Animals 1st Vets Macmerry

From the latest reviews, owners most often describe: - Thorough, unhurried consultations with clear explanations (including being shown how to do a treatment at home). - Help for anxious pets (one owner with a very fearful dog said the team “bent over backwards” to support them; another mentioned staff using a calming spray on a blanket in the waiting area). - Prompt action around surgery (a tumour case where the team “acted very quickly,” with good care described before and after the operation).

From the latest reviews, owners most often describe

•Thorough, unhurried consultations with clear explanations (including being shown how to do a treatment at home).
•Help for anxious pets (one owner with a very fearful dog said the team “bent over backwards” to support them; another mentioned staff using a calming spray on a blanket in the waiting area).
•Prompt action around surgery (a tumour case where the team “acted very quickly,” with good care described before and after the operation). There is also a conflicting account: one review reports “shocking service” and a serious complaint, described as occurring when “Mr Darlington was in charge.”

Services

Services mentioned on the clinic website and/or in reviews include

•Vaccinations (annual booster appointments are specifically mentioned)
•Neutering
•Nurse clinics
•Pet Health Club (proactive healthcare plan; inclusions/prices not stated in the provided info)
•Laser therapy
•De-matting
•Wellness screenings
•In-house laboratory testing
•Diagnostic imaging: ultrasound and X-rays
•Health & heart testing
•BOAS assessment under the RFG scheme (as stated on the website)
•Animal health certificates for travel to the EU
•Species listed on the website: cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, lizards, snakes/other reptiles, birds, chickens, and fancy fowl
•Emergency/urgent support (as stated on the website): 24/7 access to an online vet via Pawsquad
•Surgical care is referenced in reviews (a tumour operation is described, without procedural detail)

People

Named individuals mentioned in reviews

•Louise (vet) and Gillian (vet): one reviewer said both listened carefully, were not rushed, and shared knowledge; the same review describes a follow-up appointment fee being waived when the pet didn’t actually need to be seen.
•Aileen (vet, name uncertain as written “Aileen?”): described as taking time to build trust with a dog, offering a plan, and demonstrating how to perform a treatment at home.
•Katy (reception, name uncertain as written “Katy?”): described as welcoming and attentive to clients coming and going.
•Mr Darlington: referenced by a reviewer in connection with a serious complaint and dissatisfaction with the response.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.8 stars from 230 reviews. - Consultations described as thorough and clearly explained, including step-by-step guidance for giving medication or doing treatments at home.

•Support for nervous animals: examples include staff using a calming spray on a blanket in the waiting area and adapting care for a very fearful dog.
•Surgery experiences can be positive: one owner reports fast action on a tumour and strong pre- and post-op care.
•A minority negative account reports “shocking service” and a poor response to a complaint (described as relating to a previous period of management).

Reviews for Animals 1st Vets Macmerry

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 230 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Derek Bathgate

3 weeks ago

We were delighted with the service and friendly staff. Our appointment was for an annual vaccination booster and our pets were very well looked after. Would definitely recommend.

Sophie Armstrong

a month ago

Changed to Animals1st after a bad experience with another vet. Couldn't be happier with the service they provide! Wish I'd changed vets sooner!!! My dog Tony is so well taken care of they're all lovely

Simon Waugh

Friendly and looked after dogs 🐕

jim Redpath

Love the staff and vets. Very compassionate and caring towards my dogs. Even at the darkest of times they are totally amazing and guide you through difficult times.

Wild Poppy

3 months ago

Used vets 1st when Mr Darlington was in charge - to whom I made a serious complaint I received a shocking service and an even worse response - I changed vets immediately, thankfully

John King

2 months ago

Great first visit we have a very fearful dog and they bent over backwards to help us out. The staff were great and seemed to intuitively understand our dogs needs.

Ali Wilson

Maggie had a tumour they acted very quickly and thanks to you all she is fine.the care given before and after the operation was great.she loves going to the vets why because you're the best and all very kind thankyou all again

Michelle Calder

Apologies, I did not get our vets name but she was so kind, gentle, caring and super thorough with Zara’s examination which I hugely appreciated after our experience at another veterinary surgery where you were in and out in 2 mins if lucky. I felt very reassured that Zara had been fully checked over and that the treatment plan going forward was the correct one. Everything was fully explained to me as she was checking Zara over and how and when to administer her medication. Couldn’t ask for more. Thank you! If you are considering changing vets, I would highly recommend Animals 1st Macmerry!

Rebecca Crichton

5 months ago

This is a really lovely vet practice. The reception staff always chat to me about my cats, and recently they sprayed a blanket with calming spray to make my cat’s time in the waiting area more comfortable. The spray seemed to make a real difference. The two vets I have seen, Louise and Gillian, are both friendly, professional, listened well, and were lovely with my cats. I have never felt rushed and the vets have always shared their knowledge generously. One time, the vet did not charge me when I turned up for a follow up appointment that my cat had not needed. There had been a miscommunication between me and my partner, and she kindly waived the fee because the appointment turned out not to have been necessary. I have had only good experiences with this practice and would highly recommend their services to anyone.

Nicola Gray

2 years ago

Animals 1st Vets (Macmerry) is aptly named. I recently took my dog along after having a poor experience at our previous vet and I actually enjoyed my visit to the vet - who knew that could happen?! The person on reception (Katy?) was an absolute dream, not just with me but with everyone that came and went. Felt more like a friend than someone at their work. The vet (Aileen?) was incredible. She spent so much time building up trust with my dog, listened to everything I had to say, gave me advice off the back of it and put a plan in place. The vet also showed me how to perform one of the treatments I was unsure about which made things so much easier. It gave me confidence that anyone could leave there knowing exactly how to best help their pet. When discussing treatments, medications etc I was giving multiple options with varying prices. I’ve never been given options in this way before but what a fab way of doing it. Giving options without making anyone feel bad about possible financial struggles, especially in the world we’re currently living in. My dog has had some pretty invasive treatments and procedures at Animals 1st and is still eager and happy to go in every time. Bruce and I are very grateful to have the team helping us.