. We sadly lost our beloved hound in November and we were blessed to be under the care of Fiona who couldn’t have been kinder during our hardest time. Not only will your pet receive the best care at the hospital, you will also meet some wonderful humans who go above and beyond.

Yvonne Magrath

Excellent staff, friendly, make you relax explain everything there going to do

Kelly Benjamin

I know my Lexy is in good hands each time we have an appointment. Each and every staff member is so friendly and kind. They always go out of their way to explain certain things which seem complex to me. Albert is an amazing vet and happy he is taking care of Lexy

Alexandra Rodén

5 months ago

We are still not out of the woods but wanted to reassure anyone who has to take their beloved pet here as an emergency that these people will do everything they can. My cat Winston was feeling poorly and not eating too well. After taking him to my normal vet (Dundas Veterinary Group: never again) they told me his creatinine value was 1200 which is not good. 24 hours of fluids and no pain management, only trying to get him some gabapentin via food which he wasn’t eating and his condition was not improving and second blood panel showed 2300 creatinine. I didn’t want to give up especially since no imaging had been done so we received a priority referral to the small animal hospital and the treatment and bedside manner has been night and day. Winston was put on antibiotics, fluids and imaging was done among other things. These things take time and as of this morning his kidney values are back to normal ! Even if things do not end the way we want, I am so comforted by the fact that my cat is getting the absolute best care. Thank you to Joel and Esther and the team for taking such good care your patients and their owners.

Emily Bussell

9 months ago

Our precious basset hound was given the highest level of medical support when she needed it most after suffering paralysis from a slipped disc. The continuity of care from start to finish has been exceptional. Even in a very busy hospital, staff provide undivided attentive support to put your mind at ease. These people are truly preforming miracles on a daily basis. Nessie is eternally grateful 🐾

David Hires

1 year ago

The vet Sophie was amazing really took the time to get to the bottom of our dogs ear problems for once felt informed and comfortable and not rushed will be moving all our dogs over thats how good an experience it was.