Rivervets Reviews 8

We had to say goodbye to our 15 year old Labrador, Hunter, and Alex, as usual, was kind, respectful and compassionate. The staff here are really lovely, always talk to you and make a fuss of your pet.
Can’t recommend them enough.

I noticed on their website that they were helping with a scheme to get your cat neutered for a smaller fee with someone on low income, it was alongside the cats protection league. The form was hard to locate on the website, so i called them, they said they have the forms in the office, so i walked down, and the receptionist took one look at my face, turned grumpy straight away, told me that the form needed downloaded online, so went home, back online to locate the form and the whole scheme had been removed. Phoned them 10 minutes later to say, we don't do the scheme anymore. Hmmm. Funny that.

Our experience with River Vets was nothing short of a nightmare, and I feel it’s my responsibility to warn other pet owners.

We trusted Alex at River Vets to carry out routine castration on our young rescue dog, Kimbo. He convinced us to allow three procedures at once (castration, dental cleaning, and treatment for “happy tail”) since the dog would already be under anaesthetic. That decision was a disaster.
• Castration: Left Kimbo with a huge haematoma, severe bruising, two infections, and an agonising 8-week recovery. This is not what competent surgery looks like.
• Dental cleaning: Performed at the same time as castration – something we later found out should never be done, since bacteria from the teeth can spread and cause infection. This reckless decision almost certainly explains the infections that followed.
• Happy tail treatment: Supposedly a “straightforward” cauterisation, but it was so badly executed that Kimbo ultimately lost his entire tail.

This is a dog who had already survived unimaginable abuse before coming to us – beaten, starved, and burned with cigarettes. Instead of receiving the compassionate and professional care he deserved, he was left mutilated and traumatised yet again by negligent veterinary care.

For comparison, our second dog (same age, same breed, same operation) was neutered at Alnorthumbria a few months later and walked out absolutely fine, with zero recovery time. That tells you everything you need to know about the difference in standards.

We’ve recently moved to this practice and have been hugely impressed with every aspect of the care provided before, during and after our dog’s procedure.
The diagnosis and treatment options were clearly explained and we were updated during his treatment.
Post op, we had to return a couple of times for some routine checks for which there were no additional charges.
Alex and his team are not only highly professional and skilled, but they also have a genuine passion for animal health.
Delighted with our experience - would highly recommend.

I changed my girls to River Vets after they were banned, I was so nervous but made to feel at ease. Alex did everything possible to make myself, son and the girls welcome and happy. They are booked in for operations and Emily the head nurse has been fantastic from start to finish, phone calls and meetings to talk me through it step by step, always at the end of the phone if I have questions. I cannot recommend this surgery enough.

Alex and his team are the best Vets in the area. The love and care they gave to my 21yrs and 8 month old cat was remarkable. He sadly passed last week and they were just wonderful. All the time in the world was given to us to say our final goodbye . Alex gives such personal service.. just wish they had been here years ago.

River Vets are honestly the most caring and helpful practice we have ever been to. From the moment you walk in, you feel the difference in the standard of care provided with it being independent and family run. Always the warmest welcome from Natalie and Kate and all of the lovely Vet Nurses! When my 12 week old puppy snapped a tooth, they made me feel at ease, booked him in immediately and looked after him as if he was their own! Kate, one of the amazing receptionists, even went as far as to phoning my insurance company to check if the tooth removal would be covered before I had even made it home! You don’t get this kind of personal touch from large practices. I cannot tell you how appreciative I felt of this - especially in what could have been a very stressful time as a pet owner. It’s clear they aim to support you, as well as your beloved pet. Alex performed the neatest surgery to remove the tooth and made sure that our puppy was cared for from start to finish - making the return to full health almost immediate! He is so calm and understanding and really explains everything to you to ensure you are as informed as possible. The day after the surgery, we were called to check how Oaty was doing. Above and beyond service - service we have absolutely never seen anywhere else! I feel so lucky that we have found River Vets and know that if anything was to happen to Oaty, there’s nobody I would trust more to look after him. If I could rate more than 5 stars I would!!! Impressed and grateful beyond words!

Popped into the new building today. Fab team and fab facility.