Holmefield Vets Reviews 8

We had a deeply upsetting and unacceptable experience with this veterinary practice and would strongly advise others to think very carefully before trusting them with their pet’s care.
Our dog Chester, a cockerpoo, was seen here and diagnosed with a stomach issue. Over the following three weeks, he showed no improvement and instead continued to deteriorate while being treated for a condition he did not have. During this time, we were charged over £2000.
His condition became so severe that we were genuinely fearing the worst and were left distressed at the thought that Chester might need to be put to sleep. No pet owner should have to go through that, especially when the underlying issue has been missed.
Growing increasingly concerned, we sought a second opinion from another vet. They quickly identified the real problem—a disc issue in his back—which had been completely overlooked. Once the correct diagnosis was made, Chester was finally able to receive appropriate treatment.
It is extremely upsetting to know that our dog endured unnecessary pain for an additional three weeks due to a misdiagnosis. We trusted this practice to provide competent and thorough care, and in our experience, they failed to do so.
Based on what we went through, we cannot recommend this practice and would urge other pet owners to consider seeking alternative veterinary care, especially if their pet’s condition is not improving.

They will overdose your animal and then take no accountability. Do NOT use them.

We trusted this vet for years, 12 years with our dog, and then a further 3 or 4 with our cat. After a dental surgery, she was prescribed antibiotics by a vet who spent hardly any time looking at her, made her visibly distressed more than I’ve ever seen, and prescribed the medication after walking out of the room. I was also only informed after paying that the medication contains penicillin, and someone with a penicillin allergy must not handle this. As someone with a penicillin allergy, I had to order appropriate PPE like gloves and a mask as I would be the only one who could administer this consistently. This medication made my cat quite ill, but after ringing the vets they insisted I have to keep going with it. After looking more carefully at the medication, they had given her basically double the dose she should have been on. I adjusted the dosage to the correct amount and the symptoms stopped. When I went back to the vets, I overheard a conversation between (I will say a lovely male vet) the vet who was treating her and a female, who told the male that he just needs to lie and cover up the mistake. He didn’t, and told me that there was no medical reason she should have been prescribed this dose.

Because of his candor I decided to give them a second chance. Next appointment rolled around for a concern I had, and unfortunately the vet who overdosed her is the same vet they booked me with. Immediately my cat was scared of her, she was handling my cat by the neck, was condescending, rude, and had no care whatsoever to my cat. Very clearly, she has no care for animals, they are lumps of meat to her. After ending the consultation fearing for the wellbeing of my cat, and coming out of the consultation room in tears, I was offered a second consultation with another vet. This vet asked me what happened with the vet from the previous day, and despite me telling her all of this her line was that mistakes happen, and they operate a no blame culture. Well, luckily this time my cat recovered. But if that vets careless easily avoided mistake had killed her, would this still be the case? I was told yes, sometimes that happens but they still would not look to place blame. So good to know that if a careless mistake ends in you losing your pet, no one is held accountable.

I am now with a local mobile vet (I wont say the name in case they take my review down, but starts with the same letter) who charge less to come to my house, take the time to let my cat get to know them, and hold her very gently. Holmefield is not what it once was, its now a corporate money grab, who employ vets who don't care about the animals they treat. If you love your companion, avoid this vets at all cost.

The vets in this practice have to be some of the rudest professionals I’ve ever come across. For the extortionate prices they charge (which clearly shows greed over duty of care to animals & welfare) you would expect better service and politeness at bare minimum. Don’t waste your money on this practice - take your pets elsewhere where they value your custom.

Took my sick bunny Noel into the surgery at Brayton. Could not have received better service.
In particular Angie, Dawn & Emily were just fabulous, nothing was too much trouble.
Not the first time, won't be the last, but good to know the team are there to help in the most dire of situations.
Thank you

Took my dog molly in to be seen after various symptoms of a Pyometra (uterus infection) the reception lady was lovely when I explained I had a budget of £300 until the following week but as soon I entered the treatment room the vet made me feel like absolute scum for not being able to afford £90+ for the initial consultation, £380 on the spot for an ultrasound, and £224 for medication. She was nothing but arrogant and rude to both me and my grandma and it was so obvious she couldn’t wait to get me and my dog out of the door. We were sent home with painkillers for her and after taking her to PDSA pet hospital in Leeds we have been told she was incorrectly dosed and now this maybe life threatening. She is having full abdominal surgery because the infection has been left, I understand you can’t help patients if they haven’t got the money but the least you could do is be honest so people can actually receive the help they need.

Misdiagnosis and Unacceptable Service

I recently had a deeply concerning experience at Holmefield Veterinary Clinic, Brayton branch, which I feel compelled to share. My dog, Evie, presented with brown discharge, frequent urination, and foul-smelling urine. Despite these symptoms, she was otherwise well in herself. The vet examined her and performed an ultrasound, diagnosing her with Pyometra and recommending an emergency surgery costing approximately £2500.

Feeling uneasy about the rushed recommendation and high cost, I sought a second opinion from another vet. The second vet allowed me to be present during the ultrasound and showed me that Evie did not have Pyometra but rather bladder stones. This misdiagnosis from Holmefield Veterinary Clinic could have led to unnecessary emergency surgery, significant expense, and left the actual issue untreated.

When I approached Holmefield Veterinary Clinic for a refund and an explanation, they acknowledged my complaint but stated that a thorough investigation could not be completed immediately. While I appreciate the need for a detailed review and accept the delay, overall the clinic's initial response and handling of my dog's condition fell far short of acceptable standards. They have sidestepped the request for a refund twice, and while I appreciate the investigation will take longer. The refund should have been processed and acknowledged.

This experience has eroded my trust in Holmefield Veterinary Clinic. Pet owners deserve accurate diagnoses, responsible recommendations, and immediate resolution when errors occur. I urge others to consider this experience when choosing a veterinary service.

Friend took my cat to the vets while I was travelling; they neglected to do a basic test at the time (blood pressure), so he had to return within a few days. I complained about this due to distress to animal and inconvenience, and the response was dismissive. I did correspondence with vet over email about this and care plan, and I’m rating them two stars because they did at least explain their rationale (albeit a weak one). When I tried to get follow up, they had no vets available that, so I went elsewhere. New vets informed me that results were missing from bloods, so I had to get this redone. Again, my cat was needlessly distressed and it cost £230, but at least it was £100 less at new vets. Fees at Holmefield therefore seem excessive. I again complained, and was dismissed. I would not recommend them and will not be returning.

Having been forced to make the awful decision to get my Labrador Sally put to sleep in June I have felt the need to leave a review praising the team at Holmefield Vets in Brayton for their compassion towards myself and my children and their wonderfully gentle way of handling my dog in her last moments. Their care didn't stop there. A couple of days later a lovely card came through the door with a handwritten message inside reassuring us that we had done the kindest thing and that Sally had been lucky to have such a wonderful big family around her. It opened the floodgates again but meant the world. Thank you to you all. I cannot praise all the staff here enough. You are a credit to the Holmefield name. I'm sorry it took me over two months to leave a review but everytime I tried I fell apart again.